A report said there are minimum specifications buyers should not give up on even when choosing budget Android phones priced below $300, or about 400,000 won.

On Oct. 13, IT outlet Engadget said people choosing budget Android phones should prioritise the display, RAM, storage, processor, battery, camera and software support, rather than exterior materials or premium finishes.

The key is real-world performance, not price. It said there are plenty of options even under $300 for new devices, but buyers should first decide what compromises they can accept. It said features such as a titanium frame can be skipped, but buyers should avoid phones with too little RAM, short battery life, and weak camera and processor performance. "If a device is slow and stutters, its low price has no value," the outlet said.

The first item to check is the display. It suggested a minimum 5.6-inch screen, and preferably around 6.1 inches, for comfortable typing and content consumption. It recommended an AMOLED panel, at least HD-class resolution, and a peak brightness of at least 1,000 nits. It said the screen should be viewable even under direct sunlight.

It also set benchmarks for memory and storage. It said at least 6GB of RAM is needed. Below that, it said, slowdowns can appear in multitasking, video playback and light gaming. It said those who play mobile games heavily may consider up to 8GB. For storage, it set 128GB as the minimum if there is no expandable storage, and said 256GB is better for more headroom. Otherwise, it said, users could quickly run into a storage shortage.

It said the processor does not need to be the latest top-tier chip, but buyers should avoid chips that are too old or low-performing. It advised checking both the chip's release timing and real-world performance assessments. It said processor performance can strongly affect perceived quality, especially for users who stream video or play games.

Battery and camera were also cited as essential criteria when choosing budget phones. It suggested a minimum 4,500 mAh battery, adding that 5,000 mAh is a more appropriate starting point by today's standards. "It should be able to last a full day even with typical use," Engadget said. For the camera, it cited at least 32 megapixels for a rear camera as one benchmark, but added that sensor size may matter more than pixel count. It said taking in more light can improve overall shooting quality. It also recommended checking for at least 12 megapixels and an appropriate sensor size for the front-facing camera, considering selfie use.

Basic features were also included in the checklist. Examples include NFC for contactless payments and support for the latest Bluetooth to ensure stable connections for headphones and speakers. It said buyers of older models should also check how many years of software and security updates remain.

As actual candidates, it cited Samsung Electronics' Galaxy A series, as well as products from Nothing and Motorola. It said older Google Pixel models could also meet the criteria. As an example, it introduced a refurbished Pixel 8a that it said generally meets key requirements at a price slightly above $300. It added that targeting seasonal discount periods could allow buyers to choose mid-range specifications at entry-level prices.

Ultimately, it said the criteria for choosing a budget Android phone depends on what to give up and what to keep, rather than on price itself. "Even among devices in the $300 range, there are many that meet or exceed must-have functions and specifications," Engadget said, advising consumers to consider usability and the support period rather than buying based only on a low price.