Feature phones are becoming extinct and the low-end smartphones have been gradually picking up quantitatively. The phones listed in the article have basic specifications which can be affordable at very low prices. Under the $150 price range, you could get some of the higher-end feature phones and entry-level smartphones. Having low processing powers, these cheap cellphones can perform the basic things like voice calling, web browsing and playing music without any hassle.
The cheap cellphones under $150 price range, listed in this article are ranked based on ReviewGist Score. ReviewGist Score combines the wisdom of all the reviewers around the web to give you a single quantitative score from 1 to 100. The product listing has also been narrowed to the latest phones available in the market.
1. Nokia Asha 311
Nokia Asha 311 is a feature phone offering from Nokia, priced at a value which most entry-level Android smartphones can be bought. Like every other product from Asha line of Nokia’s basic smartphones, 311 too runs the proprietary Series 40 operating system with a limited availability of applications from Nokia Store. The 3 inch Nokia’s touchscreen cellphone runs on a single core processor and can capture images of 2 Megapixel resolution. Apart from the phone competing with other phones in this list in terms of the price, Asha 311 quite cannot be compared with the productivity which the Android smartphones offer.
About the outdated Series 40 operating system, the CNET review responds that the Nokia Asha 311 may be the most easy to use Series 40 device ever made, but it’s still saddled with legacy baggage that throws up cryptic error messages and annoying confirmation requests far too often to make it pleasing to use. TrustedReviews also quips that we really didn’t expect all that much from the Nokia Asha 311. The reviews also marks that despite the the lack of phone’s GPS and basic web browser, it’s a surprisingly strong feature phone, quite speedy to use, has a pretty intuitive user interface and long battery life.
If you don’t prefer to use the Android phones, and if you are a Nokia fan and like to experience an easy usage with the simple interface, Asha 311 can be the phone for you. At the same price range, there a lot other Android options which make us feel that there can be no reasons to recommend this phone for you.
2. Sony Xperia Tipo
Sony Xperia Tipo is strictly a budget handset which has the power of Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The smartphone runs on a single-core 800 MHz processor and comes with a decent 3.2 Megapixel camera. Even though the Xperia Tipo has an internal memory of 3GB, it supports microSD memory expandability up to 32GB. Because of its price, some of the Ice Cream Sandwich supported features like front camera and facial recognition have been compromised.
Sony Xperia Tipo mainly caters to those who would like to compromise on the screen size and quality, at the same time to those who need to use a bit updated OS. The CNET review concludes that the Tipo won’t stand up to demanding use – having a pretty tiddly engine and a cramped, low-res screen – but if your mobile needs are as modest as your budget, you shouldn’t have too many complaints. TechRadar has a few positive things to say about the phone: despite being cheap, the Sony Xperia Tipo works well, and – typing aside – it’s rarely frustrating to use. The PhoneArena review too claims that the Tipo has the performance and stability of Android Ice Cream Sandwich going for it, as well as a pleasant to hold, and comfortable to operate with one hand chubby chassis with soft touch plastic on the back.
For its price, Sony Xperia Tipo is great phone which also has a dual-SIM variant. If you are ready to spend a little more, there are few other Xperia’s with features like front camera and overall better performance.
3. Samsung Galaxy Pocket
Galaxy Pocket is a very basic model coming from Samsung which runs Gingerbread version of Android operating system. The phone which hosts a tiny 2.8 inch screen which brings with it the Android power to the feature phone users. It shouldn’t be a hassle for you to use this phone if you are not employing it for rigorous usages like heavy gaming and web browsing. Galaxy Pocket is also a thin and lightweight phone which has been packed with 4GB of internal storage capacity and memory expandability up to 32GB.
PhoneArena review indicates that the phone covers pretty much every basic Android functionality, and manages to build on top of that by being able to run most of the applications found in the Google Play store. In a similar manner, ThinkDigit review says that the device has a good build, and the features and specifications will provide you with an entry-level Android experience.
