Call off the search - these are the best cheap Android phones on the market today

Gone are the days when getting a top-tier smartphone experience required you to spend a fortune. Thanks to the continued advancements in the world of mobile technology, the best budget Android phones give you the most bang for your buck(s) these days. Priced at around $500, these devices can't exactly be considered cheap, but they're still relatively affordable compared to top-of-the-line devices that can often cost over a thousand dollars.

So what can you expect from the best Android phones under $500 today? From premium build quality to flagship-level cameras to years of software support, just about everything. Our top vote goes to the Google Pixel 9a, which continues to be a well-priced all-rounder even after the launch of its successor. Then there's the OnePlus 13R, which is loaded to the gills with so many features that it can easily give proper flagships a run for their money. There are also many great options from brands like Motorola and Samsung, so keep reading to know about them all.

Nick Sutrich

Nick grew up in a telecom-savvy household and has been reviewing phones since 2011. Whether it's waxing poetic about Nokia's glory days or flipping open the latest foldable phones, he knows what makes a good phone and can help you understand which one to pick.

At a glance

Best overall

If you're looking for a well-rounded Android phone and don't want to spend more than $500, I highly recommend getting the Google Pixel 9a as the best budget Android phone. Yes, it's now a previous-generation model after the launch of the Pixel 10a, but that doesn't matter at all. Moreover, if you'd compare the Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a, you'd see that the newer model is an extremely minor upgrade. As a matter of fact, the inevitable drop in price due to being a last-gen product is only going to make the Pixel 9a an even better deal. The large 5,100mAh battery can deliver lots of extra hours of run time or an extra day if you use low-power mode. In other areas, the Pixel 9a's improvements aren't that drastic if you're thinking of upgrading from the Pixel 8a.

The Google Pixel 9a features a refreshing design, highlighted by a flat frame and a dual-lens rear camera array that's almost entirely flat and no longer housed in a protruding camera bar, which is a first for any Pixel smartphone. Up front, there's a 6.3-inch P-OLED screen that can now reach up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness. The result is a compact device that feels just as good to hold in the hand as it is to use, it not better.

Under the hood, the Pixel 9a comes with Google's Tensor G4, which is the same SoC that drives rest of the devices in the Pixel 9 line-up. The chipset, combined with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage, is more than sufficient to handle whatever you throw at it without breaking a sweat. You get Android 15 out of the box, complete with Gemini and a boatload of AI-powered goodies, as well as Google's industry-leading (along with Samsung) promise of up to seven years of major OS and security updates.

As you'd expect from a Google smartphone (regardless of price), the Google Pixel 9a has a dual-lens rear camera system that can take on some of the best Android camera phones out there. It's complemented by software-based utilities such as Astrophotography, Face Unblur, and a lot more. The whole package is backed by a big 5,100mAh battery that can charge at up to 23W with the right charger, even if the 7.5W wireless charging leaves something to be desired. If faster charging is important to you, the Pixel 10a with its faster charging might be worth a look.

Best value flagship

Dubbed the "definitive value flagship of 2025" by Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda, the OnePlus 13R is proof that a powerhouse smartphone doesn't have to cost a fortune. Yes, it's pricier than its predecessor, but includes a number of meaningful upgrades and improvements that make that price hike justified.

Having a flat 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen, the OnePlus 13R makes everything from watching movies to playing games a delight. In true "flagship killer" fashion, the phone is driven by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and comes with at least 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. As you'd expect, this hardware allows it to make quick work of even the most demanding of tasks with no effort.

You get a much better triple-lens rear camera setup, with a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens (with 2x optical zoom), and an 8MP ultra-wide module. Although the secondary cameras are not the best, the setup is generally capable of shooting decent photos, except when there's not proper lighting.

Packing in a huge 6,000mAh battery, the OnePlus 13R is a smartphone you can comfortably use for (at least) two days on a single charge. There's 80W fast wired charging included too, although no wireless charging. Running Android 15 (with OxygenOS 15 overlaid on top), the phone is guaranteed four years of OS updates, with the latest Oxygen OS 16 making things even better. Oh, and you also get six years of security patches, so you should be able to use it for quite some time.

Yes, there's the follow-up OnePlus 15R available now, but it's an underwhelming at best. You're still better off buying the OnePlus 13R, which offers superior value and is overall the better smartphone of the two.

