All phones running 2.3. are Google Play capable. The lack of Google Play on some phones is due to manufacturers not certifying with Google.
In my country 90% of smartphones ship with Android, so I've seen a lot of 2.3. devices (I own one).
They are usually NOT underpowered (exception: the Galaxy Mini I certainly is, and it's the "free" smartphone over here), the user experience is quite good, usually better than an old iPhone.
I have a Galaxy Ace (which I don't like), my girlfriend has a Mini 2 (extremely good value for money), coworkers have Motorola Defy, Defy+, LG P880 4x, Galaxy S Advance, SII, SIII, SIV, Sony phones... all work reasonably well, I'd pick any of them over an old iPhone (and the LG and SIV over the latest iPhone).
Sub U$ 100 phones sold here all have Google Play btw.
In my country 90% of smartphones ship with Android, so I've seen a lot of 2.3. devices (I own one).
They are usually NOT underpowered (exception: the Galaxy Mini I certainly is, and it's the "free" smartphone over here), the user experience is quite good, usually better than an old iPhone.
I have a Galaxy Ace (which I don't like), my girlfriend has a Mini 2 (extremely good value for money), coworkers have Motorola Defy, Defy+, LG P880 4x, Galaxy S Advance, SII, SIII, SIV, Sony phones... all work reasonably well, I'd pick any of them over an old iPhone (and the LG and SIV over the latest iPhone).
Sub U$ 100 phones sold here all have Google Play btw.