Best Cheap Android Phones 2020

Best Cheap Android Phones Android Central 2020

Bottom line: The Moto G Power sacrifices very little to hit its $250 price point. With a speedy processor, excellent cameras, and great battery life, this is the best cheap phone for most people.

Year after year, Motorola stands out as one of the best companies to watch for delivering good, cheap Android phones. 2020 saw the release of the Moto G Power, and if you're in the market for an affordable smartphone, it's hard to do much better than this.

The Power name is a reference to the phone's best feature — battery life. With a 5,000 mAh battery crammed inside, you can easily get two or three days of use on a single charge. In a world where it's the norm to throw your phone on the charger every single night, being able to go a few days without worrying about that is a dream come true.

Outside of the legendary battery life, the rest of the G Power's hardware is just as good. The 6.4-inch Full HD display is easy on the eyes, performance is plenty fast thanks to the Snapdragon 665 processor and 4GB of RAM, and graphical performance in mobile games is vastly improved compared to last year's Moto G7. The G Power also has a trio of solid cameras, which allow for a wide variety of different types of shots you can take with the phone. Image quality is also pretty good considering how cheap the G Power is.

Tying all of this together is Motorola's excellent software. The user interface is nearly identical to what you'd find on a Pixel, meaning it's clean, pure Android as Google intended it. Motorola throws in a few software tweaks to further enhance your experience, such as Moto Display and Moto Actions. The former is arguably the best always-on display out there, with the latter allowing you to move the phone in a chopping motion to turn on the flashlight or twist it to open the camera.

There are two complaints we have about the Moto G Power, the first of which is its lack of NFC. Contactless payment solutions like Google Pay are becoming more and more commonplace with every day that passes, and buying a phone in 2020 that doesn't support this feels kind of silly. There's also the fact that Motorola only promises one major OS update for the G Power, meaning it likely won't be updated beyond Android 11 — a potential deal-breaker if you plan on keeping the phone for a long time.

If neither of those two things bothers you, however, the Moto G Power is a wonderfully complete package that we think a lot of people will be overly happy with.

Bottom line: The Pixel 4a has the best camera on this list, but it's so much more than that. Just a fantastic overall device that happens to cost a bit more than our top pick.

Google didn't change much about the Pixel 4a over its predecessor, the Pixel 3a; it kept the plastic body, the austere design, and the no-nonsense approach to Android. But what it did change, it improved on a wide scale: it's faster, it has more RAM and memory, a nicer display, and three additional years of Android platform and security updates to soothe even the most critical of users.

The Pixel 4a limits user choice, though: it only comes in one color, black, and in one storage variety, 128GB. It's also only available in one size, a 5.8-inch model that's easy to hold and use in one hand.

Where the Pixel 4a excels is in the basics. Its 3,180mAh battery lasts all day, thanks to the power-sipping properties of its upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor. Its 5.8-inch OLED display goes edge-to-edge, with only the slightest hint of a bezel and a camera cutout near the top left. There's only a single camera on the back, too, but that 12MP sensor combines with Google's best-in-class post-processing for the best photos you'll find in a phone at this price point. It's so good, in fact, you'll have a hard time telling the difference between photos produced on the Pixel 4a and those from the much more expensive Pixel 4.

So where does the Pixel 4a cut costs? There's no wireless charging or water resistance, and the plastic body, despite a premium matte finish, can feel a little less premium than its metal-and-glass counterparts. Otherwise this is a near-perfect phone for its very reasonable price, and should be at the top of your list if you can spring the extra money over the Moto G Power.

Just a heads up if you're thinking about buying the Pixel 4a: the higher-end Pixel 4a 5G will be available on November 19 for a bit more money at $499. For that price increase, you're getting a more capable processor, larger display and battery, and an ultra-wide camera in addition to the same great primary one. And, as the name suggests, 5G connectivity is available. The regular Pixel 4a is still a fantastic buy, but if you want a version of it that's a bit larger and more powerful, the 4a 5G may be worth waiting for.

Bottom line: Think of the Moto G Fast as a slightly toned-down version of the Moto G Power — and it costs 25% less, too. What a great deal!

