Best cheap phones in 2025 reviewed and rated | Stuff

Not interested in spending a princely sum on a flagship phone? Good news: you don’t have to. With solid specs, clever design, and plenty of features, the best affordable phones now offer outstanding value for money.

While you might have to accept a few compromises – think plastic bodies and less impressive secondary cameras – the overall quality of cheap phones has improved significantly in the past few years. Many budget-friendly models now offer excellent displays, strong battery life, and performance that rivals even top-tier devices.

Unsure how to select the best option for your budget? From well-known brands to emerging names, the list below features our top picks of affordable handsets, all priced under $500/£450. Whether you’re searching for a great deal on a primary device or a backup phone that won’t stretch your budget, you’ll find the perfect option in our buying guide.

Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.

Quick list: what is the best cheap phone?

The best cheap phones you can buy today:

1. Nothing Phone 3a

The Nothing Phone 3a sticks to the brand’s winning formula, offering a stylish, feature-packed experience at an aggressive price. For $379/£329, you get Nothing’s signature transparent design, glyph LEDs, and a slick, widget-driven OS—plus a new AI-powered Essential Space that aims to declutter your digital life (though it’s not quite essential yet).

Performance is solid thanks to a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, and the 5000mAh battery keeps up with a full day’s use. The 6.67in OLED screen is vibrant, peaking at a dazzling 3000 nits, while 50W charging outpaces some pricier flagships. Camera-wise, the 50MP main and 50MP telephoto (2x optical) deliver detailed, well-balanced shots, though the Pro model’s 3x zoom holds the edge.

Compared to its pricier sibling, the 3a makes fewer compromises than you’d expect. It ditches the Pro’s chunky camera bump while retaining most of its best bits. Sure, zoom clarity could be better, and Essential Space is still a work in progress, but Nothing has delivered one of the most complete budget phones around. If you’re spending under $380/£330, this should be at the top of your list. The Pro may have more zoom, but the 3a is the smarter buy.

2. OnePlus Nord 4

The OnePlus Nord 4 is a budget marvel that punches above its weight with a premium metal unibody – a rarity in today’s glass-heavy smartphone world. Priced competitively against the likes of Samsung’s A Series and Google’s Pixel 8a, this phone delivers flagship-level style without the flagship price tag.

Its 6.74in AMOLED display, boasting a sharp 2772×1240 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, dazzles with up to 2000 nits of brightness and ProXDR support. Aqua Touch tech even makes it easier to use in the rain – handy, given its IP65 water resistance.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The 5500mAh battery supports fast USB-C charging, keeping you powered throughout the day.

Photography isn’t its strong suit – the 50MP main camera is solid, but the 8MP ultrawide is basic. However, OxygenOS 14.1 keeps things slick, and OnePlus guarantees 4 years of Android updates with 6 years of security patches.

If you prioritise design and performance over camera prowess, the Nord 4 is an excellent alternative to Google’s Pixel 8a – and one of the best-looking budget phones out there.

3. Honor Magic 7 Lite

The Honor Magic 7 Lite is a budget smartphone that stands out for its colossal 6600mAh battery and rugged build – both rare at this price point. It’s impressively slim at 7.98mm and lightweight at 189g, yet durable enough to survive 2m drops. The AMOLED screen is bright, sharp, and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, though the curved-edge design feels outdated.

Performance is where things falter. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip remains unchanged from last year, leading to merely average speeds. The software is also a drawback, launching with Android 14 when rivals already sport Android 15, and Honor’s update commitment lags behind Samsung’s.

The 108MP main camera performs well for its class, especially with the addition of optical image stabilisation for better low-light shots. However, the ultrawide sensor is underwhelming, and zoom relies purely on digital cropping.

Ultimately, this phone is all about endurance. It comfortably lasts two full days, potentially three with light use, making it ideal for festival-goers or frequent travellers. While some might find its performance and design outdated, if you prioritise battery life above all else, the Magic 7 Lite is a solid choice. A shame about the lack of wireless charging, though.

4. CMF by Nothing Phone 2 Pro

Not content with having one budget banger in our cheap phones list, Nothing has done the double via its colourful sub-brand CMF. Last year’s CMF Phone 1 shook up the affordable end of the smartphone spectrum, and the sequel goes even better in a few key areas.

