Best budget smartphones 2017
The best bang for your buck smartphones on the market.
Are you on a tight budget? Our best buys are a rank of the top smartphones based on perceived value for money. Note that some older flagship models have subsequently dropped in price since we first reviewed them which is why they're on our list.
Whether it's a low outright price or on a cheap plan, you'll find the best value for money smartphones on the Australian market right here.
1. Oppo A77 smartphone: Full in-depth review
Oppo has once again redefined the low-end phone by offering a good mid-range model at a very-affordable price.
Review Date: 17th July, 2017
2. Huawei GR5 phone: Full, in-depth review
At $400 it's difficult to find fault with the GR5. It can take better pictures than phones which are $700 dearer, it's quite fast and well made. All good.
Review Date: 5th July, 2017
3. Oppo R9s Plus phone: Full, in-depth review
This is Oppo’s best-ever phone and arguably the best-all round flagship on the market. Oppo has finally arrived at the big-boys table.
Review Date: 17th March, 2017
4. Moto G5 Plus phone: full, in-depth review
There are no weak points with this $400 Android smartphone. So why pay more?
Review Date: 5th May, 2017
5. Oppo A57 phone: full, in-depth review
This is a great mid-range phone and yet it's one of the cheapest we've ever tested.
Review Date: 8th May, 2017
6. Apple iPhone 5s review
Apple's iPhone 5s has a small screen by 2013 standards and is unlikely to attract users switching from large screen Android devices, but it remains the best smartphone Apple has ever released. The useful fingerprint sensor, a faster processor and ...
Review Date: 27th Sept., 2013
8. OnePlus 5: Full, in-depth review
If all you care about is getting the best performance for the best price, then the OnePlus 5 is a hard bargain to pass up.
Review Date: 7th Sept., 2017
9. Motorola Moto G5 smartphone review
It's cheap and cheerful but may be a bit under-powered for some.
Review Date: 10th May, 2017
10. Alcatel A3 XL phone: Full, in-depth review
It's just $179 and yet we struggled to criticise this 6" Android smartphone. Enthusiasts will find it a bit slow, but cash-strapped casual users will love it.
Review Date: 23rd June, 2017
11. Kogan Agora 8 phone: Full, in-depth review
There's much to like with the Agora 8 - not least its price. But it's let down badly by its cameras.
Review Date: 23rd June, 2017
12. Alcatel Idol 4S review: King of the mid-range?
Alcatel is pushing out of its budget-brand comfort zone with a well-specified mid-range offering. The screen and cameras are attractive, but prices of better rivals are falling fast.
Review Date: 15th July, 2016
13. HTC U Play phone: full, in-depth review
The HTC U Play is less divisive than its big brother. It's easier to use, does everything well and represents great value. It's also one of the prettiest phones ever made.
Review Date: 1st May, 2017
14. Huawei Y7: Full, in-depth review
A much sharper and brighter display, longer-lasting battery and beefier camera make the Y7 a bargain phone you’ll want to root for.
Review Date: 3rd Oct., 2017
15. Moto X Force review: Leading features from a mid-range phone
If you can put the fact that this phone launched overseas a year ago out of your head, this is still one of the best mid-range phones on the market and one that beats the best on the market in ...
Review Date: 6th Sept., 2016
16. ZTE Axon 7 review: Is ZTE dumping old stock on Australia?
The ZTE Axon 7 does little wrong, but it launched overseas many months ago and, at this high price, there are many better choices to be made.
Review Date: 30th Jan., 2017
17. Oppo R9s smartphone full review
There's much to like about the R9s: it does so many things and looks great. It's a bit sluggish in terms of performance and camera, though. But at this price it's still great value.
Review Date: 27th Jan., 2017
18. Oppo F1s review: 2016 has another King of the Best Value phones
At under $350 the F1s is a steal. It has features we'd like to see on top-end phones like fast fingerprint unlocking, free case and a three day battery life. Just beware of the camera performance and processing delay with ...
Review Date: 27th Jan., 2017
19. Is this the best value phone on the market? Moto G4 Plus review
It's not much of a looker but its a great performer. Specs and features are high end and the price stays low. Camera performance could be better though.
Review Date: 8th July, 2016
20. Moto E4: Full, in-depth review
For the $249 price-tag, you get all the features that count, and executed well to boot.
Review Date: 26th Sept., 2017
21. Huawei Nova 2i review: Huawei's best flagship features have been successfully smuggled into the mid-tier
With the $499 price-tag in mind, there’s not a lot out there that can match the Huawei Nova 2i.
Review Date: 25th Oct., 2017
