The Best Phone Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Affordable phones are better than ever. Sure, you can still find plenty of flimsy handsets with dated software, but if you do some digging, there are lots of excellent smartphones and feature phones that work far better than their low prices suggest. If you’re buying on a budget, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered the top phones you can buy for $300 or less at carrier stores, and detail all the most important features to look for when you shop. We put these phones through the same intense testing process as far more expensive flagships, so you can rest easy knowing that any of the devices below are worth owning. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to look for when buying a cheap phone.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Best Affordable 5G Phone
Why We Picked ItThe Samsung Galaxy A14 5G lets you hop aboard the latest 5G mobile networks without spending a ton of money. Its high-resolution, 6.6-inch screen provides smooth animations thanks to its 90Hz refresh rate. The phone also has a headphone jack and a microSD card slot, both welcome rarities no matter the price. In addition, Samsung promises software updates through Android 15.Who It’s ForIf you don’t want to spend tons of money on a flagship Android phone, the Galaxy A14 5G is your best choice.
PROS
Large, sharp display with 90Hz refresh rate
Good performance for the price
Excellent software update policy
CONS
Not protected against dust or water
Screen is hard to see in sunlight
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Android 13
CPU
MediaTek Dimensity 700
Dimensions
6.60 by 3.07 by 0.36 inches
Screen Size
6.6 inches
Screen Resolution
2,400 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 2MP, 2MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
9 hours, 40 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Review
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Best Cheap Phone With Fast Charging
Why We Picked ItWe like the Nord N30 first and foremost because it offers 50W wired charging. That’s faster than what most other phones support no matter the price. Other highlights include a 120Hz 1080p display, a high-resolution quad-camera stack, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.Who It’s ForIf you often end up with a dead battery by the end of the day and you don’t want a charger to slow you down, the Nord N30 is a worthwhile pick. In our tests, we fully recharged the phone from empty in just 55 minutes.
PROS
High-resolution camera
Good performance
120Hz display
CONS
Middling battery life
No IP rating
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Android 13
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
Dimensions
6.52 by 2.99 by 0.33 inches
Screen Size
6.7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,400 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
108MP, 2MP, 2MP; 16MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
11 hours, 18 minutes
Learn More
OnePlus Nord N30 5G Review
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Best Affordable iPhone
Why We Picked ItYou can’t reasonably talk about the best phones in any category without including an iPhone. Yes, the iPhone SE exceeds the $300 limit for what we consider to be affordable, but that’s simply the price you must pay for a new iPhone. That said, it’s a fantastic phone for Apple fans who aren’t prepared to drop $800 or far more on the latest iPhone models.Who It’s ForAnyone who likes Apple products but doesn’t want to spend a ton of money on a higher-end iPhone should be happy with the iPhone SE. Sure, it doesn’t come with the latest chip or camera system, but it’s still an iPhone for a reasonable price. And if you factor in carrier incentives, you can often find this phone for less than $200 (so long as you don’t mind paying it off monthly over time).
PROS
Most affordable new iPhone
Speedy performance
Supports T-Mobile and Verizon mid-band 5G
Longer battery life than the previous model
CONS
Outdated body design
No Night mode in camera
Lacks support for AT&T’s 3.45GHz mid-band 5G
Shortest battery life of any current iPhone model
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
iOS 15
CPU
Apple A15
Dimensions
5.45 by 2.65 by 0.29 inches
Screen Size
4.7 inches
Screen Resolution
1,334 by 750 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
12MP; 7MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
7 hours, 20 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone SE (2022) Review
Motorola Moto G Play (2023)
Best Smartphone Under $200
Why We Picked ItThe Motorola Moto G Play is stylish and made with materials that don’t attract fingerprints or scratches. Its large 6.5-inch display’s 90Hz refresh rate makes animations and transitions appear smooth, while the 5,000mAh battery helped this phone last a respectable 11 hours and 15 minutes in our rundown tests. Motorola also includes a near-stock version of Android. Who It’s ForIf you need a basic smartphone that doesn’t feel cheap, look no further than the Moto G Play.
PROS
Affordable
Large 90Hz display
Good call quality
CONS
No 5G
Underwhelming performance
Low-resolution screen
Lackluster speaker
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Android 12
CPU
MediaTek Helio G37
Dimensions
6.58 by 3.01 by 0.37 inches
Screen Size
6.5 inches
Screen Resolution
1600 by 720 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
16MP, 2MP, 2MP; 5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
11 hours 15 minutes
Learn More
Motorola Moto G Play (2023) Review
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2023)
Best Battery Life
Why We Picked ItThe 2023 edition of Motorola’s G Power 5G is lighter and more compact than its predecessor. It keeps the screen size at 6.5 inches but ups the resolution to 2,400 by 1,080 pixels and sports a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. Its battery life is top-notch, too; it ran for 13 hours and 35 minutes in our rundown test, outlasting many competitors.Who It’s ForIf you’re concerned about your phone dying before the end of the day, the Moto G Power 5G is the budget-friendly handset for you.
PROS
Good battery life
Solid performance
Affordable
Adequate main camera
CONS
Weak secondary cameras
No NFC
Lacks IP rating
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Android 13
CPU
MediaTek Dimensity 930
Dimensions
6.42 by 2.94 by 0.33 inches
Screen Size
6.5 inches
Screen Resolution
2,400 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 2MP, 2MP; 16MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
13 hours, 35 minutes
Learn More
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2023) Review
Nokia 2780 Flip
Best Flip Phone
Why We Picked ItThe Nokia 2780 Flip is the best affordable flip phone. It’s not perfect, but it handles calls without issue and doesn’t cost much.Who It’s ForIf you yearn for the days of phones with a clamshell design, the Nokia 2780 Flip will satisfy your nostalgia itch. Its battery life isn’t outstanding, but you do get Wi-Fi support and an FM radio.