If the Moto G Fast looks eerily similar to the Moto G Power, that's because it's identical to the phone in more ways than one. It strips down a couple of features in favor of an even lower price, making this one of the best values the Android market has to offer right now.

In regards to similarities, the Moto G Fast has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, Adreno 610 GPU for competent gaming, and support for expandable storage along with a headphone jack. You'll also find the exact same rear camera setup, consisting of the 16MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, and 2MP macro camera.

The G Fast does cut a few corners in order to reach its lower price, but it doesn't take too much away from the overall user experience. The 6.4-inch display is lowered from Full HD+ to HD+, but in-day-to-day use should be perfectly fine for most people. It also has just 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, along with a 4,000 mAh battery. The smaller RAM count could prove to be an issue in a couple of years as you load the phone with apps, games, movies, and more, but it's still a decent amount for a phone this cheap.

Factor all of that together with how you can use the Moto G Fast on all major carriers in the U.S., and you end up with a value proposition that's nearly impossible to argue with.

Bottom line: The Pixel 4a may have the best camera quality, but the Samsung Galaxy A71 has the versatility. With four cameras overall, though, you'll definitely get your shot. Plus, the rest of the phone is great, too.

Samsung's lineup of mid-tier Android phones has gotten a lot better in recent years, with one of the latest examples being the Galaxy A71. This is at the higher-end of Samsung's more affordable Galaxy phones, and it should absolutely be on your shortlist.

As hinted at above, this is the cheap Android phone to get if you care about cameras. The heart of the Galaxy A71 is its 64MP primary camera, and photos taken with it look excellent. There's a lot of detail, good dynamic range, and vibrant colors. To help expand the types of pictures you can take, the A71 is also equipped with a 12MP wide-angle camera, 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP portrait camera.

Outside of the camera department, the Galaxy A71 is just as impressive. It delivers a gorgeous 6.7-inch AMOLED display, fast performance thanks to the Snapdragon 730 processor, and a beefy 4,500 mAh battery that allows for long endurance. Tie all of that together with USB-C charging and a headphone jack, and you end up with quite the package.

U.S. buyers take note: The version on Amazon U.S. is an international model and won't work on Sprint or Verizon or any of their MVNOs. It will work perfectly on AT&T and T-Mobile. It also has no U.S. warranty.

Bottom line: Nokia's known for making great value Android phones, and the excellent Nokia 5.3 is another example. Expect decent performance, clean Android One-based software, and a lovely design.

Nokia makes solid Android phones that don't cost too much, and the Nokia 5.3 continues that tradition of high-quality hardware with clean Android One-based software. The phone's design is striking, too, with a tall-and-thin 20:9 aspect ratio that makes the metallic-looking body easy to grasp and use in one hand. And because the Nokia 5.3 runs Android One, it will get platform updates until 2022 and security patches until 2023.

On the hardware front, the Nokia 5.3 packs some serious power. The Snapdragon 665 processor and 4GB of RAM allows for reliable performance, the 4,000 mAh battery provides up to two days of use per charge, and you get a total of four cameras for endless picture-taking possibilities, including a very good 13MP main sensor. Throw in smaller features like NFC, USB-C charging, and a dedicated Google Assistant button, and you end up with a really complete package.

Bottom line: Want the Samsung experience without the added cost? The Galaxy A51 is the best-selling Android phone in the world for a reason.

Samsung has a lot of decent budget offerings in 2020, with one of its better options being the Galaxy A51.

You'll find a lot of specs to keep you interested, including an AMOLED display, a 4,000 mAh battery for long endurance, and an Exynos 9611 processor. It's a decent chipset, but on the A51, it results in some laggy performance every now and then.

The A51 is touting a total of four sensors on its backside. There's a 48MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, 5MP macro camera, and a dedicated 5MP portrait camera. Not only does this setup allow for virtually endless possibilities with the kinds of photos you can take, but the 48MP primary camera is a fantastic shooter that captures wonderful detail and dynamic range.

Bottom line: If you're looking for features galore, from video-enhancing modes to excellent camera and battery optimizations, the TCL 10L is a fantastic budget option.

TCL has been at the helm of phones under the Alcatel and BlackBerry brands, but with the TCL 10L, the company is finally entering the Android space with a device under its own name. Surprisingly, it's one of the most feature-rich cheap handsets you can buy right now.

