GPU
The model of the GPU used in the mobile phone.
This module is responsible for all tasks related to graphics; accordingly, its specs directly affect the efficiency of processing a particular picture. This is especially noticeable in the example of modern 3D games. Therefore, the presence of a powerful video adapter is especially important for
gaming smartphones. And knowing the model of the GPU, you can find detailed data about it and evaluate its capabilities.
Memory storage
The volume of storage installed in the phone.
This volume directly determines how much data can be stored on the phone without using removable memory cards. This indicator is especially important for models that
don't have memory card slots. However, even if memory cards are supported, built-in storage is still preferable: at least it works faster, and it usually has fewer restrictions on its use (in particular, most smartphones allow you to install applications only on storage).
As for specific volumes, the actual minimum for a modern smartphone is
32 GB; less “capacious” devices are becoming increasingly rare these days.
64 GB is considered a comfortable minimum,
128 GB is considered average indicator,
256 GB - above average. Some high-end devices are equipped with
512 GB and even
1 TB< /a>.
We also note that the actual amount of memory available to the user will inevitably be somewhat less than the total, since part of the drive is occupied by operating system files.Test results
The test results are specified either by a younger model in a line or a particular model, made for a better understanding performance of phone models if you compare phones against these parameters. For example, the 128 GB model has test results, and the 256 GB model has no information on the network, and in both models you will see the same value that will give an understanding of the overall performance of the device. But if the editorial office has information for each model individually, then each model will have its test results filled out, and the model with bigger RAM will have bigger values.
AnTuTu Benchmark
The result shown by a device when undergoing a performance test (benchmark) in AnTuTu Benchmark.
AnTuTu Benchmark is a comprehensive test designed specifically for mobile devices, primarily smartphones and tablets. It evaluates the efficiency of the processor, memory, graphics, and input/output systems, providing a clear impression of the system's capabilities. The higher the performance, the more points are awarded. Smartphones that score over 900K points are considered
high-performance according to the AnTuTu ranking.
Like any benchmark, this test does not provide absolute precision: the same device can show different results, usually with deviations within 5-7%. These deviations depend on various factors unrelated to the system itself, such as the device's load from third-party programs and the ambient temperature during testing. Therefore, significant differences between two models can only be noted when the gap in their scores exceeds this margin of error.
Geekbench
The result shown by a device when undergoing a performance test (benchmark) in Geekbench.
Geekbench is a specialized benchmark designed for processors. Since version 4.0, it also includes tests for graphics processors, and by the end of 2019, version 5 of the benchmark was released. Typically, the specifications for portable gadgets include data specifically for the CPU. During testing, Geekbench simulates workloads that occur during real-world tasks, evaluating both single-core performance and the efficiency of multi-core operations. This provides a solid overview of the processor's capabilities in everyday use. Additionally, Geekbench is cross-platform, allowing for comparisons between the CPUs of different devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs). In reference materials, only the multi-core test results for the processor are usually provided.
Main lens
Specifications of the main lens of the rear camera installed in the phone. In models with several lenses (see “Number of lenses”), the main one is responsible for basic shooting capabilities and does not have a pronounced specialization (wide-angle, telephoto, etc.). Four main parameters can be indicated here: resolution, aperture (
high aperture optics are quite common), focal length, additional sensor data.
Resolution(in megapixels, MP)
Resolution of the sensor used for the main lens. Budget options are equipped with a module
8 MP and
below, many models have
12 MP camera /
13 MP, also recently a trend towards increasing megapixels has been popular. Often in smartphones you can find the main photomodule at
48 MP,
50 MP< /a>, 64 MP and even
108 MP .
The maximum resolution of the resulting image directly depends on the resolution of the sensor; and the high resolution of the "picture", in turn, allows you to better display fine details. On the other hand, an increase in the number of megapixels in itself can lead to a deterioration in the overall image quality - due to the smaller size of each individual pixel, the noise level increases. As a result,
...the direct resolution of the camera has little effect on the quality of the shooting - more depends on the physical size of the matrix, the features of the optics and various design tricks used by the manufacturer.
