Dial Up the Perfect Phone
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For most of us, mobile phones are at the center of our universe. The typical feature set of these palm-size marvels is astounding. It's your phone, your messaging device, your web browser, your camera, your music player, your GPS, and more.
We're a smartphone-dominated nation, with 4G LTE networks beating many home internet connections in terms of speed, and 5G just beginning to launch in select cities. We have more good wireless carrier options than we've had in years, thanks to vigorous competition between the four major carriers and smaller virtual carriers like Google Fi and Visible. But some of our choices have constricted a bit: The smartphone OS marketplace is basically down to Apple's iOS and Google's Android, and it's hard to find a really good simple voice phone nowadays.
Here at PCMag, we review almost every smartphone released on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and many of their sub-brands such as Boost, Cricket, and Metro.
Rather than purely choosing the phones with the highest ratings here, we're trying to deliver a list of phones that are spread broadly across different price points. The list is focused on the hottest, newest devices, but you can also find great value in slightly older phones--products like the LG G7 ThinQ and the Samsung Galaxy S8, which are still very good devices.
What should you be looking for when buying a cell phone? Here are some key points to consider:
Which Cell Phone Carrier Should You Choose?
Despite all the recent hardware and mobile software innovation, your wireless service provider remains your most important decision. No matter what device you buy, it's a doorstop unless you have solid wireless coverage. Maybe you have friends and family on the same carrier that you talk to for free, and you don't want that to change with your next phone. Maybe you're lusting after a certain device—say, an unlocked smartphone for international travel. And of course, you want to choose a carrier that offers fair prices, and provides the best coverage in your area. These are all good reasons to put the carrier decision first.
We have two major features to help you choose a carrier. For our Readers' Choice Awards, PCMag readers tell us which carriers they prefer based on coverage, call quality, device selection, and other factors. And for our Fastest Mobile Networks feature, we send drivers to 30 US cities to scope out which smartphone carriers have the best data coverage. Because each of the national carriers sells a wide variety of phones, choosing your service provider should be your first move. Here's a quick rundown of what each one offers:
AT&T's strongest areas of the country are the Midwest, Southeast, Texas, and northern California. After a few struggling years, its speeds really jumped up in our most recent tests. AT&T owns DirecTV, so it has some pricing bundles if you're also interested in satellite TV services.
Sprint has had a rocky few years. Its LTE network is improving quickly, but it's still the worst-rated carrier by our readers because of several years of network troubles. That said, if you're willing to bet on a rising star, Sprint has promotional service plans that can often be insanely cheap, especially if you're switching from another carrier.
See How We Test Cell Phones
T-Mobile's fortunes have changed radically in the past few years thanks to maverick CEO John Legere and his Uncarrier plan. It's now the best rated of the 'big four' carriers by our readers in the Readers' Choice Awards. In our Fastest Mobile Networks tests, it is basically neck-and-neck with Verizon on speed and reliability. New low-band spectrum has radically expanded the carrier's LTE network, so it can finally balance terrific speeds in cities with decent coverage in suburban areas. T-Mobile also has the best international roaming plan, including to Canada and Mexico.
Verizon Wireless is famed for its top-notch network quality and good customer service. Its prices can be higher than the competition, but its combination of very reliable coverage and good speeds made Verizon our Fastest Mobile Networks winner last year.
US Cellular is only available in about half the country. It has a reputation for good customer service, but has been suffering recently in our surveys as readers have said its prices and LTE network quality don't match up to some of the alternatives.
There are also plenty of virtual operators that use the big four networks, but offer lower monthly rates, cheaper international calls, or other benefits. They're usually better for lighter users and most don't have family plans. The winners of our Readers' Choice awards this year were both virtual carriers: Consumer Cellular, which runs on AT&T's network, and Google Fi, which combines Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular.
