The best cheap Android phones to buy in 2026
Getting a solid Android phone doesn’t require spending a small fortune. The best budget models strike a great balance between price and performance, giving you smooth everyday use without taking too many shortcuts. Whether you’re browsing social media, streaming your favorite shows, or snapping photos of a night out, there’s an affordable Android phone that can handle it all.
Cheaper phones have come a long way in recent years. Many now feature bright, fast screens, reliable cameras, and battery life that lasts into the next day. You might miss out on top-tier extras like the latest processor or ultra-high resolution zoom, but what you get instead is value that makes sense. Some models even surprise with cameras that rival much more expensive flagships, making them ideal for casual photographers or anyone who simply wants to capture a great photo on the go.
We tested budget Android phones from brands like Google, Samsung, and OnePlus to find the ones that offer the most for the least cost. These are the models that prove you don’t need a flagship price to get a reliable Android phone.
Best Budget Android Phones for 2026
Samsung
Read our full Samsung Galaxy A17 5G review
Building a cheap phone is tricky because manufacturers have a very strict limit on what they can include and still stay under cost. Samsung has balanced this well on the Galaxy A17 5G by equipping it with a large 6.7-inch OLED display with solid brightness (up to 800 nits) and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone’s design also defies its price because, even though it’s made of polycarbonate (i.e. plastic), it doesn’t feel cheap. You even get a microSD card slot for expandable storage and three cameras on the back. However, since one of them is a 2MP macro, it probably won’t see as much use as the 50MP main or the 5MP ultrawide.
The only thing I wish Samsung would splurge a little more on is the phone’s Exynos 1330 chip, as it’s a bit dated and sometimes struggles with things like multitasking or running more demanding apps. That said, starting at just $200 (or less depending on discounts), the Galaxy A17 offers a lot of value for not a lot of money. — Sam Rutherford, senior reporter
- Solid construction
- Large and relatively bright screen
- microSD card slot
- Very affordable
- Poor performance
- Mono speaker
- Battery life could be a little longer
OnePlus
When it was released, the Nord N30 had pretty much everything you could want in a phone costing $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset offers solid performance along with fast wireless connectivity compatible with all major US carriers, not to mention good specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthwhile upgrade. It also has a large 6.7-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare on a budget phone because most competitors have slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And thanks to its 50-watt wired fast charging, you can top it up quickly too. It also offers software updates for a decent period, ensuring its longevity. But more importantly, the Nord 30 recently saw its price drop from $300 to $250, making it definitely a bargain and our top pick in this area.
- Good performance for the price
- 120Hz display
- 50W wired charging
Motorola
For those on a very tight budget, the Moto G Play 2024 covers all the bases well. It has a fast Snapdragon 680 processor along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And while that last number may seem small, the phone has a microSD card slot so you can add more space if and when you need it. Its 6.5-inch LCD screen is also surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. It’s not much, but it’s enough to protect against an errant splash or two. Sure, the G Play is basic, but it’s basic in a good way, especially if you’re not too concerned with running multiple apps and just want one handset to do everyday tasks.
- 90Hz display
- IP52 rating
- Expandable storage via microSD card slot
- Only 64 GB of built-in storage
Igor Bonifacic for Engadget
Read our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review
If you want something different from your next phone, there are few to no devices like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass back that evokes the design of old Game Boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components, including the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s also one of the best deals in the industry, thanks to a compelling mix of features. The Phone 3a sports a bright 6.77-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a fairly fast Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, and a 3x periscope telephoto lens. The latter feature is hard to find in the 3a Pro’s price range, especially in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, senior journalist
- Fun design
- Large 120Hz AMOLED screen
- Clean but customizable Android skin
- Limited U.S. Warranty
- No wireless charging
- Tiny speakers
How much should you buy an Android phone?
We tend to define a budget smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Lower down the device may suffer from too many compromises in its operation, and above that you move onto more expensive mid-range handsets (if you’re willing to spend more, we’ve shouted out a few of our favorite flagship phones at the very end of this guide).
But for those with a little wiggle room, there are some things to consider. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it’s intended primarily for emergencies, WiFi browsing, or texting parents (and not social media). At the high end of this price range, Samsung phones and other Android devices under $350 have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better cameras with low-light capabilities, fast charging, and nicer displays like AMOLED panels. This makes it a viable alternative to, say, a flagship phone with a premium design, even if you have the option to spend more.
What to look for in a cheap Android phone
When it comes to cheap phones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones in this price range are made of plastic, although the fit and finish of a specific model can vary greatly depending on price. A bright screen is also important. Typically, you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have OLED or AMOLED displays with increased color saturation. Long battery life is also essential, which is why we tend to favor devices with larger cells, around 5,000 mAh. In this price range, performance can vary widely, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can deliver stutter-free visuals. It’s also important to consider the length of support: as periodic security updates and extended software support can extend the longevity of your device, saving you money in the long run.
Android Phone FAQs
What is the price difference between a cheap Android and a cheap iPhone?
iPhones tend to be more expensive than Android phones — even the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE, which starts at $429, is a harder pill to swallow than a cheap Android phone. On the other hand, you can get your hands on a cheap Android device for just $100.
