The best budget Android phones you can buy in 2022, ranked
As high-end phones get more expensive, awesome budget Android phones get even better. We've researched and ranked all of the best Android phones under $500 you can buy today. Whether you're looking to get connected with 5G or just want to get as much as possible for your money, our buyer's guide will help you find the perfect phone for you. Here are some of our top choices for the most inexpensive phones available now.
What are the best budget Android phones?Last year was tremendous for Android phones in the budget space, and fortunately, this trend continued well into 2022. We're seeing features like multiple cameras, faster processors, and 5G hit price points that would have been unheard of just a couple of years ago. Because of that, there's a wealth of quality options for Android phones under $500 that won't make you feel like you're compromising.
For our top picks, you can't go wrong with the Google Pixel 5a. This phone makes the most of its hardware with excellent image processing on the cameras and reasonably snappy performance with the latest version of Android. This phone also supports sub-6 5G so you'll be able to work with any carrier's latest network technology as it continues to expand over the next couple of years.
Further down the list, we really love the Nokia G50 5G. It has a lower-resolution display, plastic back, and slightly less RAM and storage than some other phones on this list. Still, overall it's a package that we can absolutely recommend, especially if you're looking to save as much money as possible on an unlocked Android phone with good cameras, 5G support, great battery life, and smooth software.
We also recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. This phone surprised us with its beautiful display and tremendous performance, although you'll want to make sure you're ready for a phone this size - it's a big one.
Bottom line: While some may not consider it to be "cheap," the Pixel 5a packs a big punch for its $449 asking price, including a powerful Snapdragon processor, 5G connectivity, stunning cameras, water resistance, and more.
| Great cameras and software | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.34-inch OLED, 2340x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 12.2MP primary, 16MP ultra-wide, 8MP selfie |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Battery | 4,680 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.1 x 8.8mm |
| Weight | 183g |
- Simply amazing cameras
- Fast performance across the board
- Large OLED display
- Unbelievable battery life
- Supports 5G networks
- Only a 60Hz display
- Not "cheap" for all shoppers
The Google Pixel 5a is a lot like last year's Pixel 4a, but with a few key upgrades in important places.
First thing's first, there's the processor. The Pixel 5a steps up to the more impressive Snapdragon 765G, which allows for better performance and 5G connectivity. Of course, 5G still has a lot of growing pains it needs to work through, but if you plan to keep your phone for the next few years and take advantage of those faster network speeds as they become more widely available, it is something to consider.
The larger size of the two compared to its predecessor, 5a allows for a bigger display and battery, making it better-equipped for watching movies, playing games, and doing all of that while not having to stress about how much gas is left in the tank. You get the same top-notch 12.2MP camera from the regular Pixel 4a, but there's also a 16MP ultra-wide camera that allows for even more shooting possibilities. In fact, during our review of the 5a, writer Ara Wagoner could not kill the battery even after two days of intense usage. That's huge, especially for a phone that lacks wireless charging. The 5a also is the first a-series Pixel to have an official IP67 rating for water resistance.
The overall best budget Android phone you can buyGoogle Pixel 5a with 5G - Google phone
5G speeds for less
Want 5G connectivity on a budget? Look no further than the Pixel 5a from Google.
Bottom line: The OnePlus 8 isn't the newest phone on this list but with excellent hardware and a nice software experience with OxygenOS, it's got plenty of performance to keep up with anything in this price range.
| High-end build quality with updates to come | OnePlus 8 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.55-inch AMOLED, 2400x1080, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP wide, 16MP ultra-wide, 2MP Macro, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 30W wired |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 72.9 x 8mm |
| Weight | 180g |
- Reliable and consistent camera performance
- Snappy and clean software
- Excellent battery life
- 5G capability included
- Premium-feeling hardware
- Lacks wireless charging
- Macro camera is underwhelming
OnePlus has a habit of putting some of the best hardware it can get its hands on into a phone and the OnePlus 8 is no different with a powerful Snapdragon 865 driving things under the hood along with its ample 8GB of RAM. The display is a lovely 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with a 2400x1080 resolution. With a 90Hz refresh rate, images on this screen are sharp, rich in color, and navigation is buttery smooth. This pairs nicely with the large 4,300mAh battery and 48MP main camera.
