This $99 Android phone won’t replace my Pixel 9 Pro, but it’s better than handsets twice the price

I’ve seen nearly each kind of Android telephone available on the market, from the suspiciously cheap to the ridiculously overpriced. A few of these handsets impressed me with their mixture of value vs. efficiency whereas others left me questioning, “Why is that this crucial?”

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

Additionally: One of the best cheap Android phones I’ve tested is not a Samsung or OnePlus

Each every so often, nevertheless, a low-budget Android telephone finds its manner into my fingers and modifications my thoughts on the worth level. (In any case, not everybody can afford a $1,000 phone.)

When the NUU Cell rep requested if I wished to take a look at the brand new NUU N10, I used to be more than pleased to oblige. I might already reviewed a earlier NUU gadget (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
• Inner storage: 128GB with microSD card help
• Service: T-Cell, Mint Cell, Metro by T-Cell, Q Hyperlink Wi-fi, ULTRA Cell, Google Fi, Howdy 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 fee
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Cameras: 13MP fundamental, 2MP macro, 5MP selfie, and LED flash
• OS: Android 14

Observe: The N10 is not appropriate with Verizon, AT&T, Cricket, Enhance Cell, Tracfone, Pulse Mobile, Union Wi-fi, Spectrum, or any CDMA provider.

My expertise

First off, let me remind you that it is a $99 telephone, so please perceive that the N10 is not going to face toe-to-toe with the likes of a Pixel 9 Professional. That mentioned, the N10 is a powerful gadget for its value level.

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

Additionally: The best cheap phones: Expert tested and reviewed

The telephone 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 peak, the telephone suits properly in my fingers (that are smaller than common).

Establishing the N10 is identical as any Android phone, 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 properly. The face scanner is fairly spectacular and unlocks the telephone nearly instantly. I’ve had far dearer Android telephones the place the face unlock possibility lags and is even inconsistent with the flexibility to unlock. The N10 doesn’t undergo from such points.

Additionally: One of the most durable Android phones I’ve tested is also one of the cheapest

Most likely a very powerful factor you are questioning about is efficiency. How may a $99 telephone stand as much as the fierce competitors out there as we speak? As famous above, this is not a Pixel telephone, so do not count on Pixel efficiency. Given its value, 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 just isn’t unhealthy. YouTube movies look good and even sound clear (albeit a bit tinny – which is to be anticipated from telephone audio system), so no complaints there.

Additionally: 5 hidden Android features that can simplify your life

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

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Finally, what stunned me most concerning the NUU N10 is that it overperforms for a $99 telephone. Had I not identified concerning the value, I might have guessed that the handset lived close to the $200 value level. When you’re on a good finances or searching for a telephone at hand over to your youngsters, the N10 is a good worth. It isn’t going to usurp something provided by Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Nothing, or any of the key producers, however it could actually dangle with any of the budget phones I’ve examined up to now.

NUU won’t be a reputation you are conversant in, however in the event you’re an Android person, you may really feel proper at house on their telephones.