In a world of iPhone and BlackBerry, it’s easy to forget that you can buy a good mobile phone for a small amount of money. What are some of the most impressive and feature packed mobile phones available on the market for under £100?
A mobile contract may be a great option for some people, but if you want more control over your phone and the amount of money you spend using it, it may be smarter to just buy a phone rather than worry about monthly bills. Many PAYG contracts now also offer some of the benefits of contract phones, allowing you to top up a certain amount each month. Of course you have to pay for the phone up front, so what are some good options when looking for mobile phones under £100?
Alcatel OT-808: Alcatel has made a name for itself by providing interesting and innovative phone designs for phone users on a budget, and the OT-808 is certainly different. Its clamshell design makes it look like a really small netbook, and its full keyboard makes it ideal for people who love to text. The phone supports a 2MP camera and comes with social networking apps already installed.
LG KP500 Cookie: LG has used the Cookie name for the last couple of years, but now the range has dropped in price, but not quality, and can be found for less than £100 Sim-free. The 3-inch screen makes it look more like a smartphone than a regular phone, and it’s fully touchscreen-enabled. However, despite having a good 3 MP camera, the phone doesn’t have many network options, so if you need a phone that’s useful online, Cookie isn’t the best option.
LG KS360 – Looks a bit like a more feminine and compact version of the Cookie, but the KS360 is designed with texting and emailing in mind. The phone uses a slider keyboard for fast typing and incorporates text messaging features usually only found on more expensive phones. However, its other features, such as its screen and control system, are a bit average.
Samsung C3300 Libre – The Libre is both a compact phone and a capable touch screen device. Most low-priced touchscreen phones tend to use larger screens or are poorly responsive, but the free one uses a smaller, more responsive touchscreen as its main control system, making it very compact. and portable. The phone also comes with a stylus for people with larger hands and a variety of social networking features. However, this one is not for people who like to take pictures, as the 1.3 MP camera is not very impressive.
Samsung Genio QWERTY: The name should be a clue, but this phone is all about the keyboard. In fact, while you won’t find a BlackBerry in the sub-£100 price range, this phone is the best option, with a very high-quality front keypad designed for people who love texting and emailing. The phone even has a multi-IM feature that allows you to chat with multiple people at once for those people who just can’t stop talking.
