Best Cheap Phone of 2026: You Don’t Need to Pay a Lot for Your Next Phone

While phone prices are increasing as the cost of electronics rise, if you need a new phone and want to make sure it’s the best value for your dollar, there are a number of low-cost options to consider, such as Google's Pixel 10A. Some of the best devices we've tested provide a very similar experience to phones that cost considerably more, including years of software updates that bring new features. Our picks aren't limited to the cheapest phones, but include devices that give you everything you want without paying extra for frills. Our experts prioritize long software support, fun designs and capable cameras, so you can save money without feeling like you're making major trade-offs.

8.2/10 CNET Score

Google’s Pixel 10A remains one of the best value options at $499, pairing consistent Android software updates with an excellent camera. While it won’t steal away anyone enamored by the more expensive Pixel 10, it’s still an easy recommendation when you just need a phone.

Jump to details

Pros

iPhone-convert friendly

Simple, clean phone design

Good at photography

Cons

Missing several Pixel 10 features

Similar to the Pixel 9A

8.6/10 CNET Score

Apple’s $599 iPhone 17E packs just enough new features to justify an iOS upgrade for anyone holding onto an iPhone SE or an iPhone 11. While many elements of this iPhone are similar to the iPhone 14, its new A19 processor, MagSafe support for wireless charging and accessories and Ceramic Shield 2 are all notable improvements.

Jump to details

Pros

Premium feel

Solid camera

MagSafe compatibility

Higher 256GB base storage

A19 chip

Fun pink color option

Cons

No Dynamic Island

Thick bezels

No ultrawide camera or Cinematic video

Only 60Hz refresh rate means no always-on display

7.2/10 CNET Score

Motorola’s 2025 Moto G Stylus is stacked with features that punch above its price. No other $400 phone has 68W fast wired charging, 256GB of storage and a stylus.

Jump to details

Pros

Fast 68W charging

Lots of storage

Good photography for a low-cost phone

Cons

Slower processor

Only two years of software updates, three years of security updates

6.4/10 CNET Score

Samsung’s Galaxy A17 5G runs Android 16 and includes nearly all of Samsung’s features -- aside from Galaxy AI -- while costing just $200. The slower hardware and limited memory can be frustrating when trying to do anything beyond calls and texting, but Samsung’s promise of six years of software updates is unmatched at this price. You’ll also often find the Galaxy A17 discounted.

Jump to details

Pros

Big and bright screen

Good photos for the price

Six years of software and security support

Cons

Multitasking can be rough

Noticeably sluggish

7.4/10 CNET Score

Motorola’s 2025 Razr is one of the cheapest Android flip phones that you can buy. It has all the essentials you could hope for, along with a bit of style. You get a 3.6-inch external display for knocking out quick tasks, and it unfolds to a larger 6.9-inch internal screen. While its original $700 price isn't cheap, it’s often on sale for $550 or less.

Jump to details

Pros

Style

Cover screen for knocking out quick tasks

Photo processing

Cons

Less power than comparably priced phones

Moto AI is developing

Shorter software update timeline

MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK

$298 (save $102)

$241 (save $310)

$499 (save $300)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Best Cheap Phone of 2026: You Don’t Need to Pay a Lot for Your Next Phone

What is the best cheap phone?

Best cheap phones of 2026

Best cheap phone

Best cheap iPhone

Best phone for under $400

Best for under $200

Best cheap flip phone

Google Pixel 10A specs vs. Apple iPhone 17E, Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025), Samsung Galaxy A17 5g, Motorola Razr (2025)

Recent updates

Factors to consider when buying a cheap phone

How we test phones

Other phones to consider

Best cheap phones FAQs

What to look forward to in 2026

What is the best cheap phone?

Google’s $499 Pixel 10A is our pick for the best overall cheap phone, even though it’s only slightly improved over last year’s Pixel 9A. The new phone’s top-notch camera is unmatched among other handsets priced under $500. Plus, crucially, the company’s promise of seven years of software and security updates means the phone could last long enough to use until it finally gives out. Plus, its ability to send photos and files to an iPhone over AirDrop is a nice bonus, especially for people with friends using iOS devices.

