Best Cheap Phones For Music Festivals

Daniel Nissenbaum

In this article

There's no need to take your expensive smartphone if you're heading to a music festival. Even if you ignore the risk of it getting lost, stolen or damaged, it'll probably run out of battery after a day or two of use. You may as well take a compact basic mobile phone - but which is the best?

Thankfully, our tests have uncovered some great basic mobile phones that cost less than £20, and last for more than 20 days between charges on standby mode.

But if you’re worried about leaving your smartphone at home, fear not: some of our recommended models even have basic cameras and internet access, so you’ll still be able to post your festival highlights on Facebook over the weekend.

Not all cheap phones will do the job though. The worst models we’ve tested will be out of juice just as quickly as your high-end smartphone, and will be a nightmare to use.

Protect yourself from battery anxiety and improve your festival experience by picking up one of the models below.

Just want to know the best simple mobile phones that money can buy? Here's a simple solution: check out our Best Buy simple mobile phones.

Best festival phones

75%

£37.49

Reviewed Mar 2019

If you're looking for the a no-nonsense simple phone that's great for emergencies, this one is a great choice. It comes without the frills of fancy smart features but you get the essentials like 2G internet connectivity and a 3Mp rear camera in case you need to take some flicks at a festival.

First month only £5, then £9.99 per month, cancel any time

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65%

£33.00

Reviewed Jan 2018

This phone isn't perfect, but it ticks some important boxes for festival-goers, including a low price, great battery life, a torch and FM radio.

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58%

£40.00

Reviewed Mar 2019

For those that want a slightly 'smarter' simple phone for their festival trips, this one fits the bill. As well as having a keyboard for easier typing while at a gig, this phone also comes with smart functionalities like 3G connectivity and apps including WhatsApp so you can easily stay in touch with friends.

First month only £5, then £9.99 per month, cancel any time

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51%

£16.98

Reviewed Jun 2017

This is such a cheap phone it's difficult to complain too much about the small screen and dodgy camera, plus it has a good battery life and a torch.

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Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of August 2020.

What makes a Best Buy simple mobile phone?

We recommend only the phones that sound clear, have simple menus that are easy to use and clear screens that are comfortable to read. We put every simple mobile phone through the same set of rigorous tests to find the best. Our tests include practical assessments carried out by our ease-of-use specialists, and technical measurements to ensure that each of our simple mobile phone reviews answers all the key questions you might have, including:

How easy is this phone to use?
How long does the battery last?
How clear are phone calls?
Are any extra features useful?
Should I buy it?

Want to upgrade your smartphone? Our tests have uncovered phones with hard-to-read screen, terrible cameras and batteries that won't last you a day. Buy the best, whatever your budget - see our Best Buy mobile phones.