AT&T owns Cricket; Sprint owns Boost and Virgin; T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile; Verizon owns Visible; and Google owns Google Fi. Tracfone is another prominent virtual carrier, with spinoff brands like Straight Talk, Family Mobile, and Net10, all of which have their own plans. We spotlight some of our favorites in The Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans You've Never Heard Of.
Do You Need a 5G Phone?
5G arrived in April, and there are now two 5G phones available with Verizon: the Motorla Moto Z3 with a 5G Moto Mod and the Samsung Galaxy S10+. But while 5G may change everything in the future, it's not going to happen immediately. In 2019, 5G rollouts will be limited and devices will be expensive, so don't worry too much about waiting if you want to buy a phone this year.
(One note: you may see a '5G E' icon on your existing AT&T phone. That is not 5G; it is a marketing ploy. Your phone is still running on 4G.)
The 5G networks and devices will get much more interesting, and more widespread, toward the end of 2020. The real differentiating coverage and speeds will initially be in large cities. If you consider yourself an early adopter, you live in a large city, and you want the ultimate in connectivity, you should assume you'll probably want a 5G phone next year. By 2021, the 5G situation will be even better.
That could affect your 2019 purchase if your budget is limited. Instead of buying a super-expensive, $1,000-plus phone on a three-year payment plan, you should buy a somewhat less expensive phone on a two-year payment plan, or even a one-year quick-upgrade plan. That's one reason we recommend the Samsung Galaxy S10e over the more expensive S10+.
Locked vs. Unlocked Phones
As carriers have moved to increasingly more confusing service and pricing plans, the value of unlocked phones has been rising accordingly.
Unlocked phones are bought from a third-party store or directly from the manufacturer, and aren't tied to any specific carrier. Usually, you can use them with AT&T or T-Mobile. But some popular unlocked phones work on all four major carriers. If you want the best flexibility, look for a recent Apple, Google Pixel, Samsung flagship, or a Motorola phone.
If you buy an unlocked phone, you'll be able to move it freely between compatible carriers. But even if you don't intend to ever change your carrier, unlocked phones are free of carrier bloatware and (with Android phones) often receive software and OS updates more quickly than the carrier versions do.
What Is the Best Smartphone?
As more people become accustomed to instant email, web, music, and messaging access at all times of the day, regardless of where they are, smartphones have become almost indispensable. That said, there's plenty of variety out there—not to mention devotees of specific OS platforms. That makes sense, though; sometimes, a platform's user interface or app selection just speaks to you, and that's all there is to it. With that in mind, and at the risk of attracting flames, let's break it down as well as we can for those who aren't so fully vested.
There's actually less diversity in smartphone platforms and designs than there was a few years ago. Right now, Android and iOS are the two top smartphone platforms, both in US sales and in the availability of third-party apps. The iPhone has the best app store and the best media features. But Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem can feel stifling to some, and iOS isn't easy to customize or modify. There's far more variety among Android handsets, and its open-source nature makes it a tweaker's dream. But it also means fragmented third-party app compatibility, occasional bugs, carrier-installed bloatware you can't remove, and scattered, often sporadic OS updates.
In terms of form factor, it's difficult to find a smartphone that isn't a solid black slab anymore. The best phone with a physical keyboard is the BlackBerry Key2 LE. It's a good device, and worth choosing if the physical keyboard is important to you, but fewer and fewer people seem to consider that a key feature with time.
Phones are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, to fit various types of hands. Samsung's Galaxy S10e and the Google Pixel 3 are narrower than most other phones, giving them big screens that are easy to hold in one hand. The Galaxy Note 9, the OnePlus 7 Pro, and the iPhone XS Max, on the other hand, are gigantic, for people who want big windows into their online world.
The Best Feature Phones
A good portion of the US population is still using simpler phones, but there are surprisingly few current choices out there. There are still reasons to get a simple, less-expensive device: They're easier to use, and they charge much lower monthly fees because data isn't involved. There are some killer deals for voice-only usage on virtual carriers like TracFone and Consumer Cellular.
