We had the Dark Chrome (also known as gray) version of the phone, but the Chameleon Blue and Agate Green models look even funkier – it might be worth checking them out if you want a bolder look. It's the screen quality and the internal components (and subsequent performance) where the cost-cutting is perhaps most noticeable, but even here the phone holds up well.

Alcatel 10.68 UK Sim Free Feature Phone Black (Renewed)

You'll often find the screen is where some costs have been saved on cheaper handsets, and that's the case with the Alcatel 3L (2020). ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro lens making up the rear camera, so that's just about every base covered except for telephoto zoom – any zooming you do on this phone has to be digital, with the resulting drop in quality (it's just like zooming in with your image editing software).Reviews can also help you identify any potential issues or drawbacks with ALCATEL 1068, such as difficulty setting it up, poor battery life, or compatibility issues with other devices. Cheaper products may seem like a good deal at the time, but they are often made with lower-quality materials and are not designed to last as long.

Alcatel 3L (2020) review: a very capable cheap camera phone Alcatel 3L (2020) review: a very capable cheap camera phone

The SIM slot doubles up as a microSD card reader, so it's reassuring to know you can add up to 128GB of extra storage if you find that you need it. It’s also worth noting that reading reviews can help you avoid falling victim to online scams or fake products. A high-quality ALCATEL 1068 is likely to have better specs and features, which will translate into better performance and a better user experience. The pictures don't really stand up to close scrutiny, and more expensive phones take significantly better photos – all as you would expect – but this phone won't let you down, and can handle just about every lighting and shooting scenario.

We like the rear cameras on our smartphones to be up in the corner, as this one is, rather than dominating the middle of the casing, but of course your mileage may vary (and it's hardly a deal-breaker either way).