Phone buying guide: what actually matters

Every new phone claims to be faster, brighter and better. Here's how to cut through the marketing and choose a phone you'll be happy with for years.

Software updates

A phone that gets updates for five or more years stays secure and fast. This is the single best indicator of a phone's longevity.

Storage

Phones don't take memory cards, so buy as much storage as you'll need. 128 GB is fine for most people; 256 GB is better if you shoot a lot of video or keep photos on the device.

Camera and battery

Megapixels matter less than sensor size and processing. A phone with a good main camera and a day-and-a-half battery will serve you better than one with five average lenses.