Need a great phone without spending too much? The best phones under $300 in 2025 will surprise you. These budget-friendly options pack way more features than you’d expect.
High-end phones now cost more than $1000, but we found that there was an amazing selection of affordable alternatives with premium features. These budget phones now come with impressive capabilities. They support 50-watt fast charging that fills the battery from empty to full in just 45 minutes. The battery lasts more than 15 hours, too. You’ll even get premium features like wireless charging and vegan leather designs that were only available in expensive phones before.
After testing these smartphones extensively, I can share the 5 best phones under $300 with you. These devices prove that you can get solid performance, good cameras, and great battery life in 2025 without spending big money.
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2025)
Image Source: Tom’s Guide
The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2025) proves itself as one of the best phones under $300. It packs a premium feel and features that make it punch above its weight class. Let’s get into what makes this budget-friendly phone worth your money.
Moto G Power 5G Design and Build Quality
This phone doesn’t look cheap at all. It comes with a soft vegan leather finish that looks premium and keeps fingerprints away. The back cover feels great to hold and looks sophisticated compared to other plastic-backed phones.
The phone surprises with its protection features. The screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to guard against drops and scratches. The reliable dual IP68/IP69 ratings mean you can submerge it in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The phone even handles high-pressure water jets, making it one of the toughest best cell phones under $300.
The device passed MIL-STD-810H testing across 16 categories and 14 procedures. These certifications don’t guarantee it won’t break in real-life conditions. The phone weighs 208g and measures 166.62 x 77.10 x 8.72mm, slightly bigger than the old model.
You can pick between Leaf Green and Slate Gray colors. These options offer something different from typical glass-backed phones. The vegan leather looks great but tends to collect dust and debris that’s hard to clean off.
Moto G Power 5G Performance and Battery Life
The phone runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor with 8GB of RAM. The processor takes a small step back from last year’s Dimensity 7020, showing lower benchmark scores. Geekbench 6 tests show 795 for single-core and 2,095 for multi-core, slightly below the previous model.
The phone still handles daily tasks well. RAM Boost turns storage into extra RAM—up to 16GB when needed. This feature works automatically based on how you use your phone.
Storage space won’t be an issue. The phone has 128GB built-in, and you can add up to 1TB more with a microSD card. That’s plenty of room for your photos, videos, apps, and games.
Battery life shines bright on this phone. The big 5000mAh battery lasts more than a day. Tests show 12 hours and 15 minutes of non-stop video playback. The phone supports:
- 30W TurboPower wired charging that gives hours of power quickly
- 15W wireless charging, rare among best android phones under 300
A full charge takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes, which works well for such a big battery. Great battery life and flexible charging options make this phone perfect for heavy users.
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Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Image Source: GSMArena.com
Samsung brings premium features to budget devices with the Galaxy A16 5G. This phone stands out among the best phones under $300 category for 2025. The budget-friendly smartphone packs several unexpected perks. The exceptional software support policy makes it unique in this price range.
Galaxy A16 5G Display and Design
The Galaxy A16 5G comes with a big 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that’s bigger than the 6.5-inch screen on the previous model. The bright screen delivers FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels) with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Text and visuals look crisp, thanks to the sharp 385 pixels per density. Our tests showed the display hitting 824 nits of maximum brightness, beating Samsung’s claimed 800-nit mark.
The design looks better now with thinner bezels compared to older models. Samsung trimmed the phone down to 7.9mm, which is about 0.5mm slimmer than the A15 5G. The phone feels good to hold despite its large screen and weighs a reasonable 200g.
Samsung uses what they call “Glastic” for the body – a plastic material that feels like premium glass. The Galaxy A16 5G also has an IP54 rating to protect against dust and water splashes. This feature rarely shows up in the best android phones under 300.
You can pick from Blue, Black, Light Gray, Gold, and Light Green colors. The phone looks modern and premium despite its budget price tag.
