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Best Budget Android Phones for 2025

Not everyone needs to spend a sum of money to get everything they want to cell phones. The best budget Android phones prove that you can grab a new phone with great performance, stable build quality and all the key features you actually care about without the high price. You may not get flagship devices on every bell and whistle, but for most people, that may not be bad.

Maybe you’re not chasing the latest camera system or trying to capture the perfect selfie, you want a decent camera, a sleek AMOLED display and a battery that lasts throughout the day. These budget-friendly phones are designed to deliver the phone exactly, with a focus on practicality and value while still offering impressive camera quality and the ability to reach the right price. If you are ready to upgrade without bankruptcy, these are the best Android phones to budget.

OnePlus

Screen size: 6.72 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB + microSD | SIM card type: nano-sim | Front camera resolution: 16MP | Rear camera resolution: 108MP master, 2MP macro | weight: 6.8 oz

When it first came out, the Nord N30 basically had everything you wanted for $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and fast wireless connectivity that is compatible with all major carriers in the U.S., not to mention including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, make it worth upgrading. It also has a large 6.7-inch display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is rare on budget phones, as most competitors have slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And, thanks to its 50-watt wired fast charging, you can quickly install it. It also provides a nice period of software updates to ensure its lifespan. But most importantly, the recent price of the Nord 30 has dropped from $300 to $250, which is undoubtedly a good deal, our top pick in this space.

advantage

  • Good price
  • 120Hz display
  • 50W wired charging

$236 on Amazon

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Samsung

Screen size: 6.5 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB/256GB + microSD | SIM card type: nano-sim | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP master, 5MP Ultrawide, 2MP macro| weight: 7.05 oz

The Galaxy A15 5G is only $200 and is a very good device. It has a 6.5-inch display with a slightly slower refresh rate of 90Hz, NORD N30. However, since it has an OLED panel instead of an LCD display, it has better brightness and rich colors than basically all competitors. On top of that, you’ll get a 50MP main camera with solid low-light performance in a affordable package. It can also be configured with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery provides a lot of life. Although its design isn’t exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung on the back has a nice matte finish that feels more like glass, and more like glass than cheap plastic, making it look more premium design. Finally, the A15 has a four-year security update and three-year operating system update, which is longer than most phones in that price range.

advantage

  • OLED display with good brightness and color
  • Can use up to 256GB of storage configuration
  • 5,000mAh battery

$200 at Amazon

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Motorola

Screen size: 6.5 inches | Storage capacity: 64GB + microSD | SIM card type: nano-sim | Front camera resolution: 8MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP | weight: 6.53 oz

For those with a very tight budget, the 2024 Moto G drama covers all the basics. It has a fast Snapdragon 680 processor, as well as 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Although the last number looks small, the phone has a microSD card slot so you can add more space if you need it. Its 6.5-inch LCD screen is also surprisingly sharp at a 90Hz refresh rate. Moto G gaming even has an IP52 rating of IP52, which can be used for dust and waterproofing. This is not much, but it’s enough to prevent a splash of one or two errors. G play is basic, of course, but it’s a great way, especially if you’re not too fussy about running multiple apps and just want your phone to perform daily tasks.

advantage

  • 90Hz display
  • IP52 level
  • Storage can be expanded through microSD card slot
shortcoming

  • Only 64GB of onboard storage

$110 on Amazon

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Sam Rutherford

Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 256GB | SIM card type: nano-sim + esim | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 64MP Master, 13MP Ultrawide | weight: 6.63 oz

Read our full Google Pixel 8A Review

For those willing to watch phones at a high end on the budget stand, there are some other candidates worth a look. The Pixel 8a is usually priced at $499, but we see it discounts as low as $399. So if you are looking for an affordable phone with good performance, convenient bonuses like wireless charging, and one of the best major cameras on any device in this price range, if you can get a lot of deals, you can foolishly ignore this pixel phone. Google’s Pixel 9a is coming soon; it’s unclear whether the pixel 8a will remain in the lineup, but considering the 7A position after the 8a comes out, we think you can find the model longer.

advantage

  • Color 120Hz OLED display
  • Strong battery life
  • Excellent camera
  • Value for money
shortcoming

  • Slow wireless charging
  • Thick border

$393 on Amazon

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there is nothing

Screen size: 6.77 inches | Storage capacity: 256GB | SIM type: nano-sim + esim | Front camera resolution: 50MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP main, 8MP Ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | weight: 7.44 oz

Read ours No phone 3a Pro review

If you want something different from your next phone, there are few devices like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass guard that evokes the design of the old game boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components, including the NFC antenna. It costs $459 thanks to its compelling features, and it is also one of the best deals in the industry. The 3A phone has a 6.77-inch OLED display with a refresh speed of 120Hz. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a fast Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto camera. The last feature is hard to find in the price range of the 3A Pro, especially in North America. – Igor Bonifacic, senior reporter

advantage

  • Interesting design
  • Large 120Hz AMOLED screen
  • Clean but customizable Android skins
shortcoming

  • Limited U.S. Warranty
  • Wireless charging
  • A small number of speakers

$459 for Amazon

We tend to define budget phones as between $150 and $350. Any lower device has the risk of suffering too much compromise, and above that, you can span the more expensive midrange phones (we shouted out some of our favorites at the end of this guide if you’re willing to spend more).

But for those with a tiny swing space, there are some things to consider. For example, it may be better for children to use cheaper devices, especially if used primarily for parents in emergencies or texting (rather than social media). The high end of this price range, with low-light features, fast charging and a NOTER display such as AMOLED panels, the $350 phone has come a long way. This makes them a viable alternative to flagship phones with advanced designs, even if you have the flexibility to spend.

When it comes to cheap phones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones in this price range are made of plastic, although the appropriate and finishes of a particular model may vary greatly depending on the price. A bright screen is also important. Typically, you’ll get an LCD panel with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have an OLED or AMOLED screen with increased color saturation. Long battery life is also crucial, so we tend to prefer devices with larger batteries of about 5,000 mAh. Performance can vary widely within this price range, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can provide unordered visuals. It’s also important to consider the support length: With regular security updates and lengthy software support, this will save you money in the long run.

iPhones tend to be more expensive compared to Android phones – even the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE starts at $429, and it’s harder to swallow pills than cheaper Android phones. By comparison, you can use the means on cheap Android devices as low as $100.

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