Overlook the spendy flagship smartphone. Yearly, I check a dozen or extra gadgets to seek out the most effective low cost telephones that carry out the place it counts and aren’t annoyingly gradual. Wi-fi carriers within the US exit of their option to make costly smartphones appear inexpensive. AT&T will promote a Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely for simply $36 a month, however do not allow them to idiot you. With over 36 month-to-month installments, you continue to spend over a thousand bucks on a cellphone. Your expensive gadget can also maintain you locked into the community, unable to change wi-fi carriers till the cellphone is paid off.
Get a significantly nice inexpensive smartphone as an alternative. Our high decide, the Google Pixel 8A, prices $499 and is nearly as good as virtually any gadget, and our different selections strike an important steadiness between worth and luxurious. There’s even a folding cellphone on this information!
Take a look at our many different cell guides, together with Finest Android Telephones, Finest Samsung Telephones, Finest Telephones With a Headphone Jack, Finest Google Pixel, Finest Moto Telephones, and Finest iPhones.
Desk of Contents
Up to date February 2025: We have added the 2025 Motorola Moto G Energy 5G, Moto G, Razr 2024, OnePlus 13R, and iPhone 16e. We additionally talked about the Samsung Galaxy A16, together with particulars concerning the upcoming Nothing Telephone (3a) collection and Google Pixel 9A.
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No. Rumors recommend Google is anticipated to announce its Pixel 9A smartphone a lot sooner than regular in March. Nothing may also reveal its newest price range smartphones at Cell World Congress quickly, and I am anticipating a couple of extra Moto G telephones to launch within the spring. I would maintain off on buying a tool in the intervening time except a brand new mannequin reviewed right here tickles your fancy, just like the Moto G Energy 2025 or the iPhone 16e.
Contemplate Final Yr’s Flagship Telephones (or Used)
If none of those telephones have the options you need or they aren’t as highly effective as you’d like, your best choice is to search for final yr’s flagship smartphones, which could be steeply discounted. Typically they’re straightforward to seek out, however producers could cease promoting them. Take into account that you’ll lose a yr of software program assist, however that’s usually nonetheless higher than the software program assist accessible on low cost telephones anyway. The Google Pixel 8, for instance, has dipped to $400, and the Pixel 8 Professional has dropped to $599.
Alternatively, take into account shopping for a used smartphone. (We have some ideas right here.) You will must analysis, however websites like Swappa, Gazelle, and Again Market have a superb repute and are strong locations to purchase a used or refurbished gadget. Search for the present high fashions on Android and iPhone, and see what they are going for in mint or good situation.
5G Smartphones, Defined
5G is the present mobile community technology and it is widespread sufficient that it’s best to attempt to keep on with telephones that assist it. It isn’t fully changing 4G LTE, so you will see 4G in your standing bar as you roam across the nation. You’ll be able to learn extra about it right here, however in brief, 5G is available in two main varieties: sub-6 and millimeter wave (mmWave). The latter is normally solely accessible in flagship telephones and lets you entry superfast speeds, however you’ll hardly ever encounter mmWave (suppose choose areas in main cities and sure venues, like stadiums and airports). Sub-6 isn’t a lot sooner than 4G LTE, but it surely has a broader vary and is extra broadly accessible. Many of the smartphones we advocate right here assist sub-6 5G, even these as little as $200.
Test Community Compatibility
Should you purchase an unlocked cellphone on this record and attempt to take it to one among your wi-fi provider’s retail shops, they might let you know it isn’t appropriate with the community. It probably is. Simply use a paper clip or SIM ejection instrument to pop the SIM card out of your present cellphone, then slide that SIM into your new cellphone. If it doesn’t work at first, reboot the cellphone or wait a few hours.
