A new smartphone can be quite expensive. However, you are not always required to purchase the most recent and greatest. If you only use your phone for basic purposes and can’t afford to purchase a brand new flagship model, there are some low-cost alternatives to consider. Although an entry-level smartphone may not shoot spectacular images, there are no distinctions when it comes to calls and texts. The Google Pixel 5a 5G, one of the best on our list, has a larger battery than the Pixel 4a, superb camera performance, and 5G.
If you’re looking for a low-cost phone, you don’t have to forego 5G. Our top option features 5G, and we’ve also produced a list of affordable 5G phones if that’s a must-have feature for your next purchase.
We examined various cheap phones and chose the finest models in various price levels. If you’re looking for a new phone but don’t want to spend too much money, our top selections are a terrific place to start.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
Why should you buy it: This is the finest phone under $500, with a sleek look, decent camera, and good performance.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a strong phone with a robust design and 5G support at an affordable price.
Why we chose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the best phone available for under $500 right now. This phone is truly special for a smartphone in its pricing range, with a modern design, strong performance, and a versatile and high-quality camera.
One of the things that make the Galaxy A52 5G such a terrific phone is its performance. It is fully equipped by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G CPU, and Qualcomm’s 7-series has shown to be a viable alternative to Qualcomm’s flagship 8-series. This is paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for most users. Furthermore, there is either 128GB or 256GB of storage available, which is more than enough for most people’s files and music.
Perhaps even more impressive is the camera’s incredible versatility. The smartphone has a quad-camera system that includes a 64-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, a 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP depth camera. There is no telephoto camera, which is unfortunate, but given the price, it’s difficult to complain.
The display of the Galaxy A52 5G is also fantastic. The phone has a 6.5-inch 1080p display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which should provide a very smooth and responsive experience. In fact, the Galaxy A52 5G’s display is quite similar to that of the popular Galaxy S21.
Other features include a 4,500mAh battery and the fact that it is available in a variety of gorgeous hues.
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an almost top-tier phone at a reasonable price.
Google Pixel 5a 5G
Why should you buy it: The Pixel has a larger battery than the Pixel 4a, as well as the excellent camera you’d expect from a Pixel device and 5G connectivity.
Who it’s for: Anyone with a $450 budget looking for the greatest 5G phone available.
Why did we choose it: The Google Pixel 5a 5G costs right under $450 and offers a lot for the money. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G CPU with 6GB of RAM powers the device. Everything runs easily, and it can even handle demanding games like Genshin Impact, albeit the Pixel 6’s 90Hz refresh rate isn’t present here, only 60Hz. You also get a 6.34-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2400 x 1800 that looks fantastic both indoors and out.
The camera, which (on paper) is similar to the Pixel 4a, is maybe the most appealing feature. A 12.2MP single-lens camera with all of the same A.I. features as the Pixel 5, an 8MP front-facing camera, and a 16MP ultrawide lens with a 117-degree field of view. However, it is the software that distinguishes these cameras. The 5a 5G excels at low-light photography, with Night Sight automatically activated in dim circumstances. There’s astrophotography for stunning night sky photos, as well as 1080p and 4K video capture at 60 frames per second.
Battery life has improved over the Pixel 4a, with a 4,690mAh battery that should last one and a half to two days on typical use. There is 18W fast wired charging available, but no wireless charging.
The Pixel 5a 5G runs Android 11 and is assured to receive three years of OS and security updates. You’ll also receive Google Assistant smarts and integrations like “Hold for Me,” which allows Google Assistant to screen calls and hold callers.
This phone boasts 128GB of storage and IP67 water and dust resistance rating, so it’s suitable for a day at the beach or a fast dip in the bath.
If you have a $450 budget, the Pixel 5a 5G delivers on its promises, including better battery life over the 4a 5G, superb camera performance, and waterproofing.
Apple iPhone SE 2020
Why should you buy it: It’s reasonably priced for an iPhone, and it features the same A13 Bionic technology as the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.
Who it’s for: Anyone who always wanted an iPhone but didn’t have enough to buy one.
Why did we choose the iPhone SE (2020): This is the best option for Apple enthusiasts looking for a good deal on an iPhone. The new iPhone SE incorporates the timeless design of the iPhone 6, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8, as well as the Apple A13 Bionic chipset. Yes, the chip is the same as in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. It’s the little iPhone that many people have been pumped to see.
The 4.7-inch screen is shart, standard iOS 14 is simple to use, and you gain access to an impressive library of slick apps and games, as well as features like as Apple Pay. The battery is modest, yet it lasts a day with moderate use, and wireless charging is supported.
