Best cheap phones in 2021 and prices in Nigeria (Updated)

New phones are released every week by various smartphone brands, both flagship and budget phones. This makes it a big challenge to get the best of the best, whether flagship or budget. Many people make the mistake of just comparing prices, and they believe a phone with a high price provides more value.

This isn’t true at all. Of course, price is one thing to check when shopping for the best cheap phones, but what a brand calls ‘cheap’ isn’t another brand’s ‘cheap.’ Two phones released the same year might have the same price, but when compared together, they look like phones from different decades, let alone years.

If you are just after a phone that can do the basics, the best cheap camera phones, cheapest iPhones, cheap phones with huge battery capacity, best cheap phones between 30K-60K naira, or you are just concerned with the amount of memory you get, we got you covered.

This list consists of the best cheap phones you could get right now in the market ranging from mid-range (between 100K – 200K), budget phones with meager prices, to the best cheap gaming phones. These value phones are available from various local stores and even online stores.

Read also– Best Android phones | iPhone prices | best camera phones | best battery life phone

Samsung Galaxy A31- Best Cheap Samsung phone

Specifications

Released date: April, 2020 | Display: 6.4-inch super AMOLED display, 1080 x 2400 pixels | CPU: MediaTek MT6768 Helio P65 | GPU: Mali-G52 | RAM: 4GB/6GB/8GB RAM | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Rear Camera: Quad 48Mp + 8Mp + 5Mp +  5Mp | Front Camera: 20Mp | OS: Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 159.3 x 73.1 x 8.6 mm | Weight: 185g

Priced at ₦88,900 for the 4GB/64GB variant, the Samsung Galaxy A31 comes with a 6.4 inches AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, an Helio P65 processor, 48Mp quad-camera set-up, 4GB RAM, and 64GB internal storage.

The price of this device might seem a bit high for some people, but looking at the specs sheet of this device, you won’t want to skip it when selecting the best cheap phones in Nigeria. Although a bit expensive, it is a powerful phone at this price.

The 48Mp main camera is capable of capturing high-quality pictures. Dynamic range is amazing, although manual HDR control is missing, and also you get a couple of other features like dark mode, screen optimizer, grid lines, pro mode, location data, and a lot more. If you are a Samsung fan and want the best cheap phones from Samsung, then the Samsung Galaxy A31 is the right choice.

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC – Best cheap Value phone

Specifications

Released date: September, 2020 | Display: 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, 1080 x 2400 pixels | CPU: Snapdragon 732G | GPU: Adreno 618 | RAM: 6GB RAM | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Rear Camera: Quad 64Mp + 13Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp | Front Camera: 20Mp | OS: Android 10, MIUI 12 | Battery: 5160mAh | Dimension: 165.3 x 76.3 x 9.4 mm | Weight: 215g

The Xiaomi Poco X3 is the best value phone of 2020, no doubt about this. This phone is priced at only around ₦86,000. I was hoping you could take a closer look at all the features you get from this phone from the specs sheet above and tell me which other phone released in 2020 at this price provides more value.

Another phone that provides more value than the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is the Google Pixel 4a, but not everybody could get it since it is a flagship but at a lower price. The Xiaomi X3 NFC is your go-to when shopping for the Best cheap phones with more value.

Powering the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is the Snapdragon 732G, Adreno 618 GPU, 6GB RAM, 64GB/128GB internal memory, and a 5160mAh battery. This is by far the best cheap value phone at its price.

Read our Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC review.

Apple iPhone SE (2020) – Best cheap iPhone

Specifications

Released date: April, 2020 | Display: 4.7-inch retina IPS LCD display, 750 x 1334 pixels | CPU: Apple A13 Bionic | GPU: Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | RAM: 3GB RAM | Storage: 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | Rear Camera: 12Mp| Front Camera: 7Mp | OS: iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 14.2 | Battery: 1821mAh | Dimension: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | Weight: 148g

Yes, an iPhone is also on our list of the best cheap phones in Nigeria. Although the price is still a little bit high for some people, if you are an iPhone lover and your budget does not permit you to buy the latest iPhone 12, then the iPhone SE is for you.

