Buying Guide for the Best Smartphone Under 200
Choosing a smartphone, especially under a certain budget, can feel overwhelming given the variety of options and features available. To find one that best suits your needs, it's important to understand which aspects matter most for your lifestyle. Think about how you plan to use your phone—for example, do you care more about battery life, screen size, or taking good photos? This will help you prioritize the right features. While lower-priced phones may not have the very latest technology, many deliver excellent performance and basic functions. Focusing on a few key specifications will help you pick a phone that meets your requirements without unnecessary extras.DisplayA smartphone’s display affects everything from how nice your photos look to how easy it is to read text. Screen size is usually measured in inches diagonally and can range from smaller (under 6 inches) for easy one-handed use, to larger (over 6.5 inches) for better video viewing and multitasking. Resolution is another important factor—it determines how sharp and clear the screen looks. HD (720p) is decent, Full HD (1080p) is sharper. If you watch videos, read a lot, or enjoy browsing photos, pick a phone with a larger, higher-resolution screen. For more compact phones for simple use, a smaller, basic display may suffice.
Battery LifeBattery life tells you how long your phone will last on a single charge. It is usually measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). Phones with around 3000-4000mAh offer average battery life and last a full day with standard use, while ones with 5000mAh or more can last even longer—helpful if you’re often away from a charger. If you rely on your phone heavily for calls, games, or video streaming, aim for a higher battery capacity. Lighter users who are often near power sources can be comfortable with moderate-sized batteries.
Processor and RAMThe processor (also called the chipset) and RAM (memory) determine the phone’s overall speed and ability to handle multiple tasks smoothly. Basic processors and 2GB–3GB RAM are enough for calling, texting, and light apps. 4GB–6GB RAM and a more modern processor can offer smoother performance for social media, videos, and some games. If you value speed, multitask often, or plan to keep your phone for several years, aim for more RAM and a newer processor. For light, everyday use, basic specs will work fine.
Camera QualityCamera performance is important if you like taking photos or video calls. Look at the megapixel count, but also other features like autofocus or whether there’s more than one camera (such as wide angle or macro lenses). Basic phones have single cameras that work well for snapshots and video calls. More advanced models offer dual or triple cameras for better versatility. If you value capturing memories with good detail, look for a phone with higher megapixels and extra camera features. If you only need occasional photos, even basic cameras suffice.
StorageStorage space determines how many apps, photos, and files you can keep on your phone. Entry-level phones may have 32GB, which is enough for light use but may fill up fast with media and apps. 64GB is more comfortable if you download lots of apps or take many photos. Some phones also allow you to add a microSD card for extra storage. Choose higher storage if you plan to install many apps, save music, or shoot lots of photos/videos; lighter use means basic storage is fine.
Operating System and UpdatesThe operating system (like Android or iOS) is the software that runs your phone and affects app availability and security. Most budget phones use Android, and having a recent version is important for security and features. Some brands provide regular updates while others don’t. Make sure your chosen phone runs an up-to-date system to get the newest features and safer experience. If you want more app choices and ongoing updates, look for brands known for good software support.
Build Quality and ExtrasBuild quality covers how sturdy and comfortable the phone feels. Lower-priced phones may use more plastic, which can feel lighter but less premium, although it may be more resistant to drops. Extras might include fingerprint readers for quick unlocking, headphone jacks, or splash resistance. If you value durability or specific features for convenience, check which extras are included. Figure out which extras are must-haves for your day-to-day and prioritize those.