With the mobile marketplace teeming with a multitude of smartphones, one might wonder whether cheap pay and go phones still have a place in the mobile infrastructure.
With massive innovation in both hardware and operating systems, phones now do a lot more than just let you talk and text, with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S2 and Apple iPhone 5 stealing headlines around the world these days.
Sadly all this innovation isn't cheap – and most of it is reserved for high-end contract handsets. So, is there such a thing as the 'best pay as you go phone on a budget'?
Omio has provided a list of the top selling cheap phones at the moment, which we've taken to task to bring you the best PAYG phones around at the moment - so if you're looking to pick up a decent handset for not much wonga, these are the best budget phones going.
Blackberry Curve 9300
Price: £150
The Blackberry Curve 9300 is an entry-level handset featuring the traditional design RIM has become known for. It has a candy bar form factor with rubberised QWERTY keys, a Micro-USB port and 3.5mm headphone jack - and we found that keyboard pretty usable in our tests.
While it's not a feature-rich handset, what is on offer is more than acceptable for the PAYG market: a 2 mega-pixel camera, 2.4-inch screen, GPS, Wi-Fi and an expandable MicroSD memory all add up to stop you like you've got a phone from 2002.
The Curve 9300 doesn't revolutionise the Pay and Go arena thanks to a slightly higher price tag, but if you're a dyed-in-the-wool BlackBerry fan and addicted to BBM, this is a more high-tech option for an affordable sum.
Nokia C2-01
Price: £44.95
The Nokia C2-01 is a phone for people who want a phone, and little else. It runs Symbian S40 OS, non-touch, 320x240 pixel screen, classic D-pad and standard number pad design. Nokia has also thrown in a respectable 3.2 mega-pixel camera too.
There is no Wi-Fi, no GPS and not really very much of anything. Now you might think this is a downside – however, the lack of features is balanced by the fact it does one thing very well: make phone calls.
Thanks to a decent battery – you can get a specified 9 hours talktime from a single charge, and on standby our test showed this phone will last you a few days at least, which is the primary thing a lot of people are looking for nowadays.
For a simple budget phone for under £50, the Nokia C2-01 does the job perfectly.
Samsung Tocco Lite
Price: £35.90
Aimed at mobile buyers who want a hit of touchscreen action at a budget price, the Samsung Tocco Lite S5230 brings Samsung's full touch user interface and typical minimalist touchphone style into a low cost package.
The device features a 3.2MP camera, FM Radio, expandable user memory and great media recording and playback options.
You won't find any Android OS here though; instead offered Samsung's proprietary OS – which to be honest, does limit your options, app and game wise.
That said, you are able to view documents on the go, playback music and even video on the averagely-resolutioned WQVGA screen.
If you are looking for an entry-level touch screen phone at a rock bottom price, the Samsung Tocco Lite could be just the handset you are after, despite its age on the market.
LG Cookie Lite
Price: £39.90
The LG Cookie Lite is one of the more basic touch screen handsets available. It is a lightweight device, weighing in at only 79 grams and has a diminutive form that will fit in any pocket or handbag.
The features are limited, with only a 1.3 mega-pixel camera and miniscule 2.4-inch, 320x240 pixel resolution screen, plus there isn't any 3G connectivity, meaning you'll find any meaningful web browsing a chore.
Where the Cookie Lite really shines is in its call quality and battery life. The handset is crisp and clear and with the feature-set somewhat lacking, the upshot is you can eke out nearly 6 hours of talk-time from a single charge.
Similar to the Samsung Tocco Lite, this is a handset for those looking for a touch screen phone at a minimal cost.
Nokia 1800
Price: £15
The Nokia 1800 is like a time machine in a phone. Picking it up you could easily imagine you are in 1998… but while it's feature-light, it's still decent enough for the money.
The phone is as stripped down as they get these days, featuring… well not a lot. The handset has a colour 1.8 inch screen, MP3 ringtones as well as a handy FM Radio and flashlight, and that's where the features stop - not even a VGA camera to play with here.
