Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Smartphones Under $100 We Want This Year

Image via Complex Original

Click Here to Buy it Now at Verizon, $50 (w/two-year contract)

The smaller sibling of the new Droid RAZR family might not sport the gorgeous HD display or monstrous battery life of its bigger bros, but the RAZR M offers the same premium performance at a lower price. Strong benchmarks spearheaded by a multitasking-friendly 1.5GHZ dual-core processor and Big Red’s LTE network solidify its reign as one of the best mid-level smartphone out.

Click Here to Buy it Now at AT&T, $100 (w/two-year contract)

HTC smashed the game when it launched the One X this past summer. Months later, it’s still a top contender for smartphone of the year. The Taiwanese mobile giant’s groundbreaking camera technology is the cornerstone of the One Series—powered by its dynamic ImageSense chip that allows users to snap photos at four frames per second and simultaneously capture video. It’s 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display is a pleasure to use and the inclusion of Beats Audio adds some punch to the audio experience.

Click Here to Buy it Now at AT&T, $100 (w/two-year contract)

Click Here to Buy it Now at Sprint, $100 (w/two-year contract)

Click Here to Buy it Now at Verizon, $100 (w/two-year contract)

The 4S builds on the principles that made its predecessor a commercial smash. How so? By introducing a faster processor and upgrading the FaceTime camera, and sticking with the stunningly radiant Retina Display and attractive design. An iOS 6 update is also available to bring over a number of software improvements to Apple's last-gen smartphone.

Click Here to Buy it Now at AT&T, $100 (w/two-year contract) 

007's personal smartphone boasts the benchmarks every wannabe super agent desires: swift processing power, great call quality, and long battery life. Not to mention a stunning 4.55-inch (1,280x720-pixel) LCD display capable of generating sharp and detailed visuals. And thanks to the 13MP camera, you can create clear, sharp, detailed visuals of your own. 

Click Here to Buy it Now at AT&T, $100 (w/two-year contract)

Our favorite Windows Phone 8 device carries over the sleek look and vigorous performance of Microsoft’s mobile OS, while bringing dope productivity features and next-gen hardware into the fold. New features like “Rooms” make it easier to share personal info with peeps, plus the Live Lock Screen to view notifications is a sweet touch. HTC’s ultramodern design and Beats Audio integration, which feeds off of two built-in rear amps, shouldn't be overlooked, either. If Santa sneaks an extra Benjamin in your stocking, it's definitely worth investing in the 16GB model.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Sprint, $100 (w/two-year contract)

Click Here to Buy it Now at Verizon, $100 (w/two-year contact)

Google’s last-gen flagship phone still holds up well when compared to newer handsets. Each carrier's model offers a standout feature: True LTE service on Verizon and Google Wallet support on Sprint. That said, both phones bear the same gorgeous Super AMOLED display, zippy dual-core processing, and NFC support. Best of all, Jelly Bean is now officially available on the handset.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Sprint, $100 (w/two-year contract)

Sprint subscribers on the hunt for an HTC One variant should find solace in the latest EVO model. Aside from being the Now Network’s best camera phone and receiving a Jelly Bean update, the EVO 4G LTE packs heavy artillery under the hood in the form of a strong 1.5GHz dual-core and 16GB of on-board storage. A Jelly Bean update has just been rolled out, too. And of course, we can’t forget the company’s signature kickstand, which only enlivens the mobile viewing experience.

Click Here to Buy it Now at AT&T, $100 (w/two-year contract) 

HTC’s phone might be the sexier of the two Windows Phone 8 devices, but Nokia’s is the more powerful. And with a spec sheet consisting of a speedy 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+, 8.7MP PureView camera, and wireless charging, it's not hard to see why. Nokia’s exclusive apps such as Nokia Drive+ and City Lens present new ways for users to interact with their smartphones. On top of that, access to over 17 million tracks (for free) through Nokia Music should hold you over 'til Spotify hits the platform. 

Click Here to Buy it Now at Sprint, FREE (w/two-year contract)

Say what’s up to the best, and possibly last, QWERTY-equipped smartphone to the hit market. Motorola’s keyboard offers superior tactile feedback and its backlit buttons help when messaging in dimly lit environments. And though the Photon Q is stuck with a second-gen spec sheet, its 1.5GHz dual-core dishes speedy results. The inclusion of Moto’s Smart Actions software and an unlocked bootloader give the handset a longer shelf life.

Click Here to Buy it Now at T-Mobile, $100 (w/two-year contract) 

We like to think of the Blaze 4G as an extension of GS II series, except with a cheaper price tag and faster internals. Its 1.5Ghz dual-core processor pulls off impressive benchmarks and dominates on the multitasking end. A vibrant 3.97-inch Super AMOLED display can be found on the front, which delivers bright and sharp visuals. Samsung decks the phone out with numerous multimedia options including its cloud-based Media Hub, AllShare, and yes, Netflix. Not bad.