![\"HONOR](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HONOR-Watch-5-Ultra-Reverse-wireless-charging-on-a-Pixel-9.jpg\"\/ "\\"HONOR")
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C. Scott Brown \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
When it comes to buying a new smartphone<\/a>, it\u2019s easy to get caught up in all the hype. Manufacturers constantly push the latest and greatest features, leading many of us to buy more phone than we actually need.<\/p>\n When I\u2019m in the market for a new phone, I always try to narrow down my options as much as possible. I do that by making a list of not only the features I want in my next smartphone but also those I don\u2019t care about. This approach helps me cut through the marketing noise and find a device that truly suits my preferences, without overspending on things I\u2019ll never use.<\/p>\n Here are some popular smartphone features that I, personally, don\u2019t care about, and why you might consider them optional too.<\/p>\n Which of these smartphone features you care about the least?<\/p>\n 64 votes<\/p>\n IP rating<\/p>\n 6%<\/p>\n Wireless charging<\/p>\n 27%<\/p>\n The latest and greatest SoC<\/p>\n 16%<\/p>\n Lots of storage<\/p>\n 2%<\/p>\n A super-slim body<\/p>\n 50%<\/p>\n 1. IP rating<\/p>\n Edgar Cervantes \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n An IP rating<\/a> indicates a phone\u2019s resistance to dust and water. While most high-end phones come with one, it\u2019s never been a deciding factor for me.<\/p>\n In all my years of using smartphones, I\u2019ve never found myself in a situation where an IP rating would have saved the day. I\u2019ve never dropped a phone in a pool, spilled a drink on it, or taken a call in a downpour without an umbrella. I also make a habit of not handling my phone with wet hands.<\/p>\n Of course, accidents happen, and some people are naturally more prone to them. Everyone\u2019s preferences are different, but for me, a phone without any water resistance is something I can absolutely live with.<\/p>\n 2. Wireless and reverse wireless charging<\/p>\n Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Much like an IP rating, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are standard features on many flagship phones these days. My current Pixel has it, but honestly, I couldn\u2019t care less. I\u2019ve never used it.<\/p>\n For starters, wireless charging is often slower than wired charging. It\u2019s also less convenient for me. With a cable, I can easily pick up my phone and use it while it\u2019s charging. Grabbing a phone off a wireless charging pad obviously cuts the power supply.<\/p>\n I have a habit of plugging in my phone and tossing it on the bed.<\/p>\n And let\u2019s be real, wireless charging doesn\u2019t technically get rid of cables; you still have one connected to the charging pad. Speaking of pads, they usually need to be placed on a flat, stable surface, whereas I have a habit of plugging in my phone and tossing it on the bed, couch, or other soft furniture.<\/p>\n The only real benefit I see to wireless charging is when I\u2019m at a coffee shop or restaurant that have tables with built-in charging pads, offering a quick top-up while I\u2019m out. Beyond that, it\u2019s a feature I happily pass on.<\/p>\n 3. The latest and greatest<\/p>\n Joe Maring \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n The days when you needed the absolute newest phone to get a smooth, lag-free experience are long gone. Modern mid-range phones<\/a> are incredibly capable and more than good enough for most users, even some demanding ones.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t play graphically intensive games on my phone, so I don\u2019t need the very latest Snapdragon SoC to be happy. The Tensor chip in my older Pixel works perfectly fine, and many mid-range options from Snapdragon would also suit my needs.<\/p>\n I also don\u2019t need 16GB of RAM or the absolute newest camera hardware. Phones like the Pixel 9a<\/a> or the Galaxy A56<\/a> are more than sufficient for my daily use, and that goes for the vast majority of people, in my opinion. My point is, I don\u2019t chase the latest specs and features just for the sake of it; I prioritize what I actually need.<\/p>\n 4. Excessive storage<\/p>\n Mishaal Rahman \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Phones now come with as much as 1TB of internal storage, which, for me, is complete overkill. I don\u2019t use hundreds of apps or play dozens of demanding games. Most of my photos and videos are stored in the cloud, which makes them easily accessible from all my devices. The same goes for other documents.<\/p>\n 256GB is the sweet spot for me. <\/p>\n A phone with 256GB of storage is typically all I need, although I could easily live with less. For me, 256GB is the sweet spot that ensures I won\u2019t run out of space over the few years I\u2019ll use a specific device.<\/p>\n With that in mind, I also don\u2019t need a microSD card slot. Granted, most high-end phones don\u2019t have one these days, outside of certain models like the Xperia 1 VII, for example. I understand that some people prefer local storage for privacy reasons, and that others download a ton of apps and games. But with my current wants and needs, a phone with massive internal storage is simply unnecessary.<\/p>\n 5. An ultra-thin body<\/p>\n Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Google-Pixel-8a-getting-wet-wet-water-resistant-phone-2.jpg\"\/ "\\"Google")
<\/p>\n![\"Motorola](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Motorola-Moto-G-Power-5G-2024-wireless-charging.jpg\"\/ "\\"Motorola")
<\/p>\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/samsung-one-ui-7-home-screen-s25-ultra-2-scaled.jpeg\"\/ "\\"samsung")
<\/p>\n![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Close-up_of_storage_settings_on_an_Android_phone-scaled.jpg\"\/ "\\"Close")
<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Edge-thickness.jpg\"\/ "\\"Samsung")
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