Finest cellphone it’s best to truly get — so long as it is on sale
Google Pixel 6A
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Smartphones have been getting increasingly costly, particularly flagship gadgets, however some wallet-friendly telephones supply a style of premium options for lower than $300. These price range telephones could make calls, ship texts and run most apps and video games for a whole bunch of {dollars} lower than the iPhone 15 or Galaxy S23. Reasonably priced telephones additionally present entry to 5G, which is essential if you wish to maintain onto your machine for some time, and a few even include a built-in stylus. When you’ve been on the lookout for the most effective telephones below $300, then preserve studying.
I will stage with you: We have now but to make use of a cellphone within the $200 to $300 value vary that appears like a superb worth. The very best picks on this class are typically dearer gadgets which can be often discounted to $299 when on sale. As an example, Google’s $349 Pixel 6A is among the many greatest telephones for below $500 and it is usually discounted to $299. That stated, there are some good perks on telephones which can be often between $200 to $300 together with extra storage, sooner charging and respectable cameras. Many of those even include a headphone jack and expandable storage — each of that are uncommon in telephones that value $400 or extra.
What’s the greatest cellphone below $300?
One of the best cellphone you should purchase for below $300 if the Google Pixel 6A is not on sale is the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. The cellphone’s 50-watt charging is actually quick, in a position to refill its battery from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes. The cellphone comes with 128GB of storage with 8GB of RAM and has a big 6.72-inch 1,080p show with a 120Hz refresh charge. The cellphone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip is succesful sufficient to run most apps. Though the cellphone does include a 108-megapixel primary digicam, the pictures it takes are respectable however removed from spectacular. That latter level is an enormous motive why the Pixel 6A is tempting when it is discounted since its Tensor chip and picture processing make its 12.2-megapixel digicam take sharp, detail-filled footage. If the OnePlus Nord N30 5G finally ends up being what suits your price range, it is probably the most feature-rich choices you may get for below $300.
Finest telephones below $300
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G consists of a number of options for the cash, however its 50-watt charging velocity is a standout for this value vary. The cellphone can cost from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes, and most different telephones that value $300 or much less want 90 minutes to 2 hours to do the identical factor. Its massive 6.72-inch 1,080p show runs at a 120Hz refresh charge and in addition makes apps, video games, web sites and streaming video animate easily.
It is price calling out that the 108-megapixel primary digicam — regardless of being an astounding megapixel quantity on a cellphone — takes pictures which can be solely marginally higher than what I normally see from telephones on this value vary. Which means it might take good, detail-filled pictures in out of doors settings with loads of mild. Images taken in darker settings are a battle for the N30, with indoor pictures trying washed out or blurry.
The cellphone will even solely get one software program replace to Android 14 together with three years of safety updates — which is a median timeline for this value vary, but nonetheless disappointingly quick.
Whereas the OnePlus does face stiff competitors from Google’s Pixel 6A — particularly when the Pixel is discounted to $299 — it does embrace a number of performance for its value.
Professionals:
- Really quick charging
- Giant 120Hz refresh-rate display
- NFC for contactless funds
Cons:
- Images are a combined bag
- Quick software-update timeline
The Moto G Energy 5G is at the moment the most cost effective cellphone I am conscious of that has 256GB of inner space for storing. It is a number of house and is ideal for somebody who downloads a number of films and music to get pleasure from when you do not have a constant web connection. The cellphone’s 6.5-inch 1,080p show runs at a clean 120Hz refresh charge too, making films, purposes, web sites and video games look particularly good.
When you want much more house, you may broaden it additional with a microSD card. Like many telephones within the $200 to $300 value vary, the Energy 5G features a headphone jack.
Whereas Motorola makes the Energy 5G a media machine for its value, it does in the reduction of by way of its cameras. Like many telephones on this value vary, it is good for out of doors pictures however is kind of unhealthy at getting particulars in low-light environments.
If what you want is numerous space for storing above all else, the Moto G Energy 5G is price a glance.
Professionals:
- Nice display for its value
- 256GB of storage
- Works on all three US carriers
Cons:
- Digicam is mediocre
- Gradual charging
- No NFC for cellular funds
Reviewing the $258 TCL Stylus 5G was a journey for me final yr. Specs-wise, it has rather a lot that I loved. The cellphone’s TCL NxtVision HDR setting supplied enhanced colours after I performed video games, TCL made minimal modifications to Android 12 and I particularly loved the magnetic stylus that matches securely into its personal slot on the cellphone.
