Low-end devices helping shake up the smartphone market even more

This time of year is hugely critical for manufacturers and retailers, with discounted prices on products, aimed at getting customers to open up their wallets. For smartphone shoppers, there are a surprising amount of devices that cost a single penny, assuming you're willing to sign a two-year contract, and the "low-end" smartphone market is progressing rapidly.

For American consumers familiar with the Apple iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy S 5, and other flagship models - these low-end models aren't likely appealing - but help recruit even more first-time smartphone owners to upgrade their phones. Not surprisingly, low-end smartphones are typically Google Android-powered devices, and Microsoft wants its Windows Phone 8.1 OS to help drive the market even further.

For some consumers, products such as the OnePlus One smartphone, which doesn't require a contract yet is still affordable, could lead to further shakeup of the phone market.

"Increasingly, people are starting to understand the true cost of signing a contract, and we want to make it easier to purchase a high-end device without having to give a large portion of money to a middleman," said Carl Pie, Founder of OnePlus. "We're here to show everyone what's possible once you step outside of the traditional rules of the smartphone market."