Buyer’s Guide - TOP 10 BUDGET BUYS

IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A SMARTPHONE ON A SHOE-STRING, CHECK OUT THESE LOW-COST MOBILE MUST-HAVES

Moto G

The Moto X’s budget cousin set new standards for the low-cost phone when it launched last year and
continues to dominate. While it is made of a cheap plastic and has limited memory, the Moto G has
not compromised on screen quality, which is 4.5 inches of sturdy Gorilla Glass 3 and offers 1280 x
720 pixels, perfect for most users. Running near stock Android, Motorola has confirmed Moto G’s next
upgrade will be Android L, ensuring future proofing for some time.

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Moto E

Available for under £100, SIM free, and no contract, the Moto E is the ultimate no-strings attached
smartphone. A sturdy, splashproof case, 1980mAh battery that will go the distance and micro SD to
expand the tiny 1GB memory, the Moto E is an impressive build that won’t break the bank. Read more...


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Samsung Galaxy Ace 3

While Samsung’s high-end handsets get a lot of attention, the company has a much broader range.
The Galaxy Ace 3 is now on its third incarnation, and at £174 it sits neatly in the budget to mid-range
category. This is a 4G handset with a distinctive Samsung look and features. Read more...



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HTC Desire 300

Made in the same mould as the HTC One M8, this phone has a similar design but is made of cheaper
hardware, with plastic chassis and lacking the BoomSound speakers. It does boast the much-lauded
BlinkFeed to view all your social networks, but poor specs leave us questioning the price tag. Read more...



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Acer Liquid Z5

A good-looking phone with tapered edges, the Acer Liquid Z5 offers a stylish alternative to most black
brick handsets. Its innovative Float Apps interface also makes it easy to multi-task apps. However,
humdrum specs, like a low-res screen, leave it ranking low in the competitive world of budget phones. Read more...



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Nokia X

The announcement of a slimmer, faster Nokia X2 coming later this year has driven the Nokia X down,
but this original Microsoft-Android hybrid still deserves attention. A best-selling handset in India and
Pakistan, it has great build quality with a tough polycarbonate chassis available in a range of colours. Read more...



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Alcatel One Touch Idol Mini

The understated style and low-end specs make the Alcatel One Touch Idol Mini a great option for
first-time or light users. SwiftKey as the default keyboard is a welcome addition, however it’s hard to
justify the excessive bloatware on a phone that only has 4GB storage. Read more...



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Huawei Ascend Y300

While only offering a dual-core processor is going to damn this Huawei in the eyes of many potential
buyers, it shouldn’t be dismissed quickly. The well-reviewed Ascend Y530 is only a slight spec upgrade
on the Y300, but is around double the price. Ideal for young or cash-strapped users. Read more...



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ZTE Blade V

The cheapest quad-core phone on the market, the ZTE Blade V has enough power to blast through
most tasks, including graphically demanding games. But beyond its bargain price there is little to get
excited about here, with questionable build quality, not enough RAM and a third-rate camera. Read more...



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