However, these phones may run slower than more expensive phones, lack NFC for contactless payments, receive only one software update, and most will not support faster 5G connections. However, you will still be able to install most apps from the Google Play Store, and these phones will receive a few years of security updates that should keep most malicious threats at bay.
Number 7, Blu G91
Take my advice: at $180, the BLU G91 is an excellent choice. The latest G91 has a good display, fantastic cameras, and both a quad rear and a 16 MP front camera. The impressive 2-day 5000 mAh Li-Po battery will astound you, and it runs on Android 10 out of the box. Another option is the availability of a variety of colors. It only costs $18o, saving you $20, but you can spend the difference on a nice case for it.
Number 6, Samsung Galaxy A13
The Samsung Galaxy A13 is available in 4G and 5G variants, but for the purposes of this best list, we're focusing on the 4G variant, which costs $190 (£179, AU$329). The 5G Galaxy A13 costs a little more, at $250.
The Galaxy A13 has a 6.6-inch 1,080p resolution screen, four rear cameras, including a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel selfie camera, and a 5,000-mAh battery. Unfortunately, like the Galaxy A03S, it only has 32GB of onboard storage, so if you plan to take a lot of photos and videos with those cameras, you'll need to get a microSD card to expand the storage.
The A13, like the Galaxy A03S, comes with Android 11 and will receive security updates for at least four years. This is especially useful if you intend to keep this phone for as long as possible.
Number 5, Samsung Galaxy A12
Even though the Galaxy A13 has replaced the Galaxy A12, the $180 Samsung phone is still available from US carriers, though it appears to be discontinued on Samsung's website. ACCORDING TO COUNTERPOINT RESEARCH, the A12 was the best-selling Android phone in 2021, even outselling Apple's iPhone SE (2020).
In our Galaxy A12 review, we discovered that the phone took better photos than the cheaper Galaxy A03S due to its four-camera array with a 16-megapixel main camera, but it was still limited by the same 32GB of onboard storage found in all of Samsung's sub-$200 phones.
For the extra $10, it's probably better to get the Galaxy A13 with its 50-megapixel main camera. However, if you do decide to purchase the Galaxy A12, keep in mind that the phone's 3GB of RAM handled multitasking well during our review. Still, there was some lag when switching between horizontal and vertical screen orientations.
Number 4, TCL 30 XE 5G
TCL's TCL 30 XE 5G is currently one of the cheapest 5G-capable phones in the US. T-Mobile is now selling the phone for $198. The phone has a 6.5-inch 720p screen with a refresh rate of 90Hz, a triple-camera system with a 13-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel selfie camera, and a fingerprint sensor on the back. The phone has 64GB of internal storage and runs Android 11.
While we haven't tested this phone, the other phones on this list have better cameras and higher-quality screens, but they don't have 5G connectivity. However, it is debatable whether 5G is necessary right now. 4G LTE connectivity is adequate for streaming music and video, etc.
Number 3, Moto G Power
At $200 (£150, AU$275), the Moto G Power for 2022 is at the higher end of this sub-$200 roundup, but it has plenty of onboard storage to show for it. This phone starts with 64GB of storage, which is more than double what many of these phones include. If that's not enough, you can upgrade to the 128GB model for $250 or include a microSD card for up to 512GB of additional storage. The phone also has 4GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for most multitasking.
Motorola promises one software update to Android 12 as well as two years of security updates for this phone, which ships with Android 11. This is on the short side, especially when compared to competitors such as Samsung. However, the phone is inexpensive enough that you might consider the two years to be roughly the length of time you intend to keep the device.
Number 2, Samsung Galaxy A03S
At $160 (£139, roughly AU$240), Samsung's Galaxy A03S includes plenty of great features and could be a great fit for someone looking for the cheapest phone to handle most essential tasks. The phone's 6.5-inch screen, with a resolution of 720p, is ideal for reading news, watching videos, and playing games. Despite some performance lag discovered during our testing, the phone can multitask. However, the phone's tiny 32GB storage space could quickly fill up, so it might be worth expanding the storage with a microSD card if you're considering this phone.
Samsung also plans to provide at least four years of security updates for this phone, the best deal in this price range. On the software front, it's unclear how many Android versions are planned, but the phone will initially ship with Android 11.
Number 1, One Plus Nord N100
Phones from OnePlus for $200? Some would say it's impossible, but it's 2021, and the OnePlus Nord N100 smartphone should be your answer. OnePlus is best known for its excellent midrange lineup, but the OnePlus Nord N100 ($179.99) is making a splash in the budget smartphone market. The N100 is OnePlus's most affordable smartphone to date, and it arrives with a slew of hits and only a few misses.
Its mediocre cameras and plasticky build fall short of expectations, but such compromises are common at this price point. The most important characteristics for day-to-day use are display, performance, and battery life, and the N100 does not skimp on any of these. As a result, this phone stands out among phones priced under $200.
The OnePlus Nord has a 6.52-inch screen with a triple rear camera and a 5000 mAh battery, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB inbuilt storage.
A 6.5-inch, 1,620-by-720-pixel 90Hz display dominates the front of the phone. The screen is bright, with vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. Despite its 720p resolution, the N100's clarity is noticeably better than that of the similarly priced Motorola Moto G Play.
A metallic blue backplate can be found on the phone's back. The N100 has a slight texture that makes it easier to hold, but it quickly collects smudges. When tapped, the plastic feels very thin and produces a hollow thud.
You must be logged in to post a comment.