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These are the Best Cheap Android Phones in August: Google, Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus & More

Smartphones get better year after year. For flagships, this improvement usually come with price increases too. Fortunately for many of us, this is not the case with budget and mid-tier phones — they improve year on year but the prices stay mostly the same because the definition for “cheap” or “budget” remains the same. Sure, budget phones tend to omit some of the bells and whistles on offer from the best Android phones, but if you keep your expectations realistic, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you can get for under $400 in 2021. The selection is certainly better than the same offerings a couple years ago.

We here at XDA have the luxury of testing almost every phone that comes out, so here’s our list of the best cheap Android phones you can buy right now.

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Best Overall: Google Pixel 4a

The Google Pixel is an easy selection for this “Best Overall” category because of two things — software and camera. Being a pure Google phone, the Pixel 4a will be first in line to upgrade to Android 12. While it doesn’t have the focal length versatility of more premium phones, the main camera here is flagship level and can go toe-to-toe against any main camera from phones two or three times its price.

Despite the Pixel 4a’s modest pricing, the phone has a flagship-level screen-to-body aspect ratio and a large battery that will last all day. Sure, the plastic build and only black color option leave it looking a bit drab, and this particular model doesn’t support 5G. But this is a $350 phone with a camera and software experience that beat not just everything else on this list, but even phones that cost $1,000 or more.

Google Pixel 4a

It’s not the most exciting looking smartphone, but the Google Pixel 4a is the best budget smartphone. Flagship-level camera, guaranteed the cleanest and latest version of Android, and improved battery life over the Pixel 4 makes this an easy recommendation.

View at Amazon

Best Endurance: Moto G Power

Thanks to the absence of Chinese budget brands such as Redmi and Realme in the US, Motorola has enjoyed a relatively unrivaled run as a top option for reasonable budget Android phones, and the Moto G Power continues that trend — although Samsung is bringing good competition. For around $250, you get a 6.4 inch screen with decently thin bezels and a large 5,000 mAh battery. The processor (Snapdragon 665), RAM (4GB), and camera performances fall short of other phones on this list, but they’re all still serviceable. The lack of NFC support could be a dealbreaker for those who use Google Pay, however.

On the software front, Motorola’s software is about as close to the Pixel 4a’s clean Android experience as you can get, aside from some additional Moto software features like arguably the best Always-On Display on the market. Overall, the Moto G Power is a worthy option for those who value battery life and clean software above all else.

Moto G Power

Don’t stress about battery life with the Moto G Power — its 5,000 mAh battery will surely power you through the day. Sure, the RAM and processor are not the greatest, but its low price tag and clean Moto software make the whole package worth it.

View at Amazon

Best for Samsung fans: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

The benefit of buying a budget phone from a big brand like Samsung is it has the resources to pass down premium components from higher-tier phones. Case in point — the $280 Galaxy A42 5G has a large 6.6-inch AMOLED panel with the trademark vibrant, punchy colors Samsung’s known for, and it managed to cram in a 48-megapixel main camera plus a sizable 5,000 mAh battery.

There’s a Snapdragon 750G that can handle 5G, plus all your daily tasks without issues, and while the 60Hz refresh rate is a tad disappointing, we can’t complain too much at this price. Ultimately, the Galaxy A42 5G is for loyal Samsung fans who love either the Samsung brand or One UI but can’t stomach paying over $1,000 for a Galaxy S or Note flagship.

Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

The Galaxy A42 5G is one of the most affordable 5G phones around, with a large screen and battery to boot.

View at Samsung

Best newcomer: TCL 20S

Best known for its televisions, TCL officially entered the Android space last year with the solid TCL 10 series, and now the 2021 update brings an updated TCL 20 series, including the middle device, TCL 20S

The TCL 20S offers a large 6.7-inch punchy AMOLED panel with thin bezels and a large 5,000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging. Such a large battery for a 60Hz AMOLED panel means you can expect all-day battery life easily. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 665 with 4GB of RAM. For optics, you have a 64MP main shooter flanked by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera (plus a pair of sensors for depth and macro photography).

