The Google Pixel 9a is now available at a $50 discount, priced at $449 on Amazon and the Google Store, making it an attractive budget smartphone with high-end features like a Google Tensor G4 chip, a 6.3-inch P-OLED display, a strong camera system, and a 7-year update commitment, ideal for users seeking quality at a lower price.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is a solid, affordable phone with a large 6.6-inch display, decent performance, and expandable storage. However, it has disappointing battery life and a shorter software support period compared to the Pixel 8A. Priced at £364, it offers good value for basic daily tasks, casual gaming, and video streaming, but lacks availability in the US.
Samsung has launched the Galaxy A35 in the U.S. for just under $400, featuring a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, a 50MP main camera, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable up to 1TB), and a 5,000 mAh battery with up to 25-watt wired charging. The phone also comes with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, Android 14 out of the box, and promises four major Android updates plus five years of security updates. Samsung is offering a 30% discount on Galaxy Buds FE with the purchase of the A35 for a limited time, or a trade-in option for up to a $150 credit toward the purchase.
Samsung's new Galaxy A35 5G, priced at $400, offers a large 6.6-inch display and a 5,000-mAh battery, making it a promising option for those seeking an affordable Android phone with a big screen. However, it compromises on processing power and camera features compared to premium phones. The device's design, available in lilac and navy, features an iridescent shimmer, and it runs on Samsung's Exynos 1380 processor. Despite lacking some software features, it includes Samsung's Knox Vault for securing sensitive information and will receive four generations of Android OS upgrades.
Samsung's new Galaxy A35 5G, priced at $400, boasts a 6.6-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 5-megapixel macro camera. The phone comes in lilac and navy colors, with the lilac option featuring an eye-catching shimmer when hit by light. With a matte finish on the edges and a glossy back panel, the A35 5G aims to offer a premium feel at a budget-friendly price point.
The Google Pixel 7A, known for offering flagship-like features at an affordable price, is currently available for just $349 on Amazon, marking a new all-time low with a $150 discount. This limited-time offer does not require any on-screen or coupon codes, and both Best Buy and Google have matched the price reduction. The phone boasts a powerful Tensor G2 chip, a 64-megapixel camera, a 6.1-inch, 90Hz display, and other premium features, making it the best phone under $500.
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be a game-changer in the budget phone market, with leaks suggesting a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, A16 processor, 48MP rear-facing camera, LPDDR5 RAM, and a chunky battery, all for a $499 price tag. The new model aims to address the weaknesses of previous SE models by improving the battery and camera, making it a strong contender against Android budget phones like the Google Pixel 7a and OnePlus 12R. Despite the shift away from the small and cheapest phone niche, the SE 4 is poised to be a compelling budget smartphone option.
Rumors and reports about the release of the iPhone SE 4 have been conflicting, with predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggesting the device may have been canceled, revived, or turned into an engineering prototype for an Apple in-house 5G baseband chip. Speculations indicate that the next iPhone SE could feature a larger screen, OLED display, USB-C connector, Action button, and a 48-megapixel single camera, possibly resembling the iPhone 15. It may also inherit the iPhone 14's battery and Apple's newest mobile processor, with the possibility of an Apple-made 5G modem. The release date remains uncertain, with potential launch in 2024 or 2025, making it a highly anticipated update for Apple's budget iPhone lineup.
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G, our pick for the best cheap smartphone, is currently on sale for $250, $50 off its regular price. It offers a Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 16MP front-facing camera, 108MP main and 2MP macro lenses, 5,000mAh battery, and 6.7-inch, 120Hz IPS display. However, it lacks an IP rating for dust or water resistance and will only receive one major Android update, typical for budget phones.
The Google Pixel 7A, known for its affordability, is currently available at a discounted price of $374 on Amazon, marking the lowest price seen so far. Despite being an entry-level device, it boasts impressive features such as Google's Tensor G2 chip, a 64-megapixel camera, a 6.1-inch, 90Hz display, face unlock, and wireless charging, making it a strong contender in the budget phone category. With a mixed usage battery life of up to 24 hours, the Pixel 7A is considered the best phone under $500 and offers a compelling option for those seeking a flagship-like experience without the high price tag.
The Realme 12+ offers high-end features at a low-end price, including a sleek design, solid display, good performance, and a 120Hz refresh rate. While the camera and some performance aspects may not be top-tier, the phone's 5,000mAh battery and 67W fast charging make it a compelling option for those on a budget, especially at under $200.
The upcoming Google Pixel 8a is expected to feature significant upgrades compared to the Pixel 7a, including a larger 120Hz refresh rate screen, a new Tensor G3 chipset for improved performance, and wider availability in Northern and Eastern Europe. However, these enhancements may lead to a potential price increase, with leaked European pricing suggesting a €569 starting price. Despite this, the reported specs indicate that the Pixel 8a could still offer impressive value, especially with the promise of extended software updates and the potential to be the best budget phone of 2024.
The 2024 Moto G Power impresses with its design and affordability, but is marred by bloatware, including pre-installed apps and ads that compromise user privacy. The phone's camera and display also fall short of expectations, but its $300 price point still offers value compared to higher-end flagships. The bloatware, which includes apps from a company called Swish and a weather app with ads and suggested apps, raises concerns about data privacy and user experience, overshadowing the phone's potential.
The Moto G Power 5G 2024 offers impressive features for its $299 price, including wireless charging, 30W wired charging, and a vegan leather back, but suffers from poor outdoor display visibility, weak gaming performance, and so-so camera output. Despite its shortcomings, the phone's upgrades and additions, such as NFC, make it a compelling option for those seeking an affordable smartphone with some flagship-level features.
Nothing's Phone 2a, a budget phone with bold styling and LED lighting, won't be launched in the U.S. due to the brand's strategic approach and the dominance of carriers in the smartphone market. Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis cited the need for the right carrier partnership before making a full-fledged debut in the country, emphasizing the importance of getting it right. The unique carrier-dominated ecosystem in the U.S. presents challenges for brands like Nothing looking to enter the market.