There's a big problem with voice phones and current networks, though. Because all of our carriers are eliminating or reducing the quality of their 2G and 3G networks, voice phones must be verified by the carriers for 4G voice-over-LTE coverage to get good quality and connectivity in the future. Older voice phones don't have that, and there aren't many voice-over-LTE voice phones, period. It's frustrating.
We have one voice phone on this list, the Doro 7050 for Consumer Cellular. The Kyocera Cadence LTE is good for Verizon. We hold out hopes for the Light Phone 2 (coming in July) and the Punkt MP02, neither of which are properly VoLTE certified yet but both of which are trying to get through the process.
Unlike smartphones, feature phones are a matter of 'what you see is what you get.' They don't receive software upgrades or run thousands of additional apps (some feature phones come with app stores, but don't be fooled, they exist primarily to sell you additional-cost services, ringtones, wallpapers, and basic games).
For voice quality, read our individual phone reviews. Wireless network coverage is always the biggest factor, but individual phones can vary in reception, earpiece quality, transmission quality through the microphone, and side-tone (the echo of your own voice that helps prevent you from yelling at the other person). A phone with middling to poor reception quality can be almost impossible to use in a marginal coverage area, while one with excellent reception can make the best of the little signal that's available. Another point to consider: Some phones have much louder speakerphones than others.
For more, see our picks for The Best Simple Phones. We also have a roundup of The Best Phones for Kids.
The Best Cheap Phones
This story tends to be headlined by very expensive phones, but you can get a perfectly good smartphone for between $200 and $300 upfront.
We're big fans of Motorola's low-end and midrange phones. They're unlocked and compatible with all US carriers, and they use a fast, clean version of the Android OS. The Moto E series is available from carriers for under $100, and the Moto G7 Power is available online for $250; they're great deals.
Because of the current trade war between the US and China, the low-cost market has been hollowed out a bit recently. We used to recommend several phones from Honor, Huawei, and ZTE, but their future in the US is still in doubt. For the moment, look primarily at lower-end Motorola and LG phones if you're trying to save money.
The least expensive iPhone we currently recommend is the $449 iPhone 7. Apple tends to program its operating systems so that once a model is about three years old, it can no longer handle some of the latest features. That means iPhone models older than the 7 are getting to the end of their fully supported lives. Don't buy an older iPhone model, including the iPhone SE.
The Best Cell Phone Plan Pricing
Cell phone pricing is more confusing than ever. Some carriers still have the old-school, binding two-year contracts where you pay a higher monthly rate in exchange for a discounted phone. But there also now payment plans where you pay the full retail cost of your phone, but pay less on your service plan; fast-upgrade and leasing plans where you pay a monthly fee and trade in your phone for a new one every year; as well as more carriers just selling phones for their retail price upfront.
Which one you choose depends on how long you intend to keep your phone and what you want to do with it after you're done with it. If you intend to upgrade frequently, you'll get the most financial advantage by buying phones upfront and reselling them on eBay when you're done with them, but that takes effort. Traditional two-year deals make sense if you stick with the plan of getting a new phone every two years and you're OK with the long-term commitment. T-Mobile and Verizon don't offer two-year contracts anymore; you either pay upfront, or pay in installments over 24 months. Apple offers leasing and installment plans just like the carriers do.
There are also your monthly carrier fees. And this is where things gets tricky, as the carriers make it exceedingly difficult to figure out how much you'll actually pay per month. T-Mobile now includes fees in its base advertised plan prices, and we hope other carriers will follow. AT&T and Verizon plans tend to cost the most, but those two carriers have the best voice and data coverage in the nation. Sprint and T-Mobile offer considerable savings, especially on unlimited voice, data, and texting plans.
To see our most recent reviews, check out our Cell Phones Product Guide. Strictly interested in Android? Head over to our Best Android Phones roundup. And if you want to document the world around you with your phone, we've rounded up the Best Camera Phones too.
