Looking for a powerful phone without the eye-watering high price tag? Stop looking! While top models from Apple and Samsung can cost over $1,000, our experts at Wild Break Tech have identified the best cheap smartphones you can buy outright at fair and affordable prices. And the best part? These smartphones are great value, reliable, and will cater to you needs. 

 

 

Finding the Perfect Phone for Less: iPhones vs Android

On a tight budget and looking for an iPhone? The iPhone SE is your best bet. However, Android offers a wider range of affordable smartphones. While both iPhone and Android have their pros and cons that might entice you to switch, there’s a more important factor to consider first: compatibility.

Make sure your new phone works seamlessly with your existing devices like smartwatches, tablets, and computers. This ensures you can easily transfer data and use your devices together. Once you’ve considered compatibility, you can focus on whether the iPhone or Android ecosystem better suits your needs. Let’s see what best cheap smartphones you can choose from. 

 

 

Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

Affordable iPhone Power for Everyday Users

 

Best Cheap Smartphones

OS: iOS 17 | Display: 4.7 inches Retina HD, 1,334 x 750, 60Hz | Processor: Apple A15 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage options: 64GB, 128GB or 256GB | Battery: 2,018 mAh, wired or wireless charging | Weight: 144g | Front camera: 7MP | Rear camera: 12MP

 

The iPhone SE (3rd Gen) isn’t the newest or flashiest iPhone, but it’s the most budget-friendly option that still delivers a true iPhone experience. It runs the latest iOS software, has access to the entire App Store, and works seamlessly with all Apple services like iCloud and Apple Music. Plus, it pairs perfectly with your Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.

While it might not have the biggest screen, the most powerful processor, or the fanciest camera system compared to other iPhones, it’s still perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks.

This makes it a great choice for average users, kids getting their first phone, or anyone who doesn’t need the top-of-the-line features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone SE’s smaller size is also a bonus, fitting comfortably in your hand or pocket.

 

 

Google Pixel 8a

The Most Advanced Budget-Friendly Android Option

 

Best Cheap Smartphones

OS: Android 13 | Display: 6.1 inches OLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, Up to 120Hz | Processor: Google Tensor G3 (Titan M2 security coprocessor) | RAM: 8GB | Storage options: 128GB or 256GB | Battery: 4,492 mAh, wired or wireless charging | Weight: 187g | Front camera: 13MP | Rear camera: 64MP (wide), 13MP (ultra-wide)

 

The Google Pixel 8a takes the crown for the newest and most impressive phone in this roundup. This phone is like a close cousin to Google’s top-of-the-line Pixel 8 Pro, sharing the same powerful processor, smooth operating system, and built-in AI smarts.

This means it can handle complex tasks like auto-replying to texts, summarizing documents, translating languages, and editing photos and videos – abilities rarely seen at this price point.

Of course, there are some trade-offs compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. The camera system is a step down, and you have fewer storage options. The display, while excellent for the price, isn’t quite as sharp as its pricier sibling.

Despite these minor drawbacks, our recent review found the Pixel 8a to be the perfect Android phone for most users. It’s ideal for parents looking for a first phone for their kids, or for anyone switching from iPhone to Android.

The Pixel 8a is powerful, customizable, lightweight, and durable. Plus, it comes pre-loaded with useful apps and integrates seamlessly with Google services like Drive and Photos. Considering both its design and performance, the Pixel 8a offers exceptional value and earns our strong recommendation.

 

 

Motorola Razr (2023)

The New Old School Folds Back In Style

 

Best Cheap Smartphones

OS: Android 13 | Display: 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (external) OLED, 2,640 x 1,080, 144Hz | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Mobile | RAM: 8GB | Storage options: 128GB | Battery: 4,200 mAh, wired or wireless charging | Weight: 189g | Front camera: 32MP | Rear camera: 64MP

 

Remember the iconic Motorola Razr flip phones from the late 90s? Well, they’re back with a modern twist! The 2023 Razr folds just like its predecessor, but packs a whole lot more punch.

Think of it as a more budget-friendly version of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. It has a large, vibrant OLED display on the inside that unfolds for a full phone experience, with a smaller display on the outside for quick checks. The main screen boasts a high resolution and a super-smooth refresh rate, making everything look sharp and responsive.

