INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Update: Moto's latest onslaught of affordable phones have invaded this list, as has Nokia's mid-range stunner.Original article follows
below.Trying to find the best cheap phone, especially in the US, used to be like finding a needle in a haystack
In fact, many features once-exclusive to flagship phones have made their way into what we consider to be budget territory.We've deployed our
knowledge of the best phones under $300 and tested hundreds of cheap phones to rank the best devices
every cheap phone here should be just fine for casual use by anyone looking to save some cash on a discounted iOS 11 or Android Oreo
later in 2018, thanks to Google's Android One initiative.1
Moto G6This budget phone wears a flagship designWeight: 167g | Dimensions: 153.8 x 72.3 x 8.3mm | OS: Android Oreo | Screen size: 5.7-inch |
Resolution: 1080p | Chipset: Snapdragon 450 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB w/ microSD support | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP +5MP
lenses | Front camera: 8MP | Supported Networks: All US CarriersLooks and feels like a top-tier phoneBright, clear displayWorks on all US
carriersSlow cameraNot waterproofThe Moto G6 had a tough act to follow: itself, really, with the 2017 Moto G5 Plus
Thankfully, the latest budget smartphone from Motorola fully delivers on the hype.When it comes to the flagship-level specs and features to
be found here, this model touts an all-glass design, dual-lens rear cameras, an 18:9 aspect ratio display, headphone jack, USB-C charging
It provides decent specs with clean Android software, making this the best choice out there if you're looking for a new phone, but don't
have loads of cash on-hand.Read the full review: Moto G62
iPhone SEiOS on an incredible budgetWeight: 113g | Dimensions: 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm | OS: iOS 11 | Screen size: 4-inch | Resolution: 1,136 x
640 | Chipset: A9 processor | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 32/1128GB | Battery: 1,624mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 1.2MP | Fingerprint
Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: All US CarriersUnrivaled build qualityImpressively powerful for the priceMight be too small for
someApple's return to the four-inch form factor is a successor to the iPhone 5S, but packs a serious punch in the performance department,
bringing specs that put in on par with the iPhone 6S.The fact that you can usually get this smartphone for under $300 makes it an absolute
steal if you're a loyal iOS user
Sure, it doesn't come with all of the bells and whistles of a brand new iPhone 8 or iPhone X, but complete with iOS 11, it still holds up
well.Read the full review: iPhone SE3
Nokia 6.1A startlingly good successor to last year's Nokia 6Dimensions: 148.8 x 75.8 x 8.15mm | OS: Android One (Android P incoming) |
Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | CPU: Snapdragon 630 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB w/ microSD | Battery: 3.000mAh | Rear
camera: 16MP | Front camera: 8MP | Supported Networks: GSM onlyDurable, attractive designGenerous 1080p screenStock Android with fast
updatesSpeaker performance is middlingAvailable for just a bit more than what the top-ranked Moto G6 costs, the Nokia 6.1 is a phenomenal
choice if you're looking for a phone with solid specs and a high-quality build.There are certain elements where the Nokia 6.1 falls below
the Moto G6, particularly its single rear camera to Moto's two, as well as its support for only GSM carriers like ATT and T-Mobile.The
latter certainly won't be an issue for those using said carriers, but Verizon and Sprint users will want to opt for something else.In a lot
of other ways, the Nokia 6.1 handily bests the Moto G6
It's more powerful, with a faster chipset, more RAM and internal storage space, and if you enjoy stock Android, this is the choice to
make.Read the full review: Nokia 6.14
Asus ZenFone VThe absolute best value for Verizon customersWeight: 147g | Dimensions: 146 x 72.6 x 7.6mm | OS: Android Nougat | Screen size:
5.2-inch | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | CPU: Snapdragon 820 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB w/ microSD | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 23MP |
Front camera: 8MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: Verizon onlyImpossibly good valueSharp AMOLED displayVerizon
exclusiveQuestionable durabilityThe Asus ZenFone V is a budget beast that deserves to fly but is chained down by Verizon exclusivity
it easy to forget about some of the nitpicky detractors
The screen, the camera, the powerful internals and the simple but classy design pull this phone together in a great way, and tacking a $240
Honor 7X18:9 aspect ratio comes to the mid-rangeWeight: 165g | Dimensions: 156.5 x 75.3 x 7.6mm | OS: Android Nougat / EMUI 5.1 | Screen
size: 5.93-inch | Resolution: 2,160 x 1,080 | CPU: Kirin 659 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB w/ microSD | Battery: 3,340mAh | Rear camera: 16MP +
2MP | Front camera: 8MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: GSM onlyVibrant displayVery digestible pricePerformance sometimes
