Best Cheap Android Phones in May 2021: Google, Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus & More
One of the most common complaints we hear from consumers about the smartphone scene is that the prices have continued to climb higher and higher. That’s definitely true, although to be fair, phones have gotten better and better too, with many of the best Android phones sporting technologies not considered practical a few years ago. And this situation is not just at the flagship level, but also the budget range, meaning cheap phones have gotten a whole lot better over the months and years.
So this means if you’re buying a $250 phone in 2021, you’re getting a much more capable device than what that money would have gotten you in 2019. We here at XDA have the luxury of testing almost every phone that comes out, and here’s our list of the best cheap Android phones you can buy right now.
Navigate this article:
- Best Overall: Google Pixel 4a
- Best Endurance: Moto G Power
- Best for Samsung fans: Galaxy A32
- Best Newcomer: TCL 10L
- Best for Stylus users: Moto G Stylus
- Best Android One device: Nokia 5.3
- Best Features & Specs: OnePlus Nord N10
- Best Rugged Phone: Blackview BV5900
- Best Value (not sold in US): Poco X3 Pro
Best Overall: Google Pixel 4a
Okay, so the Google Pixel 4a doesn’t have the most features, the flashiest look, or the most cutting-edge hardware of other phones on this list, but it still wins the “Best Overall” category because of two things: software and camera. The Pixel 4a is a pure Google phone, so its version of Android is the cleanest, most up-to-date, and will get support the longest. And while it doesn’t have the focal length versatility of more premium phones, the main camera here is every bit as good as the Pixel 5’s, which means it’s every bit as good as all the other flagships on the market too. This says something, considering that the phone is a fraction of that cost.
Despite its modest pricing, the Pixel 4a has a flagship-level screen-to-body aspect ratio and a large battery that will last all day. Sure, the plastic build and only black color option leave it looking a bit drab, and this particular model doesn’t support 5G, but this is a $350 phone with a photography experience and software experience that beats not just everything else on this list, but even phones that cost three times as much.
- It's not the most exciting looking smartphone, but the Google Pixel 4a is the best budget smartphone. Flagship-level camera, guaranteed the cleanest and latest version of Android, and improved battery life over the Pixel 4 makes this an easy recommendation.
Best Endurance: Moto G Power
Thanks to the absence of Chinese budget brands such as Redmi and Realme stateside, Motorola has enjoyed a relatively unrivaled run as a top option for reasonable budget Android phones, and the Moto G Power continues that trend. For around $250, you get a 6.4-inch screen with decently thin bezels and a large battery 5,000 mAh battery. The processor (Snapdragon 665), RAM (4GB), and camera performances fall short of other phones on this list, but they’re all still serviceable. The lack of NFC support could be a dealbreaker for those who use Google Pay, however.
On the software front, Motorola’s software is about as close to the Pixel 4a’s clean Android experience as you can get, aside from some additional Moto software features like arguably the best Always-On Display on the market. Overall, the Moto G Power is a worthy option for those who value battery life and clean software above all else.
- Don't stress about battery life with the Moto G Power -- its 5,000 mAh battery will surely power you through the day. Sure, the RAM and processor are not the greatest, but its low price tag and clean Moto software make the whole package worth it.
Best for Samsung fans: Samsung Galaxy A32
The benefit of buying a mid-tier phone from a top brand like Samsung is that it has the resources to pass down premium components from higher-tier phones. Case in point: the $250 Galaxy A32 sports a gorgeous 6.4-inch, 90Hz Samsung AMOLED panel with the trademark vibrant, punchy colors Samsung’s known for, and it managed to cram a 64-megapixel main camera plus a sizable 5,000 mAh battery.
Sure, the Helio G90 SoC isn’t the most cutting-edge SoC around, but it’ll be enough for most tasks and respectable at this price range. Ultimately, the Galaxy A32 is for those loyal Samsung fans who love either the Samsung brand or One UI but cannot stomach paying over $1,000 for a Galaxy S or Note flagship, the Galaxy A32 at least approximates the feeling of using a top Galaxy phone at a quarter of the price.
- The Galaxy A32 is Samsung's newest and most budget offering. Despite the entry-level price point, it still packs enough of a punch.
Best newcomer: TCL 10L
Best known for its televisions, TCL officially entered the Android space in 2020 with a $250 handset packed with an impressive 6.5-inch LCD screen.
Despite its plastic back, the construction of the phone is impressive, considering its price tag and newcomer status of TCL. But flip the phone around, and that screen shines — colors pop with rich details and is bright enough to be easily visible under direct sunlight.
The quad-camera system on the back houses a 48-megapixel primary shooter that produces good shots, but the other three lenses — an 8-megapixel ultrawide, and a pair of 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors — are average at best. The Snapdragon 665 processor and a clean and light UI make for a good combo.
