Looking for a new Android phone for cheap? We’ve got your back! Whether you want an excellent camera, fantastic performance, a long-lasting battery, or a bit of everything, we’ve rounded up a list of the best budget Android phones we think you’ll love.

What to Look For in a Budget Android Phone in 2024

As technology continues to evolve, features once associated with flagship phones have trickled down into more affordable alternatives. This is no more true than in the smartphone market.

Nowadays, budget smartphones, particularly budget Android phones, can master the fundamentals of a great smartphone while not draining your bank account. You could get a fantastic phone for a great price, depending on which manufacturer you buy from. You just need to know where to look.

Of course, finding that perfect deal can be tedious with so many different Android options on the market. It can also be confusing if you’re unsure which processor, RAM and storage capacities, camera specs, and battery sizes to look out for.

That’s where we come in. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best budget Android phones you can buy right now, depending on how much you want to spend and which features matter to you. This list covers a range of manufacturers and price points, so you can find what you need.

Best Budget Android Phone Overall: Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

Budget phones have come a long way, but Motorola has been making solid, affordable phones for a decade now. It may have “play” in the name, but the Motorola Moto G Play (2024) is an all-around solid phone, no matter how you’re looking to use it.

You wouldn’t think this was a cheap phone looking at the 6.5-inch display, which can reach up to 500 nits of brightness at a 1600×720 resolution. This makes for a pixel density of 269ppi–not the most impressive, but still plenty sharp. The phone also features an IP52 rating, meaning it can withstand some exposure to dust and water.

The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 640 4G mobile platform, with an Adreno 610 GPU and 4GB RAM. You only get 64GB internal storage, but you can back this up with the microSD slot, which supports cards up to 512GB to store photos, videos, music, and more.

You get a pair of rear-facing cameras, with the main camera boasting a 50MP quad-pixel sensor. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos and hi-res audio, though this (as is usually the case with hi-res) is only available via wired headphones. Fortunately, the phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack, so it’s easy to plug in your favorite headphones.

While many budget phones use Android releases a few versions older than the current release, the 2024 Moto G Play features Android 13.0. It’s available in any color you like, as long as that color is Sapphire Blue.

Best Budget Android Phone Overall

Moto G Play (2024)

$128 $150 Save $22

Motorola’s Moto G Play has been a solid bet when it comes to an affordable Android phone for years, and the latest model is the best version yet.

See at Motorola$128 at Amazon

Best Budget Android Phone for Battery Life: Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2023)

Battery life can be hard to come by on budget phones. Manufacturers need to make cuts somewhere to meet their target price, and batteries are often the easiest place to save on costs. The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2023) is a great option if you’re looking for maximum battery in an affordable phone.

The Moto G Power 5G features a MediaTek Dimensity 930 chipset and 6GB RAM, backed by 256GB storage. This is expandable via the microSD slot, which supports cards up to 512GB. Powering this is a 5,000mAh battery, which you’ll find in other phones at this price, but Motorola seems to have worked some magic, as many people get two days of use between charges.

The phone features a 6.5-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate to keep things feeling extra smooth. A pair of stereo speakers flank the screen, with support for Dolby Atmos to add another dimension to music and videos.

On the back of the phone, you’ll find a 50MP, dual-lens camera system. While it won’t blow flagship cameras out of the water, it’s still more than capable. Of course, you also get a front-facing camera for selfies and group photos.

The Moto G Power 5G 2023 is available in Mineral Black, Bright White, and Cosmic Emerald color varieties.

Best Budget Android Phone for Battery Life

Moto G Power (2023)

$200 $273 Save $73

If you’re looking for a phone to last you for a day or two without a charge, the Motorola Moto G Power (2023) has that and more, with a large screen, impressive performance, and great features.

$200 at Amazon

Best Budget Android Camera Phone: Google Pixel 8a

Google’s Pixel A series has consistently delivered some of the best camera phones in recent years, and the Google Pixel 8a, which follows the Pixel 7a, is no exception. This phone is a fantastic choice if you’re into photography or content creation.

