On a budget? Here's a great Android phone for less
Finding the right phone for you can be very difficult, especially if you place a high importance on price. We did our research and scoured the web for the best budget Android phones and we've narrowed down the best picks for you.
The Nokia 7.1 is currently the best budget Android phone you can buy right now. It blends impressive performance, unique hardware, and up-to-date software in a package that won't break the bank.
Our pick
Nokia 7.1
The most bang for your buck
Going with the Nokia 7.1 is one of the best decisions you can make. It's outstanding in just about every aspect: hardware, software and overall performance. Yet, it only costs just $350, which means you spend way less than what you pay for other Android alternatives.
Who should buy the Nokia 7.1?
People who want their money to go the farthest when it comes to buying a new smartphone. There are plenty of more expensive Android on the market, but people will go with the Nokia 7.1 because it offers an impressive experience without costing too much.
Is it a good time to buy this phone?
Yes it is. The Nokia 7.1 just launched last fall, which means you have a while before a new similar phone hits the market.
Reasons to buy
- Incredible build quality
- Dazzling HDR display
- Android Pie
- Accessible price
Reasons not to buy
- Subpar camera
- No wireless charging
Striking the perfect balance
It used to be that to get a solid Android phone that didn't break the bank, you'd still have to spend a pretty penny. Times have definitely changed, and it is devices like the Nokia 7.1 that are changing the way we think of budget phones.
We may give the Nokia 7.1 the moniker of "budget phone," but don't mistake it is an unimpressive device. From the first moment you hold it in your hand, you know this phone is different. Its 6000 series aluminum frame holding together the front and glass panels give it an uber premium feel similar to upper echelon Samsung phones.
The frame hugs the phone through all four corners and houses the antenna system that supports networks all the way up to Cat. 6 LTE. The overall weight of the phone comes in at 160g, making it feel substantial in the hand, while its 149.7 by 71.8 by 9.14mm footprint make it economical to hold in the hand.
Its 6000 series aluminum frame and glass panels give it an uber premium feel similar to upper echelon Samsung phones.
Inside the impressive body lives a Snapdragon 636 processor, 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, and a 3,060mAh battery. When it launched in November, it came with Android 8.1 Oreo, but Nokia has since pushed out an update for Android 9 Pie. Plus, it is an Android One device, which means it's guaranteed two years of updates. This bodes very well for its longevity.
The part that you will interact with the most is the display, which won't disappoint. It is a 5.8-inch LCD panel with a 2220x1080 resolution. That's a 19:9 aspect ration, perfect for watching wide movies, and it supports HDR10, which will enhance the viewing experience.
Moving to the back, that's where the dual-camera system lives. It is a 12-megapixel main shooter with f/1.8 and autofocus and a 5-megapixel second shooter with f/2.4. It takes adequate photos for what it is: a smartphone camera in a mid-tier device. That's one of the areas that helps get the cost down, and unfortunately, the Nokia 7.1 is no different.
But that's a small price to pay for the overall device that you are getting. Whereas the camera is passable, everything else holds up great.
Other options
The Nokia 7.1 is a great budget Android smartphone, but it may not be what you're looking for. If that's the case, here are some other options that are on our radar.
Runner-up
OnePlus 6T
Largely considered the best affordable Android flagship
When talking about budget Android phones, the OnePlus 6T has to be discussed. It comes in at the high end of the spectrum, $550, but it is still a very intriguing option.
OnePlus is synonymous with affordability, and the OnePlus 6T carries on the legacy. Sure, it now is a little more expensive, but the hardware certainly demands it. The 6.4-inch OLED display, Snapdragon 845, 6GB of RAM, and indisplay fingerprint scanner spec sheet sounds like what you'd find in a Samsung or Google flagship.
Value pick
Moto G6
Where value only costs a couple hundred bucks
The title for pure value falls to the Moto G6, a phone that will only set you back $200. That gets you impressive hardware that includes a dual-camera system.
The Moto G6 is the epitome of the budget segment. Who could have guess that one day, $200 would get you a 5.7-inch 1080p display, 12-megapixel dual-camera, 4GB of RAM, and a fingerprint scanner. Not much more you can ask for a phone that costs practically nothing.
Bottom line
Truth be told, there are many other options out there worth considering. It just comes down to a pick 'em game. Yet, even taking a look at the landscape, you'll keep coming back to the Nokia 7.1 as the best budget Android phone you can buy in 2019.
We recommend
Nokia 7.1
The most bang for your buck
Going with the Nokia 7.1 is one of the best decisions you can make. It is outstanding in just about every aspect: hardware, software and overall performance. Yet, it only costs just $350, which means you spend way less than what you pay for other Android alternatives.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Born and raised in Southern California, Danny grew up on a steady diet Pixar, Star Wars and Steven Spielberg movies. Unbeknownst to him, this was the catalyst for his interest in writing. Down the road, the colorful iPod Mini jumpstarted his interest in technology and has been glued to it ever since.
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