Neglect the spendy flagship smartphone. Yearly, I check a dozen or extra units to seek out the very best low cost telephones that carry out the place it counts and aren’t annoyingly sluggish. Wi-fi carriers within the US exit of their solution to make costly smartphones appear inexpensive. AT&T will promote a Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely for simply $36 a month, however do not let that idiot you. With over 36 month-to-month installments, you continue to spend over a thousand bucks on a cellphone. Your expensive gadget might also maintain you locked into the community, unable to change wi-fi carriers till the cellphone is paid off.
Get a severely nice, inexpensive smartphone as an alternative. That is particularly vital in immediately’s tariff-rich surroundings. Our prime decide, the Google Pixel 9a, prices $499 and is pretty much as good as virtually any flagship gadget, and our different suggestions strike an excellent stability between value and luxurious. There’s even a folding cellphone on this information!
Take a look at our many different cell guides, together with Finest Android Telephones, Finest Samsung Telephones, Finest Telephones With a Headphone Jack, Finest Google Pixel, Finest Moto Telephones, and Finest iPhones.
Desk of Contents
Up to date April 2025: We have added the Google Pixel 9a, Nuu N20, and Samsung Galaxy A16, and talked about the upcoming CMF Telephone 2 Professional.
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Sure. In the event you want a brand new low cost smartphone, now is an efficient time to purchase. Most of our prime picks are 2025 units, in order that they’re the most recent and best. It is particularly sensible to purchase a cellphone proper now, contemplating the ever-changing tariff scenario that can inevitably make every thing costlier, particularly electronics like smartphones and laptops.
Take into account Final 12 months’s Flagship Telephones (or Used)
If none of those telephones have the options you need or they aren’t as highly effective as you’d like, your best choice is to search for a earlier technology flagship smartphone, which could be steeply discounted. Generally they’re straightforward to seek out, however producers could cease promoting them. Take into account that you’ll lose a yr of software program help, however that’s usually nonetheless higher than the software program help obtainable on low cost telephones anyway. The Google Pixel 8, for instance, has dipped to $400, and the Pixel 8 Professional has dropped to $599. Costs fluctuate, so buy accordingly.
Alternatively, contemplate shopping for a used smartphone. (We have some suggestions right here.) You will must analysis, however websites like Swappa, Gazelle, and Again Market have status and are strong locations to purchase a used or refurbished gadget. Search for the present prime fashions on Android and iPhone from the final yr or two, and see what they are going for in mint or good situation.
5G Smartphones, Defined
5G is the present mobile community technology and it is widespread sufficient that it is best to attempt to follow telephones that help it. It isn’t fully changing 4G LTE, so you will see 4G in your standing bar as you roam across the nation. You may learn extra about it right here, however in brief, 5G is available in two main varieties: sub-6 and millimeter wave (mmWave). The latter is often solely obtainable in flagship telephones and permits you to entry superfast speeds, however you’ll not often encounter mmWave (assume choose areas in main cities and sure venues, like stadiums and airports). Sub-6 isn’t a lot sooner than 4G LTE, however it has a broader vary and is extra broadly accessible. Many of the smartphones we suggest right here help sub-6 5G, even these as little as $200.
Verify Community Compatibility
In the event you purchase an unlocked cellphone on this listing and attempt to take it to one in all your wi-fi service’s retail shops, they might inform you it isn’t suitable with the community. It doubtless is. Simply use a paper clip or SIM ejection software to pop the SIM card out of your present cellphone, then slide that SIM into your new cellphone. If it doesn’t work at first, reboot the cellphone or wait a few hours.
In the event you want a brand new SIM, strive ordering one on-line out of your service or see in the event that they’ll offer you a SIM if you activate a line within the retailer (should you’re beginning protection). Inform them you might have a cellphone. Many occasions, reps will need to promote you a cellphone; that’s one potential cause they may problem you into shopping for a distinct gadget within the retailer. Having mentioned that, please ensure that no matter cellphone you purchase will work on your wi-fi community. Listings on retailers like Amazon ought to state clearly which networks a tool will probably be suitable with. Additionally, ensure that the itemizing says the cellphone is being bought “unlocked.”
