Smartphones seem to climb in price every year. Even Apple’s mid-tier iPhone 14 starts at $799. Android options don’t look much friendlier either — the Samsung Galaxy S22 also launches at around $799.
With tags like that, is it still possible to find an inexpensive smartphone? One that delivers essential features without breaking the bank?
Yes — and one of our selections costs just $99. We collected the five best inexpensive smartphones available to help you pick a model that suits your needs and budget. Here are today’s top picks:
Best Budget Smartphones
| Phone | Best | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE | Best Budget iPhone | $429 | LEARN MORE |
| Google Pixel 6a | Best Budget Android | $449 | LEARN MORE |
| OnePlus Nord N20 5G | Best Under $300 | $299 | LEARN MORE |
| Motorola Moto G Power | The Best Battery | $199 | LEARN MORE |
| BLU G51S | The Best Under $100 | $99 | LEARN MORE |
5 Affordable Smartphones That Still Deliver
Apple iPhone SE: Best Budget iPhone
- Access to Apple’s ecosystem and services
- Strong 12 MP f/1.8 rear camera
- One of the best-built devices among budget options
Apple makes some of the world’s top smartphones, but that quality normally carries a premium. Still, Apple has offered an economical model — the iPhone SE — since 2016. Now in its third iteration, it improves a bit each cycle.
The iPhone SE keeps a somewhat dated look with a 4.7-inch display, thick bezels above and below the screen, and a Touch ID home button for fingerprint unlocking. Even so, the SE delivers a lively screen that’s great for viewing photos or streaming videos.
Under the hood, the iPhone SE packs Apple’s A15 Bionic chip — the same silicon used in the iPhone 13. That means performance isn’t compromised despite the lower price. You can run current games and apps without worrying about sluggishness.
For photography, the SE has a capable rear camera: a 12MP f/1.8 shooter that competes well with pricier phones. It includes portrait mode and portrait lighting to produce shots with blurred backgrounds and studio-like lighting. However, there’s no dedicated night mode for very dark scenes.
Other perks include IP67 splash, water and dust protection, 5G connectivity for faster cellular speeds, and three color choices (red, white or black). Prices start at $429.
Google Pixel 6a: Best Budget Android
- Top Android choice under $500
- Camera produces excellent shots thanks to AI processing
- Battery typically lasts more than 24 hours
When looking at budget phones, Google’s Pixel series remains impressive. The Google Pixel 6a is our leading budget Android for 2023, replacing last year’s Pixel 5a. It refines Google’s previous budget model and offers a smooth Android experience for under $500.
The Pixel 6a sports a 6.1-inch OLED panel with bright, punchy colors — ideal for watching videos or catching up on shows while away from home. For video calls, there’s a capable 8 MP f/2 front camera centered at the top of the display. The rear comes in three pleasing finishes — sage, chalk or charcoal.
Ready to capture everyday moments, the Pixel features a dual-camera setup: a 12.2 MP f/1.7 main sensor and a 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide for broader shots. We particularly appreciate Google’s AI tools that let you remove unwanted items from pictures and sharpen faces.
Other Pixel 6a highlights include Google’s Tensor chip for smooth performance, a battery that can last a full day and beyond, and a built-in fingerprint reader. There’s no microSD slot, so you’re limited to the 128 GB onboard storage.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G: Best Under $300
- Large, colorful display for media
- 4500mAh battery with prolonged endurance
- Rapid 33W charging
The word “budget” can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s around $500; for others, it’s much lower. That’s why the Nord N20 5G from OnePlus is a solid recommendation. While OnePlus may be less familiar to casual buyers, enthusiasts know the brand for delivering innovative, value-driven devices.
The Nord N20 5G strikes a nice balance between cost and capability. It has a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen that makes colors pop, and it supports an in-display fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking.
The camera setup on the Nord N20 5G isn’t the best in our roundup (that distinction goes to the iPhone SE and Pixel 6a), but the 64 MP f/1.8 main sensor handles daily shots well. There’s also a 2 MP macro lens for close-up photography — a fun extra if you enjoy shooting tiny subjects.
