The best Android phones for under $200

It used to be the norm that to get a good phone you'd have to spend a good chunk of change. But while the high end continues to progress at a predictable rate, the mid-tiers have suddenly become where the action is at. It's easier than ever to get a quality Android smartphone without paying too much for it. We daresay you can call it a "cheap" Android smartphone at this point and not feel bad about it.

For under $250 it's now possible to get a good phone by any standard — but it's worth taking care when spending this kind of money on a smartphone. Just as there are some great bargains to be had, there's also a lot of crap out there. So with that said, here's our roundup of the best you can get right now, broken down by their price and value.

For June 2016 we've switched up the list with the latest prices and rankings, better reflecting the value of each.

The best Android phones for under $200 : 

• Nexus 5X (from Project Fi) :

Though the Nexus 5X typically retails for a higher $349 (or $299 frequently via coupons), the way the phone makes this list is its amazingly low price of $199 when purchased through Project Fi. That's right, if you are using Google's own Project Fi service, or are willing to give it a try, you can pick up a Nexus 5X for an absolute steal of a price. Going a step further, you can even finance that $199 price over 24 months with no interest.

At that price, you can look past the sometimes-inconsistent performance and lackluster hardware of the Nexus 5X, and instead focus on getting a great software experience, strong camera, one-touch fingerprint sensor, solid screen and continued support directly from Google. We're already willing to recommend this phone at its usual price, but when you put a $199 tag on it, it's really worth considering.

And even if you decide Project Fi isn't for you, you can simply cancel the service without penalty and keep using your Nexus 5X on another carrier.

• OnePlus X :

OnePlus has traditionally gone hunting for the high-end but the OnePlus X is the first time it truly targeted the budget sector coming in at $249 — since launch, it's dropped the price to $199. What you get is a mixture of premium design with glass and metal both present encasing internal specs that would have been in flagship class phones not all that long ago.

The glass back makes the OnePlus X a slippery customer but the 1080p display and simple, unbloated software around the front makes up for it. After an early period where an invite was required to buy, the OnePlus X is now available with open sales from its website.

• Moto G (2015) :

Motorola is arguably responsible for reinventing the budget phone space when it tore up the rule book with the original Moto G. Now three generations in and it's no more difficult to recommend to anyone looking for the best on a budget.

The hardware is more than ample for the price and Motorola's signature software experience of value added to stock Android remains. The camera is improved on its predecessor, Moto Maker allows for some customization on the color schemes and all-in-all the essence of what made this phone great hasn't gone away. It's hard to do better at the starting price of $160. And if you can afford it, we'd definitely recommend the 16GB/2GB RAM model for about $199. It's worth the extra money in the long run.

• Wileyfox Swift :

The Wileyfox Swift is the British company's first Android phone and has every right to be taken notice of. It cost's a ridiculously cheap £129 and packs Moto G matching hardware while undercutting it on price.

The display is nice, the battery life is pretty good, the overall appearance is on point and the software provided by Cyanogen is slick, speedy and bloat free. It's not available officially outside Europe right now, but it's absolutely one of the best cheap phones money can buy. And with recent offers dropping the price to just £99, it really is a bargain.

• Moto E LTE (2015) :

Motorola's second-generation Moto E adds LTE to the mix, while retaining more of the premium features from more expensive Moto phones than ever before. You're looking at a basic 4.5-inch qHD (960x540) LCD display, and a Snapdragon 410 processor running the show in the LTE model (which is the only version you should be buying at this point).

Beyond that, the latest Moto E is an unspectacular but solid budget offering, with a decidedly basic 5-megapixel rear shooter and chunky plastic construction. It does have Moto's excellent software experience going for it though, and in many countries it's been updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. For around $120, you could do a lot worse.

What is your favorite ? 

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How to change an app ICON for free on android

Stop me if you're heard this one: you've got an app you love to use, one with excellent features and snappy response time. But every time you go to open in, you just shake your head and wonder what the developer was thinking when they were creating that icon. Some of us hide ugly icons in folders, just so we have to look at them less. But there's another way, a better way.

We can replace that icon entirely. And you don't even have to use a fancy theming launcher. You just need Awesome Icons.

