4G support and availability: After a lot of buzz, the next generation of wireless networks, 4G, has arrived. The two main technologies are WiMax and Long Term Evolution. Though Sprint’s network currently uses WiMax, the carrier will begin deployment of an LTE network at the end of 2011 and will release LTE devices in mid-2012. 4G's faster download speeds significantly improve streaming video, and allow features such as videoconferencing and network gaming.
If you decide to buy a 4G phone, first confirm that your area has coverage. Verizon currently offers 4G coverage in 175 U.S. cities (check the carrier's coverage map). Sprint has a complete coverage map of its WiMax network, too. AT&T has launched 4G LTE in 15 cities, and plans to reach 70 million people by the end of 2011.
Currently AT&T and T-Mobile are promoting their HSPA+ networks--which essentially use a more advanced version of 3G protocols--as being capable of achieving 4G-like speeds. If you’re looking into buying a 4G phone on AT&T, confirm whether it supports an LTE network or an HSPA+ network. Generally a 4G LTE phone will have faster data speeds, but it may also have limited coverage. We have seen “4G-like” speeds on HSPA+ phones.
Cameras: If you intend to take a lot of photos with your phone, you'll definitely want to pay attention to the camera specs. For mid- to high-level smartphones, 5 megapixels is now pretty much the standard. Some phones ship with 8- or 12-megapixel cameras, but a higher megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean a better camera. Verify that the phone camera you're interested in has a flash--dual-LED or Xenon flashes work the best--or else any pictures you attempt to take indoors or at night will come out looking like blurry messes. Try to take a few pictures in the store to get a good idea of the camera's photo quality.
Most cell phone cameras also have video-capture capabilities; some high-end phones can even capture high-definition 1080p video. If video is your thing, make sure that the OS provides an easy way to upload your videos to services such as Facebook or YouTube.
Many modern smartphones have front-facing cameras. These are mostly good for making video calls; but some camera apps, such as photo-booth apps, use the front-facing camera too.
Processor speed: We’ve heard a lot of buzz about phones that use dual-core processors, but such power is really not necessary for the average user. Unless you’re doing a lot of app multitasking or playing games with 3D graphics, you’ll probably be fine with a 1GHz processor. Aside from the processor speed, other factors--such as the version of software your phone is running (Android 2.3 is faster than Android 2.2, for instance) and the speed of your network--contribute to speedy, fluid phone performance.
Battery life: There’s no easy way to predict how long a phone’s battery will last. In our PCWorld Labs tests and our hands-on evaluations, we’ve found that 4G phones have a shorter battery life than 3G phones do. Ultimately, however, it depends on how much you use your phone. You can download task killers or battery-management apps that may alleviate some of the drainage. You can also buy a case with a built-in wireless charger, or carry around an extra battery for your phone. For a complete guide to extending your phone’s battery life, check out our "How to Boost Your Smartphone Battery Life" article package.
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