An Android phone really doesn’t have to be expensive. If you look carefully, you can find nice models that are perfectly affordable.
The smartphone market has changed tremendously in recent years, and today you can find fine Android phones that won’t break you down financially. In fact, many of these inexpensive devices now have impressive screens, fine cameras and smooth performance.
This makes them an attractive choice for anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on quality but wants to watch their budget. But what exactly should you look for when choosing an affordable Android phone? We go over the key points so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
Here’s how to find a great AND cheap Android smartphone
With a little sleuthing, you can find wonderful Android phones at a soft price. Here are the points you’ll want to pay extra attention to.
#1 Pay attention to the screen
The screen is the most important part of your Android, so this is something you should definitely take a look at. The sharper, more colorful and smoother the screen, the better. Also pay attention to the viewing angle, as some budget phones can be a bit disappointing if you don’t sit right in front of it.
And don’t forget the refresh rate. A higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) makes everything much smoother, especially when gaming or fast scrolling, compared to the standard 60Hz. Also, a higher resolution, such as Full HD+ (1080p or more), makes for much sharper images, especially if you have a larger screen.
Your favorite smartphone (Image: Unsplash)
#2 Your Android’s camera
Megapixels may sound impressive, but they are not everything. What really matters is the size of the sensor and the quality of the lenses. A larger sensor can capture more light, which makes your photos in the dark much better and provides more detail.
Also look for Androids with good lenses for sharp, clear photos. For example, the Google Pixel 7’s camera is much better than most cheaper models, while phones like the Moto G 5G 2024 sometimes take somewhat disappointing photos.
#3 The processor: what can you expect?
Your Android’s processor is basically the engine that makes everything run. In cheaper phones, you often see MediaTek or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. In general, Snapdragon processors are quite powerful. And MediaTek also does well if you don’t want to spend too much. Google also has its own Tensor processors in Pixel phones that do well in the expensive models, but you see them in cheaper phones as well.
If you plan on gaming or running heavy apps, look for a phone with a fast processor. Ideally with at least 8 cores and a speed of 2.4GHz or more.
Is the processor of an iPhone better?
We have to disappoint you: the iPhone often has the better processor, such as the A17 Pro, which is faster and more energy efficient than most Android processors. This is due to Apple’s optimal collaboration between hardware and software, which ensures better performance and battery life.
#4 Storage and memory of your Android: more is better
The more RAM you have, the better your phone runs. 4GB is kind of the standard these days, but if you want to use a lot of apps at once without making your phone sluggish, 6GB or 8GB is ideal.
Storage is also important. After all, you need space for your apps, photos and videos. Many budget Android phones have 128GB of storage, but if you use a lot of space, it’s better to go for a model with 256GB. The nice thing about many Android phones is that you can easily expand the storage with a microSD card.
#5 Battery: long battery life is crucial
A good battery is essential, especially if you’re on the go a lot. Look at battery capacity, which is measured in milliampere hours (mAh). The higher this number, the longer your phone will last.
Many budget models have a battery of 5,000 mAh or more, which is enough to last all day, even if you use your phone a lot. Fast charging is also something to look at. Some cheaper Androids support 30W or faster charging speeds, so your phone will be fully charged again faster.
Charger checked? (Image: Unsplash)
#6 Operating system and updates
A budget phone usually runs on a version of Android that the manufacturer has customized with additional features. For example, Xiaomi uses MIUI, and the Nothing Phone has its own Nothing OS. Also pay close attention to what version of Android your phone has, because you don’t want to be stuck with an old version. New Android updates provide better performance, new features and important security patches.
Many cheaper models run on Android 11 or 12, while more expensive phones often come with the latest version already. Also, don’t forget to look at support for future updates. Some brands, such as Motorola, provide fewer updates than Samsung, for example.
