Best Basic Phones To Buy In 2024

Basic phones are solid smartphones capable of executing all the basic tasks reliably and come with good call quality. These are not phones that will impress anyone, as they are not as attractive as your usual flagship smartphones. However, if you love simple phones that do their job effectively, these mobiles are for you.

• Many manufacturers are manufacturing phones for the budget market. It does not mean that low-end phones are not sturdy or reliable. They also come with features once only available in high-end flagship models. Here is a look at some of the best basic phones.

See also: Best phones for gaming

Buying Guide

Best basic phones

Budget-Friendly Phone with Basic Features

Plum Flipper 4G Enabled Foldable Phone

Check Price

Though the design of this phone is slightly dated, the brand offers three different color options that should make it accessible to a more extensive group of consumers. The device offers 32GB of internal memory support; you cannot expand it further. The features and functionality of this phone make it more appealing to older users.

• It is designed for those who miss the foldable phones that were in vogue once.
• Also recommended for individuals looking for an affordable phone with decent functionality.

• Foldable structure
• Good brand support
• It comes with an elaborate manual
• Available in three color options

• No premium features
• Lacks 5G connectivity support

Simple Phone That Takes You Down Memory Lane

Nokia 6300 4G Dual SIM Phone

Check Price

Despite its retro design, this Nokia phone offers modern features like 4G connectivity. It is available in three colors; cyan green, powder white, and light charcoal. The phone's design and functionality are simple, making it suitable for those using a mobile device for the first time.

• Go for it if you miss the touch-and-feel of the good old Nokia devices that marked the arrival of the mobile phone era.
• A good option for those looking to invest in a budget-friendly secondary phone.

• Easy to use
• Very affordable
• 4G connectivity support
• It comes pre-installed with social media apps

• Limited internal memory storage support
• Small display screen

A Basic 4G Bar Phone with Camera, FM, and Multimedia Gaming

Nokia 225 - Unlocked 4G Bar Phone

Check Price

This one is ideal if you are looking for a reliable bar phone with a 4G network and a long-lasting battery life. It features a high-performance keypad with separate function keys and a straightforward user interface.

The curved back design of this Nokia phone looks classy with its easy-grip edge and hard-coated premium finish.

It is equipped with essentials like a built-in camera of 0.3 MP, wireless FM radio, Facebook, and a variety of try-and-buy games. The 1150 mAh battery of this phone provides up to 6 hours of talk time and 20 days of standby time on the 4G network. Moreover, its 512 MB RAM and 4 GB internal memory can fulfill your storage needs.

• If you want to stay updated, say hello to 4G for clearer call quality, social media, and multiplayer gaming.
• If you are someone who needs to be on call for extended hours daily, this one will suffice your needs.

• Discreet and lightweight
• Simple interface
• Impressive call quality
• Sync contacts from Android
• Long-lasting battery

• Lacks Wi-Fi
• It only works on T-Mobile's network

A 4G Flip Phone that’s Rugged to the Core

Plum Ram 8 - 5 MP Camera

Check Price

Your search for a robust yet compact 4G phone with a few features ends with this 8th-generation flip phone from Plum. It has a dual display, a 5MP camera with flash, Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio, loudspeaker, and a 1200 mAh battery to cater to all your telephonic needs. The waterproof and dustproof build of this ip68 certified military-grade flip phone can withstand harsh weather conditions.

The programmable navigation keys on this phone allow one-touch access to any of the features like the built-in FM radio. The 2.4-inch display provides a wide view, while the external preview display shows the date and time. You can enjoy hands-free calls or music on the go with the powerful speaker. This unlocked 4G phone provides a dual SIM slot and 120 hours of standby time.

Why Should You Buy This?

• It has a rugged flip design that adequately protects the main display from normal wear and tears.
• It can be used anywhere in the world with any GSM service provider like AT&T, T-Mobile, and all prepaid services.

