Every year, I test numerous flagship smartphones to discover the best budget phones that excel in performance without being frustratingly slow. Wireless carriers in the US often attempt to make costly smartphones appear budget-friendly. For instance, AT&T might advertise a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for just $36 monthly, but don’t be deceived. With 36 monthly payments, you’ll ultimately shell out over a thousand dollars for the phone. Plus, such an expensive device may tie you to the network, restricting your ability to switch carriers until the phone is fully paid off.
Consider getting an excellent budget smartphone instead. Our top recommendation, the Google Pixel 8A, is priced at $499 and rivals nearly any flagship device. Our additional selections achieve a superb balance between price and premium features, including a folding phone featured in this guide!
Explore our other mobile guides, which include Best Android Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Best Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Google Pixel, Best Moto Phones, and Best iPhones.
Table of Contents
Updated February 2025: We’ve included the 2025 Motorola Moto G Power 5G, Moto G, Razr 2024, OnePlus 13R, and iPhone 16e. Additionally, we noted the Samsung Galaxy A16 and provided information regarding the forthcoming Nothing Phone (3a) series and Google Pixel 9A.
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No. Current speculation indicates that Google may unveil its Pixel 9A smartphone earlier than usual in March. Moreover, Nothing will present its latest budget smartphones at the upcoming Mobile World Congress, and I expect a few more Moto G models to launch in spring. Unless a new model from this guide catches your interest, like the Moto G Power 2025 or the iPhone 16e, I’d recommend waiting before making a purchase.
Consider Last Year’s Premium Phones (or Used)
If these phones don’t feature the specifications you desire or aren’t as powerful as you need, your best move is to seek out last year’s flagship smartphones, which might be available at significantly discounted prices. They can be easy to find, though manufacturers may stop producing them. Keep in mind that you will miss out on a year of software support, though this often surpasses the software support offered by budget phones. For instance, the Google Pixel 8 has dropped to $400, while the Pixel 8 Pro is now $599.
Alternatively, consider buying a pre-owned smartphone. (We offer some advice here.) You’ll need to do some research, but platforms like Swappa, Gazelle, and Back Market are known for their reliability and are excellent venues to purchase used or refurbished devices. Investigate the pricing for the latest top models on Android and iPhone in mint or good condition.
5G Smartphones, Explained
5G is the latest generation of cellular networks, and it’s widely available enough that you should aim for phones that support it. It’s not fully supplanting 4G LTE yet, so you will still see 4G in your status bar as you move across the country. For more details, you can read here, but in a nutshell, 5G comes in two main varieties: sub-6 and millimeter wave (mmWave). The latter is typically found only in high-end phones, providing access to incredibly fast speeds; however, mmWave is seldom encountered outside select locations in major cities and specific venues, like stadiums and airports. Sub-6 doesn’t surpass 4G LTE in speed much, but it has a wider range and is more accessible. Most smartphones we recommend here, even those priced as low as $200, support sub-6 5G.
Check Network Compatibility
If you purchase an unlocked phone featured on this list and go to your wireless carrier’s retail store, they might inform you that it’s not compatible with their network. In actuality, it likely is. Simply use a paper clip or SIM eject tool to remove the SIM card from your current device and insert it into your new phone. If it doesn’t work right away, try rebooting the phone or wait it out for a couple of hours.
If you require a new SIM card, consider ordering one online from your carrier or finding out if they can provide you with a SIM when you activate a new line in the store (if you’re starting a new plan). Let them know you have a phone. Often, the representatives will prefer selling you a phone; that may be one reason they may try to persuade you to buy a different device in-store. Regardless, ensure that any phone you buy will function on your network. Retailers like Amazon typically specify which networks a device is compatible with. Additionally, confirm that the listing states the phone is “unlocked.”
In this guide, we indicate whether a phone is compatible with a major US carrier. But what if you’re on a network other than AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon? If we mention that a phone is compatible with T-Mobile, for example, it typically means it will also work on smaller carriers like Metro By T-Mobile and Mint Mobile, both of which rely on T-Mobile’s network. If you’re concerned about compatibility, research the exact model’s specifications. Ensure it has the necessary LTE or 5G frequency bands to operate on your carrier.
Attention Verizon users: There’s a greater likelihood that an unlocked phone will not function on your network. Confirm that it’s specified to work with Verizon or that it indicates the phone is CDMA-compatible. If any unusual issues arise, like not receiving texts, you may need to get in touch with customer service and request them to enable CDMA-less roaming. AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM carriers, which is the standard for most parts of the world, and most unlocked devices are compatible with them.
