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Why you don't need a flagship smartphone

AndroidPIT best smartphones 13
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As we reach the second half of 2016, most Android manufacturers have now released the flagship phones which will drive their sales and carry them into 2017. And I've realized that there's no major incentive to purchase any of them.

You don't need a particle accelerator on your smartphone

This year we've seen modular components become a larger focus of the premium tier, despite lacking impressive modules. And Samsung continues to pursue curved-edge smartphones, despite that most of the functionality would work just as well on phones with flat displays. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 3 doesn't even make use of its 6 GB of RAM (though as of today that might be changing).

A phone doesn't need a built-in particle accelerator. It doesn't need to turn into a jet pack. You don't need to weigh items on them. The difference between premium phones and mid-range devices is increasingly coming down to price and gimmicks alone.

AndroidPIT sony xperia x performance 1188
The Xperia X Performance is just one of the Android smartphones that isn't worth the money in 2016. / © NextPit

Though you won't often read about it, a device with a "mid-range'" processor, a decent GPU and 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM will take care of day-to-day tasks in the same way as very expensive phones.

The OnePlus 3 only makes use of 4 GB of its 6 GB of RAM

If, like me, your daily smartphone use involves sending messages, watching short videos, emailing and playing casual games, you can get by on phones that cost less than $200. Activities that 95 percent of the population are engaged in 95 percent of the time work just the same whether you spend an extra 500 bucks or not. 

You do not need to win a Pulitzer prize for best photo

If you're really serious about photography, you aren't taking pictures with a smartphone. While it's great to have a high-performing smartphone camera, often the difference between the best and almost best is in the margins. The overwhelming majority of users simply want photos of holidays, landscapes, time spent with family and friends, or to record an exciting live incident: situations when professional quality isn't important.

Personally, smartphone cameras are one of the most important factors when I buy a new phone: it's one of the few features where I actually feel a difference compared to a past device: RAM, GPU, CPU and battery capacity usually go unnoticed.

Smartphone activities that 95 percent of the population are engaged in 95 percent of the time are the same whether you spend an extra 500 bucks or not

But what I don't need is a telescope for my phone. A 12 MP camera with good software integration and optical image stabilization will do just fine. More megapixels could make photos look better blown up on a huge area, but most times I only look at photos on a smartphone or monitor anyway. In these circumstances, the thousands of extra pixels generally go to waste. 

AndroidPIT huawei p9 1406
You don't need to sell a kidney to get a smartphone with a good camera. / © NextPit

You don't need an iMax movie screen

When a phone says it has QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels), how often would you think this can be taken advantage of? PhoneArena conducted some excellent research on this that suggest that pixelation (being able to identify individual pixels) occurs at 7.8 inches from your eyes on a 5-inch 1080p phone and at 6.44 inches on a 5.5-inch QHD device, assuming the person has 20/20 vision.

What this means is that, unless the phone is really, really close to your face, you can't even notice the more densely populated display. 7.8-inches away from your eyes is already closer than you will look at a phone most of the time.

QHD media isn't yet found in many places: it's not on Netflix, and only a few YouTube creators are making use of it. You certainly won't find it on any TV streaming or news websites. Thus a Full HD panel, with well-calibrated colors and a strong brightness level, is basically all you need. 

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy s7 15
A Full HD display is already arguably more than you need on a phone. / © NextPit

You don't need 128 GB of storage

This topic is a little more tricky to discuss. More storage costs more money, and more storage is better, right? Having said that, you have to pay a premium to get 64 or 128 GB of internal storage capacity, as phones typically come with between 16 and 32 GB.

One way around this is to make us of microSD cards and cloud storage. As any Android fan will point out, cloud and external storage does not act the same as internal storage space. However, because microSD can house all your media and specific app data, the internal storage space is mostly going to be necessary for apps: and making use of 64 or 128 GB of apps is madness.

A 32 GB MicroSD card is ostensibly cheaper than buying the more expensive smartphone variant, and most users aren't going to notice a difference compared to accessing data held on a microSD. What's more, services like Google Photos offer unlimited storage of images at a certain size. 

