Ads
related to: what is the best cheap smartphoneiPhone 15 On Us via 24 mo crdts w/new line + trade-in on qualfying plan. For well-qual+tax. iPhone 15 unleashes the power of T-Mobile 5G network. Call 1-800-T-Mobile or find a store
- Shop Our Deals
Get great deals on devices, plans &
more. Explore all our offers now!
- T-Mobile® Netflix On Us
Netflix on us with Go5G Plans.
Learn more & switch to T-Mobile®.
- Shop Our Deals
Galaxy AI Is Here. Save Up to $500 With Enhanced Trade In When You Buy The New Galaxy S24. Capture Epic Memories & Reactions On The New Samsung Galaxy S24. Order Today For $799.99.
Search results
People also ask
What is the best cheap phone to buy?
What is the cheapest Samsung phone?
What is the best budget Android phone?
Should you buy a cheap phone?
May 2, 2024 · Our Top 8 Picks. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. Best Smartphone Under $200. Jump To Details. $172.97 at Amazon. $218.26 Save $45.29. See It. Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) Best for Wireless Charging....
- Best Phones for Seniors
If a smartphone's default abundance of options feels too...
- Best Camera Phones
The Best Cheap Phone Plans for 2024; All Wireless Carriers;...
- Best Unlocked Phones
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is Samsung's best folding phone yet....
- Best 5G Phones
The Best Phone Deals This Week* Google Pixel 8a 5G 128GB...
- Best Phones for Seniors
- Overview
- The best cheap phones in 2024
- 1. Samsung Galaxy A54
- 2. Apple iPhone 13
- 3. Google Pixel 7a
- 4. OnePlus 10T
- 5. Nokia XR20 5G
- What is the best cheap phone?
Best
By Alex Walker-Todd
last updated 9 February 2024
We've tested and ranked the best cheap phones available right now
Jump to:
•Quick List
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best cheap phones in our list. We've tested each model extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
Specifications
Weight: 202g Dimensions: 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm OS: Android 13 Screen size: 6.4-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Exynos 1380 RAM: 6/8GB Storage: 64GB/128/256GB Battery: 5,000mAh Rear camera: 50MP + 12MP + 5MP Front camera: 32MP Today's Best Deals View at Newegg (Black) View at Amazon (128GB) View at Best Buy
Reasons to buy
+ Best One UI experience on a budget + Premium looks
Reasons to avoid
- No wireless charging - A little thick and heavy A timely upgrade on its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A54 shares in the S23 series' floating camera design language and costs half as much. For your money, however, you can still expected a wealth of great technology, including a sizeable 5,000mAh battery that – based on our testing – lasted all day with juice to spare. What's more, 23W fast charging is decent enough to get you powered back up quickly, while the assortment of cameras – including a 50MP main sensor – surpass expectations, allowing from some great and impressively versatile shooting for the price. The cherry on top is Samsung's software support promise, with five generations of security and four generations of operating system updates, which is longer than almost every other entry in this list. Read our full Samsung Galaxy A54 review •^ Back to the top
Specifications
Release date: September 2021 Weight: 174g Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm OS: iOS 17 Screen size: 6.1 inches Resolution: 1170 x 2532 CPU: Apple A15 Bionic RAM: 4GB Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Battery: 3,240 mAh Rear camera: 12MP (main) +12MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 12MP Today's Best Deals View at Newegg View at Apple (128GB) View at Amazon (128GB)
Reasons to buy
+ Strong battery life + Best performance in this list
Reasons to avoid
- Cheaper rivals here have slicker screens - Still relies on Apple's old Lightning connector Don't be fooled by the iPhone 13's age. Sure, it launched in 2021 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 2024. While it might not have been an earth-shattering addition to the series when it first touched down, every facet of what it brought to the table served as a notable upgrade on previous-generation iPhones; from camera performance to battery life and beyond. Speaking of battery life, this phone can really last, while also putting its A15 SoC to good use, alongside 4GB of RAM to serve up even the latest games and app experiences with aplomb. Read our full iPhone 13 review •^ Back to the top
Specifications
Weight: 193g Dimensions: 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm OS: Android 13 Screen size: 6.1-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Google Tensor G2 RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB Battery: 4,385mAh Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP Front camera: 13MP Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Verizon Wireless (128GB)
Reasons to buy
+ An affordable way to access the Pixel line's camera magic + Google Tensor G2 is a solid-chipset, especially at this price point + Pixel Feature Drops improve the 7a over time
Reasons to avoid