The iPhone SE was released on April 15, 2020, and its spots a lot of features you also get from the iPhone 11 pro Max. It comes with the same A13 Bionic processor and GPU that powers the iPhone 11 pro max. This device can also be upgraded to the latest iOS 14. The only difference from the regular iPhone series is less camera feature, less RAM, and less optimization.

When you compare the features of the Apple iPhone SE to other phones on this list, you will find out they have more specs than the iPhone SE. Don’t be confused by this; iPhone is well optimized to perform better than almost all the phones on this list.

In terms of camera, the iPhone SE is the best cheap camera phone available right now. This device is for those that want the latest cheap iPhone device, but your bank will not permit you to get the iPhone 12.

Infinix Hot 10 – Cheapest gaming phones

Specifications

Released date: October, 2020 | Display: 6.78-inch IPS LCD display, 720 x 1640 pixels | CPU: MediaTek Helio G70 | GPU: Mali-G52 | RAM: 3GB/4GB/6GB RAM | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Rear Camera: 16Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp + QVGA | Front Camera: 8Mp | OS: Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Battery: 5200mAh | Dimension: 171.1x 77.6 x 8.9 mm | Weight: 195g

Can I get a phone of less than 60,000 that will play all my favorite games just fine? Yes, the Infinix Hot 10 will play most of the massively monstrous power-consuming games just fine. It was made primarily for gaming. Therefore, if you are looking for the best cheap gaming phones that will play all your favorite games very fine, then the Infinix Hot 10 is for you.

The Infinix hot 10 is powered by the MediaTek G70 processor and a Mali-G52 graphics processing unit that makes all the graphics fine and smooth. If you don’t know what the ‘G’ in the processor stands for, it means gaming. It also sports a 3GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, and 5000mAh battery that allows you to play games for long hours.

If you don’t love games that much and want a powerful performing smartphone, the Infinix Hot 10 is also for you. The Infinix Hot 10 is well optimized to perform well, including multitasking. The only problem with this phone is that it does not support fast charging, even when you use a fast charger and the selfie cameras are not that great.

Read our full review of the Infinix Hot 10.

Infinix Note 8 – Great specs

Specifications

Released date: October, 2020 | Display: 6.95-inch IPS LCD display, 720 x 1640 pixels | CPU: MediaTek Helio G80 | GPU: Mali-G52 | RAM: 6GB RAM | Storage: 128GB | Rear Camera: Quad 64Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp | Front Camera: Dual 16Mp + 2Mp | OS: Android 10, XOS 7.1 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 175.3 x 78.8 x 9 mm | Weight: 206g

The Infinix Note 8 is an excellent phone when shopping for the best cheap phones in 2021. It has another variant (called Infinix note 8i) of fewer features and prices. The Helio G80 processor powers this device with a Mali-G52 GPU and a 5000mAh battery. This kind of processor, combined with the long-lasting battery, makes this phone perform well.

The Infinix Note 8 is packed with more RAM and Storage. You get 6GB RAM and 128GB internal memory. Multitasking and playing high graphics demanding games is a piece of cake for this device.

The display you get isn’t the best, but it is pretty much okay for a phone at this price. It sports a massive 6.95 inches IPS LCD, 720 x 1640 resolution, 83% screen-to-body ratio, 258ppi density, and uses a corning Gorilla Glass protection.

Read our full review of the Infinix Note 8

Samsung Galaxy A21s – Great features

Specifications

Released date: May, 2020 | Display: 6.5-inch PLS IPS display, 720 x 1600 pixels | CPU: Exynos 850 | GPU: Mali-G52 | RAM: 2-6GB RAM | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Rear Camera: Quad 48Mp + 8Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp | Front Camera: 13Mp | OS: Android 10, One UI 2.0 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm | Weight: 192g

Another Samsung Phone with a lot of cool features. The Samsung Galaxy A21s spots an Exynos 850 processor, up to 6GB RAM, 64GB/128GB internal memory, 5000mAh battery, and NFC. This phone is just a great choice for anyone looking for the best cheap phone in 2021.

Read our Samsung Galaxy A21s full review.

Tecno Camon 15

Specifications

Released date: February, 2020 | Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD display, 720 x 1600 pixels | CPU: MediaTek MT6762 Helio P22 | GPU: PowerVR GE8320 | RAM: 4GB RAM | Storage: 64GB | Rear Camera: Quad 48Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp + QVGA | Front Camera: 16Mp | OS: Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 164.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm | Weight: 196g

The Tecno Camon 15 sells at 69,000 naira in Nigeria, and its spots the Helio P22 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, and a 5000mAh battery. The best thing about this phone is the camera.

