Many consider that it does not make sense to spend all their savings on the purchase of a last generation cell phone. If you are one of those who estimates that a generation phone does not have so many things to envy a Galaxy S20 Ultra , an iPhone 11 Pro Max or a Huawei P40 , this selection is probably for you. We have gathered the best cheap cell phones on the market that will offer you an unbeatable price-quality ratio.
We assure you that none of the phones will disappoint you. We have used these models for days and we discussed their merits and difficulties thoroughly to make sure we chose only the best. Our top at the top is $ 500, and from there we start to go down.
Asus Zenfone 6
The best for (more or less) $ 500
Why you should buy the Asus Zenfone 6? Because it has a large screen, it has a lot of processing power and resistance, and it has an intelligent dual-lens camera with a lid.
In the $ 500 range it will be difficult to find a more powerful option than the Asus Zenfone 6. This phone combines solid hardware with innovative design and sleek software, and manages to slavishly avoid following trends set by Apple and Samsung .
The curved glass front and back slide on a metal chassis. There’s a fingerprint sensor in the middle of the back with a smart dual-lens camera module on top. The combination of a 48MP lens and a 13MP wide-angle lens offers plenty of photography possibilities, but what is really smart about the camera is the fact that it is motorized so that it can flip forward. This means that you get the same great camera for taking selfies.
The Asus Zenfone 6 has Qualcomm 2019’s flagship processor, the Snapdragon 855. It is the same chip that powers the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus , Sony Xperia 1 and LG V50 ThinQ, phones that cost more than $ 800 dollars each. That is backed by ample 8GB and 256GB RAM and there is still room for a MicroSD card slot.
The 6.4-inch LCD screen has a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels. It doesn’t match OLED screens and the brightness is not as high as we would like but it is big and sharp. There are stereo speakers and a headphone jack. But the highlight on the spec sheet is the massive 5,000 mAh battery it is capable of supporting. In our tests he managed 12 hours and 37 minutes, which places him near the top. Supports fast cable charging at 18W.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Asus Zenfone 6 is that Asus has removed ZenUI, which sits on top of Android 9 Pie, and the user interface doesn’t stray far from the Android experience you’ll find on a Google Pixel phone. It is a fast and fluid system with only a few Asus additions.
The Asus Zenfone 6 is available from Asus, Amazon, B&H, and Mobile Advance. It should work on AT&T and T-Mobile, but please check the model version and compatible bands before buying.
The disadvantages of this phone include the lack of an IP rating for water resistance and the lack of support for wireless charging of the phone. But for $ 500, you get the same performance, if not a better one, than on much more expensive phones. It is a real bargain, and a phone you will not regret buying.
Google Pixel 3a
The best phone for $ 400
Why should you buy it? The Google Pixel 3a offers many of the same features as Google’s Pixel 3, but for much less.
For whom it is? For anyone on a $ 400 budget who simply wants the best phone they can buy with that money.
Google Pixel 3a costs $ 400 dollars and is impressive for that money. There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor with 4GB of RAM. It won’t quite fit high-end chips, but it’s fast enough to run challenging games with high graphics quality. You also get an excellent 5.6-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2,220 x 1,080 pixels. It’s sharp, with striking contrast, and you won’t find a better price for this.
Perhaps the best thing is your camera. The Pixel 3a has a 12.2 megapixel, with a single lens and the same artificial intelligence, characteristics that you will find in the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3a may not have the same raw processing power, and it lacks Pixel Visual Core, so image processing is a bit slower than Pixel 3, but this is – easily – the best camera you’ll find for this price. The front camera has a power of 8 megapixels.
Naturally, Google’s Pixel 3a is guaranteed to get fast Android updates and a constant supply of security patches. You’ll also enjoy super smart features like Now Playing and Call Screen, which filters incoming spam calls. Active Edge allows you to squeeze your Pixel 3a to start the Google Assistant.
The Pixel 3a comes with 64GB of storage, as well as unlimited, high-quality photo storage in the cloud with Google Photos. It has an audio jack, support for Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with a fast charger that can give you 7 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes. There’s also NFC support for Google Pay, two front stereo speakers, and a fingerprint sensor on the back.
This phone really raises the bar for what you can expect to get for $ 400. If you prefer a bigger screen and your budget can stretch a bit, then consider buying the Pixel 3a XL for $ 480.
Moto g7
The best phone for $ 300
For whom it is? For anyone looking for a stylish and affordable phone with a large screen.
Why do we choose the Moto G7? The Moto G range has been our first budget choice for smartphones in recent years, and while Motorola faces more competition each year, the Moto G7 continues to be excellent value for money. It is a truly attractive phone, with a curved glass construction, a metal body, and a teardrop notch carved from the screen.
