Best Budget Android Phones 2025
Flagship smartphones cost a fortune these days. Every year, manufacturers push the price envelope higher, demanding well over a thousand dollars for the latest model. But here’s the secret the industry won’t tell you: you absolutely do not need to spend your life savings to get a great mobile experience in 2025. Smart shoppers know value wins. You deserve a phone with a great camera, all-day battery life, and a screen you actually enjoy looking at—all without the stress of an inflated price tag.
That’s why we dove deep into the market, putting dozens of devices through their paces to find the real winners. For years, “budget” meant accepting major commitments, but in 2025, things changed. Today’s sub-$600 phones pack fast refresh rates, competitive processors, and very competent—sometimes even remarkable—camera systems. We compiled the ultimate list of the best budget Android phones to show you exactly where to put your money for maximum value in 2025.
Best Under-$600 Budget Phone in 2025
The $600 segment is currently one of the most attractive in the smartphone industry. This is because these devices typically include many of the key features of premium models with price tags close to $1,000. To be even more competitive, manufacturers focus these devices on one aspect or another to determine where to spend the majority of their budget.
For those looking for the best in performance, the OnePlus 13R remains an ideal choice. Since its launch, the OnePlus mobile device has established itself as a no-brainer for those looking for a great raw power-to-price ratio.
The OnePlus 13R boasts the still quite powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, something gaming fans will appreciate. Performance is further boosted by the implementation of LPDDR5X RAM. It’s a high-level hardware combination that works together very well to run any heavy game or demanding task.
A massive 6,000mAh battery with 80W super-fast wired charging and a smooth AMOLED LTPO display at a 120Hz refresh rate complete a remarkable hardware package. Software-wise, OxygenOS packs a plethora of useful features and customization options.
As a performance-focused device, its weakest point is its camera department. Technically, you have three sensors, but objectively, there are a couple that are truly useful. A decent 50MP main lens and a 2x telephoto sensor stand out among a questionable 8MP ultra-wide camera. That said, this phone was never meant to shine in photography.
Pros
- Powerful hardware configuration
- Vivid and smooth AMOLED LTPO display
- Huge 6,000mAh battery with 80W support
- Versatile camera system
- Good-looking design
Cons
- 8MP ultra-wide lens feels out of place
Since its launch, the OnePlus 13R has become a classic when it comes to recommending devices to those looking for high performance above all else. Its combination of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage is still pretty impressive today.
Its huge 6,000mAh battery capacity promises long, nonstop gaming sessions and even more than a day without needing to charge with lighter usage. While its software support isn’t at Samsung’s level—in fact, almost no one is—the company guarantees four major Android OS updates, so it should even receive Android 19. Its longevity is guaranteed.
Additionally, the OnePlus 13R isn’t one of those “performance-first” devices with flashy, indiscreet designs. It looks as sleek and premium as a typical flagship phone.
- Display: 6.78″ LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz
- Brightness: 4,500 nits
- Protection: Gorilla Glass 7i
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM and Storage: 12GB/16GB RAM ; 256GB/512GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP main sensor at f/1.8, 50MP 2x telephoto sensor at f/2.0, 8MP ultra-wide sensor at f/2.2 (112-degree FOV)
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Charging: 80W
- Colors: Astral Trail, Nebula Noir
- Android Version: Android 15 (OxygenOS 15)
- Software Support: 4 years of Android updates
- AI Software: OnePlus AI suite, Gemini, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, 4K recording at 30fps, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
Best Under-$500 Budget Phone in 2025
The $500 segment still offers fairly solid options in both cameras and performance, although in this price range, manufacturers are increasingly opting for raw power over photography.
In this price range, the Motorola Edge 2025 is undoubtedly a performance champion. However, the handset isn’t just about raw power. Motorola has achieved a balanced package that is as powerful as it is stylish.
The Motorola Edge 2025 boasts a powerful Dimensity 7400 Ultra chip at its heart. Plus, its design stands out thanks to the curved edges of its vivid OLED display, which gives it a rather premium look.
Motorola is also a fan of playing with different colors and finishes on its devices. The Motorola Edge 2025 is no exception, appearing to be a much more expensive phone than it actually is, both to the eye and to the touch. As if that were not enough, there is a good battery capacity with support for super-fast charging on board, promising long gaming sessions.
Perhaps targeting the mainstream audience, Google has integrated a noticeably large battery into the Pixel 9a, which is great. This is one of those devices where you won’t have “battery anxiety” when leaving home without a charger. Its Tensor G4 chip not only powers Google’s powerful photography algorithms but also a plethora of truly useful AI features.