Starting with its display, the TCL 10L offers a 6.53-inch LCD display with the company's own NXTVISION screen technology — offering true-to-life colors, great viewing angles, and support for HDR video content. If you want to use the display to showcase games, the Snapdragon 665 processor with 6GB of RAM offers more than enough horsepower to keep everything running smoothly.

Also offered are four rear cameras, including a 48MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and 2MP depth camera. Actual image quality isn't the very best we've ever seen, but the fact that you have so many sensors to work with allows for lots of shooting possibilities.

Rounding out the feature list is a 4,000 mAh battery, USB-C charging, NFC for Google Pay, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone does not work with Sprint, but it's perfectly fine to use on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Bottom line: Nokia makes beautiful phones, and the metal-and-glass Nokia 7.2 is a stunner. It's also powerful and features excellent Zeiss cameras on the back.

The Nokia 7.2 is the successor to the ultra-successful (see what we did there?) Nokia 7.1, and it's better in every way. It continues the company's legacy of outstanding build quality with a super-strong polycarbonate frame — that green colorway is even nicer-looking in real life — that feels like metal but can withstand scratches and drops far better.

The hardware has been given a nice boost over the 7.1, too: a Snapdragon 660 processor powers the Nokia 7.2, along with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which ensures it's going to last well into the 2020s. Nokia also puts Android One on all of its phones, providing at least two platform updates and regular security patches — something the company has over our top pick, the Moto G Power.

But the real reason to look into the Nokia 7.2 is its triple-camera setup, which includes a massive 48MP primary camera. You can also choose to use the ultra-wide camera for incredible landscape shots, or grab some impressive portrait photos with the dedicated depth sensor.

Bottom line: If you're burning for a Moto G Power with an included stylus, à la Samsung's Galaxy Note line, the Moto G Stylus will be your perfect phone.

The Moto G Stylus is an interesting device. It released alongside the Moto G Power mentioned above, offering a very similar experience but with a couple of feature tweaks and a higher price. It's not an easy general recommendation, but for some people, it could be a great fit.

Compared to the G Power, the G Stylus has a lot in common. You get the same 6.4-inch Full HD+ display, Snapdragon 665 processor, 4GB of RAM, USB-C charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, and support for every single U.S. carrier.

The biggest difference is that the Moto G Stylus comes with, well, a stylus. It's not as advanced as something like the S Pen you get with the Galaxy Note 10, but it still works great for taking handwritten notes, drawing, or easier navigation. When you aren't using it, the stylus stores neatly inside the phone. Motorola also switched up the cameras, giving the G Stylus a 48MP primary camera, 2MP Macro Vision camera, and 16MP Action Cam. That Action Cam is pretty unique, as it allows you to hold the phone vertically and record horizontal video.

Just like the Moto G Power, you're still missing NFC on the Moto G Stylus and need to put up with Motorola's disappointing software updates.

Bottom line: The 2020 iteration of the Moto E is cheap and cheerful, featuring a plastic build and a Micro-USB port. But if you're strictly on a budget, this is the device for you.

Year after year, Motorola's Moto E series stands out as being home to some of the most affordable Android phones on the market. However, while they are undoubtedly cheap, they don't deliver a bad user experience. In fact, with the new Moto E for 2020, the formula is better than it's ever been.

For being as cheap as it is, the Moto E has a good design. The glossy plastic isn't anything to write home about, but the 6.2-inch HD+ display with slim bezels and a waterdrop notch looks right at home here in 2020. You'll also find two cameras on the back, along with a fingerprint sensor — both firsts for a Moto E handset.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor and 2GB of RAM certainly won't knock your socks off, but for basic apps and possibly some light games, it should get the job done just fine. You'll also find 32GB of expandable storage, a 3,550 mAh battery, Micro-USB charging, and a headphone jack.

Motorola's out-of-the-box software with Android 10 is top-notch, but it comes with a catch. Unlike Moto G phones that are promised one major OS update, the Moto E is confirmed to not get any. That means it won't ever move beyond Android 10 to Android 11 or anything else, which is something to consider before throwing your money down.

Bottom line: Not available in the US officially, the OnePlus Nord is one of the best budget flagship devices you can buy. If you're in a market where it's available, it's a striking Pixel 4a competitor.

