Has our guide helped you figure out the most important features for you? Perhaps you need a good camera, lots of storage space, or a waterproof model. Let’s take a look at our selected 5 top choices. The best bit? They’re all easy on the old wallet, too.
Smartphones have become something of a necessity these days, with everyone and their moms having at least one knocking about. With so many fantastic features such as cameras, Bluetooth, apps and music players, smartphones have become so much more than just a phone. One downside, however, is that they can rack up a pretty hefty price tag, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Our buying guide will help you select the best affordable smartphone for you and your needs!
The first thing to consider when buying a smartphone is that there are literally dozens of brands to choose from, whether that’s
Samsung,
Motorola or
LG smartphone. A lot of people have their own personal preferences in this department, with some trusting certain brands more than others. If this is the case, then feel free to stick with your favorite, but try to be open to other, less well-known brands as they may be able to offer you just as good a product at a much cheaper price. The important thing to look out for when buying an affordable smartphone is the features most important to you. Some people are after lots of data for downloading movies, pictures and games whereas others might find a high-quality camera to be the most crucial element. This is another reason why looking at the features may be the best way to discover your perfect smartphone and help you narrow down your options.
Another factor that may affect your purchase is the size of the smartphone. This is another subject that comes down to your own personal preferences, with some people enjoying larger phones and others after something a little more petite. The most common size of smartphone screen is around 5”. This is a great screen size for watching videos, taking picturesque photos or simply scrolling through facebook. If you have poor sight, however, then you may want to select a slightly bigger screen.
Like we mentioned previously, some people are searching for an affordable smartphone that also has lots of storage space. Now, some of you may feel this doesn’t exist but don’t fret, this is definitely not the case! When searching through affordable smartphones we discovered the most common storage space was between 8GB and 16GB. If the phone has a micro-SD card socket, then you can extend the storage space using that (sometimes by as much as 128GB!). This may be cheaper than buying a model with higher initial capacity. The more GB you have, the more expensive the smartphone tends to be so just bare this in mind. The same can also be said for camera quality, with MP in affordable smartphones ranging from 5-13MP, with some even including two cameras!
Another important consideration when selecting your dream, affordable smartphone is battery life. Now, cheaper smartphones have received bad press in the past for having poor battery life but this is no longer the case. Today, some budget smartphones have a battery of life of up to 2800 mAh, meaning you can have hours of enjoyment using your phone without the need to hunt down a power socket. This isn’t the case for all budget phones with other, even cheaper models having just 350 mAh, once again this will depend on how much you are willing to spend.
Finally (we promise we’re almost done) smartphones come in a TON of different colors with multiple case, trinket and accessory options too. So, one thing you’re definitely going to want to consider is the color of your new smartphone as well!
Price
When it comes to the price of your new affordable smartphone you don’t have to worry about it costing the earth. Affordable smartphones these days normally fall between $150 and $200, with more expensive phones usually containing more MP, storage GB and features. If these factors aren’t as important to you then you can expect to pay roughly $150 for your new budget smartphone. There are cheap smartphone models available ($100 or less) but be aware that these phones won’t have as many features and may not last as long as pricier models.
Features
The features you ultimately want included in your new affordable smartphone are going to come down to what you will be using the smartphone for and how much you want to show it off to your friends. There are a few features, however, that we recommend keeping an eye out for to ensure you select the best affordable smartphone for you!
Here are some important features to look out for…
- USB-C Connector
- Waterproofing or Splash-Prof Technology
- Durable build/ Damage-Resistance
- High Display Quality
Construction and Design
One particular feature we recommend keeping an eye out for is a smartphone with a USB-C connector. This basically means that the phone has the ability to charge and transfer data through different devices such as laptops and tablets. This will make it easier for you to transfer photos from your phone directly to your laptop and vice versa. It’s also ideal for music fans looking to upload all their favorite songs to their phone for on-to-go music wherever you are! USB-C is the latest version of the USB socket, so it will give you some future-proofing as well.
Another important feature to look out for is waterproofing or splash-proof technology. If you find yourself caught in the rain then you don’t want to have to worry about your smartphone falling to pieces. This feature is particularly useful for those who have a passion for photography and don’t want to damage the phone’s camera or those of you who are fond of travel. This feature with improve the life of your phone and ensure it works brilliantly for many years to come, plus it means you can even scroll through facebook in the bath! Having a smartphone with a durable build or damage resistance also falls into this category. Today, many affordable smartphones include shatter-proof glass or scratch-resistance technology which is peace of mind for all of us we think!
Finally, a top feature to look out for when buying a new smartphone is a product with a high quality display. This basically means the resolution, brightness, color quality and viewing angles of the product. You will want to make sure the phone’s screen is bright enough for you to be able to read the screen in direct sunlight and outdoors. Look for a model that supports HDR, especially if you are a movie buff as this will offer superior picture contrast.
Performance and Ease of Use
When it comes to caring for your new affordable smartphone, you’d be forgiven for thinking they aren’t the most durable product in the world, but you would be wrong. Through years of trial and error, companies have realized that having a smartphone that can withstand day-to-day life is incredibly important, no matter the price. However, this doesn’t give you free reign to throw it on the pavement or shove it in the washing machine. We recommend purchasing a product with a durable case for added security or buying one separately instead (they also come in lots of cool colors too!).
Your smartphone will also come with a handy how-to guide and instructions informing you of how to get the most out of your phone but you can also look up the manufacturer’s website if you need any more information. We also suggest keeping an eye out for products that use ‘Gorilla-Glass’ as this will also prevent any damage to the screen of the product as well as a product with at least a year’s warranty…just in case!
By now you should have a better feel for what smart phones are available to you and what they have to offer. So now all that’s left to do is start shopping. If you aren’t a fan of our featured products, don’t worry. The brands we selected have a whole host of different products to choose from. Just browse through their collections to find the perfect smart phone for you!
