List of Cheap and Skanky Android Phones End 2015 Edition

So you want a phone, but you want it cheap. Of course! Android to the rescue! The following is a list of cheap and skanky phones that will get you a fairly stupid smart phone for dirt cheap - make sure you look for specials as these are reduced most weeks - who in their right mind would spend close to a $100 for any of these? You will be able to run 1 or 2 apps at once at best but if you want a dumbphone these will work swimmingly too - just disable everything smart from Bluetooth to Location to data and battery life will last roughly a week.

Telstra Rush - Comes in kinky red, frequently on special $29 at Coles. Seems to be EOL. Made by ZTE and comes with 512MB RAM and a poky tired dual core. KitKat.

Telstra Tempo - Such wit with models names! Also $29 special at Coles. Is definitely an older model but is still being sold. Same 512MB RAM and a dual core that is just as tired. KitKat.

Telstra Smart Plus - Genius! It is smart! And Plus! $49 at Telstra, was $24.50 recently, not seen (yet) at Coles. Rebadged Tempo more or less but with less colour choice (sad face) but a slightly lower SAR rating. And hear that echo - dual core + 512MB RAM. KitKat.

Telstra Pixi - Seems to be similar to Optus' Pixi Onetouch, hovers around $50. Just as skanky as the others although it may come with 1GB RAM. Rather hard to find. Seems to be KitKat.

Optus Onetouch Pixi 3 - PIXI! At $49, frequently reduced to under $30. Same 512MB/dual core combo as the rest. Don't particularly like Alcatel, last Pixi I had had battery issues.

Optus Samsung Galaxy Young 2 - A ridiculous $79, but can rarely be found at around $40. Single core and 512MB RAM and KitKat. It is a "name" brand though.

Vodafone Smart Mini - TeeHee, it isn't that smart. Specs as above and running KitKat. Even compared to other skanky phones, seemed rather sluggish.

For around $50 you too can be ultra modern! If you see any more skank add it to the list. Now I really feel like KitKats. Hmmmmmmmmm.

Comments

  • Samsung Galaxy Young 2 is single core

  • +1

    Nokia Lumia 530. Pretty much every ozbargainer would own one of those by now surely. Can be had for $39.50 on special most days.

    • +6

      No lol, some people want phones they like.

    • Android phones in particular. Don't much care for Windows Phone.

  • +3

    Telstra ZTE Buzz - The BEST bang for buck at the moment. 4.5" 1gb RAM Quad Core, Android Lollipop $63 - ($10 Cashrewards - Telstra shop), or Dicksmith. Good thread on Whirlpool re changing to the Optus bands. Unlock under $5

    Sony E4G - Second best bang for buck. $99 - 10% using gift cards etc. 4.7" IPS screen ,1gb Ram Quad Core KitKat, but better camera, 2 days+ battery, has every network band known to man - no tethering trickery found in the Buzz (Coles, Dicksmith, Australia Post, Telstra Shop). Unlock approx $20

  • I would caution buyers that Android handsets are "unuseable" unless they have 1GB RAM minimum due to very long loading times and interface lags - Android really struggles without 1GB.

    (well ok they're mostly fine if all you want is a phone to make calls … but even then you prolly better off buying a feature phone in that case)

    • Even 1GB struggles these days…
      The point is you get what you pay for. Good when you have accidentally smashed your Nexus 6P, and waiting to get a replacement…

      • Well of course more is better but I think for Android "normal" use scenarios (social networking/casual gaming/browsing) is "useable" at 1GB whereas with 512MB your really buying a lemon not a budget useable device.

        It's just not a wise decision IMO - feature phones will not only work faster they'll more than likely also have better call quality (which is all you can use the 512MB device for realistically IMO).

  • Optus ZTE Fit 4G Smart!

    Bought one for $45 as a backup phone and it's quite the zippy thing. Didn't get stuck a single time during my relatively brutal use :D I'm impressed, the only bad thing I can say about that is its terrible resolution!

    • +1

      terrible resolution, awful camera. but great battery, super fast 4g, zippy OS, and this thing is as strong as an ox. I dop phones. all the time. Ive dropped this thing on concrete from chest height and a corner will get busted up and the back pops off but screen and everything is A.O.K. i dont know if its rated for it or not but its been pretty splash proof too. this is the best crappiest phone ive had and I've had a lot. Purchased for $50 at coles on a half price deal/

      • true that, I wasn't expecting good resolution nor good camera since it's a backup phone for me. Does the job and yeah, zippy lil thing! I second the battery life, used it as a hotspot in Japan and it lasted almost two days with continuous usage (granted, almost zero SOT, but 4G tethering isn't light on battery either)!

  • anyone recommend an android circa $100, with the ability to get durable cases primarily for an older user?
    Is the Y550 still a good choice or are there better spec phones in the similar bracket now?

    • zte fit 4g. $99 or half that if you catch it on a regular sale.

  • Thanks for the list.

    Although it seems OzBargainers don't really know about the wiki section (it's not promoted and I never check it - perhaps an auto wiki-suggester could be added?) this would be really useful in a regularly updated wiki since the question comes up often. The traditional wiki format isn't even what's really needed - a post like this with comments is much more useful and people could simply ask questions underneath that may trigger updates to the "wiki" above. BTW, the current wiki has a single line for handsets with a dead link (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/category:mobile#handsets).

    I only fear the site will turn into a nanny state forum like stackoverflow where every question is marked as a duplicate.

    Out of interest, if I had $50 AUD ($36 USD) is it even possible to get a better phone from abroad for the same price (beyond the obvious risks involved?).

  • As per the thread title these are supposed to be cheap and skanky Android phones at around $50 ish. $100 isn't cheap. And dumbphones are dead in the water. A flip from Vodafone is $79 and Optus is $99 both of which are utterly ridiculous. You can buy one of the phones above for $29 on special and use it for calls/text. I personally am now using the Young 2 above after picking it up for $39. The lite version of Touchwiz adds some nifty additions and its perfectly sufficient as a dumbphone. Disable WiFi, data, bluetooth, location everything and the battery life is fine. Plus being Samsung the build quality isn't that bad. The whole 512MB RAM thing doesn't matter for a basic phone running an app or two. If you want fancy multitasking and fancy apps spend double or triple. I will endeavor to keep this thread updated.

  • I just bought a Samsung J1 as a temp phone
    its actually not bad
    1.2 quad core , 4g , has low storage. But just a temp phone
    for $89 incl a $40 starter credit pack that ill put on ebay for $1 res

  • Vodafone Smart mini 7 3G - is anybody using one of these? I'm looking at getting one for my un-tech savy aunt? Comments please?

Login or Join to leave a comment