PROS
Good call quality
Wi-Fi connectivity
FM radio
Affordable
CONS
Operating system is a bit clunky
Group texting could be better
Several key apps are missing
Middling battery life
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
KaiOS
CPU
Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform
Dimensions
4.33 by 2.28 by 0.77 inches
Screen Size
2.7 inches
Screen Resolution
320 by 240 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
3 hours, 24 minutes (LTE talk time)
Learn More
Nokia 2780 Flip Review
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Phones for 2024
What Do You Need in a Cheap Smartphone?Although budget-friendly phones don’t have all the perks of midrange or flagship models, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a perfectly capable device to suit your needs. Let’s start with the features we believe are absolutely essential. Keep in mind that most of these recommendations are for smartphones; if you’re in the market for a feature phone, many of these guidelines don’t apply. Battery Life: There are lots of variables to consider when it comes to battery life, but ultimately, you want your phone to last at least until the end of the day. If you’re shopping for a phone with a screen smaller than 6 inches, look for a battery capacity of 3,500mAh or higher. For phones with larger screens, look for a minimum battery capacity of 4,500mAh.Chipset: In Qualcomm’s busy processor line, avoid any number lower than a Snapdragon 480, unless it’s a flip or voice phone. Mediatek’s Dimensity 700 line is also good, though the company’s Helio line has a bit less horsepower.Compatibility: Before you make a purchase, decide whether you’re ready to jump on the 5G bandwagon or if you’d rather stick with LTE 4G. No matter your choice, make sure your phone has the appropriate band support for your carrier. Search for 5G and LTE bands by the phone’s model number, not its name. You should also figure out if the phone supports the bands that best suit your needs. For example, T-Mobile customers in rural areas should pick a phone with LTE band 71 support, while Verizon customers should look out for C-band coverage on 5G phones.Connectivity: Connectivity has a huge impact on call quality and data speeds. For the most part, you should choose a phone with a Qualcomm X12 (for LTE), X60 (for 5G), or higher modem. If you’re looking at flip phones, make sure the modem has voice over LTE (VoLTE), voice over Wi-Fi (VoWIFI), and Enhanced Voice Services (EVS) for the best call quality. You also should check for Wi-Fi 5 (previously known as 802.11ac) as well as Bluetooth 5.0 or later.Operating System: The current version of Android is Android 13, but few budget phones ship with the latest build. Don’t go back any further than Android 12 for security and compatibility reasons. Also, don’t assume a budget phone will ever get an Android version upgrade, no matter what the manufacturer says.RAM: Simply put, the more RAM the merrier. For phones under $200, look for at least 4GB of RAM. If you’re willing to spend more, make sure you get a minimum of 6GB. Storage: Like RAM, you can’t have too much storage. Look for at least 64GB of storage on phones under $200 and make sure the phone has a microSD slot. If you spend more, opt for a phone with no less than 128GB of storage, which would make a microSD slot optional.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (Credit: Dave LeClair)
Once you verify the essential features, look for extra perks. Keep in mind that you won’t find many of these features on the majority of budget-friendly phones, but we anticipate that some will trickle down over time.Multi-Lens Cameras: Most affordable phones have multi-lens camera stacks that allow you to capture wide-angle and macro shots. For the most part, these phones can capture solid images with their primary and wide-angle cameras if you have a steady hand and good light. The macro lenses are almost always awful.NFC: NFC is slowly making its way to the affordable phone market. It’s a great feature to have, as contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are more popular than ever before.
Recommended by Our Editors
Stereo Speakers: A handful of budget-friendly phones have stereo speakers and even advanced features such as custom tuning and Dolby audio. Though no phone is going to sound as good as even an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, it’s definitely an upgrade over a single driver. Splash Resistance: Though we’ve yet to see a budget offering with an official ingress protection (IP) rating, a handful of affordable phones are now splash-resistant. They’re usually treated with a nanocoating such as P2i and can withstand rain and other minor splashes, but not a drop in the pool.Strengthened Glass: If you’re spending more than $100 on a phone, it should have strengthened glass to protect the display from cracks and scratches. Gorilla Glass 3 seems to be the standard for most budget models, but we’ve seen a few with Gorilla Glass 5. In general, each generation of Gorilla Glass is softer than the last; phones with Gorilla Glass 5 displays are less likely to shatter when you drop them, but they’re also more likely to accumulate hairline scratches.What’s the Cheapest iPhone?You may notice that we’ve made an exception in pricing here for the $429 iPhone SE. If you’re looking for an affordable new iPhone, it’s the one to get. If all you have is $200, that will get you a used iPhone X. Don’t go earlier than that; older models will likely lose compatibility with new iOS versions in the next year or two. For more, see our in-depth explanation of which iPhone to buy.
The iPhone SE starts at $429, but it’s the least expensive new iPhone you can buy (Credit: Molly Flores)
Finally, see our stories on the best cheap phone plans and how to get the best price on a new phone. We also have a few other affordable options in our story about the best phones for seniors. And we add new phones to this roundup as we review them, so make sure to check back soon.
