Vodafone Smart Ultra 7 review

While 'competent and cheap' isn't exactly the most thrilling of endorsements, the Vodafone Smart Ultra 7 undoubtedly ticks a lot of boxes for its keen £135 price.

We liked

The Vodafone Smart Ultra 7 has the kind of sharp display and decent performance that enables it to mix with the Moto G4, which is the current standard-bearer for affordable phones.

You're also getting a crisp near-stock version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with most of the benefits that entails.

All of this and it's available for a good chunk of change less than Motorola's latest cut-price phone.

We disliked

It might be cheaper than the Moto G4, but the Vodafone Smart Ultra 7 certainly feels it. I'm not a huge fan of the faux metal edges or weirdly glitzy plastic back.

While the UI is pretty much pure Android, you do need to put up with a little Vodafone meddling in terms of apps and services, too.

Finally, while we should always temper expectations given the price, the camera doesn't quite live up to its promising specs.

Verdict

Vodafone has done it again, creating a well-balanced and highly capable smartphone for just £135 on Pay As You Go.

It's well-built, if a little ugly, and it performs well in most scenarios. With this power, combined with 4G connectivity and a large and sharp display, the Smart Ultra 7 is great for portable media consumption on a budget.

And it's that price that really stands out here. The Smart Ultra 7 isn't quite as accomplished a phone as the Moto G4, but it's £35 cheaper. If every penny counts for you, this is a worthy alternative.

First reviewed: July 2016