Top 10 Cheapest Smartphones In The World 2021/22

In a world where high-end Android smartphones can cost $1,000 or more, many consumers want something that won’t break the bank. Luckily, there are tons of cheap Android phones to choose from that are more than suitable for average users.

Cheap is a relative term. It means different things to different people depending on their income and spending habits. For that reason, we have rounded up the best cheap Android phones currently on the market at various price points, starting at around $400 and going all the way down to as low as $100. That way, most people will be able to find something that fits their budget.

Keep in mind that this list only includes phones that were officially released in the US and are backed by a warranty, but we did add a few international models at the end to give you more options.

List of 10 Cheapest Smartphones In the World In 2021

10. Samsung Galaxy A51 $399

9. Pixel 4a $349

8. OnePlus Nord N10 $300

7. LG Stylo 6 $270

6. Moto G Power $200

5. Nokia 5.3 $180

4. Moto E $149

3. Samsung Galaxy A21 $130

2. Nokia 2.4 $100

1. Moto G Fast $90

Detailed Information of 10 Cheapest Smartphones In The World In 2021

10. Samsung Galaxy A51 - $399

photo: Samsung

Samsung is making a big push to sell more of these phones in the US with the $399 Galaxy A51. That price puts it in direct competition with the iPhone SE, but there are plenty of other Android phones that come in under $500. What makes the A51 different is Samsung’s marketing budget and partnerships. It is available unlocked on Amazon and Samsung’s website, which is significant for a midrange Samsung device, and it’s also on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and Xfinity Mobile.

Compared to the iPhone SE, the A51’s main draw is its screen, a big 6.5-inch OLED. Samsung is saying the phone is “awesome” across three specs: screen, camera, and battery life. It even made a bonkers meme-filled ad to drive those points home. (You should watch it because the ad really is awesome.)

The handset comes equipped with a headphone jack and a microSD card slot. The battery has a capacity of 4,000mAh and should get you through the day. Other specs and features worth mentioning include a punch-hole display, Android 10 with Samsung’s One UI on top, and 128GB of storage.

However, the performance of the device isn’t the best, which you can read more about in our review here. Additionally, the in-display fingerprint scanner is slow and often unreliable. Despite these drawbacks, the Galaxy A51 is still one of the best cheap phones you can get.

9. Pixel 4a - $349

Photo: Techradar

The Google Pixel 4a gives you the best of Google in an affordable, one-hand-friendly package.

There's slick Google Assistant integration, a clean Android interface with three years of guaranteed updates, and a seriously impressive photography experience considering the Pixel 4a has just one rear camera.

However, pull out the spec sheet and compare it to similarly priced rivals and the Google Pixel 4a doesn't seem like such a great deal, with less power, less RAM, fewer cameras, a smaller screen and no 5G connectivity - although the Pixel 4a 5G variant is coming in mere weeks with even better specs albeit at a higher price, alongside the Google Pixel 5 (which will also be 5G enabled).

Battery life is mediocre, with the phone just about lasting a day on a single charge – and if you really push it you'll be reaching for a charger come late afternoon.

The design will be divisive. On the one hand it's a cutesy, curvy polycarbonate handset that sits comfortably in the palm, and its lightweight frame makes it easy to hold and use. There's a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, there's almost no screen bezel, and there's even a headphone jack.

On the other hand, it feels a little cheap, and it lacks the premium gloss of other handsets in its price bracket.

If you're thinking about getting the Google Pixel 4a you'll need to carefully consider what's important to you when it comes to a new smartphone. If you're looking for maximum bang for your buck, and features galore, the Pixel 4a is unlikely to whet your appetite.

8. OnePlus Nord N10 - $300

Photo: The Verge

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G does something unique: bring 5G to a $299.99 phone without cutting too many corners. That’s a full $200 lower than other budget-oriented competitors like the Google Pixel 4A 5G and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G. Alongside its lower-tier N100 sibling, it’s the first phone in OnePlus’ midrange Nord series to arrive in the US, available from T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and unlocked from OnePlus.com and other retailers.

There’s a lot to like about the OnePlus Nord N10, which became available in the US last month. The handset supports 5G networks, has a 90Hz display, sports solid cameras for the price, and is very affordable.

You also get dual-SIM support, a headphone jack, and a 4,300mAh battery with 30W fast charging. Unlike on OnePlus’ flagship phones, the Nord N10 comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The phone runs Android 10 out of the box and will get updated to Android 11 sometime this year. However, that will be the first and only Android OS update it will receive.

7. LG Stylo 6 - $270

Photo: Lifewire

The LG Stylo 6 is another great choice for those looking for a cheap phone. As you might have guessed from its name, it sports a stylus and is a great alternative if you don’t want to splurge on the Galaxy Note series.

In terms of specs, the Stylo 6 is pretty standard. It comes with Android 10 out of the box, and sports 3GB of RAM and 64GB of upgradable storage. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 processor and a 4,000mAh battery. The stylus is ultimately the big selling point here, allowing you to navigate apps more easily and create colorful doodles on the huge 6.8-inch Full HD+ display.

