Cheap and good phones: Buying guide with the best of 2021

The mobile phone market comprises thousands of different models that we can group by their operating systems, their size, or their price, for example. In the latter case, the prices in current smartphones are wide, finding cheap and perfect mobiles in 2021.

That a smartphone is cheap is not synonymous with that its specifications are not good. After the arrival of Xiaomi, the king of cheap mobiles, more and more brands are encouraged to offer phones that combine quality and a good price. In this buying guide, we select the best cheap mobiles you can buy.

Cheap and good phones buying guide with the best of 2021

10 cheap and good mobiles in 2021

Stiff competition in the low-end and mid-range has made finding cheap smartphones easier than a few years ago. This is the main feature of brands like Xiaomi or realme, but other brands also offer devices at an adjusted price.

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
  • realme 8 5G
  • Xiaomi POCO M3 Pro 5G
  • OPPO A74
  • Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
  • POCO X3 Pro
  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
  • Motorola Moto G30
  • realme Narzo 30 5G

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S

Xiaomi has released very interesting mobiles within the Redmi Note 10 family, and one of the best is the Redmi Note 10S. In addition to a stunning design, the terminal offers a complete experience in its different sections, from the AMOLED screen to a powerful MediaTek processor with great performance in video games. Its price? Just over 200 euros.

The Redmi Note 10S is a smartphone thin and light, weighing less than 180 grams. It is not a very large terminal either, as it equips a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen with resolution Full HD +. In practical terms, it is a screen with which you will see the content with great quality.

The phone’s brain is the MediaTek Helio G95, a processor with more than enough power for day to day. Its software is MIUI 12.5, based on Android 11. In addition, it is specially prepared to run video games reliably, so you can play your favorite titles without fear of getting caught.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, Andro4all’s opinion

Should you buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S?

In favor
  • Good AMOLED screen
  • Powerful performance
  • Large battery with fast charging
Against
  • Secondary cameras of little use
  • Absence of a higher refresh rate

The Redmi Note 10S is also a complete terminal in photography, with a 64 MP main camera that obtains good images. Another of its strengths is the battery, with a capacity of 5,000 mAh allows it to exceed the day of use. In addition, thanks to the 33W fast charge, you will not have to spend a lot of time with the charger.

The 6 + 64GB version of this model has a launch price of 249.99 euros, although it is usually possible to find it on Amazon for less money. If you are looking for a higher configuration with 128 GB, you can buy it at El Corte Inglés and PcComponentes.

Realme 8 5G

realme 8 5G

Another of the cheap and good mobiles of 2021 is the realme 8 5G which, as its name suggests, also has 5G connectivity. For less than 200 euros, it is undoubtedly one of the best options you can choose from right now.

The realme 8 5G is a smartphone with a 6.5-inch IPS screen with resolution Full HD + and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. For an inexpensive mobile, its screen offers excellent results. In addition, its processor is the MediaTek Dimensity 700, with an integrated 5G modem and good power to run apps and games on a day-to-day basis.

There are three rear cameras that the realme 8 5G mounts: 48 MP main, 2 MP macro, and 2 MP black & white sensor. In addition, it supports 18W fast charging. Finally, and as one of the aspects that shines the most, the terminal has a 5,000 mAh battery that ensures great autonomy results.

realme 8 5G, Andro4all review

Should you buy the realme 8 5G?

In favor
  •     Good fluidity screen
  •     5G connectivity
  •     Extensive autonomy
Against
  •     Their cameras leave something to be desired
  •     Could have a more powerful fast charge

The realme 8 5G is for sale in the most popular online and physical stores. If you are interested in its purchase, you can get it on Amazon, in realme’s own store, and PcComponentes. It usually starts with interesting discounts on all of them, so you have to be careful to save a few euros when buying it.

Xiaomi POCO M3 Pro 5G

Xiaomi POCO M3 Pro 5G

It is one of the revelations of recent months, placing itself directly as one of the best cheap phones of 2021. We talk about the POCO M3 Pro 5G, with a technical sheet that is difficult to believe when reviewing its price. For 179 euros that were released, the device meets specifications more typical of the mid-range.

