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Best Android phones under $200 in 2023

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Best Android phones under $200 in 2023

Believe it or not, there are many nice, cheap smartphones it is best to think about, so we rounded up one of the best Android telephones below $200. Smartphones that value $1000 and extra have rapidly grow to be commonplace available in the market and, fairly truthfully, simply aren’t attainable for lots of people.If you want a brand new smartphone however solely have a few hundred bucks to spend, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is our prime favourite with 4 cameras, a big display to take pleasure in all these pictures and movies, and 4 years of software program updates. We check all types of Android telephones (opens in new tab) to make sure you’re getting one of the best bang in your buck regardless of how a lot you must spend.Here are one of the best Android telephones you will get for below $200Why you’ll be able to belief Android Central

Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Samsung Galaxy A13Best total reasonably priced phoneReasons to purchase+Modern show with small bezels+Large 5,000mAh battery+15W quick charging+Four years of software program updates+Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI+Expandable storageReasons to avoid-No water or mud resistance-No 5GWhen you consider one of the best Samsung telephones, your thoughts most likely drifts to units just like the Galaxy S23 (opens in new tab) — massive, flashy, and costly telephones which are positive to interrupt the funds. However, when you’re wanting to personal a Samsung telephone for your self however have to hold prices low, the Galaxy A13 is a stable machine.Note that this can be a totally different telephone than the Galaxy A13 5G, which is a dearer telephone. That mannequin provides 5G, extra RAM and storage, and packs in a quicker processor. But this is the kicker: the non-5G model of the Galaxy A13 — the one we suggest right here — has a greater show and cameras.At 1080p+, it is greater than twice the decision of what is provided on the Galaxy A13 5G. And at 6.6 inches, this show is good for movies and different kinds of media.Around the again, the A13 boasts a complete of 4 cameras — consisting of a 50MP major, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensors. The picture high quality will not blow you away, however the cameras get the job completed for social media and permit some image-taking (particularly with the ultra-wide digital camera).Other highlights of the Galaxy A13 embody expandable storage. That helps make up for the paltry 3GB of bodily RAM by utilizing Samsung’s digital RAM tech, which primarily creates a RAM disk in your microSD playing cards. It’s additionally obtained a really beneficiant 5,000 mAh battery, 15W quick charging, and Samsung’s customized One UI software program loaded with countless options and settings.It comes with Android 12 out of the field and has already been up to date to Android 13, which is a rarity on this value class. Better but? Samsung guarantees 4 years of safety updates for the telephone which is totally unparalleled on this value class, making it one of the best telephone you’ll be able to presumably purchase for below $200.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Best reasonably priced unlocked phoneReasons to purchase+Clean software program with Android One+IPX2 splash proofing+Large 5,050mAh battery+Quad cameras+128GB Storage, expandable as much as 512GBReasons to avoid-No quick charging-Weak processor-Doesn’t assist all U.S. carriers-Low res showNone of the telephones on this listing are thought of costly, however when you’re attempting to spend your cash on one thing dependable, the Nokia G20 is for you. Sitting in the direction of the higher restrict of $200, it is one of the best unlocked telephone on this vary on the finish of the day. You can get quite a lot of worth from each greenback spent on the G20 as a substitute of the cheaper G10.The Nokia G20 is provided with a 6.52-inch IPS LCD that sports activities an HD+ decision of 720×1600. It’s additionally obtained a MediaTek processor, 4GB of RAM, and a formidable 128GB of expandable storage (as much as 512GB). Unfortunately, there is not any quick charging, however you should not need to mess with it an excessive amount of, due to the beneficiant 5,050 mAh battery.The Nokia G20 is powered by Android One, which implies you will get two years of Android upgrades and three years of month-to-month safety patches, which ought to get you thru 2023. The telephone shipped with Android 11 and just lately obtained the Android 12 replace. We’re hoping to see it get up to date to Android 13 this 12 months. The software program expertise is pleasant as there is not any bloatware and Nokia sticks to inventory Android.The telephone comes with a stunning textured again out there in two colours, with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The Nokia G20 sports activities an IPX2 ranking, making it splash-proof in nature. You additionally get a quad-camera setup, together with a 48MP major digital camera that’s surprisingly first rate. Nokia packed simply the appropriate options into this value-rich machine, making the G20 our prime sub-$200 suggestion.