A huge screen is always appreciated, and the Moto G7 features a 6.2-inch one with a resolution of 2270 x 1080 pixels. Under the hood you’ll find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor with 4GB of RAM, making it a true evolution when compared to last year’s slow Moto G6 in terms of performance. Motorola adds a couple of gesture shortcuts and apps like Moto Voice on top of Android 9.0 Pie.
The Moto G7 also has a dual-lens camera, which combines a 12-megapixel camera with an f / 1.8 aperture, and a 5-megapixel secondary lens for depth. In good condition, with lots of light, you can capture some very good pictures, and portrait mode is great for taking photos of friends and family with blurred backgrounds. The front camera has a power of 8 megapixels.
We did have a few minor issues with the software, and we would prefer it to be offered as an Android One phone. We are not sure about the likelihood of software updates for the Moto G7 and we think you are likely to get better software support from HMD Global. The Moto G7 has no NFC support in the US , which is still frustrating.
If you have a strict budget of $ 300, the Moto G7 will give you more for your money. It offers a great screen, great performance, and a pretty decent camera, all wrapped in a sleek body.
Moto G7 Play
The best phone for $ 200
Why should you buy it? The Moto G7 Play has great performance and a lot of resistance.
For whom it is? For anyone with a budget of no more than $ 200 dollars and looking for the best for that money.
When high-end phones top $ 1,000, paying $ 200 for one should mean it’s a dump, right? Incorrect. In fact, you can now pick some awesome devices in this price range. Motorola has always developed great priced devices that give you real value for your money.
For $ 200, you get a 5.7-inch screen with a resolution of 1,512 x 720 pixels, a fast Snapdragon 632 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 3,000 mAh battery that offers impressive resistance. There’s also a 13-megapixel main camera, which isn’t too bad (unless it’s dimly lit) and an 8-megapixel front camera.
Performance is one of the highlights, almost equaling the much more expensive Moto G7. There is also a USB-C port for charging, which means that the cable will always be in the correct position. It comes with Android 9.0 Pie and some Motorola extras, and it is planned to update to Android 10 , although we doubt that it can go much further.
Naturally, not everything is perfect. It only has 32 GB of storage, although it does have a MicroSD card slot. It also has a plastic body, a large notch, and no NFC support. Apart from all this, it is a very good option, if your budget does not reach more.
Moto E5 Play
Best phone for $ 100
Why should you buy it? The Moto E5 Play is ultra affordable, and still provides a perfectly satisfying smartphone experience.
For whom it is? for those who want a phone capable of texting, calling, browsing the web, and running social media apps without paying more than $ 150.
The Moto E5 Play is the most affordable phone Motorola has to offer, which means that, with its great price, you have to accept some weaknesses. For example, it is important to know that this phone will not be updated to Android 10, and the camera is not the best.
However, it has very interesting qualities. It has the Snapdragon 425 (or 427 depending on the operator) and 2 GB of RAM that do a good job of offering manageable performance, enough to navigate applications like Instagram and Facebook without too much trouble.
In addition, it has 16 GB of on-board storage, but the best thing is that it has a MicroSD card slot, which allows you to add more memory if you need it. It also has a headphone jack and a fingerprint sensor on the back (although some operators have models without this sensor). The software experience is very similar to that of Android stock, without much bloatware, with Android 8.0 Oreo .
You’ll find a removable 2,800mAh battery inside, and we found that about a full day of use went by, without recharging. It can be extended to two days with light use.
The Moto E5 Play is available through a variety of different carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, for as little as $ 70 (even lower on other carriers if you sign up for a new service). However, you still can’t buy it unlocked.
iPhone SE 2020
The cheapest iPhone
Why should you buy it? – It’s affordable to be an iPhone and features the same A13 Bionic processor as the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.
For whom it is? anyone who wants an iPhone, but on a limited budget.
It’s the best choice for Apple fans looking for deals and with their hearts set on an iPhone. The 2020 iPhone SE takes the timeless design of the iPhone 6, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8, but incorporates the latest Apple A13 Bionic processor. Yes, it is the same that the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro use. It is the compact iPhone that many expected.
The 4.7-inch screen is crisp and clear, the iOS 13 system is easy to use and has access to an excellent library of apps and games, plus features like Apple Pay. The battery is small, but it generally lasts a day with moderate use and still offers support for wireless charging.
It features a 12-megapixel main camera that takes sharp, natural-looking photos and supports Live Photos. In addition, it incorporates a robust 7-megapixel front camera. It also has a portrait mode on both cameras, plus next-generation features such as Smart HDR and enhanced video stabilization.
It offers 64GB of base storage, enough for most people. The iPhone SE 2020 is also IP68 rated, so you don’t have to worry if it drops or splashes a little. It is small by modern smartphone standards. Although the battery life is not the best, it gives you the excellent Apple iPhone experience for very little money.