In addition to a beautiful design with colors as striking as yellow, the M3 Pro 5G is also liked by its 6.5-inch IPS screen with Full HD + and attention, refresh rate 90 Hz. What does this mean? For a meager price, you can see the content of your mobile with sharpness and fluidity in the movements.

The power is provided by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, making it mobile capable of connecting to 5G networks. It can have 4 or 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal storage. The latest software features will be at your disposal, as it has MIUI 12 based on Android 11.

POCO M3 Pro 5G, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the POCO M3 Pro 5G?

In favor
  •     Great screen for its price
  •     The balance between performance and consumption
  •     5G connectivity
  •     Value for money
  •     Record autonomy
Against
  •     Insufficient cameras against the competition
  •     MIUI continues with pending tasks
  •     Low volume from your speaker

In terms of photography, the POCO M3 Pro 5G relies mainly on its 48 MP main camera, the best capable of capturing good images. Finally, autonomy is another of its highlights, with a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging that can reach up to two days with moderate use.

You have several options to buy this terminal. One of them is, of course, Amazon, where it is possible to find it discounted on specific occasions. It is also available in the product catalog PcComponentes, and there is always the option of getting it in the POCO store.

OPPO A74

OPPO A74

Among the best economic mobiles of the moment is the OPPO A74, which relies on a good AMOLED screen and extensive autonomy to conquer the public. The OPPO A74 went on the market for 269 euros, but these months have already allowed it to be lowered at more affordable prices for the pocket.

Specifically, the OPPO A74 is a mobile with a stunning and light design, under 180 grams of weight. One of the reasons for your purchase may be the AMOLED screen that it equips, with a size of 6.43 inches and Full HD + resolution. Also, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor is more than adequate for the basic tasks that an average user performs. We add 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, with ColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11.

The OPPO terminal is also a good device to take photos to save in your personal album or share on social networks. It integrates a 48 MP camera, a 2 MP macro sensor, and a 2 MP monochrome sensor. Finally, its 5,000 mAh battery with a 33W fast charge has enough capacity to reach the day of autonomy, and it hardly needs a little more than an hour with the charger to be fully charged.

OPPO A74, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the OPPO A74?

In favor
  • Quality AMOLED display
  • Very large battery with fast charging
  • Nice and lightweight design
  • On-screen fingerprint reader
Against
  • Low-value secondary sensors
  • Some fair power processor

If the characteristics of this OPPO A74 have conquered you, you can buy it on Amazon in several of its colors. It does not lack in other stores, such as PcComponentess and the official OPPO store.

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G

Samsung can also create good cheap mobiles, like this Samsung Galaxy A22 5G that was released for just over 200 euros. In addition to 5G connectivity, this smartphone is liked for many other things that we will tell you below.

The Galaxy A22 5G mounts a 6.6-inch TFT screen with resolution HD + and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. This high fluidity is appreciated for a cheap mobile, as it is a plus in the viewing experience. Under its chassis works the MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, which also does a good job. By the way, its operating system is One UI based on Android 11.

This Samsung model is also a good alternative if you want to take photos for your personal album or share them on social networks. In the back, it equips a 48 MP main camera which is the one that does the best job. In addition, its autonomy can be extended up to 2 days thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery with a 15W fast charge.

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G?

In favor
  • Good performance
  • Huge battery
  • The good work of the main camera
Against
  • Minimal ultra-wide-angle
  • Loading is somewhat slow

The fact that Samsung has good features -like 5G- and has a moderate price makes this Galaxy A22 5G a good option in the market. You can buy it on Amazon, in your own Samsung store, or El Corte Inglés.

POCO X3 Pro

POCO X3 Pro

Attention, because here comes one of the best cheap mobiles that you can buy right now, without a doubt. This is the POCO X3 Pro, with a full-power processor that can handle everything you throw at it. It does not lack a large screen, a complete photographic system, and one of the largest batteries in this buying guide.

As we say, Pocophone’s smartphone has a 6.67-inch IPS screen resolution Full HD + and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. As we saw in the POCO X3 Pro review, this display looks great. The union between the large size and 120 Hz allows you to use your mobile to watch videos and series with the best quality.

The phone’s processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860, and we already tell you that it is a real beast. The chip can move all the apps and games you want, even the heaviest ones, without flinching. If you have to choose the memory configuration, the options are 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of internal storage.