Despite its plastic back, the construction of the phone is above average, considering its price tag and the somewhat newcomer status of TCL.

TCL 20S

TCL’s second smartphone series brings a big screen and capable Qualcomm processor at a low price.

View at Amazon

Best for Stylus users: Moto G Stylus

If you want a phone with a stylus, but find the Galaxy Note series and Galaxy S21 Ultra too expensive, the Moto G Stylus is one of the very few viable options. This $300 phone may pack just 4GB RAM and doesn’t support NFC, but you do get Snapdragon 665, a clean UI, a headphone jack, and of course, that stylus.

It works mostly well if you’re not comparing it to the S-Pen of the Galaxy Note 20 or Galaxy Note 10. There’s no Bluetooth connectivity nor palm rejection when the stylus tip touches the screen. Still, latency is relatively low, and the software adapts to the input well. For example, if you pull the stylus out from the bottom of the phone while the screen is off, the screen jumps to a dark notepad — just like the off-screen memo of the Note series.

The 4,000 mAh battery can also power this thing all day, the screen looks pretty nice, and you have a strong pair of stereo speakers. The cameras, however, are just decent.

Moto G Stylus

Who said the Galaxy Note is the only phone in town with a stylus? The Moto G Stylus, with its 6.4-inch near the all-screen front and a stylus of its own, is a great option for those who like to jot down notes or make the occasional sketch.

View at Amazon

Best Android One device: Nokia 5.3

For those who want their software as light as possible, the Nokia 5.3 is a worthy option running Android One, a near-stock version of Android guaranteed to get timely Google software updates for at least two years.

You also get a 4,000 mAh battery, 6.5-inch 720 x 1600 screen (both large at this price range), and a reliable 13-megapixel primary camera. The 5-megapixel ultrawide camera and 3GB of RAM will probably leave you wanting, but at its $199 price, it’s hard to fault.

Nokia 5.3

One of the original big mobile phone brands is back with a $200 smartphone. None of the specs will pop off the spec sheet but its affordable price, near-stock Android software, and a 4,000 mAh battery give it plenty of appeal.

View at Amazon

Best Features and Specs: OnePlus Nord N10

Last year, OnePlus released the OnePlus Nord, a mid-range phone with upper mid-tier specs, for the European market. For North Americans waiting their turn, they have the Nord N10, which is even cheaper at $299. The Nord N10 features a 6.49-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,300mAh battery that supports OnePlus’ fast 30W charging.

The Snapdragon 690 processor here isn’t going to blow anyone’s socks off, but it’s pretty serviceable and 5G ready. The main 64MP camera produces sharp and vibrant images, and there’s a decent ultra-wide lens as well. Oh, and you get a headphone jack too.

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

The OnePlus Nord N10 is a 5G device with a high-refresh display on a budget. The overall hardware package is modest yes, but it’ll work out for average consumers on a tighter budget.

View at Best Buy

Best Rugged Phone: Blackview BV5900

If you constantly drop your phone or if you work in rough environments like construction sites, the Blackview BV5900 may be worth a look. Costing less than $200, it offers a large 5,580 mAh battery, a 5.7-inch 720p LCD screen, NFC functionality, and IP68 water and dust resistance. The phone is also wrapped in aluminum and rubber, so while it’s not the sleekest design, it will be able to take drops better than any other phone on this list.

The single 13MP main camera leaves a lot to be desired, but at this price point, it’s hard to gripe too much. This is a heavy-duty, workman-like phone for those who just need something that won’t break easily.

Blackview BV5900

The Blackview BV5900 is a heavy-duty rugged phone that should be able to survive a drop or two — or six.

View at Amazon

Best Value (not sold in US): Poco X3 Pro

Here’s an open secret among Android fans — the US phone scene is relatively limited due to the fact that most Chinese brands don’t sell stateside. If you’re willing to import, Xiaomi’s Poco X3 NFC has hands-down the best dollar-for-dollar value of any phone released in recent memory. Here’s what you get for a starting price of 199 euro ($234) — a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen; a 5,160 mAh battery that can go two full days for all but the heaviest of users, the very capable and new Snapdragon 860 chip, and a solid main 64-megapixel main camera.