stuttersCan be slow to chargeThe Honor 7X gets the title for offering a flagship level of design quality for such a low price
For $199, you'll nab a phone with a large 18:9 aspect ratio display, enough power to run pretty much anything on the Google Play Store, and
dual rear lens cameras to take photos with greater depth of field.We typically don't expect much from phones below the $200 price mark, but
2017 and now 2018 has really made us rethink this
While options higher up on this list represent a better value, as well as a blending of hardware and software that will simply appeal to
more people, the Honor 7X is the company's best stab yet at a device that will captivate the mainstream.Read the full review:Honor 7X6
Resolution: 720p | CPU: Snapdragon 427 | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 16GB with microSD storage | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front
camera: 5MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: All US CarriersExcellent battery lifeSurprisingly good screenSlow cameraMediocre
low-light photosCompared the Moto G6, the Play variant keeps the good looks, microSD support and the low price, but compromises a bit in
First off, Moto fit a 4,000mAh battery inside, which should provide more than a day of life for many users.The Play is for those who
typically put their phone through some abuse
Moto skipped the Play series last year, but compared to the Moto G4 Play, this one is on a whole new level of quality and value.Read the
full review:Moto G6 Play7
ZTE Blade V8 ProOne of ZTE's best is also one of its most affordableWeight: 185g | Dimensions: 155 x 76 x 9.1mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |
Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB w/ microSD | Battery: 3,140mAh | Rear
camera: 13MP + 13MP | Front camera: 8MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: GSM onlyAwesome valueFully featured, much like a
flagshipNot the latest version of AndroidBad bottom-facing speakerAt its core, the Blade V8 Pro offers a lot for the money
ZTE did a great job balancing price, performance and features.After using the ZTE Blade V8 Pro for a month, we were impressed at just how
little we missed from a flagship phone
adequate.The ZTE Blade V8 Pro is an excellent smartphone for the price
Its bargain bin price gets you good battery life, decent dual-rear cameras and a near-stock Android experience
LG Q6Honey, I shrunk the LG G6Weight: 149g | Dimensions: 142.5 x 69.3 x 8.1mm | OS: Android Nougat | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution:
2,160 x 1,080 | CPU: Snapdragon 435 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB w/ microSD | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 5MP |
Fingerprint Sensor: No | Supported Networks: GSM onlyLooks like the LG G6, in a good wayFullVision display is great for multimediaNo
the familiar tall aspect ratio, a nearly bezel-free design, and commendable build quality that yields a smooth feeling in the hand
games available on the Google Play Store.The budget smartphone arena is competitive as ever and the Q6's downsides are hard to forgive
But, as it's available for as low as $239 in the US with Amazon supported ads, you're still getting a whole lot of phone for the cash.Read
Asus Zenfone 3 ZoomA lot of phone for the moneyWeight: 170g | Dimensions: 154.3 x 77 x 7.9mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size:
5.5-inch | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 5,000mAh | Rear camera: two cameras,
each 12MP | Front camera: 13MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: GSM onlyKiller valueTremendous battery lifeZenUI not ideal
While I was fairly impressed with its specs and the much-improved design over the original Asus Zenfone Zoom, its direct predecessor, I
best mid-tier options available
Xiaomi Mi A1An impressive phone that can be hard to findWeight: 165g | Dimensions: 155 x 75 x 7.3mm | OS: Android Oreo | Screen size:
5.5-inch | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB w/ microSD | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP
+12MP | Front camera: 5MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: GSM onlyHigh-quality build looks and feels like an
iPhoneImpressive specs and software for the priceAvailable on Amazon, but not through official channelsNo water resistanceOnly crippled by
Xiaomi's lack of official presence in the US, the Mi A1 is an incredibly solid Android phone, backed by Google's Android One program that
ensures it the latest in both security and software updates.The Xiaomi Mi A1 wears its inspiration on its sleeve
it available on Amazon, however through unofficial avenues, so be cautious of who you purchase from
That being said, if you're looking for a phone that will work with GSM networks like ATT, T-Mobile, Cricket and MetroPCS, it's hard to beat
this phone's specs for the price.We wanted to place this device higher on the list, but given that it's tough to find, perhaps its successor
will find its way higher on this list should Xiaomi ever branch out its phones division to the States in an official manner.Read the full