POCO X3 Pro, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the POCO X3 Pro?

In favor
  • 120 Hz make the difference
  • Excellent performance
  • Outstanding autonomy
Against
  • Big and heavy
  • Only correct photo quality
  • MIUI maintains its typical flaws

48 MP is the main camera of the POCO X3 Pro, which appears very well accompanied by an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle, a 2 MP macro sensor, and another for portraits, also 2 MP. In practice, one of the sections that stand out the most in this model is autonomy, since its 5,160 mAh battery with 33W fast charge ruining it exceeds the day of use without.

The POCO X3 Pro aims to be one of the big bestsellers of 2021 for its incredible value for money. If you want to enjoy its immense power, you can buy it in stores like Amazon or PcComponentes, already for a lower price than the launch price, below 250 euros.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is Xiaomi’s mobile that will triumph in the market in 2021. Again, the Chinese manufacturer is committed to offering great features at a groundbreaking price. It went on the market for 279.99 euros, but it is already possible to find it for a lower price.

Xiaomi’s device mounts a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, resolution Full HD +, and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Its processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, a “gaming” chip that focuses especially on video games. Its operating system is MIUI 12, based on Android 11. In short, you can enjoy the best specifications on the market on a cheap mobile.

The jewel in the crown of the Redmi Note 10 Pro is photography, with a spectacular 108 MP camera that captures perfect quality images. In addition, it has an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle, a 5 MP telemacro, and a 2 MP depth sensor. The experience is completed with a 5,020 mAh battery with 33W fast charging, more than enough to overcome the day of use.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro?

In favor
  • Spectacular display for its price
  • Good gaming processor
  • Large 108 MP camera
  • Extensive autonomy
Against
  • Low-value secondary sensors
  • MIUI is MIUI after all

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is placed directly among the best cheap phones of 2021. You can buy it on Amazon, in PcComponentes, and the official Xiaomi store. If you are attentive, you can find it on some occasions with exciting discounts.

Motorola Moto G30

Motorola Moto G30

The Motorola Moto G30 deserves to be classified as a good cheap mobile of 2021, with a price below 200 euros even in its superior version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. In general, the Moto G30 is a recommended phone for the user who is not looking for extreme power but only a device for the most common daily tasks.

This terminal mounts a 6.5-inch IPS screen with resolution HD + and a refresh rate of 90 Hz, of the correct quality to view the content. The processor generating the power is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, which can run without problems with tasks such as chatting on WhatsApp, watching social networks, and even playing the odd game.

As far as photography is concerned, the Moto G30 has a prevalent system in this range: 48 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide-angle, 2 MP macro, and 2 MP depth sensor. In addition, there is no lack of a large 5,000 mAh battery with 15W fast charge, also typical in terminals of its price.

Motorola Moto G30, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the Motorola Moto G30?

In favor
  • Fluid display
  • Autonomy for several days
  • Affordable price
Against
  • Slow charge
  • Low-value add-on sensors

The Motorola Moto G30 is postulated as a good cheap smartphone, with that more advanced version that does not exceed 200 euros. When buying it, you can choose between Amazon or El Corte Inglés, where its price does not vary much.

realme Narzo 30 5G

realme Narzo 30 5G

The realme brand is also successfully launching cheap mobiles. Of all those presented in 2021, we are left with the realme Narzo 30 5G, a cheap phone with 5G. It is only available in a version with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, which came out for 219 euros, but which often drops in price.

When talking about the realme Narzo 30 5G, we must first do it about its beautiful design. Whether you choose the gray or blue version, the Chinese terminal will make you fall in love with a shiny back with a wide line with arrow motifs. If you turn it over, you will see a 6.5-inch LCD screen with resolution Full HD + and a refresh rate of 90 Hz.

The Marzo 30 5G brain is the MediaTek Dimensity 700, already present in previous cheap mobiles in this guide. It has a built-in 5G modem, so you can connect to 5G networks to enjoy higher speed. As we have said, the memory configuration is 4 + 128 GB, although the latter can be expanded by microSD. Its operating system is realme UI 2.0, based on Android 11.

realme Narzo 30 5G, Andro4all opinion

Should you buy the realme Narzo 30 5G?

