Best cheap phones 2026 tested — Our top budget phone picks

In 2026, you're likely to be paying much more on your next phone, but today’s best cheap phones provide all the capabilities you need without putting you in the poor house. If you want the most out of your hard earned money, the Google Pixel 10a is our number one pick, proving that you can still get a ton of stuff for just $500, even though it's short of new hardware upgrades.

That’s important because the Pixel 10a recycles much of the same hardware from the previous Pixel 9a, including its Tensor G4 chip. Yet, there are improvements to be found, particularly within the software, where the phone truly proves its worth.

The cheapest option on the other side of the Android/iOS divide is the iPhone 17e. It's $600, which is more than any other phone on this list, but it is still the cheapest new iPhone you can get.

While our picks for this list do come with their compromises compared to the flagship phones we often see dominate the headlines, that's necessary in order to lower the cost of these devices. I’ll detail the strengths and weaknesses of these phones clearly as I go down the list because I’ve tested many of them out, along with the help of my colleagues. That way, you understand exactly what you’re in for when you make your purchase.

Without any more wait, let’s check out the best cheap phones.

Written by

Written by

John Velasco

I'm the senior editor for mobile at Tom's Guide, where I've been working since 2023. I've been covering mobile tech for 17 years in total, starting with old school feature phones and early smartphones powered by Palm OS and Windows Mobile. I'm a New Jersey native and keep up with the latest mobile tech.

What to look for in the best cheap phones

After you've found a cheap phone at the exact right price for your budget, there are a few other things to consider. For phones to qualify here, they have to be $600 or lower because that seems to be threshold from my colleagues and I consider affordable or budget — whereas flagship models can easily exceed $1,200.

Think about the features that this device has to offer and which ones you're sacrificing for that specific price tag. Battery life, the number and types of cameras, display refresh rate and the type of chipset powering the phone are all ways that cheap phones can distinguish themselves.

One other area to consider is software updates and support. I'veseen cheaper Android phones either ship with older versions of Android or promise very few upgrades to future versions. Samsung and Google tend to have some of the better upgrade policies with its Galaxy A lineup with up to seven years of updates, and the iPhone remains a standout for usually supporting five years of iOS updates.

The best cheap phones you can buy today

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Best cheap phone overall

Google Pixel 10a camera samples

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Google's done a lot of things right with its past A-series Pixels, but the Pixel 10a is a strange one. That's because it doesn't get as many hardware upgrades over the Pixel 9a, but it's added more to the software while keeping the price firmly at $500.

Despite the lack of newer hardware, the Pixel 10a is still easily the most well-rounded phone you can buy for that price right now. Most notable is AI, and Google has added the some features you'd find on the rest of the Pixel 10 series. A couple of features are missing, like Pixel Screenshots and PixelSnap, but the really important stuff is still here.

You still have access to Gemini Live, Circle to Search, and all the generative AI tools within Google Photos like Ask Photos. Plus, you still get all the features I've seen on older models, like Magic Editor and Magic Eraser. New AI tools included in the mix are Auto Best Take and Camera Coach. All thanks to the Tensor G4 chipset which, while not a performance powerhouse, makes up for it in AI prowess.

While the design is simple, it's incredible to see that Google has reduced the camera bump by even more to be practically flush against the rest of the phone. Considering how large some phone cameras are, that's an incredible achievement. In typical Google style those dual cameras offer better quality than their specs let on.

The display is also notable, as the 6.3-inch panel is still plenty bright despite being slightly dimmer than the Pixel 9a. Then there's also the adaptive refresh rate, which switches between 60 and 120Hz depending on what's on screen — just like Pixel 10.

Read our full Google Pixel 10a review.

More on the Pixel 10a

• Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: What's the difference?
• The Google Pixel 10a is here with a new look and features — here’s what you need to know
• Google Pixel 10a preorders are live, but I wouldn't pay full price! Here's how to get yours for free

Best value cheap phone

Nothing Phone 3a camera samples

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Who says that you have to sacrifice looks for a cheaper price? The Nothing Phone 3a still delivers the stylish translucent look and helpful Glyph interface as its other siblings, but packages in more features. My colleague, Philip Michaels, praises its bright and crisp 6.7-inch AMOLED display, which offers an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, as well as how long this phone lasted on our battery test.

With a price of $379, it might be tough to track down to buy one given the limited release in the U.S. through Nothing's developer beta program, but it's worth waiting for given the big improvements around its cameras, which now includes a dedicated telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.

Even though the Moto G Power (2025) is the longest lasting phone on this list, the Nothing Phone 3a's time of 15 hours and 24 minutes on our battery benchmark test is pretty impressive.

Read our full Nothing Phone 3a review.

Best cheap phone under $200

Motorola Moto G 2026 camera samples

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Like other Moto G phones, the standard Moto G (2026) grabs your attention with a low price and a long-lasting battery. In the case of the 2026 model, we recorded a time of 19 hours and 10 minutes on our battery test — the best time posted by any cheap phone we've tested. While wired charge times were a little slow for our taste, the latest Moto G truly delivers the multi-day battery life Motorola promises.

There are trade-offs with this phone, as you might expect for a device that starts at $299. The Dimensity 6300 chipset powering the Moto G handles basic tasks, but can flag a little with graphically demanding games. That said, the cameras perform surprisingly well for a low-cost device, though the macro lens is an unnecessary inclusion. Stick with the 50MP main camera and the 32MP selfie lens if you want good images.

It should be noted that last year's Moto G (2025) is still available and at a $50 discount from a lot of retailers. Still, given Motorola's limited software support — just two years of Android updates — it's probably best to get the newer model.

Read our full Moto G 2026 review.

