Many of us only need our phones to perform basic tasks like messaging, web browsing, taking photographs, or playing basic games. For these purposes, it’s unnecessary to splash out hundreds of dollars on a state-of-the-art device. A few hundred bucks, or even less in some cases, can get a good smartphone for your needs.

Here are the best budget smartphones available today.

Our Top Budget-Friendly Smartphone Picks for 2023

the front and back of a OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite smartphone
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite
Best Overall

A Good Balance Between Value and Performance

With its beautiful display and exceptional battery life, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is an excellent budget choice. The phone’s 5G-compatible processor and slick-functioning interface offer a fluid performance. Additionally, the battery can easily last a full day of intensive use, and the 64MP camera delivers excellent images in good lighting. All in all, it’s an affordable smartphone well worth your consideration.

Pros
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Quality display
  • Long battery life
  • Overall excellent performance
Cons
  • No waterproofing
  • No Gorilla Glass screen protection
  • Dull design

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite has an unassuming, simple design. You may even say it looks a bit dull. But what it lacks in style, it more than makes up for in performance. In the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, you get a 5G-enabled processor. And, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, in addition to OnePlus’ smooth-running OxygenOS interface, you get a seamless experience. The CE 3 Lite is also available now and offers slightly improved specs and a 108MP camera at a higher price.

The 6.59-inch, 120Hz, IPS display is quality. It has a Full HD resolution and showcases wide color and contrast ranges with good brightness levels. Watching media content is a delight, while the thin bezels add to the immersive feel. With the 5,000mAh battery giving you a full day of juice and maybe even a second, you are indeed getting a midrange phone at a budget price.

You also get a decent camera, provided you are in good light. The primary camera is 64MP with an f/1.7 aperture. There’s also a 2MP macro lens and a depth sensor for creating bokeh. The images produced showcase a good level of detail and exposure with natural-looking color. However, once the sun sets or you draw the drapes, detail and color saturation drop. Video performance is also average, with a maximum of 1080p at 30fps, which is standard at this price.

A Samsung Galaxy A14 5G + 4G LTE
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G + 4G LTE
Most Affordable 5G

Budget-Friendly 5G Support

If 5G is crucial, but you still seek a bargain-basement deal, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G + 4G LTE could be the one for you. It performs well and has a good Full HD display along with decent battery life and a surprisingly good camera for basic photography needs.
 

Pros
  • Sharp display with smooth performance
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Decent camera
  • 5G and 4G support
Cons
  • Not particularly durable
  • Slow charging

Another phone to offer exceptional performance at a rock-bottom price is the Samsung Galaxy A14. Not only is it very affordable, but it also supports 5G, which is a rarity at its price point.

The display is slightly larger than its predecessor, the A13, at 6.6 inches, and the 90Hz refresh rate remains. Samsung has also upgraded the resolution from HD to Full HD for better clarity and detail. However, it peaks out at 500 nits, which is quite dim for outdoor use but not completely unusable. This model has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is ample for a phone at this price. But, should you feel the need, there’s plenty more room via the microSD card slot.

Battery life is decent, and you should get at least a full day with consistent usage. But recharging can take almost 2.5 hours to get fully juiced. It may also not be the most durable–it consists of plastic, an undisclosed type of glass, and doesn’t have an IP rating. It’s safe to say you should avoid dropping this phone on the ground or into the bath. It’s not completely fragile, though; accidental drops don’t necessarily mean a shattered screen.

For photography, the Galaxy A14 takes surprisingly decent images. The primary camera has a 50MP resolution with an f/1.8 aperture. It performs well in good light, but the macro lens and depth sensor are somewhat unnecessary. The 13MP front camera is another nice upgrade and delivers good selfies in bright environments, while video is limited to 1080p at 30FPS.

The front and back of a Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G smartphone
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
Best for Gaming

A Display and Processor for Improved Gaming Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G can handle almost any game. With its 120Hz refresh rate and MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G chipset, you get smooth gameplay at a budget price. The display is great for both games and movies, while the 108MP camera handles stunning photos and decent video.