Awesome Icons is a simple app with a simple premise: it's a shortcut creator. You pick an app, an icon, and a label, and Awesome Icons creates a new app shortcut on your home screen to use instead of the one you'd find in your app drawer. The shortcuts can then be moved around to your intended place on the home screen, even folders and docks.

When you open the app, you'll see a list of your installed apps, and under each app will be a carousel of different icons available for that app from installed icon packs. If you tap on one, it'll bring up the shortcut creation screen, where you can see what app you're linking to, the icon you selected, and you can change the label to read something other than the default app name. Once you hit OK and go back to the home screen, there's a shiny new shortcut waiting for you.

For your theming convenience, you can dim the rest of the screen except the icon, which can be useful in selecting icons for a dark theme or for weeding out icons with a lot of white in them that may not be as visible in the normal view. If you want to create a shortcut with a different icon than the ones in the carousels, you can tap the + in the top bar to open a blank custom shortcut.

Select any app and icon you like, change your label as needed, and then it's ready to for your home screen. This is also a good tool for hiding apps that you may not want other people seeing on your home screen, like a banking app or your adult apps.

While you can use this to theme every icon on your home screen in launchers that don't work with icon packs — or don't work with icon packs from the Google Play, like Samsung TouchWiz and HTC Sense — it can get time-consuming. I still recommend using a launcher that supports icon packs before using Awesome Icons to replace them all. Also, these shortcuts won't change the icon in your app drawer, but at least you can have beautiful icons on your home screen. And if you have beautiful icons on your home screen, you won't need to seek out the ugly icon in your app drawer as much. What app icons do you want to hide?

DOWNLOAD LINK : AWESOME ICONS (FREE)

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An Easy Way to Download Facebook Videos on Android

If you have an Android phone and an active user of Facebook, you must have wondered about the ways to download Facebook videos that appears on your timeline so that you can watch it over and over again without needing an internet connection.

Although, Facebook does not offer a direct link for you to download a video, but you can download the Facebook videos on your Android phone using a third-party app called MyVideoDownloader.

MyVideoDownloader for Facebook is the leading app to download videos from your Facebook to your Android device. It is very easy to use. With MyVideoDownloader, you can download any kind of videos from Facebook. Videos like tagged, shared and uploaded by you or your friends can be downloaded using this app. It is also allows you to download videos from the pages and groups you liked.

How to Use MyVideoDownloader for Facebook

• Once installed, launch the app and log in to your Facebook account.
• Swipe in to the right to access the menu. In the menu, select ‘News Feed’ to search for the video you want to download.
  

• Once you have found a video you like, tap on the little tick icon beside the video you would like to download, and hit the download icon located on the top-right corner of the screen.

• Your downloaded video will be saved to you phone’s SD card by default, but you can choose to save videos to your phone SD card from the Setting’s menu.

DOWNLOAD LINK : MyVideoDownloader For Facebook 

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5 Best Free Android Multiplayer Games To Play With Friends

Playing games on smartphones has become a favorite pass time for many of us. Whenever we have spare time or want to get some relax, we just open any of our favorite games and start playing. However, it is more fun to play with friends or to challenge them.

There are many multiplayer Android games where you can challenge your friends or team up with them to challenge others. If you’re looking for the best Android multiplayer games to play with your friends, here is our listing of 10 best multiplayer games that works with internet, Wi-Fi or even Bluetooth, and can be downloaded for free on your Android phone or tablet.

1. Asphalt 8: Airborne

Asphalt 8 is one of the best car racing game for Android. This game has great graphics and amazing sets of cars. You can race in different seasons and tracks, maneuver through the air, and perform stunts while racing.

Airborne offers multiplayer mode with up to 8 opponents. The best thing is that you can play this game on LAN connection with your friends. There are also ghost challenges where friends can challenge your best time on a track and race a ghost of you without you being required to be there. The game is available for free on Google Play.

2. Real Basketball

Real Basketball is an addictive game designed for basketball fans, which has became one of the top rated and most downloaded basketball games on Google Play. The graphics are truly amazing and there are few fun game modes where you can show off your basketball skills.

This game is packed with many elements to build up a beautiful personality such as characters, basketballs, uniforms and courts. You’ll get a scoreboard that shows you statistics of game.

