Introduction
Welcome to our enchanted realm of extraordinary mobile marvels! In this captivating journey, we shall embark on a quest to uncover the best phones under $300, each gleaming with unparalleled brilliance and finesse. Our mission is to bring you a symphony of smartphones that offer exceptional value without compromising on quality, features, or design.
The Enchanting Elegance of Budget-Friendly Phones
Unrivaled Display Delights
Behold the stunning displays of these budget-friendly champions! With colors that dance like the auroras, and resolutions that rival the sharpest minds, every image, video, and game springs to life. Whether it’s streaming your favorite content or immersing in the latest games, these phones enchant you with their spellbinding visuals.
Captivating Camera Magic
In the realm of mobile photography, our champions wield remarkable prowess. Armed with advanced sensors, they seize the essence of every moment, transforming it into a timeless masterpiece. Embrace the art of photography and let these phones capture your world in awe-inspiring clarity.
Enrapturing Performance and Power
Underneath their enchanting exteriors lies a heart of true power. The phones we present to you are no ordinary mortals; they house processors that rival mythical beasts in their speed and efficiency. Multitasking becomes a breeze, and your every command is met with the utmost dedication.
Ethereal Battery Endurance
Fear not the curse of short battery life, for our chosen ones boast of bountiful energy reserves. From dawn till dusk, and beyond, they accompany you on every quest, ensuring you stay connected and engaged without interruption.
We have curated our top product selections for budget-friendly phones that boast productive and essential features.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G, priced at $300, offers an array of features that make it a standout choice in its price range. One of its most remarkable features is the 50W charging speed, allowing the phone to go from 0% to 100% in just 45 minutes. In comparison, other phones within the same price bracket typically take 90 minutes to two hours for a full charge. Additionally, the phone’s 6.72-inch 1,080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth animations for apps, games, websites, and streaming videos.
On the photography front, the 108-megapixel main camera may seem impressive on paper, but its performance is only marginally better than other phones in this price category. Outdoors, with ample lighting, it can capture good, detail-rich photos. However, it struggles in darker environments, resulting in washed-out or blurry indoor shots.
When it comes to software updates, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G will receive one update to Android 14, along with three years of security updates. While this timeline is average for phones in this price range, it may disappoint some users who prefer longer update support.
Despite facing strong competition from Google’s Pixel 6A, especially when the Pixel is discounted to $299, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers an abundance of functionality and features for its $300 price tag.
Motorola Moto G Power 5G
Priced at $300, the Moto G Power 5G stands out as the most affordable phone I know of that offers a generous 256GB of internal storage. This ample space is a boon for individuals who frequently download movies and music to indulge in during times without a stable internet connection. The phone’s 6.5-inch 1,080p display complements this media experience with its smooth 120Hz refresh rate, elevating the enjoyment of movies, applications, websites, and games.
For those who require even more storage capacity, the Moto G Power 5G provides the option to expand it further using a microSD card. Additionally, in line with many other phones within the $200 to $300 price range, it includes a valuable headphone jack.
While Motorola has crafted the Power 5G as an excellent media companion at its price point, it does make compromises in the camera department. Like many phones in this price range, outdoor photography is decent, but capturing details in low-light conditions proves to be a challenge.
Nevertheless, if your priority is abundant storage space above all else, the Moto G Power 5G deserves your attention.
TCL Stylus 5G
Reflecting on my journey with the $258 TCL Stylus 5G last year was an intriguing experience. On the specifications front, the phone had much to offer, and I found delight in various aspects. The TCL NxtVision HDR setting enhanced the colors while playing games, and TCL’s minimal changes to Android 12 provided a clean and enjoyable user interface. Moreover, the magnetic stylus, securely nestled in its own slot on the phone, was a standout feature that I truly appreciated.
However, my review process extended to four months due to persistent software bugs, which hindered my wholehearted recommendation for the device. Frequent restarts during phone usage and Bluetooth connectivity issues were among the primary culprits. The latter concern did eventually get resolved through a software update, but the overall experience was marred.
One critical caveat of the TCL Stylus 5G is that it is completely locked to T-Mobile, rendering it incompatible with other carriers. Furthermore, the phone comes preloaded with T-Mobile apps that prove challenging to remove.
Despite these issues, if your heart is set on having a stylus and your budget remains under $300, the TCL Stylus 5G stands as one of the better choices overall. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remain cautious of potential software problems, and it’s essential to note that the phone is only slated to receive one major software update along with two years of security updates.
