Bargain electronics are extremely popular right now. We’re seeing some of the best wireless earbuds and wireless headphones under $100 challenge class leaders like the AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6, respectively. Several of the best Amazon Echo devices continue to dominate the smart home sector, delivering intuitive voice assistance that many high-end rivals have yet to match (cough, Google Home, cough), and at a fraction of the cost.
Smartphones seem to be the only market where budgetary selections aren’t as popular. It’s understandable. We all aspire to own the absolute best phone money can buy, and flagship phones are modern-day status symbols. And considering how much time we spend on our phones, they justify an investment. Hence the high purchase prices for the latest iPhones and Android devices (case in point, the $1,999.99 Samsung Galaxy Fold 7).
Well, smartphone developer Nuu hopes to change the narrative around cheap Android phones. (Nuu also positions these phones as the best starter phone for teenagers.) Its N series lineup consists of three Android-operated models: the N10, N20, and N30. These highest entry sells for $150 — and even less on Amazon when they're on sale.
I got my hands on the entry-level Nuu N10 to see if this $100 Android phone could compete with my Google Pixel 9. The answer is a resounding no. However, it is shockingly better than I expected from a phone this cheap.
Read my full Nuu 10 smartphone review to see what I liked about this budget mobile device.
A solid performer with unsung traits
The N10 won’t blow you away with cool AI features (which is a plus for some users), jaw-dropping visuals, or super-fast processing speeds, but what it does deliver is impressive.
Underneath the hood lies a single 1.6GHz octa-core Unisoc processor that allows for simple navigation and task enablement. This is the Chromebook of phones. There is noticeable lag when accessing certain apps or pulling down the notifications tab. Other than that, the N10 runs fine. My unit never crashed or overheated when used excessively throughout the work week.
The 5,000mAh battery gets you about 10 hours of consistent use, depending on how you use the phone. High volume, screen brightness, and running multiple apps in the background will slash battery life in half. Nuu included 18W USB-C fast charging to fully charge the phone in less than 1 hour.
Having 8GB of RAM to run advanced features and 128GB of internal storage with microSD card support is remarkable for $100. You can download numerous Spotify playlists and take hundreds of pics on the device. Google integration also expands storage capacity by way of Google Drive.
Mic performance isn’t as bad as some tech outlets report. In my testing, I had no problems using Google Assistant or the speakerphone. The feedback I received from voice calls was positive. Bear in mind that ambient noise can affect call quality and voice command translations, but noise-cancelling headphones could also help with that.
There are three more features well worth mentioning. First is the 3.5mm headphone jack, which has been removed from most current phones, but is available on the N10 to appease wired listening enthusiasts. Two dual SIM slots sit on the top right, so you can add a local SIM card and avoid roaming charges when traveling. Lastly, you can use face recognition technology to unlock the N10 using the front camera. It works surprisingly well.
More of a backup or starter phone than a primary option
The N10 isn’t designed to meet most mobile user’s needs, which is probably why Nuu pitches this to parents. Apple’s, Google’s, and Samsung’s offerings spoil us with endless features, gorgeous displays, and robust processing. You’re not getting that here.
The phone’s plastic construction is indicative of the price. I don’t mind it because the material offers greater protection than the fragile glass construction on today’s premium phones. Fashion-forward individuals won’t find it trendy in the least. Visibility can be an issue due to the low-lit display, and it’s difficult to view anything in sunlight.
Nuu’s rear 13MP camera with 2MP macro lens is weak. Depth and detail are lacking in comparison to images I captured on my Google Pixel 9 (see above). There is no optical image stabilizing, meaning any photos you snap on a dime will come out blurry due to shakiness. The front-facing 5MP is even worse and takes dull-looking selfies.
