THESE CHEAP SMARTPHONES OFFER A TOP-SHELF EXPERIENCE FOR A LOT LESS THAN YOU THINK

Price inflation in the smartphone market has been relentless over the past couple of years. The latest flagship models from Apple and Samsung have four-digit price tags, which may give more than a few consumers pause. Well, we’re here with some good news: You don’t have to drop such hefty sums for a new phone. There are plenty of cheap smartphones out there that’ll give you similar performance for far fewer of your bucks.

Best Cheap Smartphones

In our research for this article, we focused on smartphones that cost below $500, with the cheapest pick sporting a price tag just over $100, and the highest-priced pick coming in at $499. The devices we selected are unlocked and contract-free, so you won’t have to worry about making monthly payments.

Check out our picks to see which of these cheap phones is calling your name.

1Apple iPhone SE

$419.00

The latest iPhone SE may cost less than $400, but it doesn’t lack any of the power you’ve come to expect from an Apple smartphone. That’s why it’s our top overall pick for an affordable smartphone. 

Its A13 Bionic chip, which is also found in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, is the most powerful and futureproof of its kind. The compact iPhone also has a high-quality Retina display, a capable camera, as well as fast wired and wireless charging. Unlike all similarly priced rivals, the SE is also fully waterproof.

Thanks to Apple iOS, the iPhone SE also delivers an unparalleled user experience for a device this affordable. Apple’s platform offers an outstanding selection of apps, games, and features. It will also get regular firmware updates for years.

Of course, the iPhone SE also comes with an amazing collection of cases and accessories. You can order the device in black, white, or red. I highly recommend that you spend an extra $50 to get a variant with 128 GB of storage. 

Key Specs

• Apple A13 Bionic chip
• 4.7-inch Retina display
• 64/128/256 GB of storage
• 12 MP camera; 7 MP selfie camera
• IP67 rating for water resistance; built-in stereo speakers

2Moto G Power Android Smartphone

$249.99

Any Android aficionado with a tight budget needs to consider the Moto G Power — it offers a design, performance, and user experience worthy of a higher price tag. Plus, it has an epic battery performance better than most luxury smartphones.

The large and vibrant 6.4-inch display is handily one of our favorite bits about the Moto G Power. It’s sharp and overall perfect for gaming and watching videos on the go. I like that it’s complemented by stereo speakers, as well as a standard audio jack.

Motorola has equipped the G Power with a midrange Qualcomm chipset that’s plenty powerful for any task you throw at it, including gaming. The device’s triple camera is also impressive, especially considering its price point — an editor from The Verge praised it for being able to “shoot incredibly detailed photos.”

In case you are willing to sacrifice insane battery life for more productivity, consider the Moto G Stylus instead. It has similar specs with a slightly smaller battery that’s still incredibly capable, as well as a main camera with a higher resolution and a built-in stylus pen for only $50 more. 

Key Specs

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset
• 6.4-inch Full HD+ LCD display
• 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of expandable storage (via microSD card)
• Triple camera (16 MP, 8 MP, 2 MP); 16 MP selfie camera
• Built-in stereo speakers, standard audio jack
• 5,000 mAh battery, fast wired charging

3Samsung Galaxy A51 Android Smartphone

$399.99

Samsung’s Galaxy A51 packs a large and captivating Super AMOLED display with a fingerprint sensor underneath, a versatile camera setup, and solid battery life. A PCMag editor noted that phone “has a gorgeous display, good cameras, and a battery that will easily get you through the day.”

I only wish that it had more processing power, as well as built-in stereo speakers. Thankfully, it has a standard audio jack — a notably missing feature in most new phones these days.

The Galaxy A51’s quadruple camera is impressive for a device in this price range. I like that the setup includes a 5 MP unit for capturing macro shots. The high-resolution selfie snapper is also solid.

Key Specs

• Exynos 9611 chipset
• 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display
• 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of expandable storage (via microSD card)
• Quadruple camera (48 MP, 12 MP, 5 MP, 5 MP); 32 MP selfie camera
• Built-in standard audio jack
• 4,000 mAh battery, fast wired charging

4OnePlus 7T Android Smartphone

$499.00

The OnePlus 7t was one of the best phones of 2019. Now, thanks to a lower sub-$500 price tag, it’s the best option for budget-conscious buyers, looking for an uncompromisingly great smartphone. 

This is the Android phone to get if you are willing to max out a $500 budget. It’s noticeably pricier than the Moto G Power I already mentioned, but also better in every way. 

Thanks to top-shelf hardware specs, the OnePlus 7t will deliver a user experience worthy of a much higher price point. Its key features include a large and vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, an excellent triple camera, and reliable battery life with the fastest wired charging tech in the business. 

A CNET review editor rightfully concluded that “the OnePlus 7t gives you premium specs and zippy performance at a value that’s better than its Android rivals.” The sleek device is available in eye-catching frosted silver or glacier blue finishes. 

Key Specs
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset
• 6.55-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 90 Hz refresh rate, HDR compatibility
• 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage
• Triple camera (48 MP, 12 MP, 16 MP); 16 MP selfie camera
• Fast wired charging

5Nokia 2.3 Android Smartphone

$129.00

The Nokia 2.3 is the best phone you can buy with a budget of around $100. It runs stock Android, so it’ll still deliver a solid Android user experience for its price tag. It also has a big screen with slim bezels, a standard audio jack, and a dual camera. However, it’s important no note that the phone lacks a built-in fingerprint sensor.

Thanks to a massive battery, the Nokia 2.3 will easily deliver 2 days of usage between charges — enough to make users of pricier phones jealous. I only wish the phone had a USB-C connector for charging. Oddly, it features a decidedly outdated microUSB connector instead.

The entry-level Mediatek chipset of the Nokia 2.3 won’t wow you with its performance, but it’s good enough for daily use. The phone is available in a duo of colors: charcoal and sand. 

Key Specs

• MediaTek MT6761 Helio A22 chipset
• 6.2-inch HD+ LCD display)
• 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of expandable storage (via microSD card)
• Dual camera (13 MP and 2 MP); 5 MP selfie camera
• 4,000 mAh battery