Best Cheap Phones in 2024

If you’re looking for budget phones that won’t break the bank, you’re in the right place. Here is a list of cheap and affordable smartphones to fit your budget. Flagship smartphones are definitely worth the money, as they are very fast and come in elegant and astounding designs with a lot of interesting features.

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However, they do cost a lot; so, if you want a functional smartphone with decent features at a reasonable price, take a look at these options. All these phones come with good hardware and all useful features. They might come cheap, but they don’t look like they are. Some of them even have premium features like fingerprint sensors; waterproofing; excellent cameras and so on.

• Let’s see some of the best cheap smartphones.

See also: Best Cheap Tablets To Buy

The Best Cheap Smartphones

If you’re looking for budget phones that won’t break the bank, you’re in the right place. Here is a list of cheap and affordable smartphones to fit your budget. Flagship smartphones are definitely worth the money, as they are very fast and come in elegant and astounding designs with a lot of interesting features. However, they do cost a lot; so, if you want a functional smartphone with decent features at a reasonable price, take a look at these options.

All these phones come with good hardware and all useful features. They might come cheap, but they don’t look like they are. Some of them even have premium features like fingerprint sensors; waterproofing; excellent cameras and so on. Let’s see some of the best cheap smartphones.

Budget-Friendly Smartphone with An Impressive Display Screen

OnePlus Nord N100 Strong Battery Life Smartphone

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Despite its seemingly elaborate structure, the OnePlus Nord N100 does not feel very heavy when you hold it in your hands. The device features a 6.52-inch screen that boasts excellent picture quality. The phone offers you a good range of connectivity options including a USB-C port, a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and a speaker grille. The fingerprint sensor has been positioned well and proves to be very responsive.

Why You Should Buy This?

• It is one of the best-looking smartphones you can get at an affordable price.
• A good option for those looking for a smartphone that offers an immersive visual experience.

Pros

• Fast performance
• Strong battery support
• Good connectivity options
• High-definition display screen

Cons

• No IP rating
• Inadequate camera features

Budget Smartphones That Come With A Stylus Pen

Motorola Moto G Stylus 6.8-inch FHD Smartphone

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This smartphone comes with a Stylus pen that works very well on the display screen that produces high-quality images. Since the device boasts a water-repellant design, you can take it along with you on outdoor trips and vacations without worrying about it suffering from some damage. While a large number prefer the 128GB storage variant, if you store a large amount of data on your device, you can opt for the version that offers 256GB internal storage support.

Why You Should Buy This?

• If you are looking for a moderately priced smartphone offering Stylus support, this would be the right device to invest in.
• It is also recommended for those who consume multimedia content regularly and need a smartphone equipped with a high-definition screen.

Pros

• Available in different colors and storage variants
• Sharp and colorful display screen
• Stylus pen support
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Underwhelming camera performance
• Performance could be better.

Lightweight Smartphones That Come At An Affordable Price

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite6.55-inch AMOLED Screen Smartphone

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Available in three vibrant color options (Boba Black, Peach Pink and Bubblegum Blue), the Xiaomi Mi Lite carries a lot of appeal for younger users. The 6.5inch display screen offers a 90Hz refresh rate and produces sharp and vibrant images. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor works pretty well, but this device would benefit hugely by replacing it with a faster, new-gen processor.

Why You Should Buy This?

• It's an ideal device for those who travel frequently and need a lightweight smartphone to carry around.
• Also recommended for people who need a smartphone primarily for watching movies, browsing the internet, or checking e-mails.

Pros

• Lightweight structure
• Attractive design
• HD display screen
• Useful features

Cons

• Faster processor required
• No headphone jack

High-Performance Smartphone with Attractive Features

Moto G Power Long-Lasting Battery Smartphone

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If a highly powerful and long-lasting battery is what you are looking for, this Moto G smartphone will offer you nothing to complain about. The 5,000mAh battery doesn’t take long to charge and would last for 16-18 hours even if you play HD videos throughout the day. For the kind of specifications and amount of features it offers, the price is quite reasonable.