Aperture
Aperture describes the ability of a lens to transmit light. It is written as a fractional number, for example f/1.9. Moreover, the larger the number in the denominator, the lower the aperture ratio, the less light passes through the optics, all other things being equal. For example, an f/2.6 lens will be “darker” than f/1.9.
High aperture gives the camera a number of advantages. First, it improves the quality of shooting in low light. Secondly, it's possible to shoot at low shutter speeds, minimizing the effect of "stirring" and blurring of moving objects in the frame. Thirdly, with fast optics it is easier to achieve a beautiful background blur ("bokeh") — for example, when shooting portraits.
Focal length(in millimetres)
The focal length is a distance between the sensor and the centre of the lens (focused to infinity), at which the most clear image is obtained on the matrix. However, for smartphones, the specifications indicate not the actual, but the so-called equivalent focal length — a conditional indicator recalculated using special formulas. This indicator can be used to evaluate and compare cameras with different sensor sizes (the actual focal length cannot be used for this, since with a different sensor size the same real focal length will correspond to different viewing angles). (It is also worth saying that the equivalent focal length can be noticeably larger than the thickness of the case — there is nothing unusual in this, since this is a conditional, and not a real indicator).
Anyway, the field of view and the degree of magnification directly depend on the equivalent focal length: a larger focal length gives a smaller field of view and a larger size of individual objects that fall into the frame, and a decrease in this distance, in turn, allows you to cover more space. In most modern smartphones, the focal length of the main camera ranges from 13 to 35 mm; if compared with the optics of traditional cameras, then lenses with equivalent focal length up to 25 mm can be attributed to wide-angle lenses, more than 25 mm — to universal models “with a bias towards wide-angle shooting”. Such values are chosen due the fact that smartphones are often used for shooting in cramped conditions, when a fairly large space needs to fit into the frame at a small distance. Enlargement of the picture, if necessary, is most often carried out digitally — due to the reserve of megapixels on the sensor; but there are also models with optical zoom (see below) — for them, not one value is given, but the entire working range of the equivalent focal length (recall, optical zoom is carried out by changing the focal length).
Field of view(in degrees). It characterizes the size of the area covered by the lens, as well as the size of individual objects "seen" by the camera. The larger this field, the more of the scene gets into the frame, but the smaller the individual objects in the image are. The field of view is directly related to the focal length (see above): increasing this distance narrows the field of view of the lens, and vice versa.
Note that this parameter is generally considered important for professional use of the camera rather than for amateur photography. Therefore, viewing angle data is given mainly for smartphones equipped with advanced cameras — including in order to emphasize the high class of cameras. As for specific values, for the main lens they usually are in the range from 70° to 82° — this corresponds to the general specifics of such optics (universal shooting with an emphasis on general scenes and extensive coverage at short distances).
Additional Sensor Data
Additional information regarding the sensor installed in the main lens. This item can specify both the size (in inches) and the sensor model, and sometimes both parameters at once. Anyway, such data is provided only if the device is equipped with a high-end sensor. With the model, everything is quite simple: knowing the name of the sensor, you can find detailed data on it. The size is worth considering a little more.
The size of the sensor is traditionally indicated in fractional parts of an inch — accordingly, for example, a 1/2.3" sensor will be larger than 1/2.6". Larger sensors are considered more advanced, as they provide better image quality at the same resolution. The logic here is simple - due to the large sensor area, each individual pixel is also larger and gets more light, which improves sensitivity and reduces noise. Of course, the actual image quality will also depend on a number of other parameters, but in general, a larger sensor size usually means a more advanced camera. In advanced photo flagships, you can find matrices with a physical size of 1”, which is comparable to image sensors used in top compact cameras with fixed lenses.Aperture
Aperture of the main lens of the front camera installed in the phone. For models with several lenses (see "Front camera" — "Number of lenses"), the main one is the lens which is responsible for the main part of the shooting and does not have a pronounced specialization (auxiliary, ultra-wide-angle, etc.).
