Looking for a cheap phone without compromising on features? Here you will find what you need. Our list of the best cheap phones includes the best models from Apple, Samsung, Google and more. You can save a lot of money by purchasing the most affordable option starting at $250.
You don't have to spend a fortune on the latest iPhone or Galaxy to enjoy the latest iOS or Android, access to your favorite apps and games, and photography tools. The best cheap phones offer excellent value for money and cost significantly less than their flagship counterparts.
Our top picks range from $250 to $500, which is still significantly cheaper than the top models. If you have a specific budget in mind, you can also check out our previous lists of phones under $300 and best phones under $150 for even more affordable options.
Our list of the best cheap phones includes Apple iPhone SE (2022), Pixel 6A, Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, Google Pixel 7A, OnePlus Nord 2T 5G, Poco X5 Pro, Nothing Phone (1), Redmi Note 11 Pro, Xiaomi 12T and Realme 9 Pro Plus. Here is a review of each of these smartphones.
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE 3 (2022) is considered the best Apple smartphone in terms of price-quality ratio. It may seem outdated, but its lower price makes it an attractive option. While Apple is promoting the iPhone 13 as the better choice, the iPhone SE 3 offers better value for money.
Although it costs half the price, the iPhone SE 3 (2022) is equipped with the same fast A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13. Its camera is also quite powerful. The only drawback is the relatively short battery life, but this can be solved with 20W fast charging. Also, if you're not a fan of phones with large screens, the iPhone SE's compact 4,7-inch display is perfect for one-handed use.
If you're not willing to spend a fortune on the iPhone 13 and don't mind sacrificing a few camera features and a smaller design, the iPhone SE is clearly Apple's best value phone to date.
Pixel 6A
Google's affordable mid-range smartphone is back after a one-year hiatus. It embodies the qualities we've come to expect from Google, offering great hardware at an unbeatable price. Powered by a powerful Tensor chipset, the same as the flagship Pixel 6, the Pixel 6a delivers exceptional performance. In addition, its 6,1-inch display reproduces colors with impressive accuracy.
The standout feature of the Pixel 6a is its photographic prowess. Despite its modest dual-camera setup, the Pixel 6a is capable of creating stunning images with exceptional clarity and detail, even in difficult lighting conditions. It competes well with premium smartphones that cost four times more. If you often share photos on Instagram, you simply cannot find a better option for this price.
You can find brand new phones for less than $200, but phones costing up to $400 usually come with some compromises. That's why we recommend the Google Pixel 6A as our favorite best cheap phone. It has a fast processor, great cameras, and years of software support, all for just $349. To keep the price low, Google made some smart compromises, such as a display that looks dim in direct sunlight.
The Pixel 6A is great value for money and takes sharp, colorful photos. You also get the same attractive design and Pixel-specific software features like Magic Eraser and Live Translate. While the Pixel 7A also has a great price tag at $499, the Pixel 6A delivers on its core function of providing a lot of features for less.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
The Samsung Galaxy series covers more than just the S and Note lines. The A series offers flagship features at an affordable price, and the Galaxy A54 5G is a prime example of that. It is an excellent and cost-effective smartphone that boasts not only an attractive design, but also a great screen and enough power to satisfy the needs of most users, despite a slightly less advanced processor compared to its peers.
In addition, the Galaxy A54 5G delivers impressive camera performance considering its price range. Additionally, if battery life is a deciding factor when choosing a smartphone, you'll be pleased to know that the Galaxy A54 5G lasted nearly 27 hours in our battery life test. Whether you are a Samsung enthusiast or just looking for a reliable yet great smartphone that doesn't cost a lot, the Galaxy A54 5G could be the perfect choice for you.
Google Pixel 7A
In 2023, Google released a new phone called the Pixel 7A. It's a budget phone that offers many of the same features as the more expensive Pixel 7, but at a lower price. One of the key features of the Pixel 7A is that it is powered by the Google Tensor G2 processor, which provides advanced photo editing and translation capabilities.
The Pixel 7A also boasts a 64MP camera that takes great photos, comparable in quality to the Pixel 7 camera. While the Pixel 7 is still a great phone, the Pixel 7A's lower price makes it a better choice for most people. The Pixel 7 should only be considered by those who need a bigger screen and are willing to pay an extra $100.
As for the differences between the two phones, the Pixel 7 has a sturdier build, slightly faster charging, and the ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. Additionally, the Pixel 7 has a larger camera sensor that is more sensitive to light, according to Google. However, CNET's Lisa Edicicco didn't notice a significant difference in photo quality between the two phones.
Overall, the Pixel 7A is a strong contender in the budget phone market, offering many of the same features as the more expensive Pixel 7, but at a lower price.
OnePlus North 2T 5G
Looking for a smartphone that won't cost a lot? Pay attention to the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G. Thanks to 5G capabilities and powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset, this phone works like lightning. And don't worry about it running out of power - it can last almost a whole day on a single charge.
But what really sets the OnePlus Nord 2T apart is its price. It may not have all the features of the latest flagship phones, but it more than holds its own in the mid-range price category. In addition, it is much cheaper.
If you're looking for a great all-round phone that won't cost a lot, the OnePlus Nord 2T is definitely worth considering. Its upgrades may be modest compared to previous models, but the performance and value are unmatched. So why spend more when you can get the most out of your purchase with the OnePlus Nord 2T?
Little X5 Pro
Looking for a budget smartphone that performs like a high-end device? Pay attention to the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro. While the brand may not be well-known in the UK, the Poco X5 Pro offers unbeatable value for money, beating smartphones that cost twice or even three times the price.