Best on sale

Since it's two generations old at this point, the Google Pixel 8a can be bought at much cheaper prices (especially during festive-season sales and deals), making it one of the best cheap Android phones still available out there, and an even more fantastic value. If all you want is a feature-laden Android phone that gets the job done, I suggest you still keep it under consideration.

The Google Pixel 8a comes with a 6.1-inch OLED screen that can hit up to 2000 nits of peak brightness. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything appear smooth, even if the display isn't good for users who are sensitive to PWM flicker. The Pixel 8a is powered by Google's Tensor G3 SoC, which is still a very capable chipset that can handle everyday tasks without any troubles, even though it's not exactly the fastest thing in town.

You also get 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. The phone comes with Android 14 out of the box, but it's backed by Google's commitment of seven years of major OS and security updates, so it's a phone that's going to be relevant for years to come. And of course, you can expect lots of AI-powered features (e.g., Gemini, Circle to Search) to make the overall user experience even better.

Cameras have always been a highlight of Google's smartphones, and this one is no different. During my Google Pixel 8a review, I found the dual-lens rear camera system to be comparable to flagship phones costing hundreds of dollars more. If you use your smartphone as the only camera, you're really going to love the Pixel 8a. thing. Other noteworthy additions include an IP67 certification for dust and water resistance, NFC, and a 4,492mAh battery with 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging support.

Best design

The Phone 3a is Nothing's second budget smartphone and has the same quirky design as its predecessor, something that might change a bit when the Nothing Phone 4a launches soon. The fully transparent back panel, meticulous attention to detail, and the funky glyph lighting are some of the unique features that make it among the best-looking phones in this segment. There's also a Phone 3a Pro to consider, with a better telephoto camera.

During my Nothing Phone 3a review, I was mighty impressed at what the brand has pulled off here. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is pretty to look at, with colors and brightness levels being satisfactory. The see-through back panel looks classy and even though it doesn't have the same premium materials as those you get with the higher-end models, it still maintains an excellent in-hand feel.

The Nothing Phone 3a has a big 5,000mAh battery with fast 50W charging. The camera specs on paper are also quite good, and from what I tested, the triple-lens primary setup performs very well compared to the other phones in its class.

The only catch with the Nothing Phone 3a is that you can't buy it outright in the U.S. The company doesn't have any plans (yet) to put it on open sale. However, you can try your luck getting the 12GB RAM+256GB storage variant via Nothing's developer program for $379, even if the stock availability isn't guaranteed.

Best for Galaxy fans

The Galaxy A line-up continues to be one of Samsung’s greatest achievements, as it gives solid specs and nice designs on mid-range and low-end phones. One of the more recent entries in the series is the Galaxy A36, even though it might get a successor very soon. The Galaxy A36 boasts faster charging, decent specs, and much longer software support, making it one of the best budget Android phones in its segment.

The Galaxy A36 has a vibrant 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate alongside the ultra-efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. You also get a big 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The cameras include a 50MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro. If you're after camera performance in a $400 phone, you'll want to look for deals on the Google Pixel 8a, but the Galaxy A36 should be able to do just fine for casual photography.

As with all of the best Samsung phones, device longevity and security are the key selling points of the Galaxy A36. Samsung has pledged six generations of Android OS upgrades, which is incredible. It's also among the first A series phones to get a few Galaxy AI features which Samsung labels 'Awesome Intelligence.' I'd strongly recommend the Galaxy A36, not just to Samsung fans, but to anyone who simply wants a solid budget phone with long software support.

Best under $300

The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G gets a much-needed upgrade from the Galaxy A25 with the addition of an IP67 water and dust resistance rating. The phone comes with Samsung's Exynos 1380 chipset and is offered in multiple RAM and internal storage configurations (location dependent). It features a large 6.7-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. You also get expandable storage, even if the microSD slot is shared with the second SIM slot.

The Galaxy A26 5G runs One UI 7 which is based on Android 15, and Samsung has promised six years of OS updates for it, so this phone is still going to be relevant for some time. Although the device has a large 5,000mAh battery, the charging speed is limited to 25W. One big inclusion here is OIS for the main 50MP camera, which is good to see at this price point. You also get an 8MP ultra-wide module and a 2MP macro unit on the back, along with a 13MP front-facing camera for all your selfies and video calls.