Top Budget Phone
Google’s Pixel 8A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) stands out as the best smartphone for your money. At merely $499, it provides a little bit of everything—from wireless charging to top-notch performance. It’s powered by Google’s Tensor G3 processor, the same one found in the flagship Pixel 8 series, which also grants this midrange model an impressive 7 years of software support—a rarity at this price point.
This Pixel features an improved OLED display compared to its predecessor, ensuring it’s brighter and easily viewable on even the sunniest days, with a smooth 120-Hz screen refresh rate that makes interactions feel seamless. The 6.1-inch display is relatively compact, making it ideal for those preferring smaller phones. Moreover, it boasts an appealing design—budget and midrange devices often look quite dull, but the Pixel 8A presents a smart aesthetic with a matte rear finish. The new Aloe color option is stunning as well. Phones are individual possessions that should also be visually pleasing!
My testing revealed flawless performance—I used this device at Google I/O as my main phone, taking photos, navigating, utilizing the Google Recorder app, and sharing on social media. However, battery life presents a downside. The 4,492-mAh battery can endure a day with regular use, but heavy users might find themselves needing to charge before the day ends. It’s wise to keep a portable power bank handy.
The standout feature of the Pixel series is its camera capabilities, and the Pixel 8A lives up to that legacy, easily making it the best camera phone for the money. It boasts a 64-megapixel main camera that captures detailed, vibrant, and sharp images in varied lighting conditions. Accompanying it is a competent 13-MP ultrawide lens, and the 13-MP selfie camera performs decently, although the fixed focus could result in less than perfectly sharp selfies. I did notice that Real Tone, Google’s image-processing algorithm for diverse skin tones, hasn’t performed as accurately for brown skin tones compared to previous Pixels.
My strong recommendation for Pixel phones arises from their impressive software features that are absent in other sub-$500 smartphones. I’ve covered numerous smart features here; for example, Magic Editor lets you reposition a subject within the frame and eliminate unwanted objects from your shots. Best Take assists you in rectifying that group photo where someone’s eyes were closed. Android’s Call Screen technology effectively curbs spam calls, and Assistant Voice Typing remains my preferred voice-to-text solution, which I miss once I switch away from it.
Additional perks include secure face unlock and fingerprint unlock—both options work with sensitive applications needing biometric authentication, providing you with multiple unlocking methods. Secure face unlock is nearly non-existent in other Android devices at this price range. The Pixel 8A also features NFC for contactless payments and an IP67 rating, offering protection against water and dust.
Best Affordable iPhone
The new iPhone 16e is Apple’s most affordable iPhone and, while it’s not exactly cheap (7/10, WIRED Review), at $599 it’s $170 pricier than the iPhone SE it has replaced. Though I focus on sub-$500 smartphones in this guide, this is unfortunately your only option if you wish to buy a new iPhone from Apple at the lowest price.
It’s a fully functioning device with excellent performance, thanks to the A18 chipset, which makes it the cheapest iPhone equipped with Apple Intelligence. Note that it has one less graphics core than the A18 found in the iPhone 16, resulting in slightly lower gaming performance, but I encountered minimal issues when playing demanding games such as Genshin Impact.
The standout feature of this phone is its impressive battery life. Despite the relatively compact 6.1-inch display, it outlasts the similarly sized iPhone 16, nearly matching the longevity of Apple’s larger iPhones. During one intensive day, I achieved nine hours of screen-on time, and the iPhone 16e had 15 percent battery remaining by bedtime. This impressive performance is due to the new C1 chip, Apple’s first custom modem in an iPhone, which maintains decent (sub-6) 5G cellular performance while being more energy-efficient than modems found in older models.
Unfortunately, that’s about all this iPhone has to offer. It features a capable 48-megapixel camera that produces pleasant images even in low light, but it is the sole camera available on the device. The Dynamic Island feature is absent; instead, the notch makes a reappearance. Apple also decided to omit MagSafe from this model, limiting magnetic accessory compatibility to those using MagSafe cases, which also means you won’t benefit from faster wireless charging. Additionally, it lacks the ultra-wideband chip, meaning precise tracking of AirTags won’t be possible; this device will only provide general location proximity.
Even if these omissions don’t bother you, the iPhone 16e doesn’t seem worth the $599 price tag—other devices in this guide priced similarly offer more features and capabilities. While it will serve your needs, it might not be the best value. I recommend considering a used iPhone 15 Pro, typically available for around $650 in good condition on platforms like Swappa, Gazelle, or Back Market. It adheres to Apple Intelligence and boasts many more features.
If purchasing new is essential, look into the iPhone 15, which can be bought directly from Apple for $699. It incorporates all those missing capabilities but does not support Apple Intelligence. Given that Apple’s AI features are currently not particularly useful, this may not be a significant concern.
