Neglect the spendy flagship smartphone. Yearly, I take a look at a dozen or extra gadgets to seek out the most effective low-cost telephones that carry out the place it counts and aren’t annoyingly gradual. Wi-fi carriers within the US exit of their technique to make costly smartphones appear inexpensive. AT&T will promote a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for simply $36 a month, however do not let that idiot you. With over 36 month-to-month installments, you spend over a thousand bucks on a telephone. Your dear gadget may maintain you locked into the community, unable to change wi-fi carriers till the telephone is paid off.
Get a severely nice, inexpensive smartphone as an alternative. That is particularly essential in right now’s tariff-rich environment. Our prime choose, the Google Pixel 9a, prices $499 and is nearly as good as nearly any flagship gadget. Our different suggestions strike an ideal stability between worth and luxurious. There’s even a folding phone on this information!
Take a look at our many other mobile guides, together with Best Android Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Best Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Google Pixel, Best Moto Phones, and Best iPhones.
Desk of Contents
Up to date June 2025: We have added the Samsung Galaxy A26 and A36, TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, Motorola Edge, Minimal Telephone, and Motorola Razr 2025.
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 gadgets, in order that they’re the most recent and best. It is particularly sensible to purchase a telephone proper now, contemplating the ever-changing tariff situation, which can increase the costs of electronics like smartphones and laptops later within the 12 months.
Contemplate 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 era flagship smartphone, which is perhaps steeply discounted. Typically they’re straightforward to seek out, however producers might cease promoting them. Remember the fact that you’ll lose a 12 months 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 Pro has dropped to $599. Costs fluctuate, so buy accordingly.
Alternatively, take into account shopping for a used smartphone. (We have some tips here.) You will must analysis, however websites like Swappa, Gazelle, and Back Market have a superb status and are stable locations to purchase a used or refurbished gadget. Search for the present prime fashions on Android and iPhone from the final 12 months or two, and see what they are going for in mint or good situation.
5G Smartphones, Defined
5G is the present mobile community era and it is widespread sufficient that it’s best to attempt to follow telephones that help it. It is not fully changing 4G LTE, so you will see 4G in your standing bar as you roam across the nation. You may read more about it here, however in brief, 5G is available in two main varieties: sub-6 and millimeter wave (mmWave). The latter is normally solely obtainable in flagship telephones and lets you 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 quicker than 4G LTE, nevertheless it has a broader vary and is extra broadly accessible. A lot of the smartphones we suggest right here help sub-6 5G, even these as little as $200.
Test Community Compatibility
In the event you purchase an unlocked telephone on this record and attempt to take it to certainly one of your wi-fi service’s retail shops, they might let you know it isn’t appropriate with the community. It possible is. Simply use a paper clip or SIM ejection software to pop the SIM card out of your present telephone, then slide that SIM into your new telephone. If it doesn’t work at first, reboot the telephone.
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 whenever you activate a line within the retailer (in case you’re beginning protection). Inform them you may have a telephone. Many instances, reps will need to promote you a telephone; that’s one potential cause they may trouble you into shopping for a distinct gadget within the retailer. Having stated that, please be certain that no matter telephone you purchase will work on your wireless network. Listings on retailers like Amazon ought to state clearly which networks a tool might be appropriate with. Additionally, be certain that the itemizing says the telephone is being offered “unlocked.”
On this information, we’ve listed whether or not a telephone works with a major US carrier. However what in case you’re not on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon? If we word {that a} telephone works on T-Cell, for instance, meaning it’ll possible 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 it has the LTE or 5G bands it must run in your service.
Warning for Verizon customers: There’s the next likelihood an unlocked telephone is not going to work in your community. Be sure it’s labeled to work on Verizon, or that it says the telephone is CDMA-capable. If one thing unusual is occurring, such as you don’t get any texts, you may additionally 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 appropriate with them.