Apart from the battery life, one of the biggest selling points of this smartphone is the solid performance it delivers. Along with 4GB RAM, you get a storage capacity of 512GB. The memory can be expanded up to 512GB with the help of a memory card. The phone weighs just about 7 ounces and its dimensions are 6.3 x 3 x 0.38 inches.

Why You Should Buy This?

• It is an ideal smartphone for those who keep worrying about charging their phone repeatedly throughout the day.
• Recommended for those looking for a phone that comes at a reasonable price and promises extraordinary performance.

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Solid performance
• Good quality cameras
• Lightweight and easy to handle

Cons

• The display screen could have been more vibrant
• No telephoto lens

Affordable Device with Some Good Old Retro Features

OnePlus Nord N10 5GSmartphone

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This smartphone by OnePlus appeals to those who miss the features you used to find on older models of smartphones. It has several features, including a headphone jack and expandable memory, that would make you feel at ease. On the downside, the ones who expect a smartphone to have the most advanced features would be disappointed at the absence of a fingerprint sensor and a relatively slow processor.

Despite being a budget phone, it offers you 5G connectivity and robust battery life. The glossy design should attract those users who want their phones to look sleek and upmarket. While most phones with OnePlus feature AMOLED display screens, this device comes with an LCD screen. The Snapdragon 690 processor ensures that the phone delivers a smooth and comfortable user experience.

Why You Should Buy This?

• If you are on a budget and want to own a smartphone that offers 5G connectivity, then here is a device you must consider.
• The sophisticated design of the phone belies the fact that it is a budget smartphone.

Pros

• Stylish design
• Solid battery life
• Features headphone jack
• Fast and reliable processor

Cons

• Dull display screen
• Could have been more durable

A Compact Smartphone That Doesn’t Cost a Lot of Money

TracFone LG K31 Rebel Octa-Core Processor Smartphone

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You can expect only a handful of basic features on a phone that features a very small screen size. Despite its compact form, the TracFone LG K31 Rebel packs in quite a large number of features. From 4G connectivity to Wi-Fi, it has all the features you need to make your daily life easier.

The brand has also been quite thoughtful in making the phone compatible with hearing aid facilities. It features a non-removable 3,000 mAh battery that runs for 11-12 hours on a single charge. The phone is powered by an octa-core processor that lends it speed and stability. Some of the most advanced features of the device include a touch-enabled, high-definition screen.

Why You Should Buy This?

• This device works equally well for those who have been looking for a compact phone and those who want to have a smaller-sized backup phone.
• Apart from being easy to carry and handle, this smartphone comes with all the advanced features you would hope to find in a modern phone.

Pros

• Good battery support
• Durable build quality
• Convenient to carry
• It comes with advanced features

Cons

• No FM Radio
• It does not support wireless charging

Durable Smartphone with Simple Design and Powerful Performance

Xiaomi Redmi 9 Big Battery Smartphone

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Featuring the MediaTek Helio G35 SoC processor, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 boasts powerful and fast performance. As far as the operating system is concerned, it has MIUI 12 which is based on the mechanisms of Android 10. You shouldn’t face any issues while running most apps, but some inconveniences might be experienced while playing graphic-heavy games.

The device features a 6.53-inch display screen that produces high-definition images and offers a resolution of 720x1600pixels. It reproduces colors very well, and the viewing angles are quite good. Along with the main device, you get a 10W charger, a SIM eject tool, a data cable, and a user guide as part of the packaging unit. One of the phone’s biggest selling points, undoubtedly, is its 5,000 mAh battery. On a single charge, the battery lasts for close to 19 hours.

Why You Should Buy This?

• Ideal for those who wish to own a well-packaged budget smartphone that offers good value for money.
• The large HD screen makes this device a must-buy for those who use their phones extensively to consume multimedia content.

