PHONES OF 2021: BEST PHONES FOR EVERY BUDGET

A brand new mobile phone, but without high costs? Nowadays you can buy a great cell phone on installments or without identity check. Samsung, just like countless other Android manufacturers and the popular Apple iPhones, pull a new device out of the hat almost every week.

Everyone knows the problems with older mobile phone versions, the memory of which is no longer large enough and can only save a few photos in high resolution. With many cell phones it is still possible to reduce the number of apps so that there is still space for photos of the most beautiful moments. But when is the right time to invest in a new cell phone?

The problems with older smartphones

Each of us has had problems with older smartphones. The battery discharges too quickly because the current operating systems and the new software take up all the computing power of the old cell phone. In addition, the memory requirement increases with every new smartphone version and the older models are then often limited in their functions.

For a while, the older models can still be used if the owners restrict their needs. You can often not use the most modern apps and have to limit yourself to the most important apps because the storage capacity of the old device is insufficient for more apps.

Not enough battery life

The battery life is determined by the computing power of the smartphone. If many programs are running in the background, the battery charge is often only sufficient for a few hours. The only way to get the best out of the battery performance is to run as few programs as possible at the same time and turn them off immediately after use. If WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook have to run at the same time, older smartphones often discharge themselves after a short time.

An important factor in battery performance is of course the age of the battery. Each time the battery is charged, the service life of the battery is shortened and it can no longer store its full capacity. One solution can be to replace the battery. But before investing again in the old smartphone, the owner should seriously consider whether it is still worthwhile.

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is not a cheap smartphone, but you also get a lot in return. Are you looking for the best smartphone at the moment? Then you cannot ignore the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It uses a 6.8-inch QHD+ display with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz. This makes it one of the best displays on the market. The battery life of this device is good and it is definitely feasible to do a full day with the battery. If you play a lot of games then you may need to recharge it sooner. Please note that this device does not come with a separate charging pad, so if you do not already have one at home, you will have to purchase one yourself.
The 108MP camera of the Galaxy S21 Ultra is by far the best feature of this powerful smartphone. Just like its predecessor, it allows you to zoom digitally up to 100x, only the quality of the S21 Ultra is a lot better. The two additional zoom cameras certainly contribute to this.

✅ Great zoom camera
✅ Impressive design
✅ Magnificent display
❌ Very pricey
❌ No microSD card slot
❌ No charging pad included

Verdict: Because of its price and size, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is not for everyone, but it is and will remain the best smartphone you can buy right now.

2. OnePlus 8 Pro

During testing, it was quickly revealed that the brand is firmly on Apple and Samsung’s heels. With its 6.78-inch screen and 120Hz refresh rate, it leaves a stronger impression than an iPhone. Not only does it make a game look better, but scrolling on the Internet looks smoother. If you need your smartphone all day, the OnePlus’ battery will meet your needs. The addition of wireless charging is very welcome and even achieves the highest wireless charging speed to date. In terms of cameras, the OnePlus was always behind, but they have now caught up. The quad camera on the back of the phone provides nice 48MP photos and a 3x optical zoom along with a 30x digital zoom. It is not. The best camera phone on the market, but it is one of the best cameras on an Android phone in this price range.

✅ Beautiful display
✅ Very powerful
✅ Fast (wireless) charging
❌ Most expensive OnePlus so far
❌ Less storage

Verdict: It’s amazing that the OnePlus has boxed itself up in such a short time and is now comparable to the big boys. Despite being on the big side and having good cameras, it is not yet on par with Apple and Samsung.

3. iPhone 12/iPhone 12 Mini

The iPhone 12 is similar to the iPhone 11 in many ways, but it introduces 5G, combined with an OLED screen, more durable build quality and more processing power. It appeared last year along with the iPhone Mini, which has pretty much the same features, but in a smaller variant with 5.4-inch display.
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are even slightly better, but because of the price, they are also less attractive to many.
The upgrade to OLED has ensured that the device has an excellent screen. It sits at similar heights that of the more expensive models, although it still only has a 60Hz screen. The iPhone 12’s battery life is better than its predecessor, but it still can’t compete with many Android smartphones. You do have the option to charge it wirelessly. The dual camera (12MP main camera and 12MP wide-angle camera) on the iPhone 12 performs well, even in low light, but it’s not much better than the iPhone 11’s camera. It does have a nice extra option: Night Mode with both sensors.

✅ Colorful OLED display
✅ Future-proof with 5G
❌ Cameras are not much improved from last year
❌ Moderate battery life

Verdict: It’s not the most powerful device on the market, but it strikes a good balance between price and features. It features an industry-leading chipset and is equipped with 5G.

