Android smartphones are a dime a dozen at this point. From flagship devices that cost thousands of dollars to budget Androids that cost less than a new video game, there’s a smartphone for everyone in every price range. Name brands like Samsung and Google rule the roost with quality devices running the latest version of Android, but for every Pixel device, there are tons of cheap phones that should be avoided.
As you browse Amazon, you’ll see phones from manufacturers you’ve probably never heard of. Some of these brands are popular around the world and you can often find a device that punches well above its weight. But more often than not, you’ll end up buying a smartphone that’s not very smart, very fast, potentially full of bloatware, and maybe even counterfeit. Cheap doesn’t always mean something is wrong, but when it comes to Android, you often end up getting what you pay for.
There are many reasons why Android phones can be sold so cheaply, with Amazon being flooded with smartphones for well under $150. A look at the reviews will give you insight into the build quality, device support, and processing power that many of these devices often lack. If you ever come across the following smartphones online, avoid them and save the extra money you’ll spend dealing with all the headaches they’ll cause.
Deepbito K70
Companies trying to deceive consumers is nothing new, with even Amazon hosting fake Apple products through third parties. The Deepbito K70 is the perfect example of this persistent problem. The K70 is actually a pretty fantastic smartphone from Redmi and has nothing to do with Deepbito’s K70. This dupe goes so far as to take official photos of Redmi’s marketing for its Amazon listing, simply removing the Redmi name from everything.
The company can apparently get away with this because Redmi doesn’t sell phones in the US, making it much harder for the average consumer to spot marketing gimmicks. For its part, the Deepbito K70 has the lowest rating on Amazon for any smartphone, an incredibly low score of 2.4 stars out of 5. Those who purchased the smartphone report having issues because they can’t get reception and don’t have WiFi calling capabilities, which is what the listing says.
Others pointed out that the K70 wouldn’t even charge out of the box, turning it into nothing more than a purple paperweight. All of these issues and concerns mean that everything Deepbito has listed in the specifications should be taken with a grain of salt. Even at less than $100, any phone listed as K70 on Amazon should be avoided, at least until Redmi finally decides to launch into the US market.
NokiaG10
Nokia was once a brand associated with excellence. Maker of some of the most popular and unique phones ever released, the company never really adapted to the smartphone era, having been relegated to primarily licensing its name to various products. The Nokia G10, designed and manufactured by HMD Global, is the perfect example.
Users are often less impressed as they note that the Nokia G10 is a slow device that suffers from freezing periods and often lags even when using basic features. Multitasking becomes a serious problem and running demanding apps can significantly slow down phone browsing. The included camera supports decent audio quality, but it lacks stabilization, making videos very shaky.
Everyday tasks will frustrate you thanks to the underpowered Mediatek processor, with users saying even keyboard access is slow. The included 3GB of RAM simply isn’t enough to keep up with modern apps. It’s a little surprising that this 2021 smartphone is still sold today, especially when so many mid-range devices blow it out of the water and cost just a few dollars more.
Umidigi C1
“You get what you pay for” is a popular saying that often comes up when buying something cheap, or that seems way too good to be true. The Umidigi C1 fits this saying because, at first glance, everything seems solid for a budget device. This unlocked smartphone features a large 5,150mAh battery, a 6.25-inch display, and a 13MP camera with 2MP depth sensor. But the only thing that really holds this device back is the measly 2GB of RAM.
Even running Android 12GB, the Umidigi C1 can’t keep up with just 2GB of RAM. Users who purchased the device are constantly facing issues with the device crashing under minor loads, serious lags in apps and menus, and a battery that doesn’t last as long as advertised. One user even noted that the USB-C port can collapse over time, while another said that Airplane mode or DND turns on randomly, causing the user to miss important calls.
Paying $60 for a modern smartphone definitely seems too good to be true, and this can be seen in online user reviews of the C1. Although Umidigi has been praised for its focus on the budget smartphone market, stay away from the C1 and spend a little more to get something that won’t frustrate you.
TCL 30Z
TCL is best known for making TVs, so it makes sense that they would bring that expertise into the world of smartphones. The company tends to focus on the mid-range market, while still offering impressive technologies. But they also offer a range of budget devices that, while cheap, leave a lot to be desired. For example, the TCL 30 Z.
You can find the TCL 30 Z online for less than $100, going on sale for $64.99 on TCL’s official website. You can often find the phone for a lower price depending on your carrier, with users reporting finding it for as little as $40 at Verizon. Featuring a 6.08-inch display, 32GB of expandable storage, 3GB of RAM, and a MediaTek chip, the TCL 30 Z looks like a decent phone for the price on paper.
Problems arise when you start using the device. Users have noted that the TCL 30 Z has surprisingly large bezels, comes preloaded with lots of bloatware, and can often lag and have issues when scrolling through content and using apps. The lack of NFC is a shame, but the real problem is that the phone still uses a micro-USB port for charging. You can easily find better for not much.
BLU G53
Founded in 2009, BLU is one of the smallest smartphone manufacturers in the United States. This position allows the company to focus its energy on the budget smartphone market, making several phones that are popular with consumers and well-reviewed by critics. But this also means that a number of their devices skimp in certain areas, with the BLU G53 being a good example.
The BLU G53 features a 6.5″ display, a 2GHz Cortex A7 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 5000mAh battery, and a 13MP camera. You get all this for just $90, which makes the BLU G53 a pretty impressive smartphone for those on a budget. The G53 is also a stylish smartphone with very clear design choices and even comes with a sturdy case, saving you money in the process.
Where you’ll run into issues with the BLU G53 is in the software and setup process. Reviewers note that the BLU system is not very user-friendly and that Google is deeply integrated into the device, preventing removal of several included apps. The BLU setup also recommends dozens of apps to you based on your age and gender, while trying to force special offers on the user before the first boot.
