Finding budget-friendly Smartphones available on the market is a popular tale for this time of the year (Pre-Christmas season). However, it’s no secret that high-end Smartphones continue to be the best variants everyone focuses on, but unfortunately, by price, affordability becomes a path to consider.
In the light of the current COVID19 Pandemic that has not only hit businesses hard, but also disrupted consumer budgets and savings culture. So, setting aside a high budget for Smartphones amidst day to day requirements becomes hard.
Well, the good news is that the competitive scale between device manufacturers has forced the general pricing scale to flip in favour of the final consumer (owners).
Currently, high-end manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, and Apple produce midrange variants to compliment flagship releases with affordability in mind.
The trend can be seen with Apple’s 2020 iPhone SE that was launched with a $399 price tag, then Samsung’s A-series, and Huawei’s Honor Series becoming readily available across the globe.
However, midrange players like TECNO Mobile, Infinix, and Xiaomi have shown no signs of slowing down, and so, here is a list of the best budget-friendly Smartphones you can opt to add on your shopping list in 2020.
Budget-Friendly Smartphones you can Buy in Uganda below UGX 500,000
Itel P36 PRO LTE
Itel P36 PRO LTE is a 2020 release that was launched as a successor to the Itel P35 with new features blended into play. Its priced between UGX 390,000 – UGX 420,000 and serves as the PRO (superior) model to the base P36 which is priced between UGX 280,000-UGX 320,000
Notable device features off the Specs sheet include an iPhone 11 like rear camera design. A waterdrop display notch, and a big 5000mAh battery with fast charging headline what you’d love about the latest P-Series release.
Quick Itel P36 PRO Specs
| Launched | June 2020 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE (2G/3G/4G) |
| Display | 6.5 inch screen w/ waterdrop notch |
| Operating System | Android 9 pie |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ram | 2GB |
| Rear Camera | Dual Setup 13 MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Extras | Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
TECNO Spark 5
TECNO Spark 5 is the latest Spark Series release that succeeded the TECNO Spark 4 with new features coping with a 2020 trend and will be succeeded by the TECNO Spark 6 which is expected to launch in Uganda by late 2020.
Picking a Glory streak from the Spark K7 and Spark 2, the TECNO Spark costs UGX 440,000 with great features and routes in a budget-friendly lane with a quad-rear camera setup, punch-hole display notch as its top specs shining with Android 10 as the base operating system.
Quick Tecno Spark 5 Specs
| Launched | May 2020 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE (2G/3G/4G) |
| Display | 6.6 inch screen w/ punch hole notch |
| Operating System | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ram | 2GB |
| Rear Camera | Quad Setup 13 MP + 2MP + 2MP + QVGA |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Extras | Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
Infinix Hot 9
Infinix Hot 9 has not shared the same market value as the Infinix Hot 8 in Uganda, but still, it serves as the latest hot series release and raves at a friendly price tag between UGX 470,000 – UGX 500,000. Though the Infinix Hot 9 is set to be replaced by the Hot 10, it still rocks as one of the best budget-friendly releases you can consider.
Out of the box, the device’s top features include a punch-hole display notch, storage at 64GB ROM/3GB RAM, then a quad rear camera setup (4 cameras) and a single front-facing selfie camera.
As a tradition, a fingerprint sensor exists on the rear plate as Face Unlock is also supported as per the device’s specs sheet.
Quick Infinix Hot 9 Specs
| Launched | March 2020 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE (2G/3G/4G) |
| Display | 6.6 inch screen w/ punch hole notch |
| Operating System | Android 10, X0S 6.0 |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ram | 3GB |
| Rear Camera | Quad Setup 13MP + 2MP + 2MP + QVGA |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Extras | Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
Samsung Galaxy A11
Galaxy A-series are probably Samsung’s replacement for its popular J-series releases. The Galaxy A11 as a midrange entrant brings to play lesser bezels, a triple rear camera setup with lowlight f1.8 support, then a front selfie companion housed under the punch hole notch.
By price, the Samsung Galaxy A11 costs between UGX 490,000 – UGX 540,000 as listed on Jumia. Well, if you’re a fan of Samsung Smartphones, but want the best version on a budget, then the Galaxy A11 should be your perfect fit.
Quick Samsung Galaxy A11 Specs
| Launched | March 2020 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE (2G/3G/4G) |
| Display | 6.6 inch Screen w/ punch hole notch |
| Operating System | Android 10 |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ram | 3GB |
| Rear Camera | Quad Setup 16MP + 5MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4000 mAh battery w/ 15W fast charging |
| Extras | Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
Xiaomi Redmi 9
Redmi 9 is probably the cheapest Xiaomi Smartphone you can buy, the Smartphone costs between UGX 500,000 to UGX 525,000. By features, it sports a waterdrop display notch and equips 32GB + 3GB on a Media Tek processor supporting Android 10 as the base Operating system.
Quick Redmi 9 Specs
| Launched | June 2020 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE (2G/3G/4G) |
| Display | 6.53 inches w/ waterdrop notch |
| Operating System | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ram | 3GB |
| Rear Camera | Quad Setup 13 MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 5020 mAh battery w/ 18W fast charging |
| Extras | Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
Bonus: The Best Cheapest Smartphone you can buy in Uganda at the moment
Realme C2
Realme is slowly making its presence in Africa known, the brand recently opened its availability window in Kenya as its East African center for dominance. The brand is known for having great midrange releases with its bullish market in India, and among its releases to consider is the Realme C2.
Realme C2 is available in Uganda and costs approximately UGX 340,000. By Specs, the Smartphone sports a 6.1 Inch Screen with a waterdrop display notch, then a dual-rear Camera and Single Selfie Camera pitch the device’s mobile photography standards.
Quick Realme C2 Specs
| Launched | April 2019 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE (2G/3G/4G) |
| Display | 6.1 inch screen w/ waterdrop notch |
| Operating System | Android 9 (pie) |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ram | 2GB |
| Rear Camera | Dual Setup 13 MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 4000 mAh battery |
| Extras | Face Unlock |