Best budget phones of 2024

It’s no secret that the best Apple and Android phones get everyone’s attention because of their innovative technology, but smaller, cheaper phones are still popular because they cost a fraction of the price. The cheapest phones cost around $200 and still have a large display and good processing power for most tasks. They also have excellent battery life, often lasting longer than their more powerful, resource-hungry rivals.

We here at Pocket-lint specialize in testing the latest phones and tablets, and checking out budget-friendly models, which is a welcome change from the top-tier tech we usually review. Our list features the best cheap phones under $200 and includes options for every type of buyer.

Best budget phone overall

OnePlus Nord N30 is equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 CPU and 8GB RAM, which offers strong performance for the price. Where it stands out are small features like 50W wired charging, 3.5mm ports and stereo audio, which add up to a big difference over similarly priced rivals. The 128GB of memory is comparable to many high-end competitors and is easily upgradeable via a MicroSD slot.

No budget phone is perfect, and the Nord N30’s mediocre brightness and lack of wireless charging are easily forgiven because it’s packed with features and can handle most tasks at a low price.

Measuring 6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 inches and 6.88 ounces, the Nord N30 is a decent size and includes a large, clear 6.7-inch LCD display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. The triple-lens camera system, headed by a 108MP main camera, is also good, but it’s not the best in low-light conditions. You don’t need to worry about it draining out quickly, as the 5000mAh battery can easily last a day or more with moderate use.

No budget phone is perfect, and the Nord N30’s mediocre brightness and lack of wireless charging are easily forgiven because it’s packed with features and can handle most tasks at a low price. It also has decent storage capacity, and a MicroSD slot makes it easy to copy information from cameras and other devices.

The best value budget phone

The Samsung Galaxy A15 is an impressive value as it’s very affordable and comes with a MediaTek 6835 processor and 4GB of RAM that can handle everyday tasks like browsing and email with ease. It also has 128GB of internal storage, which should be enough for most users. The most prominent features are five years of security updates and four operating system upgrades, which exceeds most competitors and gives people peace of mind about the longevity of the device.

Buyers looking for a budget phone that will last them a long time will love the Galaxy A15 despite its plastic body and lack of IP rating, as it has access to Samsung’s vast support network and four years of future updates.

The plastic body is expected at this price, but at least it comes in stylish colors of black, light blue, and purple, and has a compact and lightweight design, measuring 6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches and weighing 7.0 ounces. It comes with a crisp 90Hz 6.5-inch AMOLED display along with other nifty features like 3.5mm jack and MicroSD slot. On the back is a triple-camera array that gets the job done with a 50MP primary lens, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

Buyers looking for a budget phone that will last them a long time will love the Galaxy A15 despite its plastic body and lack of IP rating, as it has access to Samsung’s vast support network and four years of future updates. It might not be the most powerful phone around, but it delivers smooth performance for light tasks and decent storage for its price.

The best budget phone with the best battery life

The Nokia G400 5G has very similar specs to our top pick, and it comes from Nokia, which knows a thing or two about building reliable smartphones.

Charging speeds are slightly slower at 20W compared to the Nord 30 5G, but still pretty fast. You also lose the LCD display, as this model has an IPS panel, but it retains the 120Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling. Another standout feature of the phone is its excellent battery life, which is advertised at about three days but actually lasted at least a day and a half with normal use.

So, why choose this model? The main reasons, in our opinion, are the peace of mind that it’s widely available and comes from a trusted brand with a long history in mobile.

The cheapest stylus pen phone

The Moto G Stylus is an attractive phone that comes with a built-in stylus so you can take notes and doodle on the go. This phone may not have the most impressive spec sheet, but it offers excellent battery life and comes from one of the most trusted brands in the industry.

The display could be better, since it’s an IPS panel rather than the OLED technology found on most modern smartphones, but it’s big, bright, and 90Hz, which makes navigating the OS feel smooth and responsive. If the Stylus has appeal, it’s that it’s one of the few models besides the pricey Galaxy S24 Ultra to feature a built-in compartment. Pen lovers on a budget will definitely want to check this one out.

The best ultra-cheap phones

Cat is known for its rugged products, and the S22 Flip continues that tradition with a U.S. MIL-SPEC 810H durability rating and IP68 dust and water resistance to handle harsh weather and outdoor environments. The stylish black foldable design gives it a distinct retro feel, with a 2.8-inch touchscreen and large physical buttons that are easy to use even with gloves or wet hands. You also get a rear-facing 5MP camera and a front-facing 2MP selfie camera, which is better than nothing and enough for taking basic photos.

For less than $100, you can get a phone that’s perfect for construction workers and other heavy-duty roles, as it has a rugged exterior and a quirky retro design that looks like a blast from the past.

The phone is meant for light use only and comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor, 2GB of RAM and Android 11 Go operating system. However, it gets the job done, and you can make and receive calls and access email and other basic apps on the spot. 16GB of RAM may not sound like much, but it’s backed by a MicroSD slot, which helps upgrade capacity and easily transfer data between devices.

It’s easy to overlook the S22 Flip’s average performance, until you consider the incredible price that anyone can afford. For less than $100, you can get a phone that’s perfect for construction workers and other heavy-duty roles, as it has a rugged exterior and a quirky retro design that looks like a blast from the past.

Bottom line: Which phone is the cheapest?

The OnePlus Nord N30 is the cheapest phone as it can handle most tasks and has features like 50W fast charging and a 120Hz display. The Samsung Galaxy A15 is the best value option because of its amazing price and the company’s vast support network. Nokia G400 offers long battery life for busy people who don’t have time to charge.

How do we choose the cheapest mobile phone?

When picking the best smartphones under $200, we considered a variety of factors, including specifications, reliability, usability, and brand reputation. We have extensive experience with every brand on this list, so we know first-hand what to expect when purchasing products from their range. You won’t find any no-name brands here, just trustworthy manufacturers offering quality equipment in this price range.

We try to provide a range of options to suit the needs of a variety of different users. Some models focus on camera performance, while others prioritize processing power for gaming, and still others are all about display quality. It’s impossible to have the right phone for everyone, but the models on this list will most likely meet your needs.

FAQ

Q: What’s the point of buying a cheap phone?

Budget phones cost far less than flagship models but still offer decent performance for most tasks. They’re perfect for students, heavy workers, and anyone else who doesn’t need the best specs but would rather have a reliable phone with long battery life.

Q: What is a good cheap mobile phone price?

The most basic smartphones, like the Cat S22 Flip, cost well under $100, and it’s easy to find more powerful alternatives, like the OnePlus Nord N30, for up to $250, depending on the features you need.