Aldi's new budget Android smartphone isn't very good value

Bauhn ASP-5000H Android phone will sell for $299 as an outright device

German supermarket chain Aldi will sell a new Android smartphone in Australia from Wednesday, 11 September, but the device doesn't appear to represent good value for money.

The Bauhn ASP-5000H Android smartphone, available though Aldi supermarkets.
The Bauhn ASP-5000H Android smartphone, available though Aldi supermarkets.

The Bauhn ASP-5000H Android phone is advertised in Aldi's latest shopping catalogue as a limited run, special buy. It will sell for $299 as an outright device.

The dual-SIM smartphone has a 5in, 720p HD touchscreen. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, has 1GB of RAM, and comes with 8GB of internal memory. The device also has a microSD card slot to expand the on-board storage.

The ASP-5000H supports the 850MHz and 2100MHz 3G network bands in Australia so it's suited primarily for use on the Telstra network. However, the second SIM card slot only supports 2G networks.

The Bauhn-branded smartphone also has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a VGA-front facing camera for video calls, and runs the 4.2 Jelly Bean version of Google's Android operating system. Other features include a 2050mAh removable battery, and built-in GPS.

The ASP-5000, as advertised on the Bauhn Web site.
The ASP-5000, as advertised on the Bauhn Web site.

The Bauhn ASP-5000H is likely to have been priced before Google slashed the price of its Nexus 4 Android smartphone last week.

The $100 price cut in Australia means the 8GB model of the Nexus 4 now sells for $249 (previously $349), while the 16GB model is now available for $299 (previously $399).

Both models of the Nexus 4 represent much better value than the Aldi smartphone, though the Nexus 4 is a single-SIM device and lacks a microSD card slot to expand memory.

Aldi has advertised both the Bauhn ASP-5000H smartphone as a "limited special buy" product and says stocks will vary between stores. The supermarket chain also says that the product may sell out on the first day due to "unexpected high demand."

"While stocks last - please note stocks are limited and will vary between stores. Despite our careful planning, we apologise if selected items may sell out on the first day due to unexpected high demand."

"In the event of unexpected high demand, ALDI Stores reserves the right to limit purchases to reasonable quantities."

Bauhn provides a one year warranty with the new Android smartphone, while Aldi says it will refund or replace any product within 60 days, provided it obtains a proof of purchase.

The Bauhn ASP-5000H is the second Android phone Aldi has sold in Australia, following the Medion-branded E4002 device it stocked back in July.

Are you interested in low cost Android phones? Do you agree that the Aldi smartphone isn't good value? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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