Pick one of the Best Affordable Smartphones if you’re strapped for cash but don’t want to skimp on features. You could find one with outstanding cameras, 120Hz displays, and contemporary styling. The issue with cheap phones is that although some are subpar and not worth your time, a select few excel in one or two areas and are thus excellent values in their own right. With many fantastic alternatives, you may obtain the things you want without paying a lot.
Although you may prefer to purchase these smartphones outright and then pay solely for your minutes, texts, and data, if you can manage it, the best budget phones are also more enticing in the long run owing to lower contract pricing. Additionally, most students enrolled in full-time study will shop in this region.
What Defines an “Affordable” Smartphone?
- Price Range:
- The term “affordable” can be subjective and varies based on individual budgets. Generally, in the context of the smartphone market, affordable phones might be priced considerably lower than flagship models. This could range anywhere from one-third to half the price of premium models or even less.
- Market Comparisons:
- An affordable smartphone’s price is often compared to the average price of the leading smartphones in the market. Anything priced significantly below this average can be deemed as affordable.
- Feature-to-Price Ratio:
- It’s not just about a low price. The device should offer commendable features and performance for the price it’s tagged at.
- Consumer Demographics:
- Affordable smartphones target a demographic that desires functionality without the hefty price tag. This can include students, first-time smartphone users, or budget-conscious consumers.
Key Features to Look for in Budget Smartphones:
- Performance:
- Even at a lower price point, the device should have a competent processor, sufficient RAM, and decent storage options to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Camera Capabilities:
- A good primary camera, along with features like portrait mode, HDR, and more. Front cameras with decent selfie capabilities are also a plus.
- Battery Life:
- The phone should last at least a full day on a single charge, with some models offering even longer battery lives.
- Display:
- A clear and bright display, preferably with HD or higher resolution. The size of the display should also cater to modern-day content consumption needs.
- Software Updates:
- Availability of software updates, ensuring that the device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features.
- Build Quality:
- Even if made of plastic or other budget materials, the build should be durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Best Affordable Smartphones in Pakistan
The best inexpensive Android phones can be found easily. We have listed our favorite budget-friendly smartphones below if you’re searching for one.
Oppo A95
Rs.41,999/$260
Released 15-Nov-21
160.3 x 73.8 x 8 mm
Android 11 OS
128GB Storage
6.4"
1080 x 2400
48MP
Camera
8GB
RAM
5000
mAh
The Oppo A95 is a promising affordable smartphone, offering a complete package for the budget-conscious buyer. Its 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution boasts excellent viewing angles and vibrant colors, offering an exceptional visual experience. The performance, driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor combined with 8GB of RAM, makes everyday tasks and light gaming a breeze, making this affordable phone an excellent performer in its price range.
The phone carries a 48MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. While the daylight photos turn out well, detailed with a good dynamic range, the low-light performance is a bit underwhelming. However, considering it is an affordable phone, the camera performance is quite acceptable. A massive plus point is the device’s 5000mAh battery, which supports 33W fast charging, giving you more time on your phone and less time spent on charging.
Vivo Y21
Rs.59,699/$208.60
Released 19-Aug-21
164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm
Android 11 OS
64GB Storage
6.5"
720 x 1600
13MP
Camera
4GB
RAM
5000
mAh
The Vivo Y21 is a strong contender in the affordable phone market. It offers a 6.51-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, a great size for enjoying media on a budget. The MediaTek Helio P35 that powers the Vivo Y21 is efficient for basic tasks and light gaming, ensuring a smooth experience for users looking for a budget-friendly device without compromising performance.
As an affordable phone, the Vivo Y21 offers a decent camera setup with a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, capable of capturing good quality photos in well-lit conditions. The device is also powered by a reliable 5000mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting usage and minimizing the need for frequent charging.
Vivo Y33S
Rs.51,999/$181.69
Released 23-Aug-21
164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm
Android 11 OS
128GB Storage
6.6"
1080 x 2408
50MP
Camera
8GB
RAM
5000
mAh
The Vivo Y33S is another solid option for those looking for an affordable phone with great features. It comes with a large 6.58-inch IPS LCD, a delight for those who enjoy streaming videos or playing games on their smartphones. It’s powered by MediaTek Helio G80, a solid choice for a budget-friendly phone, which ensures that most apps and games run smoothly.