Best cheap phone under $300

Motorola Moto G Power 2026 camera samples

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Honestly, if your budget allows you to spend up to $300 on phone, your best bet is buy the Moto G (2026) and pocket the extra $100. Motorola does make a $299 phone in the form of the Moto G Power (2026), but its strongest points — long battery life, a stylish design and better performing cameras than you might expect on such a low-cost phone — are shared by the cheaper Moto G.

While the Moto G Power (2026) does last nearly 18.5 hours on our battery test, it still trails the Moto G's 19-hour-plus result. The Moto G Power also sports the same vegan leather back as other Moto G phones that help disguise its bargain roots. On the negative side, it shares those phones' flaws, namely a dim display and a Dimensity 6300 processor that didn't impress when it powered the 2025 models.

Unlike the 2025 edition of the Moto G Power, this new model doesn't support wireless charging, another reason to save your money with the Moto G (2026) instead. But if you prefer larger screen devices, you will find the 6.8-inch display of the Power gives you more space to work with, and I appreciate the better water resistance and more durable materials used with the Moto G Power.

Read our full Moto G Power (2026) review.

Best cheap foldable phone

Motorola Razr 2024 camera samples

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Sure, it's been replaced by a newer model, but the Motorola Razr 2024 earns its place because it's the only foldable phone you can buy without spending a fortune. While the newer Razr 2025 fetches for $699, the Razr 2024 costs less at $599.

I know very well how expensive foldable phones can get, but the Razr 2024 still has a lot of utility as a flip-style foldable phone. For example, I still love how it features a dual-camera setup that consists of a 50MP main and 13MP ultrawide, which pairs well with its larger 3.6-inch outer screen.

I've explained in my review how this setup is suitable for creators, such as vlogging and self recordings, mainly because you can see yourself on the outside screen to see what the framing's like. If that's not enough, the Motorola Razr 2024 manages to squeeze in a 4,200 mAh battery, which results in a time of 14 hours and 37 minutes in my battery drain test.

Lastly, flip-style phones like the Razr 2024 have extra utility I don't get in typical slate phones. The best example of this is being able to watch videos hands-free by folding it halfway and placing it on a surface. Another is being able to run full apps more comfortably with one hand with its outer screen.

Read our full Motorola Razr 2024 review.

Best Cheap iPhone

iPhone 17e camera samples

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The iPhone 17e is the refined version of the iPhone 16e that Apple should have given us from the beginning. While sticking at the rather high $599 price point, the 17e distinguishes itself from its predecessor by finally integrating MagSafe connectivity, doubling the starting storage to 256GB, and adopting a more powerful A19 chip. While it retains the same overall design as the 16e, the inclusion of MagSafe magnets for accessories and wireless charging makes the 17e a more complete "budget" option than last year's somewhat compromised model.

The iPhone 17e sticks with Apple's traditional display notch and a 60Hz refresh rate, making for a less-than-favorable comparison with the other phones on this list. Fortunately, the iPhone 17e has gained Ceramic Shield 2, a material shared with the more expensive iPhone 17 that promises significantly better scratch resistance than older models.

The 17e remains limited to a single rear camera lens—though it does leverage software for "optical-quality" 2x crops and improved portrait effects. Other phones on this list offer at least an ultrawide camera on their backs, which gives extra versatility even if their image processing isn't on par with Apple's.

The iPhone 17e is the strongest value play for anyone currently using an iPhone 14, or an older SE model. By bridging the gap between the budget and flagship tiers, it is a compelling option for those who want the reliability and performance of the latest iOS ecosystem without the extra cost of a secondary camera lens or the high-refresh-rate display of the flagship iPhone 17.

Read our full iPhone 17e review.

More on the iPhone 17e

• I just reviewed the iPhone 17e — ask me anything and I’ll answer your questions LIVE
• Your iPhone 17e needs a case — I've picked 12 great budget-friendly options from less than $10
• This is my favorite MagSafe accessory — and it's perfect for iPhone 17e

Best cheap Galaxy phone

Galaxy A56 camera samples

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The only Samsung phone to make our list is the Galaxy A56. Although it initially launched in some overseas markets, Samsung eventually brought it over U.S. to replace the A55. Samsung's best cheap phone is also packed with features, including a triple camera system.

That's important to note because few cheap phones get three cameras, as the Galaxy A56 comes with a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro. My colleague Richard Priday actually says that the biggest camera improvement relates to its 32MP selfie shooter, which produces bright shots with a warmer color temperature.

Samsung improves the Galaxy A56 in many more ways over the A55. For starters, it gets the same 45W wired charging speed as the flagship Galaxy A35 Ultra. This makes it very quick at topping off the battery if you're short on time, but you should also know that the battery life is much improved as well.

Even though it doesn't have the full suite of Galaxy AI features found in Samsung's other phones, the "Awesome Intelligence" it packages with the Galaxy A56 gives it new features like Circle to Search, Object Eraser for cleaning up photos, and Best Face for picture perfect faces in all of your photos.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A56 review.

How we test the best cheap phones

We evaluate budget-priced phones the same way we do flagships. We perform real-world testing and synthetic benchmarks over several days to evaluate it's performance and value. This includes our own battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over cellular at 150 nits of screen brightness. The devices that make our best phone battery life list tend to last over 11 hours.

In terms of performance, we use Geekbench to measure overall speed and compare versus phones in the same price range. And the same thing goes for 3DMark's Wild Life Unlimited for graphics testing. We also perform our own video editing/transcoding testing using the Adobe Premiere Rush app to gauge real-world speed.

For evaluating cameras on cheap phones, we will take multiple photos in different conditions and will use other affordably priced phones in the same scenarios in order to make side-by-side comparisons.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.