The 6 best low-cost smartphones

The OnePlus One and others will get you to think outside the iPhone

Nexus 5
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Google))

When I pulled the new One phone, made by Chinese manufacturer OnePlus, out of its box, I was stunned by its fit and finish. I was also stunned by its retail price: $299 with 16 gigabytes of storage, and $349 for 64GB. Compare that to an iPhone 5S ($649) or a Galaxy S5 ($599), which are standard retail prices, and you have to wonder whether the One's competitors are worth the extra price.

The OnePlus One isn't the only solid piece of hardware going for a more affordable price. It's part of a broader trend toward low-cost smartphones. Here are some options on the market:

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Tyler Hayes is a freelance writer living in Southern California. He's just as obsessed with discovering new music as he is with trying new technology.