2020 has seen the release of plenty of Android phones, with one of the most noteworthy being the OnePlus Nord. The Nord marks OnePlus's return to truly affordable smartphones, and in just about every regard, it's a home run.

On the hardware front, the OnePlus Nord packs a big punch. The 90Hz AMOLED display looks fantastic, giving you rich colors, a crisp Full HD+ resolution, and buttery smooth animations. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G allows for fast performance, battery life is reliable, and OnePlus's 30W wired charging continues to be one of the best on the market. We're also quite fond of the new Blue Marble color, which is downright beautiful.

In regards to software, the OnePlus Nord ships with OxygenOS based on Android 10. We've said it before and we'll say it again — this is one of the best Android interfaces on the market. OxygenOS strikes a near-perfect balance of offering a lot of extra features while retaining a clean user interface, and it's something we cannot get enough of.

There is a catch to all of this, however. The OnePlus Nord is not available in North America. That's a bummer for us in the U.S., but if you live in a country where it is being sold, it's a no-brainer purchase.

Bottom line: With a lovely design, a striking AMOLED display and plenty of power and cameras to turn heads, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is a fantastic option.

Xiaomi isn't a brand that many U.S. shoppers are likely familiar with, but if you venture outside of the country and look to markets like India and China, you'll see that it's one of the most well-known there. If you're comfortable with buying an international Android phone, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is one of the best you can get.

So, what all do you get with the Mi Note 10 Lite? For starters, there's that design. It all starts with the 6.47-inch AMOLED display, which is curved and has very minimal bezels. There is a waterdrop notch for the selfie camera, but it's minimal and not all that distracting. The phone comes in three gorgeous colors (Glaciar White, Midnight Black, and Nebula Purple), each offering a very distinct appearance.

Under the hood is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor, 6GB of RAM, 64 or 128GB of storage, and a seriously massive 5,260 mAh battery. For the camera department, you'll find a 64MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and 5MP depth camera.

U.S. buyers take note: The version on Amazon U.S. is an international model and won't work on Sprint or Verizon or any of their MVNOs. It will work perfectly on AT&T and T-Mobile. It also has no U.S. warranty.

Bottom line

There's no shortage of excellent Android phones these days, whether you want to spend more than $700, less than $300, or even $100. The above phones represent the best of a set limitation — that of not wanting to overspend on a product that, inevitably, will need to be replaced in a couple of years.

But that's the beauty of a device that costs a third of what you'd spend on a Galaxy S20 or Pixel 4. It offers 90% of what those phones cost and can be replaced more easily. While you may miss out on some of the more advanced features like waterproofing and wireless charging, and you may not receive as many updates, or for as long, these phones represent a new breed of budget devices, you can feel confident in buying.

And the Moto G Power is the best value of the bunch.

Splurging on the best overall phone that throws in everything and the kitchen sink isn't always the ideal solution — especially when you're looking at cost-cutting phones in the first place. Instead, you should figure out what you value the most. If you're looking to spend even less, the Moto G Fast delivers a reliable experience at one of the best prices around. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy A71 easily has the best camera, and if you're looking for luxurious hardware, it's tough to beat the Nokia 7.2. Every manufacturer has something of value to offer.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he's writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there's a correlation.

Joe Maring is a Senior Editor for Android Central and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He's been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012 and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop. Have a tip? Send an email to joe.maring@futurenet.com!

Andrew Martonik is the Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central. He has been a mobile enthusiast since the Windows Mobile days and covering all things Android-related with a unique perspective at AC since 2012. For suggestions and updates, you can reach him at andrew.martonik@androidcentral.com or on Twitter at @andrewmartonik.

Buyer's guide

These are the best rugged Android phones

Living the rough and tumble life? Get yourself a smartphone that can handle everything you throw at it — or throw your phone at.

One-click

These are the best unlocked phones on Amazon for every budget

Amazon is one of the easiest places to go buy an unlocked phone and have it delivered in a flash. Here are the best unlocked Android phones it's selling at a variety of price levels.

buyers guide

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is Verizon's best phone

There's nothing quite like a new phone on America's top-rated network, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a smash hit. While it's arguably the best phone on Verizon right now, there are a lot of other great options.