The display is just an LCD panel instead of the OLED seen in phones like the Google Pixel 4a and OnePlus Nord, but it refreshes at 120Hz. The stereo speaker system and haptic engine are better than anything we’ve seen at this $200-ish price range too.

The caveat is, of course, the fact this phone doesn’t sell officially in the US. So there’s no guarantee it’ll work on all carriers, and importing will likely drive up the price a bit.

POCO X3 Pro

The POCO X3 Pro is possibly the best value in the smartphone space right now bar none — the catch is the phone doesn’t sell officially in North America so readers in the US and Canada will have to import if they want one.

View at Amazon UK

None of the phones listed here are going to be confused for premium flagships, but they’re more than serviceable and offer a lot for the money. The OnePlus Nord N10 and the POCO X3 Pro, in our opinion, offer the best bang for your dollar. But photography lovers or those who want the most hassle-free software experience should go for the Pixel 4a.

XDA » Buying Guides » These are the Best Cheap Android Phones in August: Google, Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus & More

About author

I’m a senior editor at XDA Developers. I have been a journalist for a decade, the last five years covering the mobile tech scene closely, reviewing just about every phone and attending trade shows and launches. I also run a gadget review channel on YouTube.

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Top 10 Best Value Smartphones – Updated December 2021

The world of the high-value cheap Android smartphones continues its relentless push forward with the launch of new flagships but not everybody either wants or can afford to spend an exorbitant amount of money on their next smartphone.

The reality is that there’s no real reason to spend the cost of a new computer or a used car on a smartphone either. Most smartphones above a certain price and value point will more than meet the needs of most users. The majority of those will be replaced by users with a new gadget within just a few years.

Fortunately, the technology keeps moving forward too, whittling away at the contrasts between a ‘premium’ device and a ‘budget’ device. That shift offers potential buyers a bit more flexibility when it comes to brands and models.

Top 10 Best Budget Smartphones 2021 Summary

But not all high-value Android smartphones are quite up to par and some could legitimately be described as ‘cheap’ in the pejorative sense. There are still plenty of differences and caveats to consider for those looking for a great experience that suits their individual needs. Given the sheer number of OEMs and devices to consider, choosing one can be a daunting task. Here at Android Headlines, we do a lot of research and reviews to help make the decision easier.

That doesn’t mean that every device that deserves placement here is going to have earned it. Device evaluations are subjective and there are dozens upon dozens of devices to select from. A significant portion of those may suit any single user’s needs as well as the phones listed here.

With that in mind, here’s our take on the top devices available to buy now. Each offers a great value to users that we feel surpasses all others without breaking the bank.

Below the summary, you’ll find a slightly longer description of each item along with the where to buy links.

Cost	Where to buy
OnePlus Nord N200 5G	$239.99	Amazon
POCO X3 Pro	From $229	AliExpress
CAT S42	From $215.56	Amazon
Moto G Power	$249.99	Motorola
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G	From $497.99	Samsung
TCL 20 Pro 5G	From $499.99	Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G	From $399.99	Samsung
Nokia 5.4	From $232.99	Amazon
Nokia G50	$285.57	Amazon
Google Pixel 5a with 5G	$399	Google

Best world-ready cheap Android smartphone

OnePlus Nord N200 5G

OnePlus is a company that’s well-known for its “flagship killers.” OnePlus Nord N200 5G is the latest in its push to bring that to the budget end of the pool. Not only does this smartphone deliver all the bands you’d need to access mobile networks in the US and abroad. That’s with the exception of 5G, presently only supported on T-Mobile’s networks. It’s also just an all-around performer with lots of flagship-level additions over the last generation.