(Image credit score: Joe Maring / Android Central)Moto G Play (2021)Best battery lifeReasons to purchase+Large, vivid HD show+Huge 5,000mAh battery+3.5mm headphone jack+Motorola’s customized software program+Works with each U.S. carrierReasons to avoid-No NFC or official IP rating-Only 3GB of RAM-Won’t replace previous Android 11-Low res showMoto has historically been the king of the sub-$200 class, and the Moto G Play (2021) is not any exception to Motorola’s rule right here. Of course, it makes a number of spec compromises to succeed in this price ticket, but it surely’s nonetheless a wonderfully pleasurable piece of tech. It’s additionally a greater telephone than the Moto G Play (2022) and Moto G Play (2023), regardless of each of these being up to date variations of this telephone.The show is a 6.5-inch, 720p HD+ LCD, but it surely does the job. You additionally profit from respectable bezels and a small waterdrop notch, making this a decently good telephone for watching movies or enjoying gentle video games. You’ll discover extra noticeable downgrades with the 13MP + 2MP twin rear cameras, however they’re serviceable for fast uploads to your favourite social media app.The Moto G Play (2021) has a fingerprint sensor on the rear within the Moto brand, which is each bit as quick and dependable as you possibly can ask for. There’s additionally a headphone jack and assist for expandable storage, together with an superior 5,000mAh battery and assist for all U.S. carriers. Because of the decrease energy processor and decrease decision show, we discovered that Motorola’s 3-day battery life claims had been completely achievable, making this one of the best battery life decide of the bunch.Perhaps the most important draw back to the Moto G Play (2021) is that Motorola has confirmed that it might solely see one main platform replace — and that’s to Android 11! Motorola shipped the Moto G Play in 2021 with Android 10 (which means it was already outdated) and did not get round to updating it to Android 11 till 2022. At least Motorola will probably be offering two years of quarterly safety updates for the telephone, guaranteeing it is protected to run for one more few years.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Best show on a funds phoneReasons to purchase+Large, lovely show+5,000mAh battery with 18W quick charging+Robust internals+Plenty of onboard storage+Rear-mounted fingerprint readerReasons to avoid-Lacks NFC-No IP rating-No extra OS updatesIt could not have essentially the most cutting-edge specs, however do not you sleep on the TCL 20 SE. Under $200, you will not discover a extra charming show than this telephone’s 6.82-inch vivid LCD panel. The waterdrop notch seems to be slightly dated, but it surely’s your complete package deal as a complete that bolsters the value of this telephone.TCL provides you a pleasant deal together with all that display actual property. You get a number of reminiscence, with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage that may be elevated as much as 256GB. There’s additionally a fingerprint scanner on the aesthetically pleasing bottom of the telephone. The TCL 20 SE has a beneficiant 5,000mAh cell that tops up faster than any telephone on this class, owing to its 18W quick charging velocity.You get a pleasant set of quad cameras that includes a 48MP major lens. On the software program facet of issues, the TCL 20 SE is powered by Android 11. Under the hood, one can find a Snapdragon 460 chipset to maintain your complete telephone afloat. What prevents this telephone from being our primary decide is the shortage of any future platform upgrades or any method of waterproofing. TCL does promise two years of safety updates although.(Image credit score: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)Best digital camera in its classReasons to purchase+Excellent battery life+Expandable storage with a microSD card+Great digital camera efficiency+Large 6.5-inch show at 90HzReasons to avoid-No 5G-Phone can really feel sluggish-Slow chargingLet’s begin with the positives, lets? The Moto G Power (2022) has one of the best digital camera in its class, delivering crisp, clear pictures all through the day and even in low-light conditions. It’s no Pixel but it surely’s definitely spectacular for a telephone below $200. Even the macro digital camera is spectacular — one thing you will nearly by no means see on this value vary — letting you get tremendous up-close to things for some fascinating, ‘Grammable imagery.It’s additionally obtained implausible battery life that’ll simply get you thru the promised 3 days per cost. Our Moto G Power (2022) evaluate confirms the longevity, though it should take a number of hours to cost it up because it solely helps 10W charging.But the kicker is that, to attain this type of battery like, Motorola went with an extremely weak MediaTek processor within the Moto G Power (2022). Simply put, if a sluggish UI and lag when switching between apps is a deal breaker for you, think about one thing with a greater CPU. The Moto G Power has a Mediatek Helio G37 chipset that was by no means going to interrupt any information.At least the display is comparatively giant at 6.5 inches and might even run at 90Hz when you’re doing gentle sufficient work that the chipset can sustain. It runs Android 11, which is not unusual for this value level, however when you think about what number of different telephone makers are committing to updates on cheaper telephones, like Samsung, it is positively a weak point. Still, absolutely anything it’s essential to do on this telephone ought to work with out situation on this older model of Android.(Image credit score: Blackview)Blackview BV4900Best reasonably priced rugged phoneReasons to purchase+Military-grade sturdiness ranking+IP68 mud/water safety+Gigantic 5,580mAh battery+USB-C and NFC+Very affordableReasons to avoid-No fingerprint sensor-Android 10 with no updates-Chunky and heavy with funky designPutting a case on the telephone is a superb means to make sure it stays protected all through your each day use, however some telephones had been designed to be rugged and sturdy proper out of the field. One such telephone is the Blackview BV4900, and when you’re susceptible to clumsiness or work in a bodily demanding atmosphere, the BV4900 is a stable selection.The design of the BV4900 makes its ruggedness unmistakable, and it has sturdiness rankings to again it up. Not solely is there an IP68 mud/water resistance ranking, however you additionally get a MIL-STD-810G certification. This means the BV4900 was examined to outlive drops of as much as 5 toes.Moving past its design, there are many different highlights for the BV5900. It has a large 5,580mAh battery, USB-C charging, NFC for contactless Google Pay funds. There’s additionally 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage that may develop to 128GB. You miss out on any platform upgrades previous the pre-installed Android 10 and there is not any fingerprint sensor.Blackview’s design of the BV4900 definitely is not for everybody, however when you’re somebody that is aware of you’d profit from a ruggedized handset like this, it is definitely price a very good, laborious look. The Blackview BV4900 makes quite a lot of compromises however its rock-bottom price ticket is definitely very engaging.Which is one of the best smartphone below $200?