The massive motive why my evaluate took 4 months is due to repetitive software program bugs that make the cellphone in any other case powerful to suggest. I skilled frequent restarts whereas utilizing the cellphone and Bluetooth connectivity points, the latter of which was finally mounted via a software program replace. This cellphone can be locked to T-Cellular fully, so it might’t be used on different carriers and is full of T-Cellular apps which can be difficult to take away.
When you completely should have a stylus and your price range is below $300, this is likely one of the higher general picks. Be cautious of software program points, and keep in mind the cellphone is simply getting one main software program replace together with two years of safety updates.
Professionals:
- Huge display, with good HDR mode
- Clear model of Android 12
- Magnetic stylus
Cons:
- Software program bugs often influence usability
- T-Cellular bloatware
- Fuzzy video high quality
The Gentle Telephone 2 is a really completely different type of cellphone. It is meant for folks in search of freedom from the fixed stream of notifications, however nonetheless need a cellphone that appears good. Regardless of its considerably restricted performance, this cellphone nonetheless prices $299.
The Gentle Telephone 2 helps texts, cellphone calls, music playback, podcasts, cellular hotspot performance and restricted GPS assist for instructions on its E Ink display. It doesn’t have a digicam, net browser, e mail entry or different frequent apps like information or messaging apps.
My colleague Jessica Fierro gave the Gentle Telephone 2 a strive, and she or he loved how the cellphone helped her keep extra targeted on the world round her. She discovered the slower texting velocity on the E Ink show to be difficult to regulate to, and couldn’t absolutely make the change as a result of for work she wants some extent of social media entry to remain up to date on tendencies.
The absence of many fashionable options is the whole level of the Gentle Telephone 2. It is a machine for individuals who deliberately simply need important communications on a display that is extra like a Kindle’s show than the one you’d discover on a Samsung Galaxy machine.
The Gentle Telephone 2 is definitely not for everyone, but it surely might be price contemplating for somebody who desires their cellphone to do much less. Followers of typical telephones ought to contemplate the wealth of characteristic telephones and flip telephones that also exist first — which are sometimes free with a service deal or obtainable for below $100.
Professionals:
- E Ink show
- Lacks cameras
- Lacks web connectivity
Cons:
- Lacks cameras
- Lacks web connectivity
Admittedly, I am dishonest by getting this cellphone into the record, however Google’s Pixel 6A has been discounted to $320 rather a lot these days and is a straightforward suggestion when it has been discounted right into a price range cellphone vary.
Often $349, the Pixel 6A received our Editors’ Selection Award final yr. In her evaluate, CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco praised the cellphone for its nice digicam, Pixel-exclusive options like Magic Eraser, its colourful design and being among the many first to get new Android updates.
Though Google has since launched the $499 Pixel 7A, the Pixel 6A continues to be getting two extra years of software program updates and 4 extra years of safety updates. This implies it’ll proceed getting new Android options and assist from Google, and that remaining timeline continues to be greater than you may see from new 2023 telephones that value between $200 and $300.
Professionals:
- Nice digicam
- Reasonably priced value
- Premium design for a middle-tier cellphone
Cons:
- Dim show
- Not as a few years of assured Android updates as Samsung
- Video high quality is not pretty much as good because the pictures
The $300 Motorola Moto G Energy 5G is at the moment the most cost effective cellphone with 256GB of storage. It is good for somebody who downloads a number of films and music to get pleasure from once they do not have a constant web connection. The cellphone’s 6.5-inch 1,080-pixel show runs at a clean 120Hz refresh charge too, making films, purposes, web sites and video games look particularly good. Whereas Motorola makes the Energy 5G a media machine for its value, it does in the reduction of by way of its cameras. Like many $300 telephones, it is good for out of doors pictures however is kind of unhealthy at getting particulars in low-light environments.
These cheaper gadgets are inclined to cut back considerably in a single space or one other to be able to obtain these low costs. Mostly, these drawbacks embrace restricted software program assist, service assist or bloatware (preloaded apps that you just by no means requested for). These trade-offs usually imply that these gadgets shouldn’t be used after two to 3 years, particularly after safety replace assist ends.
