It could be trendy to spend $1,000 on the newest flagship smartphone after they first get launched, but it surely’s not vital. You do not even should spend $500 right now to get a good handset as there are many choices as little as $160 that might suit your wants. However navigating the funds cellphone market could be difficult; choices that look good on paper might not be in observe, and a few handsets will find yourself costing you extra when you think about many include restrictive storage. Whereas we at Engadget spend most of our time testing and reviewing mid- to high-end handsets, we have examined various the newest budget-friendly telephones available on the market to see which are literally price your cash.
What to search for in an inexpensive cellphone
For this information, our high picks price between $100 and $300. Something much less and also you would possibly as nicely go purchase a dumb cellphone or high-end calculator as an alternative. Since they’re meant to be extra reasonably priced than flagship telephones and even midrange handsets, funds smartphones contain compromises; the cheaper a tool, the decrease your expectations round efficiency and expertise must be. For that motive, the most effective recommendation I may give is to spend as a lot as you’ll be able to afford. On this worth vary, even $50 or $100 extra can get you a dramatically higher product.
Second, you need to know what you need most from a cellphone. When shopping for a funds smartphone, you could have to sacrifice a good digicam for a long-lasting battery or commerce a high-resolution show for a quicker processor. That’s simply what comes with the territory, however understanding your priorities will make it simpler to search out the fitting cellphone.
It’s additionally price noting some options could be laborious to search out on low-cost handsets. As an illustration, you received’t want to look far for a tool with all-day battery life — however if you would like an awesome digicam, you’re higher off shelling out for one of many suggestions in our midrange smartphone information, which all are available in at $600 or much less. Wi-fi charging and waterproofing additionally aren’t simple to search out on this worth vary and neglect a couple of quick processor. On the intense facet, all our suggestions include headphone jacks, so that you received’t have to get wi-fi headphones.
iOS can be off the desk, because the $400 Apple iPhone SE is probably the most reasonably priced iPhone within the lineup. That leaves Android as the one possibility. Fortunately, in 2024, there’s little to complain about Google’s OS – and you could even desire it to iOS. Lastly, remember most Android producers sometimes provide far much less strong software program assist for his or her funds gadgets. In some instances, your new cellphone could solely obtain one main software program replace and a 12 months or two of safety patches past that. That applies to the OnePlus and Motorola suggestions on our record.
When you’d prefer to maintain your cellphone for so long as doable, Samsung has the most effective software program coverage of any Android producer within the funds area, providing 4 years of safety updates on all of its gadgets. That mentioned, if software program assist (or gadget longevity total) is your primary focus, take into account spending a bit extra the $500 Google Pixel 7a, which is our favourite midrange smartphone and has deliberate software program updates by means of mid-2026.
OnePlus
Display screen measurement: 6.72 inches | Storage capability: 128GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digicam decision: 16MP | Rear digicam decision: 108MP primary, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz
The $300 OnePlus Nord N30 5G presents the most effective worth of any of the smartphones on our record. No different cellphone within the worth bracket encompasses a processor as quick because the N30’s Snapdragon 695 5G. Furthermore, OnePlus has specced the N30 with 5G connectivity along with a beneficiant 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which means you in all probability received’t have to funds for a microSD card or cloud storage. It additionally comes with a 120Hz IPS show, a function that’s nice for each gaming and on a regular basis use. Better of all, the N30 ships with a 50W energy adapter that you should utilize to get a full day of battery life in half-hour. The N30 can be nearly excellent if it had waterproofing and OnePlus had dedicated to pushing multiple main Android replace to the cellphone. — Igor Bonifacic, Contributing Reporter
$250 at Amazon
SAMSUNG
Display screen measurement: 6.5 inches | Storage capability: 128GB/256GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digicam decision: 13MP | Rear digicam decision: 50MP primary, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | Weight: 7.05 oz
For simply $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is a reasonably exceptional gadget. It has a 6.5-inch show with a barely slower 90Hz refresh charge the Nord N30. Nevertheless, as a result of it options an OLED panel as an alternative of an LCD show, it boasts higher brightness and richer colours than principally all of its rivals. It will also be configured with as much as 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery delivers a ton of longevity. And whereas its design isn’t too thrilling, the polycarbonate Samsung makes use of on the again has a pleasant matte end that feels extra like glass than low-cost plastic. Lastly, the A15 comes with 4 years of safety updates and three years of OS upgrades, which is longer than most handsets on this worth vary. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
$200 at Amazon
Motorola
Display screen measurement: 6.5 inches | Storage capability: 64GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digicam decision: 8MP | Rear digicam decision: 50MP | Weight: 6.53 oz
For these on a very tight funds, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all of the bases nicely. It has a speedy Snapdragon 680 processor together with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And whereas that final quantity may appear small, the cellphone has a microSD card slot so you’ll be able to add extra space if and whenever you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display screen can be surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh charge. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 ranking for mud and water resistance. That isn’t a lot, but it surely’s ok to guard towards an errant splash or two. Positive, the G Play is primary, but it surely’s primary in a great way. — S.R.
$150 at Amazon
Motorola
Display screen measurement: 6.5-inch | Storage capability: 64GB | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digicam decision: 8MP | Rear digicam decision: 50MP | Weight: 6.9 oz
The $200 Motorola Moto G Stylus presents one thing not one of the different picks on this record do: a built-in stylus. When you love doodling and jotting down notes, then that is a budget cellphone to purchase. Fortunately, it has just a few different issues going for it too. The Moto G Stylus sports activities a giant and responsive 6.5-inch show and a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery. Plus, it’s out there in two beautiful colours: midnight blue and glam pink.
As with different choices on this worth vary, it could be good if the Moto G Stylus got here with a extra succesful digicam, a quick charger and higher safety towards water. One phrase of recommendation: avoid Moto G Stylus 5G. It doesn’t provide sufficient of an improve to justify costing $400. — I.B.
$130 at Amazon