Galaxy A16 5G Performance
European markets get Samsung’s Exynos 1330 processor, while some regions have the MediaTek Dimensity 6300. The chip has two 2.4GHz Cortex-A78 performance cores and six 2.0GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. Daily tasks run smoothly on this setup.
The phone scored 883 in Geekbench 6’s single-core test and hit 2,020 in multi-core testing. PCMark Work 3.0 showed an impressive 11,589 score – substantially higher than the last model.
The base version has 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, which beats the old model’s 64GB starting space. Need more room? The microSD slot takes cards up to 1.5TB. You’ll have plenty of space for apps, photos and media.
Gaming isn’t this phone’s strong point – it managed just 5.7 frames per second in the GFXBench Aztec Ruins test. The phone sometimes stutters with heavy multitasking or rapid photo-taking. But for everyday use, it runs well enough to rank among the best cell phones under 300.
Galaxy A16 5G Camera System
The phone sports a versatile triple-camera setup. You get a 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus, a 5MP ultrawide camera at f/2.2, and a 2MP macro lens for close shots. A 13MP front camera sits in a U-shaped notch for selfies.
The main camera takes detailed photos with rich colors in good light, though the colors can look a bit too bright. The ultrawide lens takes decent landscape shots but doesn’t work well in low light.
Videos max out at 1080p/30fps on all cameras. While 4K recording would be nice, the cameras work well for casual photos, especially at this price point.
Galaxy A16 5G Battery Life and Charging
The phone shines with its big 5,000mAh battery. Our battery test showed 13 hours and 46 minutes of continuous HD YouTube streaming – great for a budget phone.
The 25W “Super Fast Charging” fills 21% in 15 minutes, 42% in half an hour, and takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes for a full charge. You can top up quickly when needed. The downside? Samsung doesn’t pack a charger in the box, so you’ll need to buy one if you don’t have a compatible one already.
Galaxy A16 5G Software Support
The Galaxy A16 5G might be the best smartphone under 300 because of its amazing software support. Samsung will provide six years of OS upgrades and security updates through October 2030. Budget phones usually get just one or two OS updates, so this is a big deal.
Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI 6.1 come pre-installed. You get useful features like Edge Panels, stackable widgets, pop-up apps, and multi-control for other Galaxy devices. The interface lets you customize themes, wallpapers, layouts, fonts, and icon shapes to match your priorities.
Samsung’s Knox Security, built into the hardware, keeps your sensitive data safe, including biometrics, PINs, and Samsung Wallet information.
The Galaxy A16 5G delivers great value by combining solid hardware with long-term software support. It stands out among the best phones under 300 as a device that stays relevant longer and could serve you or your family members for years.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Image Source: OnePlus
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G costs just $299 and shows that amazing charging speed isn’t just for expensive phones. This makes it a strong choice among the best phones under $300 in 2025. You get several premium features that give you great value for your money.
Nord N30 5G Fast Charging Technology
The Nord N30 5G’s standout feature is its amazing 50W SUPERVOOC charging capability. The charging technology shows great results in real-life testing. The phone charges from almost empty to about 80% in just 30 minutes. This is way faster than other phones at this price. A full charge takes only 45 minutes, so you won’t need to worry about overnight charging anymore.
The phone packs a big 5,000mAh battery that runs all day with heavy use. Most people can use it for two days before they need to charge. The battery lasts so long because of its size and OnePlus’s Battery Health Engine technology. This stops the battery from overcharging and helps it last longer.
A quick 10-minute charge takes the battery from 5% to 35%. This gives you several hours of use from a short power boost. This feature alone makes the Nord N30 5G worth looking at if you want fast charging in the best android phones under 300 range.
Nord N30 5G Display Features
The Nord N30 5G comes with a big 6.72-inch LCD screen that has some premium features. The screen shows 2400 x 1080 pixels with 391 ppi density, which means clear text and sharp images. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate stands out at this price, giving you the smooth experience you’d expect from more expensive phones.