This is a device for those who really just want a phone to be a phone. When you do want a phone, it excels in every way. Call quality is sharp and reliable and the build of the device means that it sits nicely in your hand - plus you can buy ten of the things should one ever get lost/dropped down the toilet.
The Nokia 1800 is a knockout winner when it comes to battery life. Talk-time is specified as up to 13 hours and the standby time is a monumental 34 days - Sure an iPhone can tell you a thousand ways to cook dinner, but away from a power supply you are lucky to get a day's juice.
This phone is currently available for the meagre sum of £15. When looking for a new phone, it really doesn't get any cheaper and because of its no-glitz approach, we love it.
Sony Ericsson Spiro
Price: £29.95
The Sony Ericsson Spiro is a stripped down Walkman branded handset, packing a 2-megapixel camera, Edge connectivity and a 2.2-inch, 240x320 (QVGA) screen.
It's a well-made, sturdy handset – and it weighs a mere 90g, meaning it is super portable. The keypad is well laid out, and the keys are slightly raised to aid typing
The OS is a simple Symbian variant, which is clean and fast – if not incredibly feature packed. You do however get a great MP3 player and radio included.
At the end of the day – there is not much to shout about, however the simple handset will suit those on a lower budget, just fine.
Orange San Francisco
Price: £99.97
The Orange San Francisco is a feature rich Android handset the goes against the grain of other handsets at this price.
The San Francisco has some amazing assets. It packs a 3.5 inch 480 x 800 pixel touch screen, WiFi, GPS and 3G connectivity.
The chassis feels very solid, its slate grey main colour is appealing, and the sliver highlights on the long edges look reasonably cool too.
In our opinion, this is one of the best handsets about in this price range.
Samsung Monte
Price: £69.99
If social is your thing, the Samsung Monte could be the perfect phone for you.
The Monte is pre-loaded with widgets for several social networks, YouTube and BBC iPlayer access, and shortcuts to phone functions and apps.
You won't find a physical keyboard on this handset, however the touchscreen interface is responsive, even offering haptic feedback.
For mobile internet lovers, there's speedy 3G mobile broadband for browsing when out and about, and Wi-Fi connectivity means you can get even faster connections from hotspots.
HTC Wildfire
Price: £110
A smartphone for those on a tight budget, the HTC Wildfire doesn't skimp on the specs; the touchscreen handset runs Android 2.1 with the user-friendly HTC Sense UI and is rocking the same processing power as 2009's phone of choice, the HTC Hero.
The HTC Wildfire offers a 3.2-inch QVGA capacitive screen, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, a 5-megapixel camera and allows access to the full Android experience the 2.1 Android OS.
The screen isn't the best we've seen, but the features make this handset one to watch.
Samsung Galaxy Europa
Price: £44.95
The Galaxy Europa i5500 is another small format Android handset, running Android 2.1 that comes in at the pocket-friendly price of £100. The i5500 features Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS and allows for media expandability through the Micro-SD card slot.
The handset is well built and features a unique asymmetrical design that allows for comfortable handling, and its 102g weight is not going to tear a hole in your pocket either.
Samsung gives you access to nicely integrated versions of Facebook and Twitter – meaning that your friends will always be with you.
If you are looking for a compact Android device for under a £50, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Europa.
Blackberry Curve 8520
Price: £119.95
The Blackberry Curve 8520 is RIM's cheapest handset in their vast range. If you are a business user on a budget, the Curve is a great way to get Blackberry features without breaking the bank.
It's not got the clout of the more heavily-specced BlackBerry Curve 9300, but then it doesn't have the same price tag either.
Featuring a decent processor, Wi-Fi built in and a passable camera, this phone doesn't feel budget by any means. You won't find 3G/HSDPA connectivity or incredible media attributes, but if email and text is your thing, this could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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