Pros

• Sturdy build
• Strong battery life
• Good camera setup
• HD display screen

Cons

• Not suitable for playing high-end games
• It does not offer support for fast charging

Moderately Priced Smartphone with Good Specifications

Ulefone Note 8 Lightweight Smartphone

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Armed with a 5.5” IPS LCD and a 2700mAh battery, the Ulefone Note 8 has a lot to keep users happy despite its low pricing. The phone is so compact that you can slip it easily inside the pocket of your shirt or trouser. As far as its build quality is concerned, one does find an issue. The plastic that it has been manufactured with is not of great quality.

The smartphone has modern features and specifications, including 4G dual-SIM support. The display screen offers a resolution of 442 x 960 pixels, and the camera performance is quite satisfactory. The device runs on a MediaTek MT6737 processor and doesn’t get slow unless you run multiple apps simultaneously.

Why You Should Buy This?

• If you are on a budget and are looking for a well-functioning smartphone with decent features, you should be happy with it.
• It proves to be a good investment for those who prefer smartphones that are lightweight and easy to carry around.

Pros

• Affordable
• Offers 4G dual-SIM support
• Good camera performance
• Compact and lightweight design

Cons

• Built with sub-standard plastic
• No support for nano-SIM cards

One of the Best Cheap Smartphones Focussed on Gaming

Honor Play Dual SIM Unlocked 4G, 6.3 inches

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The Honor Play comes with a HiSilicon Kirin 970 octa-core chipset, combined with a Mali G72 MP12 graphics card. It sports a dual camera setup with RAM of 4 GB and internal storage of 64 GB, which can be enhanced to a maximum of 256 GB with a microSD card. This is a touchscreen IPS LCD screen of 6.3 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels.

The design sees a uni-body metal, and the screen has a display ratio aspect of 19.5:9. It has an edge-to-edge design with minimal bezels. There is a fingerprint sensor on the rear, with other buttons on the right and the dual SIM tray on the left. There is a USB Type C port at the bottom and a headphone jack of 3.5 mm, a microphone and a loudspeaker. It has a thickness of 7.5 mm and weighs 176 grams.

One of the highlights is the GPU Turbo, which has been optimized for gaming. The battery is powered at 3750 mAh. It is a dual SIM phone connected to 4G networks simultaneously. It runs on Android 8.1 Oreo with the EMUI 8.2 skin overlaid, with some preloaded apps and games. As for the camera, there is a rear dual camera setup of 16 MP and 2 MP. The front camera has a resolution of 16 MP.

Recommended For:

• Those who want a classy, elegant-looking budget smartphone that is both sturdy and durable
• Suitable for heavy mobile gaming, work sessions using 4G, social media, and multitasking without stuttering
• Those looking for an affordable smartphone with a vibrant display and great overall value

Impressive 2-Day Battery Life on a Cheap Smartphone

Moto E Plus (4th Gen), 5.5 inches HD Display

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The biggest selling point of the Moto E4 Plus is its huge battery size powered at 5000 mAh. The battery is good to last you at least two whole days. Other specifications, however, are limited. It comes in a fully metallic shell that offers a premium feel in the affordable category. The back is curved and sits comfortably in hand. The micro USB port and the speaker are located at the bottom. In addition, it has a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

It has a weight of 198 grams and a thickness of 9.6 mm, but it is a little chunky due to the big battery, which is not removable. It has a fingerprint scanner below the display screen and can be used for easy unlocking of the phone. It comes with a 5.5-inch HD display of 720 pixels and a 267 ppi with a water-repelling screen feature, offering a clear and bright display, good enough for watching videos and for video calls.

The rear camera comes with a 13 MP sensor that can take decent pictures and a 5 MP camera for selfies. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 chipset clocking a speed of 1.4 GHz coupled with a RAM of 2 GB and onboard storage of 16 GB. It also supports expanding internal storage up to 128 GB using a microSD card. It runs on Android 7.1 Nougat. This is an unlocked phone and is compatible with AT&T as well as T Mobile, Sprint and Verizon networks.