A 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor provide the photographic abilities of this affordable phone. The photographs taken in bright light are generally of good quality, with good color reproduction and clarity. One of the strongest features of the Vivo Y33S is its large 5000mAh battery, which is accompanied by 18W fast charging – an impressive feat for an affordable phone.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
Rs.104,999/$354
Released 09-May-23
162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm
Android 13 OS
256GB Storage
6.7"
1440 x 3200
64MP
Camera
8GB
RAM
5160
mAh
As an affordable phone, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro manages to punch well above its weight. It offers a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate – a standout feature in this price range. It runs on the powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, which ensures speedy performance and efficient multitasking, making this phone an excellent choice for those seeking a balance between affordability and performance.
The camera department comprises a 64MP main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide lens, and 5MP macro lens. In good lighting, it captures crisp and vibrant photos. The battery capacity is a healthy 4520mAh, offering a full day of use, coupled with 33W fast charging, making it an attractive choice as an affordable phone.
Samsung Galaxy A32
Rs.75,999/$264.42
Released 24-Feb-21
158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm
Android 11 OS
128GB Storage
6.4"
1080 x 2400
64MP
Camera
6GB
RAM
5000
mAh
As a member of Samsung’s affordable phone range, the Galaxy A32 impresses with its strong feature set. The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution offers a smooth and immersive viewing experience, setting it apart in the affordable phone market. Powered by MediaTek Helio G80, the Galaxy A32 offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks.
The Galaxy A32 is equipped with a versatile camera setup: a 64MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide lens, 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP depth sensor. These cameras offer good photo quality in optimal lighting conditions, which is commendable for an affordable phone. The device also houses a hefty 5000mAh battery, ensuring extended use and offering 15W fast charging.
Google Pixel 5
Rs.194,999/$951.55
Released 14-Oct-20
144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in)
Android 11, upgradable to Android 12
128GB Storage
6.0"
1080 x 2340
16MP
Camera
8GB
RAM
4080
mAh
The Google Pixel 5 stands out as an affordable phone that excels in camera performance. The 6.0-inch OLED display offers great color accuracy and contrast, making it great for media consumption. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 765G, ensuring smooth daily tasks and casual gaming performance.
The highlight of the Pixel 5 is undoubtedly its camera. Equipped with a 12.2MP main sensor and a 16MP ultra-wide sensor, it produces excellent photos with high dynamic range and detail, which is rare in the affordable phone market. The Pixel 5 also features an admirable battery life, with a 4080mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging and wireless charging.
Motorola Moto G62 5G
Rs.54,999/$264.84
Released 29-Jun-22
161.8 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13
128GB Storage
6.5"
1080 x 2400
50MP
Camera
4GB
RAM
5000
mAh
What you get with the Moto G62 5g is a strong plastic build quality superior to other phones at this price, a clean version of Android 12, and updates made only where it can make them better rather than just adding features for its own sake.
One of the greatest inexpensive phones available is this one. Despite having an LCD screen as opposed to an OLED panel, there is a fantastic always-on display that allows you to instantly read and access alerts, which no other phone manufacturer offers. It’s a terrific alternative to Xiaomi’s crowded UI. Despite the strength of that brand’s inexpensive phones, you can overlook any performance hiccups from time to time because of how elegant this phone’s software is.
The Mobile has three cameras on the back, although it can be a stretch to call them all decent. Fortunately, the 50Mp primary sensor is reliable and will produce superb daytime photos. You have a fantastic inexpensive phone alternative when combined with the long battery life of the 5000mAh cell, which we sometimes discovered reached the end of the day at 50%.
Samsung Galaxy A54
Rs.84,999/$305
Released 24-Mar-23
158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
128GB Storage
6.4"
1080 x 2340
50MP
Camera
6GB
RAM
5000
mAh
Even if the Galaxy A53 from the previous year was excellent, the Galaxy A54 outperforms it in every crucial way for smartphone consumers. The Galaxy A54 can compete with the Google Pixel 6a’s outstanding cameras since the primary camera is now the same 50MP senso. The Galaxy A54 competes well in head-to-head comparisons, sometimes even outperforming the Pixel 6a’s performance, especially in low light.
The 6.4-inch OLED display is more vibrant and brighter than the Galaxy A53’s screen. Additionally, the Galaxy A54 has longer battery life, outlasting the average smartphone on our battery test by 30 minutes. We like the Galaxy A54’s vibrant appearance, especially the Awesome Violet model. Even though the Galaxy A54’s display is excellent, those bezels are obvious, and we wish the Exynos 1380 CPU improved performance more than it does.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
Rs.54,999/$208
Released 31-Oct-21
159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm
Android 11 OS
64GB Storage
6.6"
1080 x 2400
50MP
Camera
4GB
RAM
5000
mAh
With improvements across the board, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is an even more enticing alternative than ever before. Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is the smartphone we advise all other budget-friendly choices available on the market. The Snapdragon 680 CPU inside Xiaomi’s newest low-cost phone achieved speeds that were readily comparable to those of devices costing twice as much.
