As much as we love playing with and testing the latest and greatest phones here at Android Central, there's something we can universally agree on that we're not fans of: paying full price for the best Android phones. So if you're in the market for a quality Android phone but don't want to spend a thousand dollars, check out the best cheap Android phones, or grab one of the best-refurbished phones that offer a great experience at a fraction of what you'd typically spend. Here are our favorite options.
Check out these awesome renewed Android phones
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Staff pick
Our current top pick for the best Android phone that money can buy, the Google Pixel 7 Pro balances outstanding hardware with a sleek design and some of the best camera tech in the business. Now that the phone is about six months old, you can get the Pixel 7 Pro for a fraction of what it costs new.
Reinventing the Note
Over a year past its release date, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra still shines as one of the most powerful Android phones on the market. The S22 Ultra boasts a generous 6.8-inch AMOLED 120Hz display with an integrated S Pen stylus, alongside the ultra-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and some incredible camera software.
Flagship specs for less
The OnePlus 10 Pro features a characteristically eye-catching design with a sublime 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and a large 5,000mAh battery that should last well beyond a full day on a single charge. Pick a renewed OnePlus 10 Pro and you’ll be shocked at the savings.
Renewed innovation
If you want an innovative smartphone experience without breaking the bank, look no further than a refurbished Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. This phone truly perfected the concept of the foldable phone, thanks to an elegant design, durable construction, and some flagship-level hardware. It’s no wonder we called it “the perfect foldable” in our Z Flip 4 review.
Spectacular value
The Pixel 6 Pro revolutionized the brand by giving us everything we had dreamed of and more. This true-blue flagship delivers a sublime Android experience with seamless performance thanks to the in-house Tensor chipset. The cameras are phenomenal, as is just about everything else. It's difficult to believe that you can already grab the renewed Pixel 6 Pro for half its launch price.
A spectacular deal
OnePlus regularly makes some of the best-value flagships on the market, but if the OnePlus 9 is a bit too rich for your blood, we recommend looking into a refurbished 8T+ 5G. The OnePlus 8T+ 5G's design is still modern in 2022, thanks to its small hole-punch notch and sleek glass back. It has a Snapdragon 865 5G CPU, 120Hz AMOLED display, an IP68 rating, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
Great-looking and affordable
The days of LG dominance are long gone, but the LG Velvet 5G lives on as one of the best-looking phones to date. This stunning beauty has brains, too, with good cameras, wireless charging, and a Snapdragon 845 chipset powering the device.
Small but mighty
When the S23 dropped last month, we were surprised to learn that it wasn’t a huge upgrade over its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S22. That’s great news, since the S22 is a great phone, complete with the acclaimed Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, a vibrant 6.1-inch AMOLED display, and a 50MP rear camera that still holds its own against the competition.
Ahead of its time
The OnePlus 8 supplanted the OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7T, bringing the value flagship experience we have come to expect from OnePlus. You'll find a triple camera setup on the back, a solid 4,300mAh battery, and a gorgeous AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The beautiful Interstellar Glow is unmatched in its beauty even today.
Which refurbished phone is best?
The Google Pixel 7 Pro packs an impressive wallop, providing fantastic cameras and a distinctly bold design that is comfortable to hold and still familiar to just about every Android user. We spoke highly of the phone in our Pixel 7 Pro review, and that love hasn't gone anywhere. If anything, the premium features such as an IP68 waterproof rating and wireless charging make the refurbished Pixel an even sweeter deal.
If you want to save a few bucks and get a device that will still turn heads, there's no better way to go other than Samsung or OnePlus.
Opting for the renewed Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra provides a fantastic bargain for those looking to score a true-blue flagship Android phone. Everything is as premium as possible, starting from the design to the hardware powering the device. You even get an S Pen in addition to a state-of-the-art camera setup and a phenomenal 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel.
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Once your new device arrives, don't forget to use our step-by-step Android to Android transfer guide so you can move all of your data from one phone to another without losing anything.
