How to choose a button phone

When choosing a button phone you should consider its autonomy, as well as some other technical and operational characteristics.

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1. How to choose a button phone: what to look for
   
2. The main criteria for the selection of push-button phones
3. How to choose a button phone with two SIM cards
4. How to choose a button phone with a good battery
5. The best manufacturers

How to choose a button phone: what to look for

Choosing a push-button mobile phone, it is worth considering the following criteria:

1. The number of SIM-cards;

2. Screen characteristics;

3. Form factor;

4. Autonomy and battery capacity;

5. Multimedia features - support for mobile Internet, the presence of Bluetooth, the presence of Wi-Fi, the presence of a slot for a memory card, the presence of an MP3 player, the presence of FM-radio, the presence of a camera;

6. Special functions - protected housing, version for the elderly.

7. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

The main criteria for the selection of push-button phones

When choosing a button mobile phone, it is first of all necessary to determine its intended use. If this is a “backup device” designed exclusively for calls, then you should pay attention to the simplest models with high battery capacity. If you plan to operate the phone actively, you can look at the device with a camera, support for MP3-player, mobile Internet or even Wi-Fi.

The number of SIM-cards

The vast majority of modern phones are equipped with two SIM-cards. However, models with three modules are also found - they are mainly produced by “typically Chinese” manufacturers like Texet or ZTE. Mobile phones with 1 SIM card are gradually dying out as a class.

However, the number of SIM-cards directly determines the battery life of the device. After all, the phone needs to constantly maintain connection to the networks! And it takes energy from the battery.

Thus, if you need maximum autonomy - up to 1-2 weeks of work without recharging - you should pay attention to mobile phones with one SIM-card. For urban use, solutions with two or three modules are suitable.

Screen characteristics

Characteristics such as the diagonal, resolution and color of the screen, determine not only the practical qualities of the phone, but also its autonomy, as well as ease of use.

1. For mobile phones designed exclusively for calls, a black and white (monochrome) screen is preferred. Such a display has a high contrast, so even a visually impaired or just an elderly person can read information from it. In addition, monochrome displays usually consume slightly less current than color, which additionally increases the autonomy of the phone.

2. The color of mobile phone displays is a very conditional concept. Usually there is almost no saturation of shades, as a result of which the picture “blurs” and “merges”, further complicating readability, especially under bright sunlight.However, almost all mobile phone manufacturers are currently producing devices with a color display, and finding a device equipped with a monochrome screen is difficult.

3. The diagonal of the screen determines the amount of information that can fit on the display. The higher it is, the more information can be displayed at one time (or the more items will be shown). For mobile phones, the big screen is not really needed, so the standard is 1-2 inches.

4. Screen resolution determines the autonomy of the device. The higher it is, the more energy the display will consume (but at the same time, the better the picture quality will be). For mobile phones, screen resolutions ranging from 160 × 128 to 320 × 240 pixels are standard. Devices that are equipped with a display with a higher or lower resolution, it is inappropriate to buy.

Form factor

The vast majority of modern mobile phones are executed in one of two form factors - one-piece (“brick”) and “clamshell”. In the Chinese online stores you can also find various "sliders", but in 2017 they are rare.

1. Monoblock - the most common form factor phones. The devices made in it are distinguished by high durability, reliability and resistance to mechanical stress.

2. The "folding bed" is distinguished by its greater "image" and visual appeal. In addition, almost all models of phones made in this form factor support call interruption when the lid is closed. Therefore, to leave the call "on the line" is almost impossible. Unfortunately, clamshells have lower mechanical strength and durability than monoblocks.

Autonomy and battery capacity

Battery capacity is a parameter that determines device autonomy. But not directly. Despite the direct dependence “the greater the battery capacity - the longer the mobile phone will work”, other phenomena also influence the actual “life” time per charge, including the number of SIM card slots, the quality of cellular network coverage and active use scenarios.

Therefore, the most "realistic" indicator of device autonomy is the talk time. During calls, the energy in the battery is consumed most actively - about the same as when listening to music or FM radio, taking pictures, or simply setting an alarm.

As a result, if you need a mobile phone with maximum autonomy, it is advisable to choose models designed for the longest talk time. Then they will be able to “live” up to several days from one recharging even when they are in a zone with very weak cellular coverage or while listening to music.

Multimedia features

Among the multimedia features that define the practical qualities of a mobile phone, you can highlight:

1. Mobile internet support. In fact, the function is not particularly useful, since on a tiny screen of the phone, viewing web pages, emails or messages on social networks will not work anyway;

2. The presence of Bluetooth allows you to receive and send files, as well as use a wireless headset or a hands-free car system;

3. The presence of Wi-Fi also allows you to access the Internet from a mobile phone. But, as in the case of 2G / 3G, the practical use of this feature is rather controversial;

4. The presence of a memory card slot is a useful feature for those people who plan to use the phone as a multimedia player. You can record music files, videos and other content on this flash drive;

5. The presence of an MP3 player is a software function that turns a phone into a portable player. The music must first be recorded on a USB flash drive or in the internal memory of the device (however, it can also be received via Bluetooth);

6. The presence of FM-radio allows you to listen to the radio station of a standard FM-band through a headset or without it. The function is useful, but in active mode it leads to the rapid discharge of the battery;

7. The presence of the camera, which is self-evident, allows you to take pictures. But it is worth remembering that usually absolutely no photographic module is installed in mobile phones, as a result of which images are obtained either very blurry and fuzzy, or unsaturated, or all of this at once;

8. The presence of a flashlight is a very useful feature. It can use a camera flash or a separate LED. In the second case, the flashlight is “more powerful” and brighter than in the first.

Choose a multimedia capabilities of a cell phone is based on their needs.

Special features

Among the special functions are:

1. Protected case - rubber gaskets, metal inserts and other design solutions that make the phone resistant to shocks, falls and drowning. A useful feature for people who work at a construction site or often end up in extreme conditions;

2. Version for the elderly - large contrasting characters on the display, large buttons, special shortcut functions for some contacts. Useful if the phone is purchased for elderly relatives.

3. Special features, as well as multimedia features, should be chosen if necessary.

How to choose a button phone with two SIM cards

Pay attention to the operating time in the call mode and the operation mode of two SIM-cards - simultaneous, standby or alternate.

Simultaneous - you can receive calls on both SIM-cards simultaneously. Waiting - if a call is made on one SIM card, the caller will hear a corresponding message on the second one. Alternate - if a call is placed on one SIM card, the second becomes unavailable.

How to choose a button phone with a good battery

Pay attention to the time of the device in the call mode. Also, the less multimedia capabilities, the better. And they are also recommended for buying a device without mobile Internet.

The best manufacturers

Among the best manufacturers of mobile phones can be identified:

1. Nokia, Samsung - still produce great cell phones;

2. Just5 - cute mobile phones for the elderly and hipsters;

3. Irbis, Texet, Dexp, Keneksi are Chinese ultra-budget mobile phone manufacturers.

4. You can also highlight the company Philips and CAT. The first produce mobile phones with maximum battery life, and the second - devices protected by the most modern, including the militaristic, standards.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a battery for a smartphone and secrets choosing a phone for the Internet.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.