Alcatel
Alcatel offer some of the most affordable phones on the market. At between £20 and £150, these truly are budget-friendly phones - without sacrificing too much of what you need.
Here are our top picks if you’re looking for an Alcatel device.
Alcatel 3L (2020)
One of Alcatel’s newest and largest phones, the 3L is for those seeking a slightly more high-end appearance and hardware. This is the best Alcatel phone available to buy right now, due to its impressive features and offerings.
Price: £120
✔Great camera - 48MP AI camera included, which features smart technology to stabilise and improve the quality of the photos you take
✔Large 6.22 inch screen makes for an easy viewing experience
✔Huge 4,000mAh battery offers over a day of usage before needing to be recharged
✔64GB in-built storage, which is sufficient enough for a large number of phone users
✔Phone is 5G enabled
✔Waterproof
Alcatel 1S (2020)
Released in 2020, the Alcatel 1S is most notable for its photographic abilities.
Price: £79
✔3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth 5.0 - so you have the choice of listening with cabled earphones, or wirelessly.
✔Has a 4,000mAh battery, which can last for more than a day if you don’t stream or download too much content
✔Large 6.22 inch screen makes for an easier viewing experience
✔Host of smart AI technology included in its camera to create more impressive and stunning photos
✘Not compatible with 5G technology
✘No IP rating means the phone is not waterproof or dustproof
Alcatel 1C
Released in 2019, the Alcatel 1C is one of the most budget-friendly smartphones available. Surprisingly, though, you don’t have to sacrifice too many features, despite the cheap price.
Price: £49
✔3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth 4.2 - so you still have the choice of playing with earphones plugged into the phone, or wirelessly via Bluetooth
✔2,460mAh battery life that could last up to a day
✔ Portable size for easy transportation, with a 5 inch screen
✔One-Handed Mode means all parts of the screen are easy to access, regardless of if you’re right-handed or left-handed
✘Not compatible with 5G technology
✘No IP rating means the phone is not waterproof or dustproof
Alcatel 1B (2020)
Another 2020 release, the 1B is a more updated Alcatel smartphone, operating on Android 10.
Price: £70
✔3,000mAh battery capacity is larger than some household brands, and capable of supplying charge for more than a day depending on usage
✔3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth 4.2 for in-ear listening or wireless audio
✔5.5 inches screen size is a modest and comfortable size
✘Not compatible with 5G technology
✘No IP rating means the phone is not waterproof or dustproof
Alcatel 1
A 2018 release, the Alcatel 1 launched the 1 family to the market. It’s an all-in-one device offering modest features to the everyday user.
Price: £55
✔5 inch screen makes for a light and portable phone
✔3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth 4.2 for both wired and wireless audio play
✔Modest2,000mAh battery can sustain life for most of the day
✔Comes in multiple colours, including: Gold, Pink, Blue, and Black
✘Not compatible with 5G technology
✘No IP rating means the phone is not waterproof or dustproof
Doro
Doro is another reliable staple for budget-friendly phones. They are aimed more at older users, as they lack the sophisticated features and modernised appearance that appeal to many phone users.
Doro 1360
The Doro 1360 was released in 2017, and is one of the cheapest phones to buy from Asda Mobile.
Price: £20
✔Small and lightweight at 12.6cm x 6.2cm x 1.3cm, so easy portable while you’re out and about
✔Big buttons take up the majority of the phone’s space for easy texting
✔Though the battery is small at 800mAh, it still offers 8 hours of talk time, which will allow you to talk to loved ones in a day
✔The 1360 comes with a host of helpful features for elderly people, in particular, like the Assistance button and ICE (In Case of Emergency)
✔Headphone socket and Bluetooth allow you to listen to audio two ways
✘Screen size is only 2.4 inches, which may be too small for people with sight impairments
✘Only has 2G connectivity and isn’t designed to be disconnected from a Wi-Fi router, so wouldn’t be very effective outside
✘Doesn’t run on Android, so you won’t be able to access the Google Play Store
Doro 6040
The Doro 6040 was released in 2019, and is the first flip phone (also known as clamshell) to feature on this list. They might be seen as a relic of the past, but flip phones are having a nostalgia-driven resurgence.
