Samsung’s Galaxy R just leaked this morning, and it’s a budget version of the five star Galaxy S 2. Perfect if you want the same awesome functionality on a slightly more modest budget.
It’s the latest in a line of slightly lower specced but still undeniably awesome Android phones that come super cheap. Can’t afford the best? Check out the rest, with our guide to the budget alternatives to high end smartphones. Saving money has never been so much fun.
Money to burn: Samsung Galaxy S 2
Budget alternative: Samsung Galaxy R
Looking almost identical to the stellar Galaxy S 2, the R has a slightly smaller screen (4.2-inches to the S 2’s 4.3), and it’s not quite as bright as the Super AMOLED Plus on the S 2. But that’s to be expected. Inside is a 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, and the same software – Android 2.3, with Samsung’s own hubs skin on top. On the back: a five-megapixel camera with 720p HD video. So, apart from a slightly smaller and duller screen, marginally slower processor, and lower resolution imaging abilities, it’s very close indeed.
Money to burn: HTC Sensation
Budget alternative: HTC Wildfire
The Wildfire S may be newer, but nowhere near as cheap. The original Wildfire is the budget offering from HTC stable, running Android 2.1, with a 5-megapixel camera on the back. The 528MHz processor may seem a bit dated, in these days of dual-core, and the Eclair version of Android isn’t exactly cutting edge, but it still has HTC Sense on board. And if you want an HTC smartie without blowing a hole in your finances, this is your best option.
Money to burn: Nokia N8
Budget alternative: Nokia C7
This budget Nokia has plenty of extras to shout about, such as: an accelerometer, ambient light detector for giving you optimal brightness depending on your environment, and a compass. It looks like an iPhone with the corners rounded off, and there’s a whopping 8GB internal memory (upgradeable to a total 40GB via microSD) – that’s a lot for a budget phone. It even totes an 8-megapixel camera and 720p HD video. The N8’s 12-megapixel camera and 16GB onboard storage just look excessive in comparison.
Money to burn: Sony Ericsson arc
Budget alternative: Sony Ericsson neo
The Arc may be by far the sexier of the two, but the neo comes packing the same 8.1-megapixel snapper and 720p HD video recording with HDMI connector, which aren’t to be sniffed at. And it’s no slouch in the looks department either, coming in a choice of three colours. Tough to believe this is a budget alternative and not the hero product, with specs like these.
Money to burn: LG Optimus 2X
Budget alternative: LG Optimus Me P350
The Me P350 may not have a dual-core processor like the 2X, but then at this price that’d be like complaining the bus doesn’t accelerate like a Kawasaki Ninja. Specs are a bit more modest, with a 3-megapixel camera and a 2.8-inch screen, but it runs Android 2.2, which is newer than some budget offerings.
