Not everyone needs a high-end phone. Students, someone looking for a supplementary personal phone to use alongside a business one, those on a tight budget, or persons who want something entry-level for a teen, elderly parent, or non-tech-savvy individual, are not to be forgotten. Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable smartphones from which to choose that fit the bill. Yes, all the fanfare surrounds the latest and greatest premium phones with cool features like AI and foldable designs. But the top brands still offer cheaper alternatives with pared down features and/or less durable materials to satisfy the needs of those who want something simpler.
I covered the best premium, mid-range, and budget phones for 2024 last year, all of which remain solid options worth considering. I also highlighted great smartphones for students last summer, most of which you can still find for even cheaper now that they have since been replaced. But here, we have collected a selection of the best new affordable smartphones, all of which sell for under $1,000 and some that are even under $500.
OnePlus 13R
OnePlus impressed with its OnePlus 13 smartphone, which remains one of my favourite Android smartphones. For those who don’t have as much to spend or don’t need all the bells and whistles, there’s the pared down OnePlus 13R. It’s not quite as durable with an IP65 dust and water-resistant rating versus the impressive IP68 and IP69 of the OnePlus 13. Its cameras aren’t as high end, and it has a slightly smaller and lesser resolution display at 6.78 inches. It also uses a step-down processor, though it’s still a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that can handle multitasking, streaming, content capture, gaming, and more alongside the 12GB RAM. It supports 80W wired charging versus 100W wired and 50W wireless in the OnePlus 13, though 80W is still miles ahead of most other competitors anyway. At $850, that’s still a great price for a phone with premium features.
Motorola moto g power – 2025
Equipped with a 6.8-inch display, massive battery, improved cameras, and durable design, the moto g power -2025 incredibly sells for just $450. You get 1,000 nits of brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support, Bass Boost, and more in this affordable package. The 5,000 mAh battery and 30W TurboPower charging means it’ll last all day and then some; it also supports 15W wireless charging. It’s rugged, too, meeting MIL-STD-810H certifications and both IP68 and IP69 ratings. Employing a lovely vegan leather finish, this phone offers tremendous value for dollar. Save even more by stepping down the moto g – 2025 that has a slightly smaller screen, is less durable with step-down cameras, and has a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. That model will only set you back $300.
Apple iPhone 16e
As with every category of product, Apple’s “affordable” line is typically more expensive than other brands. But you’re paying for the prestige and the seamless ecosystem. There is a way in without having to opt for an older model, refurbished, or used device. That’s with the Apple iPhone 16e. Compared to other new iPhone models, it’s a “cheap” $899. But you get all the same goodies, including access to Apple Intelligence features, an A18 chip, long battery life, and a fabulous 48MP two-in-one camera system. It has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display that taps out at 60Hz. It doesn’t have the Dynamic Island (it’s the traditional notch design) but retains the Ceramic Shield front cover. Meeting an IP68 rating, it even has the side Action Button. With a trade-in of an iPhone 11, you can shave up to $165 off the price. Swap an iPhone 12 and get a $220 credit, which would bring the price down to $679 (albeit for the 128GB option).
Google Pixel 9a
If you’re considering the Google Pixel 9a, which comes in at around $679, wait until after the Made by Google event in late August 2025, as its price might come down even further with the launch of new models. The great thing about Google Pixel phones is that the brand now supports seven years of software and OS updates. This means the Pixel 9, which launched earlier this year, will still be current for many (many) years to come. It has a 6.3-inch Actua display, 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and up to 2,700 nits peak brightness, something college students traveling around an outdoor campus will appreciate. As the most durable of the A-series phones to date, it meets an IP68 rating. Along with extra-long battery life, you can extend it with Extreme Battery Saver mode. From 8GB RAM and the Google Tensor G4 chip to photo editing features and AI via Gemini, this is a powerful premium phone dressed up in an affordable package. All you’re missing compared to the more expensive Pixel 9 is faster charging, better cameras, and less RAM. If you’re not a serious gamer and you’re only taking casual snapshots, this won’t matter. Oh yah, it also comes with three months of Google One, three months of YouTube Premium, and six months of Fitbit Premium to sweeten the deal.
Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung has an extensive A-series line of phones, and the Galaxy A36 is one of the latest. At just $400 (on sale right now, down from the regular price of $530), it surprisingly has all the same AI features you get with the higher-end Galaxy phones along with Samsung One UI 7. There’s a 50MP main camera, 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W wired charging, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, 128GB, and even a large vapour chamber for keeping it cool while multitasking or even gaming. It’s decently durable with an IP67 rating and includes Samsung Knox Vault for added security.
Motorola moto g stylus 2025
Ideal for students and on-the-go workers, the Motorola moto g stylus is $600, which includes both the phone and a built-in stylus for easier input, sketching, taking notes, and navigation. Meeting an IP68 rating, the durable and elegant phone has a massive 6.7-inch pOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits brightness. With stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and a 50MP camera system, it’s no slouch in the entertainment department either. You can access tons of Google AI features and the phone runs for up to 40 hours per charge: that’s more than three days! With a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip and 8GB RAM, this phone is a powerful option for the price.
TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G
For something different, the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G Android phone starts at just $325 and uniquely features the company’s NXTPAPER technology and NXTPAPER Key for instantly turning the display into an e-reader-like format to reduce blue light and eye strain. Ideal for students or workers reading lengthy reports on the go, it has a large 6.8-inch FHD+ screen with 120Hz refresh rate and is viewable both indoors and outside thanks to NXTPAPER technology that adjusts screen brightness and colour to match its environment. You get AI features, too, along with a decent 50MP triple-camera system and a 5,010mAh battery that will give you up to two days per charge.
Great Phones for Less
If you have the dough, you can save up for one of the most premium devices. But you don’t have to fork out an arm and a leg to get a phone with a fast processor, decent cameras, long battery life, vivid screen, and even AI capabilities. There are alternatives from every major brand that trade features you might not need or can do without for cost savings that you will appreciate.
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