Android Go, officially Android (Go Edition), is a scaled-down version of the Android operating system, designed for low-end and ultra-budget smartphones. It is designed for smartphones with less than 2 GB of RAM and was first made available for Android Oreo. An ultra-fast operating system designed for smartphones with less than 2 GB of RAM, Android (Go edition) is lighter and saves data, making it more possible on many devices. When it comes to affordable smartphones, there are two distinct categories: regular Android phones and Android Go phones.
The latter are designed to be as cheap as possible and work with a special version of Android created specifically with low-end specifications in mind. If you're looking for the best Android Go phone, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up the best options available, including our top pick, the Ulefone Note 7.The Ulefone Note 7 stands out from the crowd with its 6.1-inch screen with incredibly thin bezels and a water droplet notch at the top for its 5 MP selfie camera. On the back, you'll find an impressive set of three cameras, allowing for a lot of shooting possibilities.
It's a great option overall. HMD Global also offers a lot of options if you're interested in the best cheap Android phone, and the Nokia 1.3 is a continuation of those efforts in the beginner segment. The phone comes with Android 10 (Go Edition) ready to use, has a large 5.7-inch HD+ screen with a cutout of water droplets and thin bezels, and a generous 3000 mAh battery. You also have an 8 MP camera on the back, 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, a microSD slot with capacity for up to 400 GB of storage, and the Qualcomm 215 platform offers reliable performance. HMD says the device is ready for Android 11, with an update to be released once the Go edition of Android 11 is available. The design itself follows Nokia's minimalist industrial design aesthetic, and here's a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The Alcatel 1 is another great option if you're looking for an affordable Android Go phone.
The real appeal of this phone is its camera experience: you have a 5 MP rear camera and a 2 MP selfie camera, and while there's nothing special about the sensors themselves, Alcatel has included a bunch of features in the phone's camera app. There is a Photo Booth mode that captures four images for three seconds in a configuration similar to a photo booth, as well as an instant collage feature that helps you easily create a collage of your photos and a one-handed mode that brings all camera controls to the lower section of the screen. The Alcatel 1 is available in three colors (black, blue and gold) and is compatible with 4G LTE connectivity. Keep in mind that this is an international device, which means it doesn't come with a warranty and you may have some connection problems in rural areas or busy buildings. Samsung is one of the most popular phone manufacturers out there and hasn't ignored the Android Go market. The Galaxy J2 Core is the Android Go phone manufactured by Samsung that we recommend you buy, and its biggest advantage is a large amount of expandable storage.
Like most Android Go devices, the Galaxy J2 Core only has 8 GB of built-in storage; however, you can use a microSD card to expand it to an impressive 256 GB. That's more than enough space for all your favorite movies, music, games and more. In addition to excellent storage, the J2 Core also shines with its clean design, three colors available and a 2,600 mAh battery. As long as you don't mind the lack of warranty and weak LTE coverage in rural areas of the country, the Galaxy J2 Core is a solid Android Go option. The Blade L8 powers a quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and a 2000 mAh battery. You get 16 GB of storage right out of the box and, if you need it, you can expand it up to 128 GB with a microSD card.
There's also an 8 MP rear camera along with a 5 MP front camera for all your selfies. Last but not least, we have the Nokia 1 Plus. It's a fantastic entry in the Android Go family but sadly it can't be purchased in the US. If you live in Europe or in another market where the phone is sold though, then you're in luck: it offers a large 5.45-inch screen; an 8 MP rear camera; polycarbonate case with 3D nanopattern; 1 GB of RAM; 8 GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 128 GB; 2500 mAh battery; and more. We don't think you can go wrong with any of the phones on this list but if we had to choose just one to recommend it would be the Ulefone Note 7 (opens in new tab).
The Note 7 isn't packed with world's most impressive specifications but there are plenty here to ensure you have reliable daily experience - 3,500 mAh battery should allow for excellent endurance; having microSD card slot for expandable storage is always appreciated; fingerprint sensor makes it easy to log in to your device - all these features make Ulefone Note 7 our top pick.
