10 best low-cost smartphones

When it comes to technology, some people just don’t find it reasonable to spend crazy money on a gadget that gets old in just several years. Yet, those same people still want the full smartphone experience, the apps, and the speed. Are there any affordable phones that would fit all those criteria?

Good news is that with recent launches the answer is 'yes'. We now
have phones that are cheap without being ruined by any terrible issues - they do not lag terribly, they have decent cameras, and some of them
even come with a great visual appearance.

But which ones are they? We've picked the best affordable phones (running Android or Windows Phone) where affordable does not mean ‘cheap’ in any embarrassing way. Take a look at these best value-for-the-money devices that you can get right now, and let us know which you think is the best low-cost smartphone.

10 best low-cost smartphones

1. #10: Huawei Ascend Y530

For an off-contract price of just around $140 (150 euro), the 4.5-inch Huawei Ascend Y530 is an extremely well-rounded affordable smartphone offering one of the largest displays for the price - plus, it’s also got a Snapdragon 200 system chip under the hood and a 5-megapixel main camera.

2. #9: Samsung Galaxy S III mini

The Galaxy S III mini is a two-year old device that comes from an established smartphone maker, and with an affordable price tag of around $190 (160 euro) off-contract you get an iPhone-sized, 4-inch display, a compact design, a 1GHz dual-core chip with 1GB of RAM, and a 5-megapixel camera.

3. #8: Asus Zenfone 4

With a killer price of just around $100 in its main markets, the Asus Zenfone 4 goes to the very bottom of the Android low-end, and it does so with dignity: it’s got a 4-inch display, runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with the promise to get 4.4 KitKat, sports 1GB of RAM, dual SIM connectivity and a 5-megapixel camera.

4. #7: Nokia Lumia 530

The Windows Phone 8.1-based Lumia 530 comes as a replacement to the hugely successful Lumia 520, and it’s a timely upgrade: it brings the latests of Microsoft’s operating system, a 4-inch display, a 1.2GHz quad-core chip, 512MB of RAM, and the alluring price tag of just $115 off-contract.

5. #6: Motorola Moto E

The Motorola Moto E builds up on the successful foundation set by the Moto G, but it brings down the price even lower at $130 off-contract. This money buys you a fast phone with a large for its price 4.3” display, a 1.2GHz dual-core chip and a 5-megapixel main camera.

6. #5: Sony Xperia M

The Sony Xperia M is a device that has aged gracefully when it comes to price: you can have the compact 4-inch Android-running Xperia M for merely $140 (120 euro), and that brings you a stylish phone with a great camera and a fairly potent system chip.

7. #4: Nokia Lumia 520

The Nokia Lumia 520 is an oldie, but goodie: the most popular Windows Phone handset can be had for just $50 off contract (in a refurbished form) on AT&T, which is an amazing value for the money. The Lumia 520 sports a 4-inch display and is confirmed for getting the Windows Phone 8.1 update.

8. #3: Huawei Ascend G6

The Huawei Ascend G6 stands out with its style and affordability among handsets most of which are affordable and well-performing, but not particularly good-looking. The Ascend G6 strikes that right balance - with a starting price of $230 (170 euro), it is just slightly more expensive than the Moto G, but matches it in terms of performance and outdoes it in style. The G6 has got a 4.5” IPS display, a 1.2GHz quad-core chip, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front cam.

9. #2: Nokia Lumia 635 (AT&T)

The Nokia Lumia 635 (630 internationally) is a handset with a 4.5” IPS display, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 system chip, and a 5-megapixel camera, all fairly typical for an affordable phone. What’s not typical at all is the starting price of just $99.99 off-contract - that’s some 40% cheaper than the practically equally capable Moto G. The only downside? The Lumia 635 comes with Windows Phone on board, and the platform still lacks some essential apps. If you’re looking for the best value for the money, though, this is a clear winner.

10. #1: Motorola Moto G

What happens when you combine a 4.5” 720p HD display, a powerful quad-core Snapdragon 400 system chip, and a decent 5-megapixel camera, all in a phone that’s running the latest of the Android operating system? The Motorola Moto G, of course, - it costs a very affordable $160 off-contract, which makes it our best value for the money proposition among all affordable phones.