AndroidPIT micro sd 2
MicroSD cards are cheap and solve the problem of space. / © NextPit

Final thoughts

Let me make this clear: I have nothing inherently against paying a lot of money for smartphones. In fact, if you were to choose between a regular cellular phone, or a (more expensive) smartphone, I would implore you pay more money to get a smartphone. The reason is that the gap between those two is very tangible: smartphones have offered a completely different experienced to what phones before them could do. 

But the difference between budget and premium smartphones is becoming ever-smaller. And in 2016, I don't see much between them at all. 

Do you think it's necessary to buy premium smartphones? If yes, what do you think is the main advantage? I look forward to reading your thoughts in the comments. 

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Scott Adam Gordon

Scott Adam Gordon
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Originally from the UK, Scott graduated in Popular Music Studies at Newcastle University and attributes much of his success there to his beloved Samsung Galaxy S2. His current aim is to write cool things about Android. And he loves it.

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  • hotspring21 12
    hotspring21 Jun 27, 2017 Link to comment

    Actually I would take it one step further. New flagships really are worse. I have been using Galaxy S7 for a while, and if it wasn't a company phone, I would have no reason to use it Dislike glass back, sealed in battery, no IR blaster etc. Much prefer my old Note 4!! I am still also using my old Note 2 with monster battery and loving it!

    Francesco V.


  • 3
    Pan Trope Mar 28, 2017 Link to comment

    I'm late to this article, sorry, but the point here is well worth taking. I don't need a "flagship" when a mid-range will do the trick, and I'm a power user. I'm in the 5% not covered by the average user for Android. I build my own apps, I tinker with the OS to the point of rebuilding it in some earlier cases (Gingerbread as a singular example of bad engineering on some early handsets), I'm pushing the hardware to the edges of its capability and I've never needed a flagship since Jellybean. My business partner is a major cheapskate, she uses a Sprint MVNO with a ZTE Warp model (I think the Elite). I'm using a Motorola G4 Plus 4/64 GB model at the moment on a Verizon MVNO. I don't see the need for the $700+ flagship Samsung Galaxy or even a more modestly priced One Plus model, let alone what Apple offers with it's walled garden. Let's break down some "catastrophic damage" costs on flagship vs my G4 Plus. I ran over my phone a few days ago so these numbers are fresh in my mind.
    If I was using a flagship I'd be out the $700+ because most insurance won't cover running it over. With my G4 Plus I'm out $250 from Amazon with shipping via Prime. That's it. I slip in my SIM card and I'm good to go.
    So buying flagships even if you're a power user makes no sense.

    hotspring21Deactivated AccountFrancesco V.


  • 16
    nightflyer2131 Jul 11, 2016 Link to comment

    well your point are on point I have the note 4 and still loving it. I can see nothing wrong with it at all even compared to the new crap tht is out its all now about who can be blind sided and give up a perfectly great phone for the next best thing. pls I see tht now after so much money down the drain yea I probably get blindsided again anyway great article gana keep it as a reminder so next time the next best thing comes out I'll read it as a reminder.

    Tage .Thotspring21


  • Keith Taylor 3
    Keith Taylor Jul 8, 2016 Link to comment

    A one year old flagship is the best mid range phone..

    Jack MacMoni MihailovRich DFrancesco V.


  • CJ Brown 29
    CJ Brown Jul 8, 2016 Link to comment

    Because you can buy a decent ZTE (thank gawd this Company started to make better Android Smartphones) for 1/2 the price of a Samsung (lol - I'm going to be called a ZTE schill here and I don't care, I've used Samsung, HTC, LG, Motorola, Asus and they all are inferior to the experience I have with my ZTE - even though I will need to upgrade if I want to go from Android OS Lollipop 5.0 to OS Marshmallow 6.0 and that's my only gripe!) ...

