It used to be the case - not all that long ago, in fact - that 'low-cost? was synonymous with 'low quality? in the smartphone space. Flooded with torrents of wretched, miserable Android devices, anyone looking for a really cheap smartphone ended up staring at a dreadful screen, with underpowered specs and appalling battery life.

But within barely a couple of years, things have changed dramatically. Compelling and impressive handsets like Motorola's Moto E have transformed expectations at the entry-level for Android, finally showing users that they no longer have to settle for the very worst if they?re shopping for a smartphone on a budget.

It's not just Android either ? Microsoft's Windows Phone OS has convincingly demonstrated that a strong smartphone user experience can be offered to buyers across all price ranges, not just those who can afford the flagships. No device demonstrated this better than Nokia's Lumia 520, which has seen its price fall to as little as $39.99 off-contract (albeit on promotion).