Best cheap phones in 2024 reviewed and rated

Not interested in spending a large sum on a flagship phone? Good news: you don’t have to. With solid specifications, good design, and plenty of features, the best affordable phones offer outstanding value for money.

While you might have to accept a few compromises with a cheaper smartphone – such as plastic bodies and less impressive secondary cameras – smartphone quality has improved significantly. Many budget-friendly models now offer excellent displays, strong battery life, and performance that rivals even top-tier devices.

Unsure how to select the best option for your budget? From well-known brands to emerging names, the list below features our top picks of affordable handsets, all priced under $450/£450. Whether you’re searching for a great deal on a primary device or a backup phone that won’t stretch your budget, you’ll find the perfect option in our buying guide.

Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.

Quick list: what is the best cheap phone?

The best cheap phones you can buy today:

1. Samsung Galaxy A55

Want the Samsung prestige without the high-end price tag? Then the A55 is a budget contender worthy of your shortlist. With a price tag well below the lofty heights of the Galaxy S24 range, this is a super affordable handset which sacrifices some flagship style and power, while still providing a solid smartphone experience.

One of its standout features during our review was its sharp, punchy screen, along with its capable multi-lens camera system, with a decent selfie camera to boot. And unlike previous A series phones (which massively disappointed on the power front), we’re pleased to report that the A55’s Exynos 1480 CPU and 8/12GB of RAM make for a far smoother experience.

Throw in reasonably fast (though far from groundbreaking) 25W charging, and you’ve got yourself a more affordable Samsung handset that provides the highly coveted Samsung-esque experience, at a far more palatable price.

2. Redmi Note 12 Pro+

In typical Redmi fashion, the Note 13 Pro+ is positively bursting with impressive hardware that you’d be hard-pressed to find in similarly-priced handsets. In this instance, we’ve got a pixel-packed 200MP main camera, which produced detailed shots in bright lighting conditions, during our in-depth review.

Another impressive feature that wipes the floor even with truly high-end flagships like the Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24, is its charging speed. Namely, a full 120W charging capability that can produce a full charge in under 25 minutes. Impressive stuff.

With a more than adequate all-day battery life and sharp screen included too, there’s very little not to love about Redmi’s effort here, especially at this price. One of the best cheap smartphones you can currently buy, you won’t be disappointed if this is your top pick.

3. CMF by Nothing Phone 1

Not content with having one budget banger in our cheap phones list, Nothing shook up the affordable end of the smartphone spectrum with the CMF Phone 1. It dilutes the Nothing Phone 2a even further, ditching the glyph lighting for clever interchangeable casings and a modular accessory system.

It’s not just gimmicks, though. An AMOLED screen, big 5000mAh battery, and MediaTek CPU that outperforms rivals in its price bracket make it a brilliant all-rounder for the money. It’s also rocking NothingOS, which for my money is one of the best takes on Android 14 doing the rounds right now. No-one else does useful widgets and consistent design quite like it.

The single rear camera might not be as versatile as the dual setup seen on other budget phones (and the portrait ‘lens’ is a token inclusion at best), but it copes very well in most lighting conditions. For £300, it’s a serious amount of phone.

4. Sony Xperia 10 IV

Can you get cheaper, better-specced handsets than the Xperia 10 IV from the likes of Realme, Poco, Xioami and more? Yes. From screens with higher refresh rates, to faster charging and individual cameras that might perform better overall, there are no shortage of tempting alternatives worth picking up over Sony’s offering.

As with most Sony handsets though, the Xperia 10 IV fills a niche. If you’re a fan of Sony’s unique fuss-free design, more compact screen, and want amazing battery life, the Xperia 10 IV could be the phone for you. Its main camera and zoom capabilities will serve you well, though if night photography and wide-angle shots are more your bag, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

If you’re still drawn to its design and positive features after reading our review though, then chances are you won’t be disappointed.