Recommended For:

• Those who are looking for a powerful budget smartphone with a Full HD display screen and a good battery
• For those who want a reasonably priced phone with a fingerprint scanner and a premium feel
• Suitable for taking good pics, watching videos, playing undemanding games, and handling popular smartphone apps

Great Looking Middle of the Road Cheap Smartphone

Motorola Moto G6 Play Dual SIM Unlocked, 5.7 inches

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It has a metal frame with a polymer glass back, which has a lesser tendency to break. There’s a quick and accurate fingerprint sensor on the front. All the buttons are located on the right, whereas the SIM tray is on the left. The headphone jack of 3.5 mm is found on the top. It has a micro USB standard port for charging. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chipset, clocking a speed of 1.4 GHz, and has 3 GB of RAM combined with an internal storage of 32 GB, which can be expanded up to 128 GB using a microSD card.

The battery size is 4000 mAh, and this is the biggest selling point of the Moto G6 Play, offering an average playing time of 32 hours of mixed usage. It supports dual SIMs, but only one can run on 4G at a time, whereas the other runs on 3G. The display is 5.7 inches of HD and IPS with an aspect ratio of 18:9.

It runs on an almost stock version of Android 8.0 with Moto value additions and customizations. As for the camera, it has a 13 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. In short, it is a great-looking middle-of-road smartphone with a large battery.

Recommended For:

• Those looking for a top-quality build and solid smartphone that is reasonably priced
• Those who want a good-sized battery in a cheap smartphone
• Not for power users or serious gamers

Delivering More at a Low Price with a Cheap Smartphone

Oneplus 5T, 6.01 inches

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It comes with a display screen of 6.01 inches and a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels, using AMOLED technology. It is made of aluminum and is solid and eye-catching. The fingerprint sensor is placed at the back and is easy to reach. At the bottom is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a USB Type C port, and a speaker grille. On the left is the Alert Slider along with volume buttons, with the power button on the right. It is a dual SIM smartphone, but there is no support for expanding the storage.

It weighs 162 grams and is quite bulky. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with integrated graphics card Adreno 540 and RAM of 8 GB, and internal storage of 128 GB. It offers support for VoLTE and 4G for both SIMs, but only one at a time. The battery is powered at 3300 mAh and comes with a proprietary Dash Charge for quick charging.

As for the camera, the primary camera has a resolution of 16 MP along with a 20 MP secondary partner. The front camera is decent at 16 MP and can be used for selfies, video calling and social media requirements. Battery life is good for about 13 hours. The Android 7.1.1 software supports it with OxygenOS customization.

The phone also offers support for facial recognition for opening the device and the fingerprint sensor.

Recommended For:

• For those who wish to experience immersive video and gaming experience in a cheap smartphone

Ultra High Megapixel, Impressive Camera in a Sensibly Priced Smartphone

Sony Xperia XA1, 6 inches

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It is a practical phone with an excellent slick design, mostly in plastic with metal used strategically on the sides for a good feel. It does not have a fingerprint scanner, however. It is slim at just 8 mm thick with a slim screen surround. The screen size is 6 inches and has a resolution of 720 pixels. The colors are good and the display and contrast are excellent.

It comes with a physical button for the camera on the right. The storage is 32 GB and it also has a microSD card to increase storage to a maximum of 256 GB. As for the camera, Sony offers a picture enhancement mode to make your photos look more saturated. The Android 7.0 Nougat version OS supports it with Sony’s customized interface laid over it. You get the usual Sony PlayStation app useful for PS4 owners, Sony Video, music apps, etc.

It’s a good practical phone, though not a leader. It has a RAM of 3 GB DDR3 combined with the MediaTek Helio P20 CPU with Cortex A53 cores, with 4 of them clocking at 2.3 GHz and 4 of them at 1.6 GHz. As for the graphics card, it is equipped with the Mali T880MP2. The battery is powered at 2300 mAh, which is the conventional size for a phone at this price. The camera is the best for the price. At the rear, it has a 23 MP camera offering excellent detail and images. The selfie camera has a 16 MP sensor with OIS to take excellent images even in low light conditions.

