How to choose an inexpensive phone - expert advice

When choosing an inexpensive phone you should first of all evaluate its intended use.

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1. How to choose an inexpensive phone: what to look for
2. Types of inexpensive phones
3. What is better to choose?
4. Options for choosing inexpensive phones
5. How to choose an inexpensive button phone
6. How to choose an inexpensive smartphone
7. The best manufacturers of cheap phones
8. Cheap Samsung Phones
9. Video on the choice of the phone

How to choose an inexpensive phone: what to look for

The main technical characteristics that determine the performance and capabilities of low-cost phones are:

1. Type of device;

2. Form factor;

3. Operating system;

4. Specifications (screen, camera, etc.).

It is also worth considering the differences between smartphones and mobile phones directly, since they are intended for use in various scenarios.

Types of inexpensive phones

Mobile phones, which are in the lower price range, can be either phones themselves or smartphones. The difference lies in the possible use cases.

1. In the most general form, a smartphone is a device for interacting with the Internet. It is convenient to view news on social networks, chat on instant messengers and e-mail, surf the web, etc. Calls and SMS in such devices fade into the background.

2. But the mobile phone is a device for voice communication. It’s convenient to call, it’s convenient to receive calls ... and, in general, everything. T9-keyboard is not suitable for SMS, and photos taken on the camera of such a device will be embarrassing to view even on the screen of the device itself.

The structural differences between the devices of these classes are blurred. There are both push-button smartphones (Blackberry, Nokia E and N series) and touchscreen mobile phones (many models from Chinese manufacturers. But for simplicity, we assume that all mobile phones are push-button and all smartphones are touch-sensitive. Moreover, the current situation The market is like this.

Push button

Push-button phones of the budget segment are nothing more than "dialers" - that is, they are designed to receive and make voice calls. Other functionality, such as Internet access, is either completely curtailed or presented in a very limited form. But due to the lack of additional features, they are characterized by maximum autonomy.

Such devices are the best solution for buying for older people or for use away from the outlet (for example, in hiking trips).

 

Sensory

Inexpensive smartphones are a more universal solution that is suitable for any task: from telephone calls to Internet access. Unfortunately, the low price leads to serious limitations of functionality. For example, such smartphones can be equipped with a too weak processor or a small amount of RAM, as a result, after a while they become in principle inoperative before flashing.

What is better to choose?

If the device is purchased for an elderly relative, undemanding to modern "games" and the messengers of the child, tourist, etc. - It is recommended to pay attention to mobile phones.

If the device requires Internet access, viewing social networks, chatting in instant messengers, playing music and video, then it is better to take an inexpensive smartphone. In this case, if the budget allows, it is better to pay attention to the middle class devices. So, as of 2017, most budget smartphones are in the price range of “up to 10 thousand rubles,” but a good “middling” can be purchased for 12-16 thousand. Of course, it is a bit more expensive, but such a device will not slow down with every sneeze.

Options for choosing inexpensive phones

When choosing an inexpensive mobile phone, it is enough to take into account only the preferred form factor - the other parameters of similar devices are about the same (except that the battery is important, but hardly anyone today goes hiking for more than 1-2 weeks without a satellite phone).

But when choosing a smartphone is worth considering the many technical characteristics that determine the performance of the device.

Form factor

Modern mobile phones are available in three form factors - one-piece ("brick"), "clamshell" and "slider". They do not affect the functionality, determining mainly the convenience of use.

The main practical difference between these form factors is that to complete the call on the all-in-one you will need to press the corresponding key, but you can simply close the “clamshell” or “slider”. Therefore, it is possible to avoid accidental eavesdropping due to an incorrectly broken line.

But then the "clamshell" and "sliders" have less mechanical strength and can be broken in one sharp movement.

operating system

The vast majority of modern budget smartphones are running the Android operating system with or without interface modifications (like LG and Samsung) (Nokia), as well as firmware based on this “green robot” (Xiaomi, Meizu, Huawei).

Android OS is suitable for any "Internet operations." Thanks to the huge application store, you can install almost any application on it - clients of streaming music services, social networks, instant messengers, web portals, games and anything. The only problem is that this operating system is fragmented and its old versions do not support new programs. But its current versions strongly load the smartphone components, as a result of which it starts to slow down.

The best solution would be to buy a smartphone on the following versions of the Android OS:

1. 4.4 KitKat;

2. 6 Marshmallow;

3. 7 Nougat (but without additional "extensions" like Samsung's TouchWiz).

Alternative operating systems - Sailfish, Nokia X OS, Nokia Asha, Samsung Tizen, Microsoft Windows Mobile - are not recommended for purchase due to the limited number of applications in the respective stores.

Screen

When choosing an inexpensive phone, it is advisable to pay attention to two parameters of the screen - its diagonal and resolution.