5. Nothing Phone 2a

The Nothing Phone 2a is a standout budget smartphone, offering a distilled version of the brand’s distinctive design and features at an impressive price point. For not very much money, it delivers great value, boasting a transparent polycarbonate back, simplified Glyph lights, and a solid 5000mAh battery. While the new Glyph lights may not have the same impact as on previous models, the overall design remains eye-catching and functional. Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7200 Pro chip, the phone handles everyday tasks with ease, ensuring smooth performance, even during light gaming.

Its cameras, featuring dual 50MP rear lenses and a 32MP selfie cam, offer solid performance for the price, with good dynamic range and vivid colours, although it falls slightly short of pricier rivals like the Google Pixel 7a. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is sharp and bright, though not as premium as higher-end models.

We believe the Nothing Phone 2a strikes the perfect balance between affordability and functionality, offering a minimalist Android experience with thoughtful design details. While it lacks wireless charging, the phone makes up for it with reliable performance, solid battery life, and a unique aesthetic. For budget-conscious buyers, this phone is an excellent alternative to pricier options from Google or Samsung.

6. Honor Magic 6 Lite

The Honor Magic 6 Lite is an attractive budget smartphone that stands out due to its premium design, solid battery life, and capable main camera. It offers excellent value for money, undercutting rivals like the Google Pixel 7a. Honor has once again delivered a phone that looks and feels more expensive than it is, with a sleek design, curved-edge glass, and a sturdy build. The vegan leather finish in Sunrise Orange adds an extra touch of style, while the SGS-certified drop protection ensures durability.

The phone’s 108MP main camera is a standout feature, producing detailed and vibrant photos, although the 2MP macro and 5MP ultrawide lenses are less impressive. The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen offers vibrant colours, a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, and 1200 nits of brightness, making it great for multimedia use.

However, the phone’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset is geared more toward efficiency than high performance, so it may not be ideal for heavy gaming. Battery life is one of its strengths, with a massive 5300mAh battery easily lasting through a full day of use, and 35W wired charging provides a quick boost.

Despite running Android 13, the two-year update commitment feels limited in comparison to other brands. Overall, the Honor Magic 6 Lite is an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking style and solid performance.

What to look for in a cheap phone

Being at the lower end of the market means you’ll have to make some compromises, but as we mentioned in the introduction, affordable smartphones are much better than they used to be (so you won’t be getting an unusable slab).

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice between the best cheap phones and more premium models is the build quality. While you won’t be getting a device crafted from glossy glass and aluminium, we’ve made sure to select phones made from durable materials and with solid construction.

The display is one of the most important aspects to focus on, as it’s the thing you’ll be looking at and interacting with the most. Cheaper phones used to have lower-resolution displays, lower brightness levels, or limited colour accuracy, but the phones included in our list have OLED panels, high refresh rates and bezel-less displays – it’s very refreshing to see.

If you take lots of pictures with your phone, then the camera is a key feature to look at. Cheap phones often compromise on the camera – you won’t be getting a quadruple camera system or superzoom lenses here, but you can get a decent main and selfie camera.

You’ll want a smartphone from a manufacturer that provides regular software updates, which can be important for security and functionality, as well as a software experience that is relatively unmodified for a better user experience.

We’ve recommended phones with decent enough processor performance and RAM to handle your day-to-day tasks (and even some capable of gaming).

If you’re looking for something a little more expensive, then you can check out Stuff’s guide to the best mid-range phones, which are priced between $450/£450 to $650/£650.

Are cheap phones secure?

The security of cheap phones varies widely based on brand, model, and manufacturer practices. Reputable brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Motorola often provide regular security updates for their budget models, though not as promptly as for their flagship phones. However, very cheap phones or those from lesser-known brands may lack consistent updates, leaving them vulnerable to security threats.

Most cheap phones run on Android, and older versions may not receive timely security patches from Google. Some budget phones come with pre-installed apps, or bloatware, which can pose security risks if not regularly updated. Additionally, hardware security features like fingerprint sensors and facial recognition are common but vary in reliability.

Google Play Protect helps safeguard most Android phones by scanning for harmful apps, but downloading from third-party app stores increases malware risk.

Now read about the best upcoming smartphones.