    AXON PRO (like a Nexus model you don't have an sd card slot, but you have better specs)

    https://www.zteusa.com/axon-pro/

    GRAND X 3 (better then whatever low end model MotoLenovo is desperate to sell)

    https://www.zteusa.com/zte-grand-x3

    ZMAX 2 (still need an sd card slot? there you go!)

    https://www.zteusa.com/zte-zmax-2-unlocked

    NUBIA 5s (waaah I hate big phones! here you go, a small phone with nice specs!)

    https://www.zteusa.com/zte-nubia5sminilte

    GRAND X MAX+ (I bought this after my Asus only lasted 1 month, nice Phablet)

    https://www.zteusa.com/zte-grandx-maxplus

    GRAND X MAX + 2 (picking this up with my work bonus)

    https://www.zteusa.com/zte-grand-x-max-2

    AXON (even the original is still a better then whatever MotoLenovo is offering)

    https://www.zteusa.com/axon-phone

    Rumors about the AXON 7 could be ZTE's best challenge to Samsung

    http://bgr.com/2016/05/13/zte-axon-7-android-smartphone/


    • Francesco V. 20
      Francesco V. Jul 8, 2016 Link to comment

      I'm actually looking forward for the ZTE Axon 7, which seems a great phone. MyMy only concern with such a great device might be the high resolution screen, which is really a waste of battery, processor and money. Unless I want to feed the inflating but young VR market...


  • Vinicius. G. Romero 15
    Vinicius. G. Romero Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

    For me personally, the screen resolution is VERY important. When I buy a smartphone it needs a vibrant screen. That AND storage for SD cards, which is something you should NOT ignore!

    Battery is obviously important as well, but it's not a dealbreaker to have a weaker battery for the sacrifice of a beautiful screen.

    *Kawaii eyes intensifies*


  • Dusan V. 12
    Dusan V. Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

    I don't agree with this article. It's all up to personal preference. Some people want to carry best device when they can afford it. You don't need best device is not good argument. Comparison to make it is like you said don't buy jaguar when you can buy fiat punto just because it is cheaper.


  • 11
    Marc Wilson Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

    You are correct, we really don't need 12mp cameras, i only use my pics for email, Facebook or WhatsApp, just dont need big file sizes. The screen should be clear but would never use 4k or uhd, hd is fine, if you are streaming from youtube or another app it will not give you the definition to make use of uhd anyway. All these upgrades are great but use more battery, have the manufacturers really looked at this.

    Battery, i have a note 4, just coming up for 2 years old, its a good phone spec wise, i skipped note 5 update as i am in Europe and my third battery is just starting to run down quicker. I use it every day and charge it at night, so i am really worried about the note 6/7 as it will force me to change phones next year unless Samsung has made a big change to is battery design.

    So unless phone manufacturers can really make a big jump forward in battery design this is what will limit the phones no matter what you pay, i assume lower price phones have lower quality batterys.

    Jack Mac


    • Francesco V. 20
      Francesco V. Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

      Hello Marc,
      I actually have a Moto X Play, with a 3650 mAh battery. It is cheaper than most phones and still has a great battery life.
      The same is true for many others. Just take a look at the new mid-range Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro 2016, which sports a 5000 mAh battery.
      It's just another example to renew the message of this post: flagship smartphones are overrated and often unneeded.

      Deactivated Account


    • 28
      itprolonden Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

      You made a general statement "we" then you you said that you only do such and such. That works for you. But some of us like the features that only come with flagship phones.

      Jack Mac


    • Nevamal Sithra Acharige 1
      Nevamal Sithra Acharige Nov 4, 2016 Link to comment

      Try xiaomi, especially the redmi line, they have 4000 mah battery with HD or FHD resolution, my redmi 3 Screen On TIme is around 8 hrs on the early months, now it is down to 7 hours after a year of use, its cheap and quality is great considering its price. but i think it is hard to acquire one in the US.


  • 13
    Some Tech Guy Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    You don't need 128GB? Well, cloud storage costs data to access. If you want to stream or download your own movie from cloud it will cost you. You want to put it on your SD? No dice if you have a Nexus. There is a place for the 128GB phone. Let's be clear you need that storage somewhere; cloud, SD or native in the phone.