While the Pixel 8a comes with a 6.1-inch screen, FHD+ display, and a 90Hz refresh rate, the 8a ups the game with the same 6.1-inch screen but features an upgraded Actua display and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. It’s also powered by the more advanced Google Tensor 3 processor, making the Pixel 8a a worthy upgrade for anyone looking to replace their Pixel device.

As expected, the Pixel 8a shines in photography. It carries the same camera setup as the 7a, with a 13MP front camera, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP wide camera. However, it introduces the Best Take Magic Editor, a feature also found on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro but missing from the 7a. This allows you to merge similar photos into one perfect shot where everyone looks their best.

The Magic Editor lets you easily remove backgrounds or add enhancements with just a few taps. And with Photo Unblur, you can sharpen blurry photos, even those taken on non-Pixel phones—just transfer them to your Pixel 8a and work your magic. The 8a also excels in night photography, thanks to Night Sight, which ensures vibrant photos even in low light.

The Pixel 8a has 8GB of RAM and offers two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. If you need more space, you can expand your storage to 2TB using Google One. There’s plenty more to love about the Pixel 8a, including its 5G support, Gemini AI, and Circle to Search features. And with seven years of software and security updates, it’s a long-term investment. Available in aloe, bay, obsidian, and porcelain, the 8a offers exceptional value.

Best Budget Android Camera Phone

Google Pixel 8a

7/ 10

The Google Pixel 8a is a mid-range smartphone powered by the Google Tensor G3 SoC. It starts at $499 and includes excellent camera features. It also has an all-day battery life, making it a great budget-friendly phone if you can find it on sale.

$499 at Google Store$499 at Best Buy$499 at Amazon

Best Android Phone Under $500: OnePlus 12R

The OnePlus 12R, which succeeds the OnePlus 12, is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a high-performing Android phone without breaking the bank. It’s sleek and lightweight, packing a 6.78-inch 1.5K Super Fluid AMOLED display perfect for browsing, reading, or binge-watching your favorite shows. With a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision support, the screen is responsive, bright, and super vibrant. It also has Dolby Atmos support for great sound.

One of the standout features of the OnePlus 12R is its impressive 5,500mAh battery. It’s the largest ever on a OnePlus phone, providing enough power to last a full day (or even longer). Plus, it has an ultra-fast 80W charger that can juice up the phone from zero to full in 30 to 45 minutes without getting too hot.

Although it lacks wireless charging, the 12R shines with its 12GB of RAM, which ensures smooth performance whether you’re streaming videos or playing games. There’s even a version with 16GB of RAM, and you can expand your memory by an additional 8GB through the settings. Just note that there’s no memory card slot available.

The phone also sports a triple 50MP camera setup, delivering great photos in good lighting conditions. However, it might not perform as well in low light compared to some competitors like the Google Pixel 8A. It supports 5G connectivity and is unlocked for all carriers, with a strong signal and stable Wi-Fi.

Running on Android 14 with OxygenOS 14, the OnePlus 12R offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface. OnePlus has committed to three years of software updates and four years of security updates for the 12R, which is slightly less than what’s offered for the OnePlus 12. For comparison, the newly released Pixel 9 provides up to seven years of updates. The OnePlus 12R is available in black and blue.

Best Android Phone Under $500

OnePlus 12R

8/ 10

The OnePlus 12R is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a lot of power and features. It has a stunning display, a long-lasting battery, and super fast charging. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality phone without breaking the bank.

See at OnePlusSee at Best Buy

Best Android Phone Under $300: OnePlus Nord N30 5G

Finding a phone with modern features and decent performance for under $300 isn’t simple. There will always be sacrifices that need to be made, but the key is picking a device that sacrifices features that you will miss the least.

Enter the OnePlus Nord N30, which might not be the most impressive phone ever, but strikes a good balance between cost and features. While it’s clear that corners were cut by opting for a plastic body rather than metal and glass, this isn’t a phone that looks cheap, as you can read about in our review of the OnePlus Nord N30:

When it comes to budget Android phones, you often have to sacrifice design and build materials. However, the OnePlus Nord N30 doesn’t look like a phone that only costs $300. This is thanks in large part to the flat sides, which is an aesthetic often reserved for fancier high-end phones.