Pros
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 120W charger for blazing-fast charging
  • Good audio quality
  • Dual SIM
  • Decent battery life
Cons
  • Only two years of major Android updates

Despite its rather large size, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is durable with a beautiful design and a gorgeous display. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and has an IP53 certification, making it splashproof and somewhat dust-resistant. The 6.67-inch, Full HD, 120Hz, AMOLED display has discreet bezels, and watching videos is a delight. The contrast is good, and the colors are accurate. It also pumps out enough brightness to enjoy content on sunny days, even when the sunshine beams directly onto the screen.

This model comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage. It has a MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G chipset that is a great addition for gamers. Paired with the 120Hz refresh rate, it pretty much plays any title smoothly, while its LiquidCool 2.0 tech prevents overheating with efficiency. Additionally, the Android 11-based MIUI 13 is intuitive and fast.

The 108MP camera is excellent. It has an f/1.8 aperture and delivers sharp, detailed images with a wide dynamic range. There’s also an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera that has its uses and a 2MP f/2.4 that doesn't. The front-facing camera delivers excellent selfies, and you can shoot decent video in 4K at 30FPS.

A Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) smartphone with stylus
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)
Best for Note-Taking

An Outstanding Deal if You Don't Need 5G

$169 $200 Save $31

The 2022 model of the Moto G Stylus is one of the best bargains if you seek a smartphone at a fire-sale price. It doesn't have 5G, but it does offer an excellent stylus for note-taking, a Full HD Plus LCD, a superb battery life, and a surprisingly good camera.

Pros
  • Quality stylus
  • Smooth 90Hz scrolling
  • Good camera
  • Superb battery life
  • Water repellant
Cons
  • Dim display
  • No 5G
  • Not particularly compact

Motorola has upgraded the Moto G Stylus with a few tweaks here and there, and some added bells and whistles. And, despite the rock-bottom price tag, the titular stylus remains far from being a gimmick. It’s accurate, and you can take quick notes even when the screen is locked. Additionally, the Motorola Notes app is among the best, while the phone has several fun built-in apps that utilize the stylus.

This model is not compatible with 5G, which helps to influence its unbeatable price. However, if 5G is crucial to you, the 2023 model offers connectivity at a price that is still highly cost-effective. This 2022 version has 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage, and a large 6.8-inch LCD with Full HD Plus resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It can be a bit on the dim side, but you can still see the screen and operate the phone in direct sunlight.

Battery life is impressive; you will get two full days out of it if you don’t push it to the limits. Additionally, the 50MP f/1.9 primary camera delivers well-balanced images, and you also get an 8MP ultra-wide and a 16MP selfie camera. At this price point, the images produced are pleasing, and the 1080p videos are standard Full HD fare.

Samsung Galaxy A54
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Best Display

An Eye-Catching Super AMOLED Display

$350 $450 Save $100

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is an excellent choice for a budget smartphone. It's easy to use and has a premium build quality. The display also makes it an outstanding choice. With accurate and natural colors, deep contrast, and excellent peak brightness, you can enjoy games and movies in any lighting condition.

Pros
  • Dolby Atmos-optimized speakers
  • 4K at 30FPS video
  • Good video stabilization
  • All-day battery performance
  • Expandable storage
Cons
  • No headphone jack
  • 25W charging limit

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G has a premium look and build and performs significantly better than its predecessor, the A53. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and has an impressive IP67 rating, ensuring you have little worry about when the heavens open or if you drop it in the bath.

It’s available in four eye-catching colors. However, it’s the 6.4-inch, Full HD, 120Hz, Super AMOLED display that is truly awesome. Color and contrast are excellent, and movies and games look fantastic. The display is also very bright, and at over 1,000 nits peak brightness, you can easily play games or watch content in direct sunlight.

This model sports 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. It also runs on Android 13 with One UI 5.1. This interface has a minimalist design with clear and concise menu navigation. Furthermore, the upgraded Exynos 1380 processor offers smooth multitasking with easy swiping and speedy scrolling.

The primary camera has a 50MP resolution with an f/1.8 aperture. It also features a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, a somewhat pointless 5MP f/2.4 macro, and a 32MP front camera for outstanding selfies. Images are high quality when taken in good light, but performance predictably suffers somewhat in low light.

Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
Best Camera

A Budget Smartphone to Challenge the Leaderboard

$365 $599 Save $234

The Google Pixel 7 is a premium device at a budget price. It sports many of the bells and whistles that flagship smartphones offer, including a stunning and bright OLED display, excellent durability, all-day battery life, good security, and a camera with features to revolutionize your smartphone photography.