Price: £45
✔Big buttons for easy texting
✔Compatible with hearing aids for older people who may not be able to hear the sounds and ringer very well
✔Can remain on standby for 420 hours, so no need to charge it unless you’re going to be using it throughout the day
✔Battery life can support around 6 hours of talk time to stay in touch with friends and family in the day
✘Only supports 2G connectivity and isn’t designed to be disconnected from a Wi-Fi router
✘Screen is only 2.8 inches, which may be too small for some people to see properly
✘Doesn’t run on Android
Doro 6520
This 2016 launch is one of the oldest phones in this list, but old doesn’t mean lacking. The Doro 6520 is a decent clamshell phone for someone simply requiring the basics.
Price: £57
✔10 hours of talk time is plenty enough to carry you through the day
✔Answer and end calls easily by simply opening or closing the phone
✔Produces loud and clear sound for those hard of hearing, as well as talking keys that read your messages aloud
✔Buttons are a decent size and easy to find if you struggle from visual or motor impairments
✔Simple, curved appearance makes it easy to transport and fit inside bags and pockets
✔Very easy to use due to its simplicity - mainly only used for texting and calling
✘Screen is only 2.8 inches, which may be too small for some people to see properly
✘Doesn’t run on Android
Oppo
For a more high-end option, Oppo has you covered. These phones still stay under the £200 budget, but have a whole host of surprising and impressive features for users seeking a more luxurious experience.
Oppo A9
This 2020 model can hold up against some of the best handsets on the market, but is surprisingly within budget.
Price: £179
✔Impressive selection of quad cameras - 48MP, 8MP, 2MP, 2MP - for clear and colourful photography
✔Large 6.5 inch screen size for ultimate viewing, perfect for watching and streaming videos
✔ Large 128GB storage
✔Huge 5,000mAh battery is up to par with some of the best smartphones out there, capable of lasting multiple days if you don’t use it too heavily, or more than a day with heavy usage
✘No 5G compatibility
Oppo A5
The 2020 Oppo A5 is similar to the A9 in its features, but typically offered at third-party retailers at a slightly cheaper cost.
Price: £100 - £150
✔Large 6.5 inch screen is in line with many of the bigger brands, offering an end-to-end viewing experience for the user
✔Huge 5,000mAh battery is capable of lasting for multiple days depending on usage
✔Quadruple camera for impressive photography- 12MP, 8MP, 2MP, 2MP
✔Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio
✘Not compatible with 5G technology
✘No official waterproof rating
Oppo A53
Another impressive 2020 release from Oppo is the A53 model, which, once again, is a similar copy of the previous two. Your decision all comes down to your preferences and what you need your chosen device to do for you.
Price: £150
✔Large 6.5 inch screen for optimal viewing
✔Can be purchased with up to 128GB of storage space, which is usually more than enough for the average user, to store hundreds of photos, videos, and apps
✔Triple camera - 13MP, 2MP, 2MP
✔3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth 5.0 to allow the choice between listening in-ear or wirelessly
✔Fingerprint technology for added security
✔Hefty 5,000mAh battery life
✔Supports 5G connectivity
✘No official waterproof rating
Motorola
Motorola is a popular alternative to the bigger smartphone manufacturers, as it still offers many of the same features, just at more affordable prices.
Moto G6
Released in 2018, this Motorola model comes with everything you need in a smartphone.
