Blog/20101010 cheapest mobile with Android

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We'd previously talked about the cheapest phone with gmail and operamini, and looked at a range of quite simple phones that are capable of running gmail and opera mini. There've been quite a few budget Android phones coming out, prompting the question as to what the cheapest reasonable Android phone might be.

Unlike for the cheapest phone with gmail and operamini, I haven't actually done any testing, so this is one of those frustrating mini reviews that go on specs alone. Here are some quick notes with some contenders:

• T-mobile Pulse Mini
  • Android 2.1
  • reviews are mixed (particularly regarding touch screen), seems to be worse than the LG below
  • About £80 on PAYG from T-mobile, but prob sold locked to T-mobile
  • resistive touch screen
  • probably the same or very similar to Huawei U8110

• U8220 is similar to T-mobile Pulse

• LG Optimus LG540
  • about £100
  • reviews are mixed (also regarding screen), but seems to have marginally better reviews than Pulse Mini
  • Android 1.6, apparently upgradable to Android 2.1
  • 320x480 screen

• Alcatel OT 980
  • Android 2.1
  • physical slide-out keyboard. The above phones all have issues with the on-screen keyboard, so this seems to be a good idea.
  • About £100 on PAYG in the UK (likely to be unlocked)
  • Has got good reviews: "from what we've seen, it's going to render low end Android rivals like the T-Mobile Pulse Mini and Vodafone 845 utterly redundant." [1]

• Huawei "Ideos" U8150
  • Android 2.2
  • apparently available in kenya for $100
  • capacitive touch screen (!) (320x240, the others are resistive)
  • according to this review the camera is auto focus, but I haven't seen that elsewhere. (another review says the camera is poor and doesnt have autofocus)

From this list, the Alcatel OT 980 and Ideos look most interesting - but like I said, I haven't tested any of this. More updates soon!

Update 10/10/10

Here are two more contenders:

• ZTE Racer
• Orange SF / ZTE Blade (not on gsm arena it seems!)
  • £99 from Orange, large capacitive screen.
  • Great review here: http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blade-blade-modaco-com/318802/paul-reviews-the-orange-san-francisco/
  • 480×800 pixel capacitive screen (most of the above are 320x240 resistive)

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