Smartphones were the second most sought-after item from promotions this weekend, and demand for them should continue to be high, according to data from monitoring platform Confi Neotrut. The electronics deals continue until Monday (the first), when Cyber Monday is offered, the “shadow of Black Friday.”
This date historically brings together a greater number of promotions for technology products, such as electronics and IT items, according to the Promobit platform. Promotions are strategic at the end of the year, which is when inventory is replenished.
Consumers who want to purchase devices from previous generations tend to find deeper discounts.
The previous generation iPhone 16 Pro Max is up to R $ 2,000 cheaper compared to the average price in the past six months, price history site Buscapé shows. Apple no longer sold the device when the iPhone 17 line launched in September.
The Buscapé website is also offering discounts of around R$ 1,000 for Galaxy S25 generation devices. Samsung is expected to renew its line of high-performance devices next January.
Older appliances have a bigger discount. The foldable Moto Razr 40, starting in 2023, is on sale at prices starting from R $ 1,400, the lowest price ever recorded. When purchasing an older device, you should pay more attention to the lack of dedicated chipsets for AI tasks and cell phone memory, which may affect performance and battery life.
During purchases in general, a consumer should evaluate the brand and specifications of the camera, battery, screen, operating system, and memory of the cell phone, as well as the price.
price
The more expensive models generally offer the best configurations, but it is necessary to evaluate whether these additional features will actually be used and whether the higher price is justified in relation to the competition. WhatsApp will work on a R$1,000 cell phone and a R$10,000 cell phone.
The market is divided into entry-level, mid-range and premium models, which offer the best in terms of finish, performance and features. The price range varies for each level, with the first costing around R$1,000, the second up to R$3,000, and the third above that.
a screen
Since the screen of today’s smartphones occupies more than 90% of the front of the device, its quality is crucial when choosing a new device. Here, three main characteristics must be taken into account: accuracy, type of technology, and refresh rate.
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on a screen, and the larger they are, the sharper the image will be on a screen of the same size. In ascending order, there are resolutions such as HD (720p), Full HD (1080p), Quad HD (1440p), and 4K.
Screen technology is related to image quality. LCD displays, which are more affordable, offer less vibrant colors and lower brightness, while OLED displays, like those in the iPhone 17 and most Samsung models, offer more vibrant colors and deeper contrasts, though at a higher cost.
The refresh rate represents the number of times the screen refreshes per second. This means that higher frequencies result in a smoother display. Although 60Hz is sufficient for most situations, the 120Hz rate available in more expensive mobile phones provides a better viewing experience.
In addition to these key features, it’s worth checking if the device has scratch protection, such as Gorilla Glass, and HDR compatibility.
performance
The performance of a smartphone, which includes the speed at which it opens applications, the number of tasks that can be performed simultaneously, and the graphical quality of games, depends on the processing power of the device.
The processor, such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon models or Apple-designed chips, determines how quickly programs can run. In addition to the version (such as Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or A19), its capacity is measured by the operating frequency, expressed in GHz. More powerful processors allow the device to perform complex tasks more quickly.
The amount of RAM (4GB, 6GB, 8GB, etc.) helps keep multitasking running smoothly. Overall, 6GB is more than enough for users who juggle between social networking, web browsing, and light gaming.
If the usage is for heavier tasks, the GPU is also important. Recent models like the Adreno 750, integrated into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offer good performance.
For everyday tasks, such as using social networks and playing simple games, 4 GB of RAM and a mid-level processor, such as a 2 GHz Helio G85 or 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 695, are sufficient.
However, for an all-round experience with less lag, and for heavy gaming and intensive usage, high-end processors like the Snapdragon 8 are recommended, along with 8GB of RAM or more.
Since applications tend to become more complex and cumbersome over time, better performance today can also increase the useful life of the device.
The Antutu parameter, which gives the overall score for a cell phone’s performance, is useful for comparing different devices and visualizing the difference between entry-level, mid-range and premium devices.
camera
The quality of a cell phone camera is often the deciding factor when purchasing. From simpler models to others with multiple lens combinations, it is worth paying attention to some factors.
Camera resolution, measured in megapixels (MP), is a key feature of some mobile phones, but it is not the determining factor in photo quality.
Higher resolution captures more details, but the final result also depends on the lenses, sensor quality, and processing done by each mobile phone’s software. Today, AI resources can also help.
For example, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 200-megapixel main camera, while the competing iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48-megapixel main camera. Despite the lower resolution, Apple’s device features image processing that ensures more accurate colors and white balance.
This does not mean that the device of the South Korean brand, as expensive as its competitor, has a bad camera – on the contrary, it stands out in photos taken in well-lit environments.
Also important is the aperture, which is indicated by numbers such as f/1.8 and f/2.2. The lower the number, the larger the aperture, allowing more light in, which is important for photographing dark environments, for example.
A useful resource for those interested in mobile photography is the specialized DxOMark platform, which maintains an up-to-date rating of the best cameras based on pre-defined criteria, detailed tests and practical examples. In this list, for example, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is in second place, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra is in 21st place. The best rated is the Chinese Huawei Pura 80 Ultra.
battery
Battery autonomy is essential for those who carry their mobile phone with them all the time. Fortunately, most modern smartphones, especially from popular brands, come equipped with units that will last at least a full day of moderate use.
The duration varies depending on the activities performed on the device. Reading reports and exchanging messages consume less power, while watching HD videos or playing heavy games drains the battery more quickly.
One of the main indicators of autonomy is capacity, which is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). Overall, a 5,000 mAh battery is a good standard for new devices.
Some manufacturers also provide estimates of how many hours of video or mixed use a device can handle on a full charge, which can help when choosing. For example, the iPhone 17 Pro Max plays up to 37 hours of video, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra plays up to 31 hours.
It’s also worth considering whether the cell phone supports fast charging and wireless charging, features that can be a big help when you’re in a pinch.
storage
Internal storage is essential for storing photos, videos, apps, and other important files. Storage options range from 64GB on entry-level devices to 2TB on some premium models.
The choice of capacity should be related to the type of use, taking into account that the operating system and pre-installed applications also occupy part of the space. As in other cases, a larger storage space, at least 128GB, gives the device a longer useful life.
Contact
Cellular connectivity covers items such as mobile networks (4G and 5G), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS.
With the expansion of the 5G network since 2022 in Brazil, choosing devices compatible with the network ensures a longer device life. The new generation of mobile Internet offers faster speeds and shorter response times compared to 4G.
NFC (Near Field Communication) makes a cell phone compatible with contactless payments, such as those made via Google Pay or Apple Pay. Newer versions of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi also allow your phone to be compatible with new devices, like wireless headphones and smart home things.