One of the best cheap Android phones I’ve tested isn’t made by Samsung or TCL

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The NUU N10 Android cellphone is accessible now on Amazon for $99.
• This cellphone is about as spectacular because it will get on a decent finances.
• The NUU N10 does endure a little bit of lag with animations, and the digital camera will not blow you away.

I’ve seen nearly each kind of Android cellphone in the marketplace, from the suspiciously cheap to the ridiculously overpriced. A few of these handsets impressed me with their mixture of worth vs. efficiency whereas others left me questioning, “Why is that this mandatory?”

After which there are the bottom-of-the-barrel gadgets — those you look forward to finding on the market at a drug retailer or truck cease. These telephones are hardly ever definitely worth the effort and time it takes to open the packaging.

Additionally: This implausible $399 Motorola comes with a built-in stylus and a free pair of Bose earbuds

Each infrequently, nevertheless, a low-budget Android cellphone finds its method into my fingers and modifications my thoughts on the value level. (In any case, not everybody can afford a $1,000 cellphone.)

When the NUU Cell rep requested if I wished to take a look at the brand new NUU N10, I used to be very happy to oblige. I would already reviewed a earlier NUU system (the NUU B30) and got here away fairly impressed. Would the N10 make the identical splash?

Let’s discover out.

The specs

• CPU: Octa-Core UNISOC T606 at 1.4 GHz
• RAM: 4GB
• Inside storage: 128GB with microSD card help
• Service: T-Cell, Mint Cell, Metro by T-Cell, Q Hyperlink Wi-fi, ULTRA Cell, Google Fi, Good day Cell, Tello Cell, Lycamobile, Patriot Cell, Republic Wi-fi, Easy Cell, StandUp Wi-fi, SpeedTalk, and Telcel America.
• Show: 6.6-inch HD+ with a 90Hz refresh charge
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Cameras: 13MP primary, 2MP macro, 5MP selfie, and LED flash
• OS: Android 14

Be aware: The N10 is not suitable with Verizon, AT&T, Cricket, Increase Cell, Tracfone, Pulse Mobile, Union Wi-fi, Spectrum, or any CDMA service.

My expertise

First off, let me remind you that it is a $99 cellphone, so please perceive that the N10 is not going to face toe-to-toe with the likes of a Pixel 9 Professional. That stated, the N10 is a formidable system for its worth level.

Sure, it may be a bit laggy (with animations and app switching), however total, the UI is pretty responsive. Talking of UIs, the N10 gives a reasonably fundamental Android expertise. There isn’t any further UI overlay and even bloatware. The solely further software program is the NUU Assist app. Apart from that, it is pure Android. 

Additionally: One of the best low cost telephones: Professional examined and reviewed

The cellphone is a bit taller than my Pixel 9 professional and barely heavier (once I take away my Pixel from its case). Even with the additional top, the cellphone suits nicely in my fingers (that are smaller than common).

Organising the N10 is identical as any Android cellphone, which suggests it is only a matter of connecting to a Wi-Fi community (or inserting a supported SIM), and connecting to your Google account. As soon as that is taken care of, the setup will full itself and you may wind up with a really acquainted interface.

The N10 gives PIN/fingerprint/face unlock choices; though the fingerprint scanner is embedded within the Energy button, it really works nicely. The face scanner is fairly spectacular and unlocks the cellphone virtually instantly. I’ve had far dearer Android telephones the place the face unlock possibility lags and is even inconsistent with the power to unlock. The N10 doesn’t endure from such points.

Additionally: Some of the sturdy Android telephones I’ve examined can also be one of many most cost-effective

Most likely an important factor you are questioning about is efficiency. How might a $99 cellphone stand as much as the fierce competitors available in the market immediately? As famous above, this is not a Pixel cellphone, so do not count on Pixel efficiency. Given its worth, nevertheless, the N10’s efficiency is spectacular. Certain, there’s some lag when opening sure apps, knocking down the Notification Shade, or the App Drawer. 

The show shouldn’t be dangerous. YouTube movies look good and even sound clear (albeit a bit tinny – which is to be anticipated from cellphone audio system), so no complaints there.

Additionally: 5 hidden Android options that may simplify your life

The cameras on this cellphone will not win any awards, however they’re serviceable. With loads of gentle, the primary digital camera can take a fairly first rate image. In low gentle, the pictures can get fairly “noisy” with an excessive amount of grain, however once I examined the digital camera in low-light conditions, I used to be pushing the N10’s limits. Give the digital camera sufficient gentle, and you will be impressed with the outcomes.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

In the end, what shocked me most in regards to the NUU N10 is that it overperforms for a $99 cellphone. Had I not identified in regards to the worth, I’d have guessed that the handset lived close to the $200 worth level. In case you’re on a decent finances or on the lookout for a cellphone at hand over to your youngsters, the N10 is a superb worth. It isn’t going to usurp something supplied by Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Nothing, or any of the foremost producers, however it may possibly grasp with any of the finances telephones I’ve examined so far.

NUU won’t be a reputation you are acquainted with, however for those who’re an Android consumer, you may really feel proper at dwelling on their telephones.