Download VLC for Android APK

VLC media player is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as discs, devices, and network streaming protocols.

This is a BETA version of the port of VLC media player to the Android™ platform. It is intended for power users and hackers. This version is not perfectly stable and is slower than the final version.

It is still a beta, so it might kill your kitten or destroy your house, but it should be fine now.
Use it at your own risk. Have fun! 

Features

• Plays all files, in all formats, like the classic VLC.
• Audio and video media library, with full search.
• Support for network streams, including HLS.
• Supports Android from version 2.1 (platform-7).
• Supports ARMv6, ARMv7 and ARMv7+NEON.
• Subtitles support, embedded and external, including ASS and DVD subtitles.
• Multi audio or subtitles tracks selection.
• Multi-core decoding, for Cortex-A7 A9 and A15 chips.
• Experimental hardware decoding.
• Gestures, headphones control.

Download VLC for Android APK

Cheap Smartphones: Nokia Lumia

Alternatively, you could reconsider a Nokia Lumia, which you say you found "excellent". The Nokia Lumia 520 is better than the three cheap name-brand Android models mentioned above. It has a faster dual-core processor, and a bigger (4in) screen with more than twice the resolution (480 x 800 pixels). Also, its 8GB memory can be expanded with a microSD card up to 64GB in size.

Amazon.co.uk has the Lumia 520 for £129.95, but you should be able to get one for £10-£20 less on the high street.

You don't like the Lumia's "terrible media player", but there are already some third-party alternatives. For example, you could try the free VK Player, Audio Player Free, DAAP Media Player ($1.99) or Ultimate Media Player (beta), amongst others. The old Zune software was good, so Microsoft may well improve the current player, or Nokia may add a better app.

Affordable Android phones