Its top-selling points are the bright screen and the top quality of its primary camera. This unlocked phone is compatible with all GSM and LTE carriers, such as AT&T, T Mobile: Straight Talk, MetroPCS, and others.

Recommended For:

• Those who want a slim and small, cheap smartphone with a good camera
• Those looking for a good display and a pocket-able phone without breaking the bank
• Those looking for an affordable smartphone with a classy look and a minimalist style

Mid Range Cheap Smartphone that Gets the Job Done

Sony Xperia X Compact, 4.6 inches

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This is a compact budget offering from Sony with a display screen of 4.6 inches, a screen resolution of 720 pixels, and an LCD panel offering good colors and viewing angles. It is powered by Snapdragon 650, and this is combined with RAM of 3 GB and internal storage of 32 GB. Storage can be increased using a microSD card. It comes with a graphics card Adreno 510.

It is made of plastic with a square design. It is compact and can easily be held in one hand. US versions do not have a fingerprint scanner feature. It is supported by the Android 6.0.1 OS with Sony’s proprietary skin on the top. It looks rather like a Nexus device with some customization and tweaks.

The cameras have a rear camera with a 23 MP sensor and can take good photographs for those who want to share on Instagram. The front camera is a 5 MP resolution one. The battery is powered at 2700 mAh and performs admirably for a phone of this small size. It lasts around 15 hours, and you can get through the day comfortably. It uses a USB Type C port for charging and offers a Quick Charge feature.

Recommended For:

• Those who are looking for a cheap smartphone in a compact size with a good battery life
• Those who are looking for a cheap and sturdy smartphone that is good for everyday tasks, apps as well as games optimized for mobile
• Those who want a cheap Android phone that is smaller than 5 inches and also performs decently

An Affordable Taste of the Samsung Style in a Cheap Smartphone

Samsung Galaxy J3, 5 inches

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This is a mid-range smartphone from Samsung with an OLED screen size of 5 inches and a resolution of 720 pixels. It does not look flashy and comes with a slim plastic battery.

One stand-out feature is the metal parts on this smartphone, offering a pronounced click on the central button, seen usually only on high-end Samsung smartphones. Another unique feature is the NFC included in it. The J3 comes with 8GB of storage, but you can expand it using a microSD card.

The J3 comes with an outdoor mode to boost the display on very bright days and deals very effectively with bright sunlight. The OLED screen offers rich colors and excellent contrast. The smartphone is supported by the Android 5.1.1 OS with a top layer of TouchWiz, Samsung’s proprietary Android skin. It is powered by the quad-core Spreadtrum process clocking at a speed of 1.2 GHz combined with the Cortex A7, 32-bit architecture, and a RAM of 1.5 GB.

As for the camera, the Samsung Galaxy J3 has a rear camera of 8 MP, which is just a basic setup, but it offers good image results, and the camera is fun to use. The front camera comes with a resolution of 5 MP and is capable of taking natural selfies. The battery is removable and powered at 2600 mAh, which is decent for a phone in this price range. The speaker offers reasonable sound quality for an entry-level phone.

Recommended For:

• Those who want a cheap smartphone with a neat design and a punchy screen
• Those who want a cheap smartphone from Samsung, which is also comfortable and practical
• Those looking for a low-cost phone that does not make too many compromises in functionality

Solid, Dependable Option for a Cheap Smartphone

Honor 8X, 6.5 inches

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It comes with a metal chassis and a satin finish, which feels good to hold, offering pleasing aesthetics. The display screen is 6.5 inches, and it is possible to shrink its display along with the keyboard so that it becomes easier to use with a single hand. Viewing angles and brightness are decent. The screen comes in full HD resolution and the glass is resistant to scratches.

It is a dual SIM phone, with one SIM set to 4G / 3G / 2G and the other will only support a 2G network. It also has a microSD card slot for expanding storage up to 128 GB. At the rear, it has a dual-camera system with an LED flash. The dual-lens of 12 MP can take good quality HD pictures. It also has a fingerprint sensor on the back, which offers a good response.

