Refurbished phones give you great experiences and save you cash
As much as we love playing with and testing the latest and greatest phones here at Android Central, there's something we can universally agree on that we're not fans of: paying full price for the best Android phones. If you're in the market for a quality Android phone, but don't want to spend a thousand dollars, you could check out the best cheap Android phones, or you can grab one of the best refurbished phones as these offer a great experience at a fraction of what you'd typically spend. Here are our favorite options!
Still a stunnerGoogle Pixel 3a Smartphone (G020E)Staff Pick
Although it has been discontinued to make way for the Pixel 4a, the Pixel 3a is still a fantastic value. The device sports the same camera as the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, along with a clean design that you're accustomed to. Plus, you'll still get a few more major software updates before Google moves onto bigger things.
From $150 at Amazon From $350 at Best Buy From $100 at Back Market
2020's bestSasmung Galaxy S20 FE
It's tough to ignore the Galaxy S20 FE, regardless of whether you are looking to get a new phone or pick up a refurbished one. The S20 FE continues to be the best Android phone, and on the refurbished market, you can save a few more bucks to get a flagship experience for less.
From $434 at Amazon From $440 at Walmart From $340 at Back Market
Ahead of its timeOnePlus 8 IN2017 5G
The OnePlus 8 has supplanted the OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7T, bringing the value flagship experience we have come to expect from OnePlus. You'll find a triple camera setup on the back, a solid 4,300mAh battery, and a gorgeous AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate.
From $390 at Amazon From $340 at Back Market
Enter the GalaxySamsung Galaxy S10e 128GB+6GB RAM
Samsung does a few things really well, one is its design, and the other being displays. The Galaxy S10e is the child of the standard S10 line and is arguably the most impressive of them all. This budget-minded device was a sleeper-hit in 2019, giving you almost all the flagship features at a fraction of the cost.
From $325 at Amazon From $266 at Back Market From $400 at Samsung
Great all aroundLG V60
LG's V60 didn't receive a lot of attention when it was released in early 2020, and that's honestly a shame. While it isn't the best Android phone ever created, it's an excellent device in just about every regard. The metal + glass design looks great, the external speakers are insanely loud, and it has one of the highest-quality headphone jacks around.
Livin' the stylus lifeSamsung Galaxy Note 10 N970 6.3"
The Galaxy Note 20's arrival opens the door for the Note 10 to see steeper discounts. Despite being locked with a 60Hz refresh rate, that's not the primary reason for grabbing a Note 10. The display itself is still gorgeous, Samsung has pushed updates to improve the camera, and it's equipped with the ever-useful S Pen.
From $368 at Amazon From $410 at Back Market From $600 at Samsung
Powerful and cheapUnlocked Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
With three days of battery life on a single charge, along with a refreshed design and an improved primary camera, the Moto G Power (2021) has a lot to offer. Throw in the fact that you're also getting a near-stock Android software experience, and the G Power makes for a rather enticing option.
From $171 at Amazon From $207 at Best Buy
Ignore the battery lifeGoogle Pixel 4 (Renewed)
For everything that Google did wrong with the battery on the Pixel 4, it's still a great phone in just about every other facet. The camera system is still one of our favorites, especially with Night Sight, as newer devices just can't stack up. You'll just need to use some of the cash you've saved to pick up a portable charger.
From $241 at Amazon From $200 at Back Market
Samsung's latestSamsung - Galaxy S21 5G Smartphone
The Galaxy S21 is the latest flagship device to come from the Samsung camp, and it definitely doesn't disappoint. It forgoes the larger display in favor of a more pocketable experience, while providing all the power you want from a 2021 flagship.
From $555 at Amazon From $720 at Best Buy From $544 at Back Market
A stupendous dealOnePlus 7T 6.55"
OnePlus regularly makes some of the best value flagships on the market, but if the OnePlus 8 Pro is a bit too rich for your blood, we recommend looking into a refurbished 7T. The OnePlus 7T's design is still modern in 2020, thanks to its small waterdrop notch and sleek glass back. It has a Snapdragon 855+ CPU, 90Hz AMOLED display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
From $280 at Amazon From $195 at Back Market
Experience foldablesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip SM-F700U1 Factory Unlocked
While much of the foldable world focuses on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 with its massive display, the Galaxy Z Flip is a bit overshadowed. This is a compact and lightweight smartphone that flips, and you won't have to worry about carrying a tablet around with you wherever you go.
From $700 at Amazon From $1,000 at Best Buy From $834 at Back Market
Still a beastSamsung Galaxy A51 128GB
Samsung's Galaxy A51 surprised many after it was released, as it turned out to be one of the best phones of the year. Now, you can save a few bucks and grab this impressive budget phone at an even steeper discount if you opt for a refurbished model.
From $234 at Amazon From $300 at Best Buy From $239 at Back Market
The Pixel 3a is the best-refurbished phone
When Google launched the Pixel 3a in 2019, there was much fanfare as it seemed that Google was changing up the game plan. Now that the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 have arrived, it's clear that this is the case as Google is opting to take over the budget market instead of competing with the likes of Samsung and Apple and other flagship models.
The Pixel 3a packs an impressive wallop, providing the same camera found on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Along with a design that is comfortable to hold and still familiar to just about every Android user. Sure, the spec-sheet isn't the latest, and the Pixel 4a is cheaper than the 3a was, but the 3a gets the leg up in the refurbished market. Plus, Google still plans on supporting this device until May 2022 at the earliest.
Want something a bit more flashy? Check out the OnePlus 7T or Galaxy S20 FE
If you're someone who wants to save a few bucks and get a device that is flashy and will still turn heads, there's no better way to go other than OnePlus or Samsung. The OnePlus 7T is still being sold as new at T-Mobile and OnePlus, and for good reason. You're getting a sleek design with a stunning AMOLED display equipped with a 90Hz display. There are no hole-punches to be concerned with, and the glass back has a texture that is simply comfortable to hold.
The camera system may not hold up against the likes of the 3a or the Note 10, but it will do the job just fine. The bigger benefit comes in the software department, as OxygenOS is one of the best Android skins available. At the very least, you will see Android 11 come to the 7T, but OnePlus has an excellent track record of providing software updates for years. Just look at the OnePlus 5 and 5T.
Looking back at 2020, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE was really the phone that stole almost everyone's hearts. The device proved that Samsung listens to its users, bringing with it a flat display, along with a matte plastic backplate so we wouldn't have to worry about dealing with damaged glass. From a performance perspective, the S20 FE offered practically the same experience as the standard Galaxy S20.
In fact, the S20 FE was dubbed the "new flagship killer" in our review, with its modern flagship design and specs, without having to pay the flagship premium. The 120Hz display is a dream to use, and there are more than enough colors to mix and match your personal style. Plus, Samsung has upped the ante in the software department, promising up to three years of major Android software updates, along with the monthly security patch releases. The S20 FE really is the complete package, no matter what way you look at it.