Light Phone 2
The Light Phone 2 is a truly unique device, catering to individuals seeking liberation from the constant influx of notifications while desiring an aesthetically pleasing phone. However, despite its charming simplicity, this phone comes with a price tag of $299.
On the Light Phone 2, you can access texts, make phone calls, indulge in music playback, podcasts, and even utilize limited GPS support for directions, all on its E Ink screen. Yet, it intentionally lacks a camera, web browser, email access, and common apps like news or messaging platforms.
A colleague, Jessica Fierro, embarked on a journey with the Light Phone 2, appreciating how it enabled her to stay more present in the real world. However, she did find the slower texting speed on the E Ink display to be a slight challenge, and the absence of social media access hindered her ability to fully switch, as she requires it for work-related trends.
The essence of the Light Phone 2 lies in its intentional omission of numerous modern features. It embraces a minimalist approach, presenting a screen more akin to a Kindle’s display than the dynamic screens found in Samsung Galaxy devices.
While the Light Phone 2 may not suit everyone’s needs, it merits consideration for those who desire a phone with minimal functionality. Traditional phone enthusiasts might want to explore the plethora of feature phones and flip phones still available, many of which are offered for free with carrier deals or at prices under $100.
Google Pixel 6A
I must admit, it might be considered a bit of a cheat, but the Google Pixel 6A has frequently been discounted to $299, making it an irresistible recommendation for those seeking a budget-friendly option.
Originally priced at $349, the Pixel 6A earned the prestigious Editors’ Choice Award last year. In a review by CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco, the phone received praise for its exceptional camera, Pixel-exclusive features like Magic Eraser, its vibrant design, and its status as one of the first to receive new Android updates.
Despite the subsequent release of the $499 Pixel 7A, the Pixel 6A remains a strong contender, with two more years of software updates and four more years of security updates ahead. This ensures continuous access to new Android features and ongoing support from Google. The remaining update timeline exceeds what is typically seen in new 2023 phones in the $200 to $300 price range.
| Specifications | OnePlus Nord N30 5G | Moto G Power 5G (2023) | TCL Stylus 5G | Google Pixel 6A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.72-inch FHD (1080p); 120Hz | 6.5-inch LCD; 2400×1080; 120Hz | 6.81-inch FHD+ (1080×2400) | 6.1-inch OLED; 1080×2400; 60Hz |
| Pixel density | 391 ppi | 405 ppi | 395 ppi | 429 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.51 x 2.99 x 0.32 in. | 6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in | 6.67 x 3.01 x 0.35 in | 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3mm | 163 x 75 x 8.45 mm | 169.6 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm | 152.2 x 7.18 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 195g (6.97 oz.) | 185 g (6.52 oz) | 213g or 7.51 oz | 6.3 oz; 178g |
| Mobile software | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Camera | 108-megapixel main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth | 50MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth | 50MP main, 5MP wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth | 12.2MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Front-facing camera | 16MP | 16MP | 13MP | 8MP |
| Video capture | 1080p at 30fps | 720p at 60fps | 1080p at 30fps | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | MediaTek Dimensity 930 | MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G | Google Tensor |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB + 128GB | 4GB + 128GB; 6GB + 256GB | 4GB/128GB | 6GB RAM/128GB storage |
| Expandable storage | Yes | Yes | Up to 2TB | None |
| Battery/Charger | 5,000mAh (50W wired charging) | 5,000mAh (15W wired charging speed, 10W adapter included) | 4,000mAh; 18W charging | 4,410mAh; 18W fast charging (adapter sold separately) |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side | Side | Side fingerprint sensor | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes | Yes | None |
| Special features | 50W SuperVooc fast charging, 108MP main camera, game mode, dual stereo speakers | Estimated 38-hour battery life, Moto Gestures, stereo speakers | Stylus with built-in storage, productivity software, NxtVision HDR mode | 5G-enabled, 18W fast charging, WiFi 6E, security updates for 5 years, Android OS updates for 3 years, dual SIM, IP67 water resistance |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $300 | $300 | $258 | $349 ($299 when on sale) |
| Price (GBP) | Converts to £238 | Converts to £240 | £349 | |
| Price (AUD) | Converts to AU$443 | Converts to AU$445 | AU$599 |