The best budget Android phones are great ways to get all the essentials you want in a phone without breaking the bank. While flagship phones often steal the limelight with flashy specs and hefty price tags, there’s no shortage of Android phones that deliver great performance at a fraction of the cost. In fact, Android’s vast ecosystem offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a high-end device or one of the best budget phones on the market.
If you’re not looking to buy an Apple iPhone or one of the latest flagship phones, budget Android options can offer everything you need, from solid cameras to impressive battery life and fast performance. These phones may not have all the bells and whistles you’ll find on phones costing hundreds of dollars more, but for most people, they’re more than enough for everyday tasks, streaming videos, and keeping in touch.
How cheap should you go?
We tend to price a budget phone between $150 and $350. Any lower and the device risks suffering from too many concessions, and above that, you’re moving to a more expensive price mid-range phones (if you’re willing to spend more, we’ve listed a few of our favorites at the very end of this guide).
But for those with a little wiggle room, there are some things to consider. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it’s primarily for emergencies or texting parents (and not social media). At the higher end of that price spectrum, phones under $350 have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better cameras with low-light capabilities, faster charging, and nicer displays like AMOLED panels. This makes them a viable alternative to, say, a flagship phone with a premium design, even if you have the flexibility to spend more.
What to look for in a cheap phone
When it comes to cheap phones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones in this price range are made of plastic, although the fit and finish of a particular model can vary greatly depending on the price. A bright screen is also important. Typically, you’ll get LCD panels with 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rates, but some phones may have OLED or AMOLED displays with enhanced color saturation. Long battery life is also very important, so we prefer devices with larger power cells around 5000 mAh. Performance can vary greatly in this price range, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can deliver stutter-free visuals. It’s also important to consider the length of support: because periodic security updates and long-term software support can extend the life of your device, which will save you money in the long run.
Best budget Android phones for 2024
OnePlus
Screen size: 6.72 inches | Storage capacity: 128 GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 16MP | Rear camera solution: 108MP primary, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz
When it first came out, Nord N30 It had everything you could want in a $300 phone. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers strong performance along with fast wireless connectivity compatible with all major US carriers, not to mention good specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthy upgrade. It also has a large 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a rarity in budget phones as most rivals have slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. You can also charge it quickly thanks to the 50-watt wired fast charging. It also offers software updates for a decent amount of time, ensuring its longevity. But most importantly, the Nord 30 recently dropped from $300 to $250, making it definitely a good deal and our top pick in this space.
- Good performance for the price
- 120Hz screen
- 50W wired charging
SAMSUNG
Screen size: 6.5 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB/256GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera solution: 50MP main, 5MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | Weight: 7.05 oz
For only $200 Galaxy A15 5G it’s quite a remarkable device. The Nord has a 6.5-inch display with a slightly slower 90Hz refresh rate than the N30. However, since it has an OLED panel instead of an LCD display, it has better brightness and richer colors than most of its competitors. Plus, you get a 50MP primary camera with solid low-light performance in a pretty affordable package. It can also be configured with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000mAh battery provides a ton of longevity. While the design isn’t particularly exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung uses on the back has a nice matte finish that feels more like glass than cheap plastic, giving it a premium design look. Finally, the A15 comes with four years of security updates and three years of OS updates, which is longer than most phones in this price range.
- OLED display with good brightness and colors
- It can be configured with up to 256 GB of memory
- 5000 mAh battery
Motorola
Screen size: 6.5 inches | Storage capacity: 64GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 8MP | Rear camera solution: 50MP | Weight: 6.53 oz
2024 for those on a really tight budget Moto G Play covers all the bases well. It has a fast Snapdragon 680 processor along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And while that last number may seem small, the phone has a microSD card slot so you can add more space if and when you need it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display is also surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. It’s not much, but it’s good enough to protect against an errant jump or two. Sure, G Play is basic, but basic in a good way, especially if you’re not too worried about running multiple apps and just want the phone to handle everyday tasks.
- 90Hz display
- IP52 rating
- Expandable memory via microSD card slot
- Only 64 GB internal memory
Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera solution: 13MP | Rear camera solution: 64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide | Weight: 6.84 oz
Read in full Google Pixel 7a review
For people looking at phones at the upper end of the budget bracket, there are a few other contenders worth checking out. The Pixel 7a it normally costs $499, but we’ve seen it marked down to $349. So if you’re looking for an affordable phone with good performance, handy bonuses like wireless charging, and one of the best primary cameras on any device in this price range, you’d be a fool not to consider this Pixel phone if you can get it. good understanding about it. Although Google recently released the Pixel 8a for $499, Google has confirmed that it will continue to sell the Pixel 7a.
- 90Hz OLED display
- Long battery life
- Now there is wireless charging
- Great cameras
- Same great Pixel specific software
- Wireless charging is kind of slow
- No dedicated zoom lens
- The speakers sound a bit shallow
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Screen size: 6.7 inches | Storage capacity: 256GB | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera solution: 32MP | Rear camera solution: 50MP main, 50MP ultra wide | Weight: 6.7 oz
Read our full review of the Nothing Phone 2a
It’s another contender we really like Nothing phone 2aFor $349, it offers great features, a unique premium design, and a ton of personality. The main reason it’s not on our list is that it’s only available in the US as part of Nothing’s developer program, which requires you to sign up (for free) to get it. In addition, Phone 2a it only supports 5G on T-Mobile (via the N41 band), which means it’s not a great option for anyone on AT&T or Verizon.
- Unique design
- Great value
- Light
- Surprisingly good performance
- No 5G on AT&T or Verizon
- No wireless charging
- Memory reaches 256 GB
Frequently asked questions about Android phones
What’s the price difference between a cheap Android and a cheap iPhone?
iPhones tend to be more expensive than Android phones — even the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE, which starts at $429, is a tougher pill to swallow than a cheap Android phone. In contrast, you can get an Android device for as cheap as $100.