Setting aside the price for a moment, OnePlus Nord N200 5G delivers an excellent UI experience via Android 11. An Android 12 update will almost certainly be forthcoming too. But that is delivered to end-users via a 6.49-inch FullHD+ display at a 90Hz refresh rate. Backed further by a Snapdragon 480 SoC with 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage. With the latter metric expandable up to 256GB via microSD card.

The 5,000mAh battery, conversely, should be more than enough to power users through all day without charging. And if charging is needed, 18W fast charging will get users moving again quickly.

In terms of the design, this design is much closer to a flagship than to most budget phones. And that carries over to the 13-megapixel tri-camera array at the back. A 16-megapixel camera is embedded behind glass via a punch-hole cutout at the front for great selfies. Meanwhile, a side-mounted, power-button-based fingerprint scanner keeps this device safe for users.

All of that comes at a staggeringly low $239.99, too. Making this easily one of the best value phones on the market.

Best cheap smartphone for gamers

POCO X3 Pro

Xiaomi-associated brand POCO has a new variant of the POCO X3 for 2021 and it’s a big enough improvement to easily rank among the best affordable, but not “cheap” Android smartphones for the year.

Not least of all, for slightly less money than last year’s model, the 128GB of internal storage has been pushed into the next-gen. That’s with UFS 3.1 storage coupled with 6GB of RAM in the base model. And paired with a Snapdragon 860 too. Compared to last year’s Snapdragon 732G. The 6.67-inch FullHD+ handset also packs 33W charging for some of the fastest around. And comes with a headphone jack too.

All of that, of course, is setting aside the new device’s 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring that the display is one of the best available anyway. Let alone for the price of this smartphone. All packed into a fantastic-looking smartphone taking high-end design cues with gaming-ready performance to boot.

Best cheap rugged Android smartphone

CAT S42

• Price: From $215.56
• Where to buy: Amazon

Finding a good rugged smartphone can be a hassle. Especially since they tend to either not work with US carriers or to be so low-powered as to render them effectively useless. And that’s where the Bullitt Group-built, Caterpillar CAT S42 enters the equation in our list of the best, relatively cheap, Android smartphones.

Engineered for reasonable performance, battery life, and exceptional protection against wear and tear, this is arguably the phone to buy for its ruggedization.

Setting aside the 4200mAh battery, quad-core 1.8GHz processor, Android 11, and frequent security patches offered with this device, it’s really made to survive the harshest conditions users can throw at it. And that’s because the CAT S42 is designed to be dropped onto steel, without a case, from 6-feet. Summarily, CAT S42 has achieved MIL-SPEC 810H certification and IP68 water- and dust-proof ratings. It’s also protected against thermal shock, vibration, humidity, and salt mist.

Perhaps as importantly, that’s topped by a reasonable camera, a bright and responsive 5.5-inch HD+ Gorilla Glass 5 screen, and decent audio. A 3.5mm audio port is included as well. And all of the latest hardware and component features are part of the package too. All but making up for the 3GB RAM and 32GB storage — expandable up to 256GB via a standalone microSD card slot.

Best cheap smartphone for battery life

Moto G Power

For those who are looking at smartphones that are cheap but have a ton of battery without skimping on power, Motorola has stepped forward its ‘Power’-branded offerings this year with the launch of the Android 10-powered Moto G Power. And it’s available unlocked for use on all GSM carriers.

The now-Lenovo-owned Moto division built the G Power to serve those who need a smartphone that can last up to 3 days. But Motorola also stuffed its latest G-series smartphone with enough specs to fit in just about anywhere. To begin with, there’s a respectable 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, doubling down on last year’s G7 Power.

That hardware is backing up an updated Snapdragon 665 SoC. There should be plenty of performance to power through most smartphone tasks and even enough for most mobile games without issue.

The company also built in a 5,000mAh capacity battery to drive the other components. That’s including a 10W fast-charging system this time around. So, not only is that coupled with a more battery-efficient chipset. Moto made sure this handset will refuel comparatively quickly.