This parameter is indicated by a fraction, for example f/1.7; the smaller the number in denominator, the higher the aperture ratio, the more light the lens is able to transmit. Theoretically, a better aperture improves low-light performance, reduces motion blur, and can be useful for creating beautiful background blur; however, in fact, looking for
a fast front camera(f/1.9 and better) makes sense mainly in cases where you plan to take selfies often and in large quantities and want to achieve the maximum quality of such pictures.
Connectivity technology
Types of communications supported by the device in addition to mobile networks.
This list includes two types of characteristics. The first is the communication technology itself: Wi-Fi (including advanced standards
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) ,
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax),
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) ,
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)),
Bluetooth a> (including the new generation Bluetooth v 5 in the form of a
version 5.0,
5.1,
5.2,
5.3 and
5.4),
NFC,
satellite communication. The second type is additional functions implemented through one or another communication standard: this is primarily
aptX support (including
aptX HD,
aptX Adaptive and
aptX Lossless) and even a built-in walkie-talkie. Here is a more detailed description of each of these characteristics:
— Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). Wi-Fi is a wireless communication technology that in modern phones can be used both to access the Internet through wireless access points, and for direct
...communication with other devices (in particular, cameras and drones). Wi-Fi is a must for smartphones, but is extremely rare in traditional phones. Specifically, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) provides data transfer speeds of up to 600 Mbit/s and uses two frequency ranges at once - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, making it compatible with earlier 802.11 b/g standards and with more new Wi-Fi 5 (see below). Wi-Fi 4 is considered a relatively modest standard by modern standards, but it is still quite sufficient for most tasks.
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). The Wi-Fi standard (see above), which is the successor to Wi-Fi 4. In theory, it supports speeds of up to 6.77 Gbps, and also uses the 5 GHz band - it is less loaded with extraneous signals and more noise-resistant than the traditional 2.4 GHz. For compatibility purposes, a smartphone with a Wi-Fi 5 module may provide support for earlier standards, but it would not hurt to clarify this point separately.
- WiGig (802.11ad). Further, after Wi-Fi 5, the development of Wi-Fi standards, characterized primarily by the use of the 60 GHz band. In terms of maximum speed, it is virtually no different from Wi-Fi 5, however, the higher frequency increases the channel capacity, so that when several gadgets simultaneously communicate with one common device (for example, a router), the communication speed does not drop as much as in earlier standards. On the other hand, the 802.11ad signal is almost incapable of passing through walls; Manufacturers use various tricks to compensate for this shortcoming, but the best communication quality is still achieved only with direct visibility. Relatively little equipment for the WiGig standard is currently being produced, and it is not compatible with earlier versions of Wi-Fi; Therefore, smartphones usually provide support for other standards.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). A standard developed as a direct development and improvement of Wi-Fi 5. Uses the ranges from 1 to 7 GHz - that is, it is capable of operating at standard frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (including equipment of earlier standards), and in others frequency bands. The maximum data transfer rate has increased to 10 Gbps, but the main advantage of Wi-Fi 6 was not even this, but the further optimization of the simultaneous operation of several devices on the same channel (improving the technical solutions used in Wi-Fi 5 and WiGig). Thanks to this, Wi-Fi 6 gives the lowest speed drop among modern standards when the channel is busy.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). The Wi-Fi 6E standard is technically called 802.11ax. But unlike basic Wi-Fi 6 (for more details, see the corresponding paragraph), which is named similarly, it provides for operation in the unused 6 GHz band. In total, the standard uses 14 different frequency bands, offering high throughput in the most crowded places with many active connections. And it is backwards compatible with previous versions.
— Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). The technology, like the previous Wi-Fi 6E, is capable of operating in three frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. At the same time, the maximum bandwidth in Wi-Fi 7 was increased from 160 MHz to 320 MHz - the wider the channel, the more data it can transmit. The IEEE 802.11be standard uses 4096-QAM modulation, which also allows more symbols to be accommodated in a data transmission unit. From Wi-Fi 7 you can squeeze out a maximum theoretical information exchange speed of up to 46 Gbps. In the context of using wireless connections for streaming and video games, the implemented MLO (Multi-Link Operation) development seems very interesting. With its help, you can aggregate several channels in different ranges, which significantly reduces delays in data transmission and ensures low and stable ping. And Multi-RU (Multiple Resource Unit) technology is designed to minimize communication delays when there are many connected client devices.