Best under $200

Samsung offers a lot of smartphone for $200 with the Galaxy A16 5G, making it the best cheap Android phone for your kids' first phone. A couple of things have been improved from the last-generation Galaxy A15 5G which used to be on our list; these include better waterproofing, a newer version of Android, and longer software upgrades.

The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen on the Galaxy A16 has a Full-HD+ resolution, so all the elements end up looking decently sharp. Colors are also vibrant and punchy, making the panel great for binge-watching videos. The Exynos SoC can handle basic apps well enough, but the problem is the stingy 4GB of RAM, which tends to make app-launching and multitasking painfully slow. Thankfully, a microSD card slot is supported for expanding the 128GB of onboard storage.

The cameras on the Galaxy A16 5G are similar to the Galaxy A15. You should expect similar performance from the main 50MP lens and the ultrawide module. Battery life is one of the main highlights of this smartphone. The 5,000mAh battery can easily get you through one full day, and maybe even more depending on the use.

For more options in this price range, check out our guide to the best Android phones under $200.

Best stylus phone

It can sure be challenging to keep track of all the value-for-money smartphones Motorola has (and keeps on launching) under its line-up, but one that manages to stand out is the Moto G Stylus 2025. Along with being one of the few Android phones that come with an integrated stylus, I think it's also a near-perfect combo of specs, features, and overall bang-for-the-buck(s).

You're getting a large 6.7-inch pOLED screen that looks incredible, and thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, feels a lot more premium to interact with too. That top-of-the-line feel is further enhanced by the vegan leather back which we love. There's also ample performance, thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, as well as 128GB of internal storage and a big 5,000mAh battery. Given the phone's modest price tag, these are all very impressive specifications. It's no surprise that the Moto G Stylus 2025 ranks up there among the best Motorola phones you can buy right now.

As the name implies, the main draw of the Moto G Stylus 2025 is its built-in stylus. It's certainly not the most premium stylus we've ever used, but it works quite well enough for drawing, note-taking, and similar tasks. It can be stored seamlessly at the bottom of the phone when not in use, which is a nice touch that ties up the whole experience together. We expect to see a Moto G Stylus 2026 soon, so stay tuned. But even when that happens, it might mean that the Moto G Stylus 2025 gets a price reduction, while still remaining a solid budget option.

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Other products we tested

Between the tens and sometimes hundreds of devices my team and I extensively test each year, the competition certainly gets real tough, real fast. As such, there are several other affordable phones that we have tested but couldn't include in the list above, simply because they didn't make the cut for our top rankings.

However, some devices still deserve shoutouts. These smartphones deserve at least honorable mentions because they're just as good but didn't get ranked by us due to one or two small (but important!) reasons.

For example, Xiaomi, Vivo, Honor, and OPPO phones are good, but very difficult to recommend to North American residents as they don't work on the CDMA networks and aren't officially sold in the region. This doesn't take away from the fact that these brands still make some of the best cheap Android phones in the business!

FAQ

Are cheap Android phones reliable?

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The words 'cheap' and 'reliable' don't usually go in the same sentence but in the world of Android phones, you can safely buy cheap phones as long as you stick with reputable brands. Top smartphone companies such as Motorola, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and Nothing, all offer high-quality cheap Android phones that work well and last for a long time, if used carefully.

These best budget phones also receive very good after sales support, so if you need to replace the battery or a cracked screen, you should be able to find a service station near you to get this done quickly. Samsung, Motorola, and Google have a massive presence in the U.S., while OnePlus and Nothing are expanding their base.

What are the main compromises with budget Android phones?

Modern cheap Android phones are quite feature-packed and offer plenty of premium features like certified water resistance, wireless charging, multiple array of cameras, and fast charging technology. You won't really find many features that are missing here, but instead, the compromises are more to do with the quality of features.

For instance, cameras are usually the biggest area of compromise as cheap Android phones don't always have the same level of camera sensors as flagships. The Pixel series being an exception, you might have some phones like OnePlus 13R with flagship sensors, but secondary sensors will usually have inferior sensors. This is to be expected since these phones are built to fit into a lower price segment.

Other areas where you can expect some compromises would be build quality (plastic vs. metal or glass), display specs (lower-grade AMOLED panels or IPS displays with lower brightness levels), shorter term software update support although this is changing rapidly.

