Few of us could live without our smartphones. For better or worse, they’ve become the ultimate lifestyle tool, connecting us with friends, colleagues, and letting us work or play on-the-move.
And while smartphones come at a price, it doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Technology has progressed so rapidly you can now enjoy all the features of luxury handsets at a fraction of the cost of popular brands.
So here’s our rundown of the best smartphones for under $200. Make sure to check them out before emptying your bank account for a new iPhone or Samsung – your wallet will thank you for it.
Top 5 Budget Smartphones
1) Moto G5
Moto has a long history of making telecommunications equipment, as far back as 1928 (as Motorola, Inc), so they know their stuff. And if you’re after the latest technology, the Moto G5 has it all: fingerprint reader, dual-sim, an octa-core processor, removable battery, 32GB storage (expandable up to 128GB), and 2GB RAM. It even comes in a gold finish (or you can stick with the less ostentatious “Lunar Grey”).
From: Amazon
2) Honor 7X
Honor is the budget brand belonging to Chinese firm Huawei, the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world . As you can expect, the Honor 7X pulls no punches with its startling array of features. From its dual-lens camera to the 5.93” edge-to-edge stunningly sharp display, the 7X has all you need to chat, create, or entertain. It’s available on Amazon from February 14th, 2018.
From: Amazon
3) Doogee BL5000
As one of the youngest brands on this list, you’d be forgiven for never having heard of Doogee. But this Spanish smartphone brand has been growing its customer base internationally since 2015 . Renowned for offering powerful technology at a budget price, the BL5000 packs incredible hardware, including triple cameras, 4GB RAM, octa-core CPU, an enormous 5,050mAh battery, and a 5.5” FHD display. Doogee have certainly thrown the gauntlet down with the BL5000: it’s the ideal phone for tech enthusiasts who won’t compromise on price.
From: Amazon
4) BLU Vivo 8L
“BLU” stands for Bold Like Us, and the Vivo 8L certainly makes a bold statement. This American electronics company has managed to cram more megapixels into their cameras than any other phone on this list (and most others not on this list, too). Not only do you get a 13MP main camera for shots about town, but a whopping 20MP rear camera to make your selfies shine. Both include flash, too. Whether you want your face in that much detail is another question, but there’s plenty more to tempt you, including 4GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable), an octa-core processor, and a 5.3” Gorilla Glass display.
Important note: BLU has come under fire in the past for unwittingly including software on certain phones that sends private data to Chinese servers. They’ve since rectified the problem, which is why I’ve added it to this list.
From: Amazon
5) Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
There’s a reason why Xiaomi holds a Guinness World Record for selling the most phones in one day: they make great handsets at reasonable prices. While they might have caused controversy in the past as Apple copycats, they’ve made premium phones accessible to a broader segment of society, and that’s a good thing. The Redmi Note 4 is a portable powerhouse equipped with a massive 5.5” screen, dual-sim slot, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable to 256GB), octa-core CPU, and fingerprint reader. What more do you need?
That concludes our list, and hopefully, you’ve found a way to save money without skimping on features. All the links are to unlocked phones, but as some are international models, do check your mobile provider supports them.
From: Amazon
$158.37 219.99
