Updated Oct. 27, 2023 2:44 p.m. PT
Written by
Mike Sorrentino
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Mike Sorrentino Senior Editor Mike Sorrentino is a Senior Editor for Mobile, overlaying telephones, texting apps and smartwatches — obsessing about how we will profit from them. Mike additionally retains a watch out on the film and toy trade, and outdoors of labor enjoys biking and pizza making. Expertise Phones, texting apps, iOS, Android, smartwatches, health trackers, cell equipment, gaming telephones, price range telephones, toys, Star Wars, Marvel, Power Rangers, DC, cell accessibility, iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, RCS
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Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space $200 at Amazon Best for a giant media library Moto G Power 5G (2023)
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$300 at Amazon Best cellphone you must really get — so long as it is on sale Google Pixel 6A
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Smartphones are costly and getting costlier yearly, particularly flagship units. However, there are nonetheless some budget-friendly smartphones on the market that supply a style of premium options for lower than $300. These price range telephones could make calls, ship texts, and run most apps and video games for a whole lot of {dollars} lower than the iPhone 15 or Galaxy S23. They additionally present entry to 5G, which is vital if you wish to maintain onto your system for some time, and a few even include a built-in stylus. If you have been in search of the most effective telephones underneath $300, then hold studying. I’m going to degree with you, although: We have but to make use of a cellphone within the $200 to $300 worth vary that looks like a superb worth. The very best picks on this class are typically costlier units which can be steadily discounted to $299 when on sale. For occasion, Google’s $349 Pixel 6A is among the many greatest telephones for underneath $500, and it is typically discounted to $299. But there are some very nice perks that at the moment are arriving to telephones which can be frequently between $200 to $300. These embody extra storage, quicker charging and first rate cameras. Many of those even include a headphone jack and expandable storage — each of that are rarities in units that price $400 or extra. What is the most effective cellphone underneath $300? The greatest cellphone you should purchase for underneath $300, if the Google Pixel 6A is not on sale, is the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. The cellphone’s 50-watt charging is actually quick, capable of refill its battery from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes. The cellphone comes with 128GB of storage with 8GB of RAM, and has a big 6.72-inch 1,080p show with a 120Hz refresh charge. The cellphone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip is succesful sufficient to run most apps. However although the cellphone does include a 108-megapixel fundamental digicam, the photographs it takes are first rate however removed from spectacular. That latter level is a giant motive why the Pixel 6A is tempting when it is discounted, since its Tensor chip and photograph processing make its 12.2-megapixel digicam take sharp, detail-filled footage.But if the OnePlus Nord N30 5G finally ends up being what matches your price range, it is some of the feature-rich choices you may get for underneath $300. Best telephones underneath $300 Show much less The OnePlus Nord N30 5G consists of lots of options for the cash, however its 50W charging pace is a standout for this worth vary. The cellphone can cost from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes, and most different telephones that price $300 or much less want 90 minutes to 2 hours to do the identical factor. Its massive 6.72-inch 1,080p show that runs at a 120Hz refresh charge additionally makes apps, video games, web sites and streaming video animate easily. However it is price calling out that the 108-megapixel fundamental digicam — regardless of being an astounding megapixel quantity on a cellphone — takes photographs which can be solely marginally higher than what I often see from telephones on this worth vary. That means it could actually take good, detail-filled photographs in outside settings with loads of mild. However photographs taken in darker settings are a battle for the N30, with indoor photographs wanting washed out or blurry.The cellphone will even solely get one software program replace to Android 14 together with three years of safety updates — which is a median timeline for this worth vary but nonetheless disappointingly brief.While the OnePlus does face stiff competitors from Google’s Pixel 6A — particularly when the Pixel is discounted to $299 — it does embody lots of performance for its worth. Mike Sorrentino/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 OnePlus Nord N30 5G and its 50W charger. Mike Sorrentino/CNET Show professional take Show much less Show much less The Moto G Power 5G is presently the most affordable cellphone I’m conscious of that has 256GB of inside cupboard space. It’s lots of house, and