Best budget Android phone for 2024

One of the best things about the Android ecosystem is the availability of truly affordable phones for as little as $150. By comparison, the cheapest iPhone relies on an outdated design and starts at $429. However, choosing the right one can be a bit tricky, as reducing the price of a phone can sometimes come with too many compromises. So to help you out, we tested some of the most popular options and put together a list of our favorite cheap Android phones.

How low should you go?

We tend to define a budget phone as one that costs between $150 and $350. Any lower and the device risks too many compromises, and above that you move up to more expensive mid-range phones (if you're willing to spend more, we mention a couple of our favorites at the end of this article). guide).

But for those with a little wiggle room, there are a few things to consider. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it is primarily intended for emergencies or texting parents (and not social media). At the higher end of this price spectrum, phones under $350 have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better cameras, and nicer displays. This makes them a viable alternative to premium flagships, even if you have the freedom to spend more.

What to look for in a cheap Android phone

When it comes to affordable devices, you get what you pay for. Most phones in this price range are made of plastic, although the fit and finish of a specific model can vary greatly depending on price. A bright screen is also important. You'll typically get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have OLED screens with higher color saturation. Long battery life is also essential, which is why we tend to prefer devices with larger power cells, around 5000 mAh. In this price range, performance can vary greatly, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can deliver stutter-free images. It's also important to consider the length of support, as regular operating system and security updates can extend the longevity of your device, saving you money in the long run.

OnePlus

When it first came out, the North N30 It had basically everything you could want in a phone that cost $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chip offers solid performance along with fast wireless connectivity that is compatible with all major US carriers, not to mention good specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a large 6.7-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is unusual for a budget phone as most rivals feature slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And thanks With its 50-watt wired charging, you can also recharge it quickly. But most importantly, the Nord 30 recently dropped in price from $300 to $250, making it an undeniably good deal.

$250 on Amazon

SAMSUNG

For only $200, the Galaxy A15 5G It is quite a remarkable device. It has a 6.5-inch display with a slightly slower 90Hz refresh rate than the Nord N30. However, because it features an OLED panel rather than an LCD screen, it offers better brightness and richer colors than basically all of its rivals. It can also be configured with up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, and its 5000 mAh battery offers great longevity. And while its design isn't too exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung uses on the back has a nice matte finish that looks more like glass than cheap plastic. Finally, the A15 comes with four years of security updates and three years of operating system updates, which is longer than most phones in this price range.

$200 on Amazon

Motorola

For those on a really tight budget, 2024 moto g play It covers all the bases well. It has a fast Snapdragon 680 processor along with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. And while that last number may seem small, the phone has a microSD card slot so you can add more space when you need it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display is also surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Play even 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 it's basic in a good way.

$150 on Amazon

Google

For people willing to look at phones at the higher end of the budget range, there are other candidates worth checking out. He Pixel 7a It's our favorite mid-range phone, and while it was $500 at launch, we've recently seen deals dropping it to just $375. That's just $25 above our typical range, so if you're looking for an affordable phone with good performance, useful bonuses like wireless charging, and the best cameras on any device in this price range, you'd be foolish not to consider the most affordable from Google. handset.

$477 at Amazon

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Another contender that we really like is the tech – CA;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1;sec:large-product;subsec:commlist;pkgt:square-editorial;pos:3;cpos:5″ href=”https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=9bd6b6c7-25f6-4296-9274-99387edc5154&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=editorial-text-link&merchantName=Nothing+tech+-+CA&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3VzLm5vdGhpbmcudGVjaC9wYWdlcy9waG9uZS0yYSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMzFiZmI5YjUtYjFiOC00ZTNhLWEzMjAtOTNiYTBkYTk0YzZhIn0&signature=AQAAAcH4Ih3bZqkA-vvtj4AMUetaWn0t0wB0QhyrzVZL5avR&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fus.nothing.tech%2Fpages%2Fphone-2a” class=”link rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:Nothing Phone 2a;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Nothing tech – CA;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1;sec:large-product;subsec:commlist;pkgt:square-editorial;pos:3;cpos:5;itc:0″>Nothing phone 2a, which offers great specs, a unique design, and plenty of personality for just $349. The main reason it didn't appear on our list is because in the US it's only available as part of the Nothing Developer Program, which requires you to sign up (for free) before you can purchase one. Additionally, the Phone 2a only supports 5G on T-Mobile (via the N41 band), which means it's not a good option for anyone on AT&T or Verizon.

$349 in nothing