Best smartphone buys: September 2011

Do you want a new smartphone but only have a limited budget? Look no further than our best smartphone buys.

If you want a new smartphone and only have a limited budget, check our PC World Australia's best buys. These smartphones are a rank of the top 10 handsets based on perceived value for money.

Although the smartphone market is dominated by Apple's iPhone, its Google's Android platform that dominates the lower end of the market.

The best buys list for September is again topped by the Huawei Sonic, which sells for just $188 in supermarket chain Woolworths, Big W and electronics retailer Dick Smith. HTC is the most popular best buy smartphone vendor in August, with a high four models including the new Desire S which is exclusive to Telstra. Sony Ericsson's XPERIA Ray also makes its debut: it's a smaller, cheaper version of the flagship XPERIA Arc.

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ChaCha
4.00

1. HTC ChaCha Android phone

The HTC ChaCha offers smart integration with Facebook and also possesses an excellent physical keyboard. Its small screen will frustrate users keen on mobile Web browsing, but if you can live with these drawbacks, the ChaCha is very good value ...
Review Date: 13th July, 2011
Wildfire S
3.75

2. HTC Wildfire S Android phone

HTC's Wildfire S offers decent value for money, but doesn't come without compromises. However, those looking for a relatively compact and affordable smartphone are likely to be pleased with its combination of excellent build quality and intuitive software.
Review Date: 4th July, 2011
Salsa
4.00

3. HTC Salsa Android phone

The HTC Salsa provides easy integration with the world's most popular social networking service, but its ultimate appeal will depend on how much you use Facebook on a daily basis. The Facebook key is not a deal breaker, but putting ...
Review Date: 18th July, 2011
Optimus Me
3.00

4. LG Optimus Me (P350) Android phone

The LG Optimus Me has a low-res display, and its price tag isn't as low as some of its competitors, but it still offers most features and functions of higher priced alternatives.
Review Date: 3rd May, 2011
RRP: $ 229.00
IDEOS X5
3.75

5. Huawei IDEOS X5 Android phone

If you want to buy a fully fledged Android smartphone without breaking the bank, the Huawei IDEOS X5 should be seriously considered. It offers all the features and functions of a top end Android smartphone for an excellent price.
Review Date: 30th March, 2011
Best Buy
Optimus One
4.00

6. LG Optimus One Android smartphone

The LG Optimus One may well be the best budget Android smartphone on the Australian market. A responsive capacitive touchscreen and the latest version of the Android OS combined with decent physical hardware make it great value for money.
Review Date: 17th Nov., 2010
Best Buy
IDEOS X1
3.25

7. Huawei IDEOS X1 Android phone

The Huawei IDEOS X1 is a pretty impressive smartphone considering its low price. The capacitive touchscreen is reasonably responsive, and although its performance, screen size and the plastic build quality aren’t anything to crow about, the IDEOS X1 remains great ...
Review Date: 28th July, 2011
RRP: $ 99.00
Best Buy
Desire S
4.00

8. HTC Desire S Android phone

The HTC Desire S is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary upgrade over the original Desire. It remains an excellent smartphone, but it hits the market at a time when competition is fiercer than ever. We think it's a good all-rounder ...
Review Date: 6th June, 2011
Best Buy
XPERIA Ray
4.00

9. Sony Ericsson XPERIA Ray Android phone

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA Ray is an excellent smartphone wrapped in a compact and light frame, a refreshing change from the norm. Provided you can live with its cramped screen when typing on the touchscreen keyboard, the XPERIA Ray offers ...
Review Date: 22nd Sept., 2011
Best Buy
Sonic
3.25

10. Huawei Sonic Android phone

The Huawei Sonic provides a reasonable features list for quite a low price. As long as you can live with its limitations, such as the lack of Flash and a poor camera, it's very hard to beat for value.
Review Date: 1st Aug., 2011
RRP: $ 248.00
Best Buy
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