No matter how you slice it, the price of flagship smartphones is still a deterrent for many people, especially when some models are priced at $1,500 or more. Thankfully, there are some reliable affordable alternatives, and the days of cheap Android phones that barely function are gone.
Various manufacturers, including many from China and Korea, have compelling products that are becoming more popular as we reach smartphone saturation. We also now see Samsung, Google, and Apple offering more affordable options with all three bringing in models that support 5G cellular connectivity. In particular, Google is committed to bringing its advanced camera software technology to mid-range phones.
Camera performance was a major differentiator between flagships and mid-range phones over the past couple of years, but even today's affordable phones can help you capture decent photos to share with family and friends or on social media. Let's take a look at some of the best smartphones available[1] for your budget.
You can read more phone buying tips and how we make our recommendations here[2].
Also: Best super-cheap phones under $100: Top budget smartphones[3]
Display: 6.5 inches with 90Hz refresh | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 | RAM: 4GB | Internal storage: 64GB storage with microSD | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor | Front camera: 13MP camera | Weight: 205g | Battery capacity: 5000mAh
Samsung offers a range of A Series smartphones worth considering with one of the most affordable ones in the US appearing as the A32 5G. That's right, for barely over $200 you get an Android phone that supports 5G mobile networks.
We also find a high refresh rate display, 90Hz, and if you have used anything better than 60Hz, it is tough to go back to anything less