— Bluetooth. Direct wireless communication technology between various devices. In mobile phones it is used primarily for connecting headphones, headsets and wrist gadgets such as fitness bracelets, but other methods of application are also possible - remote control mode, direct file transfer, etc. In modern mobile phones there can be different versions of Bluetooth, here are their features:
- Bluetooth v 4.0. A fundamental update (after version 3.0), introducing another data transmission format - Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). This protocol is designed primarily for miniature devices that transmit small amounts of information, such as fitness bracelets and medical sensors. Bluetooth LE allows you to significantly save energy during such communication.
- Bluetooth v4.1. Development and improvement of Bluetooth 4.0. One of the key improvements was the optimization of collaboration with 4G LTE communication modules - so that Bluetooth and LTE do not interfere with each other. In addition, this version makes it possible to simultaneously use a Bluetooth device in several roles - for example, to remotely control an external device while simultaneously streaming music to headphones.
- Bluetooth v4.2. Further, after 4.1, the development of the Bluetooth standard. It did not provide any fundamental updates, but received a number of improvements regarding reliability and noise immunity, as well as improved compatibility with the Internet of Things.
- Bluetooth v 5.0. Version introduced in 2016. The key innovations were the further expansion of capabilities associated with the Internet of Things. In particular, in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol (see above), it became possible to double the data transfer rate (up to 2 Mbit/s) at the cost of reducing the range, and also quadruple the range at the cost of reducing the speed; In addition, a number of improvements have been introduced regarding simultaneous work with a large number of connected devices.
- Bluetooth v5.1. Update of the version described above v 5.0. In addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, this update introduced such an interesting feature as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to determine the location of connected devices with centimeter accuracy, which can be useful, for example, when searching for wireless headphones.
- Bluetooth v 5.2. The next update after 5.1 is Bluetooth 5 generation. The main innovations in this version are a number of security improvements, additional optimization of power consumption in LE mode and a new audio signal format for synchronizing parallel playback on multiple devices.
- Bluetooth v 5.3. The Bluetooth v 5.3 wireless protocol was introduced at the dawn of 2022. Among the innovations in it, they accelerated the process of negotiating a communication channel between the controller and the device, implemented the function of quickly switching between the operating state in a low duty cycle and a high-speed mode, and improved the throughput and stability of the communication by reducing susceptibility to interference. When unexpected interference occurs in Low Energy mode, the procedure for selecting a communication channel to switch from now on has been accelerated. There are no fundamental innovations in protocol 5.3, but a number of qualitative improvements are evident in it.
- Bluetooth v5.4. Protocol version 5.4, which was introduced at the beginning of 2023, increased the range and speed of data exchange, which is well suited for use in applications that require communication over long distances (for example, smart home systems). Also in Bluetooth v 5.4, the energy-saving BLE mode has been improved. This version of the protocol uses new security features to protect data from unauthorized access, has increased communication reliability by selecting the best channel for communication, and prevents communication losses due to interference.
- aptX support. aptX technology was developed to improve the quality of sound transmitted over Bluetooth. When transmitting sound in a regular format, without aptX, the signal is compressed quite heavily, which affects the sound quality; This is not critical when talking on the phone, but it can significantly spoil the impression of listening to music. In turn, aptX allows you to transmit an audio signal with virtually no compression and achieve sound quality comparable to a wired communication. Such features will be especially appreciated by music lovers who prefer Bluetooth headphones or wireless speakers. Of course, to use aptX, both your smartphone and external audio device must support it.
- aptX HD support. aptX HD is a further development and improvement of the original aptX technology, allowing you to transmit sound in even higher quality - Hi-Res (24-bits/48kHz). According to the creators, this standard allows you to achieve signal quality superior to AudioCD and sound purity comparable to wired communication. The latter is often questionable, but it can be argued that overall aptX HD provides very high sound quality. On the other hand, all the advantages of this technology become noticeable only on Hi-Res audio - with quality 24-bits/48kHz or higher; otherwise, the quality is limited not so much by the characteristics of the communication as by the properties of the source files.
