Regardless of how much money you can justify spending on a smartphone, having a budget beater, whether it is a daily driver or a backup, is an increasingly wise financial decision. Smartphone manufacturers have noticed the massive demand for entry-level smartphones that imitate the specifications, features, and design cues of famous flagships.
Even the most affordable models from the likes of Motorola, Huawei, and Sony are great devices that manage to squeeze in a ton of value. But not all budget smartphones are created equal. There are many devices that fall short in certain departments or have underlying issues that seriously impede their usage.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of budget smartphones that offer much more than their price tag suggests, making them a solid choice for any smartphone owner in 2018. Don’t forget to check out Hddmag.Com for reviews of the accessories you can pick up for your smartphone with all the money you’ve just saved.
Motorola Moto G5
With every release to date, Motorola’s G-series has achieved critical acclaim across the board for providing one of the best Android experiences on any smartphone, i.e. one without the excessive bloat and unnecessary features. Luckily for the G5, even after Lenovo’s acquisition of the company, the software remains virtually untouched.
The hardware is a little more Lenovo, but nonetheless impressive. Featuring a fingerprint sensor, a sharp 5” IPS LCD display, 2800 mAh worth of battery, and up to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, the Moto G5 is competing with players in much higher price brackets without even trying to.
Sony Xperia XA1
It’s hard to believe that Sony’s world-class design standards and powerful software would ever make it to a budget phone, but the XA1 is exactly that. The aluminum frame encases a beautifully crafted phone with virtually no side bezels, giving it a distinctive and futuristic look. The 5” IPS LCD is only 720p, but this does ensure a few hours of additional battery life from the 2300 mAh cell.
The eight-megapixel front-facing camera features a f/2.0 aperture, putting it above most smartphones when it comes to selfies. The 13-megapixel rear camera is no slouch either, utilizing Sony’s higher-end technology to snap pixel-perfect images and videos.
Huawei P8 Lite 2017
Unlike the original P8 Lite, the Chinese manufacturer’s new iteration features a premium aluminum and glass build, along with an impressive 5.2” 1080p panel up front. The hybrid dual SIM slots allow you to use two SIM cards or one SD card and one SIM, although the 16GB of base storage will likely see you utilizing the latter setup.
Opting for the slightly more expensive 4GB RAM version opens you up to 64GB of internal storage, something only found in flagships a mere few years ago. The P8 Lite 2017 also features a fingerprint reader and NFC, along with Android 7.0 Nougat.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer your smartphones designed in the US, Japan, or China, you can rest assured that they’ll last you forever if taken care of. The days of having to buy a top-end phone for an enjoyable smartphone experience are long gone.
