There are a dizzying array of smartphone companies and models.\u00a0 When buying a smartphone it is important to keep these tips in mind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Historically, Samsung and Apple (iPhone) are generally considered to be the best phone manufacturers, and between them they control a large part of the market.\u00a0 But there are many other companies that also produce quality phones: BLU, Huawei, HTC, LG (Life\u2019s Good), and so on.\u00a0 India is also getting into the market with companies such as LP (Laalpoor), Neda, and others.\u00a0 TCL, Xaomei and other Chinese companies that have previously only operated in the Chinese market also make good phones and have recently begun to market them abroad.\u00a0 These phones often have comparable specifications to the more-established companies at a cheaper cost, but might not be as high quality.<\/p>\n
It should also be noted that Samsung have recently changed their approach to manufacturing smartphones and produce high end phones and cheap phones for the masses.\u00a0 The cheap phones for the masses appear to have different software on them than the tried and tested reliable software that the high end ones use.\u00a0 As a result reliability of their cheaper models has been observed to be more questionable of late.\u00a0 Samsung (and some other manufacturers as well) also force encrypted phones to use only a password to unlock it and not a pattern – on a Samsung phone they make you do this and don’t allow you to see the number of characters you have entered in the password – in the opinion of the author of this document this is a nuisance – during his trials of phones he found that he would have to enter the password multiple times in his Samsung phone before it would unlock, because he couldn’t tell if it had accidentally recognised any screen presses before typing his password as part of the password.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
A phone with good enough specifications for what IAM requires will start at about $70 and up, with the average cost of a good phone being about $120.\u00a0 You can often go cheaper if you by a model from a year or two ago.<\/p>\n
BUT, if you spend a bit more you will be able to get a phone that has plenty of storage space and isn’t sluggish to use.\u00a0 The author of this document tried 4 brands of cheap smartphone in the $70-120 price range and had trouble with all of them – dropping off the phone network unexpectedly even though they were in range of a strong signal, running out of space and needing to erase things before you could install anything, being sluggish, crashing etc.\u00a0 Following that he tried two brands of higher end phone and realised that quality is worth paying for – none of these problems exist on the more expensive phones.<\/p>\n
The other thing to bear in mind is that newer Androids have better security and better software support (eg. they actually get software updates).<\/p>\n
https:\/\/nakedsecurity.sophos.com\/2020\/01\/13\/google-urged-to-tame-privacy-killing-android-bloatware\/<\/p>\n
It is unfortunate but necessary to state that there is no easy solution to finding the right phone.\u00a0 You can either take your chances and throw it away and start again if you make a mistake, or you can spend time doing research before you start and purchase well the first time.<\/p>\n
Encryption should be your first requirement.\u00a0 The Android operating system includes encryption as standard, however, some manufacturers remove it from their phones in favour of being able to quote higher performance figures.\u00a0 Huawei are one company that has removed it from some of their models.\u00a0 Whatever you buy, check in the shop before you purchase it that it does have that ability.\u00a0 On Android go to settings, security, encrypt phone.\u00a0 If \u201cencrypt phone\u201d doesn\u2019t exist on the menu, don\u2019t buy it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Note that some newer or high end phones come pre-encrypted – you may have to hunt online to confirm this about a phone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Since encryption is essential, fingerprint unlock is invaluable.\u00a0 The number of times you need to interact with your phone in the day and you might want to do it quickly, typing an encryption password is a pest – pressing your finger against the phone as you hold it is amazingly simple.\u00a0 Note that different manufacturers do this in different ways – dedicated finger scanners are more accurate than ones built into multi-purpose buttons.<\/p>\n For what IAM requires, you will need an iPhone model 3 or above, or an android phone with android version 4.1 or higher.\u00a0 On Android go to settings, about phone to see the android version.<\/p>\n Note however that newer phones generally run newer operating system software.\u00a0 Android 9 is current at the time of writing this.\u00a0 Anything older than that that hasn’t updated can be reasonably confident to assume it has bugs.\u00a0 https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/146-bugs-preinstalled-android-phones\/<\/p>\n Look for a large amount of memory.\u00a0 Minimum should be 16 GB, but more will be better.\u00a0 Or get a phone with the option of adding a memory card.\u00a0 Once you start taking pictures the memory gets used up quickly.\u00a0 Note that some manufacturers such as Samsung bundle a large number of apps with their phones that cannot be removed.\u00a0 These waste memory that you can never get back.\u00a0 Other manufacturers such as TCL bundle apps but allow you to remove them so you have access to the maximum amount of memory.