What are the Best Budget Smartphones?

Budget smartphones may not be teeming with the trendsetting trappings typically found in new-release flagships. However it is still possible to pick up a model with a solid range of features for under $300. In fact, many budget smartphones have the basics well and truly covered, from large screens to a decent battery life, and can deliver all-round value for your dollar.

When choosing a budget smartphone, prioritising the features you require is a good starting point. This will help you determine the sort of price tag you are looking at.

With a budget model, you’ll likely need to make some trade-offs when it comes to certain features. However, the cheaper end of the smartphone market has been growing in recent years, and there are plenty of phones to choose from.

In the following guide, we take a look at some of the important features to keep an eye out for when shopping for a budget smartphone, along with a number of recent releases priced at under $300.

Budget smartphone features

Below are some smartphone fundamentals worthwhile considering when weighing up the pros and cons of different models. It’s unlikely that budget smartphones will be sporting standout features in any of these categories. However it is important to consider how the collective features on offer add up.

Of course, an overriding consideration should be what you actually want to use your phone for. And this is where prioritising features and trade-offs will likely come into play when assessing the merits of different budget models.

Display

As with mid-range and premium smartphones, the budget smartphone category has trended towards increasingly larger displays over the years. However, the display technology used in this category is generally less leading-edge than that of mid-range and premium devices.

While many mid-range and premium smartphones sport FHD+ and higher-spec displays, the budget models that we’ve covered in this guide offer HD+ displays in the order of a 1600 x 720 resolution (measured in pixels).

However, it’s still possible to pick up a budget smartphone that will be more than serviceable when it comes to video streaming and gaming. Also, keep in mind that while high-tech displays are often a key feature of premium devices, these displays generally come at a significant price premium.

Operating system

In the budget category, it’s all about the Android operating system. It might be possible to pick up an older, secondhand iPhone (iOS operating system) in this price bracket. However, when it comes to cheaper new releases, Android dominates.

It’s important to look for smartphones with recent Android versions (new versions are generally released once a year), which contain the latest-release features, designed to enhance usability, along with security updates.

Android 11 is the most recently released version of Android (minor updates are also periodically released). Budget smartphones often run Android 9 or a later version.

Camera

Many budget smartphones sport rear camera systems designed to provide users a variety of photo-taking options. The models looked at below are decked out with triple- and quad-camera systems.

It’s certainly possible to secure a budget model with a handy camera set-up. Smartphone camera quality has steadily improved over the years, and has become an important consideration across all categories of smartphones.

When weighing up camera specs, keep in mind factors including the type and scope of lenses being used, MP resolution, video recording capabilities and software support.

Under the hood

While the surface features will generally be the first to catch the eye, don’t lose sight of the all-important, under-the-hood components that power a smartphone. As these have a huge bearing on usability.

Some features to keep in mind include:

• Processor – the processor controls smartphone operations, from camera functions to video streaming. More powerful processors are capable of handling a greater range of, and more intensive, applications, providing a smoother performance
• Storage – for most users, internal smartphone memory will primarily be used to store apps, photos and videos. While budget smartphones may generally come with limited storage, many models allow for external microSD storage to be added, significantly expanding storage capabilities
• Connectivity – 4G connectivity is the established standard across all smartphone categories. While 5G is now emerging, it has yet to really become a feature of budget models. Wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity are also important features, along with USB connectivity
• Battery – there is strong potential to secure a decent battery performance with budget smartphones. Many manufacturers provide estimations of the usage hours that can be expected across different applications
• Security – biometric technologies, such as fingerprint sensors and facial scanning, can add another level of security, and allow for convenient access to your smartphone

Design

You’ll want a smartphone that you are comfortable using, so it’s worthwhile keeping in mind device dimensions. Of course, different manufacturers bring their own idiosyncrasies to their smartphone designs.

Meanwhile, durability features in budget models, such as water and dust resistance, are generally not as prevalent as in the mid-range and premium range categories.

Budget smartphones

The following is a selection of smartphones released in the last few years priced at around $300 and under.

Oppo A5

Oppo describes its A5 (2020) smartphone as sporting “a camera for every occasion”. It is equipped with a rear quad-camera system, capable of 4K video recording at 30 fps, along with a front-facing 8 MP camera.

In addition to this, the A5 is decked out with a 6.5-inch display, featuring a waterdrop notch, and is designed for use in strong sunlight.