Pros
  • 24-hour battery life
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
  • NFC support
  • IP68 dust and waterproof
  • Excellent camera quality
Cons
  • No telephoto lens

Despite having pretty much everything you need in a smartphone, the Google Pixel 7 still costs way less than other leading devices. While its divisive design may have the look of a clumsy sci-fi droid, it's hard to argue with its features. It’s durable and has good battery life and excellent security features. Additionally, it runs on Android 13, is 5G enabled, and this model features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The Google Pixel 7 also boasts a stunning Full HD Plus OLED display. While this display doesn’t offer 120Hz, the 90Hz refresh rate still delivers free-flowing scrolling and gaming. It’s also capable of pumping out 1,400 nits of peak brightness. This upgrade means you’ll have no problems viewing the screen outside on sunny days while colors pop out like neon signs when watching HDR content.

The 50MP f/1.85 primary camera is none too shabby, either. It also boasts a 12MP ultrawide and 10.8MP front camera for selfies. With 4K at 60FPS and fun features like Cinematic Blur, shooting video produces excellent results, too. Godsends like Photo Unblur to sharpen up unfocused shots is also a welcome inclusion and ensure you won’t miss a moment. The camera also sports valuable features to help you take sharp pictures in low light.

A 2022 iPhone SE
iPhone SE (2022)
Most Affordable iPhone

An Affordable and Reliable iPhone

While most devices from Apple tend to cost a small fortune, the iPhone SE is a reliable and affordable budget option. While it may be on the compact side to enjoy media content and games to their fullest, it's a rugged and fast-performing device for everyday smartphone use. 

Pros
  • Range of Storage Options
  • Touch ID on Home button
  • 4K at 60FPS video
  • Decent battery life and fast charging
  • 5G Cellular support
Cons
  • Screen is on the small side for media content

If you are looking for a compact smartphone with one of the fastest performances in this price range, look no further than the iPhone SE. The screen size is just 4.7 inches, yet the A15 Bionic chip delivers outstanding results. Running numerous apps and playing games are at the smooth standards of a premium phone. The 12MP camera is also surprisingly good, although it lacks any night mode for after-dark photography.

Those who worry about a small phone being easier to drop or damage shouldn’t do so. Tough Ceramic Shield glass, often touted as the toughest around, protects the screen. The same glass shields the iPhone 14 Pro; it's kind of Apple to show the same care to their budget phones as their premium ones. You should still encase it with a cover as you would any phone, but with its IP67 rating, you get a device that not only survives drops on the ground but one that you can also drop in the bath without repercussion.

Those who enjoy watching movies on their phone should consider a more prominent display. The SE's screen is too small for this purpose for most people. Thick bezels, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a lack of Full HD also hinder cinematic enjoyment. But, if you seek a fast and sturdy iPhone for everyday use that won’t drain your bank account, the iPhone SE is for you.

Considerations Before Buying a Budget Smartphone in 2023

While some need the best possible performance from smartphones and are prepared to pay premium prices to get them, others are quite happy buying at the other end of the market. Plenty of options exist, and you should be able to find one to satisfy your needs.

You can even connect to 5G with a smartphone at a bargain-basement price. One of the best devices for this is the Samsung Galaxy A14. Not only does it sport 5G connectivity, but it’s also a decent smartphone and offers seriously good value for money. Many Motorola phones do, too, with the Moto G Stylus being among their best-selling budget options.

However, you might want a camera to seamlessly play games on or take photos with. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G can handle most phone games smoothly, while the Google Pixel 7 offers smartphone shutterbugs the opportunity to take superb images.

But the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite offers the best all-around value and gives a little bit of everything. It’s fast, has a good camera, an excellent display, and a long battery life while coming in at a very agreeable price.

the front and back of a OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite smartphone
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite
Best Overall

A Good Balance Between Value and Performance

With its beautiful display and exceptional battery life, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is an excellent budget choice. The phone’s 5G-compatible processor and slick-functioning interface offer a fluid performance. Additionally, the battery can easily last a full day of intensive use, and the 64MP camera delivers excellent images in good lighting. All in all, it’s an affordable smartphone well worth your consideration.

Pros
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Quality display
  • Long battery life
  • Overall excellent performance
Cons
  • No waterproofing
  • No Gorilla Glass screen protection
  • Dull design