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Just a number of years in the past, $200 could not purchase you a lot in the best way of one of the best Android telephones. These days, nonetheless, it is fairly stunning simply what number of choices you’ve gotten in such a low-price section. There are loads of “cheap” Android telephones which are fairly nice.We suppose one of the best Android telephone below $200 is the Samsung Galaxy A13 out of every part at the moment out there. For the typical individual searching for a brand new telephone, the Galaxy A13 is great. It’s obtained stable cameras, a show that’ll get the job completed and, most significantly, years of software program updates that’ll hold it protected and related for so long as you wish to hold it.Samsung’s software program replace promise is unmatched within the trade proper now, providing extra updates than any firm that makes Android telephones. That’s not simply necessary for getting new options and preserving your telephone feeling comparatively new, but in addition for safety. Without correct safety updates, older telephones generally is a ticking timebomb for malware or hackers.If you’d moderately go along with an unlocked machine, the Nokia G20 is our second favourite selection. The show seems to be adequate, the efficiency is nice for many apps and lightweight video games, the three rear cameras are a bunch of enjoyable to make use of, and that 5,050mAh battery is a life-saver. It’s additionally obtained a reasonably stable software program replace schedule, even when Nokia is not the quickest firm to roll out updates.It additionally presents 4GB/128GB reminiscence choices, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, quad cameras, and underrated options like face unlock. Let’s not neglect the elegant inventory Android expertise with assured upgrades to Android 12 in addition to Android 13.How to decide on the appropriate telephone below $200(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)When you’re on a good funds, shopping for a brand new telephone isn’t the simplest factor to do. Most telephones within the under-$200 class look very comparable, however what manufacturers are you able to belief and what do you have to look out for?At below $200, it’s unusual to get a telephone that isn’t product of plastic. There’s simply no means round this because it’s an enormous cost-saving measure most producers take. Otherwise, you’ll be spending extra for an costly telephone physique and the corporate should in the reduction of elsewhere.It’s additionally quite common to search out telephones with a typical HD show — also referred to as 720p — as a substitute of a full-HD 1080p or greater decision. Some telephones, just like the Samsung Galaxy A13, supply a 1080p show that appears considerably higher than others on this class.At below $200, you are nearly definitely getting a plastic telephone with a 720p show. There’s simply no means round this because it’s an enormous cost-saving measure most producers take. But, generally, that decrease decision is preferable for 2 causes. First off, most telephones below $200 don’t have a strong processor. Without that further processing energy, a higher-resolution show will find yourself making the telephone really feel a bit laggy when quite a bit is happening. Second, a lower-resolution show helps hold the telephone’s battery lasting a very long time on a single cost.Phones just like the Moto G Play (2021) are an excellent instance of this, as they characteristic a lower-spec Snapdragon 460 processor and a 720p show however can last as long as three total days on a single cost. You gained’t discover that on any dearer telephone available on the market and, except for sheer value financial savings, is without doubt one of the predominant causes to decide on a telephone below $200.Most telephones on this class solely characteristic 3-4GB of RAM, which is usually high quality with these lower-resolution shows. The lower-power processors can’t multitask notably nicely, so having a ton of RAM isn’t going to assist issues a lot. But, in sure circumstances, having further RAM might assist make your telephone really feel a bit speedier. Samsung’s digital RAM expertise permits you to use a small portion of a microSD card as a technique to “virtually” create extra RAM and might be a killer characteristic relying in your app utilization.Samsung’s promised 4 years of safety updates for the Galaxy A13 is double that of some other producer on this web page.Now, with all that mentioned, it is best to by no means anticipate to get a number of main working system updates on a telephone on this value class. While most telephones see a single massive OS replace — generally from Android 11 to Android 12, or one thing comparable — some telephones will simply get safety updates for a number of years and be completed. While main OS updates are a nicety, they don’t at all times make sense for a telephone with a lower-power processor as new options typically require extra processing energy to truly be good to make use of.Those safety updates are what it is best to truly take note of, and that’s why Samsung obtained the decide of the litter on this class. Samsung’s promised 4 years of safety updates for the Galaxy A13 is double that of some other producer on this web page. While lower-power processors don’t at all times maintain up nicely for that lengthy, it’s nice to know that your telephone gained’t be susceptible to cyber-attacks or malware for so long as you personal the telephone.Should you select a SIM-free or contract telephone?