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While high-end smartphones may come with a hefty price tag, there are now several budget-friendly options that offer impressive features. Among these, the Google Pixel 7a stands out as our favorite affordable pick. However, we’ve also compiled a list of alternatives that will not only keep you connected but also keep your wallet happy.
Gone are the days when multi-camera systems, powerful processors, and top-notch displays were exclusive to expensive handsets. Nowadays, even the most affordable phones boast such capabilities. Yet, sifting through the myriad of budget smartphones to find the best ones can be challenging.
| Image | Product Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Google Pixel 7a | Check Price | |
 | OnePlus Nord N20 | Check Price | |
 | iPhone SE | Check Price | |
 | Google Pixel 7 | Check Price | |
 | OnePlus 11 | Check Price |
Best Budget Smartphones Reviews
Fret not, though, as we’ve undertaken the hard work of researching and reviewing these affordable phones. The result is a curated list of options that are more than capable of fulfilling all your needs.
1. Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a can easily be mistaken for a flagship Pixel smartphone, given its impressive features and capabilities. Powered by the Google Tensor G2 chip, the Pixel 7a delivers upper-mid-range performance, allowing smooth multitasking, gaming, and app usage.
Its 6.1-inch Full HD OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate ensures a delightful experience for doom scrolling, streaming, and gaming. This Android phone is loaded with quality-of-life features, including call-enhancing tools, an excellent voice-to-text experience, and innovative camera functionality, among other conveniences. The 64MP main camera, though physically smaller than the flagship Pixel 7, still captures impressive shots, making photography enjoyable on this device.
However, the battery life falls short of expectations, but the inclusion of wireless charging is a redeeming feature. With a screen size of 6.1 inches and a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080, it boasts 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The rear camera setup consists of a 64MP wide lens and a 13MP ultrawide lens, while the front camera is 13MP. Operating on Android 13, the Pixel 7a has dimensions of 5.98″ x 2.87″ x 0.35″ and weighs 6.84 oz.
2. OnePlus Nord N20
Indulge in the latest smartphone luxuries without breaking the bank, thanks to the OnePlus Nord N20 5G. this device is equipped with a mid-range Snapdragon 695 chipset and 6GB of RAM, delivering not only 5G connectivity but also sufficient power for web browsing, video calls with friends, and even some light gaming. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a large and vibrant AMOLED FHD+ display, providing an immersive visual experience.
Capture stunning photos and videos with the 64MP wide-angle camera on the rear and take crisp selfies with the 16MP front sensor. The phone’s 4,500mAh battery ensures you can snap pictures all day long, and with the 33W fast charging feature, you can get a day’s worth of power in just 30 minutes, even if you forget to charge overnight. Plus, with 128GB of storage, expandable up to 512GB with a micro SD card, there’s plenty of room to store all your data.
Featuring a 6.43-inch screen with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G runs on Android 11 and has a sleek design with dimensions of 6.30″ x 2.88″ x 0.30″ and a weight of 6.10 oz. With its impressive features and budget-friendly price, this phone offers an excellent option for tech-savvy users looking for a great smartphone experience without overspending.
3. iPhone SE
Despite Apple’s tendency to release high-priced iPhones, the third-gen iPhone SE (2022) stands out as one of the most affordable and cost-effective options worth considering. With the powerful A15 Bionic chip, also featured in the iPhone 13, this model ensures smooth performance and responsiveness. However, its design remains reminiscent of previous SE iterations, sporting a 4.7-inch screen and thick bezels similar to the older iPhone 7 or iPhone 8 models. On the bright side, the iPhone SE (2022) now supports 5G connectivity.
The phone retains the same 12MP rear camera from the 2020 model, but the new chip brings photo software improvements like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, resulting in better-looking shots. Additionally, there has been a slight enhancement to battery life. The base model offers 64GB of storage, which should suffice if you don’t need a vast collection of photos, videos, games, music, and podcasts on your device. However, if you require more storage, there’s an option to upgrade to 256GB.
