Best Phone Under $200: New Top Pick Checks All the Boxes

$110 at Amazon Motorola Moto G Play (2023) Best for battery life, however nothing else Phones that price below $200 have gotten extra purposeful than they had been up to now. The latest telephones on this value vary, just like the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, are beginning to incorporate 5G help for quicker information and NFC for contactless funds. Other telephones, like Motorola’s Moto G Stylus, have gotten higher media machines, offering stereo audio system to enhance audio high quality whereas together with cameras that take first rate pictures.Yet these cheaper telephones do have a variety of noticeable trade-offs: They normally run slower than dearer telephones, and whereas they’ll normally ship with the newest model of Android, there may solely be a brief window of safety replace help. That final concern is especially essential to remember when buying on this value vary, because it’s dangerous to make use of a cellphone that is not being protected in opposition to safety vulnerabilities by its producer.While we would not take into account any of those picks to be productiveness machines, these telephones are possible going to be extra helpful than you’ll anticipate for the worth. Plus, a few of these gadgets may find yourself being “free” when signing up with a cellphone provider’s subsidization program — normally requiring a two-year dedication with the intention to get the fee lined.What’s the perfect cellphone below $200?The $200 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is our present high decide for the perfect cellphone below $200. This is basically due to its inclusion of 5G help for quicker information, NFC help for contactless funds and a reasonably beneficiant software program and safety help timeline when in comparison with different telephones on this value vary. Samsung will likely be offering two years of software program updates and 5 years of safety updates to the Galaxy A14 5G, making it a cellphone that may be safely used for a number of years when you select to. However we’re not loopy about its pictures, and if that is extra essential to you than 5G, you also needs to check out the $200 Moto G Stylus for its higher digital camera high quality. If you want a cellphone that is even cheaper, we’re additionally holding across the $160 Galaxy A03S on this record. That system continues to be being supported by Samsung, however remember that it solely has a tiny 32GB of space for storing.Best telephones below $200 of 2023 Mike Sorrentino/CNET The $200 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is without doubt one of the most purposeful telephones below $200 accessible proper now. Even although it is at a budget-friendly value, this Samsung cellphone contains 5G help for quicker information and NFC for contactless funds utilizing Google Wallet. While each of these inclusions are highlights for this value vary, Samsung can also be planning to help the Galaxy A14 with two years of software program updates and 5 years of safety updates, making it a cellphone that will likely be secure to make use of for a number of years. Read extra Mike Sorrentino/CNET The $200 Moto G Stylus doesn’t have 5G, however as a substitute features a built-in stylus together with a good 50-megapixel important digital camera. The Stylus did a pleasant job taking pictures whereas I used to be in quite a lot of environments, together with indoors and open air. I significantly loved the cellphone’s tackle Portrait mode, and it captured a transparent picture of the plant wall in CNET’s New York workplace that I exploit for picture testing. The 6.5-inch 720p show can also be in a position to run at a constant 90Hz refresh fee, offering clean animations whereas navigating apps and studying web sites. Read extra Mike Sorrentino/CNET Samsung’s Galaxy A03S at $160 (roughly £130, AU$240) may nonetheless be an excellent match for somebody searching for the most cost effective doable cellphone that may deal with most important duties. The cellphone’s 6.5-inch display, capped at 720p decision, is succesful for studying the information, watching movies and taking part in video games. Despite some efficiency lag discovered throughout our overview, the cellphone is sweet at multitasking. But the cellphone’s tiny 32GB of space for storing may refill quick, so when you’re contemplating this cellphone, it could be worthwhile to consider increasing the storage with a microSD card. Read extra Mike Sorrentino/CNET The $170 Moto G Play’s finest function is how its 5,000-mAh battery can stretch itself to a few days of battery life. However, past that, it is essential to reveal that this system is without doubt one of the extra irritating telephones for below $200. Read extra You’re receiving value alerts for Motorola Moto G Play (2023) How we take a look at phonesEvery cellphone on this record has been completely examined by CNET’s knowledgeable opinions workforce. We truly use the cellphone, take a look at the options, play video games, and take pictures. We assess any advertising and marketing guarantees that an organization makes about its telephones. And if we discover one thing we do not like, be it battery life or construct high quality, we inform you all about it. We study each side of a cellphone throughout testing:Display.Design and really feel.Processor efficiency.Battery life.Camera high quality.Features.We take a look at all of a cellphone’s cameras (each back and front) in quite a lot of situations: from open air below daylight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any accessible evening modes). We additionally examine our findings in opposition to equally priced fashions. We run a collection of real-world battery exams to see how lengthy a cellphone lasts below on a regular basis use.We take note of further cellphone options, like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, quick charging, foldable shows, and different helpful extras. And we, in fact, weigh all of our experiences and testing in opposition to the worth, so you realize whether or not a cellphone represents good worth.Read extra: How we take a look at telephonesSamsung Galaxy A14 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) vs. Samsung Galaxy A03S vs. Motorola Moto G Play (2023) Samsung Galaxy A14 5GMoto G Stylus (2023)Samsung Galaxy A03SMoto G Play (2023) Display dimension, decision 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD show, (1,400 x 1,080 pixels), 90Hz6.5-inch IPS LCD; 1,600×720; 90Hz refresh rate6.5-inch HD+ LCD (720×1,600 pixels)6.5-inch IPS TFT LCD; 1,600×720 pixels; 90Hz refresh ratePixel density 268 ppi269 ppi269 ppi269 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.6 x 3.07 x 0.36 in.6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 in.6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in.6.58 x 2.95 x 0.36 in.Dimensions (millimeters) 167.6 x 77.9 x 9.1 mm162.9 x 74.1 x 9.2 mm165.8 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm167 x 77 x 9.4 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 203 g (7.19 oz.)195 g 202g (7.13 oz.)203 g (7.16 oz.)Mobile software program Android 13Android 13Android 11Android 12Camera 50-megapixel (important), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth)50-megapixel (important), 2-megapixel (macro)13-megapixel (huge), 2-megapixel (depth), 2-megapixel (macro)16-megapixel (important), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor)Front-facing digital camera 16-megapixel8-megapixel5-megapixel5-megapixelVideo seize 1080p at 30fps1080p at 30 fpsFHD (1920×1080 at 30fps)720p at 30 fpsProcessor MediaTek MT6833VMediaTek Helio G85Octa-core processorMediaTek Helio G37RAM/Storage 4GB + 64GB4GB + 64GB; 4GB + 128GB3GB/32GB3GB + 32GBExpandable storage YesYesUp to 1TBYesBattery/Charger 5,000 mAh5,000 mAh (15W charging)5,000 mAh (charger not included, doesn’t help wi-fi charging)5,000 mAh (10W charging)Fingerprint sensor SideSideSideRearConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack YesYesYesYesSpecial options 5G-enabled, NFC, 15W chargingStylus, Moto Gestures3-day battery life, Moto Gestures, Auto Smile Capture, Portrait Mode Phones below $200 FAQs Are cheaper telephones price it? Phones which can be below $200 simply give attention to the necessities, which implies you will need to make some compromises. You’ll have the ability to make cellphone calls, textual content, video chat, browse the net and run most Android apps on these gadgets. But you should not anticipate NFC for cellular funds, 5G connectivity or — sadly — a lot included space for storing. Read extra What about telephones which can be even cheaper, like below $100? Phones below $100 do exist, however they normally include vital compromises. Read extra More cellphone recommendation