The best cheap phones 2023: top budget smartphones in the US

The best cheap phones offer a smart way to save money without compromising too heavily on features or quality. Given the sheer number of smartphones available in 2023, though, some affordable models just aren't worth your attention, so we're here to help you distinguish the treasure from the trash.

The very best phones (think the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) may get the well-deserved media attention, but cheaper handsets are often better value for most people. And, while companies typically only have one or two flagships, they often release a larger selection of affordable handsets, which means there are plenty of capable models to choose from.

If you do your research, you might even find an affordable device with flagship features, like a 120Hz refresh rate, great cameras, and a modern design sans the flagship price tag.

We've tested and reviewed a huge number of smartphones over the years, both iPhones and Androids, so we know exactly which cheap phones offer the best value in 2023, and which ones aren't worth your money. We've rounded up all the best cheap phones for you below, along with the best phone deals available for each model. Happy bargain-hunting!

Quick List

The best cheap phones in 2023

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Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best cheap phones in our list. We've tested each model extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best cheap Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy A54 review Awesome Violet front straight

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The best cheap Samsung phone

Specifications

Weight: 202g
Dimensions: 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 6.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2340
CPU: Exynos 1380
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 64GB/128/256GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 12MP + 5MP
Front camera: 32MP

Reasons to buy

+
Good cameras for the price
+
Good-looking screen
+
Looks more expensive than it costs

Reasons to avoid

-
No wireless charging 
-
A little thick and heavy

Samsung's Galaxy A54 is a slightly updated version of the 2022 A53 that's made for 2023 needs and sensibilities. It looks a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus, and you may be tempted to think it's one of those much better phones. Hold it, and you'll quickly be disabused of that notion. It's a little heavier than the more expensive phones, and the bezels are not as thin.

Noting that it costs half as much as the S23 line though, you should be happy enough to pocket the rest of that cash. That additional thickness also goes toward hosting its 5,000 mAh battery, which means it'll last all day according to our testing (with 23W fast charging to get it back up and running quickly). The cameras are even fairly decent and perform well in good light.

Finally, Samsung's four years of software updates and five of security updates mean you can keep this phone for a while with confidence that it'll be supported almost as well as an iPhone.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A54 review

The best cheap iPhone

Apple iPhone 13 Green

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

2. Apple iPhone 13

The best cheap iPhone

Specifications

Release date: September 2021
Weight: 174g
Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 17
Screen size: 6.1 inches
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
CPU: Apple A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 3,240 mAh
Rear camera: 12MP (main) +12MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Strong battery life
+
Powerful internals

Reasons to avoid

-
No 120Hz screen
-
No Ceramic Shield on rear

Despite being over two years old, the standard iPhone 13 remains on sale at Apple, with the arrival of the iPhone 15 having brought its price down to an extremely reasonable $599 in 2023 (you'll likely find it cheaper elsewhere, too). 

The iPhone 13 didn't prove a game-changer for Apple’s series of smartphones, but it remains an important iteration that offers better battery life, a better processor and a better camera setup than its predecessors. If you’re looking for a fast and capable smartphone, and don’t need the extra features of a pricier Pro model, then the iPhone 13 continues to be a top choice.

The highlight of the iPhone 13 is its battery life. Previously, iPhones hadn't been synonymous with strong battery life, but during our testing, we were hard-pressed to run the iPhone 13 out of juice. The phone's A15 Bionic chipset, meanwhile, is incredibly powerful, and paired with 4GB of RAM, it’s capable of running multiple apps and tasks quickly and efficiently.

Read our full iPhone 13 review

The best cheap Pixel Phone

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The best cheap Pixel phone

Specifications

Weight: 193g
Dimensions: 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Google Tensor G2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,385mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP
Front camera: 13MP

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic photos with the powerful Google camera
+
Great performance from Google Tensor G2
+
Good price

Reasons to avoid

-
Shorter support than Apple and Samsung
-
Middling battery
-
Too expensive for the compromises 

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are quite pricey and powerful smartphones, and so the Pixel 7a steps in for those who'd prefer a cheaper option. The 7a offers almost everything the Pixel 7 does – but it's cheaper at $499.