Diagonal - the physical size of the screen. It is measured in inches from one angle to the opposite (for example, from the upper left to the lower right). The diagonal determines the comfort of using the device. The most optimal size is from 4 to 5 inches. Devices with a smaller diagonal fit too little information on the screen, and more require two-hand control.

But the screen resolution determines not only the amount of information on the display, but also power consumption. The more pixels, the more it discharges the battery. Therefore, devices with Full HD have a fairly short battery life - about 4 hours of active screen.

But the extremely small screen resolution is also not worth choosing. It will result in objects on the display being too large. In addition, the very quality of the image on the screen with a low resolution is limping on both legs.

Optimal screen resolution:

1. 640x960 or similar - for 4-inch smartphones;

2. 720x1280 or similar - for 5-inch smartphones.

Buying devices with a smaller screen or a significantly lower resolution is impractical. They are suitable except for calls.

Matrix

In budget smartphones can be used matrix, made by type IPS or AMOLED.

IPS has large viewing angles, but actively consumes battery power. AMOLED boasts even better color rendering (although it’s far from the IGZO level, but such displays are installed only in top-end smartphones), as well as less resource-intensive, but at the same time much more expensive and in addition to everything burn out over time.

CPU

Describe the characteristics of processors that are used in smartphones - at least a thankless task. The number of cores, the core clock frequency, the clock frequency of the entire module, the architecture, the core governor of the operating system, additional modules on the SoC, and a lot of characteristics all affect the performance. But you can do much easier. Check the year of release of the processor.

Therefore, it is preferable chips Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Camera

The minimum required for daily shooting camera resolution - 5 megapixels. Modules with a smaller sensor will give an image with minimal detail, as a result of which the picture will appear blurry.

It is also worth considering that some manufacturers do not indicate the actual resolution of the module, but the interpolated, and the 13-megapixel smartphone turns out to be an 8-megapixel for verification.

Memory

Smartphones use two types of memory - operational and permanent. The first is needed for the operation of the operating system, while the second stores various photos and other user documents.

RAM size

The minimum allowable amount of RAM in smartphones in 2017 is 1 GB. With a smaller value of this indicator, the device will blunt and slow down. Optimally 2 GB, if possible, take a smartphone with 3-4 GB.

Amount of permanent memory

The minimum allowable amount of permanent memory in smartphones in 2017 is 8 GB. Because 2.5 GB of them are already directly “out of the box” will be occupied by the operating system, and the rest will be “overtaken” by various applications very, very quickly.

Better, of course, 16 GB or more.

It is also worth considering that expanding the internal memory by installing a flash drive will not work. Applications in any case will not be installed on it. Flash drive is suitable for storing photos, music and movies.

Battery

The larger it is, the longer it will live on a single charge device. For budget smartphones the minimum battery capacity - 1800 mAh. Devices with a smaller battery buy pointless.

How to choose an inexpensive button phone

When choosing a button phone budget class is to build on the following options:

1. The number of SIM-cards (two more than enough);

2. Display (black and white is better than color - better readability under the sun or in difficult conditions);

3. Ergonomics (as it lies in the hand, how comfortable it is to press the buttons);

4. Battery capacity (the more - the better).

Depending on your needs, you can also pay attention to the presence of Bluetooth, headphone jack or headset, memory card slot and other parameters.

How to choose an inexpensive smartphone

When choosing an inexpensive smartphone you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Operating system (preferably one of the above);

2. The amount of permanent and RAM;

3. Other specifications;

4. Battery capacity;

5. Manufacturer.

The manufacturer is very important. For example, budget smartphones Xiaomi are more durable and practical than the model Doogee from the same price range.

The best manufacturers of cheap phones

In 2017, the best manufacturers of budget phones and smartphones are:

1. Nokia, Fly, Texet (mobile phones, not smartphones);

2. Nokia;

3. Huawei;

4. LG;

5. Xiaomi;

6. Sony;

7. Meizu.

You can also mention the company Samsung, but it is better known for its average price and flagship segments. "Successful" budget devices from this manufacturer are rare.

Cheap Samsung Phones

Speaking of Samsung, we can mention the following devices that can be used today without any special brakes and other troubles:

1. The J series is an ultrabudgetary ruler, in which smartphones are found at a price of several thousand rubles (and more specifically, J1 costs about 5000-6000). Model J1 Mini Prime, J1, J2 Prime, J3, J5, J7 are optimal for buying;

2. Series A - a line of devices of the budget and mid-price segment. To purchase fit any smartphones in this series.

Even the same smartphone models can have different prices. The cost is influenced by the body color, configuration (Mini, normal or Prime), the amount of permanent memory and many other parameters. Therefore, when choosing a smartphone you should pay attention to the technical characteristics of the device.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose quadrocoptersecrets MP3 player selection and major factors voice recorder selection.

Video on the choice of the phone

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.