Need a new phone but don’t want to break the bank? You might consider an option under $300.
Today, let’s take a look at some of the best phones under $300 so you know exactly what you get when you purchase one of them.
What Are the Best Phones Under $300?
Turns out, there are lots of quality phones under $300 you can purchase right now. From Amazon to Apple to Google Pixel or Samsung phones, the best smartphones span brand preferences. However, not all of the best phones are also cheap phones — so let’s talk about the best phones for a budget under $300.
Moto G Power
The Moto G Power is a 2022 mobile device that has one of the best battery lives among phones in this price range. Once fully charged, it can last for over 13 hours, depending on the resolution features you choose.
Regardless, the Motorola G Power benefits from 4 GB of RAM and a 6.5-inch LCD 1600 x 720 P AMOLED display. The screen is responsive and looks fantastic, whether you like to play games or view media on your mobile device, and it comes with gesture support baked into the software.
On the downside, it's not the best phone for running modern apps, as some applications noticeably lag when you launch them. Pair it with the Moto G stylus for extra functionality.
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
Samsung's Galaxy A32 budget phone comes with 5G connectivity baked in, so it's a great choice if you want to jump on modern, super-fast download speeds. This cell phone features excellent battery life, fast charging (with a 5000mah battery), a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.
More importantly, the main camera system can record up to 30 FPS and 4K resolution video footage. However, this affordable mobile device doesn’t have the best display on the market by far, with relatively low resolution and quality.
It also doesn’t have optical image stabilization, so your photos can appear blurry or less than stellar, particularly if you take pictures while moving or in lowlight environments.
TCL 20S
The TCL 20S is a new phone with a 6.7-inch display and excellent resolution specs at 2400 x 1080 P. With a 60 Hz refresh rate, it's a pretty good phone for viewing media, especially since it's only $249 on average.
The 20S has a fairly responsive Snapdragon 665 processor plus 4 GB of RAM, so it runs most modern applications fluidly. It comes with a headphone jack (common to Android phones rather than iPhones) and expandable storage options.
More importantly, it comes with a 64-megapixel quad camera rear setup, so it's a decent phone if you like taking photos but don't want to shell out for a more expensive photo-snapping device.
Nokia G21
You can alternatively try this Nokia handset, which is always found for under $300, making it one of the best budget phones. It's a little large, and it suffers from weak speakers and a very dim screen. On the plus side, it has a long battery life (although the adapter is slow charging and does not offer a wireless charging option), so it can last all day or longer on a full battery.
It doesn't come with 5G connectivity, and it's not the best for playing games. But it has a decent camera that can take reasonably high-quality shots in daylight. All in all, this is the best phone under $300 if you want to prioritize top battery life more than other attributes or features.
OnePlus Nord N20
The OnePlus Nord N20 is just under $300 and features a slick, streamlined design with good battery life, clocking in at a little over 11 hours. It weighs just 6.1 ounces and comes with a high-quality front camera (60 megapixels), but somewhat subpar rear cameras compared to what you can find with other mobile devices.
Aside from that, it features expandable storage capabilities and excellent performance for its low price range thanks to its Snapdragon 695 CPU. All in all, it’s a good “one-size-fits-all” device if you need a phone that can do everything reasonably well without prioritizing any one area or feature set.
What Can I Expect From a Budget Phone?
Budget-friendly phones, by definition, are not as high-tech or high-quality as their pricier counterparts. Generally, you can expect a budget phone:
- To have lower quality cameras and for those cameras to lack certain picture-taking features, like a wide-angle camera, triple camera, or selfie camera. Budget phones can usually take decent photos in daylight, but they may not take the best pictures during nighttime shoots or in lowlight environments.
- To be a little laggier or less responsive than you may be used to. Don't anticipate being able to play all the modern games and use the highest processing apps on budget phones without experiencing a bit of screen stuttering.
- To have decent to bad battery life. Generally, budget phones don’t have stellar batteries, so you may need to recharge them relatively often compared to more expensive phones.
- To not have the best displays. Many phones feature refresh rates of 60 Hz for their screens. Don’t expect a budget phone to go up to the 120 Hz range.
All that said, budget phones can be great deals. They can still make calls, surf the Internet, and use the vast majority of mobile apps on the marketplace today. You can do all the same things that higher-priced phones can do on a tighter budget with one of these affordable picks.
The only real things you miss out on are potential 5G connectivity, faster download and processing speeds, and a few other bells and whistles. If you just need a phone that just works, getting something under $300 is smart for you and your wallet.
Which Phone Is Best for Me?
That’s up to you!
As you can see from the handful of phones above, there are dozens of different options for smartphone devices under $300. You need to decide:
- What you’re looking for in a mobile device?
- How much money you want to spend – do you want to go right up to the $300 mark, or are you looking for something more around $200?
- What mobile device features are most important for your phone usage. For example, some mobile phones have better cameras despite their low prices. These are great if you like to take pictures regularly. Alternatively, maybe you prioritize high battery life. The Nokia G21 could be right up your alley in that case.
- What your ideal phone looks like. Don’t discount the impact of aesthetics. Some phones look stylish, while others do not.
If none of the phones above really fit your fancy, you might consider using Navi’s Phone Navigator page instead. With this service, you can instantly compare many different phones to see what features they have, their battery lives, and other key aspects.
Once you find the perfect phone for your needs, Navi can help you purchase it from different retailers or organizations in no time.
The Bottom Line
In the end, any of the above phones could be a great pick, depending on your needs, personal preferences, and budget limitations. But remember, each of them is below $300 in price, making them some of the most budget-friendly smartphones on the market.
Still don’t see what you want? Try Navi’s Phone Navigator service. With this service, you can find the perfect phone for your needs in no time.
Sources:
How Much Phone Memory & Storage Do I Need? | Samsung UK.
What Is Refresh Rate and Why Is It Important? | Intel
What is 5G | Everything You Need to Know About 5G | 5G FAQ | Qualcomm