Finest Low-cost Telephone General
The Google Pixel 9a (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the most effective smartphone you should purchase for the cash. At $499—half the worth of an iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus—you get just a little of every part, from Qi wi-fi charging to top-of-the-line efficiency. It is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor, the identical one contained in the flagship Pixel 9 series, which implies this midrange telephone will get seven years of software program help—a rarity at this worth.
The 6.3-inch OLED display is greater and brighter than earlier than, with a 120-Hz refresh rate so that every one the animations on the display look buttery clean. The bezels are a bit thick across the display, nevertheless it’s hardly an issue. On the again, you will discover Google has launched a brand new, less complicated design. Gone is the long-lasting Pixel digicam bar in favor of a floating dual-camera module that sits fully flush with the again of the telephone. It does not have as a lot character, however at the very least the telephone nonetheless seems to be good within the iris or peony coloration choices.
I’ve had zero issues with efficiency in my testing, even after I live-posted for an hour on Bluesky in the course of the Nintendo Direct saying the Switch 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 collection: Name Notes and the Pixel Screenshots app. These are helpful options, nevertheless it’s no big loss.
Battery life is lastly higher than earlier than. The huge, 5,100-mAh cell inside comfortably lasts a full day with common use—I normally ended a day with 30 to 40 % within the tank. Heavier days will drain the telephone shortly, although, so chances are you’ll want a power bank to be protected in case your screen-time numbers are north of six to seven hours.
The cameras are the spotlight of the Pixel collection, and the Pixel 9a lives as much as this legacy—it is simply the most effective digicam system on the sub-$500 degree. It has a 48-megapixel fundamental digicam that snaps detailed, colourful, sharp images in any lighting situation. Becoming a member of it’s a succesful 13-MP ultrawide, and the 13-MP selfie digicam is stable. Even the few videoclips I shot in dim circumstances at 4K 60 frames per second seemed 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 many of them here, however you need to use Add Me to verify everyone is in the group photo, together with the photographer. Audio Magic Eraser helps you to strip out undesirable sounds out of your movies, like sirens. And Google’s Name Display expertise 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 may have a number of unlocking choices. Safe face unlock is nearly nonexistent for each different Android telephone at this worth. There’s additionally NFC for contactless funds and an improved IP68 rating that protects it from the weather.
Finest Low-cost iPhone
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
The iPhone 16e is Apple’s most cost-effective iPhone, and effectively, it isn’t low-cost (7/10, WIRED Review). At $599, it is $170 greater than the iPhone SE it changed. I attempt to concentrate on 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, this is your only choice.
It is a completely purposeful handset with nice efficiency because of the A18 chipset, that means it is now the most affordable iPhone with Apple Intelligence. Word that it lacks one graphics core in comparison with the A18 discovered within the iPhone 16, that means barely lesser gaming efficiency, however I did not run into too many points taking part in demanding titles like Genshin Impression.
One of the best function of this telephone is its battery life. Regardless of the comparatively small 6.1-inch display, 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 because of 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 gadgets.
That is nearly all this iPhone brings to the table. The 48-megapixel digicam is succesful and may produce pleasing photos even in low mild, nevertheless it’s the solely digicam on the telephone. There isn’t any Dynamic Island; as an alternative, the notch is again. Apple selected to chop MagSafe from this gadget, so you can’t connect magnetic equipment with out utilizing a MagSafe case, and even then, you will not be aware of quicker wi-fi charging speeds. There isn’t any ultra-wideband chip, so you may’t exactly monitor AirTags—this iPhone will solely provide the basic neighborhood of the tag’s location.
Even in case you do not look after these omissions, the iPhone 16e does not really feel prefer it ought to value $599—different telephones on this information round that worth supply extra capabilities and options. It’s going to do the job, nevertheless it’s not the most effective bang in your buck. I counsel selecting up a used iPhone 15 Pro as an alternative, normally obtainable for round $650 in good situation on websites like Swappa, Gazelle, or Back Market. It helps Apple Intelligence and packs far more options.
