Vodafone Smart N9 and N9 lite are cheap and reasonably specced

Vodafone has just announced the Smart N9 and Smart N9 lite. These are two phones with a no-frills set of features and reasonable prices.

Both devices use near stock Android 8.1 Oreo (the Smart N9 Lite uses the toned-down Android Go Edition) with a few added software features by Vodafone catering to the parent's needs better than regular Android phones. For instance, parental controls can limit and disable certain apps. Parents can also limit screentime hours or see the phone's location in real-time. Even more, Force Ring will allow a parent to ring the phone even if it has been switched to silent.

Vodafone Smart N9

Specs-wise, the Vodafone Smart N9 has a 5.5-inch tall-aspect HD+ display, 13MP main camera and 8MP selfie camera - with an LED flash for both - a Mediatek MT6739 chipset with 2GB of RAM and a 2,900mAh battery.

Vodafone Smart N9

Vodafone Smart N9 lite

True to its name, the Vodafone Smart N9 lite dials down some of the specs of the N9 Smart and comes at a lower price.

It has a 5.34-inch 18:9 HD+ display, an 8MP main and 5MP selfie camera, Mediatek MT6739 with just 1GB of RAM and a smaller 2,460mAh battery.

Its back shell is more durable and Vodafone promises it will stand up to rougher use better.

Vodafone Smart N9 lite

Both the Vodafone Smart N9 and the Smart N9 lite will be available on Pay As You Go plans for £109 and £85, respectively. Both are free with a monthly plan starting from £32/month.