Best Phones Featured in This Roundup:
Apple iPhone XS Max Review
MSRP: $1099.00Pros: Huge, awesome screen. Fastest processor available. Excellent camera. Long battery life.Cons: Expensive.Bottom Line: The iPhone XS Max is the best expression of Apple's smartphone philosophy so far, with a giant, gorgeous screen connecting you to everything.Read ReviewGoogle Pixel 3 Review
MSRP: $799.99Pros: Compact. Fast performance. Beautiful OLED screen. Sharp front and rear camera with impressive low-light, zoom, and bokeh capabilities. Useful Google Assistant functionality. Highly optimized software with guaranteed updates.Cons: No headphone jack or memory card slot.Bottom Line: The Google Pixel 3 is the best small Android phone you can buy with the latest specs, impressive camera capabilities, and genuinely innovative AI features.Read ReviewGoogle Pixel 3a Review
MSRP: $399.00Pros: Best-in-class camera. Gorgeous OLED display. Solid performance. Excellent battery life.Cons: Not waterproof. No microSD slot.Bottom Line: Google's well-rounded Pixel 3a is quite simply the best Android phone you can buy for $399.Read ReviewOnePlus 7 Pro Review
MSRP: $669.00Pros: Great value for money. Fastest Android phone available. Smooth software. Notchless screen. Lots of camera options.Cons: Camera photos are slightly undersaturated. No 802.11ax Wi-Fi. Still no headphone jack.Bottom Line: The OnePlus 7 Pro is by far the best value for a premium smartphone on the market today, giving you the features of a $1,000 phone for $300 less.Read ReviewSamsung Galaxy Note 9 Review
MSRP: $999.99Pros: Big battery. Lots of storage. Excellent S Pen stylus. Class-leading processor and modem.Cons: Expensive. Heavy.Bottom Line: The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an attractive pen-enabled phablet with a fast processor, a terrific modem, and a huge battery.Read ReviewSamsung Galaxy S10e Review
MSRP: $749.99Pros: Amazing screen color and clarity. Industry-leading processor and modem. Wide-angle camera. Headphone jack. Just the right size for most hands.Cons: Low-light camera performance not as good as the Google Pixel 3. Fingerprint sensor could be more accurate.Bottom Line: The Samsung Galaxy S10e has the best overall price, performance, and size for a flagship smartphone today.Read ReviewDoro 7050 (Consumer Cellular) Review
MSRP: $49.99Pros: Combines 3G and 4G for maximum voice coverage. HD voice calling. Great keypad. Very simple UI. Bold fonts. Inexpensive.Cons: No contact or calendar syncing. Poor camera. Doesn't take advantage of OS's potential.Bottom Line: The Doro 7050 for Consumer Cellular is a rare affordable-yet-future-proof LTE voice phone. Its capabilities are very basic, but it'll stay connected for years to come.Read ReviewMotorola Moto G7 Power Review
MSRP: $249.99Pros: Excellent battery life. Solid performance. Sleek design. Ships with Android 9.0 Pie.Cons: Not waterproof. Mediocre camera. No NFC.Bottom Line: The Motorola Moto G7 Power offers excellent performance, two-day battery life, and an attractive design for a budget-friendly price.Read ReviewBlackBerry Key2 LE Review
MSRP: $449.99Pros: Solid keyboard. Speed Key lets you quickly access apps and features. Excellent productivity and privacy software.Cons: Keyboard lacks capacitive touch. Mediocre cameras.Bottom Line: The BlackBerry Key2 LE is a productivity powerhouse that offers better value for your money than its pricier sibling.Read ReviewApple iPhone XR Review
MSRP: $749.00Pros: Available in gorgeous colors. Super-fast processor. Bright screen.Cons: Wireless performance isn't up to par with XS models.Bottom Line: The Apple iPhone XR is the fashion-forward model of this year's iPhones, but it trades top-notch performance for a colorful design.Read Review
The best cheap phone in the US can be a little difficult to choose, as it's won't always come down to which phone launches at a low starting price. Some of the best cheap smartphones are actually older higher-tier models with heavy discounts, while certain new phones offer killer value and the latest perks.
