The smartphone world is dominated by Samsung Galaxy S7s and Apple iPhone 6Ss that unfortunately not everyone can afford. While it’s true that smartphone prices have become reasonable over the years (and consumers also no longer have to subscribe to expensive mandatory phone plans), the popular ones usually cost a lot of money than what an average part-timer or the cash strapped student can afford.

Fortunately though, the prices for phones don’t always determine the quality, durability and features offered. There are a number of smartphones available in the market that cost less than the headline-generating versions, but are still as handy. If you are one of those people on a budget who dream of owning a smartphone, consider these affordable alternatives instead:

Microsoft Lumia 640

Microsoft’s Lumia is a well-respected brand, and as far as Windows phones go, Lumia offers the best bank for your buck. Everything that comes with this phone is quintessentially Microsoft, so if you are an avid user of Windows products, this will be the ideal gadget for you. The performance offered by the 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 chip is not super-fast but is not too slow either. This is one of the lowest price smartphones currently in the market and you will not be disappointed by the features it offers.

Sony Xperia E4

Sony’s underrated Xperia brand is a novelty of sorts. It caters to a specific group of consumers who are not served well by the big names in the smartphone world like Apple and Samsung. Sony has a range of Xperia phones, and the E4 so far offers the best value for your money. It’s not too expensive, and comes with an array of features comparable to the best in the market. The smartphone runs on Android 4.4 supported by an impressive 1.3GHz quad-core Mediatek MT6582 processor. It has two cameras on the back and the front for selfies. You can compare Sony prices for all the Xperia phones available to choose the one that’s best for you.

Motorola Moto G

Motorola has never been a hip brand, but it is well known for offering affordable and long lasting phones for consumers with a limited budget. Like their flip phones of the yore, Motorola’s Moto G is one of the top ranking budget smartphones available on the market. It’s slightly bulky, and may not look sleek, but has all the necessary features a smartphone should have. It comes with a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, 8GB storage and 1GB RAM (or 16GB storage and 2GB RAM), microSD support, front and rear cams and 5-inch 720p LCD display. Practical to boot, the 2016 Moto G is also waterproof.

When you are buying a smartphone, always compare the price with the features the phone offers. Don’t choose the cheapest phone. There are numerous second-hand non-branded smartphones out there for cheap rates. If you can invest a bit more in a reliable brand like Sony or Motorola, you can be assured to get the best value for your money. After all, you don’t want your smartphone to break down without a warranty in two weeks do you?