The game offers both single and multiplayer modes. The online multiplayer mode enables you to play with friends and other real players. If you are a basketball fan, you will surely enjoy the superb real-life basketball experience of Real Basketball.

3. Dungeon Hunter 5

Dungeon Hunter 5 is the fifth installment of the popular action-RPG series from Gameloft. It brings with awesome graphics, epic storyline, and hack n slash game-play mechanics. As the latest sequel to the Dungeon Hunter series, it introduces the new dungeons, skill and crafting systems as well as the weapon upgrading system.

In addition to the solo adventure, the game also has a popular multiplayer component that includes co-op mode where you can play with friends, PVP mode to fight other people, and you can even team up and compete in death matches.

4. Blitz Brigade

Blitz Brigade is an online FPS (first-person shooter) game which is similar to the popular PC shooter game, Team Fortress 2 or Battlefield Heroes. The game features a colorful 3D cartoonish graphics and great soundtrack.

In Blitz Brigade you can take part in multiplayer battles with up to 12 players and choose to be part of one of five different classes; Soldier, Gunner, Medic, Sniper, and Stealth. Each of them has unique equipment and special features, but you have to unlock them, except Soldier which has available from beginning. You can use 3 different vehicles in battle and fight with over 100 powerful weapons. Blitz Brigade is the best and the biggest battlefield for Android nowadays. Download Blitz Brigade now for free and enjoy the largest multiplayer shooting online game on your Android device.

5. Gun Bros Multiplayer

Gun Bros Multiplayer is a dual-stick shooter game like the classical Contra. In the game, you’ll have to wade from planet to planet to free the planet from invaders. There is a huge arsenal of weapons to choose from and the game has an amazing interface.

As the name suggests, the game is designed to play with other players. There is also an option to add a favorite player to your friends list so that you will be able to play together when both of you are online.

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6 New Features of Android 7.0 N

Google has released the developer preview of its upcoming Android OS version, Android N, at the Google I/O 2016 event in the San Francisco Bay Area. While it’s not the final version, this developer preview gives app makers and users some hints about what’s coming in the next version of the Android mobile OS.

There are plenty of new features introduced in Android 7.0 N, including revamped notifications, better battery life, multi-window support, and many more.

Although it’s not clear whether Android N will be named ‘Nectar’, ‘Nougat’, ‘Nutella’, or after some other sweet or dessert, but the company has revealed some of the software’s key features. Here’s a list of new features and improvement that Google has introduced in Android 7.0 N.

Notification Enhancements

Google has redesigned notifications in Android N which will include bundled notifications, template updates, and direct reply. With notification template update, the hero image and avatar will get more emphasis while the bundled notifications will allow system group messages together. The direct reply will allow users to respond to a SMS or text message directly within the notification pane without needing to open an app. This feature works for all messaging and IM apps, including WhatsApp.

Multi-Window Support

Android N adds support for multi-window which allow users to open two apps on the screen at once and run them side-by-side or one-above-the-other in split screen mode. The company has also added resize option for apps which can be done by dragging the divider between them. Apart from the multi-window support, Google says that users on Android TV devices will be able to put apps in picture-in-picture mode, which will allow them to continue showing content while the user browses or interacts with other apps.

Improved Google Keyboard

Google keyboard will also be getting some new features in the Android N. Users can now select different themes for stock Google Keyboard. There are 14 preset solid color themes available to choose from. Users can also use their own image as the background for the keyboard. Android N will also include new emoji characters that are Unicode 9 certified.

Android TV Recording

In Android N, Android TV users will have the ability to record and playback content from Android TV input services via new recording APIs. In addition, you will also be able to schedule a recording in advance or record while you are watching.

Night Mode

Just like Apple’s recently released ‘Night Shift’ mode in iOS 9.3, the Night Mode in Android N allows users to adjust the screen temperature for ease of use at night. The night mode in Android N enables user dark theme across the device during night. It also applies a yellowish tint in order to suppress the blue light coming from the display. The feature also lowers brightness automatically depending on the time of the day.

You can set your phone to switch on night mode automatically, and you can even choose to use a dark theme instead of Android N’s standard black-text-on-white look. To enable it, go to Settings -> System UI Tuner -> Color and appearance -> Night mode.

