Android Go is a modified version of Android specifically built to run on low-end hardware. On devices that use this optimized version of Google’s Operating System, they as well optimized their Apps but if the individual apps need a high amount of resources, phones with low-end hardware would still be crippled.
For Android Go, Google decided to redesigned all their suite of apps for Android Go. Apps such as YouTube, Maps, Gmail, Assistant, Messages, Files, Camera, and many others all have Go versions that run smoothly on these devices. So what happens to other apps on the Play Store? The Play Store on Android Go phones will promote “lite” versions of apps more so users can avoid installing high-resource apps (although the entire Play Store is available, meaning all regular Android apps can still be installed).
Android Go devices are designed to be as cheap as possible and these handsets are great starter or backup phones, and these are the best ones you can buy in 2020 .
Ulefone Note 7 Android Go phone
The best Android Go phone is one you probably haven’t heard of before, but we think it’s the best overall choice, all things considered. It’s the Ulefone Note 7, and it’s a pretty impressive handset when you factor in the price tag.
Right off the bat, the Ulefone Note 7 stands out thanks to its cool design for a super low-end phone. Its 6.1-inch display has incredibly slim bezels and a waterdrop notch on the top for its 5MP selfie camera. Compared to the other phones on this list, it really is something. You’ll also find an impressive array of three cameras on the back, allowing for a ton of shooting possibilities.
When it comes to specs, the Ulefone Note 7 is offering a 3,500 mAh battery, 16GB of expandable storage (up to 64GB), 1GB of RAM, and dual SIM slots if you want to use two phone numbers at once. We also appreciate the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and face unlock functionality. Even better, you get a free case with the phone!
The Good Stuff
- Modern waterdrop display
- Triple rear cameras
- Very generous 3,500 mAh battery
- Storage is expandable up to 64GB
- Comes with a free case
The Bad Stuff
- Only 16GB of base
- Low storage
- 1GB of RAM
Overall, the Ulefone Note 7 stands out as the best Android Go phone. It has a modern design, a huge battery, and more.
Cost
Above $103 (UGX 384,000) before taxes
Alcatel 1
Alcatel is also in the Android Go game, and its latest offering is the Alcatel 1. The 5-inch display is great for one-handed use, but compared to the Ulefone Note 7, the bezels are noticeably larger. You get 8GB of storage out of the box, and while it’s excellent that Alcatel allows you to expand it with a microSD card, we wish it went beyond the 32GB maximum.
Although it may sound silly to say this for a phone that costs as little as the Alcatel 1 does, the real draw to this phone is its camera experience. You get a 5MP rear camera and 2MP selfie camera, and while there’s nothing special about the sensors themselves, Alcatel’s packed a ton of features into the phone’s camera app. There’s a Photo Booth mode that captures four pictures over three seconds in a photo booth-like setup. Also, there’s an Instant Collage function that helps you easily create a collage of your photos and a One-Handed Mode that brings all of the camera’s controls down to the bottom section of the display.
The Alcatel 1 is available in a trio of colors (Black, Blue, and Gold) and supports 4G LTE connectivity. Do keep in mind that this is an international device, meaning that it doesn’t come with a warranty and might have some connection issues in rural areas or crowded buildings.
The Good Stuff
- Modern 18:9 display
- Tons of camera features
- Expandable storage
- 4G LTE support
- Available in multiple colors
The Bad Stuff
- Max storage of 32GB
The Alcatel 1 is loaded with all sorts of features for an Android Go phone and settings in its camera app, making it a great pick for shutterbugs.
Cost
Starting From : $70 (UGX 260,000) before taxes
Samsung Galaxy J2 Core
Samsung is one of the most popular phone makers out there, and it hasn’t ignored the Android Go market. The Galaxy J2 Core is the Samsung-made Android Go phone we recommend you get, with its biggest perk being a large amount of expandable storage.
Similar to most Android Go devices, the Galaxy J2 Core only has 8GB of onboard storage. However, you can use a microSD card to expand it up to an impressive 256GB. That’s more than enough space for all of your favorite movies, music, games, and more, making this an excellent choice for anyone that likes to store all of their files locally.
Outside of the excellent storage, the J2 Core also shines with its clean design, three available colors, and 2,600 mAh battery. As long as you don’t mind the missing warranty and weaker LTE coverage in rural parts of the country, the Galaxy J2 Core is a robust Android Go option.
The Good Stuff
- Expandable storage up to 256GB
- Large 2,600 mAh battery
- Simple design
- Three colors
- FM radio
The Bad Stuff
- Doesn’t have a warranty
- Potentially spotty network
- support
Need to save a lot of apps, games, and movies on your phone? The Galaxy J2 Core’s expandable storage up to 256GB has you covered.
Cost
From $85 (UGX 316,000) before taxes
Huawei Y5 Lite
Huawei’s take on Android Go can be seen with the Y5 Lite, an impressive little device that packs a lot of features into a phone with such a small price.
One of the main draws to the Y5 Lite is its display. Compared to other Android Go phones, the Y5 Lite has a noteworthy HD resolution (1440 x 720) with slim bezels surrounding it. This makes it an ideal phone for playing games, watching YouTube videos, you name it.
You also get a sizable 16GB of storage right out of the box, and you can later expand this up to 256GB with a microSD card. Rounding out the phone is an 8MP rear camera, 5MP selfie camera, and a pretty big 3,000 mAh battery. Similar to some other phones on this list, the Y5 Lite is an international device — meaning it doesn’t have an official warranty and has weaker LTE coverage in rural areas.
The Good Stuff
- HD display with small bezels
- 16GB of internal storage
- 3,020 mAh battery
- Clean design with multiple colors
Bring your movies and games to life with the Huawei Y5 Lite, offering a crisp HD display at a super low price.
Cost
Starting from $100 (UGX 380,000) before taxes
Nokia 1 Plus
The Nokia 1 Plus is a fantastic entry in the Android Go family. The Nokia 1 Plus delivers a large 5.45-inch display, an 8MP rear camera, and a “3D Nano-pattern polycarbonate shell” that looks outstanding.
Also offered with the phone is 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 128GB, and a 2,500 mAh battery. You’re getting a lot of bang-for-your-buck, so if you’re able to purchase the Nokia 1 Plus, it’s definitely a phone worth checking out.
The Good Stuff
- Textured plastic back
- Large 5.45-inch display
- Relatively slim bezels
- 8MP rear camera
- 2,500 mAh battery
Cost
Starting from EUR 70 (UGX 338,000) before taxes
ZTE Blade L8
ZTE creates a lot of low-cost Android phones, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the company has an Android Go offering. The ZTE Blade L8 made its debut in April 2019, and it packs quite the punch.
The thing that helps the phone stand out the most is its design. While it is made out of plastic-like all of the other phones on this list, the reflective backside allows it to shimmer and shine when light hits it. It’s also available in two colors, including a sleek black and gorgeous blue.
Powering the Blade L8 is a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 2,000 mAh battery. You get 16GB of storage right out of the box, and if you need to, you can expand it up to 128GB with a microSD card. There’s also an 8MP rear camera along with a 5MP front-facing camera for all of your selfies.
The Good Stuff
- Reflective back looks great
- 16GB of internal storage
- Quad-core processor
- 8MP rear camera
Cost
Starting from $50 (UGX 187,000) before taxes