Best Affordable Samsung Phone
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE holds an MSRP of $650 but is frequently available for $500 on sale, thus fitting nicely into this guide. This is Samsung’s “lite” variant of the Galaxy S24 series. I used it extensively for several weeks without experiencing any performance drawbacks with the Exynos 2400e chipset, and its 4,700-mAh battery offered decent longevity, enduring an entire day with average use.
It retains support for Samsung’s Galaxy AI features, and it offers a triple-camera setup with a 50-MP primary lens, a 12-MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8-MP telephoto lens with 3X zoom. It’s rare to find a complete trio of cameras in this price range—having multiple cameras enhances the phone’s versatility, offering various options for framing your shots. Like the two phones mentioned earlier, this Android device promises extended software support compared to its competitors in this segment.
It features all the other flagship advantages you would expect, including Qi wireless charging, IP68 water resistance, and a 120-Hz AMOLED display. While its appearance may be somewhat plain, it’s an outstanding all-rounder—just ensure you catch it during a sale.
For Outstanding Battery Life
There are many reasons to choose the OnePlus 12R from 2024 over the models listed previously—even the recently introduced OnePlus 13R announced in January. OnePlus has enacted a permanent price drop for this budget phone, so it now retails at $400, making it an exceptional bargain. (Currently, this price is only visible at Best Buy.)
The device boasts a large 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 120-Hz refresh rate, and its substantial 5,500-mAh battery capacity lasted me nearly two complete days on a single charge with typical usage. If you find it running low, the provided cable and charging adapter can recharge it from zero to 100 percent in just 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless charging support available.
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the flagship processor of 2023, it can handle demanding games effortlessly. However, its software does lack the polish you’ll find in Samsung or Google devices. Nonetheless, the overall look and feel remain sleek, without excessive bloatware, and OnePlus commits to providing three Android OS upgrades along with four years of security updates. This is not as impressive as seven years but surpasses many other Android options at this price range.
The 12R makes some sacrifices in select areas. It holds an IP64 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand light rain but shouldn’t be submerged in water. The primary camera performs well and can fairly compete with the Google Pixel 8A’s camera; however, I found the ultrawide and macro lenses underwhelming. If you’re not particularly photo-centric and seek a device with a powerful processor and impressive battery life, the OnePlus 12R is a worthwhile option.
Should your budget allow for a slight increase, consider the new OnePlus 13R (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It retails for $100 more than its predecessor and features a 6,000-mAh silicon-carbon battery that provides comparable two-day usage on a single charge (without adding thickness!). It also harbors greater performance capabilities. Still, I don’t find it as compelling a value as its predecessor—at $600, numerous options exist, and I believe the previously mentioned devices are superior choices.
Best Under $400
I ardently wish that you could stroll into any major US retailer or carrier and purchase Nothing’s Phone (2a) (9/10, WIRED Recommends), as this stylish budget device deserves a spot in your pocket. Regrettably, while easily available worldwide, US residents must enlist in Nothing’s developer program to access a purchase link for the phone. The same procedure applies to the newer Phone (2a) Plus, priced at $399 and nearly identical.
These two are among the most compelling phones priced under $400, featuring a unique Glyph LED light system on the back. These lights flash with incoming notifications, and you can even set a timer to visualize countdowns—customization options abound. Their attention to design extends to the software, which is distinctive and enjoyable to interact with—qualities that are quite rare in budget devices.
In addition to their attractive design, the Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus sport 6.7-inch AMOLED displays with refresh rates up to 120 Hz; they’re incredibly smooth, sharp, and bright. The substantial 5,000-mAh battery ensures usage that exceeds a full day (in my case, I reached two full days).
Performance stood out for all the right reasons, but that’s where the choice between the Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus comes in. The more economical model houses the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor, whereas the Plus is equipped with the Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G, providing a slight performance enhancement, particularly in graphics. Both performed admirably during my testing, even when juggling numerous applications. I utilized the (2a) while covering a large trade show internationally, and it posed no issues at all. However, if extensive gaming is your goal, the Plus model has a slight advantage.
The primary camera performs sufficiently well, managing good white balance, though it sometimes struggles with detail in low-light settings. Some nighttime images can appear flat, and its HDR performance isn’t outstanding. Yet, it’s priced under $399. The Phone (2a) Plus upgrades the selfie camera to 50 MP, making it significantly superior, providing another reason to choose this model.
Nothing guarantees three Android OS updates and four years of security support, similar to OnePlus. Sadly, there’s no wireless charging, no headphone jack, and waterproofing is limited to IP54 (suitable for rain but not for submersion). Additionally, your network experience could be unpredictable. Nothing claims the devices function flawlessly on T-Mobile, but the Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus might encounter compatibility issues with Verizon and AT&T’s 5G bands. I used the device on AT&T without major issues connecting to 5G, but experiences may vary based on your area.
