Guides
The absolute best phones under $200
Think you can’t get a good phone on the cheap? You’d be surprised.
The next generation of smartphones is here. Between the recently released iPhone 13 and Pixel 6, and the slightly older Samsung Galaxy S21, there’s some serious firepower in the mobile phone game right now. But is it really worth dropping nearly $1,000 on a new phone every year just to stay up to date? While there are worthwhile upgrades coming out year after year, it really isn’t a big deal to hold back a couple of generations to save money or find a cheaper option altogether.
Whether you’re sticking to a strict budget or just don’t want to be in the new phone rat race, there are plenty of budget options out there that will serve you well. You’ll be missing out on the absolute latest mobile camera systems, software, and features, but you won’t be living in the Stone Age with a cheaper phone. You’ll still be able to take solid photos, text and talk with your friends and family, and use your favorite social apps, even on a sub-$200 phone.
Companies like Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola have always had phones available at lower price points, and the most recent models have features that feel pretty top-tier, like edge-to-edge displays and quad-camera systems. There are also some great iPhone and Pixel models available from third-party sellers that are only a couple of years old. No matter what you’re priorities are — style, a long battery life, an advanced camera, etc. — there’s a budget phone out there for you.
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The Galaxy A12 is no Galaxy S21, but it's the best budget Samsung phone. With an edge-to-edge display, a teardrop selfie camera cutout, and a four-camera array (led by a 16-megapixel primary) on the back, the A12 has a premium look despite the low price tag. This is a great option for heavy media consumption.
With the release of the iPhone 13, the price for an unlocked iPhone XR (released in 2018) has dipped below the $200 mark. We don’t need to tell you about iPhone quality — you’ll have a stylish design, a solid camera, and an overall reliable phone that was the best of the best just a few years ago. The XR was discontinued this fall, so you’ll have to hunt for a good deal on a refurbished model.
If you’ve been eyeing Google’s new Pixel 6 but don’t have the budget, you can still pick up a Pixel 3. It has a stylish, slim design, and a great camera system (with machine-learning software for better photos). This is still a great phone. Unfortunately, it looks like Google is going to stop updating it soon, but you can still find solid refurbished models from third-party sellers.