The screen also has a 240Hz touch response rate, so it feels super-responsive when gaming or scrolling fast. The display gets bright, too – up to 680 nits, so you can see everything clearly even in bright sunlight.
The phone helps protect your eyes with comfort features and a dark mode. The screen supports both sRGB and Display P3 color ranges, so your videos and photos look great. Even though it’s LCD instead of OLED, movies, YouTube videos, and games look vivid and engaging.
The flat edges and screen design look modern, and many people prefer this to curved screens. The plastic back does pick up fingerprints quickly if you don’t use a case.
Nord N30 5G Camera Performance
The camera setup features a 108MP main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture – something you usually find in more expensive phones. This high-res camera uses 9-in-1 pixel binning to create 12MP photos that capture more light. This helps a lot when taking pictures in dark places.
The camera takes great photos in good light. Food shots and portraits look especially good, with nice colors and clear details. The main camera gives you 3x lossless zoom by using the middle part of the high-res sensor instead of digital zoom, so your zoomed photos stay sharp.
You also get two 2MP extra cameras – one for depth in portrait mode and another for close-up shots. The 16MP front camera with an f/2.4 aperture takes clear selfies but sometimes struggles with edge detection in tricky lighting.
Pros:
- Extraordinarily fast 50W charging
- Smooth 120Hz display refresh rate
- High-resolution 108MP main camera
- Reliable 5000mAh battery with excellent endurance
- Good value at $299
Cons:
- Video recording limited to 1080p/30fps
- Camera struggles in low light conditions
- The plastic back panel attracts fingerprints
- Only one major Android update promised
The camera does have some limits. Videos only record at 1080p and 30fps, missing the 4K options some other phones offer at this price. The camera also doesn’t work great in low light, and you might need several tries to get a clear shot.
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G gives you amazing value if you want one of the best cell phones under 300 with great charging and a solid camera. It’s not perfect, but it offers a lot for budget-conscious buyers who still want good features.
CMF Phone 1
Image Source: Nothing
The CMF Phone 1 brings something fresh to the best phones under $300 category with its innovative modular design. Nothing’s sub-brand has created a phone that stands out with customization options you rarely see at this price. The specs are solid, too, making it a strong contender in 2025’s budget phone market.
CMF Phone 1 Unique Design Elements
This phone breaks away from typical smartphone designs with visible stainless steel screws around its back panel. The screws aren’t just for show – they let you take off the back cover with the included screwdriver to switch between different colors. You can pick from four colors (Black, Light Green, Blue, and Orange). The Black and Light Green versions come with a smooth plastic finish, while the Blue and Orange versions feature an elegant vegan leather layer.
The phone’s standout feature is its “Accessory Point” – a small circular component in the bottom corner that unscrews to attach various accessories. This modular approach gives users more flexibility than traditional smartphones. The IP52 certification provides simple protection against dust and water splashes.
CMF Phone 1 Performance and Battery
Under its customizable shell, the phone runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chipset built with 4nm technology. The processor combines four 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores with four 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The result is a smooth performance that handles everyday tasks and light gaming with ease.
The battery life really shines. The 5,000 mAh battery lasted 16 hours and 13 minutes in standard tests. The 33W fast charging fills up the battery in about 1 hour and 21 minutes. On top of that, it has 5W reverse wired charging to power up your accessories when needed.
The phone manages heat well, thanks to liquid cooling with a heat pipe and graphite sheets on both sides. This keeps things cool even during long usage sessions.
CMF Phone 1 Camera Quality
The camera setup features a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor (f/1.8) working with a 2MP depth sensor. Daylight photos show good colors, contrast, and dynamic range. The 16MP front camera takes decent selfies but doesn’t deal very well with skin texture.
You can shoot videos in 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30/60fps. The camera has Live HDR, slow-motion at 120fps, and night mode. TrueLens Engine 2.0 with Ultra XDR and AI Vivid Mode helps make your photos pop, especially with Vivid Mode’s enhanced contrast and colors.
CMF Phone 1 Software Experience
The software side runs Nothing OS 2.6, based on Android 14. The user-friendly interface keeps Nothing’s signature dot matrix font and unique visual style. You get 24 custom widgets to cover everything from clocks to weather.
Nothing will provide two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches. The system comes without bloatware – you’ll only find Camera, Weather, and Recorder apps besides the usual Google apps.
CMF Phone 1 Customization Options
The phone really stands out when it comes to making it your own. New back panels cost $35 and come in different colors and materials. The Accessory Point lets you add things like a fold-away kickstand, lanyard, or card holder for $25 each.
The software customization is great, too. The Monochrome UI can turn everything to grayscale, which helps cut down on distractions.
Anyone looking for one of the best cell phones under $300 with character will find something special here. The CMF Phone 1 combines solid performance with the freedom to make the phone truly yours.
TCL 30 V 5G
Image Source: TCL
The TCL 30 V 5G costs $299 and works exceptionally well with Verizon’s network. This phone stands out among the best phones under $300 because it packs features you’d expect in pricier models. Verizon customers will find this exclusive handset reliable and budget-friendly.
TCL 30 V 5G Display Technology
A stunning 6.67-inch FHD+ display sits at the heart of this affordable phone, powered by TCL’s own NXTVISION technology. The display engine makes colors pop and improves contrast and clarity on the fly, creating what TCL calls a “handheld theater-level visual experience”. You’ll notice sharp text and detailed images thanks to its 1080 x 2400 resolution and 395 PPI density.
The screen brightness reaches about 420 nits. This works well indoors, though you might need maximum brightness outside. The LCD screen shows 121.7% of the sRGB color gamut, giving you vivid colors despite not being AMOLED. The display also turns standard videos into HDR quality, which brings out better highlights and shadow details.
TCL 30 V 5G Battery Endurance
A robust 4500mAh battery keeps this phone running through heavy use. Tests show it lasts 11 hours and 46 minutes browsing the web on 5G, making it one of the better best android phones under 300. The Smart Refresh State mode pushes that time to 12 hours and 13 minutes by smartly adjusting the refresh rate.
The 18W charger fills the battery in less than 2 hours, hitting 39% in just 30 minutes. The phone also lets you charge other devices with its On-The-Go reverse charging feature.
TCL 30 V 5G Carrier Compatibility
This phone works exclusively with Verizon’s network, unlike many other best cell phones under 300. You get access to all Verizon’s 5G networks, from C-band mid-spectrum to mmWave high-band frequencies. This means faster data speeds where 5G coverage exists.
TCL 30 V 5G Camera System
Three cameras grace the back, led by a 50MP main shooter. A 5MP super-wide lens captures 115-degree views, while a 2MP macro lens handles close-up shots. Selfie lovers get a solid 16MP front camera.
Pictures look good in bright light, though they can appear too sharp sometimes. The AI Color mode adds a cool effect by keeping your subject colorful while turning the background black and white. Video tops out at 1080p/30fps without stabilization, so footage might look shaky.
