The perfect low cost Android telephones to purchase in 2025

You don’t have to lay our a fortune to get a brand new telephone that handles your day by day duties with ease. The perfect low cost Android telephones pack spectacular options into inexpensive worth tags, making them nice choices for anybody who desires strong efficiency with out stretching their pockets. Whether or not you are scrolling social media, streaming movies or snapping photographs, there are many budget-friendly Android gadgets that may sustain with every part you do.

When you may not get all of the bells and whistles of flagship fashions, a lot of at the moment’s inexpensive telephones nonetheless provide surprisingly good construct high quality, clean shows and succesful digital camera techniques. Some even boast spectacular digital camera high quality that may go toe-to-toe with far costlier choices — excellent for informal photographers or anybody who simply desires to seize nice moments on the go.

Desk of contents

Greatest price range Android telephones for 2025

SAMSUNG

For $200, the Galaxy A16 5G presents super worth. I haven’t had an opportunity to check it, however really feel assured recommending it since Samsung took an already nice telephone within the A15 5G and made it even higher. In comparison with its predecessor, the A16 includes a thinner design, slimmer bezels and a good bigger 6.7-inch display. It additionally features a new, quicker and extra environment friendly Exynos 1330, alongside an unimaginable six years of promised software program help.

The one disappointing factor concerning the A16 is that Samsung didn’t replace the telephone’s digital camera package deal, however contemplating how a lot telephone you’re getting for $200, it’s onerous to fault the corporate. Oh, and the A16 doesn’t include a headphone jack, so price range for wi-fi earbuds. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Execs

Inexpensive
Upgraded processor
Good 6.7-inch display
Thinner design

Cons

Digital camera array is a bit stale
No headphone jack

$200 at Amazon

OnePlus

When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had mainly every part you may need in a telephone that value $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers sturdy efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s appropriate with all the large US carriers, to not point out good specs together with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthy improve. It additionally has a giant 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh price, which is uncommon on a price range telephone as most rivals function slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And because of its 50-watt wired quick charging, you may prime it up shortly, too. It additionally presents software program updates for an honest interval, guaranteeing its longevity. However most significantly, the Nord 30 just lately received a worth drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our prime decide on this house.

Execs

Good efficiency for the worth
120Hz show
50W wired charging

$300 at Amazon

Motorola

For these on a very tight price range, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all of the bases effectively. It has a speedy Snapdragon 680 processor together with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And whereas that final quantity might sound small, the telephone has a microSD card slot so you may add extra space if and while you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display can also be surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh price. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 score for mud and water resistance. That isn’t a lot, however it’s ok to guard towards an errant splash or two. Certain, the G Play is fundamental, however it’s fundamental in a great way, particularly when you’re not too fussed about operating a number of apps and simply desire a handset to carry out on a regular basis duties.

Execs

90Hz show
IP52 score
Expandable storage by way of a microSD card slot

Cons

Solely 64GB of onboard storage

$110 at Amazon

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

Display measurement: 6.77 inches | Storage capability: 256GB | SIM kind: Nano-SIM + eSIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 50MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP important, 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | Weight: 7.44 ounces

Learn our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

In order for you one thing completely different out of your subsequent telephone, there are few if any gadgets on the market just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass again that evokes the design of outdated Sport Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inner elements, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally among the best offers within the trade, due to a compelling mixture of options. The Telephone 3a sports activities a vibrant 6.77-inch OLED show with a 120Hz refresh price. It additionally comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto digital camera. That final function is one thing that’s troublesome to seek out within the 3a Professional’s worth vary, particularly in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Execs

Enjoyable design
Massive 120Hz AMOLED display
Clear however customizable Android pores and skin

Cons

Restricted US guarantee
No wi-fi charging
Tinny audio system

$459 at Amazon

How low cost do you have to go for an Android telephone?

We are likely to outline a price range smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the gadget runs the danger of affected by too many compromises in perform, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (when you’re open to spending extra, we shouted out a few our favourite flagship telephones on the very finish of this information).

However for these with a little bit wiggle room, there are some issues to contemplate. For instance, a baby could also be higher off with a less expensive gadget, particularly if it’s supposed primarily for emergencies, WiFi shopping or texting dad and mom (and never social media). On the upper finish of this worth spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung telephones and different Android gadgets have come a great distance due to improved efficiency, higher telephone cameras with low-light capabilities, quick charging, and nicer shows like AMOLED panels. This makes them a viable various to, say, a flagship handset with a premium design, even if in case you have the pliability to spend extra.

What to search for in an affordable Android telephone

Relating to low cost telephones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones on this worth vary are made out of plastic, although the match and end of a selected mannequin can fluctuate quite a bit primarily based on worth. A vibrant display can also be essential. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh price, however some telephones could have OLED or AMOLED screens with elevated coloration saturation. Lengthy battery life is essential as effectively, so we are likely to favor gadgets with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this worth 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 essential to contemplate help size: as periodic safety updates and prolonged software program help can lengthen the longevity of your gadget, which can prevent cash in the long term.

Android telephone FAQs

What is the worth distinction for an inexpensive Android vs an affordable iPhone?

iPhones are typically costlier in comparison with Android telephones — even the most cost effective iPhone, the iPhone SE, which begins from $429, is a tougher tablet to swallow in comparison with an affordable Android telephone. In distinction, you will get your palms on an affordable Android gadget for as little as $100.

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