OnePlus has released an update for this phone to take it up to Android 11 with its OxygenOS software providing a good user experience on top. OnePlus also has plans to upgrade this device further with Android 12 though, at its current software level, there's nothing the average user couldn't get done on this phone. It's still nice to see OnePlus keeping this phone up-to-date.
The OnePlus 8 supports sub-6 5G, meaning it will have access to the majority of 5G bands that will be used in the next couple of years. This includes nationwide and Ultra-Capacity 5G on T-Mobile's network which is home to the best 5G coverage in the country.
There's no getting past the fact that this phone was released in 2020, but with the right expectations, it still has a lot to give. The Android version available on this device rivals all but one other phone on this list and with the promise of Android 12 coming in the future, there's reason to be hopeful. Even so, the Snapdragon 865 and 8GB of RAM in this phone will help it push through any task you throw at it.
Flagship quality on a budgetOnePlus 8 - 5G Unlocked Android Smartphone U.S Version
A beautiful Android phone with plenty of life left
The OnePlus 8 is a well-balanced device with a premium look and feel. With updates, it still has years of service to give.
Bottom line: The Moto G Power (2020) sacrifices very little to hit its $250 retail price. As a result, this is the best cheap phone for most people with a speedy processor, excellent cameras, and great battery life.
| Best cheap budget Android phone | Moto G Power (2020) |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch LCD, 2300x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Cameras | 16MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | Water-repellent coating |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.8 x 9.6mm |
| Weight | 199g |
- Great build quality and design
- Three rear cameras are a lot of fun
- Up to three-day battery life
- Moto Display and Moto Actions are great
- Compatible with all major U.S. and international carriers
- Moto G line isn't known for swift software updates
- Lacks NFC
Year after year, Motorola stands out as one of the best companies to watch for delivering great budget Android phones. 2020 saw the Moto G Power release, and if you're in the market for an affordable smartphone, it's hard to do much better than this. Although there is a newer Moto G Power (2021), its predecessor is still the better budget phone.
The Power name is a reference to the phone's best feature - battery life. With a 5,000 mAh battery crammed inside, you can easily get two or three days of use on a single charge. In a world where it's the norm to throw your phone on the charger every single night, being able to go a few days without worrying about that is a dream come true.
The rest of the G Power's hardware is just as good outside of the legendary battery life. The 6.4-inch Full HD display is easy on the eyes, performance is plenty fast thanks to the Snapdragon 665 processor and 4GB of RAM, and graphical performance in mobile games is impressive at this price range. The G Power also has a trio of solid cameras, which allow for a wide variety of different types of shots you can take with the phone. Image quality is also pretty good, considering how cheap the G Power is.
Tying all of this together is Motorola's excellent software. The user interface is nearly identical to what you'd find on a Pixel, meaning it's clean, pure Android as Google intended it. In addition, Motorola throws in a few software tweaks to further enhance your experiences, such as Moto Display and Moto Actions. The former is arguably the best always-on display out there, with the latter allowing you to move the phone in a chopping motion to turn on the flashlight or twist it to open the camera.
We have two complaints about the Moto G Power, the first of which is its lack of NFC. Contactless payment solutions like Google Pay are becoming more and more commonplace with every day that passes, and buying a phone in 2022 that doesn't support this feels kind of silly. There's also the fact that Motorola only promises one major OS update for the G Power, meaning it likely won't be updated beyond Android 11 - a potential deal-breaker if you plan on keeping the phone for a long time.
However, if neither of those two things bothers you, the Moto G Power is a wonderfully complete package that we think many people will be overly happy with.
Just a heads up that this is the 2020 version of the Moto G Power. The Moto G Power (2021) was released, but it's actually a worse product with a lower-resolution display and a slightly weaker processor. As such, we're going to keep recommending the Moto G Power (2020) over it.