The clever interchangeable backs might’ve gone, but CMF has replaced them with customisable cases that let you bolt fun macro and fisheye lenses onto two of its three rear cameras. The modular accessory system remains, though, and the change means water resistance has improved to IP54.

It’s not just gimmicks, though. An AMOLED screen, big 5000mAh battery, and a MediaTek CPU that outperforms rivals in its price bracket make it a brilliant all-rounder for the money. It’s also rocking NothingOS, which, for my money, is one of the best takes on Android 15 doing the rounds right now. No one else does useful widgets and consistent design quite like it. You even get the Nothing Phone 3a’s Essential Space button, which is slowly becoming more and more essential as the firm releases updates.

The triple rear camera setup does a fantastic job for the money, with a 50MP lead lens and 50MP telephoto good for 2x optical zoom. With no optical image stabilisation, it can’t best phones in the $350/£300+ range, but it otherwise copes very well in most lighting conditions. For $279/£219/€249 it’s a serious amount of phone.

5. Redmi Note 14 Pro+

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ brings some welcome refinements to Xiaomi’s mid-range lineup, even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The 200MP main camera remains the star, delivering crisp, detailed shots with effective AI-assisted zoom. The OLED display is brighter than before, peaking at 3000 nits for improved outdoor visibility, and the new Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip ensures smooth day-to-day performance. Plus, with 120W fast charging, you can go from empty to full in under 25 minutes—faster than many flagships.

Design-wise, Redmi mixes things up again with a central camera module and a choice of glass or vegan leather backs, all wrapped in a sturdy, premium-feeling frame with IP68 water resistance. The software experience is familiar, though we’d have liked less bloatware and the latest Android version at launch. The 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro cameras feel outdated, but the main sensor makes up for it in most scenarios.

For not very much money, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is still a compelling choice, balancing performance, display quality, and camera prowess. While rivals like the OnePlus Nord 4 and Pixel 8a offer stiff competition, Xiaomi’s latest effort keeps pace with the pack—if not quite leaping ahead.

6. Poco X7 Pro

The Poco X7 Pro delivers impressive value, blending modern design with strong performance at a budget price. We love the flat-sided look, reminiscent of pricier flagships, and the vegan leather back adds a premium touch. The 6.67in OLED screen is bright and smooth at 120Hz, even if colours feel slightly muted out of the box.

Performance is a real highlight. The Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset punches above its weight, keeping things slick whether gaming or multitasking. Battery life is solid thanks to a 6000mAh cell, and 90W fast charging gets you back to full in no time. The 50MP main camera delivers respectable shots, though the 8MP ultrawide is forgettable.

Software-wise, Xiaomi’s HyperOS is feature-packed but loaded with bloatware. IP68 water resistance is a rare bonus at this price, and stereo speakers hold up well.

Ultimately, the Poco X7 Pro is a strong contender in the budget space. The Nothing Phone 2a has a better camera, but Poco offers more power and battery life. If you can overlook the pre-installed apps, this is a great buy—another reminder that budget phones don’t have to feel cheap.

7. Samsung Galaxy A55

Want the Samsung prestige without the high-end price tag? Then the A55 is a budget contender worthy of your shortlist (even though the Samsung A56 has now been released, it’s a bit outside our price range at the moment). With a price tag well below the lofty heights of the Galaxy S24 range, this is a super affordable handset which sacrifices some flagship style and power, while still providing a solid smartphone experience.

One of its standout features during our review was its sharp, punchy screen, along with its capable multi-lens camera system, with a decent selfie camera to boot. And unlike previous A series phones (which massively disappointed on the power front), we’re pleased to report that the A55’s Exynos 1480 CPU and 8/12GB of RAM make for a far smoother experience.

Throw in reasonably fast (though far from groundbreaking) 25W charging, and you’ve got yourself a more affordable Samsung handset that provides the highly coveted Samsung-esque experience, at a far more palatable price.

8. Google Pixel 8a

Even though the Pixel 8a has been replaced by the newer (and more expensive) 9a, the Pixel 8a remains an excellent budget choice while stocks last. It continues Google’s tradition of delivering flagship-level features at a much lower price. It offers remarkable photography, a sleek design, and access to Google’s advanced AI.

The camera system, featuring a 64MP main sensor, produces impressive, dynamic images that rival more expensive models, making it a standout feature. The improved design with softer edges and a matte finish is both stylish and practical, while the brighter 6.1in OLED display enhances the overall experience.

