Looking for a new smartphone but on a tight budget? Luckily when it comes to phones that won’t drain your bank balance, you still have plenty of choices. So many that you might find yourself asking, “what is the best cheap mobile phone?”
There’s no one correct answer. It depends on factors like what features you need, which brands you prefer, and whether you’re an iOS or Android person. With the staggering variety of affordable smartphones on the market, there are seemingly endless options for where to buy cheap mobile phones and which ones to buy. So, where do you begin?
You could start by looking at refurbished smartphones.
Refurbished smartphones are secondhand smartphones that have been thoroughly tested to ensure they’re fully functioning and repaired if necessary. While repairs can be major or minor, a refurbished phone sold through a quality retailer works just as well as a brand-new store-bought one. While refurbished phones sometimes come with a couple of minor dents and scratches, often the condition they’re in is good as new or close to it.
Refurbished phones are a lot cheaper than store-bought phones, so you can potentially save hundreds of dollars when you buy one. You also help save the environment by rescuing another used smartphone from ending up at the tip. And no matter which brand or style of smartphone you most prefer, OzMobiles are sure to have something for you in stock.
To really save some money, buy a secondhand smartphone and buy refurbished! But what is the best cheap mobile phone to buy? Some OzMobiles top picks include
Google Pixel 6a
Google Pixel is the line of smartphones developed and manufactured entirely in-house by the famous search engine. They have a lot going for them, including groundbreaking camera technology, Google Assistant and the Google Tensor Chip. The Pixel 6a is one of Google’s most affordable models, and it doesn’t neglect the qualities people love about Pixel phones.
Pros
The Pixel 6a is fast and compact, with a high-quality camera and reliable software. The design is slick and attractive, and the battery life is long.
Cons
There’s no headphone jack. There’s also no micro-card SD slot, so the 128GB storage it comes with is all you get.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Samsung offer the most popular phones on the market, with their flagship Galaxy line the number one competitor to the iPhone. Samsung phones tend to be expensive due to their innovative and up-to-date technology and hardware, clear picture quality, high resolution, and high water resistance. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is one of their cheaper models, and it has many of the drawcards that make Samsung such a popular brand.
Pros
As the name indicates, this phone is 5G-compatible. It’s stylish, with decent battery life and 4K video recording.
Cons
It lacks a charging adaptor and a 3.5-metre audio jack.
iPhone SE
Apple’s iconic iPhone runs on Apple’s innovative iOS system and can easily be integrated with Apple’s other devices. It’s acclaimed for its sleek design, user-friendly interface, high speed and security. But if the sometimes hefty price tag that often comes with buying a brand new flagship iPhone is a bit off-putting, an iPhone SE is a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t require compromising on quality.
Pros
Benefits of the iPhone SE include long battery life, 5G compatibility, a fast A15 bionic chip and high water resistance.
Cons
The design of the SE is a little smaller than some customers may like. It only comes with a single camera and doesn’t include night mode.
Galaxy A32 5G
If you love the idea of owning a Samsung Galaxy phone but don’t love the high price tag, the affordable A32 5G still has a tonne of the features Samsung Galaxy users have come to love.
Pros
The Galaxy A32 comes with very fast 5G speed, long-lasting battery power, multiple cameras and expandable storage.
Cons
Some customers may find the design a little awkward or plain. The screen is low-resolution.
Google Pixel 5a
The Pixel 5a is cheaper than most Google phones but no less innovative or secure. The might of the Google Tensor continues to work its magic, and the phone is easy on the wallet while packing the features of some larger, more expensive units.
Pros
It comes with a larger battery than the Pixel 4a. It also packs a large, bright OLED display, 5G compatibility and a dual camera set-up including an ultra-wide lens.
Cons
It only comes in one colour (black) and doesn’t have a zoom lens or a high-refresh display.
Huawei Honor 8 Lite
Huawei have cheaper smartphones than Apple and Samsung, but their phones have the functionality, features and tech to rival both of these smartphone giants. With stylish design and impressive photography, Huawei gives you value for money and then some! The Honor 8 Lite keeps up Huawei’s high-quality standards but on a smaller and simpler scale.
Pros
Small and stylish, it comes with decent storage capabilities, including expandable storage using a microSD card.
Cons
It only comes with one camera rather than two, which means a small compromise on photo quality.
Sony Xperia L4
Sony’s Xperia phones have the high-tech features and functionality you’d expect from a world-famous tech company. They’re renowned for their high-tech cameras and their easy connection to other devices. The Sony Xperia L4 offers the best of both worlds in terms of quality and price. It may be a “budget” phone, but it certainly keeps up with the best.
Pros
Great performance, multiple cameras and a big 21:9 screen.
Cons
The battery life tends to last around one day, which may be too short a timeframe for some users.
Oppo Reno8 Lite 5G
Oppo makes high-quality Android phones that deliver value for money across all price points, including their budget phones. Oppo phones have great cameras and battery life, and the budget-friendly Reno8 Lite 5G is no exception.
Pros
Fantastic-looking design with Rainbow Spectrum Colourway, dual orbit lights for something different and interesting, great camera and photography.
Cons
Some screen colours can be dull, and the built-in speaker has no bass boost.
Where to Buy Cheap Mobile Phones
With all these options, two questions on your mind may be ‘what is the best cheap mobile phone?’ and where to buy cheap mobile phones.
Your best choice for getting your hands on a second-hand phone in excellent condition is to buy refurbished, and the number one place to buy refurbished smartphones is OzMobiles!
Even if you’re still undecided about what is the best cheap mobile phone, a quick look through our website is sure to help you find something you like. Our refurbished phones are tested rigorously at our Melbourne headquarters to ensure they comply with Australian standards. They’re also covered under a warranty that includes manufacturing faults and battery life, and there’s a 30-day risk-free return policy.
If you have your eye on a smartphone but can’t afford to pay the total price upfront, we offer payment in instalments through services like PayPal, AfterPay and ZipPay.
Still wondering, “what is the best cheap mobile phone to buy?” or need more info about any of our brands? Get in touch with OzMobiles!