• Display – a 6.5-inch display (1600 x 720)
• Operating system – Android 9, with ColorOS 6.0.1
• Camera – rear system: a 12MP main camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide camera and two 2MP portrait cameras, with 4K video recording at 30fps; front: an 8 MP camera with AI Beautification
• Processor – a Snapdragon 665 processor
• Storage – 64GB internal storage; support for up to 256GB microSD external storage
• Connectivity – 4G LTE; wi-fi; Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; USB-C
• Battery – a 5000 mAh battery (watch HD videos non-stop for more than 11 hours)
• Design – a 3D ergonomic body, designed for a better grip and thinner visual appearance; measures 163.6 x 75.6 x 9.1mm, and weighs 195g

Price – the Oppo A5, available in mirror black and dazzling white, can be found online for around $229*

Huawei Y6P

Huawei’s Y6P smartphone was launched in May 2020. Huawei highlights its 5000 mAh battery capacity, which provides up to 32 hours of video playback on a single charge. The Y6P can also be used as a one-way reverse charger to recharge other phones.

The Y6P sports a 6.3-inch dew-drop display, which Huawei states is designed to deliver “a wide and immersive visual experience”.

• Display – a 6.3-inch HD+ display (1600 x 720)
• Operating system – Android 10, with EMUI 10.1
• Camera – rear system: a 13MP main camera, a 5MP wide-angle camera and a 2MP depth camera; front: an 8MP camera
• Processor – a Mediatek MT6762R octa-core processor
• Storage – 64GB internal storage; support for up to 512GB microSD external storage
• Connectivity – 4G LTE; wi-fi 4; Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; microUSB
• Battery – a 5000mAh battery (20 hours of 4G web surfing, 36 hours of 4G calling, 32 hours of video playback
• Security – fingerprint sensor
• Design – a curved back cover; measures 159.07 x 74.06 x 9.04mm, and weighs 185g

Price – the Y6P, available in phantom purple and midnight black, can be found online for around $249*

Motorola moto g9 play

Motorola unveiled its moto g9 play smartphone in September 2020. It is equipped with a rear triple-camera set-up, including a 48 MP main camera, which Motorola states provides for sharper photos in low light and “incredibly detailed close-ups”.

Among its other headline features, the moto g9 play’s 5000 mAh battery can deliver users two days of power on a single charge.

• Display – a 6.5-inch HD+ Max Vision display (1600 x 720; 269ppi)
• Operating system – Android 10
• Camera – rear system: a 48MP main camera, a 2MP depth camera and a 2MP macro camera, FHD video recording at 60fps; front: an 8MP camera
• Processor – a Snapdragon 662 octa-core processor
• Storage – 64GB internal storage; support for up to 512GB microSD external storage
• Connectivity – 4G LTE; wi-fi 5; Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; USB-C
• Battery – a 5000 mAh battery (two days of power on a single charge); comes with a 20W charger
• Security – fingerprint reader; face unlock
• Design – a plastic body, with a water-repellant design; measures 165.21 x 75.73 x 9.18mm, and weighs 200g

Price – the moto g9 play, available in sapphire blue and spring pink, can be found online for around $297*

Samsung Galaxy A12

Samsung’s Galaxy A12 smartphone was launched towards the end of 2020. It sports a 6.5-inch display, which Samsung states delivers users “sharp, crisp and clear” content. Another notable feature is its rear quad-camera system.

The Galaxy A12 has a 5000 mAh battery and supports 15W adaptive fast charging.

• Display – a 6.5-inch HD+ Infinity-V display (1,600 x 720)
• Operating system – Android 10
• Camera – rear system: a 48MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth camera, with digital zoom up to 10x, FHD video recording at 30 fps; front: an 8MP camera
• Processor – an octa-core (2.3GHz, 1.8GHz) CPU
• Storage – 128GB internal storage; support for up to 1TB microSD external storage
• Connectivity – 4G LTE; wi-fi 4; Bluetooth 5.0; USB-C
• Battery – a 5000 mAh battery (4G LTE talk time of up to 34 hours, video playback of up to 21 hours, LTE internet usage of up to 20 hours, wi-fi internet usage of up to 19 hours, audio playback of up to 109 hours); 15 W adaptive fast charging
• Security – a side-mounted fingerprint sensor
• Design – a streamlined design, with curves designed to make it comfortable to hold and to allow for easy screen navigation; measures 164 x 75.8 x 8.9mm, and weighs 205g

Price – the Samsung website lists the Galaxy A12, available in black, white and blue, for $299*

*Further information on pricing can be found at individual retailer websites. This should be used as a starter guide and not considered an actual quote.

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