One major caveat to this recommendation is that the base model comes with 128GB of storage. If you want it upgraded to 256GB, the price bumps up to $599, the same as other phones on this list, such as the iPhone 17E and the 2025 Motorola Razr, when it's discounted (which is often). But if you need a reliable, lower-cost phone with a great camera, the Pixel 10A otherwise remains an excellent value.

Best cheap phones of 2026

Pros

iPhone-convert friendly

Simple, clean phone design

Good at photography

Cons

Missing several Pixel 10 features

Similar to the Pixel 9A

Google’s Pixel 10A remains one of the best value options at $499, pairing consistent Android software updates with an excellent camera. While it won’t steal away anyone enamored by the more expensive Pixel 10, it’s still an easy recommendation when you just need a phone.

Why we like it

The Pixel 10A’s ability to send photos and files over AirDrop via Android’s QuickShare makes this phone a lower-cost way to switch from an iPhone SE to Android without losing that helpful feature. Even those that don’t care about AirDrop can appreciate the Pixel 10A’s camera, which remains one of the best available among phones under $500.

Who it's best for

Someone who wants a nice phone, but isn’t interested in poring through technical details. It’s also a nice gateway phone for people switching from an iPhone to Android, thanks to its AirDrop support.

Who shouldn't get it

Google’s earlier A-series phones were often near-equivalents to their pricier siblings, sharing much of the same hardware. The Pixel 10A, however, breaks from that tradition with a slower processor and no telephoto camera, unlike the $799 Pixel 10. It’s also not ideal if you absolutely need iMessage or FaceTime access.

... Show more

Add to compare

Pros

Premium feel

Solid camera

MagSafe compatibility

Higher 256GB base storage

A19 chip

Fun pink color option

Cons

No Dynamic Island

Thick bezels

No ultrawide camera or Cinematic video

Only 60Hz refresh rate means no always-on display

Apple’s $599 iPhone 17E packs just enough new features to justify an iOS upgrade for anyone holding onto an iPhone SE or an iPhone 11. While many elements of this iPhone are similar to the iPhone 14, its new A19 processor, MagSafe support for wireless charging and accessories and Ceramic Shield 2 are all notable improvements.

Why we like it

The iPhone 17E doesn’t feel like a second-class option now that it natively includes MagSafe support, 256GB of storage and a soft pink color option for a little personality. While this iPhone does miss out on having a second ultrawide camera and the always-on display available on the iPhone 17, anyone coming from an iPhone from 2020 or earlier might not notice these omissions thanks to the upgrades it does include.

Who it's best for

This is an ideal iPhone for someone who only upgrades when their device loses software support. If you’re coming from an iPhone XR or earlier, you’ll find plenty of new features. It’s also a good option for anyone coming from a smaller-screen iPhone SE.

Who shouldn't get it

If iOS isn’t important, many of the Android phones on this list offer more features for less money. Some current iPhone owners might consider the 17E a step back due to its lack of an ultrawide camera.

... Show more

Add to compare

Pros

Fast 68W charging

Lots of storage

Good photography for a low-cost phone

Cons

Slower processor

Only two years of software updates, three years of security updates

Motorola’s 2025 Moto G Stylus is stacked with features that punch above its price. No other $400 phone has 68W fast wired charging, 256GB of storage and a stylus.

Why we like it

The Moto G Stylus offers one of the best mixes of flexibility (what it can do) and value for its price. Its battery life and charging speeds are particularly fast, and Motorola’s Photo Enhancement Engine helps ensure the photos you take have nice colors. You can often find it discounted -- we've seen it as low as $350.

Who it's best for

It’s an easy choice for someone who wants a stylus-equipped phone without paying for a Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s also well-suited as a lower-cost media machine thanks to its storage and headphone jack.

Who shouldn't get it

The phone’s processor is capable of basic daily tasks, but it runs slower than other phones on this list. If you're looking for the best possible camera on a cheap phone, the Pixel 10A will fare better, especially in low lighting.