At a fraction of the cost of the latest and greatest phones, the Poco X5 Pro boasts exceptional specs like a 6,67-inch Full HD AMOLED screen, a 5G-compatible Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, a large 108MP camera sensor, and a long-lasting battery with a fast 67W charging
But don't be fooled by its low price – Poco X5 Pro doesn't skimp on quality. In fact, when it comes to this smartphone, there can be very few compromises. Its affordability is just the icing on the cake of an already exceptional package.
If you're on a tight budget but want a phone that will meet your needs, the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is a no-win choice. With its top-notch features and unbeatable value, you'll wonder why you'd spend £700 or more on a smartphone in the first place.
NothingPhone (1)
The Nothing Phone (1) has created quite a stir as it has the potential to breathe new life into the smartphone industry. Every few years, a similar device appears, which revives the market. This mid-range phone has a unique approach to smartphone design. It has a transparent back panel and an interface called “Glyph” that relies heavily on LEDs. These LEDs perform multiple functions, such as playing ringtones and notifications, serving as a charging indicator, and illuminating the rear camera. This innovative design element is truly remarkable.
However, the Nothing Phone (1) is not just a phone filled with various bells and whistles. It offers many attractive features in other areas as well. For example, it boasts a 6,55-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate that delivers smooth and vivid images. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus processor, known for its exceptional speed and efficiency. In addition, users can choose from different storage and RAM configurations to suit their needs.
To enhance the overall user experience, Nothing Phone (1) comes with a clean install of Android 12, which provides a simplified and user-friendly interface. In addition, it is equipped with a pair of 50-megapixel rear cameras that produce high-quality images. These features make the Nothing Phone (1) a dream come true for tech enthusiasts and justify the huge hype surrounding it.
Notes redmi 11 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G has characteristics that can be considered flagship. Despite this, it is offered at a reduced cost compared to other options. The phone impresses with its exceptional performance thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset. In addition, it boasts an exemplary triple camera that includes a massive 108 MP sensor. This camera setup allows you to take high-quality photos and videos.
Another feature of the Redmi Note 11 Pro is its Full HD display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. This feature provides smooth scrolling and high frame rates in mobile games. The display has a high degree of immersion and provides a great viewing experience.
If you're on a budget, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is a great option to consider. It offers exceptional value for money given its excellent specifications and features. So, if you're looking for a smartphone that performs well and has a great camera and display, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G should be at the top of your list.
Xiaomi 12t
While it might be the most expensive phone on the list, the Xiaomi 12T offers incredible value for its price. If you're willing to spend a little more money, you'll be rewarded with one of the most feature-rich smartphones out there that can rival some of the top flagships out there.
During testing, the Xiaomi 12T stood out with its 6,67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with stunning clarity and color accuracy. It also boasts of a MediaTek Dimensity 8100-U chipset that delivers decent power and performance. But what really sets it apart is its incredibly fast 120W charging, which allowed it to charge from empty to 68% in just 15 minutes and fully charge in 20 minutes during tests.
The 108MP camera is also impressive for its price, producing high-quality photos regardless of lighting conditions. In fact, the Xiaomi 12T can easily be confused with a flagship device, but without the sky-high price tag.
So, if you're looking for a high-end smartphone that won't cost a lot, the Xiaomi 12T is definitely worth considering. It offers exceptional value for its price, and its outstanding features and capabilities will satisfy even the most demanding users.
Realme 9 Plus
The Realme 9 Pro Plus is a smartphone that offers flagship-level features at an affordable price. Thanks to the Super AMOLED display, the image on it is stunning, and the refresh rate of 90 Hz guarantees smooth operation. In addition, the battery life of the phone is impressive: it works for more than 25 hours without recharging.
When the battery does run out, the included 60W fast charger will restore it to 100% in just 40 minutes, which is incredibly convenient. Under the hood of the Realme 9 Pro Plus is the latest 5G Dimensity 920 processor from MediaTek, which showed the best results in all benchmarks.
While the phone has some drawbacks, such as the lack of an IP rating and the poor performance of the ultra-wide-angle camera, it's still a great all-rounder that offers excellent value for money. It's actually the best mid-range phone when it comes to the balance between performance and affordability. All in all, the Realme 9 Pro Plus is a great choice for those looking for a high-quality smartphone that comes at an affordable price.
Bonus: Honor Magic 5 Lite
If you're one of those people who value long battery life when choosing a new phone, there's only one phone on this list that you should consider. And this phone is Honor Magic 5 Lite. In fact, the Magic 5 Lite was able to last an incredible 28 hours in the standard cyclical video test. That's pretty impressive considering that many phones costing two to three times the price of the Magic 5 Lite couldn't even come close to this level of battery life.
In addition, the Honor Magic 5 Lite supports 40W fast charging, which means you can quickly charge your phone when its battery is finally dead. However, it is important to note that a charger is not included.
Coming to the display, the Honor Magic 5 Lite is equipped with a bright OLED panel with a diagonal of 6,67 inches. Colors are vibrant and contrast is near perfect, meaning everything looks great on the screen. In addition, the 120 Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth and lag-free experience.
In terms of performance, the Honor Magic 5 Lite is pretty decent, although it may not be the best you can get in this price range. Finally, the Magic 5 Lite's camera suite falls short when it comes to low-light photography. All that said, these are small concessions when you consider the incredible battery life you get with this phone.