The Honor 8X is powered by a proprietary Kirin 655 chipset, a mid-range octa-core processor, with 4 Cortex A53 CPU cores, clocking at a speed of 2.1 GHz and 4 Cortex A53 cores clocking at 1.7 GHz. As for the graphics, it uses the Mali T830 GPU. This is combined with RAM of 3 GB and 32 GB of internal storage. It runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with an overlay skin of EMUI 4.1. Though the device might not be able to compete with flagship phones, it offers good real-world performance. The battery normally offers about 2.5 days of usage, with 1.5 days of heavy usage with a single full charge.

Recommended For:

• Those looking for a solid and dependable smartphone with an all-around performance at an affordable price
• Those who are looking for a well-designed phone with good build quality at a cheap price
• Those looking for a smartphone chipset that can handle most games and applications capably.
• Those who wish to place heavy games as the EMUI runs smoothly, with no hiccups for heavy games and applications.

Middle of the Road, No Bells and Whistles Cheap Smartphone

LG Leon, 4.5 inches

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It comes with a plastic rear and a metallic finish, which looks nice. It comes with a 4.5-inch touchscreen that is responsive and a VGA display resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, with a ppi of 220. It is powered by a quad-core processor clocking a speed of 1.3 GHz and has a RAM of 1 GB. It packs an internal storage of 8 GB but cannot be expanded as there is no microSD card slot. At the bottom of the phone, rest the micro USB port to charge the device. You can see the power and volume buttons on the back, and the headphone jack is at the top.

For the cameras, it has an 8 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera for selfies. It is selfie stick friendly, and you can use voice or gesture commands for taking pictures. It runs on the Android 5.0 OS and has a removable battery powered at 1900 mAh. The dimensions of the LG Leon are 129 x 64.9 x 10.9 (HWT) mm, making it a compact smartphone.

It is a single SIM mobile phone that can be used with a regular SIM. Some features in high-end phones, such as NFC, are also seen in the LG Leon. It sticks with only 3G and not 4G. You can call it an affordable premium phone, as there are some premium features like gesture control and NFC.

Recommended For:

• Users must have a T Mobile SIM card for those who want a phone that works with T Mobile services.
• Those who want a mid-range cheap smartphone offering all the basic functionalities
• Those who want a premium feel for an affordable phone

Competent Cheap Windows Smartphone with 4G

T Mobile Nokia Lumia 635 ( No Contract), 4.5 inches

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It is a 4G Windows phone, released as a follow-up to the earlier Nokia Lumia 630. It is a 4G phone with a shiny plastic body. It comes with a 4.5-inch small screen and is 9.2 mm in thickness, giving it a small and chunky feel. The screen is pretty basic, with an IPS LCD screen having a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels and a pixel density of 218 ppi.

The internal storage is a reasonable 8 GB and a microSD card for expanding this storage. 4G is the most important selling point of this low-cost Windows phone from Nokia. It runs the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system and provides useful features with all the usual smartphone features, apps, and utilities. The RAM is 512 MB, powered by the Snapdragon 400, a quad-core CPU clocking at a speed of 1.2 GHz.

As for cameras, it has a rear 5 MP camera, but there is no front camera. The camera quality is good and comes with an autofocus feature, decent exposure, and color reproduction. It is powered by a battery of 1830 mAh, and you can easily get a day’s usage from it. The call quality is decent enough for the price.

Recommended For:

• Those looking for a budget smartphone in colorful styling
• Those who want a super-cheap phone that is still slick
• For those who are not interested in video chatting or selfies, as it does not have a front camera

Conclusion

Most people do not want to spend as much as $1000 on a smartphone. The average price for a budget smartphone with reasonably decent specifications is around $300. There have been plenty of good options in the budget smartphone scenario in recent years. You get all the functionalities, and you can check emails, read the news, and interact with friends on social media. However, you will have to compromise on top-of-the-line features found on inexpensive phones. A budget smartphone can still be a good buy, offering good features despite price-sensitive constraints and trade-offs.