Although the smartphone focuses more on performance than photography, its camera system promises to be at least capable. You’ll find two 50MP lenses (main and ultra-wide) alongside a 10MP 3x telephoto sensor.
Pros
- Stunning design with curved display
- Textured surface improves grip
- Powerful Dimensity 7400 Ultra chip
- Decent camera system
- Durability boosted with IP68/IP69 and MIL-STD-810H ratings
- Promising battery life
Cons
- Software support still falls short of the competition
With the Motorola Edge 2025, the company has taken the formula to the next level, even jumping up a notch. What was once a mid-range Edge series now offers powerful hardware combinations to achieve high performance at a fairly competitive price. You’d be hard-pressed to find a device that, for around $450, boasts a better price-performance ratio.
The Motorola Edge 2025 is an all-rounder where even its lesser-known features (like the camera) are pretty decent, while the core hardware is impressive. It even stands out with its curved-edge design, giving it an extra premium touch. Selfie lover? The Edge 2025 also has you covered with a 50MP front camera.
As if that weren’t enough, we’re talking about a phone with an IP68/IP69 rating and MIL-STD-810H. So, while it’s definitely not a rugged handset, it does promise to be quite resistant to daily use and potential accidents.
- Display: 6.7″ P-OLED, 120Hz
- Brightness: 4,500 nits peak
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
- Processor: Mediatek Dimensity 7400 Ultra
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 256GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP main sensor at f/1.8, 50MP ultra-wide lens at f/2.0 (122-degree FOV), 10MP 3x telephoto at f2.0
- Battery: 5,200 mAh
- Charging: 68W wired, 15W wireless
- Colors: Deep Forest
- Android Version: Android 15
- Software Support: 2 years of Android updates
- AI Software: Moto AI suite, Gemini, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, HDR, 4K recording at 30fps, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
Honorable mentions
The Google Pixel 9a deserves a mention for its camera performance. It doesn’t have the best sensors on the market, nor the most powerful chip (although benchmarks put it above the Motorola Edge 2025), but overall, it offers remarkable photography performance and a top-level software experience, all for a fairly competitive price.
Given its current price, it’s very difficult (if not impossible) to find an Android device capable of offering an even comparable photography experience to that of the Google Pixel 9a.
The Pixel 9a boasts many of the photographic virtues of its more expensive sibling at the software level. However, there’s weaker camera hardware on board to achieve an even more affordable price tag. That said, it has the same main camera sensor as the recently launched Google Pixel 10. So, don’t underestimate it.
One of the handset’s most notable aspects is its large 5,100mAh battery. Since we’re talking about a compact phone with a “merely” 6.3-inch screen, you can expect remarkable battery life.
Pros
- Good camera performance, still a step down from the rest of the Pixel 9 series
- Impressive battery life
- The flat back is amazing
- Loads of color options
- The best haptics in its class
Cons
- Super slow charging
- Gets a tad warm, particularly on mobile data
- Huge bezels
As expected, the photography experience defines the Pixel 9a. Its combination of camera performance, compact size, and long-term software support (seven years of Android OS updates) make it very difficult to match what the device offers today.
Perhaps targeting the mainstream audience, Google has integrated a noticeably large battery into the Pixel 9a, which is great. This is one of those devices where you won’t have “battery anxiety” when leaving home without a charger. Its Tensor G4 chip not only powers Google’s powerful photography algorithms, but also a plethora of truly useful AI features.
The Google Pixel 9a also boasts a solid and durable build with an IP68 rating. Overall, it’s a fairly complete package that promises a remarkable smartphone experience, both in photography and performance. Its current price makes it an even more attractive purchase.
- Display: 6.3″ P-OLED, 120Hz
- Brightness: 2,700 nits (peak)
- Protection: Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor: Tensor G4
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB Storage
- Cameras: 48 MP main at f/1.7, 13MP ultra-wide at f/2.2 (120-degree FOV)
- Battery: 5,100mAh
- Charging: 23W wired, 7.5W wireless
- Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony
- Android Version: Android 15, updated to Android 16
- Software Support: 7 years of Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, Best Take, 4K recording at 30fps, OIS
- Battery life Score: 21 hours, 23 minutes, 09 seconds
- Charging time: 1 hours, 32 minutes, 02 seconds
This segment is highly competitive, and the existence of the Samsung Galaxy A56 is clear proof of this. We’re talking about a phone that competes head-to-head in performance with the Motorola Edge 2025. While its camera system seems weaker than the Motorola phone’s, Samsung has much more expertise in image processing. But what makes this phone worthy of an honorable mention is its flagship-level software support.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 isn’t the mid-range smartphone if you’re looking for the absolute best camera or performance in its segment. However, it strikes a sweet balance between hardware, photography, and, above all, software that’s hard to ignore.
