Phones

What decides the choice

The most underrated specification on a phone is how long it will receive software and security updates. A phone that no longer gets security updates becomes riskier to use for banking and email, however good the hardware still is. Manufacturers publish their update commitments, and the number of years left from the day you buy is worth more than a slightly faster processor.

Battery capacity is quoted in milliamp-hours, but capacity alone does not predict how long a day lasts: screen size, refresh rate and the efficiency of the chip matter as much. Batteries lose capacity as they age, so check whether the battery can be replaced and whether the phone offers a charging limit that slows that wear.

Camera specifications are the hardest to read. More megapixels do not mean better photos; sensor size and image processing do most of the work, especially in low light. Storage is the number to get right first time, because many phones cannot take a memory card. Work out how much you use now, then leave room for the years you plan to keep the phone.