Although a good deal is ideal, finding the best budget Android phone goes beyond scoring a cheap deal. Having said that, there are a few key factors you should consider before you hit “add to cart.”
Performance
Budget phones won’t compete with flagships in raw power — especially when it comes to gaming or editing ultra-high-resolution video — but they still will handle general users’ everyday needs for web browsing, connecting with friends and loved ones, and taking photos. The faster the processor and the more RAM (memory), the better your phone will run. This means apps will open quicker and run smoother, you can use more apps at once, and your battery will last longer.
Storage space is another big factor to consider. While high-end smartphones come equipped with up to 1TB of storage, we recommend aiming for at least 64GB of built-in storage for budget devices. This ensures you have enough space to store apps, documents, photos, and videos without running out of room down the line — especially if your budget smartphone has a MicroSD slot to expand its storage.
Cameras
While fancy camera features like slow motion are rare in budget phones, prioritize a good main sensor for capturing decent photos outdoors and in bright light. Low-light performance won’t be as strong as pricier flagship phones, but fortunately, some budget phones have Night Mode to compensate. As for front-facing cameras, budget phones can easily handle selfies and video chats.
Display
If you find yourself glued to your phone like our tech-obsessed editors, you know a good display is crucial. Most budget phones use LCD screens instead of the more vivid OLED screens found in expensive phones. But even in the last year, budget phone screens have improved significantly. They offer more pixels for sharper images, stronger glass for greater durability, brighter displays for easier outdoor viewing, and smoother refresh rates for enhanced gaming.