Should you want a brand new SIM, attempt ordering one on-line out of your provider or see in the event that they’ll provide you with a SIM if you activate a line within the retailer (if you happen to’re beginning protection). Inform them you might have a cellphone. Many occasions, reps will need to promote you a cellphone; that’s one potential motive they could trouble you into shopping for a special gadget within the retailer. Having mentioned that, please be certain no matter cellphone you purchase will work on your wi-fi community. Listings on retailers like Amazon ought to state clearly which networks a tool will probably be appropriate with. Additionally, be certain the itemizing says the cellphone is being offered “unlocked.”
On this information, we’ve listed whether or not a cellphone works with a main US provider. However what if you happen to’re not on AT&T, T-Cell, or Verizon? If we be aware {that a} cellphone works on T-Cell, for instance, meaning it’ll probably work on smaller carriers like Metro By T-Cell and Mint Cell, each of which make the most of T-Cell’s mobile community. Should you’re nervous about compatibility, lookup the specs of the precise mannequin you’re contemplating. Make sure that it has the LTE or 5G bands it must run in your provider.
Warning for Verizon customers: There’s the next likelihood an unlocked cellphone is not going to work in your community. Make sure that it’s labeled to work on Verizon, or that it says the cellphone is CDMA-capable. If one thing unusual is happening, such as you don’t get any texts, you may additionally must contact customer support and ask them to allow CDMA-less roaming. AT&T and T-Cell are GSM carriers, which is the usual for a lot of the world; most unlocked telephones are appropriate with them.
Finest Low-cost Telephone
Google’s Pixel 8A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the most effective smartphone you should buy for the cash. At simply $499, you get just a little of all the pieces—from wi-fi charging to top-of-the-line efficiency. It is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 processor, the identical that is contained in the flagship Pixel 8 collection, and that additionally means this midrange cellphone will get 7 years of software program assist—a rarity at this worth.
This Pixel has a greater OLED display than its predecessor, that means it will get even brighter and lots seen on the sunniest days, and the 120-Hz display refresh price makes each interplay really feel fluid. The 6.1-inch display is pretty compact, so it is nice if you happen to’re eyeing a small cellphone. The entire thing additionally appears to be like fairly—price range and midrange telephones are usually tremendous boring, however the Pixel 8A has a wise design with a matte rear texture. Plus, the brand new Aloe coloration is beautiful. Telephones are private, and they need to look good!
Efficiency has been flawless in my testing—I lined Google I/O with this as my main gadget, taking photographs, navigating, utilizing the Google Recorder app, and posting to social media. The draw back is battery life. The 4,492-mAh battery cell can final a day with common use, however heavy customers will probably must high up earlier than bedtime. Maintain a transportable energy financial institution helpful.
The cameras are the spotlight of the Pixel collection, and the Pixel 8A lives as much as this legacy—it is simply the most effective digital camera cellphone for the cash. It has a 64-megapixel most important digital camera that snaps detailed, colourful, and sharp photographs in any lighting situation. Becoming a member of it’s a succesful 13-MP ultrawide, and the 13-MP selfie digital camera is strong, although the truth that it is fastened focus means your face is rarely completely sharp. The one subject I bumped into is that Actual Tone, Google’s image-processing algorithm for various pores and skin tones, hasn’t been as correct as on prior Pixels, particularly on brown pores and skin.
The highest motive why I heartily advocate Pixel telephones is due to the good software program options you will not discover on another sub-$500 smartphone. I’ve detailed lots of them right here, however you should use Magic Editor to maneuver a topic just a little to the left of the body and erase an undesirable object within the shot. You need to use Finest Take to repair that group shot the place your eyes had been closed. Google’s Name Display screen expertise nips spam calls within the bud, and Assistant Voice Typing remains to be my favourite voice-to-text system and I miss it each time I change telephones.
Different perks embody safe face unlock and fingerprint unlock—each work with delicate apps that require biometric authentication so you might have extra unlocking choices. Safe face unlock is nearly non-existent for each different Android cellphone at this worth. There’s additionally NFC for contactless funds and an IP67 score that protects it from the weather.