The previously released Moto G7 Power was capable of surviving two full days of use still left the 30-percent to 50-percent battery mark remaining. That’s a serious step above what’s usually available in the mid-range value segment. At just under $250, if battery life is what really matters, this device should only improve on that and at a price that is well worth the expenditure.

Best cheap smartphone under $350

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

• Price: From $497.99
• Where to buy: Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy A-series is now a firmly-set staple when it comes to high-performance, high-value Android smartphones on the cheap. Centered in the middle of that range is Samsung’s Galaxy A52 5G. As one of the first A-Series Samsung phones to feature 5G, it isn’t the least expensive on the market. But, at under $500, it’s hardly the most expensive either. Especially with consideration for its flagship-like leanings.

At 6.5-inches, with an Infinity-O Full HD+ AMOLED display, this phone comes with 50-percent more RAM than its predecessor. Specifically, that’s 6GB RAM backed by 128GB of storage. And, of course, that’s all backing up an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC. So this phone will be more powerful than its predecessor and not by a small margin.

A quad camera led by a 64-megapixel primary snapper with all of the latest Samsung trimmings, comparable to those found in the flagship S-Series round out that package. Alongside battery longevity that’s beyond respectable and the latest Android and OneUI software features.

Best cheap Android phone for a great display

TCL 20 Pro 5G

• Price: From $499.99
• Where to buy: Amazon

Any discussion surrounding the best cheap Android smartphones on the market would be remiss to exclude the TCL 20 series. Each of the handsets in the new series is unexpectedly good. Particularly from a company that’s better known for budget audio and televisions than phones. But that holds especially the TCL 20 Pro 5G.

Not only does this phone offer a full day of usage on a single charge with over 7-hours of battery life. And not only does that come built into a refreshingly new design with flush cameras, minimal bloatware, and great performance. That’s with 5G support on nearly all major US carriers, except AT&T, which just gets top-tier 4G support. This phone is easily among the best you could buy for its display alone.

TCL packed the 20 Pro 5G with an OLED panel, just for starters. Then the company stacked in NXTVISION 2.0, which was built in conjunction with Pixelworks, which adjusts the display on everything from color temperature to brightness and sharpness based on environmental factors and content. The screen is also easily one of the brightest I’ve tested, despite the battery life. And despite that it’s a 1080p screen, it’s easily one of the clearest.

The company rounds that out with modest IP52 water and dust rating, 256GB of expandable storage, an IR Blaster, support for both 3.5mm audio jack and USB-C output, and great cameras. The latter of which is led by a quad-array of cameras at the back, with a 48-megapixel OIS camera leading the charge. A 32-megapixel selfie-snapper, conversely, keeps things interesting on that front.

And all of that is without consideration for the TCL ecosystem’s customization, Super Bluetooth, or the deeper screen customizations.

Best cheap smartphone for 5G via Android

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G

• Price: From $399.99
• Where to buy: Samsung

Samsung’s Galaxy A71 5G, while undeniably one of the best Android smartphones around, could hardly be described as cheap. But it’s a great value so we’re not just talking about its nearly $400 price tag.

Samsung engineered its Galaxy A71 5G around a more-than-capable Snapdragon 765G and support for 5G. And that means this phone very nearly reaches flagship levels of performance. But also tosses 5G support into the mix. Conversely, that allows for more stable connectivity and a relatively small speed increase. As opposed to massive speed gains most users would see with mmWave connections.

That is unless consumers buy the Verizon variant for mmWave support. But that handset costs an extra $50 at $649.99. So it borders on leaving the affordable category.

In any case, what Samsung is giving users here is a top-of-the-line mid-ranger that should match the latest flagships in terms of core features. The company built the phone on a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O platform. Inside that smaller-than-average front camera housing, there resides a 32-megapixel selfie snapper.

The main cameras are no slouch either. Of course, this is a quad-camera array with a 64-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel depth sensor, 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 5-megapixel dedicated macro shooter.

With all of that stacked atop a capable 4,500mAh battery with fast charging, a microSD card slot for expanded storage, and a great fingerprint-resistant design, this is undoubtedly a top choice for gaining access to next-gen networking.

