The Best Budget Android Phone for 2024

One of the best things about the Android ecosystem is the availability of truly affordable phones for as little as $150. In comparison, the cheapest iPhone is based on an outdated design and starts at $429. However, choosing the right phone can be a bit difficult as reducing the price of a phone can sometimes involve too many compromises. To help you, we’ve tested a number of the most popular options and compiled a list of our favorite cheap Android phones.

Editor’s Note (5/9/24): Google has announced the Pixel 8a, its latest mid-range smartphone. The 6.1-inch phone starts at $499 and, as expected, is based on last year’s flagship Pixel 8 series. We will publish a full review in the coming days and update this guide accordingly. For now, check out our hands-on preview for more information on what to expect. Google says it will continue to sell the Pixel 7a, our current offering Choose it at a discounted price to keep it worth it. However, most people should wait until we put the new Pixel through its paces.

How low should you go?

We tend to define a budget phone as being priced between $150 and $350. Going lower risks the device making too many compromises, and beyond that, you’re moving on to more expensive mid-range phones (if you’re willing to spend more, we’ve included a few of our favorites at the very end). Guide).

But if you have some leeway, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it is intended primarily for emergencies or for texting parents (and not for social media). At the higher end of this price spectrum, phones under $350 have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better cameras, and nicer displays. This makes them a viable alternative to premium flagships, even if you have the freedom to spend more.

What to look for in a budget Android phone

When it comes to affordable devices, you get what you pay for. Most phones 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 a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have OLED screens with increased color saturation. A long battery life is also crucial, so we tend to prefer devices with larger energy cells of around 5,000 mAh. In this price range, performance can vary greatly. Therefore, look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can deliver smooth images. It’s also important to consider the length of support, as regular operating system and security updates can extend the life of your device, saving you money in the long run.

OnePlus

When it first came out, the Nord N30 had basically everything you could want in a $300 phone. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chip offers strong performance along with fast wireless connectivity that’s compatible with all major US carriers, not to mention good specs like 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also features a large 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare in a budget phone as most rivals have slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And thanks to the 50-watt wired charging function, you can also quickly charge the battery. Most importantly, the Nord 30’s price was recently reduced from $300 to $250, which undoubtedly makes it a good deal.

$250 on Amazon

SAMSUNG

For just $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is a pretty remarkable device. It has a 6.5-inch display with a slightly slower 90Hz refresh rate than the Nord N30. However, because it has an OLED panel instead of an LCD display, it offers better brightness and richer colors than virtually all of its competitors. It can also be configured with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000mAh battery ensures tremendous longevity. And while the design isn’t all that exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung used on the back has a nice matte finish that feels more like glass than cheap plastic. Finally, the A15 comes with four years of security updates and three years of operating system upgrades, which is longer than most phones in this price range.

$200 on Amazon

Motorola

For those on a really tight budget, the Moto G Play 2024 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 storage if needed. Its 6.5-inch LCD screen is also surprisingly sharp, with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. 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 a splash or two. Sure, the G Play is simple, but simple in a good way.

$150 on Amazon

Google

For people willing to look at phones at the higher end of the budget range, there are a few other candidates worth looking at. The Pixel 7a is our favorite mid-range phone and although it cost $500 at launch, we’ve recently seen deals that have reduced it to just $375. That’s just $25 more than our typical offering. So if you’re looking for an affordable phone with good performance, handy extras like wireless charging, and the best cameras of any device in this price range, you’d be foolish not to consider Google’s cheapest handset.

$420 on Amazon

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Another candidate we really like is the Nothing Phone 2a, which offers great specs, a unique design, and tons of personality for just $349. The main reason it wasn’t on our list is that it’s only available in the US as part of the Nothing Developer Program, which you have to sign up for (for free) before you can buy one. Additionally, the Phone 2a only supports 5G on T-Mobile (over the N41 band), meaning it’s not a good choice for anyone from AT&T or Verizon.

$349 at Nothing

How low should you go?

What to look for in a budget Android phone

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