Best cheap budget Android phoneMoto G Power (2020) - 3-Day Battery1 Unlocked phone by Motorola
The best affordable Android phone for most people
If you need a cheap phone, you want the Moto G Power. It's built well, has a good display, and has insane battery life.
Bottom line: Want the Samsung experience without the added cost? The Galaxy A52 is a fantastic value.
| A premium 5G pick under $500 | Samsung Galaxy A52 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch AMOLED, 2400x1080, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G |
| RAM | 6/8GB |
| Storage | 128/256GB |
| Cameras | 64MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth, 32MP selfie |
| Charging | 25W wired |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4mm |
| Weight | 189g |
- Good-looking hardware
- Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Four excellent rear cameras
- Large 4,500 mAh battery
- IP67 water and dust resistance
- 5G is only for sub-6
Samsung has many decent offerings in 2022, with one of its better options being the Galaxy A52 5G.
You'll find a lot of specs to keep you interested, including a gorgeous AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a large 4,500 mAh battery for long endurance, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor. It's a decent chipset, but on the A52, it results in some laggy performance now and then.
The A52 is touting a total of four sensors on its backside. There's a 64MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, 5MP macro camera, and a dedicated 5MP portrait camera. Not only does this setup allow for virtually endless possibilities with the kinds of photos you can take, but the 64MP primary camera is a fantastic shooter that captures wonderful detail and dynamic range.
A premium 5G pick under $500Samsung Galaxy A52 5G - Factory Unlocked Android smartphone
$500 at Amazon$500 at Best Buy$500 at Newegg
Samsung packs quite a punch
Want a flagship Samsung phone without paying premium prices? Make sure to check out the Galaxy A52!
Bottom line: The Pixel 5a may have the best camera quality, but the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G has the versatility. With four cameras overall, though, you'll definitely get your shot. Plus, the rest of the phone is great, too.
| The cheap Android phone with versatile cameras | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch TFT, 720x1600 |
| Processor | MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 720 5G |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth, 13MP selfie |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1mm |
| Weight | 205g |
- Attractive design
- Great cameras
- 90Hz AMOLED display is excellent
- Three platform updates
- Long battery life
- Can be a bit laggy with heavy use
- "Fast" charging is only 15W
Samsung's lineup of mid-tier Android phones has gotten a lot better in recent years, with one of the latest examples being the Galaxy A32 5G. This is at the mid-range of Samsung's more affordable Galaxy phones, and it should absolutely be on your shortlist.
As hinted at above, this is the cheap Android phone to get if you care about cameras. The heart of the Galaxy A32 5G is its 48MP primary camera, and photos taken with it look excellent. There's a lot of detail, good dynamic range, and vibrant colors. To help expand the types of pictures you can take, the A32 5G is also equipped with an 8MP wide-angle camera, a 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP portrait camera.
Outside of the camera department, the Galaxy A32 5G is just as impressive. It delivers a quality 6.4-inch TFT display at 720p, decent performance in day-to-day tasks thanks to its MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 720 5G, and a beefy 5,000 mAh battery that allows long endurance. Tie all of that together with USB-C charging and a headphone jack, and you end up with quite the package.
The cheap Android phone with versatile camerasSamsung Galaxy A32 5G - 6.5" Display Quad Camera Long Lasting Battery Smartphone
$280 at Best Buy$197 at Amazon
An excellent camera package, regardless of price
Samsung went all out with the Galaxy A32's cameras, giving you a 48MP primary lens and three other ones to play around with.
