Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
In 2024, the smartphone market continues to evolve, offering an impressive array of devices that cater to various budgets. For those looking to spend £100 or less, the challenge is finding a phone that balances quality, performance, and features without breaking the bank. This blog post will explore the Best Phones To Buy Right Now! Under £100 available on Amazon UK, highlighting options that deliver exceptional value, decent specifications, and reliable performance. Gone are the days when budget phones were synonymous with poor quality and limited functionality. Today’s affordable smartphones are equipped with impressive features, including good cameras, long-lasting batteries, and smooth user experiences. Whether you need a device for basic tasks, social media, or casual photography, there’s a budget-friendly option that can meet your needs. Join us as we dive into the top contenders for late 2024, showcasing smartphones that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a capable device.
1. Motorola Moto G14
Price: £99
Release date: August, 2023
The Motorola Moto G14 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a blend of essential features and decent performance, making it a suitable choice for users seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. Launched as a successor to the Moto G13, the G14 comes equipped with notable upgrades, including a vibrant Full HD+ display, a capable processor, and a robust battery.
Description
The Moto G14 features a 6.5-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, providing bright and vivid visuals. It is powered by the Unisoc T616 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. The device runs on a near-stock version of Android 13, ensuring a clean user experience with some added Motorola features. A dual-camera setup on the back includes a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP macro lens, while an 8MP front camera caters to selfies. The phone is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, promising long-lasting usage throughout the day.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable Price: The Moto G14 is competitively priced, making it accessible for budget-conscious consumers.
- Good Display: The Full HD+ screen offers vibrant colors and decent brightness, enhancing the multimedia experience.
- Decent Performance: Suitable for everyday tasks, the phone handles basic apps and light gaming effectively.
- Long Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery ensures extended usage without frequent recharging.
- Clean Software Experience: With its near-stock Android interface, users enjoy a smooth and uncluttered experience.
Cons
- Average Camera Quality: While the main camera performs adequately in good lighting, it struggles in low-light conditions, and the secondary camera is quite basic.
- Limited Updates: The Moto G14 is expected to receive only one major Android update, which may be a drawback for users looking for longevity in software support.
- Slow Charging: The included 10W charger is relatively slow, which may be inconvenient for users who need quick top-ups.
- No 5G Support: The phone only supports 4G LTE, which may limit its appeal as 5G becomes more prevalent.
Overall, the Moto G14 stands out as a solid option for users who need a reliable smartphone for everyday use without the frills of high-end devices. Its combination of a good display, decent performance, and long battery life makes it a worthy contender in the budget smartphone market.
2. Xiaomi Redmi 12
Price: £100
Release date: August, 2023
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 is an affordable smartphone that offers a blend of attractive features and decent performance, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers. Launched as a successor to the Redmi 10, this device brings some notable improvements while maintaining an accessible price point.
Description
The Redmi 12 boasts a large 6.79-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth visual experience. It features a glass back design, giving it a premium feel unusual for its price range. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 processor, paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable via microSD. It runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13 and is equipped with a 5000mAh battery supporting 18W charging. The camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens, with an 8MP front camera for selfies. The phone is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, promising long-lasting usage throughout the day.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Premium Design: Glass back and flat frame give a high-end look and feel.
- Large, Smooth Display: 6.79-inch Full HD+ screen with 90Hz refresh rate enhances user experience.
- Decent Camera System: 50MP main camera takes good photos in well-lit conditions.
- Long Battery Life: 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day of use.
- Water Resistance: IP53 rating provides protection against splashes and dust.
- Ample Storage: Base model starts with 128GB, expandable via microSD.
Cons
- Outdated Processor: The Helio G88 is a 2021 chipset, which may struggle with demanding tasks.
- Single Speaker: Lacks stereo speakers, unlike its predecessors.
- Average Low-light Photography: Camera performance drops in poor lighting conditions.
- Slow Charging: 18W charging speed is relatively slow by current standards.
- No 5G Support: Limited to 4G connectivity.
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 stands out as a solid budget offering, providing a good balance of features and performance. Its attractive design, large display, and capable main camera make it a worthy contender in the entry-level smartphone market. However, the outdated processor and lack of 5G support may be drawbacks for some users. Overall, it’s a good choice for those seeking a reliable, feature-rich smartphone without breaking the bank.
3. Samsung Galaxy A05s
Price: £99
Release date: October, 2023
The Samsung Galaxy A05s is an entry-level smartphone that offers a mix of decent features and affordability, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. As part of Samsung’s A-series lineup, this device aims to provide essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank.