On this information, we’ve listed whether or not a cellphone works with a main US service. However what should you’re not on AT&T, T-Cell, or Verizon? If we notice {that a} cellphone works on T-Cell, for instance, which means it’ll doubtless work on smaller carriers like Metro By T-Cell and Mint Cell, each of which make the most of T-Cell’s mobile community. In the event you’re nervous about compatibility, lookup the specs of the precise mannequin you’re contemplating. Be sure that it has the LTE or 5G bands it must run in your service.
Warning for Verizon customers: There’s the next probability an unlocked cellphone is not going to work in your community. Be sure that it’s labeled to work on Verizon, or that it says the cellphone is CDMA-capable. If one thing unusual is occurring, such as you don’t get any texts, you might also must contact customer support and ask them to allow CDMA-less roaming. AT&T and T-Cell are GSM carriers, which is the usual for many of the world; most unlocked telephones are suitable with them.
Finest Low-cost Telephone
The Google Pixel 9a (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the very best smartphone you should purchase for the cash. At $499—half the value of an iPhone 16 Professional or Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus—you get a bit of of every thing, from Qi wi-fi charging to top-of-the-line efficiency. It is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor, the identical one which’s contained in the flagship Pixel 9 sequence, and which means this midrange cellphone will get seven years of software program help—a rarity at this value.
The 6.3-inch OLED display screen is larger and brighter than earlier than, with a 120-Hz refresh charge so that each one the animations on the display screen look buttery {smooth}. The bezels are a bit thick across the display screen, however it’s hardly an issue. On the again, you will discover Google has launched a brand new, less complicated design. Gone is the enduring Pixel digital camera bar in favor of a floating dual-camera module that sits fully flush with the again of the cellphone. It does not have as a lot character, however a minimum of the cellphone nonetheless seems good within the iris or peony coloration choices.
I’ve had zero issues with efficiency in my testing, even once I live-posted for an hour on Bluesky throughout the Nintendo Direct saying the Change 2. The one factor to know is that as a result of the Pixel 9a comes with solely 8 GB of RAM, it omits two options from the flagship Pixel 9 sequence: Name Notes and the Pixel Screenshots app. These are helpful options, however it’s no big loss.
Battery life is lastly higher than earlier than. The large, 5,100-mAh cell inside comfortably lasts a full day with common use—I often ended a day with 30 to 40 % within the tank. Heavier days will drain the cellphone rapidly, although, so you could want a energy financial institution to be protected in case your screen-time numbers are north of six to seven hours.
The cameras are the spotlight of the Pixel sequence, and the Pixel 9a lives as much as this legacy—it is simply the very best digital camera system on the sub-$500 degree. It has a 48-megapixel fundamental digital camera that snaps detailed, colourful, sharp pictures in any lighting situation. Becoming a member of it’s a succesful 13-MP ultrawide, and the 13-MP selfie digital camera is strong. Even the few videoclips I shot in dim circumstances at 4K 60 frames per second appeared fairly good.
The highest cause why I heartily suggest Pixel telephones is due to the sensible software program options you will not discover on many different sub-$500 smartphones. I’ve detailed a lot of them right here, however you should utilize Add Me to verify everyone seems to be within the group picture, together with the photographer. Audio Magic Eraser allows you to strip out undesirable sounds out of your movies, like sirens. And Google’s Name Display know-how nips spam calls within the bud.
Different perks embody safe face unlock and fingerprint unlock—each work with delicate apps that require biometric authentication, so you might have a number of unlocking choices. Safe face unlock is nearly nonexistent for each different Android cellphone at this value. There’s additionally NFC for contactless funds and an improved IP68 score that protects it from the weather.