4. Samsung Galaxy S21

When you are looking for a good smartphone and do not want to pay a high price for it, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is a good choice. There are a few things to say about the screen. Samsung has exchanged the QHD+ resolution for FHD+, but to be honest, that difference is negligible. The screen is still pleasant to look at, especially in combination with the adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz. Even with some more intense use, the battery lasts a full day on one charge with a 4,000mAh battery. Depending on usage, it can even last from 1.5 to 2 days. The camera specs have remained about the same as its predecessors, this is because the same hardware is used. In terms of software, there have been some improvements, but they don’t make the big difference. The cameras perform well, but for the best you should be with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

✅ Good, multifunctional camera
✅ Cheaper than the S20
❌ No microSD card possible
❌ No charging cradle included

Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a good, strong smartphone with a good value for money. The design has had a refresh and it is a lot cheaper than the S21 Ultra. If you already have the Samsung Galaxy S20, we do not recommend purchasing the S21, as the upgrades are otherwise negligible. If you do like having a slightly larger screen, the Galaxy S21 Plus is a slightly more expensive, but good alternative.

5. iPhone 12 Pro/iPhone 12 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro is pretty much the same as the iPhone 12. That combined with the higher price is the reason it is lower on this list. It is a powerful smartphone though. The iPhone 12 Pro Max does have a few extras that make it the best choice when money is no object, and you are willing to have a big phone. It has more cameras and storage. The screen of the iPhone 12 Pro has a beautiful 6.1-inch OLED display. It is one of the best out there, although not much better than the iPhone 11, and it has a refresh rate of only 60Hz. The battery life is acceptable, but not great. It will need to be charged daily and you have to do it without a charging pad. Wireless charging, on the other hand, is possible through MagSafe tech. The camera has a main, wide-angle and telephoto camera of 12MP and a LiDAR scanner, this gives the device a versatile camera setup. It also takes better photos with less light.

✅ Available in many colors
✅ Bright, vivid screen
❌ No microSD card possible
❌ No charging pad in the box

Verdict: The iPhone 12 Pro isn’t a huge upgrade over its predecessor or the standard iPhone 12, but it’s still one of the very best iPhones. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on it and still want one of the better models, it’s best to buy the standard version.

6. Oppo Find X2 Pro

With this device, you’ll find a top-notch display, processor, camera and more to justify the high price. The battery isn’t fantastic, but the Oppo Find X2 Pro does belong in the ranks of best phones. The 6.7-inch screen on this phone is the very best on the market right now. The resolution is great and it is a joy to look at. The battery could have been better, with average usage you can basically get by for a full day, but when you are a frequent user it can still fall short. In terms of camera you’re in the right place with the latest Oppo, the specs make it one of the very best camera phones you can buy right now. Especially the 60x zoom is very impressive.

✅ Beautiful screen
✅ Fits comfortably in the hand
❌ High price
❌ Mediocre battery

Verdict: It’s not Oppo’s cheapest smartphone, but it’s a top-notch phone that’s eager to compete with the big brands like Apple, Samsung and OnePlus.

Mobile phone contracts or better financing for the new smartphone?

When a new cell phone is to be purchased, the question of which provider and with what conditions often arises. There are generally two ways of renting with a smartphone or just one line.

Mobile phone contracts with smartphones usually have a minimum term with which the companies finance the smartphone. In the end, the customer often pays more for the financed smartphone than for a direct purchase. The minimum term can be an even greater disadvantage for the customer. There are many providers on the market who want to set themselves apart from the competition with the cheapest lines. Clever customers use the cheapest contracts that can save a lot of money.

Advantages of cell phone contracts

The biggest advantage of cell phone contracts is convenience. Customers don’t have to worry about anything, they get the smartphone directly that is already registered on the line. After the end of the term, a new device can be selected.

disadvantage

The disadvantage is clearly the length of the term. The prices and offers for the lines can change drastically, but the customers are bound by the minimum term. A lot of money can then be saved with special offers. Mobile phone contracts with a term of more than two years should not be chosen under any circumstances, as this would mean a commitment to the smartphone and the network provider for far too long.

Advantages of financing smartphones

When financing smartphones, customers can enjoy the best of both worlds. The latest smartphone and the cheapest and best provider. Since the best networks can also be canceled on a monthly basis, smartphone financing can save a lot of money and be used flexibly by selecting the monthly flat rate.

disadvantage

The latest smartphones can cost a few hundred euros. Financing for these models can then have a term of one year. During this time, the buyer is dependent on this smartphone if he does not want to open a second contract.