However, there are some trade-offs. Charging speeds lag behind competitors, and the Pixel 8 is now priced similarly thanks to retailer discounts, so might be a better option for some. Despite these drawbacks, the Pixel 8a offers seven years of support, making it a long-term investment. For those seeking excellent camera performance, a clean software experience, and Google’s AI features, this is still super-competitive.

What to look for in a cheap phone

Being at the lower end of the market means you’ll have to make some compromises, but as we mentioned in the introduction, affordable smartphones are much better than they used to be (so you won’t be getting an unusable slab).

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice between the best cheap phones and more premium models is the build quality. While you won’t be getting a device crafted from glossy glass and aluminium, we’ve made sure to select phones made from durable materials and with solid construction.

The display is one of the most important aspects to focus on, as it’s the thing you’ll be looking at and interacting with the most. Cheaper phones used to have lower-resolution displays, lower brightness levels, or limited colour accuracy, but the phones included in our list have OLED panels, high refresh rates and bezel-less displays – it’s very refreshing to see.

If you take lots of pictures with your phone, then the camera is a key feature to look at. Cheap phones often compromise on the camera – you won’t be getting a quadruple camera system or superzoom lenses here, but you can get a decent main and selfie camera.

You’ll want a smartphone from a manufacturer that provides regular software updates, which can be important for security and functionality, as well as a software experience that is relatively unmodified for a better user experience.

We’ve recommended phones with decent enough processor performance and RAM to handle your day-to-day tasks (and even some capable of gaming).

If you’re looking for something a little more expensive, then you can check out Stuff’s guide to the best mid-range phones, which are priced between $450/£450 to $650/£650.

What are the trade-offs when buying a cheap phone?

Buying a cheap phone means compromising on several key features, which can impact everyday use. Performance is often the biggest issue, with weaker processors and less RAM leading to slow app launches, laggy multitasking, and dropped frames in games. Simple tasks like scrolling social media or switching between apps may feel sluggish compared to more expensive models.

Cameras are another area where budget phones struggle. Despite boasting high megapixel counts, they lack the advanced sensors and image processing found in flagship devices. This results in blurry low-light shots, weaker dynamic range, and poor portrait effects. If photography matters to you, a budget phone will leave you disappointed.

Displays are typically lower quality, often using LCD instead of OLED, with duller colours and weaker contrast. Many budget models stick to a 60Hz refresh rate, making animations feel less fluid. Additionally, build quality is usually plastic, which feels less premium and lacks water resistance.

Software updates are often limited, meaning fewer new features and weaker security over time. Connectivity features like 5G and Wi-Fi 6 are also often missing.

Are cheap phones secure?

The security of cheap phones varies widely based on brand, model, and manufacturer practices. Reputable brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Motorola often provide regular security updates for their budget models, though not as promptly as for their flagship phones. However, very cheap phones or those from lesser-known brands may lack consistent updates, leaving them vulnerable to security threats.

Most cheap phones run on Android, and older versions may not receive timely security patches from Google. Some budget phones come with pre-installed apps, or bloatware, which can pose security risks if not regularly updated. Additionally, hardware security features like fingerprint sensors and facial recognition are common but vary in reliability.

Google Play Protect helps safeguard most Android phones by scanning for harmful apps, but downloading from third-party app stores increases malware risk.

Do these phones work with US carriers?

Most phones bought in the US will work just fine with major US carriers — but there are still a few things worth knowing before you switch networks or pop in a new SIM.

First off, buying your phone unlocked gives you the most flexibility. Most unlocked phones sold in the US are designed to work with all the big carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and their sub-brands. They typically support the right LTE and 5G bands, and you’ll usually get full access to features like Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail and hotspot support.

That said, a phone bought from a carrier store might be locked to that network for a while. Even after it’s unlocked, some carrier-specific models have slight differences — like missing certain 5G bands or extra pre-installed apps.

Retailers like Best Buy, Amazon and manufacturer websites often sell unlocked versions with broad compatibility. These are usually your safest bet if you want the freedom to move between carriers or use local SIMs while travelling.

In short: most US-bought phones will work across US networks, especially if they’re unlocked and bought from reputable retailers. But it’s still smart to check that your model supports the right bands for your chosen carrier. Many providers have tools to confirm this — all you need is the phone’s IMEI number.

Now read about the best upcoming smartphones.