Best Cheap Samsung Phones (2025)

As one of the biggest Android phone manufacturers in the world, Samsung makes and sells a wide variety of devices—some cheap, some expensive. In this article, we've picked out our favorite cheap Samsung phones. We think the devices we've collected here offer a nice balance of features and affordability. Our top picks include: 

• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

Given how cheap these Samsung phones are, we recommend looking for an unlocked model, so you can take your device to whichever carrier you choose. Read on for our list of cheap unlocked Samsung phones, and make sure to check out the latest Black Friday deals to see if you can pick one up even less expensively than we've noted here.

{{cta_samsung-buttons}}

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G: A Top-Tier Midrange Phone for Less Than $400

If you're looking for a solid all-around cheap Samsung phone—one that you can pick up unlocked for a song on Amazon—then the Galaxy S54 5G may be the ticket. Inspired by the Samsung S23 flagship design, the device features a rich display, excellent 50MP main camera, and reliable all-day battery life. Granted, the phone doesn't offer wireless charging, and video capture doesn't extend to 4K. However, in every other way, the A54 is a top-tier phone.

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G: A $300 Performer

Looking for a reliable midrange phone without breaking the bank? The Samsung Galaxy A36 offers a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, and up to 12 GB of RAM with 256 GB storage. It packs a 50 MP triple camera system, a 12 MP selfie camera, and a 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast charging. With IP67 water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, and six years of software support, the A36 delivers strong value around the $300 mark.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: An Awesome $250 Workhorse

Now we're getting really cheap. At $250 via the Samsung store, the Galaxy A25 5G is a much better phone than it has any right to be. In fact, it's considered one of the best cheap smartphones available in 2024, featuring a luxurious 6.5-inch AMOLED display, a large 5,000 mAh battery, and a nice triple camera setup, including a 50MP main lens. For this price, there's really nothing to knock about the A25. Bonus: it includes 5G functionality, so you can connect to the fastest 5G networks.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Premium Specs at a Budget Price

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE carries with it the company's flagship branding, and indeed it's a slightly cheaper way to get a very similar experience to the standard S24. This is the most expensive phone on our list, but if you can stretch your budget to around $475 (at the time of this writing), you will no doubt be happy with everything the S24 FE has to offer. That includes an incredibly rich display that offers 1,900 nits of peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate, a surprisingly fast Exynos 2400e processor, and an amazing triple camera setup that may in fact be the best you can get in a sub-$500 phone. The S24 FE offers a very premium smartphone experience, and a nice alternative to the world of Apple iPhones.

Methodology: How we chose the best cheap Samsung phones

We ranked each of these cheap unlocked Samsung phones by a variety of criteria and features, including price, processing abilities, camera setups, ease-of-use, and overall design.

By comparing all these factors, we determined that the above are the best budget phones that Samsung has to offer.

The Bottom Line

Any of these phones can serve you well if you want a reasonably effective Samsung smartphone without breaking the bank. Compare their features carefully, then choose the phone that seems right for your needs and your wallet!

You can also make things easier on yourself by checking out our Phone Deal Finder below to quickly and easily find the best phone deals you qualify for based on your criteria.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Samsung phone series is the best, A or S?

When comparing Samsung's A series and S series, the S series is generally regarded as the premium line, while the A series is considered a mid-range option. 

What is the cheapest Samsung S series phone?

The Samsung Galaxy FE phones tend to be cheaper than their flagship counterparts, yet pack many of the same premium features under the hood. The Samsung Galaxy S22 FE and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE are the cheapest S series phones you can buy in 2024. 

Are Samsung phones worth buying?

Samsung phones are some of the most innovative and function smartphones you can buy, and are definitely worth investing in.