Buying a new smartphone on a budget can be difficult. It often feels as if you have to spend hundreds of pounds or settle for a subpar device. It doesn’t have to be this way though, as a budget smartphone doesn’t have to be a bad smartphone.
Cutting Corners Carefully
Budget phones inevitably have to cut corners compared to flagship models, which is why they’re available at a lower price. But just because a phone has cut corners, that doesn’t mean it cannot include useful features. It all comes down to how careful the designers were when deciding which corners to cut. If they have been strategic in their decision-making, they will have stripped out the less essential features while still leaving plenty for the user to enjoy.
The tcl 10l is a perfect example of a budget smartphone that retains quality features. The screen and cameras included on the 10L are a cut above what you would expect from a smartphone at the price point.
Stick to Your Budget
There are smartphones available today at every conceivable price point. You can find a basic smartphone for as little as $50, whereas a new flagship can set you back more than $1,000. For anyone looking for a budget smartphone, this presents them with numerous options.
It’s up to you how much you want to spend. Obviously, the more you spend, the better the phones available to you. But the price is not the only indicator of quality. Just because a phone costs a little bit more, that doesn’t mean it’s automatically better. This is especially true when you are dealing with budget phones.
Once you have set your budget, make sure that you stay within it. Before you pull the trigger on any purchase, check the tech specs of the phone to make sure that it is suitable for your needs.
Check the Design and Build Quality
Whenever possible, you should hold a phone in your hand before you commit to buying it. Especially within the budget phone market, numerous handsets have a premium look, but a decidedly cheap feel. The only way you can be sure that a phone is well constructed and comfortable to use is to hold it physically.
If this isn’t an option for you, make sure that when you are researching handsets online, you pay attention to user reports regarding the feel and durability of the device.
Buying Used
If you are working on a tight budget, but budget smartphones are not doing anything for you, you might want to consider buying used. If you are willing to buy a used handset, you can get a more modern and relatively powerful phone at a reasonable price.
As long as you purchase from a reputable seller, there are few risks involved in buying a second-hand smartphone. A private sale carries more risks; it is difficult to return a smartphone for a refund if you bought it off a random stranger. But if you buy through a platform such as eBay, you will have some level of buyer protection.
Budget smartphones have come a long way in recent years. Just because you aren’t spending hundreds of pounds, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a decent phone.