How to choose

What is the best cheap Android phone to buy?

Without a doubt, the Google Pixel 9a remains the best phone under $500. But fortunately, we're living in the day and age that's full of excellent and affordable smartphones. So, the question is, how should you select a cheap Android phone?

Most people have a budget, and that might be the first aspect to inform your decision. You're going to want to pick a phone that’s not just in your budget, but one that will last a while, too. That way, you won't end up spending even more on yet another phone upgrade shortly down the road. A $500 phone you'll have to replace in two years isn't a better value than a $1,000 one you can keep for four or more.

But before you even think about a phone’s hardware, cameras, or storage space, you need to think about connectivity. All modern phones support Bluetooth earbuds and Wi-Fi, but not all phones support all cellular networks. Make sure the phone you’re looking for supports your network of choice, especially if you are thinking of picking up an unlocked phone from the list.

Next, keep a phone's SoC in mind before clicking that buy button. The quickest way to end up with a phone that feels sluggish and old is to undersell yourself on the phone’s chipset.

Lots of phones feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets, but that doesn’t mean all of them are worthwhile. Unless your budget absolutely doesn’t allow for anything faster, you probably want to avoid any phone powered by a Snapdragon 400-series or lower SoC. Those phones are really only good as communication devices and for browsing the web or social media.

Likewise, MediaTek’s Dimensity series of processors are the only ones you want to consider from the company. Phones like the TCL Stylus 5G—which is only available with T-Mobile—sports the excellent MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G, which is powerful enough for just about anything you throw at it.

You’ll also want to make sure your new phone has at least 6GB of RAM if you’re ever planning on doing more than one thing at a time on it. Less RAM means the phone has less memory to store opened apps, creating a scenario where apps take a long time to load and often have to reload if you switch back and forth between apps.

Storage isn’t much of a concern these days, thanks to excellent cloud storage services like Google Photos, which can offload the photos and videos you’ve taken to a safe and secure cloud storage. That means they not only won’t be taking up the precious space on your smartphone, but they’ll also be securely backed up in case something happens to your smartphone.

Services like Google Photos also archive your photos and make it easy to search for even the most minute details, like your old black and white cat or the blue shoes you wore to that wedding several years ago.

Cameras on smartphones have become increasingly important over the years, and, with a few exceptions, the phones above will all deliver a good experience in most lighting conditions. As these are less expensive phones, you’ll need to be aware that most models will only take great pictures in adequate light. Phones like the Google Pixel 9a or OnePlus 13R offer great low-light support, and that function is becoming more common on phones even under $300 these days.

No phone on this list has poor battery life, but some folks might have a unique need for a smartphone to last more than a single day on a full charge. We’ve noted that several options above will offer that but specifically highlight one phone as having the best battery life of them all.

The bottom line on cheaper Android phones

Most Android phones these days are pretty good, but a few stand above the rest. I've outlined many of my favorites here but if you want a few more options and are on a tighter budget, I've got picks for the best phones under $300 and the best phones under $100. Each of these categories comes with a few concessions, but if you're looking for a specific niche, such as a stylus, you'll find a few more options there.

Just remember, though, that you're paying hundreds less than what it costs to buy a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or a Google Pixel 10 Pro. While those phones might offer faster hardware, better cameras, or brighter displays, they're also extremely expensive to replace if they accidentally get broken. Splurging on the best overall phone that has everything, and the kitchen sink isn't always the ideal solution, especially when you're looking to cut costs.

How we test

We don't just turn on a phone, set it up, and make sure it works while testing it. Android Central goes the extra mile to properly review a device, whether that requires taking pictures in heavy rain or testing cellular reception in remote areas.

Our reviews involve putting a device to a proper test, recording performance benchmarks and making sure that those benchmarks and numbers translate to a matching real-world user experience. We're not just testing devices; we're using them as any other person would in their day-to-day lives.

This is why you can rely on us when we recommend a cheap Android phone that's priced below $500. You best believe that several of our team members have spent hundreds of hours using each of the phones that we recommend with all our hearts. We even check consistency, taking months to review a single phone if that's what it takes to fully understand the value of the device.

If you're more interested in finding out about how Android Central tests and reviews phones, you can read up on it

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