Best Cheap SmartPhones of 2023

For years, acquiring cheap smartphones required shelling out over $500, but fortunately, those times have passed.

Nowadays, you can discover devices that cater to most of your requirements for as little as $160.

Yet, navigating the realm of budget smartphones can be a bit of a challenge. Many options that appear impressive on paper often fall short in real-world usage, and certain phones can end up costing you more due to their limited storage capacity.

This comprehensive guide aims to assist you in uncovering great deals and presents our top selections for the finest affordable phones you can purchase at this moment.

Anything below this range might lead you to consider a basic phone or a high-end calculator instead.

Since these options are designed to be more economical than their flagship and midrange counterparts, entry-level smartphones come with trade-offs; the less expensive the device, the more modest your expectations should be regarding performance and overall user experience.

Therefore, my strongest recommendation is to invest as much as your budget allows. Even a slight increase of $50 or $100 can yield a significantly superior product within this price bracket.

Additionally, identifying your most valued features in a phone is crucial. When purchasing a budget-friendly device, you might need to forgo a sophisticated camera in favor of an enduring battery or exchange a high-resolution screen for a swifter processor.

These are the kinds of compromises that are inherent to this category, but understanding your priorities will simplify the process of finding the perfect phone.

It’s also important to acknowledge that certain features can be rare finds among budget phones.

While devices with all-day battery life are readily available, if you desire a top-notch camera, it’s advisable to consider the recommendations from our midrange smartphone guide, where all options are priced at $600 or less.

Wireless charging, waterproofing, and high-speed processors are also not commonly found in this price range. On a positive note, all our recommendations retain the headphone jack, eliminating the need for wireless headphones.

Considering that Apple’s most budget-friendly offering is the $400 iPhone SE, iOS is not a viable option here.

Android stands as the sole choice

Luckily, as of 2023, there’s hardly anything to criticize about Google’s operating system – you might even find it preferable to iOS.

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that most Android manufacturers typically offer less extensive software support for their budget devices.

In some instances, your new phone might only receive a single major Android update and perhaps a year or two of security patches beyond that.

Here is a list of our top picks in the cheap smartphone category.

Google Pixel 6a

The Google Pixel 6a impressed us upon its release last summer, and it has continued to exceed expectations since then.

Presently, you can acquire Google’s latest midrange smartphone for as little as $250, thanks to ongoing sales.

With its exceptional camera, solid performance, and superb software support, this device truly stands unrivaled.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5

The Galaxy A14 5G from Samsung represents their newest addition to the cheap smartphones lineup.

While maintaining satisfactory performance from its previous iteration, this model boasts an improved display and comes at a more affordable price point.