What Is the Best Phone What Is the Best Budget Phone?
Selection & fit
Answer in brief
The best budget phone is the Google Pixel 10a ($499 list), with 7 years of software updates. If you want an iPhone, the cheapest is the iPhone 17e ($599). For a bigger Samsung, the Galaxy A57 ($549.99 at launch). Under $300, the Moto G Play 2026 ($249.99).
Updated . US launch prices; check before you buy.
Best budget phone
$499
Seven years of updates for under $500. Reviewers agree this is the best phone under $500, and it gets 7 years of software updates. Prices have been unusually volatile: retailers have listed it anywhere from $424 to $599 for 128GB, so check the current price.
Cheapest current iPhone
$599
The cheapest way into a current iPhone. The iPhone 17e is the cheapest current iPhone, with 256GB of storage. For $200 more, the iPhone 17 is a noticeably better phone and the better buy for most people.
Best cheap Samsung
$549.99
The bigger-screen, Samsung alternative to the Pixel 10a. The Galaxy A57 launched in the US at $549.99 and has been seen as low as $484.99. It's the pick if you want a Samsung under $600.
Best under $300
$249.99
The pick if you just need a working smartphone for as little as possible.
The Google Pixel 10a ($499 list).
The iPhone 17e ($599).
What Is the Best Phone. “What Is the Best Budget Phone? Best Phones Under $500 (November 2026).” whatisthebestphone.com, updated November 11, 2026. https://whatisthebestphone.com/best-budget-phone