The cameras are a significant upgrade when compared to its predecessor. You now get a triple rear camera setup and a much better 13MP front-facing shooter. The Pixel 4a is still the better choice if the camera is a priority, but the Stylo 6 brings some unique elements to this list of the best cheap phones you can get.

6. Moto G Power - $200

Photo: Motorola

heThe Motorola Moto G Power is a $200 phone that does exactly what it claims — powers you through multiple days of use — but don’t expect any other bells or whistles.

Battery is this phone’s whole deal. Its 5,000mAh battery is about as big as they come right now; it’s the same capacity you’ll find in top-of-the-line devices like the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Rather than making a more well-rounded phone, Motorola has pared back features here and there — a low-res screen, a slower processor — and gone all-in on its headline feature. Cheaper components allow Motorola to sell a $200 version of this phone, and they’re also less power-hungry, making the absolute most of that massive battery.

This device bears the same name as its predecessor from last year, but it differs in a few key ways. Rather than offering one model, this year the G Power is offered in the aforementioned $200 variant with 3GB of RAM and a paltry 32GB of storage. There is also a 4GB RAM / 64GB storage option available for $250 (I tested the 32GB version). This year’s models drop the ultrawide camera and gain a slightly larger screen — 6.6-inch compared to 6.4-inch — with a lower 720p resolution than last year’s 1080p.

If you choose to buy the Moto G Power, it will hold up its end of the bargain. The question is whether you can live with the significant sacrifices Motorola has made to get the biggest possible battery into the most affordable phone it could.

5. Nokia 5.3 - $180

Photo: CellphoneS

Nokia continues to churn out solid mid-range and affordable options. The Nokia 5.3 is a great phone under $200 and offers pretty decent specs for the price. You get a 6.55-inch HD+ display and the Snapdragon 665 processor. There’s a good quad-camera setup on the back, and the 4,000mAh battery provides a full day of use with even intensive usage.

More importantly, the Nokia 5.3 is an Android One device, so it’ll be among the first to get software updates. There are admittedly better options out there, but if you’re looking for a truly cheap option, the Nokia 5.3 is definitely worth considering.

Keep in mind that the Nokia 5.4 has recently landed in the US, but it comes in at around $50 more. It offers more in some areas and less in others, so we recommend the older Nokia 5.3 for now, at least until we review its sucessor.

4. Moto E - $149

Photo: CNET

If you just need a smartphone to do smartphone things and don’t want to spend much money, take a strong look at the Moto E.

The phone is aimed at undemanding users and comes with a 6.2-inch HD+ display, a 3,550mAh battery, and just 2GB of RAM. Other specs and features worth mentioning include the Snapdragon 632 chipset, a headphone jack, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

There’s only 32GB of storage available, but you can expand it with the help of a microSD card. The Moto E runs Android 10 with Motorola’s light skin on top, which almost makes you feel you’re using a stock Android device. It’s definitely one of the best cheap phones you can get, although it’s not for everyone.

********READ MORE: Top 10 Most Expensive Smartphones In The World

3. Samsung Galaxy A21 - $130

Photo: Android Police

This is the second Samsung device on our list of the best cheap phones you can get. It offers less than the Galaxy A51, but it’s also less expensive.

The screen is quite large, coming in at 6.5 inches, but it only has HD+ resolution. There are four cameras at the back that get the job done, just don’t expect the world from them — especially in low-light situations. Other specs and features include 32GB of expandable storage, a 4,000mAh battery, and Android 10 with Samsung’s One UI on top. All these things combined make the Galaxy A21 one of the best phones in its price range.

2. Nokia 2.4 - $100

Photo: Tech Advisor

This is the last and one of the cheapest phone on this list. The Nokia 2.4 takes the place of its predecessor on this list and offers as much bang for the buck as the latter. That said, this phone won’t impress you with its specs, but it’s the price point that makes it attractive. It also comes with a few important upgrades compared to the Nokia 2.3.

It packs the slightly faster MediaTek Helio P22 chipset under the hood along with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The battery gets a bump to 4,500mAh and the display is now 6.5-inch, compared to the 4,000mAh unit and 6.2-inch screen of the 2.3. While the camera setup stays the same, the phone introduces some useful modes to enhance the experience. The Nokia 2.4 also adds a physical fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone.

The Nokia 2.4 offers a stylish, modern design with a relatively high screen-to-body ratio. It’s part of the Android One family, which means it runs stock Android.

1. Moto G Fast - $90

Photo: GetMobilePrices

Things start to get a lot similar as we get further down this list. The Moto G Fast is another excellent addition from the king of the affordable segment, but it shares a lot in common with the Nokia 5.3. Not only is it priced the same for now, but the specs are largely identical as well.

The Moto G Fast comes with a 6.4-inch HD+ display, is powered by the Snapdragon 665 processor, and also comes with a 4,000mAh battery. The Nokia 5.3 has the advantage in terms of storage and RAM and the camera setup (on paper). However, G Fast does have a water-repellent coating, which comes in handy if you get caught in the rain.

At the end of the day, both are excellent options if you’re looking for one of the best cheap phones you can get right now.

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