Best budget phones you can buy (March 2020) - Android

In a world where high-end Android smartphones can cost $1,000 or more, many consumers want something that won’t break the bank. Luckily, there are tons of cheap Android phones to choose from, which are more than suitable for average users.

Cheap is a relative term. It means different things to different people depending on their income and spending habits. For that reason we have rounded up the best cheap Android phones currently on the market at various price points, starting at just under $400 and going all the way down to as low as $100. That way, most people will be able to find something that fits their budget. The list only includes phones that were officially released in the US and are backed by a warranty.

Best cheap Android phones:

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best cheap phones regularly as new devices launch.

1. Pixel 3a XL and Pixel 3a

If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL should be at the top of your list. The most impressive thing about them is that they offer almost the same camera experience as the regular Pixel 3. The hardware, coupled with Google’s superb camera software features like the ever-impressive Night Sight, serve up photos far beyond what you might expect from phones in this price range.

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The two phones are similar in terms of specs. They both pack the Snapdragon 670 chipset under the hood along with 4GB of RAM. That’s less impressive than the high-end Snapdragon 845 you get in the Pixel 3 phones, but it’s still more than good enough for the average user. They also feature a headphone jack and the Active Edge feature, which lets you quickly summon Google Assistant by squeezing the edges of a phone. The main differences between them are the display and battery sizes.

There are a few omissions, though, which are expected due to the price tags of the phones. There’s no wireless charging or an IP rating. The phones also don’t feel quite as upmarket because of their plastic backs.

Pixel 3a specs:

Pixel 3a XL specs:

2. Nokia 7.2

What makes the Nokia 7.2 one of the best cheap phones you can get is a combination of decent specs, an eye-catching design, and a great software experience. The handset is part of the Android One family, which means it runs a stock version of Google’s OS.

The mid-ranger is powered by the Snapdragon 660 chipset that’s backed by 4GB of RAM in the US. It features three cameras at the back and a fingerprint scanner that sits below it. Other specs and features worth mentioning include a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a notch, a 3,500mAh battery, and a headphone jack. You can check out the rest of the specs below.

The Nokia 7.2 was announced at IFA 2019 and is already on sale in the US. You can get the phone from Amazon via the button below.

Nokia 7.2 specs:

3. Samsung Galaxy A50

In his review, our very own Dhruv Bhutani said that the Galaxy A50 is “Samsung’s best mid-ranger in years.” It offers decent specs, a great design, and a versatile triple-camera setup, among other things.

The phone sports a large 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a notch, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a 4,000mAh battery. It supports expandable storage and has a headphone jack on board. The device is easy on the eyes, although it doesn’t stand out from the crowd.

Related: Best phones under $300: What are your options?

The unlocked variant of the Galaxy A50 has recently launched in the US and is currently the best option for those looking for a mid-range Samsung device — you can get it via the button below.

Samsung Galaxy A50 specs:

4. Moto G7

Next up on our list of the best cheap phones is the mid-range Moto G7. Its specs won’t blow your socks off, but the handset has more than enough power under the hood for the average user. It features the Snapdragon 632 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

All in all, the Moto G7 is an awesome phone for the price.

You’ll find a dual-camera setup on the back that allows you to add the bokeh effect to images. The display comes in at 6.2 inches at is surrounded by relatively thin bezels. There’s also a notch up top that houses an 8MP camera.

The Moto G7 offers a great software experience. It runs a near-stock version of Android, which means there’s not a lot of bloatware on the device. All in all, it’s an awesome phone for the price.

Moto G7 specs:

5. Samsung Galaxy A20

This is the second — and last — Samsung device on our list of the best cheap phones you can get. It offers less than the Galaxy A50, but it’s also less expensive.

The screen is quite large, coming in at 6.4 inches, but it only has HD+ resolution. There’s a dual-camera setup at the back that gets the job done, just don’t expect the world from it — especially in low-light situations.

Other specs and features include 32GB of expandable storage, a 4,000mAh battery, and Android Pie with Samsung’s One UI on top. You can get the device from Amazon via the button below.

Samsung Galaxy A20 specs:

6. Sony Xperia 10

Like Sony’s flagship phones, the Xperia 10 sports a display with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It’s a mid-range handset, packing the Snapdragon 630 chipset along with 3GB of RAM under the hood.

It has a headphone jack that’s missing on a lot of high-end phones these days and comes with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. You get 64GB of storage, but that can be expanded with a microSD card.

Other specs and features worth mentioning include two rear cameras and a 2,870mAh battery with fast cha