Smartphone: how to pick the right phone in India

Buying a smartphone can feel overwhelming. Prices, specs, brands and offers change fast. This short, practical guide will help you focus on what really matters so you spend wisely and get a phone that lasts.

Quick buying checklist

Start with how you use your phone. Do you watch videos and play games, or do you mostly call and chat? For media and games pick a good screen and a fast chip. Look for an FHD or better display for sharp text and videos — many midrange phones now offer FHD+ at 90Hz or 120Hz, which feels smoother.

Battery life beats raw specs. A 4,500–5,000 mAh battery is a safe choice for a full day of mixed use. Check charging speed too: 30–65W fast charge fills a phone fast, but slower charging can still be fine if the battery is big. For heavy users, real-world battery tests or user reviews matter more than marketing numbers.

Camera numbers look good on paper, but sensor size and image processing matter most. Read or watch sample photos for low-light shots, and check the main sensor quality rather than only counting megapixels. If you care about selfies, compare front camera shots under indoor light.

RAM and storage: 6–8 GB RAM is enough for most people; choose 128 GB storage as a baseline. If you keep many photos and videos, prefer 256 GB or a phone with microSD support. Also check whether the phone offers regular OS updates — security patches and Android upgrades extend a phone’s life.

Where to buy and what to check after buying

Buy from reputable sellers or official stores to get warranty support. Look for bank offers, exchange deals and GST reductions during sale seasons, but don’t buy only because of a small discount. Check the final price with shipping and warranty terms.

After unboxing, verify the IMEI and warranty card, and update the phone software right away. Install a lighter launcher if the phone feels slow, and turn off unnecessary background apps to save battery. For privacy, review app permissions and remove preinstalled apps you don’t need.

If you use mobile data a lot, confirm the phone supports required Indian LTE/5G bands from the spec sheet. For travelers, dual-SIM with VoLTE and proper band support avoids network issues. For payments, check if the phone supports UPI and secure biometric unlocking.

A final tip: phones age, but your habits matter more than the latest chip. Pick a device that covers your daily needs, gets two years of updates, and has decent battery life. That gives the best value without chasing every new launch.