In the event you should purchase new, take into account the iPhone 15, obtainable directly from Apple for $699. It has all of these lacking options, however does not help Apple Intelligence. Which may not be a giant deal, contemplating Apple’s AI options aren’t that helpful proper now.
Finest Low-cost Samsung Telephone
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE has an MSRP of $650, nevertheless it’s often on sale for near $500, which makes it worthy of this information. That is Samsung’s “lite” model of the Galaxy S24 series. 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 major shooter, a 12-MP ultrawide, and an 8-MP telephoto with 3X zoom. It is unusual to seek out the total trio of cameras at this worth—extra cameras make the telephone extra versatile, providing you with choices on the way you need to body your shot. Like the 2 telephones above, this Android telephone will get among the longest software program help in comparison with opponents 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. It might look just a little plain, nevertheless it’s an ideal all-rounder—simply be sure to catch it on sale.
Finest Worth
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Nothing
Telephone (3a) and Telephone (3a) Professional
Nothing’s Telephone (3a) and Telephone (3a) Professional are among the greatest low-cost telephones you should purchase (8/10, WIRED Recommends). They’re trendy, distinctive, and examine off nearly all of the packing containers.
The gadgets are an identical in all areas besides cameras. The 50-megapixel fundamental sensor on the Professional has barely bigger pixels than the one within the Telephone (3a), that means it might seize just a little extra mild for higher nighttime images. It additionally has a 3X periscope telephoto sensor that lets it zoom in nearer, whereas the cheaper 3a makes do with a 2X optical digicam. In the event you use the cameras in your telephone quite a bit, get the (3a) Professional, which instructions a barely larger worth, although the telephone’s cumbersome digicam module causes a design imbalance that makes it a bit unwieldy. The Telephone (3a) seems to be higher, and the cameras get fairly 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 clean, sharp, and brilliant. The telephones are IP64-rated, so simply watch out across the pool.
The primary caveats are the identical as their predecessor. Nothing is promoting these telephones by means of a beta program within the US, that means connectivity is not a powerful go well with. The Telephone (3a) collection works greatest on T-Cell. 4G will work on AT&T and Verizon; nevertheless, you will must contact the 2 carriers to whitelist your gadget for 5G entry, which may be an annoying course of (and should not even work).
Barring that flaw, it is arduous 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 affords up a extra considerate method to synthetic intelligence. This bodily button helps you to retailer notes through voice or textual content and have them summarized by AI—it’s going to even mechanically generate duties in your behalf.
Finest Below $400
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola
Moto G Stylus 2025
I would choose Nothing’s Telephone (3a) collection over Motorola’s Moto G Stylus 5G. Nonetheless, in case you do not need to danger community connectivity and desire a telephone that can work on any service within the US, no questions requested, this Motorola is the only option below $400.
It is the best Moto G smartphone as a result of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset delivers the smoothest efficiency. Severely, I not often noticed a uneven animation with this telephone, even when taking part in video games like Kingshot. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is giant and sharp and has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, and I did not discover its peak brightness missing on sunny days. And this slim telephone has a 5,000-mAh cell—with common use, I managed to maintain it going for a full day with round 35 % leftover by bedtime.
I like the gorgeous blue coloration on the again, and paired with the vegan leather-based texture, it seems to be sensible. That is the one smartphone with a built-in stylus—aside from the $1,300 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra—and it is helpful for doodling, signing paperwork, or jotting some fast notes in case you choose handwriting enter.
Talking of unusual options, the Moto G Stylus has a headphone jack, a particularly uncommon discover in 2025, to not point out a microSD card slot if you wish to increase on the already-generous 256 GB of inside storage. Motorola has additionally improved water resistance; there’s now an IP68 rating, that means this Moto G can survive water submersion. Wi-fi charging continues to be current, a function not frequent on sub-$400 telephones. I choose utilizing it versus fishing for a USB-C cable earlier than mattress.
