Looking for a cheap cell phone to buy now at the end of 2022? TechSmart will help you by listing the main models we tested this year and citing the price found now in November so you can be smart and not fall for the fake Black Friday deals.
If you are looking for a more complete phone that goes beyond just offering the basic experience, we also have a guide with the best intermediaries. Here we will only mention cell phones that cost up to R$ 1,200, taking into account the average price now at the end of the year and not the launch price.
- Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Realme C30
- Samsung Galaxy A03
- Nokia C30
- Motorola Moto E32
- Redmi 10C
- Redmi 10 Prime
- Realme C35
- Samsung Galaxy A13
- Nokia G21
If you are looking for the cheapest phone possible, but still delivering a satisfying experience, the Galaxy A03 Core can be a good option. It hit the market almost a year ago for BRL 1,000, but it is already on offer in November in the BRL 600 range.
The Galaxy A03 Core is a simple cell phone that does not have a biometric reader or Wi-Fi AC connectivity for 5 GHz networks. There is a 6.5-inch screen with HD resolution and medium brightness, while the sound part delivers good power.
It has Unisoc chipset and only 2 GB of RAM, but as its Android is the lean version Go Edition, the performance is not so compromised. The battery lasts all day easily, but takes more than three hours to recharge. The A03 Core only has a simple camera on the back that does the basics, while the front camera only records decent selfies in well-lit places.
- Samsung Galaxy A03 Core Review
realme is another one that has been investing in the most basic segment and a model we tested recently is the C30, which arrived on the national market in August 2022 for R$ 1,099 and can be found around 700 now close to Black Friday.
It brings a more polished look than the basics of Samsung, but it also lacks the biometric reader and Wi-Fi AC connectivity. The screen has the same 6.5-inch size and HD resolution, but here we have a little stronger brightness and better colors. The bad point is for the sound that distorts at most and loses in power to the Galaxy A03 Core.
The C30 also comes equipped with Unisoc hardware, but brings a more current chip, which, despite having the same 2 GB of RAM as Samsung’s rival, delivers superior performance on a daily basis. On the other hand, its battery lasts less, despite recharging faster. Their cameras are better and record clearer, sharper selfies at night.
- Realme C30 review
The two models we mentioned bring only 32 GB of storage. If that’s not enough for you, then there’s the Galaxy A03 with twice the memory. It was launched in Europe in February 2022 for R$1,299 and can be found in offers now near the end of the year for R$800.
The Galaxy A03 also owes a biometric reader, but it brings connectivity to 5 GHz networks thanks to Wi-Fi AC. It is another one on our list with a 6.5-inch screen and HD resolution, but it could have a better brightness level. At least the sound part stands out with powerful audio that doesn’t distort at the most.
The A03 is another one with Unisoc hardware, but here we have 4GB of RAM, which guarantees a better multitasking experience. Its battery lasts all day with ease, while the recharge time is long and takes more than three hours to be plugged in. The 48 MP camera captures sharper images than the most basic ones mentioned and we have better night photos.
- Samsung Galaxy A03 Review
Looking for a cheap phone with a big screen to watch your series? The Nokia C30 is the most affordable option for this type of profile. It was launched in Europe in March 2022 for R$1,299 and can be found for less than R$900 in year-end offers.
The Nokia C30 differs from the others not only because of its larger 6.8-inch screen, but also because it has a removable back, which is something rare to see in the market these days. If the big screen is a good choice for enjoying movies, the small speaker on the back compromises immersion. At least there is a biometric reader that is lacking in the others mentioned.
Its hardware is also from Unisoc, the same that equips the Galaxy A03 Core. Incidentally, here we also only have 2 GB of RAM, but the storage brings 64 GB as in the A03. Its performance is decent, while the battery lasts quite a while. The only thing missing was a better recharge time, with the Nokia C30 being the slowest to recharge on our list.
Its cameras are better than cheaper Samsung and realme phones, but it’s a little lower than the Galaxy A03 in low light.
- Nokia C30 Review
Over R$900 we have the Moto E32, which arrived in Europe in May 2022 for a hefty R$1,499. It is good to be aware that if its price is above R$ 1 thousand on Black Friday, it will not be a real offer, since it is currently possible to buy it for less.
E32 has biometric reader integrated into the power button on the side, which can be more convenient and easier to access. It sins for not having standard AC Wi-Fi, but it makes up for it by having a 90 Hz screen, while the others mentioned are limited to 60 Hz. On the other hand, its single speaker lacks power and sound quality.
