Top budget cell phones

It also comes with a side-mounted fingerprint reader and Verizon 5G support.

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. High-end Android phones may come with all the bells and whistles, but if you temper your expectations you can get an excellent phone for much less. The Google Pixel A series is now known for offering some of the best bang for the buck in the smartphone market. In , Google took its budget series to a new level that gets even closer to high-end territory.

Top budget cell phones

The Quick List 2. Best overall 3. Runner up 4. Longest-lasting phone 5. Best design 6. Bigger Pixel savings 7. Best cheap iPhone 8. Best for note-takers What to look for How we test. There's a fierce battle for the best cheap phones title, and who you pick comes down to how much you want to pay for your phone. No matter which one of this trio you ultimately pick, you can't really lose.

While more expensive phones go all the way up to Hz and beyond, limiting the Pixel 7a to 90Hz is a reasonable corner to cut; the jump from top budget cell phones to 90Hz is far more obvious than the more incremental move to Hz. Cons No wireless charging 25W charging limit feels slow Phone can get toasty in regular use. However, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to access the Pixel line's famed camera features and AI smarts, top budget cell phones, there no better option than the 7a.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. There is no better time to buy a budget Android phone, whether you've always bought phones in the budget category or even if you're used to more expensive flagship devices. These days, the best budget Android phones come with performance, camera quality, features, displays, and designs that surprise us for their price tags — in a very good way. With that in mind, Google's Pixel 7a is our top choice among the best budget Android phones thanks to its incredible performance and cameras for the price; it's basically a slightly smaller version of the previous-generation Google Pixel 7 flagship. Realizing the Pixel 7a is on the expensive side for the budget category, we also recommend the Google Pixel 6a as a less expensive option for its excellent performance, stunning cameras, and exceptional value.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Affordable phones boast an impressive range of features these days. To help you narrow down this list, select which features are most important to you. You can also shop for an unlocked phone, which you can use on any network. You may also wish to base your decision on the ecosystem of smart devices you already own, like a car with CarPlay, a Samsung Galaxy tablet, or a pair of AirPods. When it comes to resolution, aim for Full HD over p. Multiple lenses allow for different focal lengths and angles, which is handy if you plan on taking lots of family photos with your new phone.

Top budget cell phones

We round up the best inexpensive phones we've reviewed from Apple, Samsung and Google Pixel. What to Consider. But know that switching between the two has never been easier. Phones are big in general with the smallest ones having a 6. That makes visiting a store and trying a phone out before you buy it quite important.

Step 2 clubhouse

Longest-lasting phone 5. The main camera is now the same 50MP shooter that Samsung uses on the more expensive Galaxy S23 , and that helps the Galaxy A54 take on the Google Pixel 6a's impressive cameras. How we test phones. Even if it does mean an initial hit to your pocketbook. Colors Sage, chalk, charcoal. Alex joined as TechRadar's Senior Phones Editor in June , but brings over a decade's worth of experience to the role, with an expertise in smartphones, tablets and wearables. And instead of an in-display fingerprint sensor, like the N20 offered, the fingerprint reader is now built into the side-mounted power button. Laggy performance. CPU: Exynos Home Angle down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. If you want a larger iPhone in this price range, you can also consider a refurbished iPhone 12 , and get a bigger screen and Face ID. Sure, it launched in but the hardware it brings to the table is remarkably similar to its successor, while the price has continued to drop since its debut, delivering some top-tier performance, even now in The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has everything you need in a budget smartphone.

The list in brief 2. Best cheap Samsung 3. Best cheap iPhone 4.

Dimensions: x Instead, this is a device that feels as cheap as its price tag, with a plastic build that shows scuffs after days, not months. The A14 5G will easily last you two days on a charge. Sadly, the phone scene in the States in largely boring and homogenized like most things. Home Angle down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. Even better, the display received a significant upgrade to p while keeping its 90Hz refresh rate. Yes, many of the cheap phones included in this list are available at a discount during shopping events. The only issue we find is that it takes very little money to upgrade to the Pixel 7, which has a better build quality, faster 20W wireless charging, and faster 20W wired charging. The OnePlus Nord N30 is the successor to one of our surprise favorite phones of , but in some ways, we still prefer last year's model. OnePlus 10T. However, at such a low price, the OnePlus 10T can be considered one of the best affordable camera phones. Read more: How We Test Phones.