Android phonesare gaining in popularity globally. Its popularity is largely due to its adoption by most mobile phone manufacturers as their platform of choice and the cheap cost of Android phones. Some of the reasons why Android seems popular to phone manufacturers include that it is open with little restrictions giving OEMs the liberty to be creative and differentiate their devices. Another is that the Android OS is free and designed to provide a great user experience. A lot of Chinese manufacturers are now building cheap Android phones leading to a huge explosion in the growth of the Android platform. This article shows off some of the best cheap Android phones currently available in the Nigerian market. Android OS requires powerful hardware to run that is why most Android smart phones feature at least 1GHz processor and 512MB RAM with premium models boasting of quad-core, hexa-core, or octa-core processors. High-end Android phones also offer large displays ranging from 5.0-inch to 6.3-inch. Although the latest Android OS version is Android 5.0 (Lollipop), most cheap Android phones will be coming with Android 4.4 (KitKat) and Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) for some time to come. Here are some cheap Android phones in Nigeria MTN Smart S720i
Smart S720i from MTN is the cheapest 4-incher in Nigeria right now. If you are an MTN subscriber or don't mind being one, the MTN Smart S720i is a great choice. It is also dual-SIM ensuring that you are not stock to MTN. MTN Smart S720i comes with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and is powered by a 1.3GHz processor with 512MB RAM. It features a 4-inch screen. If you have been priced out of the smartphone market, Smart S720i is a decent choice. It is available at MTN stores and online exclusively at Jumia. Price starts at 10,000 Naira. Innjoo i1s
Innjoo i1s is the most affordable 5-incher in Nigeria. Looking at the raw specs it offers the best value when compared to the other cheap Android phones in Nigeria. Innjoo i1s runs Android 4.4 (KitKat) on a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM. You also get a 5 megapixels camera. Innjoo i1s is exclusive at Jumia with a price of 13,995 Naira. LG L40
LG L40 is the best budget smartphone from LG. It is also the cheapest phone from LG to offer Android 4.4 (KitKat). It offers dual-SIM or Tri-SIM options, but the models selling in Nigeria currently are dual-SIM phones. LG L40 sports a 3.5-inch display and a 3.2 megapixels camera with power coming from a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. Price range: 15,200 to 20,000 Naira. Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 Lite
Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 Lite is a stripped version of the Ace 4. It sports a 4-inch display and a 3.2 megapixels camera. It is loaded with Android 4.4 (KitKat) with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 looks a lot like the Ace 4, just not as good, but will run smoothly for the price. Price range: 17,800 to 24,000 NGN. Tecno H3
Tecno H3 is the cheapest Android phone from Tecno running on the more recent Android 4.4 (KitKat). It features a 3.5-inch display and a 5 megapixels camera. It is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor with 512MB RAM. It could also offer better battery life with a larger 2000 mAh battery. Price ranges from 9,980 to 15,000 NGN. LG Optimus L3 II Dual E435
LG Optimus L3 II Dual is one of the best cheap Android phones around. One of its best points that it features Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2), which incorporates some of the latest features of the Android platform. Another great point is that the battery time is very impressive with 11.5 hours battery talktime and 680 hours standby time. LG Optimus L3 II Dual has a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 3.15MP camera, dual-SIM, and fast 3G Internet. LG Optimus L3 II Dual price in Nigeria ranges from 11,800 Naira to 16,000 Naira. Nokia X
Nokia X is Nokia's very own Android phone. Nokia X blends Android with services from Google and Microsoft. It is one of the hottest Android phones in Nigeria and seems to be flying off the shelves. Nokia X can run up to 70% of current Android apps with Microsoft OneDrive for cloud storage, Nokia Here Maps, Skype, amongst other Apps. Nokia X features a 4.0-inch display, a 3.2 megapixels camera, and dual-SIM. It is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor with 512MB RAM. Nokia X price in Nigeria ranges from 18,700 to 23,000 Naira. Gionee Pioneer P2
Gionee Pioneer P2 is one of the best cheap Android phones in Nigeria based on raw specs. This smartphone offers a 4.0-inch display and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean.) It is powered by a 1.3GHz dual-core processor with 512MB RAM. The internet is fast with support for 3G and Wi-Fi. Gionee Pioneer P2 price in Nigeria ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 Naira. Tecno D1
Want an Cheap Android Phone with physical QWERTY keyboard? The Tecno D1 is probably the best in Nigeria. Physical QWERTY keyboards makes it easy for you to type updates and messages on BBM, WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social apps. Tecno D1 features a 2.8-inch Touchscreen and a modest 2 megapixels camera. It runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) on a 1GHz dual-core processor with 512MB RAM. Tecni D1 Price in Nigeria ranges from 14,000 to 20,000 Naira. Tecno M3
As far as cheap Android phones go, very few Android phones come close to the Tecno M3 in terms of pricing. At a price range of between 14,000 Naira and 15,500 Naira and offering Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), a 3.5-inch display, and a 5 megapixels with flash, the Tecno M3 is one of the best value Android smartphones in Nigeria. Tecno M3 features dual-SIM and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB RAM. MTN Smart Mini S620
When it comes to cheap Android phones in Nigeria, the MTN Smart Mini S620 is probably the cheapest of them all. Powered by Nigeria's largest mobile network, Mini S620 costs just 8,000 Naira. It features a 3.5-inch screen with support for dual-SIM and fast 3G internet. MTN Smart Mini S620 is powered by a 1GHz processor with 512MB RAM and runs on Android 4.2. Price starts at N8,000.
