I am a MAJOR tech WINDOW shopper. Checking out tech reviews and the next "new thing" is a hobby that I enjoy doing mainly on YouTube (cheering for you DTUBE :>). No shame in my game when I say that I will NEVER buy all of those gadgets, but it is still fun to watch. Phone reviews and unboxing videos are truly appreciated because in some cases the reviews can save a person from spending a lot of money on a smart phone that looks good, but is not a good phone at all. All smartphones are not created equal.
However, for the everyday smartphone user, not the super-nerd, but the everyday user, there are simple functions that he or she is looking for. Now, that is where we have to consider the Tech Reviews versus Real Life Usage Reviews. Some of the Tech Reviewers are just to "techie" when it comes to explaining the ins and outs of a smartphone. The average everyday user is not concerned with the benchmark numbers, camera aperture, pixel density, USB type C being a must have, or many other "techie" features. Instead, the average everyday user wants to know if the phone lags, in essence will it easily open my favorites apps. Is the phone slow? They want to know if the battery life is good. Will they have stay near an electrical outlet all day or not. Does the phone take decent pictures, not perfect, but decent? Is there a headphone jack? Yes, some people care about the headphone jack because they want to use the headphones they already have instead of investing in a Bluetooth headset. How is the screen quality; dull or clear? Will the calls be clear of good quality whether I use speakerphone or use it in the regular way? Is the phone too big or small? Is it slippery and will I need a case? There are other things to add to the list, but the point is that some of the tech reviewers focus on details that don't matter for everyday use. It is a shame because they end up crapping on certain phones during reviews because the phone doesn't directly match flagship phones detail for detail. Some of the best tech reviews can be found in the comment section of sites like Amazon, Walmart (yes, I referred to Wally World) or any other place on the internet with comments from people who use the phone(s) in a regular way.
In my opinion, tech reviewers have lost their uniqueness and are copying other successful reviewers. How is that relevant to the subject at hand. Well, a copy-cat will basically regurgitate the same words, perform the same unboxing techniques, read through the same specs (kind of like the Wally World department helper reading the back of the box to you when you ask them for help) and they have to find something to complain about and constantly compare it to the iPhone. All of which will keep him or her from focusing on the phone, instead they will be concerned with the views and potential negative comments from the fanboys.
When you shop for a phone, it is best to ask yourself what am I going to use the phone for? Do I watch YouTube or Netflix a lot? Do I listen to music on my phone all day long? Am I going to use the phone to take a lot of pictures? Maybe you only need the phone to access maps and the internet several times a day. So, with that said, you will be able to scale down and avoid the over hyped features and get what you need or want instead of the latest and "greatest" doohickey release this business quarter.
HAPPY SHOPPING!