The smartphone market has evolved over a decade due to which there is now plenty of power available at an affordable cost. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best budget phones you can get today.
If budget isn’t a factor, you can read our entire best phone list to find out which top-of-the-line models are worth your hard earned money.
Our picks for the best budget phones are heavy hitters in mobile tech, including an entry from Samsung, Apple, and even the nostalgia-inducing brand Nokia.
ByteSide’s best budget phone recommendations come from years of covering the tech industry, combined with reviews from the biggest and best global publications, so you can feel comfortable getting good advice.
best budget phone
Best budget phone (Android): Samsung Galaxy A52
Best budget phone (iPhone): Apple iPhone SE 3rd generation
Best Budget Phone (Android) Runner-up: Google Pixel 5a
Best budget phone with 5G: OnePlus Nord N200 5G
Best budget phone under $200: Nokia G10
Best budget phone (Android): Samsung Galaxy A52
Samsung’s affordable Galaxy A52 handset made our overall best phone list in the budget Android category, making it an automatic entry among the best budget phones.
For less than $550 at Australian retailers, the Samsung Galaxy A52 delivers a great Android experience at a reasonable price. It has a strong build quality, good photography options, and a decent processor for the price. Its display is also widely considered to be a strong point. Samsung recently announced the latest high-end Galaxy S22 phone, but the A52 is the company’s best budget phone for now.
Phone experts from Digital Trends and The Verge also agree that the Samsung Galaxy A52 is easily one of the best budget phones out there, making it a handy Android-based recommendation.
Buy Samsung Galaxy A52 (Amazon Au) (Amazon UK) (Amazon US)
Best budget phone (iPhone): Apple iPhone SE 3rd generation
As we mentioned in our original best phones list, the iPhone SE is an excellent budget phone. Now in its third generation, the third-generation iPhone SE features the same A15 Bionic chip as Apple’s flagship iPhone 13 range, packing speed and power into a classic chassis for those who prefer the Touch ID home button.
If it weren’t for the recent announcement, we would happily recommend the now-last gen SE as the best budget phone for iPhone lovers, but going with the new model is a no-brainer. With upgraded internals and an improved camera over the 2020 model, the third-gen iPhone SE is an easy recommendation for budget-conscious buyers who want the famous Apple experience.
Reviewers from The Verge, CNET and Tom’s Guide praised the latest iPhone SE for its strong performance-to-price ratio, compact form factor, and overall build quality. As the most affordable iPhone, the SE is an easy way to join the Apple family and comes highly recommended.
Buy iPhone SE 3rd Generation (Amazon AU) (Amazon UK) (Amazon US)
Best Budget Phone (Android) Runner-up: Google Pixel 5a
Google’s Pixel series of phones have impressed tech enthusiasts ever since they arrived on the scene to compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung. Not only are the more expensive phones seriously powerful, but the lowercase-‘A’ budget models also compete strongly with the competition.
Various sites like Tom’s Guide, Digital Trends and CNET have praised the Google Pixel 5a as one of the best budget phones for Android users. The handset has an impressive OLED display, but its camera performance is what really sets the Pixel 5a apart from other budget-level phones.
So, if you want a reasonably powerful budget phone that takes pictures well beyond its paygrade, go for the Google Pixel 5a.
Buy Google Pixel 5a (Amazon AU) (Amazon US)
Best budget phone with 5G: OnePlus Nord N200 5G
The OnePlus Nord N200 is one of the cheapest 5G-compatible phones available in the US, and it offers a combination of good screen quality and long battery life to boot.
While the aspects including its camera aren’t worth writing home about, the main reason to consider the OnePlus Nord N200 5G is true to its name – 5G connectivity. Most 5G compatible phones have a very high asking price, so if access to the fastest available network for the lowest possible price is important, Nord has what you want.
This sentiment is also reflected in reviews, where The Verge, Tom’s Guide and Wirecutter shared a lot to like about the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, given its low-budget status, admitting that it has some rough edges. Which, to be fair, is expected in the less expensive category. Still, it is quite an impressive and affordable package.
Buy OnePlus Nord N200 5G (Amazon AU) (Amazon US)
Best budget phone under $200: Nokia G10
When you start to dive into the cheapest budget phones, the quality can vary greatly. Pleasantly, the Nokia G10 does a lot of good things for an absolute bargain price.
For less than $200, you get a three-year warranty in addition to a two-year guaranteed OS update, which is pretty impressive at that price point. Finder rates the Nokia G10, and we think you will too, as long as you adjust your expectations to the price tag.
Don’t expect miracles with the Nokia G10’s camera and you’ll get a decent smartphone experience with fast USB-C charging without needing to pledge a second.
Buy Nokia G10 (Amazon AU) (Amazon UK) (Amazon US)
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Chris is an award-nominated writer based in Adelaide who specializes in covering video games and technology. He loves Donkey Kong Country, sports and cats. The Last Jedi is the best, no questions asked.