Finally, Galaxy Pocket is an entry-level smartphone which very well fits into your pocket and your budget range. At the same time, the pricing of this phone also speaks that you shouldn’t expect nothing more in terms of its functionality.
3. Huawei Ascend Y100
Huawei Ascend Y100 is the cheapest smartphone from our product selection which fares similar to Samsung Galaxy Pocket. This ultra-budget smartphone has a 2.8 inch TFT LCD touchscreen and one may feel that the accessibility to Google Play Store can be a perfect value for their money. The Ascend Y100 is also quite thin and deploys a single core processor which can perform all the basic operations with ease. The only difference is that unlike Galaxy Pocket, Ascend Y100 has to make use of the external memory card for all the operations including application installation and file storage.
The Wired review notes that the screen’s a little too small to be comfortable, the camera’s not too exciting, but the processor puts in a decent performance, making it a good low-price introduction to the smartphone world. PCAdvisor explains that under $100, we can’t fault the Ascend Y100 too much. If you’re patient and can live with a cramped screen, then this is a fully featured Android phone for a great price. TrustedReviews proclaims that the Huawei Y100 is one of the cheapest Android phones around thanks to its 800MHz processor, it performs well among its rivals.
High affordability and the value for the money paid, complement the accessibility to use an Android phone. Having a budget to buy a feature phone from the manufacturers like Nokia, can make you buy this phone and for us there can be no reasons for not recommending this phone.
This cheap cellphone listing in the article was compiled in July 2013. We regularly look through the products available in the market to match them with their expert reviews, and give you a most updated product recommendation. Please check out our current listing of under $150 cellphones.
Glad to see the Nokia Asha 311 topping the list . This is an affordable smartphone with very cool specification .
Huawei Ascend Y100 too have the promising specs ..But i’ll still go with the NOKIA ASHA 311.
-Pramod
Yes the Nokia Asha 311 is indeed a great phone and my friend use it especially for his social media needs. Thanks for leaving a comment.
thank you for sharing the things that i love (free and cheap stuff with good quality). this is the first time i heard about samsung galaxy and xperia offering cheap alternatives. i showed this article to my brother and like me, he is excited about it. i am not sure though if stores here in the philippines are already offering those
Surely, it will be on sale in your country because it is here too.
Thanks for sharing this. I like things very much when they are cheap and useful. Will forward this article to others too. Keep sharing such helpful things.
Regards,
Akshat
Thanks for the share and comment.
Awesome post. Especially the image in the beginning. I usually prefer Android device and Xperia Tipo and Galaxy Pocket looks fine in that range.
Yes both Sony Xperia Tipo and Galaxy Pocket are good cheap Android cellphones.
Hello Nwosu,
Great share.!
thanks for the review and sharing with us :) currently i ‘m thought buying new phone special for blogging :P btw.! stay updated and stay rocking my friend ;) :)
-Mosam
I guess you should have picked at least 5 gadgets from the below $150 category.
Anyways, expect Nokia Asha 311, all other are very good.
One doesnt have to buy obscenely expensive phones just to flaunt them. Reasonably priced phones often give you most of the features for a fraction of the cost.
Great share. :)
I was looking for a good phone which does not cost too much. Samsung Galaxy Pocket seems to be best for me.
Thanks for the wonderful post.
Thanks for sharing the article. Of great use to people who do not want to spend too much on a cell phone.
Thanks Mosam for your contribution, you will definitely need a high-end phone for blogging.
Why do you think Nokia Asha 311 is not good enough as the rest?
I can’t agree less with you Ambika, one can find good and cheap phones, it all depends on one’s needs.
Thanks Rahul for your comment, do have a great weekend.
Amazing post! Awesome colorful pictures. I had a great read. I feel like buying Cheap phones is economical at the same time you can have the same features as someone else who bought it for more than you, so why not give a try.