LTE (Long Term Evolution) marks the next generation of mobile data networks. This is an intermediate step between 3G and 4G. Although manufacturers and operators sometimes mistakenly refer to it as 4G, it is not a full 4G network. That's for LTE Advanced. The maximum theoretical data transfer rate is up to 175Mbps for download and up to 57.6Mbps for sending data in one frequency band.
In regards to technology-electronics, there are several different displays commonly found: TFT, IPS, and AMOLED.
TFT (Thin Film Transistor)
This is commonly found in cheap mobile phones. An advantage is its low production cost. Disadvantages include the narrow viewing angles, low-quality contrast and long response time.
IPS (In-Plane Switching)
This is also sometimes referred to as Super-TFT. It's used on both mid and high-end smartphones. It has much less flaws when compared to older TFT displays. IPS provides accurate colour reproduction and wide viewing angles.
AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode)
This is currently the most advanced display on the market. With declining production costs, it can now be found on ma
Platform and operating system are to some extent very similar terms, but not entirely. An operating system (OS) is a software running smartphones, computers, laptops and tablets. Google Android or Apple iOS are most common for mobile phones and tablets. You can find out more detailed information about each OS as well as their advantages and disadvantages in our Comparison of Mobile Operating Systems article. When referring to Android and iOS as platforms, we're talking about a package of services associated with them, such as Gmail for Google or iTunes for Apple. These services can be used not only on mobile devices, but also on computers and laptops.
This indicates the phones that support virtual reality (VR). If the phone is marked as VR-Ready, you can simply buy a VR headset and enjoy 360° videos or play games designed for VR.
The Lightning connector is used with iPhone models and various Apple products. It's a tiny (8-pin) duplex port that carries both digital signal and power. The proprietary Apple cable has a Lightning connector on one end (the one plugged into the phone) and a standard USB connector on the other, making it compatible with a PC or car charger. The iPhone 7 also uses it as a headphone jack adapter.
The vast majority of modern mobile phones are equipped with a proximity sensor. Its task is to evaluate the distance of an object from the sensor. Once the object gets close, the telephone activates a particular function. One of the most common is the function to turn off the screen and the touch layer when the user dials a phone number and places the phone close to his ear.
An ambient light sensor that monitors the ambient light levels and dynamically adjusts the display backlight intensity. A practical and handy feature, it is part of most modern phones. It turns the display brightness to the maximum in bright sunlight and dims the backlight in the dark. This makes the phone’s display perfectly readable in all lighting conditions without straining your eyes.
Battery life is listed in mAh (milliampere-hours); the higher the number, the bigger battery capacity. Battery life is mainly affected by such factors as the screen size (or illuminated area), CPU performance, data exchange functions, or GPS. Standby time therefore serves an objective battery life comparison between different phone models.
Standby time is used to make the battery life comparison between different mobile phones as objective as possible. Standby time is tested in the laboratory and does not reflect real life conditions. It refers to the maximum amount of time a phone can remain powered on a single charge.
SIM cards are available in various sizes. The smallest is NanoSIM (e.g. used in iPhones), the most common is microSIM (used in most smartphones) and the largest is the miniSIM, the original SIM card which has more than ten years' history and is now generally only used in push-button phones.
The LTE network also carries VoWiFi (Voice Over Wi-Fi). This technology is often mistaken for VoIP (Voice Over IP), which enables calls over the Internet. VoWiFi connects to the radio part of the network via your home Wi-Fi coverage, so it looks like you are simply calling via a standard GSM network. It is mainly used in areas with poor coverage. Just like VoIP, this function must be supported both by your operator and your phone in order to work.
VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is an LTE technology that enables voice service over LTE. The standard must be supported by both your phone operator and the phone itself in order to work. Its advantages are high call quality and faster network connection.
Specifies the number of pixels (dots) on the screen. Typically, the display resolution is listed in a format such as 1920 × 1 080. In practice, the higher the resolution, the better the image quality. Do not forget to compare the resolution to the screen size, however. If you have two phones with the same display resolution, the image quality on the phone with a smaller screen will be better because its screen pixel density is higher.
For mobile phones, IP Code is an international standard that classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against dust and water. Each IP code consists of the letters IP and some xy designation, for example IP57. The first digit after the prefix denotes dust-resistance and ranges from 1 to 6. The second digit denotes the phone’s water resistance and ranges from 1 to 8. The most durable phones on the market are labelled IP68 – they are fully waterproof and dustproof, so you can submerge them to a certain depth for a time specified by the manufacturer.
A pair of GSM modules allows you to operate two active SIM cards in one phone simultaneously. The primary slot usually supports voice and data services, while the secondary slot supports only voice services. You'll find more information in the user manual provided by the manufacturer.
The Night Shift function aims to reduce the amount of blue light in your display after sundown, leading to improved sleep. Based on your device's clock and location, it automatically adjusts the display colours to the warmer end of the spectrum at sunset. Night Shift function is available with an update for iOS 9.3 and requires an iPhone 5S or later.
AMOLED, or Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode, belongs to the OLED family of display technologies. This is the most advanced display technology on the market. Compared with competing technologies, it boasts faster response times, lower energy consumption, and sharper colours. You can also enjoy perfect black colour reproduction, which results in better readability in direct sunlight. AMOLED displays also offer wide viewing angles, which in the case of IPS displays reach almost 180 degrees. However, the disadvantage of AMOLED technology is its higher price and shorter lifespan.
A method of rendering LCD-display images. In this case, the image is formed by a thin film of transistors. A thin part of the display consists of small transistors that control individual picture points, or pixels. Unlike previous technologies, it has brought high image quality, high contrast, lower power consumption and smaller size. Today, the biggest advantage of TFT displays is the price. Compared with premium OLEDs, they also have a significantly longer life.
The screen size is measured by the distance between the left bottom and top right corners of the display. The screen size is usually given in inches, with 1"= 2.54cm.