is ideal for somebody that downloads lots of films and music to get pleasure from when you do not have a constant web connection. The cellphone’s 6.5-inch 1,080p show runs at a clean 120Hz refresh charge too, making films, functions, web sites and video games look particularly good. If you want much more house, you possibly can develop it additional with a microSD card. And like many telephones within the $200 to $300 worth vary, the Power 5G features a headphone jack.Whereas Motorola makes the Power 5G a media machine for its worth, it does in the reduction of when it comes to its cameras. Like many telephones on this worth vary, it is good for outside pictures however is kind of dangerous at getting particulars in low-light environments.But if what you want is plenty of cupboard space above all else, the Moto G Power 5G is price a glance. Mike Sorrentino/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 Mike Sorrentino/CNET Show professional take Show much less Show much less Reviewing the $258 TCL Stylus 5G was a journey for me final 12 months. Specs-wise, it has loads that I loved. The cellphone’s TCL NxtVision HDR setting offered enhanced colours after I performed video games, TCL made minimal adjustments to Android 12 and I particularly loved the magnetic stylus that matches securely into its personal slot on the cellphone. However, the large motive why my evaluate took 4 months is due to repetitive software program bugs that make the cellphone in any other case robust to suggest. I skilled frequent restarts whereas utilizing the cellphone and Bluetooth connectivity points, the latter of which was finally fastened by a software program replace. This cellphone can be locked to T-Mobile utterly, so it could actually’t be used on different carriers and is stuffed with T-Mobile apps which can be difficult to take away.Yet in case you completely will need to have a stylus and your price range is underneath $300, this is among the higher total picks. But be cautious of software program points, and keep in mind the cellphone is simply getting one main software program replace together with two years of safety updates. Mike Sorrentino/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 Mike Sorrentino/CNET Show professional take Show much less Show much less The Light Phone 2 is a really totally different form of cellphone. It’s meant for folks searching for freedom from the fixed stream of notifications, however nonetheless desire a cellphone that appears good. But regardless of its considerably restricted performance, this cellphone nonetheless prices $299. The Light Phone 2 helps texts, cellphone calls, music playback, podcasts, cell hotspot performance and restricted GPS help for instructions on its E Ink display screen. It doesn’t have a digicam, net browser, electronic mail entry or different frequent apps like information or messaging apps. My colleague Jessica Fierro gave life with the Light Phone 2 a attempt, and he or she loved how the cellphone helped her keep extra centered on the world round her. However she discovered the slower texting pace on the E Ink show to be difficult to regulate to, and couldn’t absolutely make the swap as a result of for work she wants a point of social media entry to be able to keep up on tendencies. The absence of many fashionable options is all the level of the Light Phone 2. It’s a tool for individuals who deliberately simply need important communications on a display screen that is extra like a Kindle’s show than the one you’d discover on a Samsung Galaxy system.The Light Phone 2 is actually not for everyone, however it could possibly be price contemplating for somebody who needs their cellphone to do much less. Fans of typical telephones ought to take into account the wealth of characteristic telephones and flip telephones that also exist first — which are sometimes free with a provider deal or out there for underneath $100. Jessica Fierro/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 Jessica Fierro/CNET Show professional take Show much less Show much less Admittedly I’m dishonest by getting this cellphone into the record, however Google’s Pixel 6A has been discounted to $299 loads currently and is a simple advice when it has been discounted right into a price range cellphone vary. Regularly $349, the Pixel 6A received our Editors’ Choice Award final 12 months. In her evaluate, CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco praised the cellphone for its nice digicam, Pixel-exclusive options like Magic Eraser, its colourful design and being among the many first to get new Android updates. Even although Google has since launched the $499 Pixel 7A, the Pixel 6A remains to be getting two extra years of software program updates and 4 extra years of safety updates. This means it can proceed getting new Android options and help from Google, and that remaining timeline remains to be greater than you will see from new 2023 telephones that price between $200 and $300. