This $129 Android phone reminded me of my Google Pixel 9 Pro in the best way

• The NUU N30 is available now on Amazon for $129.
• This $129 phone would make an amazing first phone for a child or a backup device.
• The fingerprint scanner on the N30 is in the power button, so there's no under-screen biometrics and the phone doesn't support wireless charging.

Let's face it: While the low-end Android market is filled with phones of all sizes, colors, and specs, most of these $200-$300 handsets are hit or miss in terms of performance, lag, bloatware, cameras, sound, and display.

But when you drop to the $100-$200 range, things get interesting. Part of the reason, I believe, is expectation. When you're using a $129 phone, there's little reason to hope it will perform as well as a $1,000 device. That kind of wishful thinking is pointless. And once expectations are tempered, some pleasant surprises are to ...