It is also notable that whereas these telephones retail for $200 to $300, lots of them are sometimes obtainable at a deep low cost — and even totally free — as a part of a service subsidy deal. In case you are planning to stay with the identical wi-fi service for 2 years, these telephones might simply grow to be a part of the price of your service.
Each cellphone on this record has been completely examined by CNET’s professional evaluations workforce. We truly use the cellphone, take a look at the options, play video games and take pictures. We assess any advertising guarantees that an organization makes about its telephones. If we discover one thing we do not like, be it battery life or construct high quality, we let you know all about it.
We look at each facet of a cellphone throughout testing:
- Show
- Design and really feel
- Processor efficiency
- Battery life
- Digicam high quality
- Options
We take a look at all of a cellphone’s cameras (each back and front) in a wide range of circumstances: from open air below daylight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any obtainable night time modes). We additionally evaluate our findings towards equally priced fashions. We have now a sequence of real-world battery assessments to see how lengthy a cellphone lasts below on a regular basis use.
We consider further cellphone options like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, quick charging, foldable shows and different helpful extras. We additionally weigh all of our experiences and testing towards the worth so you recognize whether or not a cellphone represents good worth or not.
Learn extra: How We Take a look at Telephones
What about Apple’s iPhone?
Finest telephones below $300: OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. Moto G Energy 5G vs. TCL Stylus 5G vs. Google Pixel 6A
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OnePlus Nord N30 5G | Moto G Energy 5G (2023) | TCL Stylus 5G | Google Pixel 6A | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Show measurement, decision | 6.72-inch FHD (1080p decision); 120Hz refresh charge | 6.5-inch LCD show; 2,400 x 1,080 pixels; 120Hz refresh charge | 6.81-inch FHD+ show (1,080 x 2,400 pixels) | 6.1-inch OLED; (1,080 x 2,400); 60Hz |
Pixel density | 391 ppi | 405 ppi | 395 ppi | 429 ppi |
Dimensions (inches) | 6.51 x 2.99 x 0.32 in. | 6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in. | 6.67 x 3.01 x 0.35 in. | 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 in. |
Dimensions (millimeters) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm | 163 x 75 x 8.45 mm | 169.6 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm | 152.2 x 7.18 x 8.9 mm |
Weight (ounces, grams) | 6.97 oz. (195 g) | 6.52 oz. (185 g) | 7.51 oz. (213 g) | 6.3 oz. (178 g) |
Cellular software program | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 12 | Android 12 |
Digicam | 108-megapixel primary, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel depth sensing | 50-megapixel (primary), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor) | 50-megapixel (primary), 5-megapixel (large), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor) | 12.2-megapixel (large), 12-megapixel extremely large) |
Entrance-facing digicam | 16-megapixel | 16-megapixel | 13-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
Video seize | 1080p at 30fps | 720p at 60 fps | 1080p at 30fps | 4K |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | MediaTek Dimensity 930 | MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G | Google Tensor |
RAM/Storage | 8GB + 128GB | 4GB RAM + 128GB; 6GB RAM + 256GB | 4GB/128GB | 6GB RAM/128GB storage |
Expandable storage | Sure | Sure | As much as 2TB | None |
Battery/Charger | 5,000 mAh (50W wired charging) | 5,000 mAh (15W wired charging velocity, 10W adapter included) | 4,000 mAh; 18W charging | 4,410 mAh capability; 18W quick charging (adapter offered individually) |
Fingerprint sensor | Aspect | Aspect | Aspect fingerprint sensor | Beneath show |
Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Headphone jack | Sure | Sure | Sure | None |
Particular options | 50W SuperVooc quick charging, 108-megapixel primary digicam, sport mode, twin stereo audio system | Estimated 38-hour battery life, Moto Gestures, stereo audio system | Stylus with built-in storage, producitivity software program, NxtVision HDR mode | 5G-enabled, 18W quick charging, WiFi 6E, safety updates for five years, Android OS updates for 3 years, twin SIM, IP67 water resistance |
Value off-contract (USD) | $270 | $250 | $258 | $349 ($299 when on sale) |
Value (GBP) | Converts to £238 | Converts to £240 | £349 | |
Value (AUD) | Converts to AU$443 | Converts to AU$445 | AU$599 |