\u00a0 Note also that adding a memory card may seem a good idea, however it is limited in its\u2019 usefulness.\u00a0 Most apps cannot take advantage of an external memory card.\u00a0 Most file managers do not properly handle an external memory card. \u00a0It is therefore best to use the external memory card only for media files (photos, videos, sound recordings).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It would be great if all countries used consistent frequencies for phone connections.\u00a0 Unfortunately this isn\u2019t the case.\u00a0 Historically the USA has had completely different frequencies than everywhere else.\u00a0 This situation appears to be improving.\u00a0 However, many countries have decommissioned their 2G networks to release those frequencies for other purposes.\u00a0 There is also the confusing issue that certain 3G frequencies (900 and 2100Mhz) are implemented using 2G technology, and therefore in countries where 2G is being removed, those 3G frequencies are also being removed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Therefore if you plan to use your phone internationally you should be able to assume it will work in Afghanistan if you buy it here, but you should check that it will work in at least your home country, and also any country that you regularly spend time in.\u00a0 You can do this by comparing the specifications for the phone with the phone company\u2019s capabilities in each country.\u00a0 These are some websites to help you do this.<\/p>\n http:\/\/maps.mobileworldlive.com\/index.php<\/a> – this allows you to see the frequency capabilities of each of the mobile phone operators in a country.\u00a0 They will list a code and a frequency.\u00a0\u00a0 Common codes and their meanings are 3G (obvious), LTE (4G), GSM (2G).\u00a0 You would compare these codes and frequencies to the specification of the phone to see if it can handle it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.gsmarena.com<\/a> \u2013 lists a wide range of phones with details about their frequencies.\u00a0 There are other similar websites.\u00a0 You may have to hunt for details on less common phone brands or models.\u00a0 For example from the gsmarena site, one phone had these capabilities:<\/p>\n NETWORK\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Technology\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- this is a heading, ignore this.<\/p>\n GSM \/ HSPA \/ LTE \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- this is a summary only, ignore it.<\/p>\n 2G bands\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GSM 900 \/ 1800 \/ 1900\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- these are your 2G frequencies<\/p>\n TD-SCDMA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- this phone supports CDMA but network support for it is rare these days<\/p>\n 3G bands\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 HSDPA 850 \/ 1900 \/ 2100\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- 3G frequencies (see note above about 2100Mhz)<\/p>\n 4G bands\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700\/2100), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 28(700), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)<\/p>\n <- these are your 4G frequencies<\/p>\n Speed\u00a0\u00a0 HSPA 42.2\/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (3CA) Cat12 600\/150 Mbps \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- this is the data speed<\/p>\n capability of the phone<\/p>\n GPRS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- this phone supports 3G data<\/p>\n EDGE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <- this phone supports 2G data<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Look for a minimum of 1 GB of RAM.\u00a0 If you get more your phone will work faster.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Look for a processor speed of 1 Ghz or higher.\u00a0 The faster the better.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Other specifications such as screen size and resolution, and camera resolution, are up to you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In some countries, the service provider will sell locked phones, which means they only work with their SIM cards.\u00a0 If you put an Afghan SIM card into your phone and it registers that SIM by showing the name of your Afghan provider on the top of the screen, then your phone is unlocked and you can use it here.\u00a0 But, if a box appears asking for a code, then your phone is locked.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To unlock a locked phone you will need to get the unlock code, called an IMEI.\u00a0 You can get it the following three ways:<\/p>\n Both options 2 and 3 will cost you money.\u00a0 Starting prices will be about $10 and go up from there depending on the model of phone.\u00a0 But it will probably still be cheaper than buying a new phone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There are three sizes of SIM cards currently in use, but the active part of the SIM card is the same size in each (it is the gold colored part).\u00a0 Older NOKIA phones and the first smartphone use the large size.\u00a0 Then newer smartphones use a cut-down version of the SIM card.\u00a0 The newest iPhones and Androids take the SIM card cut down to the barest minimum: the active part of the SIM.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In the bazaar all phone shops have a guillotine that can cut a large SIM down to a smaller SIM.\u00a0 If you need the smallest size SIM you will probably have to cut it yourself or the shopkeeper can do it for you.