Top Tens Budget Phones - Stuff South Africa

BUDGET PHONES

TIPS & TRICKS

Go dark – head to
Settings, then
Display, and then
select Dark Mode
to save your eyes
some trouble.

Easier on the eyes –
go to Settings,
choose Accessibility,
then select TalkBack
to get audio cues
from your phone.

Messed it up? Travel
to Settings, General
Management, Reset,
and then Factory
Reset to start over.

Samsung Galaxy A34 5G

from R7 500 / incredible.co.za

Samsung’s budget lineup continues to kick the competition around. As you can tell from the increased model number, the A34 5G is a little better than its predecessor (and miles ahead of the competition). SA’s got the 6GB/128GB version of the phone, which sports a 6.6in 120Hz Super AMOLED display. The increased spec is because Samsung’s done away with its A7x series of smartphones so there’s more hardware love to go around. The camera hasn’t been upgraded much, however, so you can still snag the Galaxy A33 5G (for R6 000) if that’s all you’re concerned with.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Samsung stays under budget while offering users more than before. Always a good deal, that.

• NOW ADD THIS
JABRA ELITE 2 EARBUDS
Samsung’s ditched the headphone jack so you’re going to have to go wireless this time. These’ll do nicely.
R1 000 / takealot.com

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

R8 200 / takealot.com

Surprise, surprise: Samsung’s taken up another spot on the budget phone list. We get it, the Samsung Galaxy A54 pushes the boundaries of the word ‘budget’ with that R10 500 price tag. It’s a good thing that it’s come down since it launched. Note the AMOLED panel, 5,000mAh battery, and 50MP sensor and the price will soon make sense. Features you’d expect from more expensive smartphones lurk under the hood, making this highly attractive no matter what you’re after.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Samsung strikes again, this time with a glassy fist.

Samsung Galaxy A13

R4 000 / game.co.za

Don’t let the price tag confuse you. This is still one of Samsung’s better devices even if it’s on what we’d call the ‘good’ side of R5 000. That isn’t a few thousand going to waste, either. The A13’s camera won’t be winning any prizes, but it’ll do the job just fine. As will the innards and decent 6.6in display. Smartphones under the R5k mark don’t usually perform this well, which is why it’s at number three.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Oh, you wanted a budget budget
phone. Here you go. You’re welcome.