This device boasts everything you could look for in a mid-ranger. You’ll find a beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display, a big battery, a decent camera system, a powerful Exynos 1580 chip, and a design that doesn’t look cheap. We could even say that it feels sturdy in hand thanks to its aluminum frame. Plus, protections such as Gorilla Glass Victus+ and IP67 guarantee its durability.
Additionally, buyers will enjoy up to six years of major Android OS updates. It’s hard to ask for more for its price, and things get even better if you get it at a discount.
Pros
- Good camera performance, still a step down from the rest of the Pixel 9 series
- Impressive battery life
- The flat back is amazing
- Loads of color options
- The best haptics in its class
Cons
- Super slow charging
- Gets a tad warm, particularly on mobile data
- Huge bezels
Among all the Samsung Galaxy A56’s strong points, the smartphone stands out. Being a mid-ranger, you won’t find all the features that One UI offers in the Galaxy A56. However, there are still a plethora of AI-powered options available, and practically all the customization possibilities Samsung boasts are there. It’s a phone designed so you won’t miss anything if you get it.
The device’s main rear camera can easily compete for the best of this trio of phones. The sensor is larger than the one on the Pixel 9a, and while it’s similar in specs to the Motorola Edge (2025), Samsung has historically shown much greater reliability in terms of image processing and computational photography. Simply put, its main rear camera is quite good in its segment.
- Display: 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz
- Brightness: 1,900 nits (peak)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Processor: Exynos 1580
- RAM and Storage: 6GB/8GB/12GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP main at f/1.8, 12MP ultra-wide at f/2.2 (123-degree FOV), 5MP macro
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Charging: 45W wired
- Colors: Pink, Olive, Graphite, Lightgray
- Android Version: Android 15 (One UI 7), updated to Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 6 years of Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Galaxy AI, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: Best Face, LED flash, HDR, 4K at 30fps recording, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
Best Under-$400 Budget Phone in 2025
We’ve reached the segment where manufacturers begin to implement more notable compromises to achieve a lower price tag. In any case, $400 can still get you a fairly reliable phone in most of its aspects. Among these options, the Samsung Galaxy A36 shines brightly.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is a smartphone that undoubtedly checks all the boxes for a satisfying user experience. Starting with its display, which boasts AMOLED technology and a fluid 120Hz refresh rate. You’ll also find a large battery capacity with support for the same fast charging power as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Its rear camera system—mainly the 50MP main sensor—promises decent results that will meet the needs of most people.
Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip is decent for everyday tasks, without much fanfare. Plus, the handset promises to be quite durable thanks to its IP67 rating and the use of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ to protect its display. The Galaxy A36 also boasts longevity with up to six years of guaranteed Android OS updates.
Pros
- Vivid AMOLED display at 120Hz
- IP67 rating for enhanced durability
- 7 years of software support
- Promising battery life
- Elegant design
Cons
- Camera system could be better
If you’re looking for a balanced smartphone that can deliver a good experience in most areas, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is one of your best options. It’s a device designed to last, from its construction to its promise of long-term software support.
It’s also a great device for enjoying multimedia content on the go thanks to its AMOLED display. Don’t expect great gaming performance, but its hardware aims to offer a smooth experience for everyday tasks. The combination of a 5,000mAh battery and a low-power chip also promises great battery life.
The Galaxy A36 is also a great option for customization lovers. Just like the Galaxy A56, you’ll find a plethora of One UI-powered options that will allow you to tweak your phone’s look to your liking.
- Display: 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz
- Brightness: 1,900 nits (peak)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
- RAM and Storage: 6GB/8GB/12GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP main sensor at f/1.8, 8MP ultra-wide sensor at f/2.2 (123-degree FOV), 5MP macro
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Charging: 45W
- Colors: Lavender, Black, White, Lime
- Android Version: Android 15 (One UI 7)
- Software Support: 6 years of Android updates
- AI Software: Galaxy AI, Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, HDR, 4K recording at 30fps, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
Best Under-$300 Budget Phone in 2025
Applying even more custom-cutting, we arrive at a segment populated by options from multiple brands. However, among them all, the Moto G Power 2025 manages to stand out with its set of decent specs and aggressive price.
