Since I have been working in the technology sector for years, a good part of my circle of family, friends and acquaintances They often ask me for advice on changing their mobile phone.Although I always encourage you to value other opinions, I also try to reaffirm mine based on my experience testing mobile phones over the years, especially in the entry-level range.
Recommending a high-end terminal is relatively easy because, nowadays, practically any option is valid. But choosing a low-end mobile is more complicated. And here I have three things clear that, yes or yes, must have a cheap phone for me to recommend it.
Android Go should be a must
Image: Google
We start from the basis that whoever is looking for an inexpensive mobile phone is already giving up having the best, either due to budget or because simply does not want or need anything elseAndroid Go brings Google services and updates them frequently, so having the latest version of the system takes a backseat.
Android Go is the natural replacement for Android One, a simplified version of Android with apps just as lightsuch as Google Go, Google Maps Go or YouTube Go. These are apps that provide the most important things, eliminating some more superfluous functions or those that require more powerful hardware.
I have tried mobile phones with very limited hardware and layers from the manufacturer that, despite trying to lighten them, turn the experience into absolute chaosI won’t deny that Android Go lacks more customization options, but everything works smoothly.
Fortunately, more and more manufacturers are opting for Android Go, this system in their budget ranges. Xiaomi, Realme or Nokia These are some examples, although not all of their phones offer Android Go, which is why it is important to pay attention to this.
4GB of RAM is the minimum barrier
You may think it’s a bit contradictory to ask for Android Go and then 4GB of RAM, but nothing could be further from the truth. 4GB is already the standard for many phones, although my experience has shown me that sometimes it is insufficient. to manage resources competently of the software. That’s why the combination of 4GB and Android Go is ideal.
There are no Android Go phones with higher RAM capacity. And if there are, I have never come across them. The problem is that there are too many Android Go smartphones and less amount of RAM. We don’t even talk about 2 GB, we could settle for 3 GB, but it’s worth the jump to 4 GB.
USB-C port and charging over 10W
Luckily for everyone, since this year, the EU already requires that all smartphones (and other devices) carry USB-C in Europe. And that obviously also affects Android manufacturers, which They didn’t have this charging port so standardized in the economy range until recently.
Many manufacturers continued to opt for incorporate Micro USB on its entry-level phones until last year. So, if you’re going to buy a phone before 2023, check that it doesn’t have Micro USB, an outdated and less universal standard that loses in versatility, transfer speed and… yes, charging speed.
There are also models that implement USB-C, but in a limited standard that prevents having a fast charge greater than 10 W. Knowing that the average battery has a capacity of 5,000 mAh, charging is excessively slow. The minimum of 2 hours is guaranteed. If you charge it at night, it doesn’t matter, but if you are in a hurry, it can be a problem. A minimum of 25-30 W is recommended.
Cover image | Xataka Android