There is a fantastic 12MP main camera with Live Photographs support that shoots clean, crisp, natural-looking photos. There’s also a decent 7MP front-facing camera. There’s also a portrait mode on both the front and rear cameras, as well as support for Apple’s most recent camera upgrades, such as Smart HDR and enhanced video stabilization.
The internal storage space is 64GB, which is more than enough for most people. Besides, it gets wet, you won’t have to worry. Because of its small size, the battery life isn’t the best, but it still offers the fantastic Apple iPhone experience at a modest cost.
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
Why should you buy it: The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G works admirably, and it also has a modern design and 5G connectivity.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking for 5G and a reasonably current design.
Why did we choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G: The Samsung Galaxy A series 2021 generation offers some fantastic handset alternatives, and if you’re searching for the finest phone under $300, the Galaxy A32 5G is the way to go. The tablet has a modern design, good features, and is reasonably priced.
This year, the Samsung Galaxy A series in general delivers a strong look. There will be a small teardrop notch for the front-facing camera, as well as a quad-camera module on the back that will sit flush, rather than in a raised camera bump.
The Galaxy A32 5G has respectable specs under the hood. You’ll get a MediaTek MT6853 processor, 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of storage space. That should be sufficient for the vast majority of users.
The camera also appears to be quite versatile. A quad-camera system on the back includes a 48MP main camera, an impressive 8MP wide-angle camera, a smaller 5MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. There is no telephoto camera, which is a little disappointing, but at this price range, it’s impossible to blame Samsung for that.
You’ll also get 5G connectivity, which, while it won’t drastically affect your smartphone experience in 2022, may come in handy in the coming years.
If you have a strict $300 budget, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G will give you the best bang for your buck right now.
Moto G Power
Why should you buy it: The Moto G Power is a steal that appears much more costly than it is, and it has few flaws in this price bracket.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a sleek low-cost phone with a large screen.
Why did we choose it: For the past few years, the Moto G family has been our go-to cheap smartphone option. In fact, this year’s model is even less expensive than last year’s, with prices starting at $199. However, we recommend purchasing the $249 model, which increases storage to 64GB and RAM to 4GB. It’s an attractive phone with a sturdy design and a hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera. It also features a large 5,000mAh battery that should last at least two days.
The Moto G Power has a 6.6-inch display, which is a significant selling point for this phone. Despite the fact that it has a 720p resolution, the lesser resolution should help the battery survive longer — and it still does the job well. Under the hood, there’s a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor with a top version 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
The Moto G Power also comes with a triple-lens camera, which has a 48MP main camera with an astonishing f/1.7 aperture, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. It can catch some gorgeous images in favorable lighting settings, and the portrait mode is great for shooting shots of friends and family with blurred backgrounds. The front-facing camera has an 8-megapixel resolution.
Motorola has always provided a very stock software experience, and Moto G Power is no exception. The gadget ships with Android 10, and while Motorola hasn’t made any official statements, we expect it to receive Android 11 in the future.
If you have a strict $200 budget, the Moto G Power will provide you with the best bang for your buck right now. It has a large display, great performance, and a decent camera all wrapped up in a sleek package.
Moto E6
Why should you buy it: The Moto E6 is an extremely affordable smartphone that, while lacking in some areas, gives an acceptable smartphone experience.
Who it’s for: Those looking for a phone that can text, talk, browse the web, and run social networking apps without spending more than $100.
Why did we choose the Moto E6: Because the Moto E6 is Motorola’s most cheap phone, you must accept a few drawbacks. This phone, for example, isn’t set to receive the most recent Android upgrades, and the camera isn’t the best.
There’s a Snapdragon that has a powerful enough processor chip under the hood, so browsing through social media shouldn’t be a problem. There is just 16GB of storage onboard, but a microSD card slot allows you to expand this to 256GB if necessary. On the back, there’s also a headphone jack, but no fingerprint sensor. There’s also no USB-C charging, so you’ll have to make do with a Micro USB port. Running Android 9.0 Pie, the software experience is pretty near to stock Android without a lot of bloatware. NFC is also absent, which means no contactless Google Pay payments, but the E6 does have a useful splash-resistant coating, so it should last rainy days.
There’s a 3,000mAh detachable battery inside, and up to 29 hours of battery life is guaranteed, so it should last the day. The camera is impressive at this pricing point, but it’s absolutely serviceable, featuring a 13MP main camera and a 5MP selfie cam.
This version of the Moto E6 is only available from Verizon, though it is also available via Simple Mobile and Total Wireless.
EmoticonEmoticon