The Moto G Power 2025 maintains the tradition of previous generations, seeking to offer devices with long battery life and decent performance. While the company’s “Power” models aren’t focused on design, the 2025 edition features reduced bezels (especially the bottom one, or “chin”) compared to its predecessor. Plus, it retains the silicone polymer back cover to give it a better grip and feel in hand.
You’ll also find a large 6.8″ 120Hz LCD display for an overall smooth user experience. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 is capable of handling everyday tasks, albeit without much fanfare. Fortunately, the phone comes with 8GB of RAM by default.
Its camera system isn’t brilliant, but the 50MP main sensor seems quite capable for its price range. The handset doesn’t miss out on other essential specs, such as a fingerprint reader and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos boost. Overall, it’s a quite complete “cheap phone package.”
Pros
- Solid build with slightly textured rear cover
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Decent cameras in their segment
- Wired fast charging and wireless charging support
Cons
- Motorola’s software support needs to improve
The name “Moto G Power 2025” might be confusing to some. “Power” doesn’t refer to the capabilities of its chipset but rather to the fact that these devices are designed with battery life in mind. While it doesn’t have the largest cell (5,000mAh), the Moto G Power offers remarkable battery life figures with hours and hours of nonstop use. So, if you’re looking for the phone with the best possible battery life in this price segment, the Moto G Power 2025 is a great option. It even supports wireless charging as a bonus.
A great battery backup is useless without decent performance. Fortunately, the Moto G Power 2025 is equipped with hardware capable of handling most of your favorite apps that you use every day. Browsing, social media, and streaming work smoothly here. While you shouldn’t expect miracles in gaming, the phone can run casual titles for casual play.
- Display: 6.8″ LCD, 120Hz
- Brightness: N/A
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Processor: Mediatek Dimensity 6300
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 128GB Storage
- Cameras: 50 MP main sensor at f/1.8, 8MP ultra-wide sensor at f/2.2 (119-degree FOV)
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Charging: 30W wired, 15W wireless
- Colors: Slate Gray, Leaf Green
- Android Version: Android 15
- Software Support: 2 years of Android updates
- AI Software: Moto AI, Gemini, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, HDR, Full HD recording at 30fps, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
Best Under-$200 Budget Phone in 2025
We are reaching the end of the list, the section that those who want to spend as little as possible on a new phone were waiting for. Whether you want a first smartphone for your kids or a secondary device, this price segment is full of options. If you’re among those people, you should seriously consider the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G.
Samsung already launched the Galaxy A17 5G, so why is the previous generation here? First, because the company hasn’t brought the latest A17 5G to the US market yet. Second, and more importantly, they’re basically the same phone. Samsung hasn’t overextended itself and has delivered the same device in most respects.
So, for less than $200, you can’t expect a powerhouse. However, the Galaxy A16 shines by striking a sweet balance between specs and price, with the bulk of the budget placed on two of the most significant features for smartphone users: display and battery.
Despite its affordable nature, the Galaxy A16 5G features an AMOLED display. There’s even a 90Hz refresh rate for some extra smoothness. Plus, its battery size matches that of much more expensive models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The brand hasn’t cut corners on biometrics either, as there’s a fingerprint reader. Even other less notable aspects, such as its chipset or camera system, are at least pretty decent.
Pros
- AMOLED display in this price segment
- Big battery
- 6 years of software support
Cons
- Huge bottom bezel
- Of the rear triple camera system, only one is useful
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G represents pretty much everything you could ask for in a sub-$200 smartphone. Want a vivid AMOLED display? It’s got it. Want a long-lasting battery? There you have it. Want 5G support without breaking the bank? You’ve got that too. For its price, there’s really little to fault with this device.
Additionally, this humble handset boasts software support that many high-end phones would crave. We’re talking up to six years of Android OS updates. All its virtues will make you overlook things like an uninspired rear camera system (three sensors, only one of which is truly useful) or the lack of a second speaker for a stereo experience.
As a bonus, the Galaxy A16 5G has another surprise in store: support for MicroSD cards via its hybrid SIM slot. This gives you the ability to massively expand your storage while spending very little.
- Display: 6.7″ AMOLED, 90Hz
- Brightness: 800 nits
- Protection: N/A
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1330
- RAM and Storage: 4GB/6GB/8GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP main sensor at f/1.8, 5MP ultra-wide at f/2.2, 2MP macro
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Charging: 25W
- Colors: Blue Black, Light Gray, Gold, Light Green
- Android Version: Android 14, update to Android 15
- Software Support: 6 years of Android updates
- AI Software: Galaxy AI, Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, HDR, 1080p recording at 30fps
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
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