When one travels out of their country, it is necessary/important to take a good phone with you, to ease communication with family, friends, and relatives.
A good phone usually consists of a good camera and exceptional battery life.
This article is divided into three categories:
- Basic aspects of the purchase
- Comparison our top choice of the best smartphones
- Waterproof phones – tips for the best
- Tablet or Smartphone?
A few years back, it was impossible for one to take useful and valuable devices with them while traveling. Due to the vast production of technology one can now bring smartphones and tablets with them.
The major problem that arises for one who’s traveling out of the country is the selection of the best phone for international traveling. Every smartphone has advantages and disadvantages to some extent; An International traveler needs a smartphone with ultimate features.
1. Basic aspects of the purchase
The features which one considers while buying a new smartphone for traveling purposes are:
- A good battery Life.
- A good operating system, iOS, And Android.
- Does the phone supports the WiFi or not?
- A good Camera.
Good battery life
The first thing one considers while buying a new smartphone is good battery life.
Most smartphones have poor batteries if the phone is used 6-7 hours straight, the battery dies.
The travelers need a smartphone with best battery life as they are always in need of maps, poor battery life makes it almost impossible for them to get access to maps.
These results in complications for the travelers, that’s why a phone with a good battery life is much needed.
Good operation system – iOS or Android?
If one is buying a new smartphone today, chances of that it will run googles Android or apples iOs mobile operating system.
More than 99 percent of the smartphone users use Android or iOS. Others include Windows Phone by Microsoft. Both smartphones operating systems are brilliant.
They have more features in common, but some important differences should be considered. We’re going to compare iOS and Android in several categories. Pick the things that matter you the most, count the wins in those categories, you have recommendations.
Apple is at the top regarding pricing. The iPhone X comes at a starting price of $1000 (check the actual price on Amazon). The iPhone 8 plus is $800 (check actual price), and I phone 8 is of $700 (check actual price).
Due to high prices of the iPhone, most peoples are not interested in buying it. On the other hand, Android phones are cheap and easily available. They are available at low prices in the market compared to iPhone. Due to low prices, they are easily accessible to peoples. The result is indecisive.
Software
The latest version of the iOS is immediately available. By now, above 50 percent of the iPhone users are using the latest version of iOS, no. 11. While on the other hand, only around 0.2 percent of the Android users are using the latest Android 8.0 oreo. At this point, Apple looks better than Android.
App store vs. Play store
Android’s Play store consists a maximum of 2.8 million apps while iOs app store contains 2.2 million apps. The main difference is that the best games and the apps are available first on iOS app store while developers across the world are targeting Android too. But everywhere in the world, quality beats the quantity, so iOs takes the lead here too. In this department, iOs is taking the lead.
Battery issues
As one of the biggest bug bearers for smartphone owners, battery life is a huge factor.
Android, in this regard, shows the estimate of total how much battery you have left. iOS is optimized to squeeze most out of rating.
For many years, Android was taking the lead providing phones with fast charging and wireless charging. But now Apple has presented phones for iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 plus with offer wireless charging. One has to buy the fast charging adapter separately while in Android phones it is provided within the box.
Giving a clear-cut review of this section, Android phones tend to have longer battery life, so Android takes the win.
Good connection with the whole the world
The third thing to consider is; Does the phone supports Wi-Fi or not? For traveling outside the country, it is necessary for one to choose a phone which supports Wi-Fi for quick access to Internet and friends.
WiFi is the cheapest and most economical way of connecting people around the world. Sometimes we are not able to get access to WiFi, so there is another option of switching to the internet to Data Mode. However, it is expensive as compared to the WiFi.
The Fourth-most important thing to consider while buying a phone is the good camera. As we know that the one who travels outside the country likes to take pictures of the places he visits, therefore it is necessary to buy a cell phone with a brilliant camera.
For traveling purposes, buying the best smartphone is always a difficult choice to make. A person wants a phone with every facility and feature so that the traveling becomes easier. While buying a phone, everyone considers some features that are battery life, camera, Wi-Fi or data mode, etc.
2. Our comparison of the best smartphonesBelow are some extraordinary phones one should consider while buying a smartphone for traveling purpose. There’s a brief comparison between the best phones to make it easier for you to make the best choice. Every phone has some salient features to be considered.