- Shorter support than Apple and Samsung - Middling battery - Too expensive at launch Google's 2022/23 flagship phones – the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro – were capable but expensive devices, so the Pixel 7a arrived to offer similar smarts at a much lower price; coming in at launch at $499, while still offering a complete and well-rounded Pixel experience. A pleasing 6.1-inch display front's the 7a, while an impressive 64MP sensor sits on the back (the largest megapixel count on any Pixel phone). The Tensor G2 chip also packs enough of a punch that it spans the entire Pixel 7 series and the top-shelf Pixel Fold too. The biggest shortcomings are probably the Pixel 7a's battery life, and software support, which fall short of competition from Apple and Samsung. However, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to access the Pixel line's famed camera features and AI smarts, there no better option than the 7a. Read our full Google Pixel 7a review •^ Back to the top
Specifications
Weight: 204g Dimensions: 163 x 75.4 x 8.8mm OS: Android 12 Screen size: 6.7-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2412 CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 RAM: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB Storage: 128GB / 256GB Battery: 4,800mAh Rear camera: 50MP + + 8MP + 2MP Front camera: 16MP Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (128GB) View at Best Buy View at Newegg (128GB)
Reasons to buy
+ Lots of processing power + Fast to charge + Good cameras for the price
Reasons to avoid
- Poor battery life - Awkward to hold If you're after a speedy phone with capable cameras that doesn't demand a premium price tag, then the OnePlus 10T – a worthy mid-range Android phone – could be for you. This phone had an unduly high starting price at launch, but in 2024, it's become a much more affordable proposition. The OnePlus 10T has a good-looking screen, a powerful chipset and fast charging, and on the back, you're getting a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor. We’ve previously heaped praise on this sensor, as it’s good for low-light photography, and you get an 8MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP macro sensor on the the OnePlus 10T, too. The lack of zoom is disappointing – with no telephoto lens, you’re relying on digital zoom when you close the distance, which caps out at a measly 10x. However, at such a low price, the OnePlus 10T can be considered one of the best affordable camera phones. Read our full OnePlus 10T review •^ Back to the top
Specifications
Weight: 248g Dimensions: 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6mm OS: Android 11 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Snapdragon 480 5G RAM: 4GB / 6GB Storage: 64GB / 128GB Battery: 4,630mAh Rear camera: 48MP + + 13MP Front camera: 8MP Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (128GB) View at Amazon View at Newegg (Blue)
Reasons to buy
+ Built to last + Free one-year screen replacement + Excellent software and security longevity
Reasons to avoid
- Can’t customize Google Assistant button - Can’t run two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time While the Nokia 5210 might be one of the brand's most recognisable tough phones and more recently we've seen feature phones like the Nokia 800 Tough, the Nokia XR20 is the first of its kind to fuse extra-hardy design with smart internals. Built under HMD Global, the Nokia XR20 may not be a flagship-specced phone but it's seemingly built to outlast them. As you'd expect from a rugged smartphone, credentials like IP68 dust and water ingress protection, along with MIL-STD-810 approved testing come as standard, while toughened Gorilla Glass Victus protects the phone's 6.67-inch Full HD+ display (which can be replaced free of charge within the first year of purchase, should it break). Dedicate emergency and Google Assistant keys are welcome inclusions, while the four years of security updates and three years of OS updates (at launch) mean it's a great long-term blower for those who spend a lot of time in the great outdoor or challenging environments on a daily basis. Despite all this added protection though, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Read our full Nokia XR20 5G review •^ Back to the top
The best cheap phone for you will depend on what you do and don't value in a smartphone. If you're already embedded in Apple's ecosystem, then the iPhone 13 remains a top choice. If you prefer a Samsung, then the Samsung Galaxy A54 could be for you. Alternatively, the Google Pixel 7a offers an affordable way into the Google ecosystem.
Mar 9, 2024 · Our top pick, the Google Pixel 7A, is as good as almost any device, and our other choices strike a great balance between price and luxury. Check out our many other guides, including the Best...
Apr 18, 2024 · Mark Spoonauer. last updated 18 April 2024. These are the best cheap phones under $500 based on our testing and reviews. Comments (8) Jump to: The Quick List. Best overall. Runner up....
Mar 28, 2024 · $500 Amazon. Google Pixel 8. The best premium cheap phone. Jump to details. $580 Walmart. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G. The best cheap Samsung phone. Jump to details. $450 Samsung. Show 6 more...
May 1, 2024 · After testing a new round of cheaper Android phones, we found that the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is the best budget Android phone. It has a vivid OLED display, it’s fast enough at everyday...
Apr 12, 2024 · Best cheap phone: five smartphones for under $500 - The Verge. Tech. The best smartphone you can buy for under $500. You can’t have everything at this price, but you can get a great smartphone....
Ad
related to: what is the best cheap smartphoneiPhone 15 On Us via 24 mo crdts w/new line + trade-in on qualfying plan. For well-qual+tax. iPhone 15 unleashes the power of T-Mobile 5G network. Call 1-800-T-Mobile or find a store