Description
The Galaxy A05s features a large 6.7-inch PLS LCD display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels) and a 90Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth visual experience. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The device runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI interface and is equipped with a 5000mAh battery supporting 25W fast charging. For photography, it boasts a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, along with a 13MP front-facing camera for selfies.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large, High-Resolution Display: The 6.7-inch Full HD+ screen provides a good viewing experience for media consumption.
- Decent Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery offers long-lasting usage.
- Expandable Storage: Dedicated microSD slot allows for storage expansion.
- Improved Charging: 25W fast charging is a notable upgrade from its predecessor.
- Headphone Jack: Retains the 3.5mm audio port, which is becoming rare in modern smartphones.
Cons
- Limited Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset may struggle with demanding tasks and lacks 5G support.
- Average Camera Performance: While adequate in good lighting, the camera system struggles in low-light conditions.
- Plastic Build: The all-plastic construction may feel less premium compared to some competitors.
- Slow Storage: Uses eMMC 5.1 storage, which is slower than modern UFS options.
- No NFC: Lacks Near Field Communication, limiting contactless payment options.
The Samsung Galaxy A05s presents itself as a solid budget option, particularly for those who prioritize a large display and long battery life. It offers some notable improvements over its predecessor, such as the higher resolution screen and faster charging. However, its performance limitations and lack of some modern features like 5G and NFC may be drawbacks for more demanding users. Overall, it’s a suitable choice for basic smartphone tasks and light usage, especially for those loyal to the Samsung brand in the budget segment.
4. Honor X6b
Price: £90
Release date: June, 2024
The Honor X6b is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a mix of decent features for its price point. As one of Honor’s latest entries in the affordable segment, it aims to provide essential functionality without breaking the bank.
Description
The Honor X6b features a large 6.56-inch HD+ TFT LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth visual experience. It’s powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The device runs on Magic OS 8.0 based on Android 14, providing a modern software experience. It boasts a dual-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, along with a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies. The phone is equipped with a sizable 5200mAh battery supporting 35W fast charging.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large Display: The 6.56-inch screen with 90Hz refresh rate offers a smooth viewing experience.
- Ample Storage: 128GB of internal storage provides plenty of space for apps and media.
- Long Battery Life: The 5200mAh battery ensures extended usage without frequent charging.
- Fast Charging: 35W fast charging capability allows for quicker battery top-ups1.
- Latest Software: Runs on Android 14 with Magic OS 8.0, offering recent features and security updates.
Cons
- Low-Resolution Display: The HD+ resolution may appear less sharp on the large screen.
- Basic Camera Setup: The dual-camera system may struggle in challenging lighting conditions.
- Limited Performance: While adequate for basic tasks, the Helio G85 chipset may struggle with more demanding applications.
- No 5G Support: Limited to 4G connectivity, which may be a drawback as 5G becomes more prevalent.
- TFT Display: The use of a TFT panel rather than OLED may result in less vibrant colors and contrast.
The Honor X6b positions itself as a budget-friendly option for users who prioritize battery life, storage capacity, and a large display. Its combination of a sizeable screen, long-lasting battery, and ample storage make it suitable for media consumption and everyday use. However, the device’s limitations in display resolution, camera capabilities, and processing power should be considered. It’s best suited for users with basic smartphone needs who are looking for good value in the budget segment.
5. Nokia G21
Price: £88
Release date: February, 2022
The Nokia G21 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a mix of basic features and long battery life, aimed at users looking for an affordable and reliable device.
Description
The Nokia G21 features a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It’s powered by a Unisoc T606 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The device runs on Android 11 and is equipped with a large 5050mAh battery supporting 18W fast charging. For photography, it includes a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, along with an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent Battery Life: The 5050mAh battery can last up to three days with moderate use.
- Long Software Support: Promised 3 years of security updates and 2 years of OS upgrades.
- Decent Build Quality: Sturdy construction with a textured back that resists fingerprints.
- 90Hz Display: Smooth scrolling experience, uncommon at this price point.
- Clean Software: Runs on near-stock Android, offering a bloatware-free experience.
Cons
- Low Display Resolution: The HD+ (720p) resolution may appear less sharp on the large screen.
- Limited Performance: The processor may struggle with demanding tasks and multitasking.
- Average Camera Quality: While adequate in good lighting, the camera system struggles in low-light conditions.
- Slow Charging: Despite 18W support, charging speeds are relatively slow.
- No 5G Support: Limited to 4G connectivity.
The Nokia G21 positions itself as a solid budget option for users who prioritize battery life and a clean Android experience. Its combination of long-lasting battery, recent Android version, and promised software updates make it an attractive choice for those seeking a low-maintenance device. However, its limitations in display resolution, performance, and camera capabilities should be considered. This phone is best suited for light to moderate users who value endurance over high-end features and performance.
