Don’t want to spend a king’s ransom on a top-end phone? Good news: you don’t have to. With decent specs, expertly crafted designs, and plenty of features, the best budget phones are now the powerhouses of the mobile space.
While you may have to make some compromises, from plastic bodies to less impressive secondary cameras, the quality of budget phones has improved drastically in the last few years. Now that technology has trickled down to more affordable products, they still have great displays, impressive all-day battery life, and actual horsepower under the hood to beat some of our very favorite, high-priced devices.
Not sure which one to choose to fit your budget? We name the best budget smartphones and the best cheap mobiles you can buy in 2019, from those so stylish you’d hardly guess they’re budget to great, even if you’re not made of money. No matter if you’re looking for a bargain on a main phone or a second phone that won’t break the bank, we’ve got a great choice for you in this guide.
Camera Quality: It’s Not Just About Megapixels
For a lot of people, a good camera is very important. Don’t just pay attention to the number of megapixels (MP). The processing of the software is much more important. A Google Pixel phone is often the best choice for taking pictures for this reason. The Google Pixel 7a and the new Pixel 8a take great pictures, even though they have fewer megapixels. The AI in the phone makes pictures look clear and real. The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G has a good camera for the price, but Google’s software is hard to beat.
CPU and RAM performance
It affects how quickly apps open and how well the phone works. You need more power if you like playing games on your phone. For most people, the Samsung A15 has enough power for everyday tasks.
Display and Screen: Your Way to the World
You always look at the screen on your phone. A good display makes a big difference. Samsung makes the best screens. Even their cheap phones, like the Samsung Galaxy A15, have nice screens that are great for watching videos.
Updates for software and security
The software on your phone is very important. It changes the way you use your device every day. Most of the time, a clean, simple interface is best. This is a good thing about all Google Pixel phones and Nothing phones. More importantly, find a business that promises updates for a long time. This keeps your phone safe and up to date with the newest features for a long time. It makes your purchase worth a lot more.
A Quick Look at Our Best Budget Phones for 2025
- Best Overall Budget Phone: Nothing Phone 3a
- Google Pixel 8a is the best for clean software and AI.
- Samsung Galaxy A26 5G is the best for screens and batteries.
- OnePlus Nord 4 is the best for premium design, and CMF by Nothing Phone 2 Pro is the best for personality and value.
Nothing Phone 3a: ★★★★★
The Nothing Phone 3a is a great all-around phone for the price because it sticks closely to what made its predecessor so popular. It’s a stylish and strong option.
The Nothing Phone 3a is another great phone from the brand. It has a lot of features and looks great, all at a low price. You get a lot of phones for only $379/£329. It has Nothing’s famous clear design and the well-known glyph LEDs. The OS is very easy to use because it has a lot of widgets. It also adds a new Essential Space that uses AI. This feature is meant to help you get rid of digital clutter, but it’s not quite necessary yet. This is a great all-around product that feels unique.
Pros:
- You get a mid-range performance and battery for less money.
- You get the same Nothing features, like glyphs and a clean OS.
- The cameras are good, and the processing is mature.
Cons:
- Essential Space hasn’t been very useful so far
- Not as clear when zoomed in as the 3a Pro
Specs for the Nothing Phone 3a
- Screen: 6.77 inches, FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
- Memory: 8/12GB
- Cameras: 50MP main camera, 50MP telephoto camera, and 8MP ultrawide camera on the back
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- OS: Android 15 with Nothing as the operating system. OS 3.1
- Battery: 5000mAh, 50W wired charging
- Size: 164 x 78 x 8.35 mm
- Weight: 201 g
Stuff’s Review of the Google Pixel 8a: ★★★★★
The king of cheap photography is back. The Google Pixel 8a is the smartest cheap phone you can buy because it has Google’s amazing AI camera and pure Android software.
If you want the best camera for the least amount of money, you should only look at Google Pixel phones. The Pixel 8a builds on the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a and makes the experience better. It has a 120Hz screen that is brighter and Google’s powerful Tensor G3 chip. This chip makes amazing AI features like Magic Eraser and Best Take possible, which you won’t find anywhere else. No matter what the light is like, the camera system takes beautiful pictures. The Google Pixel 8a is the best Android phone you can get for this price if you want a clean, smart, and safe experience.
Pros:
- The camera works better than any other phone in its price range.
- Google AI features that are only available to you are very helpful.
Cons:
- Battery life is good, but not the best
- Compared to competitors, the design is a bit plain.
Specifications for the Google Pixel 8a
- Screen: 6.1 inches, FHD+ 120Hz OLED
- CPU: Google Tensor G3
- Memory: 8GB
- Front camera: 13MP
- Storage: 128/256GB
- OS: Android 15
- Battery: 4492mAh that charges at 18W.
- Size: 152.1×72.7×8.9mm
- Weight: 193g
Samsung Galaxy A26 5G Stuff: ★★★★☆
A dependable option with a lot of features from the biggest phone company in the world. The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G has a great screen, a long-lasting battery, and years of support.
