The cheapest Android phones get even better as high-end phones become more expensive. All of the top Android phones available today that cost less than $500/£500 have been reviewed and ranked by experts. This buyer’s guide will help you find the ideal phone for you, whether you want to connect with 5G or simply want to get the most value for your money. Here are some of the top picks for the most affordable phones currently on the market.

What are the top cheap Android smartphones?

Budget phone sales did not perform well in 2021, but thankfully, 2022 has been a much better year for those who cannot afford to spend $1,000 on a new phone. A few years ago, features like multiple cameras, faster processors, and 5G would have been unheard of at these price points. Because of this, the best low-cost Android phones don’t feel cheap other than in terms of price.

Samsung A53 5G

The Samsung A53 5G, which costs less than $500 and has some of the best features of Samsung’s more expensive flagship phones, is the top choice. It has four back cameras, a large battery that will last many users well over a full day, a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display, and years of software support. These days, just for this last justification, it’s difficult to contest Samsung’s dominance in the Android market.

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

However, if you want to save even more money and are using the T-Mobile or AT&T networks in the United States, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the top pick under $300. The Nord N20 has a vibrant AMOLED display, a great processor, surprisingly good cameras, and a battery life that will last any user for well over a day. A 33W charger is even included in the box by OnePlus, which is unusual for modern smartphones, let alone ones that are less than $300.

If you’re on a tight budget, there are a ton of reasons to go with a OnePlus Nord N20 5G since it is now available unlocked.

Google Pixel 6a

The Google Pixel 6a should be your top choice if cameras are your top priority. With excellent image processing on the cameras and reasonably quick performance with the most recent version of Android, this phone makes the most of its hardware.

Additionally, this phone supports sub-6 5G, allowing you to use any carrier’s most recent network technology as it develops over the coming years. The price is significantly higher than the Nord N20, but with Google’s award-winning cameras and dedication to years of software updates, it’s difficult to go wrong.

Motorola One 5G Ace

The Motorola One 5G Ace is a budget phone with a set of features that make it one of the best options for someone looking for a long battery life and respectable performance, as we noted in our review of the device (opens in new tab). The large 5,000mAh battery ensures you can go all day without a charge — and possibly even another day — and the Snapdragon 750G with 6GB RAM keeps this phone humming along with reliable performance in most apps.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

This is one of Samsung’s more moderately priced Galaxy phones, and it ought to be on your short list without a doubt.

The 48 MP primary camera on the Galaxy A32 5G is the device’s beating heart, and despite what you might anticipate at this price, the photos it produces look fantastic. Numerous details, a strong dynamic range, and vivid colors are present. The A32 5G also has an 8MP wide-angle camera, a 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP portrait camera to help you take more diverse photos. The Galaxy A32 5G is equally impressive outside of the camera department. You can also find unlocked Galaxy A32 5G  phone.

Samsung Galaxy A13 5G

You shouldn’t expect the Galaxy A13 5G to be perfect, as with any phone that costs less than $200. While the processor is perfectly adequate for social media scrolling, web browsing, and chatting with friends, it won’t be very effective for gaming.

In comparison to more expensive phones, the display is also a little dim, and it charges more slowly, but the large battery inside ensures that you won’t have to worry about charging your phone excessively. This, along with the low-power processor, ensures that the A13 5G will easily provide two days of battery life. unlocked Galaxy A13 5G is also available.  

TCL 20S

The TCL 20S marks the company’s first foray into the Android market with a product bearing its own name after overseeing phones for the Alcatel and BlackBerry brands. It’s one of the most feature-rich budget phones you can currently purchase, which is surprising.

The TCL 20S’s display, which uses NXTVISION screen technology, has a 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD panel and offers true-to-life colors, excellent viewing angles, and support for HDR video content. The Snapdragon 665 processor and 4GB of RAM provide more than enough power to keep everything running smoothly if you want to use the display to showcase games.

Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)

It can be difficult to keep track of all the budget phones Motorola offers, but the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) manages to stand out. It’s not only one of the few Android phones with a built-in stylus, but it also has the ideal balance of specs, features, and price. When compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G, Motorola also offers a cheaper Moto G Stylus (2022) but, as you might expect, it lacks 5G and some other crucial features (2022). Moto G Stylus 5G unlocked is also available.

Conclusion

Spending a lot of money on the best phone that includes everything isn’t always the best course of action, especially if you’re initially considering budget-friendly phones. Find out what you value most instead and stick with that. The Motorola One 5G Ace offers a dependable experience at one of the lowest prices available if you’re looking to spend even less. The Google Pixel 6a’s camera is equally impressive. Additionally, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is a fantastic new option if you’re looking for a fun stylus. Each manufacturer has something worthwhile to contribute to. With the Nord N20 5G, OnePlus once again demonstrates that you don’t even need to spend $300 to get a truly fantastic experience. But if you want to buy more expensive phones, you can buy for example an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10.