5 Things to Look For In A Smartphone for Travel Purposes

For people who love to travel and want to preserve the memories of their trip, it is important to find the right gadget to bring along with. I used to carry with me a bulky DSLR camera, which can take up space and weight. Nowadays, a very efficient smartphone can do the trick, with less hassle than having a huge camera in tow.

But one has to choose the impeccable smartphone camera than can be helpful in documenting your journeys. Not only must it be useful in taking landscapes and scenery but it should also enable me to take that perfect selfie, just to show that I was really there in that popular landmark.

However, not all smartphone cameras are created equal. I have long given up using my old smartphone in recording my travels for the following reasons:

• My photos are pixelated and blurry;
• The camera do not open up fast. If I’m in a moving vehicle, we already passed the beautiful scenery before the camera app opens;
• Battery drains fast;
• It takes up a lot of memory space.

Now, what are the things you have to bear in mind when you scout for a smartphone that you can take with you on your travels?

1. Camera resolution. The smartphone must have, first and foremost, powerful front and rear cameras that can capture images vividly and with clarity.
2. Fast unlocking. It must allow you to unlock your phone and use your camera in a zip.
3. High memory capacity. Your camera must be able to load thing and process applications fast.
4. Long-lasting battery life. Using your camera can take a lot of energy on your phone, so one that has good battery power is a must when traveling.
5. Easy to hold. While a wide phone screen is essential, the phone must be something that your hand can easily grip, especially if you are always on the move.

Recently, I was invited to a launch of Vivo V5 smartphone, dubbed as the Perfect Selfie.  Just a disclaimer, I didn’t receive any remuneration or cellphone unit (although my wish for this Christmas is to receive a Vivo V5 as a gift) but I was able to check the demo units at the event, held at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resorts and Casino.

So far, I find the Vivo V5 something that is so apt for a travel-loving person like me because of these qualities:

• 20MP front camera and 13MP rear camera. The front camera has a 1/2.78″ Sony IMX376 camera sensor with 5P lens system and aperture of f/2.0.
• Selfie Softlight, with lighting effects almost similar to a professional photography studio
• 4GB RAM and 32GB ROM and supports microSD card of up to 128GB internal storage expansion
• Faster fingerprint unlocking wherein you can access your phone in just 0.2 seconds
• Smart Split 2.0 where you can split the screen and multi-task
• 5.5″HD (1280×720) screen with dimensions of 153.8×75.5×7.55mm clad in 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass for protection
• Funtouch OS 2.6, based on Android’s 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS
• Octa-core 64-bit
• 32-bit AK4376 digital to analog converter Hi-Fi chip
• Fast-charging battery with 3,000mAh capacity

For more information, visit facebook.com/vivophilippinesofficial.