The N30 features a vibrant 6.72-inch FHD+ display that reproduces colors well. For some reason, OnePlus decided to go with LED rather than sticking with the OLED display on the N20, but unless you are downgrading from an AMOLED device, you shouldn’t be disappointed.

Inside the phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, a CPU found in many modern budget phones, including the N20. Combined with OxygenOS, based on Android 13, and the 8GB of RAM, it provides a satisfying user experience overall.

The one area found to be lacking is the camera. Rather than using a telephoto lens, OnePlus opted for a 108MP fixed lens with 3x digital zoom. And as most people know, digital zoom is never as good. With that said, the camera takes a decent image when not zoomed, and even features 2MP macro and 2MP depth options.

Best Android Phone Under $300

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

$250 $300 Save $50

The OnePlus Nord N30 might not be the most exciting phone ever built, but for less than $300 you get a well-made device, with a decent camera, snappy processor and 8GB of internal RAM. If it only had a OLED display like the N20, it would be even better. 

See at OnePlus$250 at Amazon

Best Android Phone Under $200: Samsung Galaxy A15

Finding a solid Android phone for under $200 can be tough, but the Samsung Galaxy A15 stands out from the crowd. While it doesn’t have all the high-end features of pricier models, it delivers excellent value for the price.

The Galaxy A15 has a sleek matte finish and a large 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. Its Vision Booster technology makes the screen bright and clear, reaching a peak brightness of 800 nits—perfect for watching videos, reading, or gaming. While it doesn’t match the high specs of more expensive Galaxy A models, it’s impressive for a phone in this price range.

Samsung has also included a big 5,000mAh battery, which should comfortably get you through a day of typical use. With moderate use, it can last even longer. When you need a quick recharge, the 25W fast charging cable (wall charger sold separately) gets done quickly. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t support wireless charging, but that’s to be expected at this price.

Instead of the more powerful processors in higher-end Galaxy A models, the A15 runs on the MTK MT6835V processor. This means it’s good for everyday tasks but unsuitable for heavy gaming or intense multitasking. On the plus side, it comes with a generous 128GB of expandable storage, although it has 4GB of RAM, which can limit multitasking.

The Galaxy A15 also features a triple 50MP camera setup, including a main camera with up to 10x digital zoom, a 5MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro lens, and a 13MP front camera for selfies. Plus, it has a fingerprint scanner, dual SIM support, 5G connectivity, and an on-demand spam blocker. Running on Android 14, it promises four OS upgrades and five years of security updates, making it a fantastic budget pick. You can choose from black or light blue.

Best Android Phone Under $200

Samsung Galaxy A15

$200 at AmazonSee at Samsung

FAQ

How do you factory reset an Android phone?

A factory reset can ready your phone for trade-in, stomp out pesky bugs, and clear out significant storage space. The process is pretty easy: Tap Settings, select General & Backup, choose Factory data reset, tap Reset device, and then Delete all. If your phone veered off the path at some point, check out Google’s support page, which houses links for most Android carriers’ help pages.

How do I unlock an Android phone?

Unlocking an Android phone to move providers usually only takes a few steps. The first of which is to contact your carrier and ask them to unlock your phone. Note: if you’re still paying off your smartphone, your carrier may not honor the request. Then, if you’re using a physical SIM card, replace your old carrier’s card; you’re good to go!

How do you connect a Bluetooth device to an Android phone?

Connecting a Bluetooth device (say, a pair of wireless earbuds) to your Android phone is simple once you know where to look. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the Bluetooth symbol if disabled. Then, touch and hold the same Bluetooth icon. Select the device you want to connect from the list. You may need to put the Bluetooth device in pairing mode using a physical button located somewhere on the exterior.

Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android phone?

Unfortunately no, you cannot use an Apple Watch with an Android phone. On the bright side, there are several Android smartwatch alternatives to choose from, whether you want something that sticks by your side during intense runs or tells you the time and doesn’t cost your life savings.