Bottom line: Nokia's known for making great value Android phones, and the excellent Nokia G50 5G is another example. Expect decent performance, clean Android One-based software, and a lovely design.
| A great option for clean software under $300 | Nokia G50 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch LCD, 1560x750, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 5MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth, 8MP wide selfie camera |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | |
| Dimensions | 173.8 x 77.7 x 8.9mm |
| Weight | 6.7oz |
- Fast processor
- Solid camera system
- Two-day battery life
- Fingerprint sensor
- NFC for Google Pay
- Display is only HD+
- No wireless charging
Nokia makes solid Android phones that don't cost too much, and the Nokia G50 5G continues that tradition of high-quality hardware with clean Android One-based software. The phone's design is striking, too, with a tall-and-thin 19.5:9 aspect ratio that makes the metallic-looking body easy to grasp and use in one hand. And because the Nokia G50 5G runs Android One, it will get platform updates until the end of 2023 and security patches until 2024.
On the hardware front, the Nokia G50 5G packs some serious power. The 5G-enabled Snapdragon 480 processor and 4/6GB of RAM allow for reliable performance, the 5,000 mAh battery easily provides two days of use per charge, and you get a total of four cameras for endless picture-taking possibilities, including an excellent 48MP primary sensor and an 8MP wide front camera. Throw in smaller features like NFC, expandable storage, and a headphone jack, and you end up with a really complete package.
A great option for clean software under $300Nokia G50 5G - Android 11 Unlocked Smartphone
$274 at Amazon$300 at Best Buy$300 at Walmart
Nokia delivers the goods
The Nokia G50 5G shines as an excellent low-cost Android phone. It has three rear cameras, a headphone jack, and clean software.
Bottom line: If you're looking for features galore, from video-enhancing modes to excellent camera and battery optimizations, the TCL 20S is a fantastic option.
| A big phone with lots of features | TCL 20S |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD, 2400x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Cameras | 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.9 x 9.1mm |
| Weight | 199g |
- Crisp and vibrant display
- 5,000 mAh battery
- Has an NFC chip
- Improved primary camera
- OTG reverse charging
- No 5G
- No official IP water-resistance rating
TCL has been at the helm of phones under the Alcatel and BlackBerry brands, but with the TCL 20S, the company is finally entering the Android space with a device under its own name. Surprisingly, it's one of the most feature-rich cheap handsets you can buy right now.
Starting with its display, the TCL 20S offers a 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD panel with its NXTVISION screen technology - offering true-to-life colors, great viewing angles, and support for HDR video content. If you want to use the display to showcase games, the Snapdragon 665 processor with 4GB of RAM offers more than enough horsepower to keep everything running smoothly.
Also offered are four rear cameras, including a 64MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and 2MP depth camera. The actual image quality isn't the very best we've ever seen, but the fact that you have so many sensors to work with allows for lots of shooting possibilities. Rounding out the feature list is a huge 5,000 mAh battery, USB-C charging, NFC for Google Pay, and it comes in two fabulous colors, North Star Blue and Miky Way black. Plus, you can use your 20S to charge another device thanks to its OTG reverse charging capability.
A big phone with lots of featuresTCL 20S - Unlocked Android Smartphone
$250 at Amazon$250 at Best Buy
One phone, so many features
Whether you want a vibrant display, lots of cameras, or Google Pay support on a budget? The TCL 20S does it all.
Bottom line: If you're burning for a Moto G Power with an included stylus, a la Samsung's Galaxy Note line, the Moto G Stylus (2021) will be your perfect phone.
| A decent performer with a trick up its sleeve | Moto G Stylus (2021) |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch LCD, 2400x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | Water-repellent coating |
| Dimensions | 169.8 x 77.9 x 9mm |
| Weight | 213g |
- Included stylus for writing/drawing
- Four rear cameras
- Good all-around specs
- Works with every U.S. carrier
- No NFC
- Only one promised OS update
It can be challenging to keep track of all the value phones Motorola has in its lineup, but one that manages to stand out is the Moto G Stylus (2021). Along with being one of the few Android phones that comes with a built-in stylus, it's also just a perfect combination of specs, features, and value.
You're getting a large 6.8-inch display for housing all of your media, and thanks to a Full HD+ resolution, everything looks excellent. There's also ample performance thanks to the Snapdragon 678 processor, along with 128GB of built-in storage and a large 4,000 mAh battery. Given the low price of the G Stylus, these are all powerful specifications.
