• Great camera
• 7 years of software updates
• Many of the same features as the Pixel 8
• Good battery life

• 256GB storage not available on all models
• Zoomed and low light shots aren't as clear as the Pixel 8's

The Pixel 8A is so good and shares so much in common with its pricier siblings. From its selection of AI-powered features like Circle to Search to its cool aesthetic and powerful Tensor G3 processor, that it’s hard to see why anyone would not buy a Pixel 8A.

The Pixel 8 and 9 offer a marginally better camera system, a slightly larger screen and the ability to charge other phones and accessories wirelessly on the back of the device. But those features don’t feel significant enough to impact the buying decision for most people. As I wrote inmy review, the Pixel 8A raises the bar for what a $500 phone should be. It also won a CNET Editor's Choice Award.

• NFC/Google Pay
• Good battery life
• Wireless charging
• Moto shortcuts

• Short software support timeline
• Screen is too dim in sunlight
• Lacks IP rating for dust and water resistance

TheMotorola Moto G Power 5G is the most versatile option in this roundup, offering wireless charging, a 120Hz high refresh rate screen, Google Pay for contactless payments and a fantastic vegan leather design. Combine that with a camera that takes decent photos in bright environments, and a processor that is capable for most daily tasks, and you have a phone that’s both fun to use without cramming itself with the extra bells and whistles we see in higher priced phones.

Even though this phone does suffer from having a shorter software and security support timeline (1 year of major Android OS, three years of security updates) than Samsung’s Galaxy A25 5G, it is a more useful device. And it's this appeal that makes the Moto G Power 5G our top recommendation for a phone that costs $300 or less.

• Main camera is good
• Autofocus makes selfies look better
• Improved repairability is welcomed
• Action mode is smooth

• Ultrawide photos are a step down in image quality
• Videos recorded in low light look just OK
• Needs more iOS features for the Plus' larger screen

Apple no longer sells the iPhone 14 and the new iPhone 16E replaces its $599 price point. But many shopping sites still sell theiPhone 14 for as low as $359. a great buy and solid upgrade, especially if you're using an 11 or older. There are two models the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus that normally starts at $699. Both phones are identical and really the deciding factor comes down to screen and battery size as well as price. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have a long battery life, fast performance, great durability and wonderful cameras as well as safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite.

Both phones came out in September 2022 originally but are still solid options today. In terms of drawbacks, neither phone has a high refresh rate screen, and always-on display or the newer Action button found on the 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series. But at hundreds of dollars less, we think that the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have the best value to the dollar that Apple currently sells.Read our full iPhone 14 review.

• Big screen
• Loud speakers
• Long-lasting battery
• Fast wired charging

• No wireless charging
• Mixed photography

The $600 OnePlus 13R is one of the most useful phones we've tested, even if it's playing second fiddle to the$900 OnePlus 13. Over his three-week testing period, CNET's Mike Sorrentino consistently got two full days of use from its 6,000mAh battery. The phone's big 6.78-inch screen and loud speakers are a joy to use when paired to my Xbox controller while gaming. Even though it runs on Qualcomm's year-old premium processor used in 2024's OnePlus 12 and theGalaxy S24, it's still a very capable chip ready for intensive tasks and AI features. All in all, the OnePlus 13R packs a lot for its lower price. At $600 it's a decent phone, but we included it on this list because you can often find it on sale for less.Read our OnePlus 13R review.

• 3GB of RAM helps phone multitask
• Blue color option
• Includes fingerprint sensor

• Very little onboard storage
• Some noticeable lag
• Indoor photos are challenging

Samsung's Galaxy A03S at $160 (£126, roughly AU$244) includes great features and could be a fit for someone in need of a cheap phone that can handle essential tasks. The phone's 6.5-inch screen, capped at 720p resolution, is great for reading the news, watching videos and playing games. Despite some performance lag during our review, the phone is good at multitasking. The tiny 32GB of storage space could fill up fast, so if you're considering this phone, you might want to expand the storage with a microSD card.

Samsung also plans to support this phone with at least four years of security updates, which in this price range is as good as it gets. On the software side, it's less clear how many Android versions are scheduled, but the phone initially ships with Android 11.

