Table of Contents
Introduction
Cell phones have become a very crucial part of our lives and we need to have one that fulfills all our basic requirements without being too much of a financial burden. There are many phones in the market that might be affordable but won’t have all the required features. We have compiled this list to help save you from the hassle of constantly having to look for a budget-friendly and user-friendly phone.

These phones won’t have three rear cameras, portrait modes, or any other fancy bells and whistles like most of the recently introduced phones, but they will make your life easier and won’t empty your pockets.
Why Buy an Inexpensive Smart Phone?
Buying an inexpensive smartphone could be a smart decision; there are various reasons for this, the first being less financial strain. Getting an expensive phone might be all fun and games and the features might fascinate you for some time, but if getting an expensive phone lands you in debt, then it would be smarter to just get a phone that doesn’t cross your budget limit.
Another reason is that, if you buy an inexpensive smartphone, you can easily switch from one phone to another without spending any extra money. If you get an expensive phone, you are bound to use it for preferably a longer amount of time before you think of switching.
Also, nowadays the cheaper phones are as innovative and useful as the expensive ones. They might be very glamorous, but you can just as easily handle all the basic tasks with an inexpensive phone as well.
The thing with expensive phones is that they are very sensitive and are thus prone to getting damaged very easily. You will find getting an inexpensive phone to be a better decision because they are sturdier and more durable.
Brands That Produce Cheap Smart Phones
You don’t have to worry if you are on a budget because you can still get a new phone from a well-known brand. Although all smartphone brands come up with expensive new phones every year, they also make budget-friendly products on the side and cover all your needs and requirements. The most famous examples of such brands are Nokia, Motorola, and Samsung.
Nokia, Samsung, Huawei, etc. are also currently working on new phones that provide ultimate usability, along with good durability and battery life in a limited price range.
In the list below, you will come across affordable phones from these brands that also function great.
5 Best Inexpensive Smart Phone by Well-Known Brands
Samsung Galaxy A5
Samsung was, at one point in time, known as the manufacturer of expensive phones solely; however, as time has progressed and their customer range has increased and varied, they have become more user-oriented. Samsung has launched their A series while keeping the needs of their more budgeted customers in mind. These phones are all very user-friendly with great features and specs – with the best part being, of course, their affordability.
The Samsung Galaxy A5 is one such phone that fulfills the requirement of a big screen with a 6.4 AMOLED display. The phone works fast as well, due to the Eryngoes 9610 processor installed in it. You might be getting a cheaper phone, but this processor ensures that it functions just as well as an expensive phone. Space won’t be an issue either, since the A5 has 4GB RAM and has a storage capacity of as much as 64GB. It has a triple rear camera and a staggering 25MP front camera.
This phone’s battery life is pretty good as well, as it has a 4000mAh battery installed in it. It also has an under-display fingerprint sensor which is a feature that not most cheap phones have.
Pros
- The AMOLED display is large and gorgeous
- It is affordable
- It has a lot of fancy features that many other cheap phones lack
- The battery life is amazing
- The triple rear camera feature works great
Cons
- The primary camera isn’t as good as of other phones in this list
- You might not get NFC
Verdict
From amazing cameras to a great battery life and good storage space, the Samsung Galaxy A5 has it all. It is affordable and, since it’s by Samsung, you will be in possession of a phone that is associated to a nice and renowned brand.
Moto G7 Power
Next up is the Moto G7 Power by Motorola. This phone is the best option for those of you whose first priority is a good battery life.
This phone’s display makes it look very advanced. It has a 6.2 inch, high resolution touch screen. There is a teardrop notch at the top corner of the phone, which looks very elegant. It has a smooth functionality because of the Snapdragon 632 processor chip installed in it. The storage space won’t be a problem for users because, with this phone, you get the standard 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space.
It has a curvy glass body and aluminum on the side, making it a well-built phone. The Moto G7 Power also has dual rear cameras, with the primary camera being 12MP. The users can get a portrait mode and other such features with the second rear camera. This camera can also take pretty good pictures in moderate lighting. The front camera is 8MP.
This phone has tons of other small handy features as well, such as a fingerprint scanner on the back, a headphone jack, while also being slightly water-resistant.
Pros
- The display is large and well-lit
- It is water-resistant
- Amazing battery life
- It is well-built
Cons
- Not good for gamers
- It might get slow sometimes
Verdict
The Moto G7 Power is the perfect choice for people who prefer battery life over everything else. It has a decent camera, good storage space, and is well-built as well. Motorola has successfully manufactured this phone with decent specs in a great price range.
Nokia 6.2
Another brand known for making phones with good working speed and decent battery life is Nokia. Nokia has many phones available that are affordable and also offer good specs and features.
Nokia 6.2 offers its users with many features that are bound to attract them, especially since they’re provided in a low price range. It has 6.3 inch full HD display which gives it a very fancy look. The phone’s frame is made up of polycarbonate; it also has a glass back. The front is made of strong Corning Gorilla Glass, which adds to the durability factor. It has a good camera with 48 MP (wide) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 5 MP depth sensors.
You won’t face a problem with this phone’s storage space either, since there are three variants available for the users: you can either get one with 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of space. It includes an option for expandable memory as well; you can insert a micro SD card of up to 512GB for additional space. The phone’s battery life is commendable as it has a 3500mAh battery installed in it. It can be charged through USB-C, with the battery being non-removable. You also get a headphone jack with this phone.