As the name implies, the main draw to the Moto G Stylus (2021) is its built-in stylus experience. It's certainly not the most premium stylus we've ever used, but it works well enough for drawing, note-taking, etc. It can also be stored seamlessly at the bottom of the phone when you aren't using it, which is a nice touch that ties the whole experience together.
Just like the Moto G Power (2020), you're still missing NFC on the Moto G Stylus and need to put up with Motorola's disappointing software updates. However, if those aren't deal-breakers for you, there's a lot to like here.
A decent performer with a trick up its sleeveMoto G Stylus (2021) - | 2-Day battery Unlocked smart phone by Motorola
$230 at Amazon$230 at Best Buy
Draw and doodle the day away
It's not as good a deal as the G Power, but the Moto G Stylus offers some fun and unique features.
Bottom line: The OnePlus Nord N10 5G anchors OnePlus's affordable push into the U.S. market. It's one of the best value flagship devices you can buy and a striking Pixel 4a competitor.
| Excellent performance for the price | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.49-inch FHD, 2400x1080, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP monochrome, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 30W wired |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh |
| Water Resistance | |
| Dimensions | 163 x 74.7 x 8.95mm |
| Weight | 190g |
- FHD display with 90Hz
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
- 30W wired charging
- Great OxygenOS software
- Won't upgrade past Android 11
This past year has seen plenty of Android phones released, with one of the most noteworthy being the OnePlus Nord 2. The Nord series marks OnePlus's return to truly affordable smartphones, and in just about every regard, it's a home run. But, unfortunately, that affordable flagship never made its way to many parts of the world, including North America. Thankfully, OnePlus has expanded the Nord lineup bringing two Nord phones to the U.S., including our favorite, the Nord N10 5G.
Even though it's priced as a budget phone, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G packs a big punch on the hardware front. The 90Hz AMOLED display looks fantastic, giving you rich colors and smooth animations. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 690 allows for fast 5G performance, battery life is reliable, and OnePlus's 30W wired charging continues to be one of the best on the market. The phone ships with a generous 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and high-end features like a quad-camera setup and dual stereo speakers. We're also quite fond of the new Midnight Ice color, which is downright beautiful.
Regarding software, the OnePlus Nord ships with OxygenOS based on Android 10, only recently upgraded to Android 11/ OxygenOS 11, and won't upgrade to version 12. Still, OxygenOS is one of the best Android interfaces on the market. Or at least it was, before being reabsorbed by OPPO and merging with ColorOS. So in this case, not getting Android 12 isn't a terrible problem to have. The Nord 10 strikes a near-perfect balance of offering many extra features while retaining a clean user interface, and it's something we cannot get enough of.
Excellent performance for the priceOnePlus Nord N10 5G - Unlocked Smartphone, Midnight Ice
$240 at Amazon$300 at Best Buy
A Nord for North America
OnePlus finally brought a Nord phone to the U.S., packed with a quad-camera system, 90Hz display, and 5G compatibility.
Bottom line: The Galaxy A42 5G embraces its budget design with a four-tone back and an edge-to-edge display on the front. It also has reasonably fast hardware and is slated to get the Android 12 update.
| 5G support and a massive battery | Galaxy A42 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.6-inch Super AMOLED, 1600x720, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 13MP selfie |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6mm |
| Weight | 193g |
- Superb battery life
- 5G support included
- Passable camera setup
- Good performance with Snapdragon CPU
- Samsung has announced an Android 12 upgrade
- Quiet earpiece
- Low-light camera performance is weak
The Galaxy A42 5G slipped under the radar a bit but with the same Snapdragon 750G CPU as the more expensive A52, it's got plenty of power for most tasks, a solid design, and a much more appealing price tag. This phone comes with a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1600x720 at 60Hz. The pixel density isn't as high as some but for video streaming and day-to-day usage, it should be more than adequate.
