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Which Phones are Best to have to be an Uber Driver?

Person installing software updates on android phone.

In the 21st century, phones are integral to our daily routine. As Uber drivers, we rely on this technology for it to facilitate our operations. Working as an Uber driver, there is an explicit reliance on smartphones.

Therefore, the smartphone you use should have the latest technology, which allows the phone to connect to and run different phone software technologies. In addition, phones should readily be able to connect to the internet. As an Uber driver, I need a phone that can accurately connect to GPS.

Geographical positioning systems allow real-time mapping and tracking of the Uber vehicle and the customer. If you wonder what the Uber drivers’ phone specifications should be, worry no more. We will look into the various phones and phone technologies you ought to have.

1. Android version: 6.0 or newer. The Android 6 version and the subsequent versions are strong enough to support the functioning of the Uber Application. These versions support:

  • Improved permission architecture
  •  Fingerprint recognition
  •  USB –C connector
  • Contextual Assistance
  • Move data and apps to microSD

2. If it is IOS, it should be IOS 8 and above.

3. The phone should also be a single sim. This allows for a single dedicated phone for work rather than a phone with dual sim cards, a sim card for work, and another for personal use.

4. The phone should connect to the internet.

5. It should also have more than 2GB of RAM to run the necessary application in this line of work.

6. Its speeds should also be above 2Ghz.

7. The screen of your phone, too, must be above 4.7 inches.

8. Most importantly, it should have a GPS and GLONASS chip.

9. A minimum of an eight-core processor is also necessary. It can either be Snapdragon or Mediatek.

Below I shall outline the best phones that an Uber driver can use to fulfill customer needs and exceed expectations. Additional phone features, though not specified, are large battery life and a good data plan that provides a powerful WIFI. As Uber drivers, we need to choose the best smartphones out on the market to get the best results when fulfilling rides.

Apple iPhone

Unboxing new iPhone 12 pro max on yellow background.

The Apple iPhone is revolutionary and a game-changer in the market. The iPhone pro-Max is the best iPhone I can recommend for any driver to purchase. It prides itself on long-lasting battery life.

The iPhone 13 and its predecessors can also satisfy the requirements to provide the best user experience for an Uber driver. Similarly, iPhone models offer a very competitive mobile experience. Additionally, its charging capabilities are top-notch.

In particular, the iPhone X and newer models don’t need to be plugged into a cable to charge. I recently discovered that you just place the phones on a compatible charging mat or surface, and the battery automatically tops up.

Cons

  • The Apple iPhone series is very costly.
  • If you use an iPhone model not updated to iOS 11 or above, notifications about new trips are not displayed on time.

Samsung

Samsung galaxy s22ultra.

I prefer a Samsung. Samsung debuted its phones in 2009, and ever since, they have continued to claim a significant market share. Samsung has released more than 60 models of smartphones since its inception.

They range from amazing, excellent phones to the stunning Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The newer versions, such as the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra, feature cutting-edge technology. In my opinion, they are a fantastic choice and long-lasting. Also, it’s very powerful hardware and boasts of having the latest Android 12 with one UI 4.0 software.

Its screen size is 6.1 inches, enabling a driver to see and maneuver the apps with just one glimpse easily. Its drawback is that most Samsung devices might be pricey.

Google Pixel

Black android smart phone.

The Google Pixel phones have incorporated the latest android technology, making them increasingly popular in the market. However, what made me love the Google Pixel models more is that they come at an affordable rate and have almost all the specifications you would need for a phone. You can also give the Google Pixel 3a XL a try.

It comes with GPS navigation and 22.7 GB of available storage.

However, I noted that the Google Pixel phones have low battery life and are not water-resistant.

LG

Black lg android smartphone.

If you are an Uber driver and decide to stick with the LG collection, there is a phone for you. The LG V60 Thin 5Q is a personal favorite. It offers a bright display that looks superb and has a long-lasting battery life that comes in handy for Uber drivers.

It also offers top performance from the Snapdragon 865 chip and is compatible with the 5G Network. The phone has multiple features, including GPS tracking, high Bluetooth, and internet connectivity.

Nokia

Microsoft windows 7.5 smartphone nokia lumia 800.

I love Nokia because they make affordable devices and have a mid-variety of options that the customer can choose from. From personal experience, I fancy the Nokia 9 PureView. This is Nokia’s newest smartphone release. Some of its features are:

  • It is an android 9.
  • Its screen size is 5.9 –inches.
  • RAM 6GB and a storage of 128GB
  • It has high connectivity to WIFI.
  • Has GPS tracking features

In addition, it is very pocket friendly and offers a good display but not very comfortable while being held in the hand.

Huawei P30 Pro

A huawei p30 pro hand holding.

Huawei phones are manufactured by Huawei, a multinational technology corporation located in China. The Huawei P30 Pro has some features that I like and are compatible with the Uber driver. They include

  • Display 6.47” OLED capacity touch screen
  • OS Android 9.0 pie
  • Processor Octa-core 2×2.6GHz Cortex –A76
  • Memory 256GB /8GB RAM

Sony Xperia Series

Person holding black sony xperia smartphone.

The Xperia is a brand name for smartphones and tablets manufactured by Sony. Since the release of their earlier models, such as the Xperia X1and the X2, which have features such as the 8.1 MP camera and WIFI and GPS. Newer models such as the Xperia XZ1 have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of inbuilt storage that you can expand via a microSD card to 256 GB.

Additionally, it has an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. The Sony Xperia XZ1 connectivity options include WIFI 802.11b/g/n/ac, GPS, and NFC and can also connect to 3G and 4G networks.

One Plus 7 Pro

The One plus phone, since its inception, was created with results in mind. I love its long battery life and its lightning-fast processor. The processor gives you seamless and quick access to applications while enhancing usability.

This device runs on a Snapdragon 855 processor, which supports up to 8GB of RAM.

Razer Phone 2

This model surpassed my expectations. Currently, it is one of the best phones on the market. It features a big 5 .72 inch IPs display with 120 Hz refresh and a brightness of 580 nits. As an Uber driver, this will enable you to see customer locations and any other crucial details on the screen.

It also has an octa-core Snapdragon 845 SoC and 8 GB RAM. Additionally, the phone comes with 64GB of expandable storage. The phone also meets the Uber driver requirement of the phone running on Android 9.0 pie and 4,000 mAh and has fast-charging capabilities of 18w. The phone has excellent loudspeaker capability.

The phone consists of Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, ensuring you never miss notifications. I also love how it’s water and dust-resistant, providing your phone with maximum protection.

Other Phone Accessories

Below are other accessories to consider.

A Portable Charging Device

When your device is charged, you can stay online and connect with your customers. Having a charger in hand is, therefore, a no-brainer. It would be best to consider having a magnetic cable to prevent the charger from slipping out while driving.

Have an Aux Cord in the Car

Most passengers love listening to their playlist. This would make the passengers love the ride more and give you a five-star rating.

A Protective Case

A protective case and a screen case ensure the phone’s screen is protected and will not crack if your phone falls.

Consider Earbuds

You can listen to music all day as you ferry your customers. I love earbuds because I get to block all the loud city noises.

Summary

Choosing the right phone as an Uber driver should not give you a sleepless night. Although there are specific protocol requirements, there is a wide variety of options, as I have indicated above.