It doesn't make the cut because of its higher $599 cost, which is significantly higher than the previous iPhone SE 2022 ... group for our picks for the best cheap phones under $500.

Whether you want a basic smartphone or a retro flip phone, these are the best budget-friendly handsets we've tested for around $300 or less. I’m one of PCMag’s mobile analysts. That means I ...

With solid specifications, good design, and plenty of features, the best affordable phones offer outstanding value for money. While you might have to accept a few compromises with a cheaper smartphone ...

so we'd avoid buying the iPhone SE (2022) and the Pixel 8a until we've had a chance to test their respective successors. The best cheap phones aren't as flashy as the very best phones, but they do ...

iPhone SE 2022 – This phone is more than two years old ... At $600, the iPhone 16e is not exactly cheap, but it is a much better deal than the outgoing iPhone 14 model at that same price. It also has ...

Both the iPhone SE and iPhone 16E have aluminum frames, with the larger size of the 16E giving it a bit more weight: 167 ...

However, not everyone needs the latest and greatest features and the best budget phones allow buyers to get a phone that not only does the essentials, but excels in areas that they care about.

And as of 2025, most good budget phones cost somewhere between $350 to $500. There are a few cheaper options that are still good, but they make bigger compromises. There are also a few slightly more ...

Whether you're looking for unlocked phones, prepaid phones, or discounts on the best cheap phones ... Although it's pricier than the $429 iPhone SE (2022), the iPhone 16e packs a stronger punch.

A selection of the phones we tested for this article. Pictured: the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 and Poco X7 Pro (The Independent) We tested each of the best cheap phones by swapping it out for our normal ...

The best cheap smartphones have speedy performance, high-resolution screens ... While you may still be able to find the 2022 iPhone SE in stock, it has now been discontinued, and the latest iPhone 16e ...

Lets explore some of the best smartphones that will keep you on top of your game without going over budget. The smartphone market has come a long way, and budget-friendly devices are leading the ...