The Camera of the Tecno Camon 15 is a Quad set-up with a 48MP main camera capable of capturing high-quality pictures. The selfie camera captures portrait pictures quite well with the help of autofocus, and the dynamic range is also quite good.

The Tecno Camon 15 could be the best cheap phone you need right now, especially if you don’t have a huge budget but want a cheap camera phone.

Samsung Galaxy A01 – cheap phone under 40,000 naira

Specifications

Released date: January, 2020 | Display: 5.7-inch PLS IPS display, 720 x 1520 pixels | CPU: Snapdragon 439 | GPU: Adreno 505 | RAM: 2GB RAM | Storage: 16GB/32GB | Rear Camera: Dual 13Mp + 2Mp | Front Camera: 5Mp | OS: Android 10, One UI 2.0 | Battery: 3000mAh | Dimension: 146.2 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm | Weight: 149g

The Samsung Galaxy A01 is a fantastic cheap phone under 40,000 naira. It comes with a lot of cool features you will want in a phone. This is a very basic phone that will do most of your daily tasks. You should consider this phone when selecting the best budget phones in Nigeria.

Xiaomi Redmi 9A

Specifications

Released date: June, 2020 | Display: 6.53-inch IPS LCD display | CPU: MediaTek Helio G25 | GPU: PoweVR GE8320 | RAM: 2-6GB RAM | Storage: 32GB/128GB | Rear Camera: Single 13Mp | Front Camera: 5Mp | OS: Android 10, MIUI 12 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 164.9x 77.1 x 9 mm | Weight: 196g

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the best cheap phones under 50,000 naira in Nigeria. The Redmi 9A comes with an octa-core processor (Helio G25), 6GB RAM, 128GB internal memory, and a 5000mAh battery at only 43,500. Aside from being one of the best cheap phones, it comes with a lot more features than its price.

Umidigi A9 Pro

Specifications

Released date: April, 2020 | Display: 6.4-inch super AMOLED display | CPU: MediaTek MT6768 Helio P65 | GPU: Mali-G52 | RAM: 4GB RAM | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Rear Camera: 48Mp + 8Mp + 5Mp + 5Mp | Front Camera: 20Mp | OS: Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 159.3 x 73.1 x 8.6 mm | Weight: 185g

Umidigi phones are getting a lot better than before. The Umidigi A9 spots a lot of amazing features well above its price. We actually included this phone in our list of the best Umidigi phones in 2021. It comes with a quad-camera, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, 5000mAh battery, and Helio P65 processor, which is sold at around ₦65,000.

Tecno Spark 5 Pro

Specifications

Released date: July, 2020 | Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD display, 720 x 1600 pixels | CPU: MediaTek Helio A25 | GPU: PoweVR GE8320 | RAM: 3GB/4GB RAM | Storage: 64GB | Rear Camera: Quad 16Mp + 2Mp + 2Mp + QVGA | Front Camera: 8Mp | OS: Android 10, HIOS 6.1 | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 164.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm | Weight: 192g

The Tecno Spark 5 is a very cheap android phone. It ships with 4GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, and a quad camera. This is a good choice if you are intent on finding the best affordable phones in Nigeria.

Infinix Smart 5 – very affordable

Specifications

Released date: August, 2020 | Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD display | CPU: MediaTek MT6761D Helio A20 | GPU: PowerVR GE8320 | RAM: 2/3GB RAM | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Rear Camera: Triple 13Mp + QVGA + QVGA | Front Camera: 8Mp | OS: Android 10 (Go Edition) | Battery: 5000mAh | Dimension: 165.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm | Weight: 183g

Itel S16

Specifications

Released date: September, 2020 | Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD display, 480 x 960 pixels | CPU: Octo-core spreadtrum UNISOC SC7731E | GPU: Mali T820 | RAM: 1GB RAM | Storage: 16GB | Rear Camera: Triple 8Mp + 2Mp + 0.3Mp | Front Camera: 8Mp | OS: Android 10 (Go Edition) | Battery: 4000mAh | Dimension: Unknown | Weight: unknown