- Support for aptX LL. A modification of aptX technology, designed to minimize signal transmission delays. Encoding and decoding a signal when transmitting audio via Blueooth with aptX inevitably takes some time; This is not critical when listening to music, but in videos or games there may be a noticeable desynchronization between the image and sound. The aptX LL technology does not have this shortcoming; it also gives a delay, but this delay is so small that a person does not notice it.
- Support for aptX Adaptive. Further development of aptX; actually combines the capabilities of aptX HD and aptX Low Latency, but is not limited to this. One of the main features of this standard is the so-called adaptive bitrate: the codec automatically adjusts the actual data transfer rate based on the characteristics of the broadcast content (music, game audio, voice communications, etc.) and the congestion of the frequencies used. This, in particular, helps reduce energy consumption and increase communication reliability; and special algorithms allow you to broadcast sound quality comparable to aptX HD (24 bits/48 kHz), using much less transmitted data. And the minimum data transfer latency (at the aptX LL level) makes this codec excellent for games and movies.
– Support for aptX Lossless. The next branch of development of aptX technology, which allows you to transmit CD-quality sound over a wireless Bluetooth network without loss or use of compression. At the same time, audio broadcasting with sampling parameters of 16 bits / 44.1 kHz is carried out with a bitrate of about 1.4 Mbit/s - this is about three times faster than in the aptX Adaptive edition. Support for aptX Lossless began to be introduced in late 2021 as part of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound initiative, which is available on smartphones, headphones and speakers with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and later.
— NFC chip. NFC is a technology for wireless communication over ultra-low distances, up to 10 cm. One of the most popular applications of this technology in smartphones is contactless payments, when the device actually plays the role of a credit card: just bring the device to a terminal that supports contactless technology like PayPass or PayWave. Another common way to use NFC is to automatically connect to another NFC-compatible device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: gadgets brought close to each other automatically set up a communication, and the customer only needs to confirm it. Other options are technically possible: recognizing smart cards and RFID tags, using the device as a travel card, access card, etc. However, such use formats are much less common.
- Infrared port. The infrared port looks like a small “eye”, usually on the top end of the phone. This equipment allows you to turn your phone into a remote control for controlling various equipment - just install the appropriate application. At the same time, we note that among such applications you can find an option for almost any device - from TVs to air conditioners, hoods, etc. Accordingly, the “smartphone remote control” turns out to be very universal.
— Walkie-talkie. Built-in radio module that allows you to use the phone as a walkie-talkie - for communication over relatively low distances without using SIM cards. Of course, for such communication you will need another walkie-talkie (or a phone with this function). The specific frequencies supported by the built-in radio module should be clarified separately; however, all phones with this feature operate in one or more standard bands. In practice, this means that they are capable of communicating not only with similar phones, but also with classic civilian walkie-talkies - provided they match the supported bands. The communication range is usually quite low; however, the built-in walkie-talkie can be very useful for tech in situations where conventional mobile communications are ineffective or unavailable. Typical examples of such situations are staying “far from civilization”, in an area of poor treatment, or traveling abroad, where roaming is expensive.
– Satellite communication. The satellite communication function is intended to send emergency alerts to rescue services in emergency situations. Smartphones with the ability to connect to satellite frequencies can communicate with emergency services in areas where there is no mobile network treatment. For better signal reception from satellites, it is advisable for the customer to be in an open space. At the stage of function formation, only ready-made requests can be transferred. In the future, it is planned to support full messaging via satellite communications, but a separate fee will be charged for them.Inputs & outputs
Inputs and outputs of the smartphone.
This paragraph usually specifies the type of charging and data port (most often it's
USB-C), and whether the smartphone has a
mini-jack (3.5 mm)(there are devices
without it). It can also indicate the interface of the USB-C port up to the high-speed third version (
USB-C v 3), the location of the 3.5 mm jack (headphone output) and additional ports for a more specific purpose.
