How to select the best music phone: Know Your Mobile Guide

We all have our own preferences while buying a phone but one thing that is present in every checklist is ‘Music’. As for many, music turns out to be there sole companion irrespective of where they are. On the other hand some buy music phones because they feel they are value for money. No doubt, music phones are a smart buy as they have good looks, functions as portable media player and reduce the juggle between a PMP and a mobile phone.

Whether it is a smartphone or a feature phone, music player is one such thing, which is omnipresent on every phone. But its more than easy availability that makes buying music phone a difficult task. In order to get the best from the rest in your budget one should enlist the requirements and things to remember. So, that you can easily mix-n-match your requirements considering your budget with available prospects.

Know Your Mobile lists some features to look out for while buying a music phone:

Storage Capacity - In-built memory and memory card are the two ways in which you can judge a phone’s storage capacity. In-built memory varies from megabytes to gigabytes. Commonly feature phones have as low as 64MB of memory whereas high-end phone these days feature 8GB of in-built memory. The good thing is you can always increase storage capacity with the help of a memory card.

Battery Life - Battery life in a phone can be measured in three ways i.e. talk time, standby time and music play. Battery for talk time in good phones last for about 6-7 hours. Standby time is the time when phone is switched on but is not in use. This time is not generally considered while purchasing a phone but usually a phone’s battery lasts for about 140 hours to 400hours on standby mode. Music playtime tells you exactly how much outcome should be expected from a music phone and this is precisely what you should check out. But since not all phones provide this information so the next best option is talk time.

Headphones - Headphone is the most important accessory in order to enjoy good quality audio. Huge variety in headsets is available in market heavy-light weights, cushioned- withoutcushions, with Bluetooth connectivity etc. Another important thing to check is the number of controls that a headphone provides you with. Availability of maximum controls obviously makes the use convenient.

Loudspeaker - Initially, the purpose of loudspeakers was giving sound for incoming calls, alerts, alarms and messages. But with time as mobile phones become preferred over portable media player even manufacturers have started using much more powerful loudspeakers. While purchasing a music phone you can check the strength of loudspeaker by playing an old phone ringtone or listening to a voice.

Audio quality - While buying a music phone audio quality check is a must task to be performed. Best way to go about is by trying the phone on different headphones as well as on loudspeaker mode.

Bluetooth connectivity - Bluetooth connectivity is another important feature to look out for. With new technologies rolling down every now and then, you can check whether it connects to your car system, receives calls and dials calls.

Screen Size - Another important feature that adds value to design is its screen size. Although it’s all about touch today but when it is about choosing among the pool of music phones who would want to miss the added advantage of screen. Large screen size allows you to enjoy videos and movies if the phone supports video formats whereas small screen means bulkiness.

Weight - When you are buying a phone with the dual purpose of using it as a phone and as a PMP, you ought to consider its weight. It should be as light as possible as it will be easy to carry around.

FM Radio - If you love spontaneous music to drive your mood, you should check for FM radio. While checking for FM radio you can look for whether it plays radio on loudspeaker or not and maximum number of frequencies that it supports. With time music phones fabulously progressed in terms of sound quality, reliability and functionality. Even as the market for music phones increased by leaps and bounds, manufacturers constantly try to attract consumers with their innovative tech features in the music phones.

Sony Ericsson came out with shake feature that required the user to just shake the phone forward for jumping forward or backward to leap backwards. Likewise these days the convenient and attractive feature in music phones is ‘operation with screen locked’. Phones like iPhone, HTC radar, which is windows mango run and some android phones provide this dynamic feature.

At the end ease of playing and audio quality should remain priority. Invest in a good pair of headsets too, to augment the music experience.


Also check out:

Top 5 music phones

Top 5 dual SIM music phones under Rs 2000

Top 10 music phones in India

Spice Mobility launches Samba and Carnival music phones