The iPhone SE (2022) provides excellent value for money, making it the most affordable iPhone in Apple’s lineup. With a screen size of 4.7 inches and a resolution of 1,334 x 750, it houses 4GB of RAM and a 2,018mAh battery. The rear camera is 12MP, and the front camera is 7MP. Running on iOS 15, the device has dimensions of 5.45″ x 2.65″ x 0.29″ and weighs 5.09 oz. If you’re looking for an iPhone that combines performance with affordability, the iPhone SE (2022) is an excellent choice.
4. Google Pixel 7
Google strikes a balance between its premium Pixel Pro line and the budget-friendly A series devices with the introduction of the Google Pixel 7. Powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip, this phone offers lightning-fast performance while incorporating AI features such as speech recognition and Night Sight photography for stunning low-light shots. The impressive camera setup includes a sharp 50MP main camera and a serviceable 12MP Ultrawide camera, along with a Super Res Zoom feature for images with up to 8x zoom—though quality diminishes slightly beyond 5x zoom.
The Pixel 7 presents a slight design shift from the previous generation, featuring a smaller 6.3-inch OLED display housed in a classier and more aluminum-rich frame. With a respectable 1080 x 2400 resolution, the display shines brightly up to 1400 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The display’s refresh rate is variable, ranging from 60Hz to 90Hz, providing super smooth scrolling.
With a screen size of 6.3 inches, the Pixel 7 offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Its battery capacity is 4,355mAh. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, while the front camera boasts a 10.8MP sensor. Running on Android 13, the phone measures 6.13″ x 2.88″ x 0.34″ and weighs 6.95 oz. The Google Pixel 7 delivers a compelling blend of performance, camera capabilities, and design refinements, all at an attractive price point.
5. OnePlus 11
Don’t assume that flagship smartphones come with an exorbitant price tag. Offering incredible performance without breaking the bank. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 8GB of memory, this phone effortlessly handles gaming, editing, and other intensive tasks. The QHD+ 6.7-inch AMOLED display boasts a 1000Hz touch response rate and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for a seamless gaming experience.
Despite its performance prowess and stunning display, the OnePlus 11’s 5,000 mAh battery should easily last through the day with average usage. And when the battery runs low, the 80W SuperVOOC charging can take the phone from 0% to 100% in just 27 minutes. The OnePlus 11’s sleek design, along with its impressive high-resolution camera system, completes the package, making it an ideal budget-friendly choice for a high-end smartphone.
With a screen size of 6.7 inches and a resolution of 3,216 x 1,440, the OnePlus 11 packs 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP telephoto lens, while the front camera is 16MP. Running on Android 13, the phone measures 6.42″ x 2.92″ x 0.34″ and weighs 7.23 oz. The OnePlus 11 offers an impressive combination of performance, display quality, and design, all at a budget-friendly price point.
Final Verdict
When considering a budget smartphone purchase, it’s essential to assess your usage and priorities. Determine how you’ll use the phone and what features matter most to you. If you enjoy watching movies and videos, prioritize a phone with a large, vibrant, and colorful screen within your budget range. On the other hand, if photography is your passion, consider a device with a high-resolution camera or multiple camera options.
A simple way to save on your smartphone purchase is to opt for a slightly older model, as they often come at a lower cost compared to the latest releases. Even phones from the past three years offer impressive performance due to incremental improvements in mobile processors. However, make sure the older phone you choose is eligible for future software updates. Android updates can be slow even on flagship devices, and Apple determines when its devices reach the end of their life expectancy. Verify if your budget smartphone will receive updates for the next iterations of Android and iOS, such as Android 14 and iOS 17, respectively.
Another cost-saving approach is to consider contract options. Though this method has been around for a long time, subscription-based discounts have become rarer as service providers focus more on payment plans and subscription services like T-Mobile JUMP! and AT&T Next Up. These plans allow users to upgrade to a new smartphone every two years but do not offer device ownership.
By asking the right questions and considering these tips, you can find a budget smartphone that aligns perfectly with your needs and preferences without overspending.