The best cheap Android phone for 2016 is the Moto G4, featuring a solid 16GB of memory with a fast processor and full HD display for just $199.99. A crisp camera and a long-lasting battery sweeten the deal. Other entries in the cheapest Android phone market include phones from Huawei, Sony, Samsung, Asus and LG.
Most of the phones in this slideshow come in under $200 and won’t leave their owners feeling like they scraped the bottom of the smartphone barrel. The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua, for example, is a great waterproof option at just $169.99, while the Moto G4 Play boasts a fast processor and camera and for just $149.99.
Beware the Best Cheap Android Phones Trap
One thing to be wary of when hunting the cheapest Android phones is that the ones down around the $120 price point on Amazon and eBay generally run older versions of Android. What that means to the buyer is that those phones won’t dish out a good experience. The phones listed below won’t put the smart shopper into that trap. To see phone #1, click “next.”
1. Moto G4 $199.99
This smartphone comes in as GottaBeMobile’s #1 best cheap Android phone because of its big, full HD display, plenty of expandable storage and a capable camera, all for a very low $199.99. The device doesn’t offer the mind-blowing experience of heavy hitters like the iPhone 7 or the LG V20, but at less than a third the price it won’t blow any budgets either.
Sweetening the deal are plenty of memory and an all day battery. All those things make this not only one of the cheapest Android phones on the market but also a real crowd pleaser. There’s even a stripped-down “Moto G4 Play” version for just $149.99. That model skimps a bit in all areas, so for anyone who has the extra 50 bucks, we recommend springing for the full G4.
Tech specs: 5.5-inch 1080p Full HD display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 16 or 32GB expandable memory, 2GB RAM, 13 megapixel camera, 3,000 mAh battery, OS Android Marshmallow.
2. Huawei Honor 5X: $199.99
This entry on the list of best cheap Android phones ranks high on pure customer satisfaction. It has a great price point and even better features. The device comes with a big 5.5-inch screen (that’s full HD). It’s all metal, so your friends won’t know you saved $450 over a premium phone. Other specs include a fast processor with plenty of memory for just $199.
Another perk that makes this device stand out in the field of best cheap Android phones is a fingerprint scanner for added security. The real deal-sealer, though, is that owners love it. The phone gets a very high 4.5 star rating at Amazon from nearly 2,000 reviewers. That’s solid evidence that one of the cheapest Android phones around is also one of the most popular.
Tech specs: 5.5-inch full HD 1080p display, Snapdragon 616 processor, 16GB storage, 2GB RAM, 13 MP main camera, 3,000 mAh battery, OS Android Lollipop/Marshmallow.
Also see: What’s the Cheapest iPhone?
3. Asus Zenfone 3 Laser: $199
Another great cheap Android phone, the Asus Zenfone 3 Laser is so named after its camera. It’s got a big display which makes it great for watching movies, TV shows and playing games. It also has a fast enough Snapdragon processor with plenty of expandable storage. The laser focus on the camera means users won’t have to wait around forever to get a good shot.
It comes with a fingerprint scanner for added security. For an extra $89.50 shoppers can upgrade to the more impressive Zenfone 2, which comes with a faster processor for gaming and other memory-intensive apps.
Tech specs: 5.5-inch 1080p full HD display, Snapdragon 625 processor, 32GB storage with 3GB RAM, 13 MP camera, OS Android Marshmallow.
Buy the Asus Zenfone 3 Laser Now
4. Huawei P8 Lite: $185
Our next best cheap Android phone, the P8 Lite comes from Huwawei. That’s a popular Chinese phone maker that’s quickly gaining a solid reputation in the US. The company earned its chops after partnering with Google to produce the popular Nexus 6P.
The P8 Lite doesn’t have the crisp screen of our first two offerings. Most of its other specs are solid, with a fairly fast processor, plenty of storage and memory and a 13 megapixel front and rear camera. Those features make this a sensible addition to any list of the cheapest Android phones.
Tech specs: 5-inch 720p HD display, Snapdragon 615 processor with 16GB storage and 2GB RAM, 13 MP main camera, 2,200 mAh battery OS Android Lollipop/Marshmallow.
4. Sony Xperia M4 Aqua: $169.99
Anyone looking for a cheap Android phone that’s also waterproof has found it in the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua. It’s not the best cheap Android phone, but it’s certainly inexpensive for a waterproof phone.
