Smartphone buyer's guide: Mid-2019 edition
- S
- Siddhant
- s8b
- 16 Jun 2019
Hey, didn't you add the realme 3 pro
- j
- justmyopinion
- ncG
- 16 Jun 2019
Most phones these days bring almost identical hardware with only slight differences.
Yet the other important half is barely even mentioned in many reviews - software. Who offers the best user experience, the fastest and longest! software updates and who listens to users for improvements.
The market is over saturated with supply of pretty much identical hardware, and more. And the user demand is actually falling as people keep their phones for longer. And there aren't huge leaps of innovation in smartphone spectrum any more as the product has reached to a plateau.
I predict that the supply may balance with the demand over time and all these one day wonders will eventually disappear. These Redmi's, Xiaomi's, Realme's, Pro's, X's can't even differentiate themselves with naming. And their software is usually not mentioned as a feature. Also selling your stuff with the cheapest price possible is not a viable long term strategy. One or two consecutive products that got something wrong and the company is in trouble (legends say there was something called HTC not very long ago).
It's hard to predict who would survive - Google makes Android (and 'owns' the rest of the internet) so they should be safe, Samsung is one of the biggest companies in the world, Apple has their ecosystem (although their whole business model is based on greed and real innovation was seen long time ago), Nokia has somehow endured rollercoaster over the decades.
As I'm just seeking to replace my old Motorola (before they were bough by Lenovo and turned to another average glass sandwich supplier) I'm gravitating towards Oneplus this time, although not the Pro model. The reason being the before mentioned software side. They are the first company after Google who releases new updates, promise at least 2 major Android updates (2 years) plus one more year of security updates.
The main problem these days is the new stuff being really relevant only the week they are released. Next week there are already two more brands coming out with their glass sandwich which are essentially the same, and so on.
Some Samsungs have lost up to 60% of their value within half a year and reportedly the S9 lost 42% of value within one month. This is another element to consider when choosing a new device.
- ?
- Anonymous
- vG@
- 16 Jun 2019
Why no section for compact phones?
- v
- viano
- 80$
- 16 Jun 2019
Sylvex, 15 Jun 2019You can already buy it in EU... Just search.When and where is Mi 9T Pro launched?
I think does not even announced yet!
Do you mean such fake listings like Belsimpel?! lol
or Redmi K20 Pro with bloated english only China- or shop-ROMs,
without supporting the mostly used LTE B20
and without any usable warranty ???
Nice.
- d
- dk
- p7A
- 16 Jun 2019
hamid reza sadeghi, 16 Jun 2019only sony no other brand xperia 1 great phoneagree too
- d
- davisrases
- rK9
- 16 Jun 2019
How come the ‘music phone’ category is missing? Seems that feature has lost its shine these days.
- A
- Andy93
- LaT
- 16 Jun 2019
Redmi K20 Pro/ Mi 9T Pro
"Good: Design, price/performance ratio, battery life, fast charging, full-screen AMOLED,
Bad: None"
None..? How about no micro SD? That was listed as bad for other phones here so should be for the K20 Pro too. I'd also say the lack of IR Blaster too. Kind of expect in Xiaomi phones and when they don't have one it's disappointing
- h
- hamid reza sadeghi
- mhg
- 16 Jun 2019
only sony no other brand xperia 1 great phone
- ?
- Anonymous
- KZK
- 16 Jun 2019
No Nokia 9 PureView for camera phone?
- ?
- Anonymous
- m%5
- 16 Jun 2019
ScottsoNJ, 15 Jun 2019Thankfully no Apple devicesBecause there are only two smartphone brands: Apple, and everyone else.
This was a buying guide for everyone else.
- ?
- Anonymous
- Q5x
- 15 Jun 2019
ScottsoNJ, 15 Jun 2019Thankfully no Apple devicesBecause they will launch a 2019 model in 3 months, Also Note9 was excluded from the list for the same reason.
- h
- hanif
- 6QH
- 15 Jun 2019
Where are LG phones? Foldable phones? HTC midrange? Nokia?
- ?
- Anonymous
- Dk9
- 15 Jun 2019
@gsmarena
U should also make article about unique and weird smartphones of recent years
- ?
- Anonymous
- 8v0
- 15 Jun 2019
AnonD-763241, 14 Jun 2019Hey wait!!! where is the fastest phone.......iphone xs. ... moreYou mean the 1500 smartphone with no jack, no USB c, a Big notch, and a small battery ?
- S
- Sylvex
- S3X
- 15 Jun 2019
viano, 14 Jun 2019This guide is highly subjective ... Suggesting a phone ... moreYou can already buy it in EU... Just search.
- ?
- Anonymous
- 5Kx
- 15 Jun 2019
How about a phone that fits in your pocket so that you don't need a backpack to carry it around with you?
- L
- Lead2XL
- Y6P
- 15 Jun 2019
The Xiaomi Pocophone is from last year but still one of the best in terms of value for money. I checked the specs on the Realme X - too long and wide, a brick like the OnePlus 7 Pro. I wouldn't buy a phone over 160 mm long and over 75 wide. Only a minority of users really need or want a phone with a 6.5 or larger display.
- A
- A50user
- 3bm
- 15 Jun 2019
Wdym The fingerprint, loudspeaker and 4k recording are bad...
Fingerprint is totally working after few days and Its unlocking the phone in 0.4sec
Loudspeaker is very good for its price, when its on 100% it distors but if you go 1 level back at 94% its perfect
And you can download any third party app for 4k recording...