Best cheap Android phones

Cheap Android phones today are like low-priced second-hand Rolls Royces -- they're cheap for a reason. While the Android operating system itself is free, the hardware it needs to shine is far from it, and the newer the software, the more demanding it will be.

What this means is that buyers on a budget need to have realistic expectations. You can either have an older version of Android that won't be able to run cool augmented-reality apps like Google Goggles, or risk the newer software and get ready for some seriously sluggish performance. In either case, it's unlikely you'll be able to enjoy Flash Web surfing or real multitasking.

Start by matching the version of Android to its processor. The 500MHz chips on older phones should only be used with the basic 1.5 or 1.6 software. 800MHz might just stretch to 2.0, but you'll really want a full-fat 1GHz processor for the latest 2.2 operating system -- and good luck finding that on a sub-£100 phone.

Android is a gift-wrapped present for lower-end manufacturers, as it gives the likes of ZTE and Huawei a brand name everyone recognises. However, the operating system is only a small part of your overall experience. Build quality on these cheap phones can be less than perfect, from shoddy construction to underpowered batteries.

Manufacturers are using Android to experiment with different form factors and designs. Some of these phones are aimed at teenagers, but it's worth giving them a look. You won't get the raw power of an HTC Desire HD or Milestone 2, but if all you're interested in is social networking and a little light Web surfing, they can be great value for money. Keep on the lookout for weird user interface skins that hamper Android's minimalist menus, though.

Face up to the fact you will probably have to make do with a smallish (less than 3 inches), old-school resistive touchscreen rather than gorgeously gliding capacitive technology. The camera is likely to be 2 or 3 megapixels, while the buttons and slide-out keyboard (if it has one) may be on the plasticky side. Don't expect gorgeous sound quality, but 3.5mm headphone sockets should come as standard, and an easily accessible microSD slot will compensate for any lack of built-in storage.

HD video-recording and full-speed HSDPA are likely to be well above your pay grade. GPS will be present but may not always be correct. Read reviews or give the phone a test drive before relying on it as your main sat-nav. The combination of cheap hardware, average reception and a lightweight processor can turn a spin down to the shops into a stuttering, lagging navigational mess.

But don't get discouraged. It is possible to have a great time with even the cheapest Android handsets, as long as you understand their limitations. If you stick with pay as you go phones, it's easy to upgrade as soon as you can afford it.

Here's the best of the current crop of bargain Android phones, as reviewed by CNET UK.