The very best low-cost Android telephones to purchase in 2025

You don’t must lay our a fortune to get a brand new telephone that handles your every day duties with ease. The very best low-cost Android telephones pack spectacular options into reasonably priced value 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 units that may sustain with the whole lot you do.

Whilst you may not get all of the bells and whistles of flagship fashions, lots of immediately’s reasonably priced telephones nonetheless supply surprisingly good construct high quality, clean shows and succesful digicam methods. Some even boast spectacular digicam high quality that may go toe-to-toe with far dearer choices — excellent for informal photographers or anybody who simply desires to seize nice moments on the go.

Desk of contents

Finest funds 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 incorporates a thinner design, slimmer bezels and a good bigger 6.7-inch display screen. It additionally features a new, sooner and extra environment friendly Exynos 1330, alongside an unimaginable six years of promised software program help.

The one disappointing factor in regards to the A16 is that Samsung didn’t replace the telephone’s digicam bundle, however contemplating how a lot telephone you’re getting for $200, it’s laborious to fault the corporate. Oh, and the A16 doesn’t include a headphone jack, so funds for wi-fi earbuds. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Professionals

Inexpensive
Upgraded processor
Good 6.7-inch display screen
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 the whole lot you can need in a telephone that price $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers robust efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s appropriate with all the massive 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 an enormous 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh charge, which is uncommon on a funds telephone as most rivals characteristic slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And because of its 50-watt wired quick charging, you’ll be able to high it up rapidly, too. It additionally presents software program updates for a good interval, guaranteeing its longevity. However most significantly, the Nord 30 not too long ago bought a value drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our high choose on this area.

Professionals

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

$300 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 telephone has a microSD card slot so you’ll be able to add more room if and once you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display screen can also be surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh charge. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 score for mud and water resistance. That isn’t a lot, nevertheless it’s ok to guard towards an errant splash or two. Positive, the G Play is fundamental, nevertheless it’s fundamental in a great way, particularly in the event you’re not too fussed about operating a number of apps and simply desire a handset to carry out on a regular basis duties.

Professionals

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

Learn our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

If you need one thing totally different out of your subsequent telephone, there are few if any units on the market just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass again that evokes the design of previous Sport Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inside parts, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally top-of-the-line offers within the business, due to a compelling mixture of options. The Cellphone 3a sports activities a shiny 6.77-inch OLED show with a 120Hz refresh charge. It additionally comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto digicam. That final characteristic is one thing that’s tough to search out within the 3a Professional’s value vary, particularly in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Professionals

Enjoyable design
Giant 120Hz AMOLED display screen
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 inclined to outline a funds smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the gadget runs the chance of affected by too many compromises in perform, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (in the event 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 think about. For instance, a baby could also be higher off with a less expensive gadget, particularly if it’s meant primarily for emergencies, WiFi searching or texting mother and father (and never social media). On the upper finish of this value spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung telephones and different Android units have come a good 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 inexpensive Android telephone

With regards to low-cost telephones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones on this value vary are made out of plastic, although the match and end of a particular mannequin can fluctuate loads primarily based on value. A shiny display screen can also be necessary. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh charge, however some telephones could have OLED or AMOLED screens with elevated colour saturation. Lengthy battery life is crucial as effectively, so we are inclined to favor units with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this value vary, efficiency can fluctuate loads, so search for units with at the least 8GB of RAM and processors that may ship stutter-free visuals. It’s additionally necessary to think about help size: as periodic safety updates and prolonged software program help can lengthen the longevity of your gadget, which is able to prevent cash in the long term.

Android telephone FAQs

What is the value distinction for an inexpensive Android vs an inexpensive iPhone?

iPhones are typically dearer in comparison with Android telephones — even the most affordable iPhone, the iPhone SE, which begins from $429, is a more durable capsule to swallow in comparison with an inexpensive Android telephone. In distinction, you may get your palms on an inexpensive Android gadget for as little as $100.

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