The 6 Best Budget Android Phones Of 2023
In the present era, inexpensive smartphones, specifically those running on Android operating system, have the capability to perform all essential functions of a high-quality smartphone without costing you a fortune. Depending on the producer you choose, you can purchase an excellent phone at a reasonable price. The key is to be aware of where to search!
Nonetheless, finding the ideal offer can be a laborious process, considering the large number of Android alternatives available on the market. It can also be perplexing if you don’t know which processor, RAM and storage capacity, camera specifications, and battery size to keep an eye out for.
That is why we are here to assist you. Below, we have compiled a list of the top budget Android phones you can purchase right now, depending on how much you are willing to spend and which features are important to you. This collection includes various manufacturers and price ranges, ensuring that you will find what you require.
Best Budget Android Phone for Battery Life
1. Moto G Power
If you’re looking for a phone with a long battery life that doesn’t cost too much, the Moto G Power from Motorola is a great choice. It costs around $250 and has a 5,000mAh battery that can last for two to three days on a single charge. To recharge it, you can use the USB-C port on the bottom of the phone, which supports 15W fast charging.
The Moto G Power from Motorola has a Snapdragon 662 processor, which is very efficient. The Snapdragon 600 series from Qualcomm has always been known for providing a good balance between performance and power efficiency, and the 662 processor in the G Power is no different.
The Moto G Power has a big 6.6-inch screen that is very clear, and it comes in different models with up to 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of storage. The phone has three cameras on the back: a 48MP main lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth-sensing lens. These cameras can help you take good portrait mode and zoom photos, but they are not great for taking pictures at night or for recording videos, which can only go up to 1080p.
Overall, the Moto G Power is a good choice for people who want a phone that can last a long time on a budget, and it also has all the tools you need for your daily tasks.
Best Budget Android Camera
2. Google Pixel 6a
The Pixel series from Google has the best cameras on phones. The Pixel 6a has great cameras and is affordable.
The Pixel 6a costs $450 and has two of the same cameras as the more expensive Pixel 6. It has a 12.2MP main camera, 12MP wide-angle camera, and 8MP front-facing camera. It also comes with Google’s great camera software.
This camera’s software offers Astrophotography, Night Sight, and Portrait mode. Google’s camera experience is not hard to use. Anyone can take a good photo for social media by just pointing and shooting.
The Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch screen, a Google Tensor processor, 6GB of memory, 128GB of storage, and 5G capabilities. It can also resist water at the IP67 level, which is not the best but still useful.
The Pixel 6a provides one of the best cameras available, no matter how much it costs. In addition, it comes with speedy software updates, clean software, and a simple user interface.
Also: 10 Best Laptops Under $700
Best Android Phone Under $500
3. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the latest addition to the Galaxy A50 series, which are known for their excellent performance. It is a mid-range smartphone that costs less than $500.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy A52 5G, the A53 5G has a stunning 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display that produces vibrant colors and deep blacks. The screen is also bright enough to be easily visible outdoors, and its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth performance.
The A53 5G runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 1280 processor with 6GB of RAM, which results in decent overall performance. While it may not be the fastest phone on the market, you can expect occasional slowdowns, but nothing you can’t manage.
The phone has 128GB of storage built-in, which should be enough for most users. If you need more storage, you can expand it using the microSD card slot. Unfortunately, 5G support is limited to low- and mid-bands on AT&T, T-Mobile, and unlocked versions. However, you can get faster mmWave 5G connectivity with the Verizon version, which costs an additional $50.
The A53 5G runs Android 12 with One UI 4.1, and Samsung promises to provide four years of Android and five years of security updates. This is the longest update period you can get outside of a Google Pixel phone.
The A53 5G has the same camera setup as the A52 5G, which is great news. The 64MP primary camera takes excellent photos in good lighting, and its low-light performance is impressive too.
Finally, the phone’s battery life is exceptional. With its 5,000mAh battery, it lasts well over a day on a single charge, and it supports 25W wired fast charging, which is very convenient.