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 Lisa Eadicicco/CNET Show professional take Show much less These cheaper units are likely to reduce considerably in a single space or one other to be able to obtain these low costs. Most generally, these drawbacks embody restricted software program help, provider help or bloatware (preloaded apps that you just by no means requested for). These trade-offs typically imply that these units shouldn’t be used after two to 3 years, particularly after safety replace help ends. It’s additionally notable that whereas these telephones retail for $200 to $300, a lot of them are sometimes out there at a deep low cost — and even without spending a dime — as a part of a provider subsidy deal. If you might be planning to stay with the identical wi-fi provider for 2 years, these telephones may simply develop into a part of the price of your service. Every cellphone on this record has been completely examined by CNET’s professional evaluations workforce. We really use the cellphone, take a look at the options, play video games and take photographs. 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 let you know all about it. We look at each side of a cellphone throughout testing: DisplayDesign and feelProcessor performanceBattery lifeCamera qualityFeaturesWe take a look at all of a cellphone’s cameras (each back and front) in a wide range of situations: from open air underneath daylight to dimmer indoor locales and night time time scenes (for any out there night time modes). We additionally examine our findings towards equally priced fashions. We have a collection of actual world battery assessments to see how lengthy a cellphone lasts underneath on a regular basis use. We keep in mind 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 towards the worth so you recognize whether or not a cellphone represents good worth or not. Read extra: How We Test Phones What about Apple’s iPhone? Apple doesn’t presently promote any iPhone choices between $200 and $300. The most cost-effective new iPhone you may get is the iPhone SE at $429. That iPhone is a superb worth for its quick processor and nice digicam, however held again by its dated design that harkens again to the iPhone 6, 7 and 8.If you do not thoughts getting a preowned system and need one thing with a much bigger display screen, as of this writing Verizon sells a 64GB iPhone 11 for $275.You may get the 2020 model of the iPhone SE as a refurbished mannequin between $200 and $300 on web sites like Amazon and Best Buy, however beware of every retailer’s insurance policies for refurbished units. Especially be certain the refurbished system features a guarantee for repairs, since with out one you might have to pay Apple or one other retailer a excessive worth for a display screen restore or different unintended harm. Show extra Best telephones underneath $300: OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. Moto G Power 5G vs. TCL Stylus 5G vs. Google Pixel 6A OnePlus Nord N30 5GMoto G Power 5G (2023)TCL Stylus 5GGoogle Pixel 6A Display dimension, decision 6.72-inch FHD (1080p decision); 120Hz refresh rate6.5-inch LCD show; 2,400 x 1,080 pixels; 120Hz refresh rate6.81-inch FHD+ show (1,080 x 2,400 pixels)6.1-inch OLED; (1,080 x 2,400); 60HzPixel density 391 ppi405 ppi395 ppi429 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.51 x 2.99 x 0.32 in.6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in.6.67 x 3.01 x 0.35 in.6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 in.Dimensions (millimeters) 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm163 x 75 x 8.45 mm169.6 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm152.2 x 7.18 x 8.9 mmWeight (ounces, grams) 6.97 oz. (195 g)6.52 oz. (185 g)7.51 oz. (213 g)6.3 oz. (178 g)Mobile software program Android 13Android 13Android 12Android 12Digicam 108-megapixel fundamental, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel depth sensing50-megapixel (fundamental), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor)50-megapixel (fundamental), 5-megapixel (broad), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor)12.2-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel extremely broad)Front-facing digicam 16-megapixel16-megapixel13-megapixel8-megapixelVideo seize 1080p at 30fps720p at 60 fps1080p at 30fps4KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 695MediaTek Dimensity 930MediaTek Dimensity 700 5GGoogle TensorRAM/Storage 8GB + 128GB4GB RAM + 128GB; 6GB RAM + 256GB4GB/128GB6GB RAM/128GB storageExpandable storage YesYesUp to 2TBNoneBattery/Charger 5,000 mAh (50W wired charging)5,000 mAh (15W wired charging pace, 10W adapter included)4,000 mAh; 18W charging4,410 mAh capability; 18W quick charging (adapter bought individually)Fingerprint sensor SideSideSide fingerprint sensorUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack YesYesYesNoneSpecial options 50W SuperVooc quick charging, 108-megapixel fundamental digicam, sport mode, twin stereo speakersEstimated 38-hour battery life, Moto Gestures, stereo audio systemStylus with built-in storage, producitivity software program, NxtVision HDR mode5G-enabled, 18W quick charging, WiFi 6E, safety updates for 5 years, Android OS updates for 3 years, twin SIM, IP67 water resistancePrice off-contract (USD) $270$250$258$349 ($299 when on sale)Price (GBP) Converts to £238Converts to £240£349Price (AUD) Converts to AU$443Converts to AU$445AU$599