Finest Low-cost iPhone
The brand new iPhone 16e is Apple’s least expensive iPhone and, nicely, it is probably not low cost (7/10, WIRED Overview). At $599, it is $170 greater than the iPhone SE it changed. I attempt to give attention to sub-$500 smartphones on this information, however sadly, if you wish to purchase a brand new iPhone from Apple and spend the least sum of money, that is your solely alternative.
It is a completely purposeful handset with nice efficiency due to the A18 chipset, which means it is now the most cost effective iPhone with Apple Intelligence. Notice that it lacks one graphics core in comparison with the A18 discovered within the iPhone 16, which means barely lesser gaming efficiency, however I did not run into too many points taking part in demanding titles like Genshin Affect.
The perfect function of this cellphone is its battery life. Regardless of the comparatively small 6.1-inch display screen, it delivers an extended run time than the same-sized iPhone 16, even coming near matching the longevity of Apple’s bigger iPhones. On one intensive day, I hit 9 hours of screen-on time, and the iPhone 16e had 15 % left by bedtime. It is glorious. That is due to the brand new C1 chip, Apple’s first customized modem in an iPhone that maintains good (sub-6) 5G mobile efficiency however is extra power-efficient than modems in older units.
That is nearly all this iPhone brings to the desk. The 48-megapixel digital camera is succesful and might produce pleasing pictures even in low gentle, however it’s the solely digital camera on the cellphone. There is not any Dynamic Island; as an alternative, the notch is again. Apple selected to chop MagSafe from this gadget, so you can not connect magnetic equipment with out utilizing a MagSafe case, and even then, you will not be aware of sooner wi-fi charging speeds. There is not any ultra-wideband chip, so you may’t exactly monitor AirTags—this iPhone will solely provide the common neighborhood of the tag’s location.
Even should you do not look after these omissions, the iPhone 16e does not really feel prefer it ought to price $599—different telephones on this information round that value supply extra capabilities and options. It’s going to do the job, however it’s not the very best bang to your buck. I recommend selecting up a used iPhone 15 Professional as an alternative, often obtainable for round $650 in good situation on websites like Swappa, Gazelle, or Again Market. It helps Apple Intelligence and packs far more options.
In the event you should purchase new, contemplate the iPhone 15, obtainable immediately from Apple for $699. It has all of these lacking options however does not help Apple Intelligence. Which may not be an enormous deal, contemplating Apple’s AI options aren’t that helpful proper now.
Finest Low-cost Samsung Telephone
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE technically has an MSRP of $650, however it’s steadily on sale for $500, which makes it worthy of this information. That is Samsung’s “lite” model of the Galaxy S24 sequence. I used it for a number of weeks with no efficiency points with the Exynos 2400e chipset, and battery life with the 4,700-mAh cell was first rate, lasting a full day with common use.
It nonetheless helps Samsung’s Galaxy AI options, and also you even get a triple-camera expertise with a 50-MP main shooter, a 12-MP ultrawide, and an 8-MP telephoto with 3X zoom. It is unusual to seek out the complete trio of cameras at this value—extra cameras make the cellphone extra versatile, providing you with choices on the way you need to body your shot. Like the 2 telephones above, this Android cellphone will get a few of the longest software program help in comparison with rivals on this bracket.
It maintains all the opposite flagship perks you’d need, from Qi wi-fi charging and IP68 water resistance to a 120-Hz AMOLED display screen. It might look a bit of plain, however it’s an excellent all-rounder—simply be sure you catch it on sale.
It is price noting that Samsung lately introduced the 2025 Galaxy A-series, which incorporates the Galaxy A36, A26, and A56. In the event you’re after a less expensive Samsung, it is price ready for these to reach and seeing what they’re like. We’ll be testing them quickly.
