With a quick swipe, you can do almost anything on your phone—snap photos, store important files, connect with long-distance family and friends, and more. It’s more important than ever to pick cell phone features that match your needs and lifestyle.
Whether you’re after advanced cameras, ample storage, long battery life, or fast data speeds, there’s a cell phone feature for you. Start by asking yourself:
- Which functions and capabilities matter most to you?
- What would make life easier or more convenient?
- Does your current phone have everything you need, or is it time to upgrade?
From there, check out these 10 must-have features to make sure your phone has everything you need—and then some.
10 must-have cell phone features to look for before you buy
With countless options out there, focus on the features that fit your life.
Nature lovers may want a rugged phone that can handle water, impacts, and severe weather—like a Sonim phone.
If you love traveling and taking photos, then an advanced camera on the latest smartphone might be just what you need.
Whatever your needs, start with a fast device and a bright, clear screen that can handle your day-to-day activities.
1. A high-resolution display for crisp visuals
Your screen is how you see and interact with everything on your phone—so it’s helpful to pick the right display.
Start with screen size. A larger screen makes it easier to see fine details and to tap on apps or fill out forms. Keep in mind: larger screens usually mean a bigger, heavier phone.
Also, consider refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), which tells you how many times the picture on your display is updated per second.
Higher refresh rates make motion look smoother for more fluid scrolling, streaming, gaming, and more.
Check out display technology as well. Many modern phone screens use Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED) technology.
AMOLED (common on higher-end phones) typically delivers richer colors, higher contrast, and deeper blacks, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and multitasking. LCD screens tend to be bright outdoors, affordable, and have a long life span.
2. Long battery life and fast charging
Using your phone a lot can drain the battery quickly. Constantly charging can be inconvenient and even impractical at times.
Look for a phone with extended battery life to last you through the entire day. Some newer devices can last up to two days on a single charge, depending on use.
Battery capacity is measured in milliampere hours (mAh). The higher your battery’s mAh, the larger its capacity and the longer it typically lasts.
Actual battery life depends on factors like usage, environment (extreme cold and extreme heat can decrease battery life), and charging habits.
Beyond capacity, look for extras like fast charging, which lets you power your device quicker. Plus, with compatible wireless charging accessories, like wireless charging pads, you can conveniently power up your device without plugging in.
3. Powerful camera system for great photos
The right camera lets you capture all of life’s special moments in crystal-clear quality. The days of blurry, fuzzy pictures should be in your past—so it’s worth comparing camera systems.
Learn the basics about filters, megapixel count, autofocus, and aperture (lens opening that controls how much light reaches the image sensor). Then, you can move on to more advanced features.
Check out multi-lens setups (ultrawide, telephoto). With more than one lens, you can focus on subjects at different distances and under various lighting conditions for enhanced photos.
And don’t forget low-light performance features. These are perfect when natural light isn’t on your side. Use night mode to brighten up photos you take in the dark while keeping the details crisp.
What about video? Look for intuitive editing options and stabilization to help you achieve polished results you’ll be proud to post and share.
With the right features, you can achieve silver screen-worthy photos and video right from your phone.
4. 5G connectivity for lightning-fast speeds
For quick wireless connectivity, 5G is the latest standard. With 5G, you typically get faster speeds than 4G, which is great for basically everything you do on your phone.
You’ll notice the difference downloading large files—like movies, apps, or work documents—since 5G generally downloads faster than 4G.
Love streaming content? Thanks to 5G, you can stream 4K Ultra High-Definition (UHD) more smoothly with less buffering and higher quality.
Are you a gamer? If so, you know how lag can lead to a choppy, frustrating gaming experience, especially during online play.
5G reduces latency for a more responsive connection to gaming servers and smoother, more continuous online play.
Most new smartphones are 5G-ready, so you shouldn’t have to go out of your way to find one.
5. Ample storage and RAM for performance
The storage space you need depends on how much you want to keep on your device (i.e., on your phone rather than in the cloud).
The most common storage capacities for modern cell phones include 128 gigabytes (GB), 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 terabyte (TB).
To balance local storage with the cloud, combine your phone’s internal memory with AT&T Personal Cloud to access your files anywhere.
In addition to internal storage, you also want to pay attention to Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is the memory your smartphone uses for active apps, browsing, and games.
With more RAM, multitasking feels smoother, especially when you have several apps open.
6. Regular software updates and security patches
When purchasing a phone, it’s important to choose a manufacturer and operating system (OS) with a reliable track record.
An up-to-date OS can deliver regular updates, security patches, and bug fixes to keep your phone running smoothly and securely.
In addition to a reliable OS and manufacturer, choose a mobile device with built-in privacy tools. Routine security checks and alerts for suspicious activity can help keep you safe as you browse, shop online, message, and use apps.
7. Water and dust resistance for peace of mind
It’s easy enough to accidentally drop your phone in the sink and get it wet. If your device isn’t at least partially water-resistant, even a small spill can mean a costly repair or inconvenient replacement.
The Ingress Protection (IP) rating measures your phone’s durability against external particles. This two-digit code (e.g., IP67 or IP68) shows how well a device resists dust and water.
The first digit (0-6) rates dust resistance, with 6 meaning dust-tight protection.¹ The second digit (0-9) rates water resistance. A 9 means a phone can withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water.
Regardless of your phone’s IP rating, it’s still best to keep your device dry and clean to prolong its life.
8. Biometric security for quick, secure access
Many apps use biometric authentication for login purposes and identity verification. Biometric authentication is any type of verification that uses a biological trait, like your fingerprint or facial recognition.
To keep your device secure and protect your accounts, choose a phone that offers fingerprint scanners or facial recognition software.
These biometric options can be more secure—and they’re often quicker and more convenient than passwords.
With just a tap or a look, you can quickly unlock your phone and other apps.
9. Special tools like styluses or foldable screens
New devices are constantly pushing the envelope to offer more useful, advanced cell phone features than competing models.
Two extras that can make your phone more intuitive, fun, and convenient:
- Styluses – A stylus lets you pinpoint small areas of your screen, navigate accurately, and draw or take notes with precision. Some phones (like Moto G Stylus 5G) come with a stylus. If not included, consider a universal stylus compatible with your phone.
- Folding phones – They’re compact when folded and open to a larger screen, making them convenient for surfing, streaming, chatting, gaming, and multitasking.
These accessories are a great way to optimize your phone, whether you use it for school, remote work, or entertainment.
10. Compatibility with your network and lifestyle
At the end of the day, your personal preferences are the leading factor in determining what features you need in your phone. Make sure your device is compatible with your carrier’s network and bands (e.g. 5G).
Be sure to consider other coverage features. For instance, if you travel often or use your phone for both personal and work reasons, you might want Dual SIM or eSIM support, which lets you use and switch between two phone numbers.
Or if you consistently connect your other devices to your phone’s wireless network, you’ll want built-in mobile hotspot support.
Choose the right phone features for your lifestyle
The cell phone features you need ultimately depend on your preferences and lifestyle. You might care most about screen size, screen responsiveness, storage space, or ruggedness.
No matter what you want in a cell phone, rest assured that we have the right one for you.
From entry-level smartphones to the most advanced devices, we offer a wide selection of the latest phones at unbeatable prices.
Head to your local store or shop online to find the device (and features) you need.
¹Lanxon, Andrew. “How Waterproof Is My Phone? IP68, IPX8 Ratings Explained.” CNET, May 27, 2025. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/how-waterproof-is-my-phone-ip68-ipx8-ip-ratings-explained/.