One of the biggest factors to consider while hunting the best cheap phone is, obviously, the price. Cheap for one person isn't necessarily affordable for another person. With flagship phone prices from Apple and Samsung flying upwards of $1,000, some people may find anything under $600 cheap, while those with tighter budgets could be looking below $400 or even below $200 for a smartphone.
Fortunately, no one gets left out when it comes to great cheap smartphones. Older phones from Samsung and Apple come in at prices that thrift shoppers can afford, and new phones from OnePlus, Huawei, Motorola, and more manufacturers which might have fallen off your radar can pack new technologies into affordable packages, and be worth your consideration.
We've assembled a ranked list of the best phones under $600, $500, $400, and $200. No matter your budget, we're recommending a smartphone for you based on these price categories. These value phones are frequently unlocked, contract-free, and SIM-free, making them even easier to pick up and try out.
Just know that mobile devices on this list definitely won’t be the absolute best phones money can buy in the US. Don't expect the high-end iPhone XS or Samsung Galaxy S10 here. A lot of these are a step below in performance and quality, but in line with their low prices.
In fact, every cheap phone here should be just fine for anyone looking to save several hundred dollars on a discounted iOS 12 or Android Pie device. Here are our top recommendations.
- Best Samsung Phone | Best Huawei Phone | Best Moto Phone | Best Sony Phone | Best Nokia Phone | Best iPhone
Cheap phones under $600
1. OnePlus 6T
Weight: 185g | Dimensions: 157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2mm | OS: Android Pie | Screen size: 6.41-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2340 | Chipset: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 6GB/8GB | Storage: 128/256GB | Battery: 3,700mAh | Rear camera: 16MP +20MP lenses | Front camera: 16MP | Supported Networks: GSM networks
Top-notch performance
Clean, fuss-free Android interface
Single, down-firing speaker
The OnePlus 6T is a cheap phone for some people, yet still too expensive for others. But we have to start somewhere, and a standout phone for under $600 is where we begin.
Keep in mind that the 6T has been surpassed by the OnePlus 7 Pro, but the company opted to pack more features in and raise the price to $699 - and sadly, the lower-priced standard OnePlus 7 isn't being sold in the US (and its around $640 pricetag is too high for this list anyway). Even so, you're not missing much by picking the 6T.
The OnePlus 6T deserves a spot on this list simply because it features flagship-level specs (which are even better than some flagship phones, specifically in the 6GB and 8GB of RAM options) and a big screen north of six inches, with a price that falls south of every major flagship out there.
Plus, the 6T offers something most other $1,000 smartphones don't: an in-screen fingerprint sensor. Innovation isn't reserved for the most expensive tier of the smartphone market.
But if the $549 starting price of the OnePlus 6T is still a bit much, track down a OnePlus 6 (released earlier in 2018), which has nearly the same top-tier specs for perhaps even lower prices.
Read the full review: OnePlus 6T
2. iPhone 8
Weight: 148g | Dimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm | OS: iOS 12 | Screen size: 4.7-inch | Resolution: 750 x 1334 | CPU: A11 Bionic | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 64/256GB | Battery: 1,821mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP
A11 Bionic still powerful
Dated design
You're never going to get a cheap iPhone if you opt for the newest models. But, if you dig a little deeper, you can get an older model at a good price. The iPhone 8 may have a dated design next to the iPhone X and 2018 iPhones – bigger bezels, fewer cameras – but it offers a strong price-to-performance value.
The A11 Bionic chipset inside of the iPhone 8 is still plenty powerful for anything you'll throw at it, and Apple keeps legacy devices supported for a long time. So you'll be able to update the operating system to iOS 12 and probably even to iOS 13 and beyond.
