Best entry-level smartphones 2023 - buyer’s guide

Last updated 21 April 2024


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  • A
  • Awrangzeb
  • Aba
  • 09 Aug 2020

Bought a Nokia 4.2. For the price-

Display- Good
Design and build- VERY GOOD
Performance- good, judging the specifications.
Battery life- Ok
Main Camera- Bad, especially under low light.
Charging- Slow as it doesn't have fast charging.
Bonus features- NFC, regular updates (guranteed to get updates until atleast mid 2021).

    • J
    • Junama
    • 6QK
    • 22 Jul 2020

    They should be add More storage copacity and battry timing.

      • S
      • SomeRandomGuy
      • ni$
      • 12 Jul 2020

      Eman1410, 03 Jun 2020Hey GSMArena, how come your "Best Entry-level Smartphones B... moreThe Redmi 9 wasn't released until this year

        • E
        • Eman1410
        • XEB
        • 03 Jun 2020

        Hey GSMArena, how come your "Best Entry-level Smartphones Buyers Guide" is dated November 2020 when this is in fact an article of late 2019?

        I'm sure you forgot to provide a disclaimer to the effect that this is in fact an update to the previous article.
        Thanks and kudos for the good job though I'd prefer you do regular reviews of phones from other brands than the everyday Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Sony, LG, Huawei and HMDs of this world.

          Gary, 15 Jan 2020Lol, the Samsung phones on your list is much more expensive... moreno these are max 180 bucks.Thats with max storage. for 250 go to the mid range buyer's guide

            • G
            • Gary
            • bxb
            • 15 Jan 2020

            Lol, the Samsung phones on your list is much more expensive than Xiaomi ones. If the criteria is < $250, then Redmi Note 8/8T/8 Pro should be on the list.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • IKT
              • 13 Jan 2020

              I just got an A50. It is NOT glitch-free. When transferring all my information from my old phone to this one my instagram page disappeared. It saved a couple of my passwords but not all my user names OR passwords.
              There's more but WHY IS THE CHARGING CORD SO SHORT?

                • b
                • buddy
                • DkK
                • 10 Jan 2020

                Guide me or should I wait. Right now I am using Samsung A7 2017 since 3 years no problem. Now I am looking for something better than this. Well id any one out there can suggest me better phone in samsung only I will be glad. What I want is atleast 45w charging
                Cat 7 modem. 8 gb minimum 128 gb plus welcome. Camera 68 mp or more and selfie 32 is ok for me

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • rK@
                  • 06 Jan 2020

                  The realme 3 is a better device by sheer computing power

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • P$I
                    • 26 Dec 2019

                    dyckie, 25 Dec 2019Redmi Note 8 above all else, seems this article neglected ... moreRedmi Note 8 isn't an entry-level smartphone. It's a midranger.

                      Negatives saying uncertainty of Android10 on M10s and A20e seem unjust.
                      Samsung has been very good with their update policy lately.
                      these phones will surely be upgraded to android 10.

                        • d
                        • dyckie
                        • Jq4
                        • 25 Dec 2019

                        AppleUser97, 13 Dec 2019Guys the most budget entry level smartphone would be the Ch... moreRedmi Note 8 above all else, seems this article neglected some of the recently released budget models...

                          • A
                          • AppleUser97
                          • t7B
                          • 13 Dec 2019

                          Guys the most budget entry level smartphone would be the Cherry Mobile S8 offering a fingerprint and face id packed with 3 gigs or ram and 32gigs of storage altho the display is just 720p for $80 I think GSMArena should add Cherry mobile even tho its just from the Philippines.

                            • P
                            • Persia
                            • B}1
                            • 26 Nov 2019

                            I thinks A10s & Redmi 7 should had be in the list

                              • A
                              • Azam
                              • u7Z
                              • 25 Nov 2019

                              Where is Vivo Y90 ?

                                Shab, 22 Nov 2019I love Xperia 11 and 5 deserve 10 stars! Quality and performance in all aspects with pure android system.

                                  • D
                                  • Defalt
                                  • MFM
                                  • 23 Nov 2019

                                  Nice, putting "best camera" phones on this article whilst ignoring the P30 and the P30 Pro.
                                  I got the distinct impression that Huawei Was ignored completely when they were making this list.
                                  Which is complete bs

                                    • H
                                    • Hari
                                    • D06
                                    • 23 Nov 2019

                                    Where is p30 pro and mate 30 Pro

                                      • S
                                      • Shab
                                      • X{k
                                      • 22 Nov 2019

                                      I love Xperia 1