Buying a cheap Android phone is not complicated. The problems arise when you try to decide on the best option. While the Android experience is similar to most of these phones, the hardware, and the design is different from model to model. In theory, you could run the same apps both on the $100 phones and on the $250 phones.

Features to Consider in Cheap Android Phones

There are a few characteristics to consider when you want to purchase your cheap Android phone.

Android version

Android has evolved a lot over the years. Its latest version includes the Pie version which was released in August 2020. But Oreo 8.0 and 8.1 are still going strong. Nougat and Marshmallow phones are still available. Ideally, your phone comes with the latest upgrades from Android both for performance and for security reasons.

Processor

The processor has an important role in how the phone performs. There are a few options which are easy to work with and they often include processors such as the Quad-Core Snapdragon. Together with the processor, the RAM memory becomes important as well. From 2GB to 4GB, you can find the options which suit your needs.

Camera

In today’s world, the camera is at least as important as the processor. Since people tend to leave compact cameras in favor of their smartphone cameras, it is no wonder that they are so important when choosing a phone. Video quality is important as well so make sure you make the best even of your budget smartphone.

Dual vs. single SIM

Many budget smartphones come with dual SIM capacity. Even these designs can work on a single SIM. But if you want to replace multiple phones, it is often worth looking at the various Android options which come with dual SIM capacity. Together with good WiFi capabilities, these phones can replace multiple devices. When trying to make an informed decision, you can choose the solution which is right for your budget.

Best Cheap Android Phones Under $100

1. Samsung Galaxy J3

Design features
With a 5” screen, the smartphone is not too large but it is still on point with what you can get on the market at this moment. It is not as refined as some of the flagship phones but it offers a good return on investment. At the same time, it is one of the budget phones which have made a name for themselves, which is quite rare. As Samsung tries to dominate both higher-end and affordable phone markets, the J series has been one of the favorites of different carries and they are often recommended as a first Android phone.

Convenient features
With 16GB of internal storage, the phone offers a lot of memory for your favorite moments. You can save plenty of photos and videos but you can also make the most of your experience when it comes to installing apps, which is why you would prefer Android in the first place. With a MicroSD card, this memory can be improved even further. One of the advantages of the J series is that they come with these types of cards which can even go as far as 256GB.

The phone comes with a decent 5MP camera. While it is far from the best camera seen from Samsung, it can be a reliable solution for many people. With GPS and WiFi capabilities, the phone is reliable even as a daily driver. It still represents a top choice in a niche crowded with unreliable phones.

Verdict
The J3 offers 4G connectivity, GPS tracking and a memory storage which is hard to match.

2. Nokia 2

Design features
Made with an elegant aluminum frame, the phone looks more expensive than it really is. The refined look is part of Nokia’s efforts to redeem its name, at least in the affordable phones market. It is powered by the Snapdragon Qualcomm processor and it offers a responsive solution for those seeking to purchase their first or a new Android phone. The clean design is also similar to the software. Android Nougat has been praised by many users. Even more, the design allows for a 4.100mAh battery to be installed in the phone and it allows you the experience you need to fully enjoy the phone for up to two days.

Convenient features
One of the convenient features of the phone comes with the polished 8MP camera. In good lighting, it offers reliable pictures and it can be comparable to a certain degree with higher-end cameras with more megapixels.
Another convenient feature is the clear display. The 5” LCD screen is comfortable for browsing or playing games. Furthermore, it doesn’t drain the battery fast as some of the phones in this price range and it allows the phone to have a balanced performance.

Verdict
With Gorilla glass and sculpted polycarbonate, the phone is among the leading options if you value elegant designs.

3. Moto E (4th Generation)

Design features
With an elegant design, the phone is up to date when it comes to the looks of a budget solution. Moto fans can also welcome the 5inch display which is among the solutions to be considered in this class for general activities such as browsing or watching videos.