Data Saver

Data Saver is a new feature that helps reduce cellular data use by apps. When enabled, the system will block background data and will also signal apps to use less data in the foreground wherever possible. Users will also get an option to select specific apps to run in the background and use data even when Data Saver mode is enabled. So if you don’t have access to a Wi-Fi connection all day and don’t want your device using a bunch of data while you’re not using your phone, this new feature is for you.

Like previous versions of Android, the final consumer version of Android N won’t land until later in the year, usually around October, but you can download the developer preview now if you have a Nexus Phone like Nexus 5x, 6, 6P, 9, Nexus Player, or Pixel C tablet.

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How to Install a Custom ROM on your Android.

Installing a custom ROM is a great way to get the most out of your Android phone, but you need to find the right custom ROM for your device. Once you’ve found a custom ROM that’s right for your needs. The next step is to install it on your Android device.

There are different ways to install a custom Rom on an Android phone, like flashing in recovery mode or using an app, but the easiest way is through an app called ‘ROM Manager’.

ROM Manager is a must have app for Android root users who regularly tinker with their device’s ROMs. The app lets you flash your recovery to the latest and greatest ClockworkMod recovery.
Besides that, it will help you to manage and install your custom ROMs and backing-up your current ROM.

It has both free and premium versions. The paid premium version includes additional features like automatic backups, web connect and incremental ROM downloads.

How to Install a custom ROM using ROM Manager

1. First, download and install the ROM Manager app on your Android phone.

2. After installing, launch the app and from the main menu, tap on ‘Flash ClockworkMod Recovery’.

3. You’ll be asked to confirm your phone’s model. Select your phone’s model and your phone will reboot and flashing CWM.

4. Now, before you go installing any custom ROMs, I suggest you to back up your current ROM. To do that, tap on the ‘Backup Current ROM’.

5. Give the backup a name and then click OK.

6. You will be asked to allow ROM Manager superuser access, tap on ‘Allow’ to grant this. The backup process can take a little while, so make sure you aren’t expecting any important calls.

7. Once done, reopen ROM Manager and tap on ‘Install ROM from SD card’.

8. Find the folder where you placed the .zip file in. A box should pop up with three options like the image shown below.

9. Tick the ‘Wipe Data and Cache’ and ‘Wipe Dalvik’ boxes, and then click OK. The phone will now reboot and start installing your custom ROM. This might take a little while, sometimes up to 15 minutes, so be patient and don’t panic if the device appears to have frozen.

Once the phone has booted up, you will be prompted to enter your Google account details. Congrats, you have successfully installed a new ROM and you now have a brand new ROM to explore!

DOWNLOAD LINK : ROM Manager

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A Simple Method to Unroot Any Rooted Android Device.

Rooting your android device does give you a lot of privileges like custom ROM’s, kernels, themes and many more, but at the same time it will voids your phone’s warranty.

If you have a rooted android phone and want to get the warranty return or whatever reason, then you can simply unroot it. Once rooted, your android device will back to its stock firmware with valid warranty. Here I will show you two simple methods to unroot any rooted android phone or tablet.

Before you begin to unroot your android phone, make sure you have done the following:

• Backup your data: While unrooting, all the data will be wiped out. so make sure to backup all your important data either on your SD card or your PC.
• Charge your phone: Ensure that battery is charged to more than 50%.

                      Method : Use ES File Explorer

             1. Install ES File Explorer app on your device. Don’t move it to SD card.

             2. Open the app and tap the menu button.

             3. Now tap on ‘Tools’ and select ‘Root Explorer’ to turn it on.

4. Superuser will ask you to grant privilege or root privileges to the app. Allow it.

             5. Now go back to the main screen of the app and select ‘/’ in the top corner of the screen.

 6. Go to system -> bin. Find the busybox and su file and delete them. If you can’t find any of them, just skip to the next step.

7. Go back to system folder then open ‘xbin’ folder and delete the busybox and su file there (if you found any).

8. Now go back to the system folder again and open ‘app’ folder and then delete the supeuser.apk file located in the folder. That’s all.

9. Now restart your device and it should be unrooted.

DOWNLOAD LINK HERE : ES FILE EXPLORER 

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