\u00a0 Keep the plastic frame that is left when you cut your SIM in case you need to put your SIM back into an older phone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dual SIM is a confusing functionality.\u00a0 What is most commonly meant by Dual SIM is that the phone has two receivers, one on 2G\/3G\/4G and one on 2G, and when a call comes in it switches the second receiver off and concentrates only on the one with the call.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If you want to be able to receive two calls simultaneously or use data while answering a 2G call you need to buy a high end phone and be very careful about the one you buy as very few phones can do this (although this is growing).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Some dual sim phones have a dedicated 2G sim card slot, others can soft switch the 3G\/4G capabilities between slots \u2013 these are generally more useful and can be available for a similar price.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n At the present time, phone calls do not take place at the 4G level as there is no agreed standard for companies on how to make it work.\u00a0 So 4G is just for data but 2\/3G are for voice and data.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Some manufacturers have worked out how to do Dual SIM phones, others have not and their dual sim phones work poorly.\u00a0 Samsung has had a long history of experience with Dual SIM phones, however, recent models at the affordable end of the market have not demonstrated the same reliability with this as their older models.\u00a0 Some Dual SIM phones do not provide a way for you to make a call or send an SMS on the second SIM \u2013 this problem can often be resolved by the use of a third party dialing app such as Drupe.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Some brands have problems handling both SIMs and tend to switch off alternate SIMs randomly such that you cannot use them.\u00a0 This issue has been observed recently with a Huawei and Samsung phone at the bottom of the price range \u2013 when you go to make a call you might simply be told that the network is not available, even though a moment earlier it was full strength on the signal gauge.\u00a0 If you want to go with dual sim, be prepared to find that it isn\u2019t as successful as you hoped.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Snatch and grab of cell phones is a common crime in Afghanistan.\u00a0 It is important that you copy all pictures and other important data, including your contact list, to your computer on a regular basis.<\/p>\n Also, make sure you have a strong password on your phone.\u00a0 Use a word or long PIN (5 or more digits).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Be aware that if you use a shape password (swipe pattern) you should have at least 4 points in your pattern where you change direction (not just points you pass through) plus your start and finish points.<\/p>\n Security is all about balancing risk and convenience.\u00a0 We can reduce risk by telling you to use a 100 character password because it would be really hard for anyone to copy, but it would be really inconvenient for you, so that is why most passwords only need to be more than 8 characters.\u00a0 Allowing patterns is also a practical concession, yes they are less secure, but lets use them in a way that makes them as secure as they can be while keeping them convenient to use.\u00a0 So how should you ensure that a pattern is convenient and as secure as possible?<\/strong><\/p>\n The data on your phone is not safe if you don\u2019t encrypt the phone.\u00a0<\/strong> That is why we recommend encryption as mandatory.\u00a0 Both Android (using Android Device Manager) and iPhone provide a way to remotely erase your phone if you lose it in order to protect your data.\u00a0 They can also help you locate a misplaced phone by making it ring at highest volume continuously for a few minutes until you find it (useful if it has fallen under a toshak or you weren\u2019t quite awake when you put it down somewhere).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This depends on how you plan to use your phone. Please look at this article for more information on data plans: https:\/\/iam-afghanistan.org\/it\/how-to-activate-internet-service-on-afghanistan-sim-cards\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Note that if you connect your phone to wifi in the office and at home, then the phone will default to using that for data whenever you are in range of the wifi, therefore you will only use your mobile data when away from those locations or when you manually switch off wifi data because your home or office internet isn\u2019t working at the time but you need to use the internet and therefore want to try mobile data instead.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are a dizzying array of smartphone companies and models.\u00a0 When buying a smartphone it is important to keep these tips in mind. \u00a0 1. Which manufacturer is the best? Historically, Samsung and Apple (iPhone) are generally considered to be the best phone manufacturers, and between them they control a large part of the market.\u00a0<\/p>\nFingerprint unlock<\/h3>\n
Operating system\/firmware<\/h3>\n
Storage<\/h3>\n
Frequencies<\/h3>\n
RAM<\/h3>\n
Processor<\/h3>\n
Other<\/h3>\n
4. Can I use my phone if I already have one from a different country?<\/h3>\n
\n
5. What about my SIM card?<\/h2>\n
SIM Size<\/h3>\n
Dual SIM<\/h3>\n
6. How do I keep my data safe?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
7. What mobile data plan should I use?<\/h2>\n