Convenient features
But the design is not the only strong point of the smartphone. Packed with features such as 4G capabilities, a fingerprint sensor and 16GB of internal storage, the phone is truly capable when compared to similar options. In many cases, it also represents one of the interesting options when it comes to multimedia. With a 5mp front-facing camera and an 8mp rear-facing camera, it is on point with what you can expect from this range, without standing out in terms of photo quality.

The Android 7.1 Nougat device comes with 2GB of Ram which might not be the best but it can certainly come with its pluses in terms of memory capabilities. It is why it can be upgraded up to 128GB of internal storage with its MicroSD compatibility.

As an everyday smartphone, it can be a solution to consider. It works well for web-based apps such as social media apps. For this purpose, it is capable to deliver good pictures as well. Most importantly, it is an Android device and it can be the gateway to the hundreds of thousands of apps it supports.

Verdict
As a well-rounded device, the smartphone is among the most interesting solutions for the average user on a budget.

4. LG Sunset L33L

Design features
With a 4.5in display, the phone is smaller than most of its rivals in its price range. At the same time, it is also one of the affordable options on the market. It doesn’t require a major investment and for what it offers, it can be a fairly priced solution.

Made with a simple and efficient design, it is dominated by the simple screen and the plastic back design. On the back, you will also find its 5mp camera which is not exactly up to date with what you see on the market today. But other characteristics make it a solution which can be considered by many users.

Convenient features
With 4G capabilities, it can be a recommended smartphone when you need quality phone calls and the ability to browse the web from time to time. It is not necessarily a solution for the multimedia enthusiast but it can be one of the options to consider when it comes to storage of apps. For this purpose, it comes with 8GB of internal storage which is enough for most users who are not going to need too much from such a device anyway.

But even in this price range, it still comes with some advanced functionalities which might make it more appealing, such as the gesture control. For example, you can take selfies with the front camera using gestures. Geotagging functions are available for photos and videos. FM radio is also available if you want to listen to your local station on your headphones.

Verdict
As a phone designed primarily to be affordable, it does its job well. Outdated features include the screen and the cameras.

5. LG Revolution 4G

Design features
With a compact design which uses a screen of just 4.3 inches, the smartphone is a solution which can be easily carried with you as a second phone. Its older Android version makes it a solution if you want to talk or browse the web and maybe not the most recommended option when you are a fan of the latest apps.

With a minimalistic design, the phone also allows you to access the MicroSD memory card. The internal memory can be expanded up to 16GB which should be enough for its purpose.

Convenient features
The phone comes with functionalities such as 4G and GPS navigation. But its smaller screen also means that it is recommended by its battery life. If you can talk for up to 7 hours, you can also make the most of its impressive standby time. Left unused, the phone has a standby of up to 14 days. The cameras are limited and they include a 5mp version on the back which is not up to date anymore. However, the main appeal of the phone lies in its size and battery life.

Verdict
As a second phone, it can be a device to consider, especially due to its impressive standby time.

Best Cheap Android Phones Under $250

1. Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

Design features
With its elegant design, the phone feels much more expensive than it really is. With a top design and an impressive 5.5” HD screen, the budget smartphone is capable of being a solution even for the multimedia enthusiast which is not easy to find in this class. The combination of the Super AMOLED display and the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system make it a responsive solution.

Even more, its design goes a bit further than you might expect. The device is made to be dust and splash resistant which means it is a solution even if you love the outdoors.

Convenient features
With 4G capabilities, the device is a top choice for apps and web browsing. Its larger display also makes it a recommended solution for this purpose. But at the same time, the dual-SIM capabilities of the smartphone can mean that many users will be able to have a device which replaces their work phone and which also acts as a top choice as a personal smartphone. With a 13MP camera, it also works very well for photos which further recommend it as a daily driver and a solution for the younger users who value such features.

Verdict
With a good camera and a pure Android experience, the smartphone is a top choice for multimedia on a budget.

