The best budget Android phone of 2024

admin October 4, 2024

0 0 6 minutes read

The best budget Android phones are great ways to get all the essentials you want in a handset without breaking the bank. While flagship phones often steal the limelight with their flashy features and high price tags, there is no shortage of Android phones that deliver great performance at a fraction of the cost. In fact, the vast Android ecosystem offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a high-end device or one of the best cheap phones on the market.

If you’re not willing to shell out for an Apple iPhone or one of the latest flagship phones, budget Android options can give you everything you need from solid cameras to impressive battery life and fast performance. These phones may not have all the bells and whistles you’ll find on phones costing hundreds more, but for most people, they’re more than enough to handle daily tasks, stream videos, and stay connected.

How cheap should you be?

We usually define a budget phone as one that costs between $150 and $350. Any lower and the device is at risk of being mishandled, and in addition, cross over to the pricier midrange handsets (if you’re open to spending a lot of money, we’ve named a few of our favorites at the end of this guide).

But for those with little wiggle room, there are some things to consider. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it is intended primarily for emergencies or messaging parents (not social media). At the higher end of this price range, phones under $350 have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better cameras with low-light capabilities, faster charging, and better displays like AMOLED panels. This makes them a viable alternative to, say, a flagship handset with a premium design, even if you have the flexibility to use it more.

What you can look for in a cheap phone

When it comes to cheap phones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones in this price range are made of plastic, although the fit and finish of a particular model can vary greatly based on price. A bright screen is also important. You’ll usually find LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have OLED or AMOLED screens with increased color saturation. Long battery life is also important, so we tend to prefer devices with large capacity cells of around 5,000 mAh. In this price range, performance can vary greatly, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors capable of delivering smooth visuals. It’s also important to consider the length of support: as periodic security updates and extended software support can extend the lifespan of your device, which will save you money in the long run.

The best budget Android phones of 2024

OnePlus

When it first came out, the Nord N30 basically had everything you could want in a $300 phone. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers solid performance and fast wireless connectivity compatible with all major US carriers, not to mention great specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthy upgrade. It also has a large 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare for a budget phone as most competitors feature slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And thanks to its 50-watt wired fast charger, you can fill it up quickly, too. It also provides software updates at a decent time, ensuring its longevity. But most importantly, the Nord 30 has just received a price drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably good deal and our top pick in this space.

Benefits

Good performance for the price
120Hz display
50W charging cables

$300 at Amazon

SAMSUNG

For just $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is an amazing device. It has a 6.5-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate which is slightly slower than the Nord N30. However, because it features an OLED panel instead of an LCD display, it has better brightness and richer colors than its rivals. What’s more, you get a 50MP main camera with strong low-light performance in an incredibly affordable package. It can also be configured with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery delivers a ton of longevity. And while its design isn’t very exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung uses on the back has a nice matte finish that feels more like glass than cheap plastic, giving it a premium design look. Finally, the A15 comes with four years of security updates and three years of OS updates, longer than most handsets in this price range.

Benefits

OLED display with good brightness and colors
It can be configured up to 256GB of storage
5,000mAh battery

$200 at Amazon

Motorola

For those on a tight budget, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all the bases well. It has a fast Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And while that storage number may seem 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 incredibly sharp with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Play has an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. That’s not much, but it’s good enough to protect against an errant splash or two. Sure, the G Play is basic, but basic in a good way, especially if you’re not too fussed about using multiple apps and just want a handset to do everyday tasks.

Benefits

90Hz display
IP52 rating
Expandable storage with microSD card slot

Evil

Only 64GB of internal storage

$130 at Amazon

Google

Read our full Google Pixel 7 update

For people willing to look at phones at the higher end of the budget bracket, there are other candidates worth checking out. The Pixel 7a normally costs $499, but we’ve seen it marked down to $349. So if you’re looking for an affordable handset that performs well, practical bonuses like wireless charging and one of the best cameras of any device in this price range, you’d be a fool to ignore this Pixel phone if you can get a good one. And while Google recently released the Pixel 8a for $499, Google has confirmed that it will continue to sell the Pixel 7a.

Benefits

90Hz OLED screen
Long battery life
It now has wireless charging
Very good cameras
The same great software for the Pixel

Evil

Wireless charging is slow
There is no dedicated zoom lens
The speakers sound a little shallow

$329 at Amazon

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Read our full review of the Nothing Phone 2a

Another competitor we really like is the Nothing Phone 2a, which offers great specs, a unique premium design and a ton of personality for just $349. The main reason it didn’t make our list is because in the US, it’s only available as part of Nothing’s developer plan, which requires you to register (for free) before you can buy it. In addition, the Phone 2a only supports 5G on T-Mobile (on the N41 band), which means it’s not a good option for anyone on AT&T or Verizon.

Benefits

Unique design
Great value
Lightweight
Amazingly good performance

Evil

No 5G on AT&T or Verizon
No wireless charging
Storage comes in at 256GB

$349 at Nothing

Android phone FAQs

What is the price difference for a cheap Android compared to a cheap iPhone?

iPhones tend to be more expensive compared to Android phones – even the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE, which starts at $429, is a tough pill to swallow compared to a cheap Android phone. Conversely, you can get your hands on a cheap Android device for as little as $100.

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admin October 4, 2024

0 0 6 minutes read