The best phones under $300 in 2024

Nowadays, phones are expensive. Yes, they do offer a lot for the price, but a high-end smartphone can easily tank your bank account. Fortunately for us, budget phones have also advanced through the years, just like the top-tier and mid-range ones, allowing you to get a decent handset that does the job for under $300.

Of course, expect a phone under $300 to have some limitations, given the price tag, which is why you will need to take into account your specific needs and priorities. However, there are so many budget phones that you are bound to find one that suits you.

To make it even easier for you to find a nice phone for cheap, we have compiled the best phones under $300 you can currently buy in this very article. So, let's get right to it.

Another notable feature of the Moto G Power 5G 2023 is its battery life. As a proper 'Power' Motorola phone, the Moto G Power 5G 2023 comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which has enough juice to last you up to two days on a single charge.

You'll also be happy to learn that the phone packs a 50 MP main camera, which can capture decent-looking photos, particularly in well-lit conditions, considering its budget price.

How to Choose the Best Phone Under $300

While it is entirely possible to find an excellent phone at this price point, you need to know that even the best budget phones lack a number of mainstream high-end features, like wireless charging and a good IP rating. Another notable drawback is the oftentimes inferior build quality. When navigating across the best cheap phones, pay close attention to:

The Display

Most budget phones usually do not feature panels of the best quality. Lower pixel density, and a 60Hz refresh rate are the norm in this segment. You won't be finding an OLED screen here as well.

Battery Life

Funnily enough, subpart displays tend to be more energy-efficient, which translates to excellent battery life. In fact, some of the best phones under 300 can last up to three days on a single charge. Not bad for a budget phone.

Camera Quality

Another thing you are unlikely to find at a lower price, is excellent cameras. Fortunately, a great phone does not really need a triple camera setup to take the occasional photo. The shooters on these phones are fine, but just that - don't expect breathtaking low light performance.

Storage

When buying any smartphone, you need to keep in mind how much storage you are going to need. It should be noted that many of the devices on this list feature an SD card slot, which is a nice perk, given how many of the best Android phones don't have one.

Performance

You want to make sure you are buying a powerful phone that will last you longer. However, unless you are buying a much older phone, most of the devices on the market come with sufficiently powerful chipsets to handle most everyday tasks.

Operating System

Unfortunately, all phones under 300 are Android phones. You will simply not find a phone running iOS at this price point.

These were the best phones for less than $300. Of course, some compromises have to be made for a phone to fit in this price range, but nowadays, you compromise on a lot less than you used to in this price category. The best overall is definitely the Moto G Stylus (2022), with its great performance, cameras, screen, and battery life. TCL's new offering should also be on your shortlist, while OnePlus and Samsung offer excellent value. Keep in mind that there are lots of upcoming budget models and we will update this pick regularly, so stay tuned!