6 Things to look for when buying a 'future-proof' smartphone

Smartphones have suddenly become ubiquitous in the past year or so. And today when we talk about mobile phones in general, it’s more often than not a smartphone. Call it fragmentation or a smart move to put the final nail in the feature phone coffin, Android is the primary reason why smartphones have been able to penetrate the budget level segments, making it more accessible to the masses. At the entry level segments, Android wouldn’t have been this successful if it weren’t for companies like Micromax, Karbonn, etc. who continually launch phones with “high-end” specifications but for less than half the price. It’s also because of this fact that you hear the argument crop up time and again – why spend something like Rs.30,000 on a phone when I can get roughly similar functionality and performance from phones that cost less than half that price?  

If a smartphone is an investment for you, then ideally you should be looking at a use cycle of at least two years before you chuck it out for a new one. Looking at the rapid pace at which mobile hardware is advancing, most smartphones have a shelf life of about a year – and that’s if they’re lucky. The trickle of software updates start dwindling after about 6-8 months in most smartphones life cycle, unless and until it’s a highly popular phone or there are major complaints from users.

If you’re out looking for a new smartphone, then there are a couple of pointers you need to have ticked before you can start splurging. These are the bare essential features we feel you must have if you want your handset to be relevant two years from now.

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