


We’ve noted which options have a storage card slot in our roundup. To store photos and music on the phone, you’ll need to buy a MicroSD memory card. Storage spaceĭumb phones don’t have much storage space - think megabytes rather than gigabytes. Most are in colour, but we have included one with a monochrome interface in our list. You’ll want it to be large enough to type your messages and see who you’re calling, and the options on our list range from a smaller 1.7 inches diagonally to just under 3 inches across. While smartphones are all screen, these basic phones need space for the keyboard and the display is much smaller. You’ll be getting either a traditional rectangular handset with a screen and buttons beneath it (these are known as “candy bar” phones) or a flip phone where the screen folds over the keypad in a clamshell design. Card slots: MicroSD and dual SIM card slots.We do wish it charged via USB-C instead of Micro-USB, though. The main positives here are the long battery, expansive screen and 4G connectivity. The camera is pretty low quality and the torch isn’t all that bright, but we’re looking at phones that aren’t overloaded with features for this roundup, so these aren’t major downsides. We appreciate the satisfying and nostalgic feel of the buttons, but they are small and there are other options on this list that are better for anyone with dexterity issues. It delivers simplicity and the basics and does them well, offering a long-lasting removable battery that should keep you going for up to 30 days, a 2.8-inch display to match the size of chunkier flip phones, and a sensible price tag. Our list below is a mix of our hands-on testing and expert picks from our rigorous research.Īfter a great value feature phone with 4G connectivity and a big screen? You can’t go wrong with the 8210 from Nokia, which like the 3310 is yet another resurrection of a classic design. We also look at how the interface works and how intuitive it is to navigate the menus. We evaluate that all-important speaker sound quality for calls, check the screen brightness, and type away on the keypad. On the GH tech team, we test dumb phones by checking how easy they are to use compared to smartphones. Below, we’ve rounded up nine of the best non-smartphones to buy this year. Whether you have an older relative who struggles with new tech, you want a phone that reminds you of a simpler time, you need a backup handset for calls or you’ve had enough of the deluge of social media notifications at the dinner table. There’s a wide range of reasons why picking up one of the best dumb phones might be the right choice for you in 2023. Best budget smartphone for accessibility: Doro 8100.Best budget Apple iPhone: iPhone SE (2022).Best budget Samsung smartphone: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G.
CNET BEST BUDGET APPS ANDROID
Best budget Android smartphone: Google Pixel 6a.And it doesn’t matter if you’re picking iPhone or Android, you don’t need to spend the over £1,000 it costs to get the newest release. Looking to save money but loathe to miss out on your favourite apps? If you can't get by without Candy Crush or WhatsApp, you might be happier with one of the best budget smartphones or a refurbished handset instead of a dumb phone.