The huge 6.43in FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate is also a treat, as is the triple camera array, which includes a sizable 50MP sensor. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is the epitome of a low-cost smartphone, establishing the standard for future low-cost devices. These high-end specifications are often seen in flagship phones, so it’s a real pleasure to find them on a phone that costs much less. You will find a little better at this pricing.
Google Pixel 6A
Rs.94,999/$463.57
Released 20-Jul-22
152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
Android 12
128GB Storage
6.1"
1080 x 2400
12MP
Camera
6GB
RAM
4410
mAh
Google Pixel 6a is undoubtedly the quickest phone on our list with its six gigabytes of RAM and Tensor processor, which also drives the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6a has the same sensor as the Pixel 5 and 5a. Therefore, it lacks the large 50-megapixel main camera sensor in the Pixel 6 but still produces excellent images. Google has extensive expertise with this camera gear. It also has Google’s version of Android, and security upgrades will be provided for five years.
The Pixel 6a has its challenges; if you reside in a location with poor wireless coverage, the 6a’s worse-than-average reception should cause you some concern. Unlike other mid-range alternatives, the 6a remains with a 60Hz OLED, and the fingerprint sensor below that screen isn’t very swift. Additionally, there is no headphone jack (a first for the a-series) or wireless charging. However, there is much to enjoy here if you value speed, camera performance, and build quality. It’s not just the finest Android phone; it’s almost the best.
Tips for Purchasing a Smartphone on a Budget:
- Research and Reviews:
- Before making a purchase, extensively research and read user reviews online to gauge the performance and user satisfaction of the device.
- Avoid Impulse Buying:
- Sales and discounts might be tempting, but always assess if the device truly meets your needs before buying.
- Warranty and After-sales Service:
- Always purchase from a place that offers a warranty. It’s also beneficial if the brand has a good service center network for any repairs or servicing needs.
- Compare Different Models:
- Often, brands release multiple models in the same price range. Comparing specifications and features can help you get the best value for money.
- Check for Promotions or Bundles:
- Some brands offer bundle deals with additional accessories or services. These can add value to your purchase.
- Buy During Sale Seasons:
- Festive seasons, end-of-year sales, or brand promotions can offer significant discounts on smartphones, making a budget purchase even more affordable.
FAQs
What should I look for when choosing an affordable phone?
When looking for an affordable phone, consider the performance, camera quality, display quality, and battery life. Ensure that the phone can handle the tasks you need it for, such as gaming, multitasking, or basic browsing. For camera quality, check reviews to see how the phone performs in various lighting conditions. Display quality is important for media consumption, while battery life should be sufficient to last through your typical day.
Are affordable phones good for gaming?
While affordable phones may not provide the same gaming experience as premium models, many offer decent performance for light to moderate gaming. For instance, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro and Vivo Y33S feature capable processors that can handle many popular games. However, if you're into heavy gaming, you might want to consider a phone with a more powerful processor.
Can I get good camera quality with an affordable phone?
Yes, many affordable phones offer decent to good camera quality for their price. For example, the Google Pixel 5 and Galaxy A54 are known for their excellent camera performance, providing great photo quality in optimal lighting conditions. However, keep in mind that low-light performance may not be as good as in premium phones.
How does the battery life compare among these affordable phones?
Most of the affordable phones listed have a strong battery life, often lasting a full day or more on a single charge. The Oppo A95, Vivo Y21, and Vivo Y33S, for example, all boast 5000mAh batteries. However, exact battery life can vary based on usage. Always check reviews for a more accurate estimation of battery life based on real-world use.
What operating systems do these affordable phones use?
Most affordable phones use Android, with varying versions depending on the phone model and its release date. For instance, the Motorola Moto G62 5G runs on Android 12. Always check the phone specifications to see what operating system and version it comes with.
Conclusion
Choosing what features are important to you and what you can have without will help you choose the finest budget smartphone. Even the greatest inexpensive phones don’t have everything; since they are so inexpensive, there are virtually always poorer components.
Affordable smartphones of 2023 sometimes feature a single back camera and one front camera. But there are a few inexpensive smartphones with top-notch cameras if having a strong lens is crucial to you. Whatever the case, it will be simpler to choose which of our top recommendations for the best cheap phones is suitable for you after you have determined what you need and don’t need.