While the processor isn’t the absolute latest, it’s still a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip – more than enough for everyday tasks. This phone is all about offering an affordable folding phone experience for Android users who want a phone that fits easily in their pocket.

Plus, you get to choose from four fun colors: sage green, cherry blossom, summer lilac, or vanilla cream. Another bonus – it’s unlocked from Amazon, so you can choose any compatible carrier. The only thing to keep in mind is the limited storage space at 128GB.

 

 

OnePlus 12R

Powerful Performance at a Mid-Range Price

 

OS: Oxygen 14 (based on Android 14) | Display: 6.78 inches AMOLED ProXDR, 2,780 x 1,264 pixels, 120Hz | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile | RAM: 8GB or 16GB | Storage options: 128GB or 256GB | Battery: 5,500 mAh, wired charging | Weight: 207g | Front camera: 16MP | Rear camera: 50MP (main), 8MP (ultra-wide), 2MP (macro)

 

Looking for a powerful Android phone without the flagship price tag? Look no further than the OnePlus 12R. While the OnePlus 12 might tempt power users with its top-of-the-line specs, it comes at a cost of around $800. The OnePlus 12R offers a compelling alternative at a much more affordable $500 price point.

Here’s what you get for your money: A beautiful 6.78-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate; a fast processor that ensures smooth performance; up to two days of long-lasting battery life; enhanced entertainment supported by HDR10+, HDR Vivid, and Dolby Atmos; one of the first phones to support next-generation Wi-Fi 7; and an impressive triple camera system.

The OnePlus 12R strikes a perfect balance between features and affordability. It delivers more than what you’d expect from an entry-level phone, but keeps the price well below the $1,000 mark typically associated with high-end options. This phone can handle all your daily tasks – communication, productivity, entertainment, and more – without breaking the bank.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

Big Screen with Long Battery Life

Best Cheap Smartphones

OS: Android 14 | Display: 6.6 inches Super AMOLED Infinity-O, 2,340 x 1,080 pixels, 120Hz | Processor: Exynos 1380 Octa-Core | RAM: 6GB | Storage options: 128GB | Battery: 5,000 mAh wired charging | Weight: 198g | Front camera: 13MP | Rear camera: 50MP (wide), 8MP (ultra-wide), 5MP (macro)

 

While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra reigns supreme as our top-of-the-line Android pick, its high price tag isn’t for everyone. But fear not, budget-minded Android fans! The Galaxy A35 5G offers a compelling alternative at a fraction of the cost. This phone might have limited storage options (128GB) and a smaller color selection (navy or lilac), but it packs a punch in other areas.

The triple rear camera system, including a powerful 50MP wide sensor, and the 13MP front-facing camera ensure you can capture great photos and videos.

But the real star of the show is the display. The large, vibrant 6.6-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display boasts a stunning 1,000 nits of peak brightness and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate – perfect for streaming, gaming, and editing photos.

And let’s not forget the battery life! The 5,000mAh powerhouse will keep you going for up to two days on a single charge. Plus, Samsung’s fast charging technology gets you back up and running quickly. Need more storage? No problem – the microSD card slot allows you to easily expand the phone’s memory whenever needed.

The Galaxy A35 5G delivers impressive performance all around at an affordable price tag (potentially even less with sales or trade-ins). This makes it a fantastic option for budget-conscious users who still want a powerful and enjoyable Android experience.

 

Here’s What to Expect

While cheaper smartphones might not have the fastest processors, brightest displays, or fanciest cameras of their high-end counterparts, they can still get the job done for most users. For a fairly affordable price tag, you can find a phone that handles everyday tasks like calls, texts, web browsing, emails, video calls, and even some gaming, photo, and video action.

Both iPhone and Android phones offer a wide range of built-in features and downloadable apps to customize your experience and make your phone truly your own. So, you can still have a great smartphone experience without breaking the bank!

To learn more on the latest smartphones, be sure to check out the latest facts including the top alternatives to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the best alternatives to the S24 UltraBe sure to check out smartphones reviews as well. That’s all from Wild Break Tech! Leave a comment below. Until next time 😀

 

LGMadyibi http://wildbreaktech.com

Working in construction projects full time, and promoting mobile computing devices part-time, I'm an ICT and project management graduate using this platform to help fellow web surfers find tech solutions to solve daily problems.

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