In favor
  • Good screen
  • Beautiful design, not too heavy
  • 5G connectivity
Against
  • It does not have an ultra-wide-angle
  • Light duty fast charging

There are three rear cameras that you can use in this realme Narzo 30 5G: 48 MP main, 2 MP macro, and 2 MP depth. Its autonomy shines with its own light, with a 5,000 mAh battery with an 18W fast charge that can extend its life beyond the day of use.

Design, screen, and autonomy are the main purchase assets of the Realme Narzo 30 5G. If you want it to be your personal phone, you can already buy it on Amazon, with the possibility of taking it for less money if you take advantage of the usual offers in the store. You can also buy it in the official realme store, where it maintains the original price.

How to choose an inexpensive and good mobile?

Searching for the best cheap mobiles of the moment requires establishing clear selection criteria. First of all, we have limited the price to around 250 euros.

In this buying guide, some phones slightly exceed that barrier, but most of them are below 250 euros, some even approach 200 euros. As we said, paying that money for a smartphone does not mean that it will be bad, and the models mentioned above are a good proof of this.

Stiff competition has caused the specifications of cheap phones to get better, which greatly benefits the public. In this case, for the selection, we have opted for mobiles with processors that have the necessary power for basic use: chatting on WhatsApp, watching movies on Netflix, or consulting social networks.

This processor must be accompanied by a screen with the size and resolution to match, a memory of at least 3 or 4 GB, and cameras and a battery that give a sufficient result for most users. Fortunately, the autonomy section is usually well covered in affordable mobiles.

What is the best cheap mobile?

The best cheap mobile of the moment is the POCO X3 Pro since it brings together a high-quality technical sheet that meets without complexes also in practice. We are talking about a phone with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor power, which can run without problems with apps and games with better graphics.

You can see the content in a big way on its 6.67-inch screen, which does not lack Full HD + resolution or a 120 Hz refresh rate. We also praise its autonomy, with a 5,160 mAh battery with a 33W fast charge that can reach up to two days if you are not a very demanding user.

What is the best cheap smartphone brand?

The best current cheap mobile brand is Xiaomi, in our opinion. For a few years, the Chinese company has successfully launched phones with a value for money that is difficult to beat by its rivals. A good example of this is the Redmi Note 10 Pro recommended to you in higher lines.

Affordable phones with a better camera

The photographic systems of mobile phones have undergone a significant improvement in recent years, also in those more modest terminals. If you want to buy a cheap mobile that takes good pictures, look at the following models.

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy A32
  • really 8

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

We have already talked about it, so we will not stop long telling you why this mobile is a good choice for taking pictures. The photographic system Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro consists of five cameras that offer you good photographic results. It achieves this, without a doubt, its main 108 MP camera, which can obtain razor-sharp images.

If you want to innovate, you can also use its 8 MP ultra-wide angle, 5 MP telemacro lens, or 2 MP depth sensor, which works in portraits. The 16 MP front camera, located in the hole in the screen, will not disappoint you when taking selfies or chatting over a video call.

Samsung Galaxy A32

Another cheap mobile with a good camera is the Samsung Galaxy A32, which relies on a 64 MP main camera to take great pictures of sharpness and color reproduction. This camera does not come alone; it is accompanied by an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle, a 5 MP macro lens, and a 5 MP depth lens. Samsung bets on a 20 MP camera on the front, with more than enough quality to get good self-portraits.

The Galaxy A32 is an interesting choice for its 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen with Full HD + resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate, its MediaTek Helio G80 processor, and 5,000 mAh battery with a 15W fast charge.

really 8

really 8

We refer to the realme 8, with a 64 MP main camera that captures a good level of size, sharpness, and color reproduction, as we saw in its analysis. The photographic setup is completed by an 8 MP ultra-wide angle, a 2 MP macro lens, and a 2 MP monochrome lens. On the front, a 16 MP camera for your selfies. realme also has an inexpensive smartphone that takes great pictures.

The purchase of the realme 8 is also a good option for its 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen with Full HD + resolution, the power of its MediaTek Helio G95 processor, and a huge 5,000 mAh battery with a 30W fast charge.