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The best phones don’t necessarily have to cost a fortune. If anything, budget phones of today are now armed with the latest systems and standout capabilities that can give high-end brands a run for their money.

Truth be told, manufacturers tend to cut corners in terms of features and functionalities to make up for the set price point. Hence, the higher the phone specs, the more expensive it gets. That’s why it’s imperative to prioritize and re-assess your smartphone needs for you to come up with a calculated decision right before hitting the store. The key here is to do your due diligence and research for you to get the right balance of everything.

All things considered, look out for these common variables to consider in a budget phone:

Price Threshold

As said, the price typically correlates with the phone’s overall features; although it does not necessarily mean that quality and performance will likely take the hit. Match your budget with the phone models that favor your set price range. From this point, you’ll be able to slim down your choices.

 

Battery life

If you’re one of those heavy users who stream videos, browse through the web, or play mobile games non-stop, It’s best to go for a unit that has at least 3500 mAh of battery power or above to last you through the day.

 

Durability

Select a handset that promises a rigid build – preferably the ones housed in a shock-resistant metal or plastic chassis with tempered or gorilla glass coating. If possible, look for a phone with a considerable IP Rating.

budget friendly phones 2021 in terms of durability

Chipset

The chipset or processor is the brain of the smartphone. It determines the efficiency of your unit in terms of overall function. Look for a unit with chipsets that offer at least quad-core with a clock speed running no lower than 1.8GHz.

 

Storage & RAM Capacity

An ideal phone must have a decent RAM and storage capacity to function properly. A decent phone typically offers 4GB of RAM, with 32GB worth of storage for file safekeeping. If within reach, go for phones that offer expandable storage to accommodate more apps and other saved items.

 

Operating System

Be it iOS or Android, the important thing to note is to be sure you’re getting a phone that has the latest operating system to avoid app compatibility, security, and performance issues. Android is on its 11th iterations, but it’s still safe to settle for the Android 10. Apple is on its iOS14.8, while Huawei has just released its own proprietary OS, the HarmonyOS.

 

Compatibility and Connectivity

Manufacturers leverage on the arrival of the 5G. Nevertheless, LTE is still widely in use and it’s still safe to stick to it. On the technical side, it’s also best to check the list of bands to ensure it goes well with the network carrier of your choice.

 

Extra Features

Check on the phone’s extra features that can complement your needs such as extra camera, security features, larger screen, fingerprint or face recognition, shockproof form factor, VR/AR-capabilities, etc. The options are far and wide.

 

 

The best budget-friendly smartphones of 2021

iPhone SE 2nd Gen

where to buy original iPhone SE 2nd Gen budget friendly phone

In its basic form, the iPhone SE offers much of the same features you’ll find on an iPhone 11, minus the Night Mode cam function and the sizable form. It showcases the right balance of battery life, high-end performance brought by Apple’s A13 Bionic Chip, camera capabilities, durability, and Dual-SIM flexibility at a slashed-down price. And although it technically belongs to the 2020 list, being included here goes to show that Apple’s test dive on the budget-phone segment proves effective.

 

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

original budget friendly Samsung Galaxy A52 5G phone

For a budget foray, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a lot of coverage in its features that are almost exclusively present on high-end phones. It is equipped with a quad-lens rear camera setup and a 6.5-inch display at 120Hz refresh rate with 32MP center punch hole front camera, plus guaranteed security updates and OS support/upgrades for at least three years.

 

Google Pixel 4A

original and budget friendly phone Google Pixel 4A available in the philippines

Source: Tech Radar

Google has no intentions of overdoing its products. Case in point: the Google Pixel 4A. Its overall performance may not be as head-turner as Samsung’s or Apple’s. Rather, it offers an adequate balance of efficiency with an added kick of standout mobile photography capabilities, a massive 128GB storage, and guaranteed software updates for the next couple of years or so.

 

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

original and budget friendly phone OnePlus Nord N10 5G available in the philippines

Source: Tech Advisor

OnePlus’ Nord N10 5G is the embodiment of “affordable premium” with its array of value-added features. This 5G-ready phone is fitted with Snapdragon 690 chipset powered by an Octa-Core GPU, 6GB RAM, and 128GB storage that’s expandable up to 512GB. On top of this, the phone also highlights its quad-cam setup, 6.49 IPS LCD display in full-HD with 90Hz refresh rate, dual speakers, and Warp Charge 3T. 

 

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

original and budget friendly phone Motorola Moto G Power (2021) in the philippines

Source: Tom’s Guide

The Motorola Moto G Power has a little bit of everything, and it’s not bad all. It has an internal storage capacity of 32GB, a reasonable processor speed, and above-average camera capabilities – solid enough to get through the day of multitasking, entertainment, and gaming usage. But when all is said and done, let it be known that Moto G Power stayed true to its word of having a battery that can outlast up to days.

 

TCL 10L

budget friendly phone TCL 10L available in the philippines

TCL’s 10L stands in the middle ground among budget phones with top-notch features. Overall, the phone offers absolute performance, thanks to its Snapdragon 665 Chipset, backed by 5GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage that’s expandable up to 256GB. The unit’s massive 6.54-inch LCD Display with center hole camera fully mounts the front side, boasting a massive 91% screen-to-body ratio – perfect for casual gaming and video streaming.

Weighing options for your next smartphone purchase? Get to see these #TechAssured awesome budget-friendly smartphones in the flesh when you #CheckCyberzone at your nearest SM branch!

 

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