Best Budget Phones Under $300 in 2026
Phone prices went up in 2026, but $300 still buys a good phone. Our picks from Samsung and Motorola, with current prices, specs and update support.
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Buying a cheap phone got harder in 2026. Motorola raised the prices of its whole Moto G lineup in the spring, and several of last year’s favorites have either gone up in price or quietly disappeared from stores. The good news is that $300 still buys a phone with a big 120Hz or AMOLED screen, all-day battery life and 5G, as long as you know where the compromises are.
Quick picks
| Phone | Price (Oct 2026) | Screen | Battery | Updates | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | around $245 | 6.7” AMOLED, 90Hz | 5,000mAh, 25W | 6 OS upgrades, 6 years security | Most people |
| Motorola Moto G (2026) | around $250 (list $299) | 6.7” LCD, 120Hz | 5,200mAh, 30W | 2 OS upgrades, 3 years security | Battery life and extras |
| Motorola Moto G Play (2026) | list $249, often less on sale | 6.7” 720p LCD, 120Hz | 5,200mAh | Short | Lowest possible price |
| Samsung Galaxy A27 5G | around $305 on sale (list $379.99) | 6.7” AMOLED, 120Hz | 5,000mAh, 25W | 6 OS upgrades, 6 years security | Stretching for speed |
Prices are unlocked US prices seen at major retailers in October 2026. They move often, so check the current price before you buy.
1. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: the best pick for most people
The Galaxy A17 5G is the easy recommendation at this budget. It went on sale in the US in January at $199.99, and in October 2026 it sells for around $245 at Amazon and Best Buy (Samsung’s own store lists it a little higher). In the UK, it has a starting price of around £169.
What you get is a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen at full HD+, which looks richer than the LCD panels on most phones in this price range, though its refresh rate is 90Hz rather than 120Hz. Inside is Samsung’s Exynos 1330 chip with 4GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and a microSD slot for more. The 5,000mAh battery charges at up to 25W, and the phone has IP54 splash and dust resistance.
The biggest reason to buy it is software support. Samsung promises six Android upgrades and six years of security updates, which is rare for a phone this cheap. If you plan to keep your phone for four or five years, that matters more than any spec on this list.
The trade-offs: 4GB of RAM means apps reload more often than on pricier phones, the 5MP ultrawide and 2MP macro cameras are weak, and reviewers note it is barely changed from the older Galaxy A16 5G.
2. Motorola Moto G (2026): the best battery and extras
The standard Moto G launched at $199 late last year, then Motorola raised its list price to $299 in April. In mid-October 2026 it has been selling for around $249 at Amazon, which makes it worth a look again.
It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage plus microSD. The 6.7-inch LCD screen refreshes at 120Hz, so scrolling feels smooth, and the 5,200mAh battery is a standout: Tom’s Guide rated it the best battery life among the cheap phones it reviewed. Charging tops out at 30W wired, with no wireless charging.
Motorola also keeps the extras many people still want: a headphone jack, a fingerprint sensor in the power button and near-stock Android 16 without much clutter. The rear camera setup is a 50MP main sensor plus a 2MP macro, so there is no ultrawide.
The catch is software support. Motorola promises only two Android upgrades and three years of security updates for the Moto G series, roughly half of what Samsung offers. Performance is also modest, so heavy gaming is not its strength.
3. Motorola Moto G Play (2026): the cheapest that’s still usable
If your budget is closer to $150 to $200, the Moto G Play (2026) is the phone to watch. Its list price rose to $249.99 this year, but it regularly shows up on sale for much less, and it has dropped to $179.99 or lower during recent deals.
It shares the Dimensity 6300 chip and 5,200mAh battery with the Moto G, and it also has a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen. The difference is in the details: the screen is only 720p, storage is a tight 64GB, and the rear has a single 32MP camera. It’s a solid choice for calls, messaging, maps and streaming, especially as a first phone or a backup, but don’t expect great photos.
Tip: At this price, the sale price matters more than the list price. Motorola and Samsung budget phones regularly drop $50 to $70 below list at Amazon, Best Buy and Woot. If a phone on this list is at full price today, waiting a couple of weeks, or for Black Friday, often pays off.
Worth stretching for: Samsung Galaxy A27 5G
If you can go slightly over $300, the Galaxy A27 5G is the faster phone. It launched in the US in July and now carries a list price of $379.99 on Samsung’s store, but Samsung’s US store has it on sale for around $305 until October 26.
The big upgrade is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, which is noticeably quicker than the Exynos and MediaTek chips in the phones above. You also get a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen at 120Hz, 6GB of RAM, a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization, and the same six years of Android and security updates as the A17. Water resistance is IP64, which handles splashes and rain but not a dunk in the pool.
Just outside the budget
A few popular phones no longer fit under $300 at full price. The Moto G Power (2026), with its rugged IP68/IP69 build and 5,200mAh battery, now lists at $399.99 after Motorola’s price increase, so it’s only worth buying on a deep sale. The Google Pixel 10a starts at $499, and stock of last year’s Pixel 9a is running low at some sellers. The Galaxy A26 5G and Galaxy A36 are also fading from US stores as Samsung shifts to its 2026 models.
How to choose
- Keeping it four years or more? Pick a Samsung. The six-year update promise keeps it secure long after a Motorola stops getting patches.
- Want the longest battery and a headphone jack? The Moto G (2026) is the better fit.
- Spending as little as possible? Wait for a Moto G Play (2026) sale.
- Play games or multitask a lot? Save up for the Galaxy A27 5G on sale.
Before buying an unlocked phone, check your carrier’s compatibility page to make sure the model works on its network.
Related reading: Unlocked vs Carrier Phones: Which Should You Buy in 2026? · Fast Charging Explained: Watts, USB-C PD and the Right Charger · Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100 in 2026
The bottom line
For most people, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G at around $245 is the best phone under $300 right now, thanks to its AMOLED screen and six years of updates. Choose the Moto G (2026) at around $249 if battery life and a headphone jack matter more than long-term support, and watch for Moto G Play (2026) deals if you want to spend under $200. If you can stretch a little, the Galaxy A27 5G on sale is the fastest of the group.
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