Crucial Buyers Guide On Touch Screen Mobile Phones

By Author: Lucy Carter
Total Articles: 102
Comment this article

Having first emerged from corporate labs in the late 1940's, touch screen technology has advanced to its present state of rapidly revolutionising how we interact with devices.

My previous article titled 'Need-To-Know Guide on Touch Phone Technology' explained how this mobile functionality works and outlined the main Pros and Cons based on user feedback.

The following guide will clarify why you would want a touch screen smartphone and outline the key factors to keep in mind when shopping around for one.

Touch phones - why they're all the rage

A touch screen interface on your mobile phone allows you to glide through your applications with tactile ease. From navigating websites and selecting applications to browsing photos and typing emails or texts, the process is made simpler than ever before with the light touch of a virtual button.

Initially, users can find touch screens oversensitive in comparison with the traditional keypad they were accustomed to. But once you get the hang of them, you will find the previous push button handsets cumbersome and clunky to use. Gone are the days of laboriously ...
... pressing buttons which represent more than three different characters - touch screens let you multi-task and get the most out of your phone with instinctive and rapid gestures.

Key features to look out for

To really enjoy the simplicity that touch screens can offer, there are some important factors you'll want of the mobile model you choose:

Types of touch screen mobiles

There are differences in the types of mobile phones with a touch screen interface. A music or multimedia phone won't always use an operating system but will offer the main features we've come to expect in terms of communications, camera and music player. The new smartphone generation however has an operating system that allows it to function much like a PC. Your choice of mobile phone will depend on both your user habits and budget, but both can offer the ease of navigation that touch screens are famous for.

Interface

This relates to the feedback you receive when using the touch screen. Currently, most interfaces use haptic feedback, which means you will feel a slight movement, usually a vibration, when you touch a virtual button and the action has been recognised. Most users, especially those that are new to touchscreens, will find this useful. With other types of interfaces, you will only be able to know when you have touched a command by looking at the screen display.

Screen size

When it comes to touch phones, screen size certainly matters - unless you have very delicate fingers, if the display is too small you could find it difficult to use the sensitive virtual buttons. Generally, manufacturers offer touch screen sizes that range from 2.5 to 3.5 inches wide.

Resolution

As with your TV and PC, resolution accounts for the quality of the picture you view. The higher the pixel count of an image, the sharper it will be displayed. Most touch phones have a resolution ranging from 400x240 to 480x360 pixels.

Battery life

Since touch phones naturally use up a lot of energy, you will certainly want a model that has a large battery or that recharges rapidly.

The above points will help you shop around for a touch phone that you'll be happy with. When deciding on a particular model and comparing different brand offerings, the other important factor is to be clear on your particular usage habits, since this will determine the mobile that best fits your needs.
Barry Knightly owns a touch phone retail and repair outlet.