The Aqua’s display isn’t as nice as the Moto G4’s. Its got less storage, a decent processor and a competitive camera. All that said, if a waterproof phone is a must, this one isn’t the worst “cheapest Android phone” option for the price.
Tech specs: 5-inch 720p HD screen, Snapdragon 615 processor with 8GB storage and 2GB RAM, 13MP camera, 2,400 mAh battery, OS Android Lollipop/Marshmallow.
Buy the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Now
Also see: Cheapest Tablets: The Complete Guide
5. LG Escape 2: $179
The LG Escape 2 is a good cheap Android smartphone that takes its lead from the popular LG G4. Released in 2015, this device was built exclusively for AT&T, but it can be unlocked for most other carriers.
The defining feature of this entry in the list of cheapest Android phones is its 4.7-inch curved display. It’s a nice stylistic touch, but it won’t be as vivid as the other entries in this list. While the Moto G4 and the ZenPhone get higher ratings from reviewers, this is a solid phone for those who like LG. It’ll also please those who’d rather have a smaller screen. At $179 it’s definitely up there with the cheapest.
Tech specs: 4.7-inch 720p HD display, Snapdragon 410 processor with 8GB storage and 1GB RAM, 8MP main camera, 2,100 mAh battery, OS Android KitKat.
6. Moto E 2: $149
Tied for the cheapest on our list of best cheap Android phones, the Moto E 2 is definitely aimed at those on a budget. It’s a great phone for the $149 price but there are definitely some sacrifices here. It offers expandable storage and comes in several color options. The phone also supports acceptably fast connectivity. It lacks a camera flash and suffers a bit from a low resolution screen and a few performance hiccups like lag time when switching or opening apps. The phone also runs the older Android 5.1 Lollipop.
For those that absolutely can’t scrape up the extra $50 for the Moto G4 this phone will do, though a smarter choice for the same price is the Moto G4 Play.
Tech specs 4.3-inch 540p display, Snapdragon 200 processor with 4GB storage and 1GB RAM, 5MP main camera, 1,980 mAh battery, OS Android KitKat/Lollipop.
7. OnePlus 3: $399
The OnePlus 3 comes with specs that match the iPhone 6s and the Samsung Galaxy 7 for a lot less money. This $399 offering packs a great metal body design. It’s also got a display that can compete on an even field with the iPhone 6s Plus, if not with the latest and greatest Android and iPhone offerings.
The OnePlus 3 carries a nice, fast camera that takes great pictures in good light but may struggle a bit in lower light. It packs a very fast processor with lots of storage and memory. Its battery is enough to last all day in a short 30 minutes with Dash Charging. It has other high-end features like in-store payments and the advanced Android Marshmallow operating system.
Tech specs: 5.5-inch, 1080p full HD display, Snapdragon 820 processor with 64GB storage and 6GB RAM, 16MP camera, 3,000 mAh battery, OS Android Marshmallow.
8. Samsung Galaxy A5: $318.66
Someone who wants a cheap Android phone and absolutely has to have Samsung will go for the Samsung Galaxy A5. The phone comes handsomely designed in metal and glass with a 5.2 inch full HD display that won’t leave users squinting. It’s big, but not excessively so, and its fast processor handles apps and games reasonably well.
On a list of the cheapest Android phones, this one doesn’t have the lowest price or the best specs, but it’s a solid offering and it’ll please die-hard Samsung fans.
Tech specs: 5.2 inch 1080p full HD display, Snapdragon 615 processor with 16GB storage and 2GB RAM, 13MP camera, 2,900 mAh battery, OS Android Lollipop/Marshmallow.
For the Best Cheapest Android Phones, Think Refurbished
Shoppers looking for the cheapest Android phones shouldn’t forget refurbished options. the Samsung Galaxy S5 phone or matches the specs of any phone on this list, plus it’s splashproof.
This is a fantastic and very popular phone. Anyone who needs the best cheap Android phone but doesn’t mind buying one previously owned and re-tuned at the factory can wind up with a great piece of equipment by going this route. Though we found some S5’s for $157.99 refurbished online, the point here isn’t that anyone can always get a refurbished Galaxy S5 for that price. It’s that shoppers looking for a cheap, great Android phone shouldn’t forget to check refurbished options for all the good models.