The rest of its specs aren't too shabby, with a 12MP rear camera, 7MP front-facing camera, 2GB of RAM and either 64GB or 256GB of storage. While the 1,821mAh battery isn't huge compared to flagships, it can change wirelessly.
Read the full review: iPhone 8
Under $500
3. Samsung Galaxy S9
A former flagship gets a new value proposition
Release date: March 2018 | Weight: 163g | Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Low Stock
Sharp, high-quality AMOLED screen
Bezels from 2017
If you're patient, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S devices have been getting some of the biggest and most consistent discounts after their release. The Galaxy S9 is no exception. The phone is only a little over a year old, and already you can find it for under $500.
Better still, it's not going to feel too dated. You'll be able to run Android Pie and the Snapdragon 845 chipset with 4GB of RAM is still reasonably powerful. The reduced bezels around the display help it stay relatively trendy, while the high resolution display isn't likely to show signs of aging in the phone's lifetime. Add in an IP68 rating against water and dust, and it's a high value phone that you're not likely to have to replace because of a little accident at the pool.
Read the full review:Samsung Galaxy S9
4. Honor View 10
Punching well above its weight
Release date: January 2018 | Weight: 172g | Dimensions: 157 x 75 x 7mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.99-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Kirin 970 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 3,750mAh | Rear camera: 16+20MP | Front camera: 13MP
Today's best Honor View 10 deals
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Solid value
No camera stabilization
If you look to the smartphone manufacturers that don't have incredible popularity, you can often find strong value options. That's the case with the Honor View 10. When it launched, it was offering strong performance from a Kirin 970 chipset that came paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which are higher specs than what the base Galaxy S9 included.
The Honor View 10's design may not win over any who prize elegance with its a simple and dated style, but its aluminum sides and back are still a step above normal budget builds. Plus, it manages to be thinner than the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9 while still having strong battery life and including a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone also has expandable storage using a microSD card if 128GB isn't enough.
Read the full review: Honor View 10
Under $400
5. Moto Z3 Play
A suitable midrange phone with MotoMod add-ons
Release date: June 2018 | Weight: 156g | Dimensions: 156.5 x 76.5 x 6.8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.01-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | Chipset: Snapdragon 636 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 5MP lenses | Front camera: 8MP
Slim frame
Not very powerful
The Moto Z3 Play isn't an especially impressive smartphone, especially compared to the OnePlus 6T. With 4GB RAM, a less-powerful Snapdragon 636 chip, smaller battery and a slightly smaller screen, it's outdone by OnePlus' phone in almost every way.
Almost – because the ace up Moto's sleeve are its signature MotoMods which snap to the back of its phones to add functionality. While some are far less useful (like the projector), others can be handy, like those adding big speakers or a lot more battery life.
Still, the Moto Z3 Play starts at $349 now thanks to a price cut, and you can likely find other combos to sweeten the deal.
Read the full review: Moto Z3 Play
6. Nokia 7.1
Nokia's old champion mid-ranger
Release date: October 2018 | Weight: 160g | Dimensions: 150 x 71 x 8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 636 | RAM: 3/4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3,060mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 5MP | Front camera: 8MP
Large, bright LCD display
Very competitively priced
Chip can lag in games and apps
That's right, Nokia still has phones coming out. Things where dicey for a while there, but the company has been making a comeback recently, and its Nokia 7.1 handset offers a strong value.
The Nokia 7.1 offers a big, bright screen with the notch we've seen on so many other smartphones in the past couple years. The display even supports HDR10 for superior contrast and colors. The Snapdragon 636 chipset isn't the most powerful, but will do for all but the most serious mobile gamers and power users. And, all of that is packed into an a aluminum and glass design the won't feel nearly as cheap as the phone is.
Read our in-depth review:Nokia 7.1
7. Moto G7
Release date: March 2019 | Weight: 172g | Dimensions: 157 x 75.3 x 8 mm | OS: Android 9 Pie | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2270 | CPU: Snapdragon 632 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 5MP | Front camera: 8MP
Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone
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Large, bright LCD display
Well built
Not for serious mobile gamers
When you're looking for a great budget smartphone, you should always see what Motorola is cooking up in its Moto G line. The family of smartphone almost always has something strong on offer, and the Moto G7 is no exception.
