Among the best issues concerning the Android ecosystem is the supply of actually inexpensive telephones for as little as $150. By comparability, the most cost-effective iPhone is predicated on a dated design and begins at $429. Nevertheless, selecting the correct one generally is a bit difficult, as lowering the worth of a telephone can generally end in too many trade-offs. So to offer you a hand, we examined a bunch of the preferred choices and put collectively a listing of our favourite low-cost Android telephones.
Editor’s word (5/9/24): Google has introduced the Pixel 8a, its newest midrange smartphone. The 6.1-inch handset begins at $499 and, as anticipated, takes lots of its cues from final yr’s flagship Pixel 8 sequence. We’ll have a full overview within the coming days and can replace this information accordingly. For now, you may take a look at our hands-on preview for extra particulars on what to anticipate. Google says it’ll proceed to promote the Pixel 7a, our present splurge choose, at a diminished value, so it might proceed to be worthwhile. Most ought to maintain off till we put the brand new Pixel by its paces, although.
How low must you go?
We are likely to outline a price range telephone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the machine runs the chance of affected by too many compromises, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (when you’re open to spending extra, we shouted out a few our favorites on the very finish of this information).
However for these with a bit wiggle room, there are some issues to think about. For instance, a toddler could also be higher off with a less expensive machine, particularly if it’s supposed primarily for emergencies or texting dad and mom (and never social media). On the upper finish of this value spectrum, sub-$350 telephones have come a good distance because of improved efficiency, higher cameras and nicer shows. This makes them a viable various to premium flagships, even you probably have the liberty to spend extra.
What to search for in a price range Android telephone
In terms of inexpensive gadgets, you get what you pay for. Most telephones on this value vary are made out of plastic, although the match and end of a selected mannequin can fluctuate quite a bit primarily based on value. A brilliant display can be vital. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh price, however some telephones could have OLED screens with elevated colour saturation. Lengthy battery life is essential as properly, so we are likely to favor gadgets with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this value vary, efficiency can fluctuate quite a bit, so search for gadgets with at the very least 8GB of RAM and processors that may ship stutter-free visuals. It’s additionally vital to think about assist size, as periodic working system and safety updates can lengthen the longevity of your machine, which can prevent cash in the long term.
OnePlus
Display screen measurement: 6.72 inches | Storage capability: 128GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 16MP | Rear digital camera decision: 108MP important, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz
When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had principally all the pieces you could possibly need in a telephone that price $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chip delivers robust efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s appropriate with all the massive US carriers, to not point out good specs together with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It additionally has an enormous 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh price, which is uncommon on a price range telephone as most rivals characteristic slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And due to its 50-watt wired charging, you may high it up rapidly, too. However most significantly, the Nord 30 not too long ago bought a value drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot.
SAMSUNG
Display screen measurement: 6.5 inches | Storage capability: 128GB/256GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 13MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP important, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | Weight: 7.05 oz
For simply $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is a reasonably outstanding machine. It has a 6.5-inch show with a barely slower 90Hz refresh price the Nord N30. Nevertheless, as a result of it options an OLED panel as an alternative of an LCD show, it boasts higher brightness and richer colours than principally all of its rivals. It can be configured with as much as 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery delivers a ton of longevity. And whereas its design isn’t too thrilling, the polycarbonate Samsung makes use of on the again has a pleasant matte end that feels extra like glass than low-cost plastic. Lastly, the A15 comes with 4 years of safety updates and three years of OS upgrades, which is longer than most handsets on this value vary.
Motorola
Display screen measurement: 6.5 inches | Storage capability: 64GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 8MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP | Weight: 6.53 oz
For these on a very tight price range, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all of the bases properly. It has a speedy Snapdragon 680 processor together with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And whereas that final quantity may appear small, the telephone has a microSD card slot so you may add more room if and while you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display can be surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh price. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 ranking for mud and water resistance. That isn’t a lot, nevertheless it’s adequate to guard towards an errant splash or two. Positive, the G Play is fundamental, nevertheless it’s fundamental in a great way.
Display screen measurement: 6.1 inches | Storage capability: 128GB | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 13MP | Rear digital camera decision: 64MP important, 13MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.84 oz
For folks keen to have a look at telephones on the upper finish of the price range bracket, there are another candidates value testing. The Pixel 7a is our favourite midrange telephone and whereas it price $500 at launch, not too long ago we’ve seen offers that introduced it all the way down to as little as $375. That’s simply $25 above our typical vary, so when you’re in search of an inexpensive handset with good efficiency, useful bonuses like wi-fi charging and the very best cameras on any machine on this value vary, you’d be silly to not take into account Google’s most inexpensive handset.
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Display screen measurement: 6.7 inches | Storage capability: 256GB | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 32MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP important, 50MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.7 oz
One other contender we actually like is the Nothing Telephone 2a, which offers nice specs, a singular design and a ton of persona for simply $349. The primary motive it didn’t make our checklist is as a result of within the US, it’s solely obtainable as a part of Nothing’s developer program, which requires you to enroll (free of charge) earlier than having the ability to purchase one. Moreover, the Telephone 2a solely helps 5G on T-Cell (through the N41 band), which implies it’s not an amazing selection for anybody on AT&T or Verizon.
