Here’s a good question to throw at everyone:
With the rise of medium range smartphones that deliver both on hardware design and software user experience, should you still buy premium flagship smartphones?
This discussion is definitely worth having given the rise of solid mid-range smartphones and how the prices of high-end devices have started to balloon like crazy. I’m talking about mid-range BEASTS like the upcoming ASUS Zenfone 2 or the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua. Both phones are expected to retail below Php20,000 which is approximately half the price tag of the “top guns” of the smartphone world like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and the iPhone 6.
As with any category of consumer electronics, time is always on the side of the customer. As the months and years go by prices of the previous generation components go down which allows manufacturers to offer yesterday’s high-end smartphone at mid-range prices. For example, here are the specifications of the ASUS Zenfone 2, Sony Xperia M4 Aqua, and the Lenovo Vibe Shot:
We were able to try out and use all three devices during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and we can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that all of them deliver in both the LOOKS and POWER categories. These bad boys offer fluid and smooth Android experiences and THEN SOME. For example, the Lenovo Shot’s camera is potentially the best one in the mid-range field. The ASUS Zenfone 2 is probably going to be the most powerful of the lot thanks to the 4GB RAM. The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua is water resistant and allegedly has 2-day battery life. The best thing about all three of them is that they sell for half the price of the premium flagships.
If you’re the practical type of person the answer to our question is pretty obvious. No, you don’t need to buy premium high-end smartphone flagships anymore. Perhaps the only reason to get one is if you can get it for “free” when you renew your smartphone contract with your telco. Truth be told if you take good care of your smartphone (especially if you’re packing year-old flagship) there’s no need to constantly upgrade year-in, year-out. If you’re the type that does that you’re playing into the hands of the marketers of those brands, hehe.
If you really want to keep on upgrading, here’s a pro-tip. Take good care of the flagship smartphone that you’re currently using. Get a tempered glass screen protector for it. Get a nice solid case from Otterbox, Incase, Spigen, or UAG to keep it safe. DON’T use the earphones that come with it and always keep a spare wall charger set and USB cable. Make sure you also don’t throw away any of the boxes or manuals. Why? Because you can sell and just add a little so that when the next flagship comes in you don’t have to shell out the full amount. If you keep your gadget in pristine condition you get more cash for it when you decide to sell it.
Let us know what you guys think in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share!
