Your guide to the best budget smartphones
FLAGSHIPS ARE FLASHY, BUT THE REALITY IS YOU DON’T NEED ALL OF THEIR FEATURES — AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF PHONES AVAILABLE THAT DO A LOT FOR FAR LESS WITH A MORE AFFORDABLE PRICE TAG.
THE BUDGET PHONE landscape has changed. That is to say, we’ve changed it. In the past, we’ve referred to budget phones as anything under $250, though in this instance, we’ve put a cap on the budget bracket at $400, and the cheapest here is a mere $180. We’ve tested 10 models across three price brackets, and there are a few surprises — the only 5-star phone outperforms far more expensive options. All run Android, as new iOS devices are a lot more expensive and Windows Phone is, well, dead. Looking to go stretch your dollar further? You might want to consider a second-hand phone, but before being tempted by the price, further research is recommended, especially on sites such as eBay. Handsets here may be grey imports, making warranty and repairs tricky. Also, check the specific device version before purchase, as some manufacturers keep the same name, but update the phone each year. For normal use, even low-end hardware can run apps just fine, but for those who want to play game or run resource-heavy tasks, look for more RAM and faster CPUs.