GSMArena smartphone shopping guide: August 2014

€100-€200

This category will probably see the most action - phones are affordable and yet have all the features a casual user is likely to need. As a GSMArena reader you may be more tech-inclined and demand better specs but keep in mind that casual users make up the bulk of the market.

The Sony Xperia M is an alternative to the Lumia 520. It's pricier but it's powered by the same dual-core Krait processor and has 1GB of RAM. It has a 4" FWVGA screen and a 5MP/720p camera. It's a bit old and Sony is leaving it stranded at Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

There's a dual-SIM version of the Xperia M but it's pricier and there are better dual-SIM options. The Xperia M is getting a little long in the tooth but compact droids with good specs are hard to find even these days.

While the Lumia 530 is Microsoft's entry-level offering the Nokia Lumia 630 is a more capable phone. We found that the dual-SIM version of the phone is priced essentially the same as the single-SIM so that's our pick. By the way, the Lumia 635 is an LTE-enabled, single-SIM version of the phone. It's more expensive though so it depends on how important LTE is to you.

Anyway, compared to the 530 the Lumia 630 brings a bigger 4.5" screen and while the resolution is still FWVGA at least it's an IPS panel and it's protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The proprietary ClearBlack tech improves sunlight legibility.

The camera also regains its 720p video capture and you get more built-in storage.

The ZTE Grand S Flex is another phone that gives you the mid-range experience. It's pricier than the Alcatel Idol S from the last chapter but makes up for it with a bigger 5" IPS screen with 720p resolution and a faster dual-core Krait processor.

It too has an 8MP/1080p camera and LTE connectivity. Unfortunately, it too is stuck on an old Android version. Another downside is that it lacks a microSD card slot though it does come with 16GB of built-in storage.

The HTC Desire 310 is our first brush with HTC hardware and software design. It tackles the Lumia 630 with a 4.5" FWVGA screen and a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor. The RAM varies by region and is either 512MB or 1GB.

The phone boasts a 1080p-capable 5MP camera and the respected Sense UI but it's based on old Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

There's a dual-SIM version of the Desire 310 if you need it (at extra cost, of course).

The LG Optimus L9 II brings LG's thin-bezel magic to challenge the ZTE Grand S Flex and Alcatel Idol S. It has a 4.7" IPS screen with 720p resolution and is powered by a dual-core Krait processor. Unlike the other two, it runs a current Android 4.4 KitKat.

The Optimus L9 II has an 8MP/1080p camera, NFC connectivity and an IR blaster to control your TV and other equipment.

Phablets have exploded in popularity since they hit the scene but they are typically at least mid-range devices. The LG G Pro Lite Dual combines the utility of a stylus and a big screen with dual-SIM connectivity.

It has a roomy 5.5" IPS screen that's quite low on resolution (qHD for just 200ppi density) and is powered by an old dual-core Cortex-A9 processor running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Not ideal but an 8MP/720p camera makes us feel a little better. There are stereo speakers on board, too.

While the LG G Pro Lite Dual makes some questionable sacrifices, it should do quite okay for mom and pop.

We started with the giants so let's look into the minis too. The LG G2 mini LTE has a 4.7" IPS screen with Gorilla Glass 2. The downside compared to the LG L9 II is that it's a qHD screen with about half the pixels. It's not more compact either, despite being a mini.

There are still reasons to consider it though. It has LTE connectivity for one and it's a newer device that's much easier to find in shops. It also gets more love in terms of software with many tricks borrowed from the big LG flagships (probably a brighter update future too).

A non-LTE dual-SIM version is available in some markets as well.

The Sony Xperia M2 is a full centimeter taller than the LG G2 mini and half a centimeter wider. It has very similar specs though if size wasn't what attracted you to the LG. The Xperia M2 has a 4.8" qHD screen with Gorilla Glass 3 and is powered by a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor running Android 4.4 KitKat.

There's an 8MP/1080p camera and LTE connectivity or a second SIM slot if you prefer. Sony recently unveiled a water proof Xperia M2 Aqua version but the pricing of that isn't clear yet.

The Motorola Moto G 4G is said to be getting a replacement soon but it's still a good deal. It has near-stock Android and a promise of fast-track software updates when a new Android version becomes available. The 4G versions fixes the two major complaints of the regular Moto G, namely, it adds a microSD card slot and 4G LTE connectivity.

The phone has a 4.5" IPS LCD with 720p resolution and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It runs Android 4.4 KitKat on a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor with 1GB RAM. It's potential downside is the camera, which is a 5MP/720p shooter.

Still, the phone has a solid build and the up-to-date software is a big plus for some.

The Sony Xperia SP is a direct competitor to the Moto G but one-ups it with an 8MP/1080p camera. The chipset is based on a dual-core Krait but more importantly it packs an Adreno 320 GPU instead of the usual 305 (used by Moto G and Optimus L7 II), so it should have double the performance in games.

The Xperia SP has an attractive metal rim and a 4.6" screen. It's a non-IPS TFT though so viewing angles aren't as good as on the Motorola.

The Acer Liquid E700 aims to be the phone to end all dual-SIM phones... because it has three SIM slots. While triple-SIM have been gimmicky no-name devices, the Liquid E700 is actually a solid contender.

It has a 5" IPS screen with 720p resolution (a hair under 300ppi) and a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor with 2GB RAM (the RAM amount is a rarity in this segment). And it runs Android 4.4 KitKat unlike many other MediaTek-powered devices. It also sports an 8MP camera and a massive 3,500mAh battery. And no, it's not particularly thick either - 9.9mm.