Our top pick, the Google Pixel 10a, costs $499 and is as good as almost any flagship device. Our other recommendations strike a great balance between price and luxury. There's even a folding phone in this guide!
But it's currently very tough to find phones worth considering under $400, since manufacturers slapped an extra $100 on most of their phones in response to the memory shortage. Check out our many other mobile guides, including Best Android Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Best Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Google Pixel, Best Moto Phones, and Best iPhones. Updated October 2026: We added the Motorola Moto G Power 2026, Samsung Galaxy A37, and Motorola Razr 2026, refreshed the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and Nothing Phone 4(a) Pro, added mentions for the TCL P80 Ultra and Nothing Phone (4b), and updated the FAQ.
Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us. The Pixel 10a disappointingly may not change much from its predecessor, the Pixel 9a, but it remains the best smartphone on the market, especially for anyone trying to curb their spending. It's not the cheapest phone, but it has the best suite of features for the price, from an excellent dual-camera system to a sharp, 120-Hz screen, and performance that can run most apps and games perfectly fine thanks to the Tensor G4 chip.
It'll even get software updates for seven years, and Google says the battery is slightly easier to replace than the older model. The biggest changes from the Pixel 9a are a brighter screen, faster wired and wireless charging (still no Pixelsnap magnets for Qi2 charging), and a tougher glass protecting the display. The plastic ring on the camera module is also gone, so the back of the Pixel 10a is even flatter than before—great for anyone who hates bulky camera bumps.
These updates are still fairly minor, so if you happen to catch the Pixel 9a on sale, it's still worthwhile if it means saving $100 or $150 bucks. However, the Pixel 10a will almost definitely also go on sale during major sale events like Prime Day and Black Friday, if you can be patient. It's nice to have faster charging speeds, but battery life overall is OK.
It adequately lasts a full day with average use and then some, but folks who spend a lot of time on their smartphone during the day—whether it's for navigating, music streaming, or reading fanfic—will likely find themselves hunting for an outlet in the afternoon. The dual-camera system is versatile. The main 48-MP camera can snap pleasing photos, in low light and daytime, whereas the 13-MP ultrawide lets you capture sweeping scenes or group photos.
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