Second Place: iPhone XR
Unless you want to search the thrift market, your best bet for an iPhone is to go for the iPhone XR. Launched in 2018, it is still available as new from Apple, and shares the same bezel-less design as the iPhone X and iPhone 11. Since its arrival, its price has dropped to $ 600, a great value given the design.
What do you get with the colorful iPhone XR? It has the powerful A12 Bionic processor, with Face ID for selfies in portrait mode. There’s also Smart HDR and an artificial intelligence portrait mode on the rear camera that works well in low light. We recommend choosing one of the brightest colors as they really make the phone stand out.
Samsung Galaxy A50
The cheapest (and good) Samsung Galaxy
Why should you buy it? Because you get all the style of Samsung without being ruined.
For whom it is? For anyone who wants a Samsung Galaxy, but who has a limited budget.
If you are a fan of Samsung phones, but your budget just doesn’t suit you for any of the next-gen devices, then Samsung’s mid-range A series might be for you. The Galaxy A50 has very impressive specifications for its price. There is a Samsung Exynos 9610 processor inside with 4GB of RAM. You’ll also find 64 GB of storage with room for expansion via the MicroSD card. There is also a more expensive version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
The phone has a beautiful gradient finish on the plastic back and there is no fingerprint sensor because it is on the screen. This 6.4-inch AMOLED has a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels. It almost completely covers the front of the phone, except for a slim frame on the bottom and a teardrop notch on the top to accommodate a 25-megapixel front camera.
Speaking of cameras, you get a triple-lens shutter, with a 25-megapixel primary, an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. It is an impressive and versatile set of cameras for a mid-range phone.
There’s also a large battery here, rated at 4,000 mAh, plus a 15-watt quick-charge kit in the box. It does not have NFC support, which means there is no Samsung Pay.
Moto G7 Power
The cheapest with the best battery
Why should you buy it? Because it is an affordable phone that offers good performance and unmatched battery life.
For whom it is? For anyone who wants a phone last longer between charges.
If low price and battery life are at the top of your priority list, then you won’t find a better option than the Moto G7 Power . The 5,000 mAh battery in this phone has outperformed all the other smart models we’ve tested, managing to continuously stream YouTube videos at maximum brightness for 13 hours and 59 minutes. This phone can last two days between charges, or even longer depending on how you use it.
Under the hood we find the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor that you will find in the normal Moto G7, in addition to 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. The Moto G7 Power offers great performance for its price. In fact, for those same dollars you will not find anything better.
Buts are inevitable at this budget level. On the Moto G7 Power, you’ll come across a thick plastic body, plus a 6.2-inch notched display that only boasts a resolution of 1,570 x 720 pixels. Mind you, the phone runs Android 9.0 Pie with a handful of Motorola extras on top.
There’s a 12-megapixel camera that works reasonably well in bright light, but portrait mode is far from perfect, and it can do little and nothing in low-light settings. The 8 megapixel front camera is suitable for daylight selfies or video calls.
The G7 Power is also compatible with Motorola’s TurboPower charging standard, and comes with a 15W charger in the box, being able to take the battery from zero to 58% in one hour. If what you are looking for is not to spend a lot and an optimal battery life, this phone is for you.
Where do I buy cheap phones?
You can always find bargains in online stores, but do your research well and request the model number you want. In particular, check that the model you are buying is compatible with the bands in which your company operates. Major carriers sometimes offer good deals, but if you find a phone you like at one of their stores, it’s worth doing a quick online search to see if you can find it for less. You’ll often find cheaper options at MVNOs ( virtual mobile network operators ), like T-Mobile’s Metro or Straight Talk .
Who has cheap phone plans?
There are many different cell phone plans out there, so take your time and do some research before choosing one. We have a breakdown of the best cell phone plans to help you. If you go for a family plan, you can often get great deals on additional lines. Oh, and check coverage in your area before deciding on a particular company.
How do you get a new phone for little money?
The most obvious way to get a bargain is something secondhand. You can also consider online retailers, and what has been said above: make sure to verify that the model of the phone you are buying supports the bands in which your company operates.
Should you buy a cheap phone now, or wait for last year’s flagship to become cheaper?
Flagships have gone up in price recently, but if you’re willing to wait and look at flagship phones from a year or two ago, you can get them much cheaper. Almost all Android phone manufacturers offer discounts on their older flagships, and those discounts get bigger as the model “ages.” On the other hand, the overall quality of “budget” phones has vastly improved in recent years, and the design of these phones changes and renews very quickly, so today’s mid-range device is likely to match a flagship of two years ago in performance, and you can also boast a more modern design.