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)At below $200, many telephones supply the straightforward possibility to decide on between shopping for them outright — also referred to as SIM-free since they don’t include a service’s SIM card — or simply including them to your telephone plan as a part of your month-to-month invoice. While many telephones on this listing gained’t value something in any respect from nice wi-fi carriers like T-Mobile, it is likely to be price simply shopping for them outright for quite a lot of causes.First off, at below $200, all of those telephones are fairly reasonably priced. Many of the telephones within the above listing can be found for below $150, making them even simpler to afford outright — particularly when in comparison with flagship smartphones, which regularly value $600 or extra to purchase outright.Putting a sub-$200 telephone on a contract means you’re caught with it for 24 months till the contract is up.Second is the truth that placing a sub-$200 telephone on a contract means you’re caught with it for 24 months till the contract is up. While your service may supply a technique to pay it off early, it’s possible for a better value than it might have value to buy outright from Amazon or Best Buy.Third, is the truth that most sub-$200 telephones are likely to get a bit sluggish over a 24-month interval, and that’s assuming you bought the telephone proper when it got here out. Case in level, when you had been to decide on a Moto G Play (2021) proper now, you’d be utilizing a telephone that’s already over 2 years outdated, which means it’s most likely not going to be good to make use of for all that for much longer, a lot much less 24 months from now. Are Android telephones below $200 any good?(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Yes, $200 (or much less) Android telephones will be good for a lot of various kinds of folks. But simply how good can a telephone be if it’s 1/fifth of the value of premium telephones like a Samsung Galaxy S23? Obviously, you’re lacking out on one thing by saving a ton of cash, proper?Buying an Android telephone below $200 is a bit like shopping for an affordable automobile in your each day commute. That automobile’s total objective is to get you to and from your own home or place of business or college and never rather more. Similarly, a sub-$200 telephone goes to perform your each day wants and doubtless not a complete lot extra.Don’t purchase a smartphone below $200 considering you will get the world with it. Super reasonably priced vehicles will not offer you options like autopilot or a backup digital camera, both.In each situations, it is best to anticipate to forego fancy options and different bells and whistles while you decide to save cash. Don’t go right into a smartphone buy anticipating a display that’s tremendous vivid in direct daylight or to be amazed by each photograph you are taking with its cameras. You gained’t get autopilot or a backup digital camera with an excellent reasonably priced automobile, both.Likewise, make sure you’re setting your self up for efficiency expectations when transferring into both class. An reasonably priced automobile isn’t going to succeed in freeway speeds immediately, and it is best to by no means anticipate to race one. Likewise, a $200 or much less telephone gained’t play video games very nicely and won’t multitask between apps very nicely, both.In a nutshell, it is best to anticipate that listening to music, scrolling via social media, watching a video on YouTube, or simply shopping Android Central on the go will probably be a very good total expertise on one in every of these telephones. Almost all of those telephones get multi-day battery life, too, which is a large benefit of this lower-priced, lower-power class.How lengthy do Android telephones below $200 final? (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)On common, customers who spend lower than $200 on an Android telephone will discover their buy can final them round two years earlier than the telephone begins to really feel a bit sluggish or outdated. That’s most frequently why producers solely promise one main OS replace, as some new options might find yourself slowing the telephone down an excessive amount of.Because most sub-$200 telephones will solely get one main Android replace and two years’ price of safety updates, it’s most necessary to decide on a more moderen telephone that also has many months of assist left.During that two-year possession interval, it’s necessary to decide on a producer that guarantees common safety updates. Oftentimes, producers on this value vary will promise to ship quarterly safety updates to make sure that no massive safety vulnerabilities crop up in your telephone. Phones with latest safety patches are far much less prone to fall prey to malware or different kinds of cyber assaults.Because most sub-$200 telephones will solely get one main Android replace and two years’ price of safety updates, it’s most necessary to decide on a more moderen telephone that also has many months of assist left.When taking these measures into consideration, the weakest hyperlink on our listing is the Blackview BV4900, which is able to possible by no means see one other replace. While that’s high quality in some circumstances, you’ll should be further aware to keep away from situations (opens in new tab) that would find yourself placing malware in your telephone.Round up of at this time’s finest offers