The best smartphone camera
1. Asus ZenFone ARAsus ZenFone AR is equipped with 3 rear cameras. A motion tracking, depth sensing and a high-resolution 23MP camera, it enables the phone to create a 3D image of its surroundings.
Check the actual fantastic price on Amazon!
Motion sensing cameras allow the phone to track its location as it moves through space. Depth sensing camera helps the phone to measure its distance from the real world objects. High-resolution 23MP cameras let you view virtual objects in the actual environment.
ZenFone is world’s first smartphone with Tango and Daydream by Google. Tango is an exciting new technology that changes the way you interact with people. Daydream makes you experience high quality, reality VR with your phone.
ZenFone brings reality experiences for you to enjoy and explore.
2. iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus
These are the smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The generation of iPhone 8 is 11th and released in September 2017.
Check its actual prices on Amazon!
Operating system: Original 11.0, current 11.1 released in November.
- Both have a high-resolution 12Mp camera with six-element lens, autofocus, IR filter, burst mode, f/1.8 aperture, digital image stabilization, and optical image stabilization.
- It can record 4K video at 24, 30, or 60 fps or 1080p at 30 or 60 fps, and slow-motion video (1080p at 120 or 240 fps), time-lapse with stabilization.
- It can capture panoramas as well.
The design of the iPhone 8 is largely similar to that of its predecessor. Notable changes include the addition of wireless charging, a faster processor, and improved cameras and displays.
3. Samsung S8 and Galaxy S8
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 are Android smartphones produced by Samsung Electronics as part of the Samsung Galaxy S series.
Actual prices of Samsung Galaxy S8 on Amazon! (was $500 in Nov. 2017)
Operating system Android 7.0 with a memory of 4 or 6 GB and a high-resolution camera of 12Mp and front camera with 8Mp. The S8 and S8+ were in high demand at release.
During the pre-order period, a record one million units were booked in South Korea, and overall sales numbers were 30% higher than the Galaxy S7.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 consists of a polished aluminum body with gorilla glass 5 at the back and front, IP68 certified to be dust and waterproof.
Check the actual price on Amazon (was $870 in Nov. 2017)
This smartphone is really very interesting. Look at this nice review video.
6.3 inches amole display, largest ever screen in a note device and still fits in hands. Contains 12Mp rear camera with 1260p/30fps video recording and 8Mp front camera with 1440p/30fps video recording.
6GB RAM & 64GB of storage, it also supports SD card up to 256GB. With a battery life of approximately 3,300 mAh, Samsung Note 8 is the among the most versatile smartphones of today.
5. iPhone X
Beautiful preview of the iPhone X from The Verge
iPhone X is the latest smartphone designed by Apple Inc. along with iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus in sept 2017 with extraordinary features.
The most impressive feature of the iPhone X is the Face ID. It replaces the touch ID with Face ID. The iPhone X has two color options, Silver, and Space grey. The front and back of the phone are composed of surgical-grade stainless steel to improve durability.
The back has a glass slab over the aluminum to enable wireless charging. The design is intended to be IP67 water and dust resistant.
6. Huawei P10
The Huawei P10. It is an Android smartphone produced by Huawei. It was released in February 2017 and it is the successor to the Huawei P9.
Prices and reviews of Huawei P10 you can check here on Amazon!
The Huawei P10 has a 5.1inc 1080p high definition LCD display while the P10 Plus has a 5.5inc with a camera of 12Mp and 20Mp f/1.8, and a front camera of 8Mp.
7. Sony Xperia XZ
Last phone from category the best camera in the smartphones is Sony Xperia XZ.
Interesting view on the Sony XZ from TechAltar channel on Youtube.
Sony offers very nice smartphones, and by our opinion, they also have, after the iPhone, the best phones in terms of design. The price is about $400, but for sure, check the actual price on Amazon.
Prices and reviews of Sony Xperia XZ on Amazon!
This phone comes with a high definition HD display at of 5.4 inches with 1080×1920p resolution. It contains 3GB RAM & 64GB vast storage. 1.6 GHz quad-core processor. 23Mp front and 13Mp back camera. It supports Android 6.0. It contains 2900mAh battery life. And of course, and its typical for Sony, all high-end Sony products come with a waterproof technology.
Our second privet tip after iPhone.
3. Waterproof – the best off from category
Travellers are always in need of a waterproof smartphone as they have to travel places and sometimes have to work underwater too. Below are some extraordinary water resistant smartphones that are best for traveling purposes: Samsung Galaxy 8 and 8 Plus, Sony Xperia XZ premium, LG G6, Galaxy S7 Edge and S7.
- The Galaxy S8 is an evolution of the prior year’s model, with upgraded hardware, design refinements, and the restoration of features removed from the Galaxy S6, such as IP certification for water and dust resistance, as well as expandable storage.
- The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge stand up to water better than the iPhone 6s and 6s plus, but not without sustaining permanent damage
- The LG G6 is ready to go just about anywhere one would want to go. Thanks to its IP68 rating, it can weather dust and water — including full immersion — in stride.
- Sony Xperia XZ is also fully waterproof and dust resistance as it is evident from its IP68 certification.
4. Tablets or Smartphones
When smartphone is your favorite
There are plenty of reasons to take a smartphone along on your trip — in fact, for travelers who aren’t trying to work from the road, it could be the only device they need. While rarely best at anything, smartphones are fine for many tasks that used to require separate gadgets. When you’re trying to reduce space, weight, and cost, that’s a big benefit.
Pros
- They take the place of multiple devices. There’s no longer need to pack a separate flashlight, map, calculator, music player, or alarm clock.
- It’s easy to get connected when you need to, even if you’re not using cell data. Cafés, airports, and train stations usually have Wi-Fi available, and in much of the world, there’s always a McDonald’s or Starbucks nearby if you want bad burgers and coffee with your Facebook.
- There are hundreds of useful travel apps out there that work offline. Currency converters, translation tools, navigation helpers, guidebooks, itinerary trackers, and more can help make your travels easier.
- Smartphones are portable and can be taken while traveling easily. It is the best option to travel with as compared to tablets. Smartphones are smaller and portable as compared to tablets. Everything is done on the go
Cons
- The biggest con is battery life — it’s rare to find a smartphone that will last more than a day of normal use. Long flights, bus rides, and days of exploring often result in a dead phone before you get to your accommodation. With everyone else in your dorm room also wanting to charge their gadgets every night, even finding a power socket isn’t always easy.
- Although phones are getting larger, a 5″ screen isn’t ideal for entertainment — books and movies aren’t so great on a small screen.
- Websites without mobile-friendly versions get annoying very quickly.
- Typing on phones is fine for updating your Facebook status or sending a quick message, but you’ll end up frustrated if you’re hoping to do much more.
When you vote for a tablet
A tablet is an awesome device for leisure travelers because it allows you to have the conveniences of a laptop without the bulk. If you are not working on the go, then these are the reason why tablet might be ideal. Tablet computers have only been around for a few years, but ever since the iPad came out, they’ve been very popular. They offer a larger screen and better battery life but are more expensive and take up a lot more room.
Check this tablet guide and buy your ideal tablet for your traveling!
Functionality
- The tablet may not be as versatile as a laptop in the functionality department, but it is significantly better than a smartphone. Tablets have larger displays that give you more real estate to get real work done. In fact, with larger tablets the display is on par with smaller laptops, allowing you to get more done. Of course, the virtual keyboard uses up half the display, so you have less screen to work with when you’re actually working. Regardless, though, tablets beat smartphones when it comes to being productive.
- A tablet sits somewhere between the smartphone and laptop in most areas, and flexibility is no exception. In many ways, a tablet can fill the role of a laptop and perform most, if not all, of the same functions. But, the tablet is also more versatile. Most can take photos, or shoot videos in addition to allowing video chat and conferencing. They also work nicely as an e-reader (or in some cases, the e-reader has evolved into a tablet) for accessing an entire library of books on the go. Some of these things are technically possible, but ridiculous in a practical sense with a notebook.
Battery Life
- Most tablets have battery life that is far better than laptops. Laptops are steadily improving in the longevity department, but most would still struggle to make it through a full workday, and many won’t make it to lunch. Tablets, on the other hand, seem last forever even when pushed to the limits.
- Size is an issue. Even the smaller 7-8″ versions won’t really fit in your pocket unless you’re wearing a large jacket. They’re also heavier than smartphones, especially if you have a full-size tablet.
- Taking photos with tablets is, quite frankly, a horrible idea. Their size and bulk make them hard to hold steady, and that’s before the cover starts flapping around. Screens are hard to see in direct sunlight, and since it’s rare for people to use durable cases with tablets, it’s easy to damage or drown them. Plus, let’s face it, you look pretty silly doing it.