MIRO A1 Gray 32GB

The MIRO A1 is an ultra-budget unlocked Android 14 Go phone that costs around $65 to $70. It handles basic calls and texts but struggles with multitasking, has a weak camera, and mediocre battery life. It's best as a backup phone or a first device for a child, not a daily driver.

The SC9863 octa-core chip running at 1.8GHz is a familiar budget workhorse, but paired with just 2GB of RAM, it struggles. In our database, this phone's performance sits in the 10th percentile, which means it's slower than 90% of the phones we track. That's not a typo. Opening apps takes a beat, switching between them often reloads everything, and multitasking is basically a suggestion rather than a feature.

For basic tasks like WhatsApp, phone calls, and light web browsing, it gets the job done. But don't expect smooth scrolling in heavier apps or any kind of gaming beyond simple puzzle titles. The 32GB of storage fills up fast too, though the microSD slot helps if you're mostly storing photos and music. The 3000mAh battery is on the small side, landing in the 32nd percentile, so you'll likely be charging this thing every night, if not sooner.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 7 Pro, or Apple iPhone 12, the MIRO A1 isn't even in the same conversation. Those are flagship phones from a few years back, and even used, they offer vastly better displays, cameras, performance, and build quality. The A1's 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera are closer to what you'd find in a phone from 2015 than anything modern.

The more relevant comparison is the Motorola Moto G Power 2024 5G. That phone costs more but gives you a bigger battery, better processor, more RAM, and a camera that doesn't make you want to put the phone back in your pocket. The FNCOCO I26 U is another budget option in this range, but it's similarly underwhelming. If you're choosing between ultra-budget phones, the A1's Android 14 Go software is a small point in its favor, but it's not enough to overcome the hardware limitations.

At $65 to $70, the MIRO A1 is cheap, but cheap doesn't always mean good value. For a bit more money, you can find used or refurbished phones from bigger brands that run circles around this thing. The Motorola Moto G Power 2024 5G, for example, costs more but delivers dramatically better performance, battery life, and camera quality. If you're absolutely capped at this price and need a new unlocked phone with dual SIM, the A1 is functional. But if you can stretch your budget even $30 to $50, you'll get a much better experience elsewhere.

The MIRO A1 is an unlocked Android 14 Go phone that sits firmly in the budget bracket, usually around $65 to $70 in the US. It's the kind of device you grab when you need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app use without spending real money. The spec sheet tells the story: a 6-inch IPS LCD, an octa-core SC9863 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage with room for a microSD card up to 256GB.

People searching for a cheap unlocked smartphone often ask if a phone this inexpensive is actually usable day to day. The short answer is yes, but barely. Android 14 Go is designed for low-end hardware, so the interface stays reasonably responsive if you stick to one app at a time. The 3000mAh removable battery is a nice throwback, and dual SIM support means you can run two lines without carrying two phones.

But our database puts this thing near the bottom in almost every category that matters. Performance lands in the 10th percentile, the camera is even worse, and the display is nothing to write home about. If your expectations are set to "backup phone" or "first phone for a kid," the MIRO A1 makes some sense. If you want a daily driver, keep scrolling.

Skip the MIRO A1 if you plan to use your phone for anything beyond the basics. If you take photos regularly, the 5MP rear camera will disappoint you every time. If you like to multitask or keep lots of apps open, the 2GB of RAM will drive you up the wall. And if you need all-day battery life, look elsewhere. For a bit more money, the Motorola Moto G Power 2024 5G is a much better budget pick. Even a used older flagship like the iPhone 12 or Pixel 7 Pro will serve you far better in the long run.

Should you buy the MIRO A1? Only if you need the absolute cheapest unlocked Android phone you can find and your expectations are rock bottom. It works for calls, texts, and very light app use. The dual SIM support is genuinely useful for people who travel or need separate work and personal lines. And the removable battery is a nice touch for a device in this price range.

But for most people, this phone will frustrate more than it helps. The 2GB of RAM is a constant bottleneck, the camera is bad even by budget standards, and the battery life won't get you through a heavy day. If this is a backup phone or a starter device for a kid, fine. If it's your main phone, save up a little more and buy something better.