    Vinicius. G. Romero


  • Francesco V. 20
    Francesco V. Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    And battery? Really, everyone asks more juice. I agree with all the points you made. But I'd surely add a bigger battery.
    Who needs a 5mm thick phone when such a device would barely last a day and ask for recharge?

    itprolondenVinicius. G. RomeroJerry's W.


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    I used to be of these mindset that you get what you pay for which meant if it wasn't premium it is not worth it. But now I've changed and believe my next phone will be a mid range or even a budget phone after having looked at what I truly use my phone for. The lower end has improved. Good read and I agree with this article. Time to keep money IBM my pocket.

    FlávioDeactivated AccountJerry's W.Francesco V.


    • 28
      itprolonden Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

      I think it depends on the features but yes, I agree


  • 3
    Scott Shaheen Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    Still happy with my 1+1


  • 14
    Alex Simpson Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    qhd i s actually usefull beacause everything looks much sharper. if you use a fhd and then a qhd phone you will notice it.


    • Mieczysław Beger 1
      Mieczysław Beger Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

      I don't agree. I had LG G3 now Nexus 6P and when changing resolution on YouTube between 1080p to 2K I see no difference at all. And on iPhone 6 plus and Huawei P9 picture is perfectly clear and sharp. Give me good quality build, 4K recording and 1080P 5-5,2 screen and I'm happy.


      • 28
        itprolonden Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

        I don't think Youtube broadcasts in 2k?


      • 14
        Alex Simpson Aug 30, 2016 Link to comment

        i does but the video author had to make the video resulution that high


  • Sherzod Abdujabborov 14
    Sherzod Abdujabborov Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    Been there, done that. =)

    A friend of mine bought Samsung A3 a few weeks back for 200 Eur. Given the fact that he falls into the category of regular phone users (the 95% pool mentioned in the article), the phone does everything just fine for his needs - nice photos, at least on the phone screen and on facebook, runs games, plays videos and sends texts. Oh, it also makes calls =).

    Yes, it is still Android 5.1, the update is coming in a few weeks though.

    It actually looks good as well, especially since he never wanted a large-screen phone. Now his choice was to pay 700+eur to get the galaxy S7 or A3 model for 500+ eur cheaper price. He decided to abstract from all the preconceptions related to 'little money = bad quality' mass belief and make a leap of faith.

    My intuition says that he will never go for flagships anymore. Neither will I.

    Side note - probably it all boils down to user needs. If status validation is your need, then the use case discussed in the article is secondary.

    UTuberoniAnna S.Bojan M.Francesco V.Dean L.Scott ShaheenDeactivated Account


    • 28
      itprolonden Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

      On your side note. Just because a person gets a better phone it doesn't mean they need "validation". Maybe they want features that only flagship phones have and they don't want to settle for a difference of $100 to $200.


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    I am agreeing more and more that flagship phones are just not worth the money. I just bought another Cherry Mobile, a Touch XL2 phone to replace the one I gave to my daughter's Nanny. Spent P3,499 or about $75 for a 6" HD display, with 3000 MAH removable battery 1.3 GHz quad core, 8 gig storage expandable to 64 ,1 gig ram, Marshmallow, dual sim 8 ad 2 MP cameras. It looks great in it's PLASTIC armor. I can buy 10 of them for what 1 S7 cost. No it won't win any bench mark test but for the money it can't be beat.

    Dean L.Sherzod Abdujabborov


    • 28
      itprolonden Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

      So you settled for 3rd best. If that works for you then great. You'll probably be replacing it two or three times sooner than you would the S7...


      • Philippe Dekyvere 2
        Philippe Dekyvere Jul 8, 2016 Link to comment

        and he only would have spent 30% of a s7

        Deactivated Account


      • 1
        Jack Mac Jun 14, 2017 Link to comment

        He got what he paid for, CRAP


  • Parvind Chahal 21
    Parvind Chahal Jul 6, 2016 Link to comment

    good post after a long time....thnx scott for ur too good posts

    Anna S.Deactivated Account

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