The best budget Android phone for 2024

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Among the best issues in regards to the Android ecosystem is the supply of really inexpensive telephones for as little as $150. By comparability, the cheapest iPhone is predicated on a dated design and begins at $429. Nonetheless, choosing the right low cost Android cellphone is usually a bit tough, as lowering the value of a cellphone can generally lead to too many trade-offs. So to present you a hand, we examined a bunch of the preferred choices and put collectively an inventory of the very best funds Android telephones you should buy.

How low do you have to go?

We are likely to outline a funds cellphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the gadget runs the chance of affected by too many compromises, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (in case you’re open to spending extra, we shouted out a few our favorites on the very finish of this information).

However for these with just a little 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 meant primarily for emergencies or texting dad and mom (and never social media). On the upper finish of this worth spectrum, sub-$350 telephones have come a great distance because of improved efficiency, higher cameras and nicer shows. This makes them a viable different to premium flagships, even when you’ve got the liberty to spend extra.

What to search for in a funds Android cellphone

In the case of 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 particular mannequin can fluctuate rather a lot primarily based on worth. A brilliant display can also be vital. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh fee, however some telephones could have OLED screens with elevated shade saturation. Lengthy battery life is important as effectively, so we are likely to favor units with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this worth vary, efficiency can fluctuate rather a lot, so search for units with no less than 8GB of RAM and processors that may ship stutter-free visuals. It’s additionally vital to contemplate assist size, as periodic working system and safety updates can prolong the longevity of your gadget, which can prevent cash in the long term.

OnePlus

When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had mainly all the things you would need in a cellphone that value $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers robust 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. It additionally has a giant 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh fee, which is uncommon on a funds cellphone as most rivals function slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And due to its 50-watt wired charging, you’ll be able to high it up shortly, too. However most significantly, the Nord 30 not too long ago bought a worth drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our high choose on this area.

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

$250 at Amazon

SAMSUNG

For simply $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is a fairly exceptional gadget. It has a 6.5-inch show with a barely slower 90Hz refresh fee the Nord N30. Nonetheless, as a result of it options an OLED panel as a substitute of an LCD show, it boasts higher brightness and richer colours than mainly all of its rivals. It will also be configured with as much as 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery delivers a ton of longevity. And whereas its design isn’t too thrilling, the polycarbonate Samsung makes use of on the again has a pleasant matte end that feels extra like glass than low cost plastic. Lastly, the A15 comes with 4 years of safety updates and three years of software program updates, which is longer than most handsets on this worth vary.

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OLED show with good brightness and colours
May be configured with as much as 256GB of storage
5,000mAh battery

$200 at Amazon

Motorola

For these on a extremely tight funds, 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 may appear small, the cellphone has a microSD card slot so you’ll be able to add extra space if and if you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display can also be surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh fee. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 ranking for mud and water resistance. That isn’t a lot, but it surely’s adequate to guard towards an errant splash or two. Positive, the G Play is fundamental, but it surely’s fundamental in a great way.

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

Cons

Solely 64GB of onboard storage

$150 at Amazon

Google

Read our full review of the Google Pixel 7a

For individuals keen to take a look at telephones on the upper finish of the funds bracket, there are another candidates price testing. The Pixel 7a usually prices $499, however we have seen it discounted to as little as $349. So in case you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive handset with good efficiency, helpful bonuses like wi-fi charging and the very best cameras on any gadget on this worth vary, you’d be silly to not contemplate this Pixel cellphone if you will get a great deal on it. And whereas Google not too long ago launched the Pixel 8a at $499, Google has confirmed it can proceed to promote the Pixel 7a.

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90Hz OLED display
Lengthy battery life
Now has wi-fi charging
Glorious cameras
Identical nice Pixel-specific software program

Cons

Wi-fi charging is form of gradual
No devoted zoom lens
Audio system sound a bit shallow

$428 at Amazon

Photograph by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Read our full review of the Nothing Phone 2a

One other contender we actually like is the Nothing Phone 2a, which supplies nice specs, a singular design and a ton of persona for simply $349. The primary motive it didn’t make our record is as a result of within the US, it’s solely accessible as a part of Nothing’s developer program, which requires you to enroll (free of charge) earlier than with the ability to purchase one. Moreover, the Phone 2a solely helps 5G on T-Cell (by way of the N41 band), which implies it’s not an awesome alternative for anybody on AT&T or Verizon.

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