The Pixel 7a has a pleasant-looking display, the camera is amazing (at 64MP, it has the highest megapixel count of any Pixel phone), and its a really compact phone, too, at a comfortable 6.1-inches.

Certainly, there are flaws. We've found that the Pixel 7 doesn't have all-day battery life and is supported for fewer years than Samsung or Apple options. However, slick Android software and Google's thoughtful AI features have an audience, and the Pixel 7a is one of the nicest and most inexpensive ways you can get onboard.

Read our full Google Pixel 7a review

The best phone under $300

The back of the Samsung Galaxy A13 on a surface of pebbles

(Image credit: Future)
The best phone under $300

Specifications

Release date: March 2022
Weight: 195g
Dimensions: 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.6-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Exynos 850
RAM: 3GB (US)/4GB (UK/AU)
Storage: 32GB (US)/64GB (UK)/128GB (AU)
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide - UK/AU-only) + 2MP (macro) + 2MP (depth)
Front camera: 8MP

Reasons to buy

+
5x camera zoom crushes it
+
New useful S Pen features

Reasons to avoid

-
‘Ultra’ expensive
-
Slower charging

If you're looking for a capable smartphone that won't break the bank, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy A13. Put simply, it's 'good enough' in most of the areas that matter for a smartphone (from the camera to the battery life), and its super-low price (which will continue to drop) makes it a tempting value-for-money deal.

On the design front, the Galaxy A13 feels like a phone that's going to last, and it offers a 6.6-inch, 2408 x 1080 LCD screen that does a decent job with websites, photos, videos and games. It's suitably bright, vivid and crisp, and while there's no support for HDR or anything above a 60Hz refresh rate, we didn't have any real complaints in this regard.

There's no doubt that spending a bit more money is going to get you a phone camera that captures significantly better pictures, but at the same time, the Samsung Galaxy A13 isn't going to let you down if your expectations aren't sky-high. Similarly, when it comes to performance, you'll be able to run everything you want to run, but you're going to have to put up with slower speeds than you'd get from a more expensive handset.

Regarding battery life, we tested the Galaxy A13 with an hour of video streaming at a low volume, and with the screen set to maximum brightness – that knocked the battery level down by 10%, suggesting around 10 hours of playback in total. Dim the screen and you'd be able to stretch that out further, so you'd be okay for watching films on long-distance trips.

Ultimately, then, if you want value for money and you want Samsung, then the Galaxy A13 is definitley worth considering. Mind you, there are plenty of competing phones (like the Moto G53 5G and Nokia G42 5G) even at this low price point.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A13 review

The best cheap camera phone

OnePlus 10T

(Image credit: Future)
The best cheap camera phone

Specifications

Weight: 204g
Dimensions: 163 x 75.4 x 8.8mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2412
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
RAM: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 4,800mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of processing power
+
Fast to charge
+
Good cameras for the price

Reasons to avoid

-
Poor battery life
-
Awkward to hold

If you're after a speedy phone with capable cameras that doesn't demand a premium price tag, then the OnePlus 10T – a worthy mid-range Android phone – could be for you.

This phone had an unduly high starting price at launch, but in 2023, it's become a much more affordable proposition. The OnePlus 10T has a good-looking screen, a powerful chipset and fast charging, and on the back, you're getting a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor. We’ve previously heaped praise on this sensor, as it’s good for low-light photography, and you get an 8MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP macro sensor on the the OnePlus 10T, too.

The lack of zoom is disappointing – with no telephoto lens, you’re relying on digital zoom when you close the distance, which caps out at a measly 10x. However, at such a low price in 2023, the OnePlus 10T can be considered one of the best affordable camera phones.

Read our full OnePlus 10T review

The best display on a budget

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

(Image credit: Future)
The best display on a budget

Specifications

Weight: 173g
Dimensions: 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm
OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.43-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 695
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB, expandable up to 512GB
Battery: