(NC) If it’s time to upgrade your device, you could be overwhelmed by the number of choices and features on the market. But with a little bit of research and expert advice, the process can be simpler.  

Here Paul Dayco, chief technology officer at Huawei, offers a few helpful pointers that will make finding your next smartphone a breeze.

“I think the best thing to do before you go shopping is to determine what you’re going to use it for. If you want great photography, lightning-fast downloads, huge battery and the confidence that goes with those features, I would recommend the Mate 20 Pro.  Smartphone reviewers have had nothing but praise for it.”

Below is some more advice to help you make an informed purchasing decision:

• Check the IP rating. This number indicates what level of protection the phone has against both solids and liquids. Take for example an IP68 rating. The first number (6) indicates that it is totally protected against dust. The second number (8) indicates that it is water resistant for up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. You want to be sure your phone will survive wet, wintery weather.
• Smartphones have all but supplanted dedicated point-and-shoot cameras as the way to capture day-to-day moments. A great all-around camera with good day and nighttime performance is a must-have for some. The ability to take ultra-wide angle shots can get all of what you see in frame, so you won’t need to take multiple photos. Visit a dedicated, unbiased reviewing website that reviews and benchmarks smartphones and can give you great the best idea of which camera on which phone is better.
• One of the biggest pain points consumers face when it comes to their smartphone is battery. Choose a phone that’s equipped with the biggest battery and a fast-charging system. This way, on really heavy-usage days, you’ll be confident that your smartphone won’t give out before you do.
• Some manufacturers have trouble keeping up with security patches and updates, so it’s important to choose a phone that has the latest and greatest software out of the box. A phone’s operating system not only gives you the latest features, but also protects you. The latest version right now for most phones is Android 9, codenamed “Pie.”
• Just like you would with any other computer, opt for a smartphone with the latest hardware and sufficient storage out of the box. Finally, large RAM helps consumers do more things at once and large storage means you can keep all your files in one convenient location.