Best cheap smartphone with stock Android

Nokia 5.4

• Price: From $232.99
• Where to buy: Amazon

Starting at just $232.99 via Amazon, the Nokia 5.4 is easily one of the best android smartphones on the cheap end of the spectrum. And it’s anything but cheap. But its biggest selling point is that it comes with almost stock Android and reliably offers a great experience.

Put shortly, the Nokia 5.4 is a no-extras device with a 48-megapixel quad-camera, 16-megapixel front camera, sleek modern design, and plenty of battery life. It’ll be updated to Android 11 at some point, undoubtedly in the near future, but offers almost pure Android 10 with no bloatware for now. Android 12 likely isn’t out of the question either.

In terms of hardware, the company includes a 3.5mm audio jack or USB-C audio output, the HD+ 6.39-inch display is bright and punchy, and the hardware underneath is nothing to scoff at. Under the hood, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset powers the gadget, with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, building on its predecessor — the Nokia 5.3. The dedicated Google Assistant key spotted on its predecessor has remained intact as well.

Available in a Polar Night coloration or in a purple/magenta Dusk color, battery life is great too. 24+ hours of on-time and 7+ hours of screen-on-time are coupled with a relatively fast-charging battery. Ultimately giving users a completely modern experience without a high cost or extra software that almost nobody needs or wants.

The best cheap smartphone that’s almost an Android flagship

Nokia G50

With an MSRP of $285.57 and starting at $10 less at Amazon, the Nokia G50 is arguably among the best budget-friendly phones you can buy without it being “cheap.”

That doesn’t just come down to its 5G support or its crisp HD+ 6.82-inch panel either. Although the gadget’s usability in direct sunlight is a definite perk. Great color options and hardware design language here is met with a 3.5mm audio jack included. And with Bluetooth 5.0 for those who don’t want the wires.

Software, conversely, delivers minimal bloatware while ample storage and RAM ensure that everything from the OS to the fingerprint snapper and facial recognition is snappy. And, of course, the camera itself is fantastic for the price point. As is the guaranteed long-term update cycle for both the OS and security. Although this phone ships with Android 11, it will be updated through two years of OS updates. And it will see frequent security updates for three years.

Finally, more than 8-hours of screen-on time with intensive use in our test of the device shows that multi-day use is well within reach for most users. Rounding out what is easily one of the best offerings running Android on a budget, let alone one of the best Nokia phones to date.

Best cheap Android smartphone overall

Google Pixel 5a with 5G

Like its predecessor, the Google Pixel 4a, the value-focused Pixel 5a with 5G is only available in one color. Namely, a deep green-tinted black dubbed “Mostly Black.” Accented with lighter hues on the power button. And that means, like its predecessor, it’s not the flashiest out-of-the-box. Or the most visibly updated.

Of course, Google did include 5G as a matter of course this time around. And it did opt to include a better, larger display too. At 6.34-inches — compared to last year’s 5.81-inches. That’s a FullHD+ OLED panel with HDR support and a punch-hole selfie camera that’s effectively the same as last year’s model. But with a 4,680mAh capacity battery backing things up this time, instead of a 3,140mAh battery.

The internal specs, stepping past cameras momentarily, are better too. Google has bumped things up with a more-than-respectable octa-core Snapdragon 765G chipset paired with an Adreno 620 GPU. For clarity, that’s the same chipset used in the standard Pixel 5 flagship. Albeit with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage rather than 8GB and 128GB.

But what really sets this phone apart aside from being an all-around performer at a near-budget-phone price, is its cameras. Yes, it will get the latest updates faster and yes it does come with great internals for just $399. As well as 5G. But it also has nearly the same camera specs as the flagship Google Pixel 5 had. And, given the internals, should offer the very best camera experience in its price range. Bar none.

Coupled with everything else there is to know about this handset, there’s just about no reason at all to buy anything else if you’re looking at high-value Android smartphones.

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