Best Cheap Phone of 2025: Get the Most Value for Your Money

In 2025 affordable phones come brimming with features and options from companies like Motorola, Google , Samsung and Apple . After testing and reviewing dozens of cheap handsets, we found there are two pricing sweet spots: $300 and $450. Phones that cost $300 tend to have NFC (for Google Pay), wireless charging and good screen -- though cameras can be hit-or-miss, like the $300 Motorola Moto G Power (2024) . In the $450 range are phones have solid cameras and features that rival pricier models like the $499 Google Pixel 8A , which won CNET's Editor's Choice Award . Out of everything we tested, here are our favorite cheap phones from both price ranges.

What is the best cheap phone?

The Google's $499 Pixel 8A is our favorite cheap phone. Google delivers all the big features that matter on the Pixel 8A, like top-of-the-line cameras, a peppy processor and years' worth of software support. And it even has Google's new Circle to Search tool, which is a fast and fun way to trigger a search just by circling what's on your screen. Google makes smart compromises to keep costs low making the Pixel 8A a phone that packs an incredible amount of value. We should note that Google announced the Pixel 9A which launches in April. We look forward to testing it and if you're considering a Pixel 8A and can wait, it might be worth going for the new Pixel 9A instead.

Best cheap phones of 2025

Recent updates

In January 2025, we added the OnePlus 13R to our list. The new phones replace last year's OnePlus 12R and is a decent midrange Android phone that is best bought when on sale.

Factors to consider when buying a cheap phone

Try it before you buy it: It's one thing to ogle over a phone, but it's another to actually try it out in a store.

Decide on Android or iPhone:Do you have a lot of iPhone apps and Apple subscriptions? Stick with an iPhone. Likewise, if you've invested in loads of Android apps, you'll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it's simple enough to switch platforms .

Pick the most important feature:Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices.

How we test phones

Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET's expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. If we find something we don't like -- be it battery life or build quality -- we tell you about it. 

We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:

• Display

• Design and feel

• Processor performance

• Battery life

• Camera quality

• Features

We test all the phone's cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.

We account for additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. We weigh all our experiences and testing against the price so you know whether a phone represents good value.

Read more: How We Test Phones

Other phones to consider

At $700, the iPhone 15 isn't necessarily considered cheap. Compared to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, it's much more affordable. In 2025, the iPhone 15 is still one of the best Apple phones you can buy. It has a 6.1-inch screen, great dual-rear cameras and an outstanding battery life. It's worth a look if you can work it into your budget.

Best cheap phones FAQs

Can you find cheap phones on sale?

Yes, many of the cheap phones included in this list are available at a discount during shopping events. For instance, the Google Pixel 7A's price can drop as low as $350 when it's on sale. If you have a phone in mind but also have the flexibility to hold off for a shopping event like Black Friday, it may be worth it to wait for a price reduction.

Are cheap phones available unlocked?

Yes, many cheap phones are available unlocked by the manufacturer. This allows you to use the phone with nearly any wireless carrier by inserting your SIM card or transferring your eSIM. If you want the flexibility to switch carriers, make sure you buy an unlocked model. 

Are cheap phones good for kids?

Buying a cheap phone could be a great option when shopping for a kid or teenager, but that doesn't mean the phone is customized to have a kid-friendly experience. Parents should still set up any necessary parental controls, restrictions or apps  on an iPhone or Android to make sure it's appropriate for kids.

What to look forward to in 2025?

We are in the middle of "budget phone season" with new affordable phones being released by Google, Motorola and Samsung. We look forward to testing them all once we can get our hands on them. Otherwise, later this summer we'll see the start of "flagship phone season" with major releases from Apple and Google.