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.
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.
