One of the best low-cost Android telephones to purchase in 2025

You don’t must lay our a fortune to get a brand new cellphone that handles your every day duties with ease. One of the best low-cost Android telephones pack spectacular options into inexpensive value tags, making them nice choices for anybody who needs stable efficiency with out stretching their pockets. Whether or not you are scrolling social media, streaming movies or snapping pictures, there are many budget-friendly Android gadgets that may sustain with the whole lot you do.

When you won’t get all of the bells and whistles of flagship fashions, lots of in the present day’s inexpensive telephones nonetheless provide surprisingly good construct high quality, clean shows and succesful digicam programs. Some even boast spectacular digicam high quality that may go toe-to-toe with far costlier choices — excellent for informal photographers or anybody who simply needs to seize nice moments on the go.

Desk of contents

Finest funds Android telephones for 2025

SAMSUNG

For $200, the Galaxy A16 5G gives super worth. I haven’t had an opportunity to check it, however really feel assured recommending it since Samsung took an already nice cellphone within the A15 5G and made it even higher. In comparison with its predecessor, the A16 contains a thinner design, slimmer bezels and a fair bigger 6.7-inch display screen. It additionally features a new, quicker and extra environment friendly Exynos 1330, alongside an unimaginable six years of promised software program assist.

The one disappointing factor in regards to the A16 is that Samsung didn’t replace the cellphone’s digicam bundle, however contemplating how a lot cellphone you’re getting for $200, it’s arduous to fault the corporate. Oh, and the A16 doesn’t include a headphone jack, so funds for wi-fi earbuds. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Professionals

Inexpensive
Upgraded processor
Good 6.7-inch display screen
Thinner design

Cons

Digicam array is a bit stale
No headphone jack

$200 at Amazon

OnePlus

When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had mainly the whole lot you may need in a cellphone that value $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers sturdy efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s appropriate with all the massive US carriers, to not point out good specs together with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthy improve. It additionally has a giant 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh price, which is uncommon on a funds cellphone as most rivals function slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And because of its 50-watt wired quick charging, you may high it up shortly, too. It additionally gives software program updates for an honest interval, guaranteeing its longevity. However most significantly, the Nord 30 just lately acquired a value drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our high decide on this area.

Professionals

Good efficiency for the worth
120Hz show
50W wired charging

$300 at Amazon

Motorola

For these on a extremely tight funds, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all of the bases nicely. It has a speedy Snapdragon 680 processor together with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And whereas that final quantity might sound small, the cellphone has a microSD card slot so you may add more room if and whenever you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display screen can also be surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh price. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 score for mud and water resistance. That isn’t a lot, nevertheless it’s adequate to guard towards an errant splash or two. Positive, the G Play is primary, nevertheless it’s primary in a great way, particularly should you’re not too fussed about operating a number of apps and simply desire a handset to carry out on a regular basis duties.

Professionals

90Hz show
IP52 score
Expandable storage through a microSD card slot

Cons

Solely 64GB of onboard storage

$110 at Amazon

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

Learn our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

If you’d like one thing completely different out of your subsequent cellphone, there are few if any gadgets on the market just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass again that evokes the design of outdated Recreation Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inner elements, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally the most effective offers within the business, because of a compelling mixture of options. The Cellphone 3a sports activities a shiny 6.77-inch OLED show with a 120Hz refresh price. It additionally comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto digicam. That final function is one thing that’s troublesome to search out within the 3a Professional’s value vary, particularly in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Professionals

Enjoyable design
Giant 120Hz AMOLED display screen
Clear however customizable Android pores and skin

Cons

Restricted US guarantee
No wi-fi charging
Tinny audio system

$459 at Amazon

How low-cost do you have to go for an Android cellphone?

We are inclined to outline a funds smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the system runs the danger of affected by too many compromises in perform, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (should you’re open to spending extra, we shouted out a few our favourite flagship telephones on the very finish of this information).

However for these with a bit wiggle room, there are some issues to think about. For instance, a baby could also be higher off with a less expensive system, particularly if it’s supposed primarily for emergencies, WiFi searching or texting mother and father (and never social media). On the upper finish of this value spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung telephones and different Android gadgets have come a good distance because of improved efficiency, higher cellphone cameras with low-light capabilities, quick charging, and nicer shows like AMOLED panels. This makes them a viable various to, say, a flagship handset with a premium design, even in case you have the pliability to spend extra.

What to search for in an inexpensive Android cellphone

In terms of low-cost telephones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones on this value vary are made out of plastic, although the match and end of a particular mannequin can range rather a lot based mostly on value. A shiny display screen can also be vital. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh price, however some telephones could have OLED or AMOLED screens with elevated colour saturation. Lengthy battery life is essential as nicely, so we are inclined to favor gadgets with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this value vary, efficiency can range rather a lot, so search for gadgets with at the very least 8GB of RAM and processors that may ship stutter-free visuals. It’s additionally vital to think about assist size: as periodic safety updates and prolonged software program assist can lengthen the longevity of your system, which is able to prevent cash in the long term.

Android cellphone FAQs

What is the value distinction for an inexpensive Android vs an inexpensive iPhone?

iPhones are typically costlier in comparison with Android telephones — even the most affordable iPhone, the iPhone SE, which begins from $429, is a tougher tablet to swallow in comparison with an inexpensive Android cellphone. In distinction, you will get your arms on an inexpensive Android system for as little as $100.

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