... Show more

Add to compare

Pros

Big and bright screen

Good photos for the price

Six years of software and security support

Cons

Multitasking can be rough

Noticeably sluggish

Samsung’s Galaxy A17 5G runs Android 16 and includes nearly all of Samsung’s features -- aside from Galaxy AI -- while costing just $200. The slower hardware and limited memory can be frustrating when trying to do anything beyond calls and texting, but Samsung’s promise of six years of software updates is unmatched at this price. You’ll also often find the Galaxy A17 discounted.

Why we like it

The Galaxy A17 is the way to go if price is your top priority and you only need a simple phone. The A17 has most of the basic features you’ll need and can take decent photos in good lighting.

Who it's best for

This phone is often available for free through carrier deals, making it a great option if you mainly use it for basic communication.

Who shouldn't get it

If you're hoping to use this phone for any kind of multitasking, don't hold your breath. The A17 is easily overwhelmed with any sort of workload happening between a couple of open apps, such as playing music while getting GPS directions.

... Show more

Add to compare

Pros

Style

Cover screen for knocking out quick tasks

Photo processing

Cons

Less power than comparably priced phones

Moto AI is developing

Shorter software update timeline

Motorola’s 2025 Razr is one of the cheapest Android flip phones that you can buy. It has all the essentials you could hope for, along with a bit of style. You get a 3.6-inch external display for knocking out quick tasks, and it unfolds to a larger 6.9-inch internal screen. While its original $700 price isn't cheap, it’s often on sale for $550 or less.

Why we like it

It's a stylish phone with a vegan-leather or fabric back cover, depending on the color you choose. It's also powerful enough to have the Moto AI suite, and the external camera is decent for selfies.

Who it's best for

If you're curious about trying an Android flip phone, but aren’t interested in the more expensive Razr Ultra or Galaxy Z Flip phones, this is a solid option.

Who shouldn't get it

If long-term support matters to you, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series includes seven years of software and security updates, compared with Motorola’s three years.

... Show more

Add to compare

In March 2025, we added the Google Pixel 10A and Apple iPhone 17E to our list. The new phones replace last year's Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E

Try it before you buy it: It's one thing to ogle over a phone, but it's another to actually try it out in a store.

Decide on Android or iPhone: Do you have a lot of iPhone apps and Apple subscriptions? Stick with an iPhone. Likewise, if you've invested in loads of Android apps, you'll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it's simple enough to switch platforms.

Pick the most important feature: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices.

Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET's expert reviews team. We use the phone, test its features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones, too. If we find something we don't like -- be it battery life or build quality -- we tell you about it.

We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:

Display

Design and feel

Processor performance

Battery life

Camera quality

Features

We test all the phone's cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use, too.

We account for additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. We weigh all our experiences and testing against the price so you know whether a phone represents good value.

Read more: How We Test Phones

At its original starting price of $829 in 2023, the iPhone 15 isn't necessarily considered cheap. And while Apple no longer sells it directly, you can find it on retail sites such as Best Buy for $530., which is a steal. In 2026, the iPhone 15 is still a great Apple phone. It has a 6.1-inch screen, good dual-rear cameras and outstanding battery life. It's worth a look if you can work it into your budget.

Can you find cheap phones on sale?

Yes, many of the cheap phones included on this list are available at a discount during shopping events. For instance, the 2025 Google Pixel 9A is now $439 on sites such as Walmart, now that the new Pixel 10A is out. The Pixel 9A's price will likely drop even lower. If you have a phone in mind and can hold off until a shopping event such as Black Friday, it may be worth waiting for a price reduction.

Show more

Are cheap phones available unlocked?

Yes, many cheap phones are available unlocked by the manufacturer. This allows you to use the phone with nearly any wireless carrier by inserting your SIM card or transferring your eSIM. If you want the flexibility to switch carriers, make sure you buy an unlocked model.

Show more

Are cheap phones good for kids?

Buying a cheap phone can be a great option when shopping for a teenager or college student, but that doesn't mean the phone is kid-friendly. Parents should still set up any necessary parental controls, restrictions or apps on an iPhone or Android to make sure it's appropriate for kids.

Show more

We're in the middle of "budget phone season," with new affordable phones being released by Google, Motorola and Samsung. This summer, we'll see the start of "flagship phone season," with major releases from Samsung, Apple and Google.