The main ports are used primarily for charging the battery, for connecting various accessories to the phone and for connecting the device itself to the computer via a cable. 3.5 mm port (mini-Jack) is intended primarily for headphones and other audio accessories, although other usage formats are possible. Here is a more detailed description of the different types of connectors:
— USB-C. A relatively new type of universal interface, a kind of successor to microUSB, which is increasingly used in mobile devices. USB-C differs from its predecessor primarily in slightly larger dimensions and a convenient two-sided design: thanks to it, it does not matter which side to insert the plug. In addition, this interface allows you to implement more advanced functions than microUSB — in particular, certain fast charging technologies were originally created specifically for USB-C. USB standard supported by this ty
...pe of connector can be specified separately. Today the options are:
- USB-C 3.2 gen1. The standard formerly known as USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 gen1. Provides data transfer rates up to 4.8 Gbps.
- USB-C 3.2 gen2. The current name for the standard, formerly USB 3.1, then USB 3.1 gen2. The connection speed on this interface can reach 10 Gbps.
- USB-C 3.2 gen2x2. A standard (formerly known as USB 3.2) that delivers twice the speed of "regular" USB 3.2 gen2, up to 20Gbps. Unlike previous versions, it was created specifically for the USB-C connector.
— microUSB. A universal connector, which formerly was extremely widely used in portable devices (with the exception of Apple devices). It is less convenient and technically advanced than USB-C, therefore it is gradually losing popularity; however, there are still quite a few devices with microUSB out there.
— Lightning. Apple's proprietary connector used exclusively in the iPhone. It has a double-sided design that allows you to connect the plug in either direction. In modern iPhones, it is used both as a universal one and for connecting headphones (in 2016, Apple abandoned the 3.5 mm audio output in their smartphones).
— Original port. The one that does not belong to the types described above. Nowadays, such solutions are extremely rare — standard interfaces are more convenient and versatile, as they allow you to use not only "native" accessories, but also solutions from third-party manufacturers.
— USB A. Full-size USB port — similar to those used in PCs and laptops for connecting various peripherals. It has a similar purpose in phones, it is mainly used for flash drives and other external accessories (the specific set of supported devices should be specified separately). Usually, it is supplemented with a more traditional universal connector like microUSB or USB-C; in general, for a number of reasons, it is very rare.
— Magnetic connector. A connector that uses a permanent magnet instead of a standard plug system to hold the cable. Such solutions are used mainly in devices with water protection (see "Waterproof"), and most often — to charge the battery in addition to standard universal connectors (usually microUSB or USB-C). The main convenience of the magnetic connector is that it does not need plugs to protect it from water. It simplifies the connection and disconnection of the charger, and secondly, the wear of the plugs on standard ports is minimized — they do not need to be opened and closed every time you charge the smartphone. However only a special “native” cable is suitable for a magnetic connector; but if this cable is lost or broken, it may be possible to charge in the usual way, through a traditional universal connector.
— Mods contacts. Contacts for connecting special additional modules that expand the functionality of the device. Such equipment is usually found in some rugged phones. The modules themselves are usually a kind of "cases" that are put on the back of a smartphone; in such a “case” there may be, for example, an additional battery, a gamepad or even a thermal vision mod.
— Mini-jack (3.5 mm). A connector primarily used to connect wired headphones and other audio devices (such as portable wired speakers). Such a connection is extremely popular among audio accessories (and not only for "mobile" purposes); so finding headphones, a headset or speakers for this connector is usually not a problem. In addition, the 3.5 mm jack can also be used for more specific tasks — for example, connecting a selfie stick, a card reader or exchanging data with wearable fitness sensors and other specific equipment. However, such features are rarely used and require the installation of special applications, but connecting headphones is the initial function of such a connector, available by default. So the mini-jack connector is often called the "headphone output".
— Location of the headphone output. The 3.5 mm output described above in modern phones can be located on the top, bottom or side of the device. However, the latter option is generally less convenient than the first two, and therefore is rare. And the choice for this indicator depends primarily on how exactly you are going to carry the phone and which side will be used to connect headphones to it; For different situations, the options will also be different.