I’ve owned my share of budget phones—and I understand the frustration. Sluggish processors. Grainy cameras. Software that freezes at the worst moment. My old Samsung Galaxy J8 tested my patience daily. Apps stalled, photos disappointed, and random restarts became routine.
Thankfully, those days are fading.
Budget phones in 2026 look nothing like they did a few years ago. With Google introducing the Google Pixel 10a and Apple preparing the Apple iPhone 17e, the affordable segment feels more competitive than ever. Here are the best budget smartphones worth your attention right now.
Motorola moto g power – 2026
Best for battery life on a budget
Motorola sticks to its winning formula: keep the price at $299 and improve what matters.
This year’s model packs a larger 5,200 mAh battery and upgrades the selfie camera. With 8 GB of RAM, performance feels surprisingly smooth for the price. Gaming, streaming, and multitasking all run without hiccups.
Wireless charging is gone—a tradeoff some will notice—but at this price, the overall value remains strong. If battery life tops your priority list, this phone deserves serious consideration.
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Best phone under $200
Samsung promises six years of OS and security updates for the Galaxy A17 5G. That long-term software support is rare at this price and gives the device excellent longevity.
Performance, however, is modest. The Exynos 1330 chip paired with 4GB of RAM limits heavy multitasking. It’s fine for everyday use—calls, social media, video—but not built for demanding tasks.
If you value long-term updates over raw speed, this is one of the safest buys under $200.
Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro
Best overall value
At $279, the CMF Phone 2 Pro feels like it should cost much more.
You get:
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6.8-inch 120 Hz display
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5,000 mAh battery
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Triple-camera setup
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Clean, well-optimized software
What makes it stand out is balance. It doesn’t cut corners in obvious ways. Performance, display, and battery all feel thoughtfully tuned for the price.
The only downside? Availability. Stock tends to sell out quickly, so keeping an eye on restocks is wise.
Google Pixel 10a
Best camera in the budget category
Some critics say the Pixel 10a plays it safe with design. It keeps the same size and shape as the previous generation, with an aluminum frame and plastic back.
But Google understands what matters most at this price: camera performance.
The Pixel 10a features:
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48 MP main camera
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13 MP ultrawide
Photos come remarkably close to Google’s higher-end models in color accuracy and dynamic range. For social media, travel shots, and everyday photography, it’s hard to beat.
If camera quality sits at the top of your list, this is the phone to get.
Apple iPhone 16e
Best compact iPhone with strong battery life
The older iPhone SE models truly felt “budget.” The iPhone 16e shifts into midrange territory at $599—but it delivers strong value inside Apple’s ecosystem.
Highlights include:
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6.1-inch display
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Excellent battery life (12 hours 41 minutes in testing)
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A18 chip (slightly trimmed GPU compared to standard iPhone 16)
Gaming performance stays close to flagship levels, with only minor stutters in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. If you want a smaller iPhone that still performs well without paying Pro prices, the 16e is a compelling option.
Final Thoughts
Budget smartphones have matured in a big way. You no longer need to tolerate laggy software or unreliable cameras just to save money.
Whether you prioritize:
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Long battery life (moto g power – 2026)
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Software longevity (Galaxy A17 5G)
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Balanced value (CMF Phone 2 Pro)
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Camera quality (Pixel 10a)
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Compact performance in iOS (iPhone 16e)
There’s a strong option waiting for you.
Budget doesn’t mean compromise anymore—it means choosing wisely.
