I switched to a $129 Android phone for a week, and it was surprisingly capable

Let's face it: While the low-end Android market is filled with phones of all sizes, colors, and specs, most of these $200-$300 handsets are hit or miss in terms of performance, lag, bloatware, cameras, sound, and display.

But when you drop to the $100-$200 range, things get interesting. Part of the reason, I believe, is expectation. When you're using a $129 phone, there's little reason to hope it will perform as well as a $1,000 device. That kind of wishful thinking is pointless. And once expectations are tempered, some pleasant surprises are to be had.

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Such is the case with the NUU N30. This $129 phone delivers some serious bang for your buck. No, its specs won't blow you away, but in the hands of those who don't need the power to play games or run AI, this phone performs surprisingly well.

The specs

Display - 6.7-inch HD+ with 90Hz refresh rateCPU - Octa-core with up to 2.0Ghz clock speed, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storageCameras - 50MP AI-powered autofocus main camera with 12 different scene types, 2MP full frame macro lens with LED flash, and 8MP front cameraBattery - 5000mAhOS - Android 14Price - $129 on Amazon

My experience

I've reviewed NUU phones before, so I knew what to expect. NUU devices purport to "supercharge" RAM with features like DuraSpeed, which -- according to NUU -- optimizes system resources to ensure that apps run more efficiently. By prioritizing foreground applications, DuraSpeed is supposed to free up RAM and CPU cycles by keeping background processes in check. In other words, DuraSpeed prioritizes system resources for active apps alone.

Does it work?

With DuraSpeed, you can enable the feature and then enable only specific apps to run in the background. For instance, you can only allow, say, Google Play Services to run in the background. Or you can not allow a single app to run in the background. The problem with this is that some apps might not function as expected (especially since they can't update data if they aren't allowed to run in the background). 

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I enabled DuraSpeed and opted to not allow a single app to run in the background. Then I opened Chrome and, to my surprise, found the browser did run noticeably better, and animations seemed to run more smoothly. Given this device only has 6GB of RAM, I was pretty impressed.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

And then there's the Extended RAM feature, which converts storage space into extended memory (sort of like the swap space on Linux). This only works when there's sufficient storage on the device. With Extended RAM, you can add an extra 2, 4, or 6 GB to the built-in RAM. After enabling and configuring, you do have to restart the phone for changes to take effect.

How effective was it? I noticed a slight improvement with apps opening faster and a bit less lag for animations. The NUU N30 can't compete with the likes of my Pixel 9 Pro, of course. But considering the cost of the N30, this device is impressive.

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There's one other benefit to using DuraSpeed. With the ability to seriously limit background apps, you can eke out a bit more battery life from the phone. 

The look and feel of the NUU N30

Like its pricier cousin -- the NUU B30 -- the N30's look and feel is pretty premium. It feels good in the hand, making you think you're using a device that costs considerably more than $129. The design of the case is similar to that of the Pixel 9 -- boxy but elegant. The unit I was shipped is a beautiful purple color that sports nothing more than the NUU logo on the back -- along with the usual array of cameras.

Speaking of which…

The N30 camera

I don't typically judge a phone by its camera, especially when that phone is not one of the Pixel devices (because they've seriously spoiled me on the camera front). However, I was pretty impressed with the N30 camera. It includes a Pro mode, so you can adjust ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and more. You can even shoot in RAW, a feature even some mid-range phones don't offer. 

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I took several photos in different lighting conditions and found the N30 phone to beat many mid-range phones I've used. No, these photos are not Pixel-quality, but that's a high bar to reach.

For me, the N30's Pro mode was best for getting the shots I wanted, but to use that mode effectively, you need to understand settings like ISO, white balance, and shutter speed. Including the Pro mode is a real boon for the N30 phone.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you have a teenager looking for their first phone, and you don't want to spend much for a device that will get lost, beaten up, and/or mishandled, the NUU N30 is a great buy. At only $129, that first-time phone will be a big hit with the kid because it doesn't look, feel, or perform like a bargain-bin device.

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Or maybe you're looking for a backup Android phone or a cost-effective device you can hand out to employees. Again, the N30 is a great option. Essentially, the N30 is a phone that could easily pass as a mid-range device, without landing in the mid-range price.