I tested a mobile phone for 100 euros – Is it really as bad as one imagines?

Can you manage everyday life with a mobile phone for less than 100 euros? MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has purchased the inexpensive Blackview A60 Pro and reveals what it’s worth and what it isn’t.

With the Blackview A60 Pro, an affordable phone from 2019 regularly appears in the bestsellers on Amazon. But is the performance of a phone that costs less than 100 euros still enough in 2023?

Because I hear such comments repeatedly in my circle of friends: You can’t get good hardware for 100 euros, because somewhere the manufacturer has to cut costs. So one might as well buy a “real” phone.

That’s why I ordered the model and used it in my everyday life. And I was actually surprised at what such an inexpensive device can achieve.

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

Technical Details:

CPU (with GPU)	Mediatek Helio A22 – 4 x 2.0GHz (with PowerVR GE6320 – 650MHz)
RAM	3 GB RAM
Storage	16 GB
Display	6.1 inches, 60Hz (IPS) with 1280 x 640
Operating System	Doke OS – Android 9
Battery Capacity	4100 mAh
Expandable Storage	Yes
Main Camera	8 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Ports	Micro-USB and 3.5 mm jack
Weight	171 g
Dimensions	156 x 74 x 9.8 mm

Contents and additional details

What’s included in the box? The package includes a micro-USB cable, a charger, and a quick start guide. The phone already comes in a sturdy silicone case and a screen protector is also pre-installed. You see that less often in the higher price segment.

What technology is inside the A60 Pro? Inside the smartphone, a Mediatek Helio A22 is at work. The CPU is from 2018. The chip is combined with 3 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal storage. Additionally, there’s a 6.1-inch display with a low resolution of 1280 x 640. The main camera has 8 megapixels, while the front camera has 5 megapixels.

While a fingerprint sensor and Face ID are included, the device unfortunately does not support NFC. However, it does have a notification LED. It is especially annoying that it still uses a micro-USB connector for charging. This is simply outdated – neither in 2019 nor in 2023.

Build Quality: The phone is completely made of plastic. Nevertheless, it feels well-built and fits nicely in the hand, but its dimensions of 156 x 74 x 9.8 mm are not really small.

How does the 100-euro phone perform in everyday life?

What works really well? Most everyday tasks can be handled by the phone without any problems. I don’t miss the performance of my significantly more powerful Galaxy Note 9 at all. Sending a text message, a message via Telegram, or quickly checking the DB app works flawlessly on the model. It’s also sufficient for a quick phone call or the morning newspaper.

The display is surprisingly good and bright. Even in bright sunlight, everything is still clearly visible at the highest brightness setting. The colors of the IPS display are vibrant enough but, unsurprisingly, do not compare to an OLED display. I don’t expect that in this price range.

Another major strength is the excellent battery life. In everyday use, it comfortably lasts one and a half to 2 days for me. And during that time, I can also play for half an hour or more multiple times. My old Galaxy Note 9 always needs to be charged at the end of the day. In comparison, the battery level of the Blackview A60 Pro is about 60% when I go to sleep.

What doesn’t work so well? However, the limits of the device are quickly reached with other tasks. The manufacturer has cut costs on the camera; the images look flat, and there’s strong noise in low light. The same goes for close-ups. For a quick snapshot, it’s sufficient, but for everything else, the camera is too weak.

The same applies to gaming: graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact are simply not enjoyable on the device. This is not only due to performance but also due to the touchscreen, which feels very sluggish. In the racing game “Need for Speed: No Limit,” I regularly crash into the guardrail; the game runs smoothly overall.

The built-in speakers are also quite thin; I would recommend using in-ear headphones or similar.

Additionally, it is annoying that the phone still uses a micro-USB connector. Combined with the 5-watt charger, this leads to long charging times when the battery is empty. So, a quick charge before shopping isn’t possible.

To charge the phone from 11% back to 100%, it had to spend nearly 6 hours on the charger.

Blackview A60 Pro: Practical everyday companion for under 100 euros

Is 100 euros worth it for such a device? In principle, it depends on what you want to do with such a phone. The Blackview A60 Pro really impresses me for daily tasks. If you don’t want to game and only want to make phone calls and perhaps have your train tickets digitally, then you get a practical device for everyday use. For most everyday tasks, you don’t need a high-end phone for 1,000 euros.

However, if you want to actively game, multitask, or type out a detailed email, the Blackview A60 Pro quickly reaches its limits. The touchscreen is not responsive enough, and the performance is too weak. In comparison to my Galaxy Note 9, I miss the higher resolution.

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

Are there alternatives? Yes, with Ulefone and Xiaomi there are other manufacturers that offer very affordable phones in this range. Blackview also offers more inexpensive models.

However, the built-in hardware is very similar across all budget devices. For example, the Ulefone 14 also features the Helio A22, which is already used in the Blackview A60 Pro, offering you a modern Android and USB-C. The same applies to the Xiaomi Redmi 9C. Sometimes the camera is a bit better (more megapixels), but the battery is somewhat smaller.

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