2 Great Phones to Buy SIM-Free - The LG Optimus L5 II vs. The HTC 8S

If you're shopping for a new mobile phone then you might be worried about how on earth you're going to pay for it. A brand new, top of the line mobile these days is going for well over five hundred pounds, which in the current economic climate of belt tightening and money saving is a big investment. However, a new mobile phone isn't necessarily a luxury that can be done without. A lot of professions nowadays require the kind of constant contact that goes along with having a mobile number, and more and more people are saving by giving up the expense of a home land line phone, making a decent mobile an essential tool for many of us. But just because you need a new mobile phone doesn't necessarily mean having to pay a fortune. There are many cheap mobile phones available on today's market, as more and more manufacturers are producing budget smart phones to reach a wider range of people. You do need to be a little careful when shopping for cheap mobile phones, since you don't want to give up too much in terms of performance or features in order to get a low price. But with careful shopping you can get a great phone for under two hundred pounds. And which mobile should you choose? That's where we come in. We've looked at some of the best new budget mobiles on shelves and matched models in head to head comparisons so that you can see which is best. Interested in which phone we're recommending today? Then read on to find out all you need to know.

The Two Phones...

HTC are probably best known for their high end feature phones that are popular on the business market, but they do also make budget phones. The company is one of the rare manufacturers who make both Windows and Android mobiles, and the model we've chosen is a Windows device. Windows isn't generally associated with budget phones, but there is a growing trend to make Windows mobiles more affordable. The HTC 8S is a solid, Windows operating system mobile that has some nice features. But is there really such a thing as a good Windows budget smart phone? LG are maybe better known for their mid-range devices, making good cell phones for good prices. But one of their newest releases, the LG Optimus L5 II, is a budget Android phone. It's sleek and good looking, but looks aren't everything. Does the Optimus have what it takes to be a good budget smart phone?

The Prices...

If you're shopping for a cheap phone then the price tag is obviously going to be a big concern. The HTC 8S is going to cost you around a hundred and fifty pounds to buy the hand set SIM free. If you're looking for a phone on a contract with a mobile service operator, then your best deal is going to be with Orange. They're offering the HTC 8S for no money down on a £15.50 per month contract. The LG Optimus L5 II is going to run you again around a hundred and fifty pounds to buy SIM free. As a contract phone, the best deals are with Vodafone, who are offering the device for zero cash down on an £11 a month contract.

The Similarities...

These two phones are probably more similar than they are different. You get the same four inch screen size on both models, which is standard at this price point and probably the minimum that you should look for comfortable on screen typing. You get the same 5 MP camera, again standard at this price range, and more than good enough for taking photos to post online. And you get the same 1000 MHz processor, so the phones are equally fast, powerful and responsive.

The HTC 8S...

The HTC 8S does have a couple of advantages, however. It has an integrated compass, which will mean that you can use map and navigation apps more effectively. This compass will allow these apps to know where you are even when you're standing still. Secondly, it has newer Bluetooth support. The HTC 8S runs Bluetooth 2.1 rather than the much older 1.0 versions seen on the LG Optimus L5 II. For frequent users of Bluetooth devices such as hands free sets for in car calling this newer version will give better performance. You'll get faster data transfer between your phone and your Bluetooth device, and your phone will also use less battery power when connecting to said device.

The LG Optimus L5 II...

The LG Optimus L5 II really only has one big advantage: it's an Android phone. Many people prefer having and Android phone because they find it easier to use and more intuitive than the Windows operating system. This is only a matter of personal preference though, it can't really be said that an Android operating system is necessarily better than a Windows one. But there is one factor that makes an Android more desirable. There are far more customisation options available on an Android phone. The Android App Market contains around seven and a half times more apps available for downloading than the Windows Phone Marketplace. This means that you have a far wider choice when it comes to things like games and productivity apps with an Android phone like the LG Optimus L5 II.

Which is the Better Buy?

There really isn't that much in it, to be honest. Both of these phones make great budget buys and when it comes to the important factors like screen size and processing power they're perfectly equal. Should you have an operating system preference then choose the HTC as a Windows phone or the LG as an Android. If you don't, then it really might not matter which you go for. In our opinion, we'll go for the LG Optimus L5 II, simply because of the increased app availability.

Phil Turner thought that cheap mobile phones were the best option to save money.A quick look online using comparison sites like uSwitch made sure he found the best deals.