Price: £140
✔5.7 inch screen size is a perfect size for both viewing and handling
✔The phone is enhanced by Dolby Audio, making it great for watching and streaming videos
✔The 3,000mAh battery life is great for all types of users, capable of lasting for a day without being recharged. It also comes with Turbo Power charge to get your phone back to life in a few minutes
✔Protected against scratches and water damage
✔Fingerprint technology is used to unlock your phone, adding an extra layer of security
Moto G5
The predecessor to the G6 above, the Moto G5 (2017) is a slightly cheaper option with a smaller screen.
Price: £80
✔The 5 inch screen makes the G5 easy to transport, but is not too small to watch videos on suitably
✔Supports Bluetooth 4.2 and has a 3.5mm audio jack, so you can choose between inserting earphones or connecting wirelessly
✔Features fingerprint technology as a security measure
✔2,800mAh battery life is decent for a moderate day’s use
✘Does not support 5G technology
✘Does not have an official waterproof rating
Samsung
One of the biggest brands in smartphones today, Samsung devices are usually priced like iPhones, so to find any for under £200 is an absolute steal!
Samsung Galaxy J6
This 2018 model is well worth buying at the price it retails for if you’re an Android fan.
Price: £140
✔5.6 inch AMOLED screen provides clear, vivid, and detailed imagery on a large enough display for videos
✔Infinity Display gives users a full HD experience without the high price tag
✔This phone includes a range of modes and features for photography, like Night Mode and Selfie Focus
✔Great 3,000mAh battery capacity
✔Face ID to unlock your phone is a step-up from fingerprint technology
✘Only one camera on the front and rear
✘Does not support 5G
Samsung Galaxy A20e
Who says low prices have to limit you? The A20e is an alternative to the J6, with a larger screen and more cameras.
Price: £149
✔Large 5.8 inch HD+ screen allows you to see every inch of your video, photo, or webpage in clear and colourful quality
✔3,000mAh battery capacity with Fast Charging technology to get you up and running again in no time
✔Dual rear camera - 13MP and 5MP - to capture multiple angles and depths
✔In-built 32GB storage with the capability of expanding to a whopping 512GB with an SD card
✘Does not support 5G
Check out our full review.
Samsung Galaxy A21s
You can even grab a 2020 release for under £200 from Samsung! The A21s offers the largest screen and best cameras of the three.
Price: £175
✔Huge 6.5 inch Infinity-O display rivals many other big brands with its colourful and detailed picture
✔Powerful cameras capable of capturing the nuances of every image - 48MP and 8MP rear, 13MP front
✔Whopping 5,000mAh battery capacity and Fast Charging technology
✔Capable of expanding the storage capacity up to 512GB with a microSD card to fit all of your photos, videos, and apps
✘No IP rating indicates that the device isn’t waterproof
Apple
While Apple’s newer releases exceed £1000, the iPhone 6 is a rare exception now that it’s over five years old. If you’re an iOS fan, but can’t afford many of the other releases, then maybe the iPhone 6 can be your budget-friendly entryway into the world of Apple.
The iPhone 6 is probably the oldest iPhone that can still support modern-day apps and software.
Price: £180 - £200
✔The small 4.7 inch screen makes this dainty little phone easy to transport and slip into pockets and bags, as well as use one-handed
✔8MP iSight rear camera ensures a clear vision for FaceTime calling other iPhone models
✔Includes AI helper, Siri, who allows you to complete tasks and ask questions hands-free by vocalising commands
✔Features the 3.5mm audio jack that has since been replaced by Lightning cables in models beyond the 7, allowing you to plug in any brand of earphones instead of purchasing an adaptor
✘Small battery capacity of 1,810mAh, which won’t be enough to support most tasks nowadays without needing to be recharged more frequently throughout the day
There you have it - all of our recommendations for phones under £200 from reliable brands. Some of the huge battery lives, storage options, and large, vivid screen sizes go to show that you don’t always need to empty your wallet for a good smartphone.
If your budget is a little higher, you may also be interested in viewing some of our other posts:
- Which Huawei phone should I get?
- Which Google phone is right for you?
- Top selection of phones in ASDA stores
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