Here we have the same chip present in the Galaxy A03, as well as the same 4 GB. It’s just a shame that Motorola’s software is not put to good use and its performance is inferior. The battery lasts less than the others, but because of the screen with a higher refresh rate. At least the reload time isn’t that long. Its cameras are good for the segment and the front one makes better selfies than the cheaper ones mentioned.
- Motorola Moto E32 Review
Entry cell phones are not only made of Unisoc hardware. Xiaomi brought the Redmi 10C to Europe in June 2022 for R$1,600, but it can now be found close to Black Friday for less than R$1,000.
The Redmi 10C has a distinctive look with a cooktop-style camera block that is seen in more expensive cell phones. What can be a little annoying is the position of the biometric reader built into the camera block, which may be too high for some.
It brings AC Wi-Fi connectivity and Snapdragon 680 with 4GB of RAM. It’s not the fastest to use with several apps, but it beats several that we’ve listed. Its battery lasts all day with ease, but it is not the fastest in recharge time.
The Redmi 10C makes good daytime photos if you turn on HDR manually, while at night it beats the cheaper ones with its efficient night mode. The front makes good selfies in well-lit places.
- Redmi 10C review
Another option from Xiaomi is the Redmi 10 Prime. It is the oldest on our list and was released in 2021, but it is still capable of clashing with the 2022 releases. It can currently be found for just over R$ 1,000.
The Redmi 10 Prime has a neater look that reminds a lot of Xiaomi’s intermediate cell phone. There is biometric reader on the side and Wi-Fi AC connectivity. Its 6.5-inch screen has Full HD+ resolution with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. The best part is for the sound which is good quality stereo, unlike the cheaper ones with mono audio.
In this one we have the MediaTek Helio G88 with 4 GB of RAM, which results in similar performance to the Redmi 10C, but with better battery life. If you enjoy a more complete photographic set, you will be pleased with the Redmi 10 Prime for having ultra-wide and dedicated cameras for macros and blur.
- Redmi 10 Prime review
Another good option for a basic cell phone from realme is the C35. It arrived on the Europeian market in May 2022 for R$1,899, but is currently found in offers close to R$1,100.
The C35 is a device for those who care about design. He looks like a more expensive cell phone with his thin, curvy body. The front part still bets on a drop notch, but with thinner edges than others in the category.
It brings Unisoc’s Tiger T616 platform and beats Xiaomi’s basics in speed. The disappointing point is for the battery that delivers the worst autonomy on our list. It is even possible to spend all day away from electrical outlets, as long as you use it lighter.
The photographic set is not the realme C35’s strong point. Still, the cell phone is capable of capturing good photos in favorable light situations.
- Realme C35 review
If you’re looking for the best entry-level phone from Samsung, then it’s the Galaxy A13 to go for. It was launched in Europe in March 2022 for R$1,799 and can be found for less than R$1,200 in early November.
The A13 has a 6.6-inch screen with Full HD+ resolution with a good level of brightness and colors. Too bad the sound part disappoints in power and balance. At least there’s an equalizer with Dolby Atmos support, which can be used when a headphone is plugged in.
It comes with Exynos 850 and 4GB RAM. This combination guarantees great performance, being able to hold a good amount of apps open at the same time, unlike the basic ones from Xiaomi and Motorola. The battery lasts well and doesn’t take as long to recharge.
The A13 also has a 50 MP camera, like the realme rival, but it records better photos. It captures superior images to the others on our list and despite being a little lacking in dark scenarios, it still stands out for the segment.
- Samsung Galaxy A13 review
Closing our top 10 basic cell phones to keep an eye out for on Black Friday, we have the Nokia G21 that arrived in Europe in July for R$1,749 and can be found in offers in early November for R$1,200.
The G21 is that typical cell phone that sits between the entry-level and mid-range segment, but as it’s another one with Unisoc’s entry-level hardware, it ends up competing with others we’ve included in this list. Its performance is average for the segment, as is the battery that lasts all day with ease.
One of Nokia’s differentials is its cleaner software that will please those who don’t like the Xiaomi or Samsung interfaces. The system responds well and the 90 Hz screen ensures high fluidity. What disappoints is its photographic performance that falls short of others with 50 MP camera from our guide.
- Nokia G21 Review
If you are looking for a good and cheap cell phone to buy on Black Friday 2022, now you know which models to keep an eye on. The Galaxy A13, Redmi 10 Prime and Moto E32 are the most balanced and should please most, but there are other interesting options as mentioned.
TechSmart will provide real-time coverage of Black Friday 2022 to help you choose true deals on cell phones and other electronics. Also don’t forget to check out our other guides to the best mid-range and top-of-the-line phones we’ve tested this year.
