When it comes time to buy a new phone or laptop, it's likely that many consumers are faced with a huge list of specifications and features. It will take a lot of time to understand what they are for. You can highlight the key characteristics for which you should choose a gadget. Moreover, a smartphone, tablet and laptop have a similar architecture, differ only in the scale of execution.
Central processing unit CPU
The central processing unit, or simply “processor,” is the brain that controls the gadget. In simple terms, this is a calculating machine and the faster it performs calculations, the faster the device works.
In the parameters of the CPU, they usually indicate "clock frequency", which means how quickly calculations can be performed. Another very important parameter is the number of cores. Here, similarly, the higher their number, the more the central processor can perform tasks simultaneously. Means higher performance and more concurrently running applications.
With the development of technology, processors have become more complex and functional. For example, the top line of smartphone processors have dedicated AI components that execute special algorithms designed to train machine intelligence. Therefore, in some specifications for smartphones, instead of recording, you can see a processor - a chipset.
The central processing unit is not the only component responsible for the performance of the gadget, but the most important one. If you want more performance and faster application work, you will have to pay.
RAM memory
RAM is the waiting room for your applications. Super-fast storage where all open applications and files exist. Therefore, the more RAM, the less likely the device will slow down when opening additional applications and browser tabs.
If you want to improve the performance of a laptop, the user will learn about the different types of RAM. The more complex the architecture and the RAM device, the higher the data transfer rate, stability of operation and, accordingly, the price of such products. But in general, when choosing gadgets, it is worth considering how many units of RAM are available.
It should be understood that when the RAM is full, the device does not freeze, but the same processing of processes takes place, which becomes noticeable to the user ("slows down or glitches"). Hence, the fact of precise balancing of the work of the CPU and RAM is very important. The better the components are selected and debugged, the better the output will be.
For example, the smartphone manufacturer Apple is significantly inferior in RAM to its main competitor Samsung. But due to thoughtful hardware and software, iPhones deliver excellent performance and stability.
Internal and external storage storage
Every laptop, tablet or smartphone has internal memory for storing files and recording applications. Also, a certain area of memory is reserved for the Windows, macOS, Android or iOS operating system and system applications. This means that the full amount of storage will never be available as per the device specification.
Again, there is a tendency to use cloud storage, which allows you to store information on servers and thereby free up the internal memory of the device. Also, do not forget that the internal memory can be increased by connecting external hard drives or USB drives (for laptops) or memory cards (for smartphones). But in the case of smartphones, it is worth clarifying whether they support the function of expanding memory due to external media.
GPU GPU
A graphics processing unit is similar to a central processing unit but has a function of display image quality. The better the GPU, the better the detail of your favorite game or the processing of augmented reality effects for the camera filter.
In smartphones, the GPU is built into the CPU circuitry. In simpler laptop models, the same technical solution was found, but in more expensive models, the GPU module is implemented in a specialized video card.
If you don't need to process video or the device is not purchased for the purpose of playing video games, then you should not worry too much about the GPU. It is often chosen as a complement to the CPU.
If the goal is to choose a GPU on a separate video card, then it is necessary to take into account characteristics such as clock frequency and dedicated video memory. Top-end cards cost impressive amounts, but depending on the tasks, you can consider video cards of the middle and budget segments.
Display manufacturing technology
In the case of smartphones, the main choice is between OLED (organic light-emitting diode) and LCD (liquid crystal) displays. One of the key differences between the two is how the LCD device screen is illuminated, while OLED offers pixel-based display brightness control.
OLED displays offer deeper color reproduction, contrast, brightness, and deeper blacks. And LCD quality performance boasts natural colors. In the more affordable segment, smartphones are equipped with an LCD matrix, since their production technology is cheaper than OLED.
LCD panels dominate in laptops and monitors due to the technical aspects of display design. But the use of OLED matrices is gaining momentum, especially in more expensive models. Laptops and monitors with such displays are the best purchase option.
The specifications for gadgets also indicate the resolution parameters in pixels, that is, their total number, and the aspect ratio of the display. Another parameter specified is the calculation of pixels per inch. The higher this characteristic, the clearer the screen.
IP protection
Most modern devices, including smartphones, have an anti-intrusion characteristic. This indicator is reduced to the numerical value of the IP. The essence of this indicator is how much the gadget is protected from dust and water penetration into it. So, for example, IP68, the highest rating for household devices, stands for 6 - penetration of solid particles (dust particles cannot get inside the device), and 8 - protection from moisture (the device will withstand continuous immersion in water in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications).
In comparison, smartphones rated IP67 and IP68 can withstand full immersion in water. But a device with an IP68 rating can stay in the water longer and deeper. The corresponding entries can be found in the device specifications. For example, a smartphone is capable of working for 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters.
Not all smartphones are built to such high standards. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the specification for the device. But laptops and personal computers are not originally intended to be protected from moisture and dust. Today's technology is very expensive to implement high performance IP standards on these devices.
Batteries and charger
The parameter of the battery capacity of smartphones is indicated in milliampere hours (mAh). When choosing a device, you should always consider how much the device consumes. A smartphone with a large display and powerful hardware will drain the battery faster. You should always look at the manufacturer's specification for the autonomy of the gadget.
Nowadays, many phones are equipped with fast charging function. This parameter is indicated in watts (W) and may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also, many smartphones offer the function of wireless charging, but so far this technology cannot realize large powers when transferring energy.
When using smartphones with fast charging function, you need to charge them only with original chargers. The manufacturer has calculated all the parameters for maximum efficiency and safety of using this function.
In the case of a laptop, it is less common to find a battery parameter specified in mAh in the specification. More often than not, the manufacturer records the battery life from full charge to minimum when performing typical work. It is always worth checking the stated specifications with independent reviews to ensure that the device meets the specified battery life.
Camera
Recently, smartphone manufacturers have been competing in the number of installed camera lenses in the device. Such tricks expand the shooting functionality. A wider angle or higher zoom level can be achieved.
It is sometimes difficult to find detailed camera parameters in the specifications for smartphones, but usually they indicate the number of megapixels and the size of the aperture. Megapixels will help you understand how large and detailed the image will be, and the aperture will help you understand the amount of transmitted light. The aperture size, for example, is denoted f / 2, 0 and the lower the number after the fraction, the more light will pass through and the better the picture will be.
If you dig even deeper, you can find links to the size of sensors and pixels. In both cases, a larger size means more captured light and possibly better shots.
In theory, more lenses, more sensors, and more megapixels should make the camera better, but that's not a guarantee. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with reviews and examples of pictures on the Internet.
