The perfect low cost Android telephones to purchase in 2025

Getting a stable Android telephone doesn’t necessitate spending a small fortune. The perfect price range fashions strike an excellent stability between worth and efficiency, supplying you with clean on a regular basis use with out slicing too many corners. Whether or not you’re scrolling social media, streaming your favourite exhibits or snapping pictures of an evening out, there’s an inexpensive Android telephone that may deal with all of it.

Cheaper telephones have come a good distance in recent times. Many now characteristic vibrant, quick shows, dependable cameras and battery life that lasts effectively into the subsequent day. You may miss out on top-tier extras like the most recent processor or ultra-high-resolution zoom, however what you get as an alternative is worth that is sensible. Some fashions even shock with cameras that rival far pricier flagships, making them very best for informal photographers or anybody who simply needs to seize an excellent shot on the go.

We’ve examined price range Android telephones from manufacturers like Google, Samsung and OnePlus to seek out those that ship probably the most for much less. These are the fashions that show you don’t want a flagship price ticket to get a reliable Android telephone.

Desk of contents

Greatest price range Android telephones for 2025

SAMSUNG

For $200, the Galaxy A16 5G provides large worth. I haven’t had an opportunity to check it, however really feel assured recommending it since Samsung took an already nice telephone within the A15 5G and made it even higher. In comparison with its predecessor, the A16 encompasses 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 unbelievable six years of promised software program assist.

The one disappointing factor in regards to the A16 is that Samsung didn’t replace the telephone’s digital camera package deal, however contemplating how a lot telephone you’re getting for $200, it’s arduous to fault the corporate. Oh, and the A16 doesn’t include a headphone jack, so price range 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 principally the whole lot you may need in a telephone that price $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers robust efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s suitable with all the large 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 an enormous 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh price, which is uncommon on a price range telephone as most rivals characteristic slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And due to its 50-watt wired quick charging, you possibly can high it up rapidly, too. It additionally provides software program updates for a good interval, guaranteeing its longevity. However most significantly, the Nord 30 not too long ago received a worth 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

$290 at Amazon

Motorola

For these on a extremely tight price range, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all of the bases effectively. 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 telephone has a microSD card slot so you possibly can add more room if and once you want it. Its 6.5-inch LCD display screen can 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, however it’s adequate to guard towards an errant splash or two. Positive, the G Play is fundamental, however it’s fundamental in a great way, particularly when you’re not too fussed about working a number of apps and simply need 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

$126 at Amazon

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

Display screen dimension: 6.77 inches | Storage capability: 256GB | SIM kind: Nano-SIM + eSIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 50MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP important, 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | Weight: 7.44 ounces

Learn our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

In order for you one thing totally different out of your subsequent telephone, 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 Sport Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inner elements, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally probably the greatest offers within the business, because of a compelling mixture of options. The Telephone 3a sports activities a vibrant 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 digital camera. That final characteristic is one thing that’s tough to seek out within the 3a Professional’s worth 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 must you go for an Android telephone?

We are likely to outline a price range smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any decrease and the system runs the chance of affected by too many compromises in perform, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (when 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 somewhat 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 meant primarily for emergencies, WiFi looking or texting mother and father (and never social media). On the upper finish of this worth spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung telephones and different Android gadgets have come a good distance because of improved efficiency, higher telephone 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 flexibleness to spend extra.

What to search for in an affordable Android telephone

In relation to low cost telephones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones on this worth vary are made out of plastic, although the match and end of a particular mannequin can fluctuate rather a lot based mostly on worth. A vibrant display screen can be necessary. Usually you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh price, however some telephones might have OLED or AMOLED screens with elevated coloration saturation. Lengthy battery life is crucial as effectively, so we are likely to favor gadgets with bigger energy cells of round 5,000 mAh. On this worth vary, efficiency can fluctuate 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 necessary 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 telephone FAQs

What is the worth distinction for an inexpensive Android vs an affordable iPhone?

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

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