• Vegan leather design
• NFC for contactless payments
• Decent cameras for the price

• Slow performance
• Dull-looking screen
• Only one software update planned

Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G for 2024 arrived with a splash. The phone kept many highlights of the 2023 model like a 120Hz refresh rate screen and dual speakers while also getting a $50 price drop. The Moto G 5G also has an improved design and functionality with a new vegan leather look and NFC for contactless payments. And its cameras can take photos with decent color accuracy, despite soft details.

But performance and a short software update timeline both hurt the Moto G 5G. While the phone is capable of running all sorts of apps and games, multitasking on its small 4GB of RAM is challenging. Also Motorola has not budged from its policy of providing one major software update and three years of security updates to the Moto G line, which limits the number of years you can safely use the phone before needing to replace it.

• Excellent camera for the price
• Attractive design
• Wireless charging, face unlock and high refresh rate

• Screen is dim outdoors
• Only three generations of Android OS updates

Editor's note: Google released the Pixel 8A, also $500. You canread our Pixel 8A review here. If you're buying a Pixel 7A make sure it's on sale.

Google's budget phone took a leap forward in 2023 with thePixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as thePixel 7 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google's Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A's 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7's in quality. 

While we still like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A's lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Otherwise, themain differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former's more durable build, slightly faster charging and its ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that's more sensitive to light, according to Google, but CNET's Lisa Eadicicco didn't notice much of a difference.

• Great screen for $160
• NFC support for Google Pay
• Decent multitasking for the price

• T-Mobile exclusivity
• Battery drains fast
• Weak cameras

The TCL 50 XL 5G includes an impressive amount of specs for $160. This is one of the cheapest phones I’ve seen so far that includes a 120Hz refresh rate display and NFC for Google Pay and contactless payments. It also includes 6GB of memory, which made the phone breeze through multitasking during my testing. But the TCL 50 XL 5G does show compromises from its low price in other ways.

Even though it has a big 5,010-mAh battery, it drains quickly -- possibly because it’s powering a large 6.78-inch 1080p display with a low-end processor. Cameras struggle to take photos with clean, crisp details, in both well-lit and lowlight situations. It’s carrier-locked to T-Mobile as well, making it only useful when running on the magenta carrier or its Metro prepaid brand. And it’s also only set for one software update and three years of security updates, which matches what Motorola provides but is still low compared to Samsung. But if you're on T-Mobile, the TCL 50 XL 5G is a serious value for its $160, and helps excuse some of its faults. But you should still be aware of them.

• Excellent software and security support
• 25-watt wired charging
• Eye-catching Light Blue color option

• Slow performance
• Single audio speaker
• Mediocre photography

Editor's Note: Samsung has also released theGalaxy A16 andGalaxy A17.

Samsung’s $200 Galaxy A15 5G is an easy choice for someone looking to buy a phone that will last for years. Samsung provides it with four years of software updates and five years of security support, which in this price range is unparalleled. Plus the phone supports 25W wired charging that in my testing was able to charge half of its big 5,000-mAh battery from empty in 30 minutes. I also like the eye-catching light blue option.

A $200 phone has to have some compromises. The Galaxy A15 5G feels sluggish compared to competing phones like Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G, and as an entertainment machine falls short with its single audio speaker that is blocked by accident when you hold the phone sideways for games and video. Photography, which is typically a weak point on phones in this price range, is similarly mixed with decent photography in outdoor environments while struggling to photograph lowlight spaces.Read our full Samsung Galaxy A15 5G review.

Why we like it

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a stalwart, functional choice when all you want is a stable phone. The A15's photo processing is decent for a phone in this price range. The photos I took outdoors look vivid, with enough detail that I'd be happy to post them on social networks. In a good way, the battery drains slowly and recharges fairly quickly thanks to its 25-watt wired charging.

Who's it best for

If you're looking for a low-cost phone that will be easy and safe to use for years, the A15 is an easy choice.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you don't mind possibly needing a new phone in two or three years, the $200 Moto G 5G and the $160 TCL 50 XL have better-looking displays that look smoother at their 120Hz refresh rates