<i>&gt; when people compare specifications they always lose perspective on build quality</i><p>This isn&#x27;t being sold as quality at all though, and I think that most people will be well aware of the build difference between this and an Apple product or similar.<p>That are talking about what it can do when working, not how long it will work for.<p><i>&gt; But for $10, do you need a smartphone at all?</i><p>As has already been mentioned, for some a mobile phone is their only Internet access so a cheap device with something approaching modern smartphone features could be quite a boon for those in that economic category.<p>Also for the slightly better off they are a good choice for kids. It might keep from trying to grab your phone (though they&#x27;ll still want your&#x27;s for the better games a higher spec device can play), at the price it doesn&#x27;t matter as much if they break the thing, and if you disable network access (or just don&#x27;t put a SIM in at all) so they just use WiFi it&#x27;ll not cost any extra beyond the initial price.<p>They would also be useful as an emergency spare, for when you need one  (due to loss or damage of your main phone) and a less capable burner isn&#x27;t sufficient.