Finest Low-cost iPhone
The brand new iPhone 16e is Apple’s most cost-effective iPhone and, effectively, it is not likely low cost (7/10, WIRED Assessment). At $599, it is $170 greater than the iPhone SE it changed. I attempt to concentrate on sub-$500 smartphones on this information, however sadly, if you wish to purchase a brand new iPhone from Apple and spend the least sum of money, that is your solely alternative.
It is a completely practical handset with nice efficiency because of the A18 chipset, that means it is now the most cost effective iPhone with Apple Intelligence. Word that it lacks one graphics core in comparison with the A18 discovered within the iPhone 16, that means barely lesser gaming efficiency, however I did not run into too many points taking part in demanding titles like Genshin Impression.
The very best characteristic of this cellphone is its battery life. Regardless of the comparatively small 6.1-inch display, it delivers an extended run time than the same-sized iPhone 16, even coming near matching the longevity of Apple’s bigger iPhones. On one intensive day, I hit 9 hours of screen-on time, and the iPhone 16e had 15 % left by bedtime. It is glorious. That is because of the brand new C1 chip, Apple’s first customized modem in an iPhone that maintains good (sub-6) 5G mobile efficiency however is extra power-efficient than modems in older gadgets.
That is nearly all this iPhone brings to the desk. The 48-megapixel digital camera is succesful and might produce pleasing pictures even in low mild, but it surely’s the solely digital camera on the cellphone. There isn’t any Dynamic Island; as an alternative the notch is again. Apple selected to chop MagSafe from this gadget, so you can’t connect magnetic equipment with out utilizing a MagSafe case, and even then you definitely will not be aware of sooner wi-fi charging speeds. There isn’t any ultra-wideband chip, so you may’t exactly observe AirTags—this iPhone will solely provide the basic neighborhood of the tag’s location.
Even if you happen to do not take care of these omissions, the iPhone 16e would not really feel prefer it ought to value $599—different telephones on this information round that worth provide extra capabilities and options. It’s going to do the job, but it surely’s not the most effective bang to your buck. I recommend selecting up a used iPhone 15 Professional as an alternative, normally accessible for round $650 in good situation on websites like Swappa, Gazelle, or Again Market. It helps Apple Intelligence and packs far more options.
Should you should purchase new, take into account the iPhone 15, accessible straight from Apple for $699. It has all of these lacking options however would not assist Apple Intelligence. That may not be a giant deal contemplating Apple’s AI options aren’t that helpful proper now.
Finest Low-cost Samsung Telephone
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE technically has an MSRP of $650, but it surely’s continuously on sale for $500, which makes it worthy of this information. That is Samsung’s “lite” model of the Galaxy S24 collection. I used it for a number of weeks with no efficiency points with the Exynos 2400e chipset, and battery life with the 4,700-mAh cell was first rate, lasting a full day with common use.
It nonetheless helps Samsung’s Galaxy AI options, and also you even get a triple-camera expertise with a 50-MP main shooter, a 12-MP ultrawide, and an 8-MP telephoto with 3X zoom. It is unusual to seek out the complete trio of cameras at this worth—extra cameras make the cellphone extra versatile, supplying you with choices on the way you need to body your shot. Like the 2 telephones above, this Android cellphone will get a number of the longest software program assist in comparison with rivals on this bracket.
It maintains all the opposite flagship perks you’d need, from Qi wi-fi charging and IP68 water resistance to a 120-Hz AMOLED display. It might look just a little plain, but it surely’s an important all-rounder—simply ensure you catch it on sale.
For Nice Battery Life
There are a number of causes to select the OnePlus 12R from 2024 over the gadgets above—even the newer OnePlus 13R introduced in January. OnePlus simply issued a everlasting worth discount on this price range cellphone, so now you may have it for $400, making it a killer deal. (The brand new worth solely appears to be exhibiting up at Finest Purchase to date.)
