According to a 2018 study, Millennials are the top spenders on cell phones, averaging 15% on that specific gadget, taking money out of their budget for gas, television, and vacations. That’s less about them loving fancy phones than it is a necessity: it’s pretty much impossible to find a reliable phone for less than $200… unless you check out the selections below, of course, which are highly rated by customers, well reviewed, and available for less than two Benjamin Franklins.
Motorola
Motorola G Fast
Squeaking onto this list at $199.99, the Motorola G is compatible with all the major carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon), has 2 days of battery power (4000 mAh), and a bright 6.4” display. The cons, according to this otherwise stellarPC Mag review, are that the camera is mediocre (just 16 MP) and it is of “dubious durability,” which, in all honesty, is a frightening thing to hear about a smartphone — half of them seem to crack in half if you swipe on a Tinder match to enthusiastically. What I’m saying is this is a good option, but you probably want to invest in a case forit.
Probably the definition of a minimalist phone, the Nokia 3.2 has all the basic workings of a modern phone: 6.2 inch screen, two cameras, and two years of OS upgrades to look forward to. Where does it skimp? No fingerprint sensor and, for some odd reason, it uses a Micro-USB instead of a USB-C charger. For some people, that’s a deal-breaker, but if you aren’t sure what that means, then you’re about to buy a phone that gives you everything you want for just $129.99.
This phone features a 6” HD+ display, 13MP+5 dual rear cameras and built-in editing tools, plus an 8MP front-facing lens. Like its little brother, the 3.1 plus uses a Micro-USB instead of a USB-C, and has only a mono speaker, but it has “excellent” battery life and one of the best screens available for the price.
As we climb Nokia’s contemporary series, the story doesn’t change much: the battery life is still amazing (and slightly better than its siblings), and there’s a neat notification LED that circles th mpower button. It uses Android One, so it will receive updates for years. And it doesn’t look like a cheap phone. But it’s hampered by performance problems (according to reviews) and that dang Micro USB.