Additional features include the sizable 4500mAh battery and 33W fast charging to top up quickly — handy for travelers or concertgoers. OnePlus also retained a headphone jack, a welcome touch for users who prefer wired audio.
Motorola Moto G Power: The Best Battery
- Battery can last up to three days
- Quick-charge capability: minutes of charge = hours of use
- Budget-friendly price
If long battery life matters most to you, consider the Moto G Power — whose name underscores its focus on stamina.
The Moto G Power isn’t a one-note device. Offered in gray, silver or blue, it centers on a large 6.6-inch screen that’s enjoyable for watching shows, though the color richness could be stronger.
Its camera setup is respectable: a 50 MP f/1.8 main sensor that captures important moments, though image and video quality won’t rival higher-end phones. Like the Nord N20 5G, it also includes a 2 MP macro lens for close-up shots.
But the real standout is battery life. Motorola claims the Moto G Power can run up to three days on one charge — an impressive figure for a smartphone. It also supports rapid recharging so a few minutes plugged in can give you significant usage time.
Powering the phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core processor that generally delivers smooth, lag-free usage, although it’s a bit older and may not remain cutting-edge for as long. Prices start at $199.
BLU G51S: The Best Under $100
- A competent smartphone for under $100
- Large 6.4-inch screen suitable for browsing
- Comes in several color options
Finding a decent phone for under $100 is challenging, but if you’re on a very tight budget, the BLU G51S is worth considering. BLU focuses on the lower-price segment and occasionally releases value-packed devices — as long as you accept some compromises.
With a 6.4-inch display, the G51S gives a roomy viewing area for emails, calendars and light social media use. However, its modest processor is best suited for basic tasks; don’t expect heavy multitasking or demanding games to run smoothly.
The G51S’s camera is functional but uninspiring. The 13 MP sensor works for occasional snapshots or document photos, but it won’t deliver standout picture quality.
If the BLU G51S sounds limited, that’s fair — but at this price, trade-offs are expected. As a light-use phone, it can be a sensible pick. It’s offered in various finishes, including blue, bronze, green and red, and starts at $99.
How We Picked These Budget Phones
To select the best affordable phones for everyday use, we surveyed the market and conducted hands-on testing with several models. We prioritized price but also weighed other important factors like battery endurance, camera performance and display quality.
- Price: With mid-range Apple and Samsung phones approaching $800, we limited our shortlist to devices under $500, focusing on the best mix of savings and capability. We also included very inexpensive options starting around $99 for readers seeking maximum savings.
- Battery life: We wanted to recommend phones that won’t die in the middle of the day. We also highlighted phones like the Moto G Power that prioritize multi-day battery life. Note that wireless charging is generally absent on these budget models.
- Camera system: For many people, their phone has replaced a separate camera for everyday photos. We emphasized devices that offer solid photography for typical users and called out models — such as the BLU G51S — where camera performance is more limited.
- Display: The screen is central to the smartphone experience, so we chose phones with displays that look good and favor larger sizes for easier viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Our top budget phone choices are the Apple iPhone SE ($429) and the Google Pixel 6a ($449). They aren’t the absolute cheapest, but they deliver strong value. For an ultra-budget pick, consider the BLU G51S at about $100.
After evaluating multiple Android phones, the best value we found is the Google Pixel 6a ($449). It balances display quality, an excellent camera system and a reliable battery that can last a full day or more. The Pixel also supports reasonably fast charging.
Our top affordable Apple pick is the iPhone SE ($429). Despite its lower price, it offers a solid display, a great camera and the fast A15 Bionic chip found in higher-tier phones.
Low-end devices target the most budget-conscious buyers. Our roundup includes mid-range and entry-level phones for those who want to save a little or a lot — including users who just need a straightforward phone for daily tasks.
The best budget phone for you depends on which features matter most and how much you’re willing to spend. If you can afford it, the Apple iPhone SE or the Google Pixel 6a offer excellent overall value.
If battery life is your top concern, choose the Moto G Power for its multi-day endurance and fast charging. If price is the main priority, consider the OnePlus Nord N20 5G or the BLU G51S.
Jordan Reyes is a senior technology writer at Savinly specializing in consumer electronics.
