Can you get through everyday life with a phone for under 100 euros in 2024? MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann bought a device and explains what works well and what you have to forego in this price range.
Many manufacturers, such as Samsung and Apple, have now far exceeded the threshold of 1,000 euros and phones are expected to become significantly more expensive in 2025. But what if you don’t want to spend more than 100 euros on a phone?
For this reason, I bought a very cheap phone to find out if a device for under 100 euros in 2024 is worth it. Two years ago, I also tested such a budget phone for under 100 euros. I was also curious to see if anything has changed in the budget range compared to before.
What did I pay attention to when buying? I made sure that it was a current model from 2024 and that I would get a modern Android. This is still Android 14, number 15 has only been distributed for a few weeks. My last criterion was to stay under 100 euros.
In the end, I decided on the Oukitel C53. The device is priced at 99.99 euros, but it is rarely sold at the MSRP. Technically, you get a 6.6-inch phone with an IPS display and an entry-level 8-core processor. In addition to the camera (13 MP and 5 MP selfie), it has a 4300 mAh battery.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
OUKITEL C53 Android 14 Smartphone Ohne Vertrag - 8GB+64GB/1TB erweiterbar Handy Ohne Vertrag, Octa... | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Technical details of the Oukitel C53 in table format:
| Display and Hz rate | 6.6 inch HD+ IPS display with 60 Hz |
| Dimensions and weight | 165.7 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm; 215 grams |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels with 267 ppi |
| CPU | Octa-Core, Spreadtrum Unisoc SC9863A, 4 x 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A55, 4 x 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex-A55 |
| RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB, expandable up to 1 TB |
| Main camera | 13 MP |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP with face recognition |
| Network | 2G, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth: 4.2 LE |
| Price (MSRP) | 99.99 € |
Who tested it?
I am a tech editor at MeinMMO and have a penchant for peripherals, testing mice, keyboards, and gaming headsets. I have been testing hardware for our readers at MeinMMO for many years. Especially gaming mice are among my absolute favorites. In addition to the PS5, I also play on my Steam Deck.
Transparency notice: I ordered the C53 myself via Amazon.
Benedikt Schlotmann
Hardware editor MeinMMO
Performance good, battery life excellent
How does the model feel in everyday life? I use the phone in everyday life to go shopping or to make calls with agencies. And here the device works excellently. Even to pick up a package at the packing station or use Microsoft Teams, the performance is more than sufficient.
The battery life is also impressive. In everyday life, the battery lasts 5 to 6 days before I need an outlet. Unfortunately, charging takes a very long time, as fast charging is not supported and wireless charging is also not available.
What I also like: The 6.6-inch display is surprisingly bright and also easy to read outdoors. Checking Google Maps or calls outside is therefore no problem.
The storage space is not huge at 64 GB, but it can still be expanded with a memory card. This is still common in this price range.
Can you play with it? I actually tried the fairly demanding Diablo: Immortal on the Oukitel C53. It works, but it does not run smoothly even at the lowest settings. Occasionally, the cutscenes also stutter.
Camera and Android issues
How good is the camera? I am quite honest: The camera is below average. For a snapshot, it is definitely sufficient if you want to photograph a price tag or a list of ingredients just before shopping.
However, if you really want to take good photos, you are better off with a proper camera or an expensive phone:
- Close-ups are very blurry and inaccurate.
- Colors look dull, unnatural, and lacking in detail.
- In poor lighting conditions, such as many clouds, the sensor hardly copes and the pictures are noisy.
For a direct comparison, I took shots with both the C53 and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Here you can clearly see the differences.
Close-ups: On the left the Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the right the Oukitel C53:
Notably, the colors are significantly more muted and the Oukitel has a slight blurriness. Pay attention to the face of the sheep or the outlines in the image.
Once with the default setting: On the left the Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the right the Oukitel C53:
Pay attention especially to the colors: With the Oukitel (right), the colors look much more muted, and the background is blurrier compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
What about Android? Basically, the Oukitel C53 offers you a modern OS with Android 14. However, security updates have not been available for a long time. If you work with such cheap devices as I do, you know: Manufacturers ship the devices, deliver a handful of updates, and then it’s over. You are only on an up-to-date update level with the big manufacturers.
Very good device for everyday tasks, conditionally suitable for gaming and photos
What is my conclusion? For under 100 euros, I am really positively surprised. The phone runs surprisingly smoothly, and the battery life is excellent: With an active network (SIM card) and daily use during shopping, the battery lasts between 5 and 6 days. Even my Galaxy S21 Ultra can’t keep up, where the battery manages only 2 days at most.
On the other hand, you can tell that the manufacturer had to save: The camera is really weak, and the images seem to get noise as soon as a cloud covers the sun. And yes, while it is Android 14, security patch level is from August 2024. You won’t really receive regular updates despite Android 14.
Also annoying: The battery takes 4-6 hours to fully charge, and there is no fast charging function available in this price range. So quick charging is also not possible.
For whom is the device recommended?
- You are looking for a device for making calls or chatting.
- For undemanding tasks like emails, calendars, and shopping.
- You want to travel and only need your phone to be reachable.
For whom is it not worth it?
- You want to regularly engage in gaming with your device.
- You want to actively use your phone for photography.
Are there alternatives? Yes, there are other manufacturers like Ulefone and Xiaomi that offer very cheap phones in this range. Blackview and Oukitel itself also offer more affordable models.
Android 15 was released in 2024, but many phones do not receive the update. What does this mean for me as a user? Am I at risk because I am using an old Android phone? You can read more about it directly on MeinMMO: How dangerous is it if my phone does not get an update to Android 15?
