12/01/2025
Yes, I really am analyzing those suspiciously cheap smartphones available at The Warehouse and One.nz stores in New Zealand, and maybe even figuring out why they're so cheap! So, lets get into it!
Starting off with the Smart E10 (yes, the brand name is apparently "Smart") and at $89 NZD, it seems like an AMAZING DEAL for some people, especially to those who don't really understand technology. Well, luckily, I do, and I can say that it is not a good deal in the slightest. With a pathetic 1gb of ram, I hope you like looking at loading screens, and with only 16gb of storage, it WILL run out of storage if you try downloading apps. Thats if said apps actually download, and if they do, they probably won't work. According to one of the reviewers, they bought it to run Spotify. Lets just say it couldn't run Spotify. Also, the screen is quite a bad resolution, and considering it is a cheap smartphone, it's probably not glass either. While it is awful if you want to use it as a smartphone, it does work as a basic phone for calls and texts, although if that's all you need, I recommend the Mobiwire Hinto, but if a browser is NECESARRY, this phone might just work for you.
The not-so-Smart E10
The Smart Green
Moving on to the Smart Green, it's basically the same, with the SAME amount of storage, SAME amount of ram, SAME screen quality, and SAME price. It's just 50% recycled. If choosing between the E10 and this, I'd chose this, because it's the same, but recycled.
Ok, only 1 more phone with the same 1gb of ram and 16gb storage. The choice between this and the Green and E10 is simple aesthetic (or price, depending on what's on sale)
Yes, this is basically the same phone as the others
Finally, a useable phone!
Hereis the Smart M23, a phone you can use apps with, (which is weird, considering they are all meant to be smart phones) this would be an ok first phone for a child, or as a spare phone that you want to have apps on.
The Smart E25. basically the better Smart Green. It's more recycled, has better performance than the Green. also, it's the first USB-C phone on this list. Spec wise, it's just a M23, and thus good for the same things, a first phone, or spare phone.
At least it's recycleable
Same thing as the other 2gb ram phones, just not USB-C anymore. Apps work, the cameras are ok, and thats about it. Ok as a spare phone.
This is the Smart M25. Not much to say here, except that it's USB-C. Once again, only good as a spare or first phone. It's also similar to the M23, which isn't all to weird. considering they are both rebranded TCL phones.
The Smart V22, The first "Smart" phone with specs even remotely close to budget phones from other brands. This phone has 4gb of ram, 64gb of storage, and a triple camera setup, although 2 of those cameras are useless, at least they aren't fake. While this phone does seem decent, according to reviews, it is plagued by technical problems, so as much as I want to recommend it, I wont.
Back to 2gb of ram. Once again, I only reccomend the Smart P24 as a first or spare phone.
2gb of ram, 32gb of storage, by now you can guess what I'll say. First or spare phone only.
This phone is quite new to NZ, so there are NO reviews on it, so I'm basing this on the specs. USB-C, 4gb of ram, 64gb of storage, and a decent processor, this phone could actually be a good alternative to other budget phones, like the Motorola G04. However, as there are no reviews, there is only one way to find out. Buy it! Or don't. Your choice. This one I could even recommend instead of a Samsung or Oppo, not just as a first phone or spare one, but I won't recommend it yet, until reviews start coming in. If they ever do.
The T23 may look similar to another phone on the list, the V22, and that's because it's the same phone, but with worse specs, AND it costs more! Get a different 2gb ram phone, as the singular review on this phone is a one star review that says that the screen broke extremely easily, the charging port became loose within 2 weeks, and that you should avoid this phone like the plague. So avoid this phone like the plague! Seriously.
Some things I noticed about these phones: Most of them are manufactured by Mobiwire, and that most of the phones on this list are also sold in France under the "Altice" brand. How weird is that? Just France and NZ. (and other places as well, probably, but I couldn't find them) Anyway, go to my Youtube channel in the "What you (probably) came here for" section of this website, and good luck avoiding (or buying) some of the phones on this list!