There is a good reason why the A-series from Samsung is so popular. These phones give you a taste of the flagship Galaxy S experience for a lot less money. The new Samsung Galaxy A26 5G is better than the popular Samsung Galaxy A15. The large, bright Super AMOLED screen is the main draw. It’s great for watching movies. You can use it for two days without any problems, thanks to the big battery. Samsung also promises four years of OS updates and five years of security, which is great for a cheap phone. The Samsung A26 model is a great choice if you want a phone that works every time.
Pros:
- The AMOLED display is the best in its class.
- The battery is huge and lasts for days.
- Great long-term help with software
Cons:
- The performance is fine for everyday tasks, but not for heavy gaming.
- Has several Samsung apps already installed
Samsung Galaxy A26 5G Features
- Screen: 6.6 inches, FHD+, 120Hz Super AMOLED
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 7200
- Memory: 6/8GB
- Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro on the back
- Front camera: 13MP
- Storage: 128/256GB, and a microSD card slot for more space
- OS: Android 15 with One UI 7
- Battery: 5500mAh and charges quickly with a 25W wired connection.
- Size: 161×76.8×8.3mm
- Weight: 203g
OnePlus Nord 4 Stuff Review: ★★★★★
The result is a beautiful phone that feels more expensive than it is and is full of value. It packs a lot of punch for its size thanks to its high-quality metal unibody. In today’s world of smartphones with a lot of glass, this is rare. Compared to Samsung’s A-Series and the Google Pixel 8a, it is a good deal. This phone has the style of a flagship phone, but not the price. The screen is a big plus. It is very bright, sharp, and smooth. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip also works very well, so it’s great for gaming.
Pros:
- Full Android updates for four years;
- Sharp 6.74in display with 2000 nits of peak brightness;
- Premium, luxurious design
Cons:
- Some apps are already on the device
- More storage costs a lot of money.
Specifications for the OnePlus Nord 4
- Screen: 6.74 inches, 2772×1240, 120Hz AMOLED
- CPU: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- OS: Android 14 + OxygenOS 14
- Battery: 5500mAh that charges via USB-C.
- Size: 163×75×8.5mm
- Weight: 200g
CMF by Nothing Phone 2 Pro: ★★★★☆
A cheap sequel to the phone with a lot of character. The CMF Phone 2 Pro makes progress in all the right areas and doesn’t cost too much. It’s a great option if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. Nothing has done it again with its sub-brand CMF, which is not happy with just one budget banger. The CMF Phone 1 from last year changed the game for low-cost phones. The sequel does even better in a few important ways. The design is more streamlined, but it still has the same modular look as the original. It fixes the problems with the first phone by adding NFC and making it more water-resistant (IP rating). It’s hard to beat for pure value.
Pros:
- Has a better IP rating and adds NFC
Cons:
- The ultrawide camera isn’t very good
- Stereo speakers still aren’t good enough.
Specifications for CMF by Nothing Phone 2 Pro
- Screen: 6.67 inches, 2392×1080, 120Hz AMOLED
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Pro
- Memory: 8GB of RAM
- Storage: 128/256GB, with the option to add a microSD card
- System of Operation: Android 15 with NothingOS 3.2
- Battery: 5000mAh battery with 33W wired charging
- Size: 164x78x7.8mm
- Weight: 185g
The Motorola Moto G85: ★★★★☆
A sturdy phone with clean software and a design that lasts. It’s a dependable workhorse for anyone who wants a smartphone that works well and is easy to use. The Moto G85 keeps this tradition going. It doesn’t have the cool design of a Nothing phone or the smart camera of a Pixel phone. It focuses on the most important things instead. You get a clean version of Android with some useful Moto tips. The battery lasts a long time. The quality of the build is often very good. If you want a cleaner software experience without paying for a Pixel, this is a great alternative to the Samsung A15.
Pros:
- Easy to use, clean, near-stock Android software;
- battery life you can count on;
- Usually has a design that lasts and keeps water out.
Disadvantages:
- The camera works well, but not great, in low light.
- Support for software updates doesn’t last as long as it does for Google or Samsung.
Specifications for the Motorola Moto G85
- Screen: 6.5 inches, FHD+ 120Hz pOLED
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor
- Memory: 8GB
- Cameras: 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide rear camera
- Front camera: 16MP
- OS: Android 15 with My UX
- Battery: 5000mAh, charging via wire at 30W
- Size: 162.1 x 74.8 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 189 g
Common Questions (FAQ)
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Final Decision: Value Wins Big in 2025
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great smartphone anymore. The best cheap phones of 2025 show that. Companies like Nothing, Google, and Samsung are putting amazing features into cheap packages. There is a perfect budget phone for you, whether you need a Google phone for great pictures, a Samsung Galaxy A15 for a reliable daily driver, or a stylish Nothing phone. You can get a great device that you’ll love to use every day and save money at the same time.