Budget-conscious Verizon customers looking for the best smartphone under 300 will find the TCL 30 V 5G a solid choice, even with its limitations.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2025) | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G | OnePlus Nord N30 5G | CMF Phone 1 | TCL 30 V 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | Not mentioned | 6.7″ Super AMOLED, FHD+, 385ppi, 824 nits | 6.72″ LCD, FHD+, 391ppi, 680 nits, 120Hz | Not mentioned | 6.67″ LCD, FHD+, 395ppi, 420 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 | Exynos 1330/MediaTek Dimensity 6300 | Not mentioned | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G | Not mentioned |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/128GB, expandable up to 1TB | 4GB/128GB, expandable up to 1.5TB | Not mentioned | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
| Battery & Charging | 5000mAh, 30W wired, 15W wireless | 5000mAh, 25W wired | 5000mAh, 50W SUPERVOOC (0-80% in 30min) | 5000mAh, 33W wired, 5W reverse | 4500mAh, 18W wired |
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 with OIS | 50MP f/1.8 | 108MP f/1.7 | 50MP Sony IMX882 f/1.8 | 50MP |
| Special Features | IP68/IP69 rating, vegan leather design | IP54 rating, 6 years software support | 240Hz touch response | Modular design, customizable panels | Verizon 5G optimization |
| Software Updates | 2 OS updates, 3 years security | 6 years OS & security updates | One major Android update | 2 OS updates, 3 years security | Not mentioned |
If you are looking for best budget laptops under $1000 you can check the article, Top 5 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 in 2025.
Conclusion
My recent tests of budget smartphones reveal amazing value in 2025’s lineup. These phones pack quite a punch with their unique strengths. Moto G Power shines with its premium build and battery that keeps going forever. Galaxy A16 takes things up a notch with six years of software updates. The OnePlus Nord N30 changes the game with 50W charging speeds. CMF Phone 1 brings something fresh to the table with its modular design.
Sure, you won’t get everything you’d find in a flagship phone. The good news? These phones nail the basics and do it well. The battery life runs past 11 hours on all models. Photos turn out great when there’s good light. Regular tasks run without a hitch.
Your perfect match really comes down to what matters most to you. Galaxy A16 5G makes sense if you want those long-term updates. OnePlus Nord N30 is your best bet for quick charging. Verizon customers might want to check out TCL 30 V 5G. CMF Phone 1 lets you switch things up with its custom options.
These phones show that $300 gets you a solid smartphone in 2025. They compete well with pricier options thanks to their strong performance, decent cameras, and impressive battery life.
FAQ
What features should I look for in a budget smartphone in 2025?
When shopping for a budget smartphone in 2025, prioritize features like 5G connectivity, long battery life (4500mAh or more), fast charging capabilities, and at least 128GB of storage. Look for phones with capable processors like MediaTek Dimensity or Snapdragon 6-series chips and displays with at least 90Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling.
How does the camera quality compare between budget and flagship phones in 2025?
While budget phones in 2025 offer impressive camera capabilities, flagship devices still maintain an edge in overall quality and features. However, many budget phones now include 50MP or higher main sensors, capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting. The gap has narrowed significantly, with some budget models offering features like night mode and portrait effects that were once exclusive to premium devices.
Are budget phones in 2025 capable of handling demanding tasks and games?
Yes, many budget phones in 2025 can handle demanding tasks and casual gaming quite well. Processors like the MediaTek Dimensity series and Snapdragon 6-series offer good performance for everyday use and even some graphically intensive games. While they may not match the top-tier gaming experience of flagships, they provide smooth performance for most users’ needs.
How long can I expect a budget smartphone purchased in 2025 to receive software updates?
Software update policies vary by manufacturer, but many budget phones in 2025 offer better support than in previous years. Some brands now promise 2-3 years of major Android updates and 3 to 4 years of security patches for their budget devices. However, this still falls short of the 4-7 years of updates offered by some flagship models and the iPhone.
What are the trade-offs when choosing a budget smartphone over a flagship model in 2025?
When opting for a budget smartphone in 2025, you may compromise on premium features like wireless charging, water resistance ratings higher than IP54, and the very latest processor technology. Camera performance, especially in low light and zoom capabilities, may not match flagship standards. However, for most users, budget phones offer excellent value, providing strong performance, good battery life, and capable cameras at a fraction of the cost of flagship devices.
I’m a passionate tech enthusiast with over 2 years of experience, dedicated to exploring innovations and simplifying complex topics. I strive to deliver insightful content that keeps readers informed and ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology. Stay tuned for more!
