Samsung is, without question, the greatest choice for high-quality budget phones. When making your purchase, keep the following in mind:
- How far can you stretch your money?
- Where do you reside, and can you get 5G service? Have you needed the extra velocity?
- Do you plan to buy through a carrier or get it unlocked?
The good news is that no matter what specifications you’re looking for, you can find a low-cost Samsung phone that meets your needs. To help you make a selection, we compared all of the models currently on sale and picked our four favourite budget-friendly Samsung phones. See our buyer’s guide if you don’t know what to look for; otherwise, read on to find out why we think this is the best option. Are you tired of the Samsung ecosystem and ready to switch to a cheap phone? Here is our rundown of the most useful low-cost mobile devices.
Samsung’s 5G SM-A53
Although its $450 price tag may be a little out of your price range, we recommend the Galaxy A53 5G as the finest low-cost Samsung smartphone currently on the market. It is one of the most feature-packed smartphones on the market, regardless of cost. Additionally, Samsung provides an unmatched five years of security upgrades, making this phone a solid investment for the future.
We were impressed by the A53 5G’s adaptability and the quality of its four cameras. The oversaturation we saw in older Samsung phones has been eliminated, and all of the test photos we took were crisp and accurate. We find ourselves using the main shooter, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses when it comes to regular point-and-shoot photography. However, the macro lens offers little beyond niche appeal.
The battery life was also quite good in our testing, lasting over two days straight. The 25W charger was fast enough to charge the phone in around 85 minutes. No charging cable is included, so you’ll need to go out and get a USB-C adapter if you don’t already have one.
Another thing we liked about the A53 5G was the display. It offers a bright and fast 120Hz Super AMOLED screen with options to reduce refresh rates for longer battery life. This is the best budget smartphone display we’ve seen, not just because it comes from Samsung.
5G SM-A32
Although we were more impressed with the Galaxy A53 5G’s extensive set of features, we must admit that the Galaxy A32 5G’s low price is hard to ignore. Since the Galaxy A33, 5G, has been on the market for over a year (outside of the United States), recent price cuts have made it a more attractive option.
The A32 5G excelled in every category we tested it in, from speed to camera quality to battery life, and it always came out on top. This is still a budget Samsung phone, so it can’t be compared to the Galaxy S22, but it’s a great option for most people as their primary device.
Samsung’s 5G SM-A13
The Galaxy A13 5G may not be the most impressive budget Samsung phone, but it is likely to be the cheapest if purchased via a carrier. Although it may not appear like much, this phone is available for incredibly cheap prices (or even for free) on contract in the United States, making it a good choice for those on a tight budget.
The phone itself performed well in our testing. The main camera was suitable for regular use since it took consistent pictures under adequate lighting and could operate for up to two days on a single charge. Samsung’s commitment to updates is the main intangible advantage here; the phone will be supported for another five years. You won’t find anything like it outside of Samsung’s catalogue at those prices.
However, we found a few minor issues that could distract some readers. The screen isn’t very sharp and gets rather dark even during the day. We also discovered that the camera did not fare well in low light without a dedicated night mode and that the secondary ultrawide and macro lenses were mostly unimpressive.
Samsung Galaxy A03s
We won’t sugarcoat it; the Galaxy A03s is a stripped-down smartphone. However, if you’re looking for a low-cost Samsung phone that can still handle daily use, this is the one we recommend. Due to the low price (less than $200), moderate expectations are required, yet the job can be done.
In our testing, both performance and build quality were inadequate, but you’ll have to weigh that against the reasonable price. Again, no charger is included, but the relatively low-powered CPU allows for two days of moderate use on a single charge.
How to find a Samsung phone with minimal cost
While Samsung’s low-priced phones are among the best available smartphones, finding the right one for you requires consideration of a few key criteria.
Think about the cost.
It’s tempting to buy a phone based on its price, but you should look at its value as a whole instead. If a phone costs $100 more but lasts for three years instead of two, it’s a better investment. This might take the form of a more durable design that prevents breaks or a more powerful processor that can run programs with increasing system requirements in the future.
5G or not
The devices mentioned above have a 5G connection, although depending on your region and use cases, you may not need it. If you don’t use data much outside of the home or live in a remote area, switching to an LTE-only phone may be cost-effective.
Carriers vs Open Systems
In the United States, carriers control most of the mobile phone industry. Samsung mobile handsets may be available at deeply discounted rates from your service provider, depending on your package. This is true for premium models like the S22 family and cheaper ones like those in the A series, some of which are free with a two-year service agreement.
All of them need just one camera to control.
Extra camera lenses on budget devices are usually useless. Since only the principal photographer can reliably get good shots, low-resolution ultrawide and macro cameras are usually an afterthought. This won’t be an issue unless you need a camera for anything. Visit our store to get the best consultation for a new phone.