Best Budget Smartphones Under $300 in 2026: Top 10 Picks (With Specs & Pros/Cons)

Best Budget Smartphones Under $300 in 2026: Top 10 Picks (With Specs & Pros/Cons)

Finding a great smartphone under $300 in the US isn’t difficult anymore. Many brands now offer high-performance devices with 5G, great cameras, smooth displays, and long battery life without stretching your budget.

If you're upgrading or looking for a reliable low-cost phone, here are the 10 best phones under $300 worth buying in 2026.

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1. Google Pixel 7a (2024 Deal Pricing: $299 – often less)

Processor: Google Tensor G2
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB
Display: 6.1" OLED, 90Hz
Rear Camera: 64MP + 13MP ultra-wide
Front Camera: 13MP
Battery: 4385mAh + 18W charging
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Exceptional camera, clean Android, guaranteed updates
Cons: Battery is decent but not the best

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2. Samsung Galaxy A25 5G

Processor: Exynos 1280
RAM / Storage: 6GB–8GB / 128GB
Display: 6.5" Super AMOLED, 120Hz
Rear Camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
Battery: 5000mAh + 25W fast charging
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Great display, reliable battery, Samsung ecosystem
Cons: Camera low-light performance is average

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3. Motorola Moto G Power 2025

Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM / Storage: 6GB / 128GB
Display: 6.7" LCD, 120Hz
Rear Camera: 50MP triple camera
Battery: 6000mAh (2-day battery)
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Best battery life in this price range
Cons: Display is LCD instead of AMOLED

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4. OnePlus Nord N30 5G

Processor: Snapdragon 695
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB
Display: 6.7" LCD, 120Hz
Rear Camera: 108MP
Battery: 5000mAh + 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Fast charging, smooth software, solid performance
Cons: LCD display instead of AMOLED

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5. iPhone SE (2022) (Still sold & under $300 in deals)

Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
RAM / Storage: 4GB / 64GB–128GB
Display: 4.7" LCD
Rear Camera: 12MP
Battery: 2018mAh
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Powerful processor for the price, long software support
Cons: Small display, older design, average battery

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6. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+
RAM / Storage: 4GB–6GB / 128GB
Display: 6.5" AMOLED, 90Hz
Rear Camera: 50MP triple camera
Battery: 5000mAh
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Great display for the price
Cons: Not ideal for gaming

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7. TCL 50 XL 5G

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100
RAM / Storage: 6GB / 128GB
Display: 6.78" 90Hz NXTVISION display
Rear Camera: 50MP
Battery: 5010mAh
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Large screen, decent performance, affordable
Cons: Camera is basic

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8. Nokia G500 5G

Processor: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
RAM / Storage: 6GB / 128GB
Display: 6.56" IPS LCD
Rear Camera: 48MP triple camera
Battery: 5000mAh
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Durable build, long lifespan
Cons: Software updates are slow

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9. Motorola Edge (2023 Refurb / New <$300)

Processor: Snapdragon 778G
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB
Display: 6.6" curved AMOLED, 144Hz
Rear Camera: 50MP triple camera
Battery: 5000mAh
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Premium feel and display at budget price
Cons: Availability may vary (often BestBuy/Amazon only)

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10. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G (US Unlocked)

Processor: Dimensity 6080
RAM / Storage: 6GB / 128GB
Display: 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz
Rear Camera: 100MP
Battery: 5000mAh
5G Support: Yes

Pros: Amazing value, great camera for price
Cons: Not officially sold by carriers

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Which One Should You Choose?

Best for	Phone
Best camera	Pixel 7a
Best display	Motorola Edge / Samsung A25
Best battery	Moto G Power
Best for gaming	OnePlus Nord N30 / Motorola Edge
Best for long-term updates	iPhone SE / Google Pixel

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Final Thoughts

You don’t need to spend $700+ to get a reliable smartphone anymore. Under $300, you can still get fast performance, great battery life, modern cameras and 5G support. Choose based on your top priority: camera, battery, performance, or software experience.