Getting a strong Android telephone doesn’t necessitate spending a small fortune. The most effective price range fashions strike an incredible stability between value and efficiency, supplying you with easy on a regular basis use with out slicing too many corners. Whether or not you’re scrolling social media, streaming your favourite exhibits or snapping pictures of an evening out, there’s an reasonably priced Android telephone that may deal with all of it.
Cheaper telephones have come a great distance in recent times. Many now function brilliant, quick shows, dependable cameras and battery life that lasts effectively into the following day. You may miss out on top-tier extras like the newest processor or ultra-high-resolution zoom, however what you get as an alternative is worth that is sensible. Some fashions even shock with cameras that rival far pricier flagships, making them best for informal photographers or anybody who simply needs to seize an incredible shot on the go.
We’ve examined price range Android telephones from manufacturers like Google, Samsung and OnePlus to seek out those that ship essentially the most for much less. These are the fashions that show you don’t want a flagship price ticket to get a reliable Android telephone.
Finest price range Android telephones for 2026
Samsung
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy A17 5G assessment
Constructing a very good price range telephone is hard as producers have a really onerous restrict on what they’ll embody whereas staying below value. Samsung has balanced this properly on the Galaxy A17 5G by equipping it with a big 6.7-inch OLED show with strong brightness (as much as 800 nits) and a 90Hz refresh fee. The telephone’s design additionally defies its value as a result of whereas it’s comprised of polycarbonate (aka plastic), it doesn’t really feel low-cost. You even get a microSD card slot for expandable storage and three cameras in again. Nevertheless, since a type of is a 2MP macro, it most likely received’t see almost as a lot use because the 50MP essential or 5MP ultra-wide.
The one factor I want Samsung splurged a bit extra on is the telephone’s Exynos 1330 chip, because it’s just a little dated and generally struggles with issues like multitasking or operating extra demanding apps. That mentioned, beginning at simply $200 (or much less relying on reductions), the Galaxy A17 delivers plenty of worth for not a ton of cash. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
OnePlus
When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had mainly the whole lot you would need in a telephone that value $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers robust efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s suitable with all the large 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 a giant 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh fee, which is uncommon on a price range telephone as most rivals function slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And due to its 50-watt wired quick charging, you’ll be able to high it up rapidly, too. It additionally presents software program updates for an honest interval, guaranteeing its longevity. However most significantly, the Nord 30 lately obtained a value drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our high decide on this house.
Motorola
For these on a very tight price range, 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 extra space if and if you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display screen can 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, nevertheless it’s ok to guard in opposition to an errant splash or two. Certain, the G Play is primary, nevertheless it’s primary in a great way, particularly if you happen to’re not too fussed about operating a number of apps and simply need a handset to carry out on a regular basis duties.
Igor Bonifacic for Engadget
Learn our Nothing Telephone 3a Professional assessment
If you’d like one thing totally different out of your subsequent telephone, there are few if any gadgets on the market just like the Nothing Telephone 3a Professional. It has a translucent glass again that evokes the design of outdated Recreation Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inside parts, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally probably the greatest offers within the trade, due to a compelling mixture of options. The Telephone 3a sports activities a brilliant 6.77-inch OLED show with a 120Hz refresh fee. It additionally comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto digital camera. That final function is one thing that’s tough to seek out within the 3a Professional’s value vary, particularly in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter
How low-cost must you go for an Android telephone?
We are inclined to outline a price range smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the machine runs the danger of affected by too many compromises in operate, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (if you happen to’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 just a little wiggle room, there are some issues to contemplate. For instance, a toddler could also be higher off with a less expensive machine, particularly if it’s meant primarily for emergencies, WiFi searching or texting dad and mom (and never social media). On the upper finish of this value spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung telephones and different Android gadgets have come a great 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 when you’ve got the pliability to spend extra.
What to search for in an inexpensive Android telephone
In terms of 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 differ so much based mostly on value. A brilliant display screen can be necessary. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh fee, however some telephones could have OLED or AMOLED screens with elevated coloration saturation. Lengthy battery life is essential as effectively, so we are inclined to favor gadgets with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this value vary, efficiency can differ so much, so search for gadgets with no less than 8GB of RAM and processors that may ship stutter-free visuals. It’s additionally necessary to contemplate assist size: as periodic safety updates and prolonged software program assist can lengthen the longevity of your machine, which can prevent cash in the long term.
Android telephone FAQs
What is the value distinction for an inexpensive Android vs an inexpensive iPhone?
iPhones are usually dearer in comparison with Android telephones — even the most affordable iPhone, the iPhone SE, which begins from $429, is a tougher tablet to swallow in comparison with an inexpensive Android telephone. In distinction, you may get your palms on an inexpensive Android machine for as little as $100.
