The Best Cheap Smartphone
Photo: Simple Mobile TCL LX 4G LTE Prepaid Smartphone (Locked) - Black - 16GB - Sim Card Included - GSM
UPDATED JULY 20, 2026
To help you find the perfect cheap smartphone, we continuously put forth the effort to update and expand our list of recommendable cheap smartphones. Our team collects, edits and publishes new information, in order to present it to you in an accurate, significant and neatly arranged way.
Our Picks
-3 More Cheap Smartphone Alternatives
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
Cheap Smartphone Buying Guide
If you want to get a smartphone but don’t want to spend more money than required, you are likely wondering how you can find cheap smartphones so that you won’t need to break your budget. The good news is that you can locate many options from which you can choose, but not all of them are equal.
If you would like to get something that meets your needs, it’s vital you take the time to consider what path makes the most sense for you. A little effort will go a long way when it comes to buying a cheap smartphone for under $100 that will get the job done. As long as you follow the right steps, you can move forward with confidence and won’t need to worry about wasting your money on a product that does not appeal to you.
Network
Taking a look at the network that a smartphone uses is a good place from which to start when your aim is to make a wise buying decision. Although most carriers strive to expand their reach so that they can appeal to as many customers as possible, not all smartphones will work in all locations. Buying one without considering the network for which it is designed can cause you to get stuck with a smartphone that won’t work from your house or place of business.
Your first task is to look up what networks work in the places that you visit the most, but you will then need to check the network of any phone that you want to buy. This step will take a little extra time but is worth it if you don’t want to run into unneeded problems along the way.
Storage Capacity
While the latest smartphones have over 100 GB of storage space, you can't expect to get that much when you buy a cheap alternative. The amount of storage space that you will enjoy will depend on the brand, but you can sometimes find amazing deals. No matter what path you choose, you will want to get a smartphone that has at least 8 GB of storage space, which will be enough to save a few apps, pictures and videos.
If you choose a smartphone and find that it does not offer as much storage space as you need, consider transferring your files to your computer or laptop. A lot of people do so and are pleased with the outcome. Those who are willing to spend a little more can find smartphones that have 16 GB of storage space at a fair price.
Speed
The type of processor that a smartphone has will determine the speed at which it can run applications and perform calculations. Most cheap smartphones will have a 1.2 GHz processor that will run most games without any problems. If you try to run several apps at the same time, you will likely run into trouble, such as your smartphone crashing or turning off.
Although a slow processor will likely cause complications for people who want to run complex apps or to push their hardware to the limit, casual users don’t need to worry about those problems. If you don’t want to take any risks, research the requirements for the apps that you intend to use, and you will be able to find a smartphone that is the perfect match.
Style
In addition to the hardware, you will also want to take the style of a smartphone into consideration before you make your final decision. Smartphones come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and you will need to find one that compliments your tastes. Some people enjoy watching movies from their portable devices and opt for smartphones that have large screens.
Carrying large smartphones, though, can be a challenge if you have small pockets or want something that is easy to manage. If you only plan to use your device to make and receive calls, getting a small unit that is easy to transport could be the solution for which you have been searching. When you are willing to do some research, you might even find a phone in your favorite color, and you will be glad that you did.
Camera
If you like to take pictures and want to be able to do so from any location in which you find yourself, then you will be pleased to learn that most smartphones have quality cameras that take clear pictures. Those who only need to store pictures on their phones or computers can reach their desired outcome by getting a smartphone that has an 8-megapixel camera.
If you would like to print your pictures to save a physical copy, aim for a camera that has at least 10 megapixels. With a smartphone that has the correct camera on hand, you can freeze moments in time and capture the events that matter the most. As soon as something grabs your attention, you can simply pull out your smartphone, adding a level of convenience to your life.
Operating System
When it comes to choosing an operating system for your smartphone, your main choices are Android and iOS, and understanding the differences between the two will help you in your quest to make the best possible choice. The Android operating system is more colorful than its counterpart and welcomes third-party applications.
While Android allows iOS software to run on its platform, iOS does not permit software from other manufacturers to run on its devices. Although some people don’t like the restrictions, others feel as though they make iOS much safer from malware. At the end of the day, both options have their uses, so the path that you select will depend on your preferences.
Cheap Smartphone Reviews
There are no reviews on cheap smartphones, yet.
Be the first to write a review, or check for additional reviews in the Further Reading section below.
Further Reading on Cheap Smartphones
New: Our editorial list of additional articles. We decided to gather informartion all around the internet and present you a list of helpful, external links to interesting reads about reviews, pros & cons and similar products.
The Budget Android revolution: Pros and Cons of Goin...
The Budget Android Revolution: Pros and Cons of Going Cheap It's actually very difficult to make a $600 smartphone and turn a profit while ...
0 persons liked this post.
Source: www.tested.com
Here Are The Asian Smartphone Upstarts Gunning To Di...
In addition to producing low-cost phones, Xiaomi has also recently Chinese electronics company Meizu makes smartphones and MP3 ...
0 persons liked this post.
Source: www.cbinsights.com
The Pros and Cons of Smartphones | Chron.com
Smartphones are everywhere, even in the workplace. In fact, in many businesses, smartphones are an important tool for internal and external ...
0 persons liked this post.
Source: smallbusiness.chron.com
Pros And Cons Of Buying A Used Smartphone - Technobezz
Have you ever considered to buy a used smartphone? And is See also: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Samsung Galaxy S8 And S8 Plus ...
0 persons liked this post.
Source: www.technobezz.com
Pros and cons of buying a tablet, smartphone or ultr...
Don't know what to buy - a smartphone, a tablet or an ultrabook? Gadgets & Gizmos lists out the pros and cons of each to help you decide. ...
0 persons liked this post.
Source: www.businesstoday.in
Best cheap phones of 2018 - Here are our favorites -...
Who says you have to pay a ton for one of the good cheap phones? because it costs a fraction of the price of most competing smartphones. ...
0 persons liked this post.
Source: www.androidauthority.com
Comments
Comments on this page are currently disabled.
About this Article
This page about Cheap Smartphone was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on and has been viewed 4435 times.
It was last updated on and has been viewed 4435 times.
Interesting Topics
More Guides and Reviews in the Mobile Devices & Accessoires Section
More Topics in the Electronics Section
Copyright Notice: Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.