2. Nokia 6.1

Design features
There’s little doubt the new Nokia 6.1 is one of the most appealing phones in its class. It comes with an impressive design based on a single-block aluminum piece. With an elegant black design with the impressive Carl Zeiss camera on the back, the phone looks like a premium product.

But the diamond-cut edges are not the only plus of the design. With an elegant 5.5” display, the phone even comes with the Corning Gorilla glass guarantee.

Convenient features
There are many features which are more mid-range than budget features on the device. One of them is the 16MP camera. As Nokia has already been working with Zeiss, the 6.1 comes with the same quality expected from die-hard fans. With fast USB type-C charging, you can even charge your phone faster when you need more battery for your photos and videos. It only takes 30 minutes to charge the battery up to 50%.

It is also one of the budget solutions which offers 4k video recording. The impressive photo and video performance recommend it among the real solutions when it comes to multimedia and it proves you don’t need to sacrifice important features when on a budget.

Verdict
With Carl Zeiss optics, 4k video recording and an elegant design, the smartphone is a top choice for the most pretentious users.

3. Moto G Plus (5th Generation)

Design features
With a simple all-metal design, the smartphone is an attractive choice within its budget. Its durability is, of course, a major plus when compared to the alternatives. But even in its range, it still comes with interesting features such as the fingerprint sensor. Locking and unlocking the phone is a task which is now similar to what you see in flagship designs.

Convenient features
With a fast octa-core processor, the phone works great with most apps. However, it is not the leading solution for RAM memory which might not make it the solution to have if you want to play the latest Android games.

Other features include the fast charging capacity. With up to 6 hours of battery with just 15 minutes of charging, the smartphone is one of the leading choices when it comes to energy on the go. But the device is also recommended for its Android experience. If you want full access to Google Play and the impressive range of apps, it can be a good solution. Other services such as Gmail can also be useful for those who want to use the device for work tasks. At the same time, the days of dedicated navigation are fading with the ability to use GPS tracking on your smartphone. The device comes with Google Maps which runs fast with 4G connectivity. With a good 12MP camera, it becomes a phone which can be used for various purposes.

Verdict
With an all-metal design and a great Android experience, the device can be a top multimedia choice.

4. LG Electronics V20

Design features
Dominated by the 5.7inch capacitive screen, the smartphone stands out from the competition. It is larger than most of its rivals but this comes with its own advantages, such as having a better web browsing experience. Its design even allows for the dual camera on the back. With 16MP, it takes great photos with these cameras. With f1.8 aperture, it is even recommended for low light photos which might be a considerable plus in this class of budget solutions.

Convenient features
The features of the phone can make it a top choice if you want to run demanding apps. For this purpose, it comes with 4GB of RAM and an internal storage capacity of 64GB. Of course, the main strength of the phone lies in its cameras. With wide angle lens, panorama photos are always on point. Other advanced photo functions include HDR, autofocus, digital zoom, and geo-tagging. With video recording at 2160p, it represents a top choice for the social media and photo fans.

Verdict
With a range of top characteristics such as the RAM memory and the impressive dual cameras, the smartphone is still a great choice for the modern user.

5. Huawei P10 Lite

Design features
Made with a thin profile, the stylish smartphone features a fingerprint sensor placed on the back. The front part is dominated by the 5.2” screen which is capable to run full HD videos. With side volume rockers, it is also practical to use. The device comes with a single speaker located at the bottom of the screen, similarly to many of today’s devices.

Convenient features
Powered by an i5 processor, the Android phone comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. This proves to be more than enough to store multiple apps, photos or videos you shoot with the 12MP camera. With GPS, Bluetooth and micro USB V2.0, it is a device which is up to date when it comes to characteristics.

The phone is also recommended for certain apps as it comes with multiple sensors. You can use it for fitness as it comes with a gravity sensor, an optical sensor, a distance sensor, and a gyroscope. Together with the fingerprint sensor and compass, it becomes a well-designed solution in its class.

Verdict
If you don’t mind the 3.000 mAh battery, the P10 Lite is a top choice for specifications.