Going to the Android smartphones market looking for an all-powerful smartphone at a reduced price is not as simple as in the past. Models such as Nexus 4, Nexus 5, OnePlus One or Little F1, to give some examples are in history. However, contrary to what we could think, Now these are better options than beforeDespite the upward price of prices.
2024 showed it, and in 2025, it will be reconfirmed again. There are and there will be very appetizing androids for all those looking for performance and nothing else. Of course, he will pay more than ten years ago and allow me to tell you that he is completely justified. Even with this thought, I also have to be honest: they are missing as an alternative.
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Image of Kote Puerto for Xataka
I take as reference to two mobiles that I had and I appreciated how what was most: I was in this infinite tail and I underwent the later delay in the orders of Nexus 4. And a few years later ,, With the Littlephone F1, he again felt something similar: Having the best processor of the moment without paying the amounts of the premium was possible.
Mission: less than 300 dollars. Something that these cheap mobiles had in common was their starting price. Less the Nexus 5, the other three mentioned did not exceed the psychological barrier of the 300 dollars. Along the way, they have moved away from the high range in other advantages, more and more the difference in sections such as photography or external design.
Why do we want a mobile in metal or leather? The little polycarbonate F1 was not bad. Image Anna Martí for Xataka
Years later, this “category” was lost: The prices are mounted without substitute in one of the companies. Neither the Nexus 5 nor the OnePlus 2 managed to reproduce the price. The reason was obvious: a small ascent to have a slightly rounder product.
The company that collected the original OnePlus witness
Little by little, they have finished diluting, with an exception that in 2018, he made a halo of hope: the little F1. That, by the way, I saved less than two years ago to prove his performance. This phone, from a young Xiaomi subfem, knew how to enter this category. And through the big door.
Years later, as I said at the beginning, we continue with options that give us access to an above -average power but with more content of content. Although of course, not as contained as then: the little F3 recovered the essence of the originalAt a price of 349 dollars (almost 400 dollars for the most recommended variant) which was already quite higher.
The increase in prices for the pursuit of better features In the rest of the sections, I was soon X3 to shine with his own strength: without having the best SoC, he was very powerful and cheap, so many will remember it with love. This movement has changed the category forever.
“Premium” of the average range at a supposed price. The high -end processors have gradually replaced these ranges with chips which are a step below. This caused the most desired tokens, they demand to follow the sector trend: pay 800 (at least) and more than 1,000 dollars.
The little F5 has set up a Snapdragon 7, but the materials and their cameras have nothing to do with those who have equipped the original F1. Image: Alejandro alolea for Xataka
It's time to have a little in agreement. If we look at him in perspective, he is not so bad. The latest exhibitor of the “new” category is the small X7 pro: 369 dollars very well used. Of course, it seems that the manufacture of this price with a snapdragon of power similar to the media
Exceptions, faces but honorable. If we are looking for the most, that is to say a Socate Qualcomm, you have to pay two or three times more than in these good times. However, there are sometimes opportunities that are difficult to let go: I give the example of the recent realm GT7 Pro.
Little F continues to flirt. According to generation, the little more powerful of each year, those of the “F” family, more or less approach the concept we have spoken. The little F5 a few years ago reduced the allegations of its processor to offer a more attractive price; The last one, the small F6, opted for more power with the resulting price.
Although they continue to miss
Who would not be launched for an Android with the Qualcomm elite which costs 400 dollars? I would buy her with her eyes closed, even if I had that abandon the cameras, and even the materials of their rear. And I know that a niche of users would also do it: those looking for a cheap smartphone.
They would not be the only ones: the attractiveness of a powerful and cheap phone seduces anyone. In this sense, I think that, even if they reduce the photographic sensors per unit, backwards outside the plastic, and its screen was not the fastest or the most resolution, it would have a lot To offer. Have the most powerful chip Provides not only high quality graphics in games, but also offers sustained performance after the years.
The proof of this is the little F1 repeated. From time to time, I load it (its battery is low) and I am always surprised by the good performance it currently returns. And, put to ask for this imaginary phone: nothing would be a long -standing update policy.
A snapdragon 8 elite for less than 400 dollars is nothing more than a dream impossible today
Anyway, despite the increase in justified prices and the fuzzy category of “power power, low price”, They still miss. I hope that one day they will come back in the same way, because yes, they continue to exist. But at what price.
Cover image | Composition with images of Kote Puerto and Anna Martí for Xataka
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