The Moto G7 has a capable is not incredible Snapdragon 632 chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. And, it's fit into a modern looking chassis. The edges are aluminum, with glass on the front and back.
The screen really brings the Moto G7 into modernity, with a big, 6.2-inch display that has just a small teardrop notch at the top akin to the OnePlus 6T. You also get a fingerprint scanner on the back, dual rear cameras, a headphone jack, and light water resistance.
Read our in-depth review:Moto G7
8. Moto G7 Power
Release date: February 2019 | Weight: 193g | Dimensions: 159.4 x 76 x 9.3 mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 720 x 1570 | CPU: Snapdragon 632 | RAM: 3 GB | Storage: 32 GB | Battery: 5,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP f/2.0 | Front camera: 8MP f/2.2
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Good specs for the price
Heavy
If you like the sound of the Moto G7 but want to be sure you've got the battery life to make it through the day and then some, the Moto G7 Power is another strong option at a value-friendly price.
The Moto G7 Power packs a 6.2-inch display into the body, though it has a big screen notch at the top. The resolution is lower than the standard Moto G7, but that can serve to keep the performance smoother and battery life longer. With a 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G7 Power is definitely a top option for budget shoppers looking for a smartphone that'll last all day without concern.
It's not the most exciting phone, but it's also way cheaper than the most exciting phones – and you won't have to worry about buying an external battery pack.
Read our in-depth review:Moto G7 Power review
Under $200
9. Moto G7 Play
A toned down Moto G7
Release date: March 2019 | Weight: 149g | Dimensions: 147.3 x 71.5 x 8 mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 720 x 1512 | CPU: Snapdragon 632 | RAM: 2 GB | Storage: 32 GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP f/2.0 | Front camera: 8MP f/2.2
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Strong battery life
Snapdragon 632 for less
Low base storage
If you want one of the Moto G7 phones but needed to go for an even lower price, the Moto G7 Play is a compelling option. It still has the Snapdragon 632 chipset powering the more expensive Moto G7 models, but it comes at a price well below the others. That said, it does come with only 2GB of RAM, which won't help much with heavy multitasking.
Still, at a budget price, you're getting a screen that looks fairly modern with a notch at the top, even if it doesn't serve much purpose beyond a particular aesthetic. Even if the resolution is only HD Plus, it still musters a pixel density of 294ppi at 5.7 inches.
Beyond that, you get a fingerprint scanner, a headphone jack, and USB-C for charging, though you'll have to buy a Motorola Turbo Charger yourself.
Read our in-depth review:Moto G7 Play review
10. iPhone SE
Release date: March 2016 | Weight: 113g | Dimensions: 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm | OS: iOS 11 | Screen size: 4-inch | Resolution: 640 x 1136 | Chipset: A9 processor | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 16/32/64/128GB | Battery: 1,624mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 1.2MP | Fingerprint Sensor: Yes | Supported Networks: All US Carriers
Unrivaled build quality
Getting dated
Apple's last hurrah for the four-inch form factor is still one of our favorites, even if the company doesn't sell it directly anymore. The phone brings specs that put in on par with the iPhone 6S.
The fact that you can usually get this smartphone for under $300 already makes it an absolute steal if you're a loyal iOS user, and we've seen it under $200. Sure, it doesn't come with all of the bells and whistles of a brand new iPhone XR or iPhone XS, but complete with the iOS 12 update that came to this (and many other) older iPhone models, it's made even faster than before.
Plus, if you like being able to use your smartphone with one hand, no new iPhone is as ready for that.
Read the full review: iPhone SE
- Like saving money? These are the best cheap tablets around
Cameron Faulkner and David Lumb contributed to this list.