There are new smartphones hitting the market constantly, but which is the best buy when you’re trying to save a buck or two (or hundred)? We’ve seen some great launches this year and we’re only expecting more over the coming weeks, but for now, let’s go over the best budget Android smartphones you can go pick up today…
New For June:
Moto G4 Family
First off let’s talk new releases. Just last month Lenovo announced the latest generation of Moto G devices and from initial impression, they seem pretty solid. Two models were introduced including the Moto G4 and the slightly upgraded Moto G4 Plus.
Both phones share 5.5-inch 1080p displays with Gorilla Glass 3 and the Snapdragon 617 processor under the hood. They also both pack 3,000 mAh batteries with support for fast charging. Last but not least, they also both share near-stock builds of Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
The differences come into play in the camera department. Both have 5MP front cameras, but the standard G4 has a 13MP sensor with the G4 Plus getting a slightly better 16MP sensor with Lenovo’s ‘Hybrid Focus’ autofocus system. The G4 Plus also packs a fingerprint sensor on the front which can recognize and unlock the phone in less than 750 milliseconds.
The G4 Plus will be available with 2, 3, or 4GB of RAM with 16, 32, or 64GB of internal storage. The standard G4 will carry 2GB of RAM with either 16 or 32GB of storage. microSD card slots are of course available for both.
At the time of publishing, these phones are only available in India, coming in at $225 or less, but they should be making their US debut shortly following Lenovo Tech World this Thursday.
From Earlier This Year:
Honor 5X
It’s no doubt that one of the more impressive releases earlier in the year was the Honor 5X from Huawei. With an all-metal build, solid specs, and a price tag under $200, it was a no-brainer for many consumers. Six months after the release, the 5X is still without a doubt a device we can recommend for its price.
With a Snapdragon 616 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 13MP rear camera, and built-in fingerprint sensor, this is a great device for just about anyone.
It’s available unlocked for use on all GSM carriers and you can pick it up right now for $199 brand new. One thing we’re glad to see though is that several retailers have been offering the phone for as little as $159 on special deals, so be sure to stay tuned to 9to5Toys if you’re on the lookout for this phone.
The Honor 5X is available for $199.
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OnePlus X
Another great budget Android smartphone that impressed us toward the end of 2015 was the OnePlus X. While its specs proved a bit outdated at the time, it still provided solid performance with a beautiful glass and metal design. Better yet, it sells for the recently reduced price of just $199 unlocked and invite free.
The OnePlus X comes with a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, Android Lollipop, and an incredible 5” AMOLED display. The 13MP rear camera proves solid as well, although one thing you’ll want to keep an eye on is band compatibility with your cellular network.
The OnePlus X is available from OnePlus for $199.
Follow 9to5Google’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break for the latest deals.
Blu Life One X
Easily the least expensive option to land on our list this month was the BLU Life One X. At $149 it’s a solid deal with a 5.2” 1080p display and MediaTek 6753 processor. Under the hood you’ll also find 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear camera, and a 5MP front camera.
What’s nice about the One X is that, despite being cheaper than the other smartphones found on this list, it still finds a way to pack an aluminum frame, large 2,900 mAh battery, and full support for T-Mobile’s LTE network. You’ll even get a solid design to sweeten the deal. It even has a Marshmallow update in the pipeline.
You can grab the One X exclusively from Amazon for $149.
Follow 9to5Google’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break for the latest deals.
Alcatel GO Play
Another great Android smartphone that flew under the radar a bit this year was the Alcatel GO Play. It features a 5” display, Snapdragon 410 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage, however what makes this one unique is the IP67 water/dust resistance rating.
While we’re not fans of the flaps, the GO Play is a solid choice for those who spend extra time outdoors and don’t want to worry about their phone getting wet or dirty.
This certainly isn’t a great pick for those looking for a powerful yet cheap Android smartphone, but at $199 you won’t find a better option sporting this level of water/dust resistance.
Follow 9to5Google’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break for the latest deals.
Nexus 5X (w/ Project Fi)
One last honorable mention is the Nexus 5X. While this doesn’t fall under our $299 price ceiling, it does do so when paired with Google’s Project Fi network. Picking up the phone with Fi service cuts the price down all the way to just $199 and to help things out even more, you might even save a bit of cash using a Fi plan.
As for specs, the Nexus 5X packs a 5.2” 1080p display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of storage, and Android Marshmallow out of the box. You’ll also get a spectacular 12MP camera on the back, 5MP shooter on the front, and even a front facing speaker.
Pricing without Fi starts at $349, however we’ve seen numerous deals over the past few weeks that take even the 32GB variant well under $300. Keep your eye out and you’ll see some solid deals come.
Follow 9to5Google’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break for the latest deals.
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