Pros

• Water and dustproof design
• Dual display
• Powerful speaker
• 5MP primary camera
• Bluetooth connectivity

Cons

• Lacks Wi-Fi
• Lower screen resolution

A 4G Flip Phone with Convenient Prepaid Service

Tracfone Alcatel A406 - Prepaid Cell Phone

Check Price

This one is a suitable option if you are looking for a 4G phone with prepaid services. This flip phone from the reputed brand TracFone features a 2.8-inch internal screen, a 1.44-inch external preview display, an MP3 player, a 2MP camera and video recorder, Google Assistant, and internet accessibility to fulfill your daily needs.

This phone's 1.1 GHz quad-core processor, backed by its 4GB RAM, is powerful enough to allow a smooth operation. You can get additional memory by inserting a micro-SD memory card of up to 32GB. This flip phone offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

• You can benefit from its prepaid service if you don't want to commit to a month-to-month cell service plan.
• All the features on this phone allow you to connect easily on the go.

• Dual display
• Prepaid service
• Hands-free speaker
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Budget-friendly

• Poor build quality
• It doesn't offer international text messaging

A Basic Android Bar Phone for Simple Usage

BLU Z5 - GSM Dual SIM Bar Phone

Check Price

This phone may be a good option if you have a tight budget and your requirements are pretty simple. This bar phone from BLU is sleek and compact in design and performance. It features an unlocked dual SIM slot, a 1.8-inch display with a 128 x 160 ~114ppi resolution, a built-in VGA camera, a built-in FM antenna, MP4 player, 32MB RAM, and a MicroSD slot for extra storage (up to 32GB).

Like any other bar phone with simple features, this one also has a flashlight to guide you in the dark. The keypad is sturdy enough to allow for smooth operation, and the 600mAh battery offers you a prolonged talk time. This phone supports GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 SIMs.

Why Should You Buy This?

• It is a pocket-friendly bar phone with decent features for calls and entertainment.
• If you are looking for a basic bar phone with color options, you can choose from its five hues.

Pros

• Very pocket friendly
• Sufficient talk time
• Android OS
• Dual SIM slot

Cons

• The camera is not impressive
• It doesn't support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

A Stylish and Solid Bar Phone That’ll Last Long

Nokia 110 - 2G Bar Phone

Check Price

This one may be a good buy for those searching for a basic bar phone with minimal features. This budget-friendly device from Nokia features a sturdy design that can withstand everyday wear and tear and fit easily into your pocket. It has a simple display and a soft keypad that'll offer you smooth navigation.

With the rear camera of this phone, you can capture images and videos and turn moments into lasting memories. There is a built-in MP3 player and a MicroSD card slot for additional storage (up to 32GB of expandable storage). This Nokia phone provides up to 14 hours of talk time on a single charge. However, regarding the network, only 2G is available.

Why Should You Buy This?

• This option may be suitable if your requirements include basic features such as sufficient talk time.
• It has an ergonomic design that will be long-lasting despite regular wear and tear.

Pros

• Pocket friendly
• Prolonged talk time
• Ergonomic design
• Expandable storage

Cons

• 2G network
• It doesn't support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

A Flip Cover Stylish Phone with Dual Display

Ushining W340D - Flip Dual Display Phone

Check Price

If design and performance are the two elements you want in your new cell phone, this one may be the perfect pick. This flip phone from the house of Ushining comes in a classy design featuring dual colors, two displays, and a compact keypad. It has a 2MP rear camera, a 2.4-inch main display, built-in Bluetooth, FM radio, flashlight, and 3G network connectivity.

All the features of this flip phone offer you basic entertainment options, while the 2 Lithium-ion batteries ensure you get sufficient talk time with a single charge. The 3G network supports AT&T or any other carrier that uses the AT&T network. It has 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM regarding storage.

Why Should You Buy This?

• It has a classy flip cover statement design.
• This one is perfect if your requirement mainly involves answering calls and handling less complicated features.

Pros

• Dual display
• Sleek and lightweight
• Expandable memory
• HD display

Cons

• It doesn't support 4G
• Lacks Wi-Fi

Conclusion

This list of basic smartphones proves that you can have a great experience at affordable prices. It is not impossible. These mobile phones are certainly not the top phones available in the country, but they offer good features for their price. You can buy these phones without breaking the bank. Not everyone is ready to spend $500 or more on a smartphone. Many people don't even need such a phone. These phones combine good hardware and a reasonable price and are worth considering.