For these purposes, its unnecessary to splash out hundreds of dollars on a state-of-the-art rig.
Here are the best budget smartphones available today.
The phones 5G-compatible processor and slick-functioning interface offer a fluid performance.
With its beautiful display and exceptional battery life, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is an excellent budget choice. The phone’s 5G-compatible processor and slick-functioning interface offer a fluid performance. Additionally, the battery can easily last a full day of intensive use, and the 64MP camera delivers excellent images in good lighting. All in all, it’s an affordable smartphone well worth your consideration.
All in all, its an affordable smartphone well worth your consideration.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite has an unassuming, simple design.
You may even say it looks a bit dull.
But what it lacks in style, it more than makes up for in performance.
In the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, you get a 5G-enabled processor.
The 6.59-inch, 120Hz, IPS display is quality.
It has a Full HD resolution and showcases wide color and contrast ranges with good brightness levels.
Watching media content is a delight, while the thin bezels add to the immersive feel.
You also get a decent camera, provided you are in good light.
The primary camera is 64MP with an f/1.7 aperture.
Theres also a 2MP macro lens and a depth sensor for creating bokeh.
The images produced showcase a good level of detail and exposure with natural-looking color.
However, once the sun sets or you draw the drapes, detail and color saturation drop.
Another phone to offer exceptional performance at a rock-bottom price is the Samsung Galaxy A14.
Samsung has also upgraded the resolution from HD to Full HD for better clarity and detail.
But, should you feel the need, theres plenty more room via the microSD card slot.
Battery life is decent, and you should get at least a full day with consistent usage.
But recharging can take almost 2.5 hours to get fully juiced.
Its safe to say you should avoid dropping this phone on the ground or into the bath.
Its not completely fragile, though; accidental drops dont necessarily mean a shattered screen.
For photography, the Galaxy A14 takes surprisingly decent images.
The primary camera has a 50MP resolution with an f/1.8 aperture.
It performs well in good light, but the macro lens and depth sensor are somewhat unnecessary.
Its protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and has an IP53 certification, making it splashproof and somewhat dust-resistant.
The contrast is good, and the colors are accurate.
This model comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.
It has a MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G chipset that is a great addition for gamers.
Additionally, the Android 11-based MIUI 13 is intuitive and fast.
The 108MP camera is excellent.
It has an f/1.8 aperture and delivers sharp, detailed images with a wide dynamic range.
Theres also an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera that has its uses and a 2MP f/2.4 that doesn’t.
The front-facing camera delivers excellent selfies, and you could shoot decent video in 4K at 30FPS.
And, despite the rock-bottom price tag, the titular stylus remains far from being a gimmick.
Its accurate, and you’re free to take quick notes even when the screen is locked.
This model is not compatible with 5G, which helps to influence its unbeatable price.
An Eye-Catching Super AMOLED Display
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is an excellent choice for a budget smartphone.
It’s easy to use and has a premium build quality.
The display also makes it an outstanding choice.
Its available in four eye-catching colors.
However, its the 6.4-inch, Full HD, 120Hz, Super AMOLED display that is truly awesome.
Color and contrast are excellent, and movies and games look fantastic.
This model sports 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.
It also runs on Android 13 with One UI 5.1.
This interface has a minimalist design with clear and concise menu navigation.
Furthermore, the upgraded Exynos 1380 processor offers smooth multitasking with easy swiping and speedy scrolling.
The primary camera has a 50MP resolution with an f/1.8 aperture.
Images are high quality when taken in good light, but performance predictably suffers somewhat in low light.
A Budget Smartphone to Challenge the Leaderboard
The Google Pixel 7 is a premium machine at a budget price.
Its durable and has good battery life and excellent security features.
The Google Pixel 7 also boasts a stunning Full HD Plus OLED display.
While this display doesnt offer 120Hz, the 90Hz refresh rate still delivers free-flowing scrolling and gaming.
Its also capable of pumping out 1,400 nits of peak brightness.
The 50MP f/1.85 primary camera is none too shabby, either.
It also boasts a 12MP ultrawide and 10.8MP front camera for selfies.
With 4K at 60FPS and fun features like Cinematic Blur, shooting video produces excellent results, too.
The camera also sports valuable features to help you take sharp pictures in low light.
The screen size is just 4.7 inches, yet the A15 Bionic chip delivers outstanding results.
Running numerous apps and playing games are at the smooth standards of a premium phone.
The 12MP camera is also surprisingly good, although it lacks any night mode for after-dark photography.
Those who worry about a small phone being easier to drop or damage shouldnt do so.
Tough Ceramic Shield glass, often touted as the toughest around, protects the screen.
Those who enjoy watching movies on their phone should consider a more prominent display.
The SE’s screen is too small for this purpose for most people.
Thick bezels, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a lack of Full HD also hinder cinematic enjoyment.
Plenty of options exist, and you should be able to find one to satisfy your needs.
you could even connect to 5G with a smartphone at a bargain-basement price.
One of the best devices for this is the Samsung Galaxy A14.
Many Motorola phones do, too, with the Moto G Stylus being among their best-selling budget options.
However, you might want a camera to seamlessly play games on or take photos with.
But the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite offers the best all-around value and gives a little bit of everything.