If two similar smartphones have a serious difference in cost, it is highly likely that the manufacturer of the more affordable one has saved on something. I myself have come across this more than once when I seriously tried to use relatively inexpensive “flagship killers”. Usually they have everything very cool on paper, but the list of technical characteristics does not include a number of fundamental points, which ultimately have a very strong effect on the comfort of using the device. To create a high-end gadget, it is extremely little to build a top-end processor and as many cameras as possible.
Conversational speakers
In the first place in the personal top – the quality of the conversational speakers. Obviously, manufacturers are well aware that today this is far from the most demanded element of a modern smartphone. As practice shows, voice calls are becoming more rare, so this is the first thing you can use to cut the cost well. Inexpensive conversational speakers can make unnecessary sounds and not very intelligible speech – especially at high volumes. When I myself faced a similar misunderstanding, I tried to communicate more often using TWS headphones, and not holding the receiver to my ear. Moreover, voice calls most often occur only while driving.
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Microphones for speech
Another element of a smartphone that is almost impossible to use for marketing purposes. That is why gadget manufacturers often neglect its quality in their attempts to achieve the minimum cost on the shelf. Problems with speech at the conditional second end of the wire can be explained by a number of reasons, which may include not particularly high-quality cellular communication. But many people learn about low-quality microphones in the device only during manipulations with voice recording. Even sending voice messages via messengers is already becoming a real challenge for affordable flagships, for which the manufacturer regretted some of the top elements.
Assistant cameras
A smartphone that is just trying to appear top-end usually has a lot of additional cameras. It is important to note that most of them are usually useless and are only needed to create the appearance of a top-end smartphone. In truly flagship gadgets today, there is usually no additional photo module for determining the depth of space, as well as a special camera for shooting macro. High-quality main cameras, if any, are responsible for all this. But a periscope module with a large zoom in a pair to an ordinary telephoto lens × 2 or × 3 is still a sign of a device from the top segment.
Tactile feedback tools
The marketing materials do not indicate the mechanism of the smartphone that is used for tactile feedback. Someone calls it a vibration motor, but the use of such a definition is erroneous. However, if the device uses a module with the principle of eccentric rotation, then there is no need to talk about really high-quality tactile sensations. It is important that the gadget has a module that fully exploits linear resonance. This is installed in the current iPhone, as well as devices from the Pixel line and some other models. It is also important that the software is also implemented as competently as possible.
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Fingerprint scanners
A new smartphone with a fingerprint scanner under the screen … Of course, it’s great that a similar tool is used for biometric authentication. Usually it is distinguished by increased convenience (when compared with the module on the back of the device or on the edges), and separate visible elements on the case are not needed for it. However, it is important to understand what technology the module is based on. As observations show, the fastest and most accurate scanners are ultrasonic. Nevertheless, in order to understand that the manufacturer did not save on this element, it is better to pay attention to the corresponding tests of this module.
- To this topic: Fingerprint scanners in smartphones – what are the differences and what are the differences
Display characteristics
Today it is really not enough to understand what kind of technology the screen is made by in order to say that it is really high-quality. It is also important to take into account a number of auxiliary nuances, including the refresh rate, constant and maximum brightness levels, as well as the limiting angle of deviation before color distortion. If there are gaps in any of these places, we can say that the manufacturer decided to save money. Let’s not point a finger, but some companies even in 2021 installed screens in their smartphones without support for a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Savings and marketing, not otherwise.
Protective glass screens
The supplier of hardened screen protectors for smartphones is predominantly Corning. It is far from the first year that it has been developing this direction and is systematically releasing more and more new generations of Gorilla Glass. Real flagships usually receive up-to-date revisions of this screen protector. The same smartphones that are only trying to position themselves as ultimatums are usually content with any of the previous ones. By the way, at the end of 2021 – beginning of 2022, the current generation of Gorilla Glass is Victus. You can get acquainted with all the revisions of Corning protective glasses on the manufacturer’s official website.
Overall design
It is important not only what is actually inside, but also the external qualities of the smartphone. On the one hand, flagship devices should be as individualized as possible. On the other hand, they must be made of really high quality materials. If at least one of these two conditions is not met, this is a clear example of savings that definitely falls short of the top level. However, even in the middle price segment, borrowing design ideas is quite a common thing.
Delivery set
Recently, manufacturers began to en masse to cut the scope of delivery of their gadgets, arguing such a step with concern for the environment. They do not include the power supply, headphones, or any additional accessories in the box. De jure, it is assumed that buyers already have all the necessary accessories necessary for the full operation of devices. But de facto, everything is usually exactly the opposite, so when buying a brand new smartphone, you have to purchase a few more auxiliary pieces. I definitely do not want to do this, but there is nothing to be done. It is a pity that this is happening en masse even in the highest price segment.
Software quality
In the end, I am frankly frustrated by the quality of the software that is used on many devices. Manufacturers sometimes simply do not have time to finish it before the final release, which has become especially common after the start of the pandemic. However, this often happened before, and there was simply no sensible explanation for all this. Moreover, brands often embed advertisements for their own and third-party products into the operating systems of their gadgets, which can also be considered a working way to reduce the final cost of the device. Another example of savings that affect the usability of the product.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
