It may seem that your options are minimal if you are looking for a reliable phone that costs $ 200 or less. But there are some cheap phone options available that we recommend – like Samsung devices and Motorola’s Moto G series.
To see our choices of cheap smartphones, check out the list below. Some of these options for the best phones under $ 200 have been fully reviewed by CNET editors, while others are those we hope to have soon. (We will update this summary as soon as your reviews are also available.) Please note that we link the unlocked version of each phone, when available, and they should work on most of the four major US wireless carriers, unless otherwise specified.
If the price of the cell phone shown here or at the supplier exceeds $ 200, it is because the stock and prices (usually from third-party resellers) have changed since we originally published this story or the review linked here.
Read More: Four best phones you can get for $ 300 or less: Galaxy A50, Moto G Power and more
See this:
Best cheap phones to try now
2:02
Angela Lang / CNET
As the cheapest of Samsung’s A series phones, the Galaxy A01 surprisingly offers a lot for the cheap price of the phone. This includes a 3,000 mAh fast-charging battery for up to 25 hours of battery life, a water drop camera design and a 5.7-inch screen. Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy A01.
Patrick Holland / CNET
Despite its low 720p screen resolution, the Moto G Fast is still a good value from Motorola. (It is usually discounted to $ 150.) This inexpensive smartphone has a 6.4 inch perforated screen, a triple rear camera setup and a Snapdragon 665 processor. See More Information.
Samsung
The Galaxy A11 has a 6.4-inch screen and three cameras: a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 5-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 2-megapixel depth camera. It also offers a sizable 4,000 mAh battery for up to 28 hours of battery life and expandable storage. It has no wireless charging, but it does have a coveted headphone jack. Read our Galaxy A11 first.
Patrick Holland / CNET
Although not as good as the aforementioned Moto G Fast, the Moto E’s even cheaper price makes it affordable. Currently at $ 100 from Motorola, it has a 6.2-inch screen, Snapdragon 632 processor and dual camera configuration in a modern and stylish design. And for more information, read the comparison Moto G Fast vs. CNET’s Moto E.
Lori Grunin / CNET
Launched in July 2019, the Moto E6 smartphone is now widely available for $ 100. It features a 13 megapixel camera, a headset and a 5.5 inch screen. Interestingly, it also has a Micro-USB port to charge (instead of the latest USB-C). Read our first Moto E6 take.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
Available for less than $ 200, the mid-range LG K40 Android phone launched in 2019 and features a 5.7-inch screen, a fingerprint sensor and a 13-megapixel camera. The phone is powered by an octa-core processor and a 3,000 mAh battery. Read our practical LG K40.
Sarah Tew / CNET
The often discounted Moto G7 Play is a favorite and affordable Android smartphone. It has a 5.7-inch screen, a water-repellent coating and a single 13-megapixel rear camera. For those who like to take a lot of selfies, in front of the phone you will find a selfie camera flash to illuminate all those memorable moments. Read more about the Moto G7 Play.
Sarah Tew / CNET
As the phone with the longest battery we tested in 2019, the Moto G7 Power can last all day; during lab tests, its 5,000 mAh battery lasted 23 hours and 10 minutes. The phone also features a 12 megapixel camera, a 6.2-inch screen and a fingerprint reader. Read ZDNet’s review of the Moto G7 Power.