Finest Underneath $400
Nothing’s Telephone (3a) and Telephone (3a) Professional are a few of the greatest low cost telephones you should purchase (8/10, WIRED Recommends). They’re trendy, distinctive, and have all of the issues most individuals want.
The units are similar in all areas besides cameras. The 50-megapixel fundamental sensor on the Professional has barely bigger pixels than the one within the Telephone (3a), which means it may possibly seize a bit of extra gentle for higher nighttime pictures. It additionally has a 3X periscope telephoto sensor that lets it zoom in nearer, whereas the cheaper 3a makes do with a 2X optical digital camera. In the event you use the cameras in your cellphone rather a lot, get the (3a) Professional, which instructions a barely greater value, although the cellphone’s cumbersome digital camera module causes a design imbalance that makes it a bit unwieldy. The Telephone (3a) seems higher, and the cameras get moderately shut in picture high quality.
Efficiency, pushed by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, is speedy, the 5,000-mAh battery cell can final a full day of heavy use (two days with lighter actions), and the show is {smooth}, sharp, and shiny. The telephones are IP64-rated, so simply watch out across the pool.
The principle caveats are the identical as its predecessor. Nothing is promoting these telephones by means of a beta program within the US, which means you have to enroll first to purchase them. That is not an enormous deal, simply an additional step, however connectivity is not a robust go well with. The Telephone (3a) sequence works greatest on T-Cell. 4G will work on AT&T and Verizon; nonetheless, you will must contact the 2 carriers to whitelist your gadget for 5G entry, which may be an annoying course of (and will not even work).
Barring these flaws, it is onerous to seek out significantly better at these costs. Nothing’s software program layer over Android is slick and appears distinctive, and the brand new Important Key gives up a extra considerate method to synthetic intelligence. This bodily button allows you to retailer notes through voice or textual content and have them summarized by AI—it will even robotically generate duties in your behalf. It is simply too unhealthy you may’t purchase the Telephone (3a) in blue. Sadly, this coloration just isn’t coming to the US.
Finest Underneath $300
Final yr’s Moto G Energy 2024 was a shock favourite. It introduced the comfort of wi-fi charging to sub-$300 telephones within the US and was total a comparatively smooth-performing finances handset that additionally appeared sensible. The brand new Moto G Energy 2025 largely continues that pattern (7/10, WIRED Recommends).
The attractive inexperienced coloration, mixed with the textured pretend leather-based again, makes for a visually distinct finances smartphone. The 6.8-inch LCD display screen is massive and sharp and has a 120-Hz display screen refresh charge, and I did not discover its peak brightness missing on sunny days. This slim cellphone has a 5,000-mAh cell, and with common use, I managed to maintain it going for 2 full days, although heavy customers will solely make that final a day. Wi-fi charging help continues to be current and stays a uncommon function at this value. I just like the comfort of not having to fish for a cable.
There’s NFC help so you may make contactless funds, to not point out a headphone jack, microSD card slot, and an upgraded IP68/69 water resistance score, one other rarity at this value. Meaning you may really feel protected utilizing this cellphone in gentle rain, and you will not have to fret about an unintentional drop within the pool.
Sadly, efficiency regressed a bit. Inside is MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 chipset with 8 GB of RAM, and it is a bit of slower than its predecessor. Not by a lot—efficiency was usually positive, however with extra seen stutters. It by no means obtained to the purpose the place I used to be irritated or annoyed, however it’s bizarre understanding that the 2024 gadget was a bit of extra fluid.
The first digital camera delivers sufficient outcomes, even in low gentle, although the same old failings apply: Pores and skin tones aren’t nice, you have to be very nonetheless for nighttime photographs, and colours can look off. Fortunately, this cellphone makes up for these failings with a barely higher software program replace coverage. For the primary time on a Moto G gadget, Motorola is promising two Android OS upgrades (it launched with Android 15), alongside three years of safety updates. It isn’t a lot in comparison with its friends above, however it is a massive step for a corporation that has provided lackluster software program help for years.