It’s pretty good performance-wise, having Snapdragon 636 in it. Some users have experienced a little discomfort with the phone’s software, but that can be worked with and is good to go after a few alterations and modifications.
Pros
- The battery life is good
- It is well-built and sturdy
- It has the feature for expandable memory
- The camera works fine
Cons
- It doesn’t have a lot of fancy features
- The battery is not removable, so you might have to get it changed or replaced in case the current one drains out
Verdict
The Nokia 6.2 is a pretty good phone with many user-oriented features. The usability is smooth and it works smoothly and efficiently. It can be a good choice, as it offers tons of advantages in a good price range. If you are fine with not having a removable battery, then you’re good to go.
iPhone SE
This phone is for all those of you who would love to own an iPhone without breaking your bank. In order to make this dilemma easier for you, we have analyzed the iPhone SE and included it in this list. Apple products have their own certain features that you won’t find in other phones such as iMessage, Facetime, etc.
The iPhone SE is one step ahead of the iPhone 5S. It was released in 2016, so its price won’t be hitting the ceiling and you can easily get one in an affordable price range. This phone’s screen is 4 inches long, which may not be optimum for you if you need a phone with a large screen. Its dimensions are 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm and the resolutions are decent as well, being 640 x 1136. Being an iPhone, the operating system will obviously be iOS which can be updated up till iOS 11; this is a pretty good deal as you will be getting the dark mode along with the other recently released features it comes with. There is an A9 processor installed in it and the functionality speed of the phone isn’t bad either.
With a 2GB RAM, the storage option isn’t very convenient but you can just get a variant that has more internal storage; it is available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128 GB. However, this phone doesn’t have the option of an expandable memory like other iPhones do. The rear and front cameras are 12MP and 1.2MP respectively.
The iPhone SE has a fingerprint sensor and it has a good battery life as it has a 1,624mAh battery installed. The features and speed of the phone match that of the iPhone 6, so you will be getting almost all the features of an iPhone 6 in a much lesser price.
Pros
- It is easy to handle due to its small size
- The rear camera is pretty good
- The phone’s functionality is pretty fast
- It has a durable build
Cons
- It is a little outdated
- The small size can be a problem for those who want a cinematic experience on their phones
Verdict
If you need a small and handy phone that is also efficient, this will be perfect for you. With the iPhone SE, you will be getting great features and fast functionality all in a great price range. Plus, it is an Apple product so if you want an iPhone, then this can be the answer to your problems.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
Xiaomi is known to manufacture phones that are very affordable and provide the users with a great level of ease and comfort. These phones operate at an impeccable speed and they possess all the required features that you could need. Xiaomi isn’t a very famous brand and that is where the only problem with the brand lies; it hasn’t received a lot of recognition for its phones and is quite underrated.
It has a 6.53 inches long display screen with a teardrop notch at the top. The back of the phone is very sleek and is covered with Gorilla Glass. It is splash proof. The camera result is great; the front camera is 12 MP and the rear cameras are 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP Quad. There is a 4500mAh fast-charging battery installed in it, which easily lasts for around 10-12 hours. The dual SIM feature lets you insert two SIMS in it at the same time. This phone has 6GB RAM; it comes in two variants of internal storage: 64GB and 128GB. It also has a slot for a micro SD card so you can have an expandable memory of up to 512GB.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro has the Android v9.0 Pie operating system and it works really smoothly. It also comes with various other features that give it a fancy look. There is a rear fingerprint sensor under the camera. The headphone jack is also available in this phone, which is a huge benefit; other than that, one feature in this phone that you won’t find in many cheap phones is the face unlock option. You can buy it in either black or blue color.
Pros
- The battery life is amazing
- The camera result is decent
- The design of the phone is very stylish and makes it look very modern
- The software works smoothly
Cons
- The MIUI software might take some time for everyone to get used to
- It is not suggested for gamers as it can heat up a lot during gaming sessions
Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is a good phone that has all the features one typically looks for. It is advanced, has a great camera, and works fast and smoothly; all of this is provided in an affordable price range. The unique color range it comes in also make it very appealing.
Things to Consider When Buying a Cheap Smart Phone
Price
The first thing to consider before buying a cheap smart phone will obviously be the price. It is also important to get a phone that is cheap while being useful. There is no point in getting a cheap phone that doesn’t help you much. You might have to miss out on some fancy features in exchange for the price, so it is smart to first prioritize whether you want a good camera or a large screen. You might to have to comprise on some more features here and there.
Durability
Another important thing to consider is the durability of the phone. Don’t get a cheap phone that has not been built properly. Even though you’ll end up with a cheap phone, you might have to get another one soon if the current one gets easily damaged.
Storage
Cheap phones might not have enough storage space, so it is important to either get one that’s cheap and has good storage space or to get a phone that has the feature of an expandable memory. This way, if the phone doesn’t have enough RAM, you can still adjust it by inserting a micro SD card.
Final Verdict
All of the phones in this list are cheap and have all the basic features that one looks for in a good phone. We would recommend the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. With this phone you will get a good storage space, an expandable memory, decent front and rear cameras, and a great display size as well – all of this in a very affordable price range.
Conclusion
All the phones mentioned above work great and are all very affordable, so you won’t feel any sort of financial strain if you decide to purchase any of them. The end decision varies from user to user, considering what your main priority in a good phone is. We would suggest you to get whichever phone perfectly fits your needs and preferences.
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