Best Android Phone Under $300
4. OnePlus Nord N20 5G
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is an ideal choice for those looking for a great deal. It offers several impressive features that are hard to find in similarly priced phones. For instance, it has a full-HD+ OLED display that produces vivid and bright colors.
The phone also features an in-display fingerprint sensor, which makes unlocking the device effortless. Additionally, it comes with 33W fast charging support using the included wired charger and NFC for easy contactless payments.
There is much to appreciate about the phone besides its main features. The Nord N20 5G uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor with 6GB of RAM, which provides decent performance. Furthermore, the 4,500mAh battery lasts all day on a single charge.
The OnePlus phone has three cameras on the back, but only the 64MP main camera is impressive. It takes good quality pictures with lots of detail in bright lighting. However, the results aren’t as nice in low-light conditions.
The Nord N20 5G runs on Android 11-based Oxygen OS 11, and the manufacturer promises one major Android update and three years of security updates.
Unfortunately, 5G connectivity is only available on T-Mobile, and the phone doesn’t support Verizon’s network. If you’re looking for an under-$300 5G phone for AT&T or Verizon, Samsung’s Galaxy A13 5G is a solid choice. It has excellent battery life and performs well, although it comes with a lower-resolution LCD screen.
Best Android Phone Under $200
5. OnePlus Nord N100
The OnePlus Nord N100 is a great option for anyone with a limited budget of $200. Priced at $180, this mid-range phone is one of the latest offerings in OnePlus’ Nord series. The device features a 6.52-inch 720p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a USB-C port. It is powered by a Snapdragon 460 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which is sufficient for basic tasks. The N100 has a triple camera setup on the back that takes decent photos, but not anything particularly impressive.
The phone comes with stereo speakers and Android 10, with a promised upgrade to Android 11. However, it won’t receive any further major updates after that. The device lacks 5G connectivity and water resistance, and its specs are not particularly impressive. Nonetheless, the Nord N100 is a solid device that offers all the fundamental features of a smartphone, and it is an excellent option for anyone on a tight budget.
Best Budget Android Phone
6. Moto G Play (2023)
This device is available for a price under $200 and offers a well-rounded experience that includes a combination of various features, design, specifications, and improvements over the previous version launched in 2021.
The device comes with a large screen of 6.5 inches that operates at 90Hz. Although it may not be very bright in direct sunlight, fans of large screens will appreciate this feature. The screen of this device is an LCD panel, which is reasonable considering the price point, as OLED screens are expensive.
The 2023 Motorola Moto G Play has undergone some changes under the hood. It replaces the previous Snapdragon 460 with a MediaTek Helio G37 and sticks to 3GB of RAM. This combination is quite sufficient for most casual phone users who want to use apps, edit their photos, play light games, and perform other regular tasks.
The Moto G Play comes with an internal storage capacity of 32GB, which might not be sufficient for everyone. However, there is a microSD slot available, which can be used to increase the storage capacity to up to 512GB as per your requirement.
On the back of this device, you will find a 16MP rear-facing camera along with a 2MP macro lens that captures clear close-up details in your photos. While the quality of pictures taken with the Moto G Play may not be exceptional, it is understandable considering the affordable price point. Despite this, the photos taken with this device should be good enough for social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
In addition to these features, the Moto G Play also comes with a large 5,000mAh battery, a rear-mounted fingerprint reader, the Android 12 operating system, and a water-repellent coating that helps protect against light splashes and rain. The device has an IP52 water resistance rating as well.
The Moto G Play is priced at $170, which makes it an excellent budget smartphone that offers various features. Although there are some compromises, these are not significant enough to be dealbreakers for anyone interested in purchasing a budget-friendly smartphone with great features.
To sum it all up, there are some great budget Android phones available in 2023 that won’t break the bank. From Samsung’s Galaxy A series to OnePlus’ Nord series, these phones offer impressive features, decent performance, and good battery life, all for under $500. Whether you’re a bargain hunter or just looking for an affordable smartphone option, you can find a device that suits your needs and budget.