Best entry-level smartphones 2023 - buyer’s guide

Last updated 21 April 2024


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Everyone should know that budget phones aren't built to compete against flagships or midrangers, it's built to sacrifice price over performance. A lot of people often compare budget phones to flagships, which is uncomparable at all.

    • d
    • dm29
    • L1M
    • 14 Jan 2024

    Hey, you repeated highlights for the last two Samsung - Nokia devices.

      I think at least one Transsion's device deserve to be included in this segment. Itel S23, Infinix Hot 30i or Tecno Spark 10C would beat some of the devices here.

        I'm impressed by the performance of Moto G14. Almost on par with G32. Avoid G23 because has very slow emmc memory

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • nI4
          • 15 Oct 2023

          The bullet points on the Samsung Galaxy A04s and Nokia C32 identical and don't match the specs on their pages, neither have a 6000 mAh battery.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • JQ1
            • 09 Oct 2023

            The budget king of 2023 is the A14 5G Indian version

            -LCD but with 90hz
            -The best budget chip: Exynos 1330, CPU is comparable to Dimensity 900 and GPU is comparable to Adreno 620 of Snapdragon 765G
            -Solid main camera
            -Good battery
            -The best software support in budget phones: 2y of OS updates and 4y of security updates

            The only con is the slow charging

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • y6V
              • 06 Oct 2023

              agree with redmi 12c 100%

                Obviously I like redmi note 10 and what about the price

                  • V
                  • Vibe
                  • mFd
                  • 14 Sep 2023

                  Tecno pova 5 should be here, it has 6ah with 45w and gaming design and specs for $15O

                    They should have put Infinix Note 30 VIP or Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5g. Those phones are relatively cheap as well but with competitive specs.

                      • S
                      • Sin
                      • pYB
                      • 25 Jun 2023

                      Nanoview.net
                      Deviceranks.com Antutu
                      Systemquirementslab.com rate my pc
                      Netbookcheck.net
                      Userbenchmark.com
                      Geekbench

                      In general ai algorithm are garbage finding good deal online so your better off just using the phone filter and pick the phone specs you want soc ram storage then lower the price till there is only one few phones left

                      In general people just don't have the income too be able afford a better phone and rarely wage enough

                      This is how I find the bargain basement Duels I put it here just be helpful so it's more easy for people do research for themselves and find a specific modal of phone there looking for

                      Then test the phone you buy with cpuz device info and dev check make sure you get what you paying for apps exist for this purpose

                      Manufacturer in general lie about specs change parts such as ram & strange like the weather so keep this in mind even 2 of the same phone might not have completely the same performance as a result just not being the same phone because of secret part swooping as a result of shortage in parts from the manufacturer or brand

                        • S
                        • Sin
                        • pYB
                        • 25 Jun 2023

                        This is how I find all of the budget smartphones
                        Not everyone has the income in order too buy a good smartphone

                        So I link it here so many on low income can actually find a smartphone there actually able too buy as not everyone gets a wage is enough pay a expensive phone

                        I use a handful of websites then use phone filter for ideal phone specs

                          Nokia with One UI 4.1 😊😊 also why is no 4k capturing a bad point of the Realmes literally none of these phones have 4k not even the RN12

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 7W6
                            • 06 Jun 2023

                            How does nokia have oneui
                            Oneui is samsung

                              Sin, 08 Aug 2022I agree about the phone designers phone designers are m... moreTotally agree 👍

                                • F
                                • Fauzan
                                • YUU
                                • 27 May 2023

                                This phone is good smooth and good for game,nice performance,many features, screen display is good,u can play game with high graphic but depends of what games u play ,many new game support,price is good,fast charging and nice camera

                                The bad about this phone
                                Battery will drain fast if phone getting hot the solution is buy cooler
                                Sadly The worst is don't have compass sensor even my old phone have compass sensor but this phone not
                                This phone I give 8.9/10

                                  • F
                                  • Fauzan
                                  • YUU
                                  • 27 May 2023

                                  Madjarwan, 02 Apr 2023Where is the update? I have update

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 3SI
                                    • 24 Apr 2023

                                    I think the bare minimum for a phone in 2023 is big performance cores (A73 or better) and a fingerprint reader. Otherwise, it can’t even compete with old flagships from 2015, which cost $30 used. I also don’t know how Android Go is to use, whether you can install all apps for example or only a selection.

                                    Only possible excuse for not offering those essentials is if the price is below $100, because some people just want to buy an unused phone no matter what, and there have never been many options in that price range, even if the used flagship would still be much better. The Redmi A series is pretty much the cheapest new phone I know of, and the Plus has a fingerprint scanner. If they had an SoC with big cores like Unisoc T606 or better Helio G70/80, they would sweep in that price bracket.

                                      • S
                                      • Sin
                                      • 0Rf
                                      • 08 Apr 2023

                                      I found some really good smartphone that have strong hardware specs at low price from yours experience and what I can see there phones are really good

                                      The best value for money budget opinion in the would in my opinion
                                      Budget opinion phone that are actually good phone's

                                      Based off specs 128gb storage & 8gb ram
                                      Unisoc Tiger 606 or mediatek P60 SOC

                                      hotwav note 12 pro based off price of £99
                                      Hotwav cyber 9 pro based off price off £135

                                      If you're going pay that little bit extra there phones really are worth it

                                        Where is the update?

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