Tech

I test budget Android smartphones – my top three have bigger batteries than iPhone & a little-known brand is only £289 --[Reported by Umva mag]

IT’S hard work deciding which smartphone is best for the price. Naturally, we all want to save money but how cheap can you go before the quality is really bad? The Sun / Jamie HarrisGoogle Pixels have always been top of my Android list[/caption] The Sun / Jamie HarrisNothing Phones have a distinctive light feature that will grab people’s attention[/caption] The Sun / Jamie HarrisSamsung still makes budget-friendly phones too[/caption] I’m The Sun’s main Android smartphone reviewer and have tried everything from big brands like Samsung, all the way to forgotten names such as Motorola, as well as newer players including Xiaomi and Honor. iPhone may get all the attention but there is no disputing it’s mega expensive. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly smartphone, check out some of these I’ve tested this year. They’re all less than £500. 3. Nothing Phone 2a Nothing is pretty new to the smartphone scene, having only launched in October 2020. In March this year, the company released a new budget version, called the Nothing Phone 2a. What’s instantly alluring about Nothing smartphones is that they have an alternative design with flashing lights on the back for things like notifications. The Nothing Phone 2a’s battery measures in at 5,000mAh – which is technically larger than any iPhone. Nothing claims you can get up to two days of use out of it. When I tested it earlier this year, I managed to get a good two days out of it after some general usage watching videos, browsing the web and light gaming. Performance-wise, it also held up well. What I really love about the Nothing Phone 2a is its price. It launched at £319 but you can now get the phone even lower, at £289. Read my full review here. Nothing Phone 2a – buy now for £289 at John Lewis 2. Samsung Galaxy A55 While the Galaxy S24, Fold 6 and Flip 6 get all the attention, Samsung still has some cheaper phones around. But the Samsung Galaxy A55 certainly doesn’t look cheap with a bold, slick design and glass back – as well as the display. I was wowed by the standard of the camera on this handset for the price, with stunning shots during the day and in darker conditions. You also get access to perks like free Samsung TV Plus streaming as a little bonus. The Samsung Galaxy A55 launched at £439 earlier this year but now it starts from £364. Watch the video at the top of this page for a glimpse of the Samsung Galaxy A55. Read my full review here. Samsung Galaxy A55 – buy now for £364 at Samsung.com 1. Google Pixel 8a The Google Pixel has always been a favourite of mine and the 8a is no exception. You really can’t go wrong with the camera capabilities on this beast. Especially with genuinely useful features like Magic Editor and Best Take for your pics too. Google also makes it even more great value by committing to provide seven years of Android updates. The Google Pixel 8a starts from £499. Read my full review here. Google Pixel 8a – buy now for £499 at Amazon All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Always do your own research before making any purchase.

Oct 4, 2024 - 17:56

IT’S hard work deciding which smartphone is best for the price.

Naturally, we all want to save money but how cheap can you go before the quality is really bad?

a person is holding a light blue google phone

Google Pixels have always been top of my Android list[/caption]

a person is holding a black phone that says supreme on the back

Nothing Phones have a distinctive light feature that will grab people’s attention[/caption]

a person holding a cell phone with a spotify icon on the screen

Samsung still makes budget-friendly phones too[/caption]

I’m The Sun’s main Android smartphone reviewer and have tried everything from big brands like Samsung, all the way to forgotten names such as Motorola, as well as newer players including Xiaomi and Honor.

iPhone may get all the attention but there is no disputing it’s mega expensive.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly smartphone, check out some of these I’ve tested this year.

They’re all less than £500.

3. Nothing Phone 2a

Nothing is pretty new to the smartphone scene, having only launched in October 2020.

In March this year, the company released a new budget version, called the Nothing Phone 2a.

What’s instantly alluring about Nothing smartphones is that they have an alternative design with flashing lights on the back for things like notifications.

The Nothing Phone 2a’s battery measures in at 5,000mAh – which is technically larger than any iPhone.

Nothing claims you can get up to two days of use out of it.

When I tested it earlier this year, I managed to get a good two days out of it after some general usage watching videos, browsing the web and light gaming.

Performance-wise, it also held up well.

What I really love about the Nothing Phone 2a is its price.

It launched at £319 but you can now get the phone even lower, at £289.

Read my full review here.

Nothing Phone 2a – buy now for £289 at John Lewis

2. Samsung Galaxy A55

While the Galaxy S24, Fold 6 and Flip 6 get all the attention, Samsung still has some cheaper phones around.

But the Samsung Galaxy A55 certainly doesn’t look cheap with a bold, slick design and glass back – as well as the display.

I was wowed by the standard of the camera on this handset for the price, with stunning shots during the day and in darker conditions.

You also get access to perks like free Samsung TV Plus streaming as a little bonus.

The Samsung Galaxy A55 launched at £439 earlier this year but now it starts from £364.

Watch the video at the top of this page for a glimpse of the Samsung Galaxy A55.

Read my full review here.

Samsung Galaxy A55 – buy now for £364 at Samsung.com

1. Google Pixel 8a

The Google Pixel has always been a favourite of mine and the 8a is no exception.

You really can’t go wrong with the camera capabilities on this beast.

Especially with genuinely useful features like Magic Editor and Best Take for your pics too.

Google also makes it even more great value by committing to provide seven years of Android updates.

The Google Pixel 8a starts from £499.

Read my full review here.

Google Pixel 8a – buy now for £499 at Amazon

All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.

Always do your own research before making any purchase.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.