This phone comes with Android 11 and is slated to get Android 12 in May 2022 from Samsung. With its 4GB of RAM, the A42 should be able to keep up with just about any app you throw at it apart from high-end 3D games. You'll also keep compatibility with newer apps for longer with the latest software version if you're the type that likes to keep your phone longer than others.
The Galaxy A42 5G supports sub-6 5G bands so you'll be able to take advantage of the carriers' latest network expansions. This is a great benefit for a budget-oriented phone because most carriers aren't spending much time on LTE expansion anymore and most of the speed and coverage improvements will come with nationwide 5G, especially in rural areas.
Attractive design and a huge batterySamsung Galaxy A42 5G - Factory Unlocked Smartphone, Android Cell Phone
A solid mid-range galaxy with 5G
The Galaxy A42 has it where it counts with a huge 5,000mAh battery, 5G support, and an Android 12 update in the works.
How to decide which budget phone to buyIt can be pretty difficult to decide which of the great budget phones available today you should buy. While the availability of fantastic phones under $500 has exploded over the past few years, you're still unable to get everything you would get in a more expensive device - that's the compromise you must reach when deciding which device to get.
For most people, the question comes down to whether you want a device that "mimics" the flagship experience but with cheaper, lower-quality components, or whether you can settle for something that has fewer specs but ones that, individually, hold up well.
Perhaps a good example is something like the Google Pixel 5a. At $450, its 1080p display isn't the best out there, but it's very good and quite color-accurate for the price. But it lacks a high refresh rate, like the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, for example.
Similarly, its single rear camera is outstanding and will output by far the best photos of any of the other devices on this list. But that's it - there's no ultrawide or telephoto option, so you're limited in the kinds of photos you can frame.
It's also made of plastic - high-quality plastic, yes - unlike some of the other devices on this list with a more premium fit and finish.
Finally, the Pixel 5a also has something else going for it: Google's commitment to three years of platform and security patches. This means that this phone is still in line for the next wave of Android features and user experience upgrades even after those found in the latest Android 12 update. While some of the other phones on this list have or will get Android 12, not many will get the next update.
On the flip side, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is a $300 phone - cheaper than the Pixel 5a - with admittedly better specs but a far inferior day-to-day experience. There are four rear cameras, but none of them, including the main camera, can compete with the Pixel 5a's excellent primary shooter. It's also 5G-enabled, but that connectivity comes at the expense of battery life. Its screen is also 1080p, but it's of lower quality than the Pixel 5a's. It also shipped with Android 10 and is still waiting for its only update to Android 11.
And these are just two examples. So you're going to need to take the entire market into account before deciding which phone to get.
Bottom lineThere's no shortage of the best Android phones these days, whether you want to spend more than $700, less than $300, or even $100. The above phones represent the best of a set limitation - that of not wanting to overspend on a product that, inevitably, will need to be replaced in a couple of years.
But that's the beauty of a device that costs a third of a Galaxy S22 Plus or Pixel 6 Pro. It offers 90% of what those phones cost and can be replaced more easily. So while you may miss out on some of the more advanced features like waterproofing and wireless charging, and you may not receive as many updates, or for as long, these phones represent a new breed of budget devices you can feel confident in buying. And the Google Pixel 5a is the best value of the bunch for under $500.
Splurging on the best overall phone that throws in everything and the kitchen sink isn't always the ideal solution - especially when you're looking at cost-cutting phones in the first place. Instead, you should figure out what you value the most. If you're looking to spend even less, the Moto G Power delivers a reliable experience at one of the best prices around. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G easily has the best camera, and if you're looking for luxurious hardware, it's tough to beat the Nokia G50 5G. Every manufacturer has something of value to offer.
Credits - The team that worked on this guide
Jeramy Johnson is proud to help to Keep Austin Weird and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand. When he's not writing about smart home gadgets and wearables, he's defending his relationship with his smart voice assistants to his family. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeramyutgw.
Samuel Contreras When Samuel is not writing about networking and carriers, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.