Then and Now: What's Changed in the Past Few Years? (Android Edition) - 2021

Android: What’s new?

Coming to the end of your phone contract and ready for something new? You’re in the right place. Since the last time you treated yourself to a new device, smartphones have got better…a lot better. These days, you can find a great smartphone to suit any budget. Here are a few of our favourites, and how they shape up against the smartphones of yesteryear.

One of the biggest developments to reshape the smartphone world recently is the introduction of speedy 5G. While it was an exclusive feature for the most premium phones only two years ago, we’re starting to see it introduced in mid-range handsets like the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G. And it’s a hugely welcome addition.

That’s not the only thing that’s new, though. If you’re moving on from the A52s 5G’s predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A51, you’ll notice plenty more technological leaps. Like the display, for instance. They both have a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen, but this time around, Samsung have doubled the refresh rate to a flagship-standard 120 Hz. That means scrolling, gaming, and watching shows feels twice as smooth. And when you’re taking that perfect selfie, the new LED front camera flash will come in really handy in low-light settings.

Elsewhere, the A52s 5G adds more power in every possible way. It’s got a much bigger battery to keep you going for longer without a charge, and the RAM gets a 50% boost from 4GB to 6GB. So, you can flick between your favourite apps in any order and the phone will keep up the pace like a natural.

Left your wallet at home? Not a problem. Samsung have added NFC (Near Field Communication) to the Galaxy A52s 5G, which means you can add all your credit and debit cards to Samsung Pay. You can even tap your phone to a pair of NFC headphones or speakers to connect instantly, without any trial and error. Smart!

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As we mentioned before, one of the new trends in today’s smartphone world is flagship features packed into more affordable phones. And in no other phone is this more apparent than the Samsung Galaxy A12.

Many people instinctively go for flagship phones because they offer the best experience. But if you only plan to use your phone for the essentials like calling, chatting on WhatsApp or getting stuck into a movie on a long journey, the A12 may just be the phone for you.

It has a huge battery (25% bigger than its predecessor, the A11) an incredibly comfy back with good grip, and a beautifully big screen to get lost in the action anywhere. While it doesn’t have 5G or bundles of RAM, it doesn’t hold back on much else. The quad camera setup is fronted by a big 48MP lens that’s versatile enough to capture a range of scenes in style. There’s also a macro lens that’s ideal for blurring the background in portraits, another neat feature that’s been added since the Galaxy A11. Plus, you can top up the storage to a huge 1TB whenever you like by adding a microSD card. You’ll never need to delete old files to make space.

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While smartphones have really stepped in recent years, it could be said that Google are leading the charge. While every Google Pixel up to the Pixel 5 was deemed a solid mid-range phone, the Google Pixel 6 is the brand’s first fully-fledged flagship. Add the new Android 12 operating system into the mix, and you’ve got a phone that matches revolutionary hardware with

We love the unique camera design on the back, which breaks the trend of offset camera setups and subtle understatement to make them a real feature. Plus, the cameras are as good as they look. A 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide, with the ability to capture jaw dropping night-time shots and even remove passers-by from the background in the post-edit. No more outtakes and practice photos - something that seemed impossible only two years ago.

Elsewhere, Google have made the highly anticipated move from Snapdragon processors to their very own Google Tensor chip. This may not sound like a big deal, but the Tensor chip’s boost in power means the Pixel 6 is roughly 80% faster than the Google Pixel 5. Nearly twice as speedy opening apps, loading web pages and navigating through menus and sub-menus. It’s these little things that put the Google Pixel 6 up there with the most responsive, intuitive smartphones around. It’s a real winner.

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Looking for something cutting-edge? Samsung’s latest flagship S21 5G range is a real head-turner. The first major smartphone release of 2021, the S21, S21+ and S21+ Ultra all come packed with 5G tech to power through downloads and intensive multitasking. That’s something even the 2019 flagship S10 series didn’t have, and you’ll be amazed at how much it speeds up everyday functions.

Both the Galaxy S21 and S21+ feature a triple rear lens setup led by a 64MP telephoto camera with an impressive 3x optical zoom. Or, if you’re taking snaps at a distance, you can really get up close to your subject with 30x Space Zoom. Both phones capture future-ready footage in 8K at 24 fps, and you can pick out an in-action high-res photo from your footage to use as a thumbnail when you share your clip. With the S21 range, you can create content like a natural.

At 6.2-inches, the S21 5G is easy to hold and has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display for bright, sharp images. The S21+ offers that same brilliant resolution with a notably bigger 6.7-inch screen. Both have a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate compared to the Galaxy S10s 60 Hz, which we really adds to the snappy feel you get from both devices. Combined with 5G, mobile gaming never felt so smooth.

Take a look at iD Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S21 5G deals and Galaxy S21+ 5G deals

Ready to upgrade to a brand-new phone? If you’ve been with iD Mobile for a while, you could be eligible for a great value deal on a range of the latest handsets. Find out more about upgrades and find a deal you’ll love with iD Mobile.