Memory card slot
The type of removable memory card slot.
In itself, the
presence of such a slot allows you to expand the built-in storage of the device. This feature is especially useful given that large built-in drives are quite expensive — noticeably more expensive than removable cards. At the same time, we note that the design may provide certain restrictions on working with memory cards — for example, the inability to install an application on this card. These restrictions are usually directly related to the operating system used. And the speed of those cards is noticeably lower than that of the built-in storage. Therefore, there are
phones without a memory card slot, so that there is nothing third-party in the operation of the device.
Separately, we note that in some devices for 2 SIM-cards, the slot for a memory card can be combined with a slot for a second SIM card. See "Card Slots" for details; here we note that if you want to use 2 SIM and a memory card at the same time, you should choose a device with
a dedicated slot for a memory card.
As for the types of cards, microSD cards are the most popular nowadays: they are quite compact, inexpensive and available in a variety of volume options. Some Huawei smartphones use a different standard – Nano Memory (colloquially Nano SD). Among the advantages of such cards are a miniature size (corresponds to nano
...SIM), high capacity (64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB options were initially presented), as well as high speed (from 90 MB / s). On the other hand, most often they are installed not in a separate slot, but instead of a second nanoSIM card.Max. memory card storage
The largest volume of memory card with which the phone supports. For more information about the cards themselves, see "Memory Card Slot"; here we note that capacious cards often use advanced technologies that are not supported by all devices, and sometimes phones simply do not have enough power to process large amounts of data. Therefore, for the convenience of choosing in our catalog, the maximum supported volume is indicated.
In fact, there are cases when some devices may exceed the claimed characteristics. However, it is worth focusing on official data, because, if officially supported volume is exceeded, normal operation of the card is not guaranteed.
SIM slots
The quantity and types of removable cards (SIM, memory cards) that can be installed in the phone. On E-Catalog this parameter is specified only for devices that allow the installation of more than one SIM card — most often that means
2 SIM cards, however, you can find devices with
three or even four corresponding slots.
Initially several slots mean that several phone numbers can be used on one device. Thus it is possible to combine personal and work numbers, separate plans for calls and the Internet, etc. in one device. However modern devices (especially smartphones) often provide the combined design
“SIM + SIM / memory card " : one of the slots is intended only for SIM, the second can be used both for a SIM card or for a memory card such as microSD or Nano Memory (see "Memory card slot"). At the same time, there is no separate slot for a memory card in the device, so the user has to choose between the second number and additional storage. Therefore, if you want to use 2 SIM cards and a memory card at the same time, you should pay attention to models where this
is directly stated.
It is also worth considering that individual slots may differ in the type of compatible SIM cards; see below for details.
SIM card type
The type of SIM card used in the mobile phone. The term SIM here means all types of cards for identification in mobile networks, including 3G networks,
CDMA, etc. (although formally such cards may have other names). The type of such a card is primarily described by its form factor. Here are the most common options:
— micro SIM. The largest type of sim cards widely used in modern devices: its' size is 15x12 mm. It was introduced back in 2010, nowadays it is being replaced by more compact and advanced nano-SIM and eSIM. Keep in mind that a microSIM card can be made by simply cutting a larger mini-SIM to the dimensions mentioned above. However this is associated with a certain risk and requires accuracy, so it is better to contact your mobile carrier to replace the SIM card with a suitable one.
— Nano-SIM. The smallest form factor of classic (replaceable) SIM-cards is 12x9 mm. In such cards the frames are cut off almost to the very chip. This standard appeared back in 2012, but it is still extremely common. Like microSIM, a card for a slot of this format can be made by cutting a larger SIM card, but this requires extreme accuracy and is not recommended.
—
e-SIM. This type of SIM card is an electronic module that is built directly into the device and cannot be replaced. To authorize in the network of a mobile carrier, you need to make the appropriate settings in the eSIM. Those m
...odules are able to save several sets of settings at once, which makes it easy to switch between different carriers — no need to bother with the physical replacement of the SIM card, just change the profile in the settings. Another advantage of such modules is compactness. However, before buying a phone with an eSIM, you should clarify whether this technology is supported by your mobile carrier — even nowadays, not every network is compatible with such modules.
— nano+eSIM. An option found in smartphones with two SIM cards. The built-in eSIM module in such a device is complemented by a slot for a replaceable nanoSIM card. The features of each of these card types are detailed above. It is convenient to keep the main phone number (s) on eSIM, and use replacement cards for temporary numbers. Such scenario may come in handy if you travel abroad a lot — you can install cards from local carriers in the traditional nanoSIM slot.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.