It sports activities a big 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120-Hz display refresh price, and its 5,500-mAh cell capability lasted me practically two full days on a single cost with common use. If it is operating out of juice, you should use the included cable and charging adapter to carry it from zero to one hundred pc in simply half-hour. It is a disgrace there is no wi-fi charging assist.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the flagship processor of 2023, it might crush demanding video games with ease. Nevertheless, the software program is not as good as what you will discover on a Samsung or Google cellphone. It nonetheless appears to be like and feels slick and would not have a lot bloatware although, and OnePlus guarantees three Android OS upgrades with 4 years of safety updates. It isn’t seven years but it surely’s higher than most different Android telephones at this worth.
The 12R cuts corners in a couple of areas. It is rated for less than IP64 water resistance, so it’s going to be OK within the rain however not if you happen to drop it within the pool. The first digital camera is strong and might go toe-to-toe with the Google Pixel 8A’s digital camera; nonetheless, I discovered the ultrawide and macro cameras ineffective. Should you’re not a shutterbug and need a cellphone with a strong processor and a battery that lasts greater than a day, the OnePlus 12R is a no brainer.
In case your price range can stretch just a little extra, take a look at the brand new OnePlus 13R (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It is $100 extra than its predecessor and its 6,000-mAh silicon-carbon battery can get comparable two-day battery life on a single cost. (And the cellphone’s not thicker!) It has extra energy below the hood too. However I do not suppose it is as good a price as its predecessor—at $600, there’s lots of alternative, and I believe the above telephones are higher picks.
Finest Below $400
I deeply want you would stroll into any main retailer or provider within the US and purchase Nothing’s Telephone (2a) (9/10, WIRED Recommends) as a result of this trendy price range cellphone deserves to be in your pocket. Alas, whereas it is easy to buy globally, you will want to enroll in Nothing’s developer program if you happen to’re within the US—when you’re accepted (even if you happen to’re not a developer), you will be despatched a purchase order hyperlink to purchase the cellphone. That additionally applies to the newer Telephone (2a) Plus, which prices $399 and is sort of equivalent.
These are probably the most engaging telephones below $400, aided by the enjoyable Glyph LED mild system on the again. These lights flash when notifications are available in, or you may set a timer and visualize it winding down—you may customise the way it works. The eye to design element interprets into the software program, which appears to be like distinctive and is simply plain enjoyable to make use of—uncommon qualities in a cheapo gadget.
Barring design, the Telephone (2a) and (2a) Plus have 6.7-inch AMOLED screens with 120-Hz display refresh charges; they’re splendidly clean, sharp, and brilliant. The 5,000-mAh battery cells are sufficiently big to final greater than a full day of use with common use (I hit two full days).
Efficiency has been fully problem-free for me, however that is the place you will have to decide on between the Telephone (2a) and (2a) Plus. The cheaper mannequin has the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional chipset, whereas the Plus has the Dimensity 7350 Professional 5G, which gives a minor enhance, particularly in graphics. Each hardly ever stuttered for me, even once I juggled a number of apps. I used the (2a) whereas masking a big commerce present abroad, and it gave me no bother. However if you happen to’re planning on gaming quite a bit, the Plus mannequin has an edge.
The first digital camera is greater than sufficient. It does an important job with white steadiness, although it might lose out on some particulars, particularly in nighttime environments. Some low-light photographs can look flat, and its HDR capabilities aren’t wonderful. However hey, it is below $399. The Telephone (2a) Plus ranges up the selfie digital camera to 50 MP, and it is noticeably higher, so there’s another excuse to go for it.
Nothing guarantees three Android OS upgrades and 4 years of safety updates, identical to OnePlus. Sadly, there is no wi-fi charging, no headphone jack, and water resistance is restricted at IP54 (it is going to be OK within the rain). Oh, you additionally may not have an important community expertise. Nothing says the handsets work completely on T-Cell, however the Telephone (2a) and (2a) Plus fit points with Verizon and AT&T’s 5G bands. I used it on AT&T and had no main issues connecting to 5G, so this will rely in your space.