Perhaps not surprising considering its company roots, the TCL 10L is one of the last phones left outside of Xiaomi to offer an IR blaster for easy controls of televisions and other appliances.
- With a bright and vibrant LCD screen and a versatile quad camera array, this is quite the solid smartphone debut for Chinese television brand TCL.
Best for Stylus users: Moto G Stylus
If you want a phone with a stylus, but find the Galaxy Note series and Galaxy S21 Ultra to be too expensive, the Moto G Stylus is one of the very few viable options. This $300 phone may pack just 4GB RAM and does not support NFC, but you do get Snapdragon 665, a clean UI, a headphone jack, and of course, that stylus. It works mostly well — if you’re not comparing to the S-Pen of the Note 20 or Note 10 — there’s no Bluetooth connectivity nor palm rejection when the stylus tip touches the screen. Still, latency is relatively low, and the software adapts to the input well. For example, if you pull the stylus out from the bottom of the phone while the screen is off, the screen jumps to a dark notepad — just like the off-screen memo of the Note series.
The 4,000 mAh battery can also power this thing all day, the screen looks pretty nice, and you have a strong pair of stereo speakers. The cameras, however, are just decent.
- Who said the Galaxy Note is the only phone in town with a stylus? The Moto G Stylus, with its 6.4-inch near the all-screen front and a stylus of its own, is a great option for those who like to jot down notes or make the occasional sketch.
Best Android One device: Nokia 5.3
For those who want their software as light as possible, the Nokia 5.3 is a worthy option running Android One, a near-stock version of Android guaranteed to get timely Google software updates for at least two years.
You also get a 4,000 mAh battery, 6.5-inch 720 x 1600 screen (both large at this price range), and a reliable 13-megapixel primary camera. The 5-megapixel ultrawide camera and 3GB of RAM will probably leave you wanting, but at its $199 price, it’s hard to fault.
- One of the original big mobile phone brands is back with a $200 smartphone. None of the specs will pop off the spec sheet but its affordable price, near-stock Android software, and a 4,000 mAh battery give it plenty of appeal.
Best Features and Specs: OnePlus Nord N10
Last year, OnePlus released the OnePlus Nord, a mid-range phone with upper mid-tier specs, for the European market. For North Americans waiting their turn, they have the Nord N10, which is even cheaper at $299. The Nord N10 features a 6.49-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,300mAh battery that supports OnePlus’ fast 30W charging.
Sure, the Snapdragon 690 processor here isn’t going to blow anyone’s socks off, but it’s pretty serviceable and it’s 5G ready. The main 64MP camera produces sharp and vibrant images, and there’s a decent ultra-wide lens as well. Oh, and you get a headphone jack too.
- The OnePlus Nord N10 is a 5G device with a high-refresh display on a budget. The overall hardware package is modest, yes, but it will work out for average consumers on a tighter budget.
Best Rugged Phone: Blackview BV5900
If you constantly drop your phone or if you work in rough environments like construction sites, the Blackview BV5900 may be worth a look. Costing less than $200, it offers a large 5,580 mAh battery, a 5.7-inch 720p LCD screen, NFC functionality, and IP68 water and dust resistance. The phone is also wrapped in aluminum and rubber, so while it’s not the sleekest design, it will be able to take drops better than any other phone on this list. The single 13MP main camera leaves a lot to be desired, but at this price point, it’s hard to gripe too much. This is a heavy-duty, workman-like phone for those who just need something that won’t break easily.
- The Blackview BV5900 is a heavy-duty rugged phone that should be able to survive a drop or two -- or six.
Best Value (not sold in US): Poco X3 Pro
Here’s an open secret among Android fans: the US phone scene is relatively limited due to the fact that almost all Chinese brands do not sell stateside. If you’re willing to import, Xiaomi’s Poco X3 NFC has hands-down the best dollar-for-dollar value of any phone released in recent memory. Here’s what you get for a starting price of 199 euro ($234): a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen; a 5,160 mAh battery that can go two full days for all but the heaviest of users, the very capable and new Snapdragon 860 chip, and a solid main 64-megapixel main camera.
The display is just an LCD panel instead of the OLED seen in phones like the Google Pixel 4a and OnePlus Nord, but it refreshes at 120Hz. The stereo speaker system and haptic engine are better than anything we’ve seen at this $200-ish price range too.
The caveat is, of course, the fact this phone doesn’t sell officially in the US, so there’s no guarantee it will work on all carriers, and importing will likely drive up the price by a bit.
- The POCO X3 Pro is possibly the best value in the smarpthone space right now bar none -- the catch is the phone doesn't sell officially in North America so readers in the US and Canada will have to import if they want one
None of the phones listed here are going to be confused for premium flagships, but they are more than serviceable and offer a lot for the money. The OnePlus Nord N10 and the POCO X3 Pro, in our opinion, offer the best bang for your dollar. But photography lovers should go for the Pixel 4a.
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