“Cheap phones are getting good and good phones are getting cheap,” says one of the most-watched tech YouTubers, Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD. And there is no denying that.
These days, a good Android phone doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. You can still have a fine smartphone that does the essential stuff like calling, browsing, video streaming, and taking pictures seamlessly for around 100 bucks. I am using a phone in the same price range (read on to find what that is).
Speaking of which, at this price, you have to dig deeper to find a phone that is worth it.
That digging has been done by me, and I have curated this list of cheap Android phones that are actually great. Do keep in mind that this is based on generic criteria, and your list of affordable phones may or may not vary from ours. Sounds good? Great, let us jump right into it without further delay.
- Xiaomi Redmi 13C
I was on a budget, so I chose the Redmi 13C as my daily driver, and it has been for the last six months.
If you, too, are on a tight budget but still want an Android that doesn’t feel like a potato, the Redmi 13C is the way to go. For around $100, you get a phone that doesn’t feel like it belongs in 2009.
Here’s what’s good: a big 6.74-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Frankly, that’s smoother scrolling than most phones in this price range. You also get a MediaTek Helio G85 chip, which isn’t going to be super-fast, but it can handle day-to-day tasks, light gaming, and social media scrolling easily.
In the last six months, I have tested it thoroughly by playing games and multitasking while being connected to my high-speed Spectrum WiFi. They offer great internet prices, network reliability, and top-notch support through Spectrum customer service, so your internet never dulls your activities on your phone. 13C held up fine in my testing, and I can safely say that it is a performance beast for 100 bucks.
As for the battery, it is huge. It’s a 5000mAh battery, which is simple for “I forgot where my charger is, and it’s fine.” Plus, it charges via USB-C, and not that ancient micro-USB nonsense.
Camera-wise, the 50MP main shooter gets the job done in daylight. Don’t expect great results at night, but for casual shots, it’s more than enough.
The bottom line: Redmi 13C gives you the essentials at an affordable price.
- Poco M5
This Poco from Xiaomi is like a friend who’s always slightly overdressed for casual hangouts but in a good way.
For just around $100 (sometimes a bit more, depending on where you purchase it), you get a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, which is surprisingly good for the price. If performance is your thing, the M5 has power that most of its budget rivals don’t.
The 6.58-inch Full HD+ display is good enough and refreshes at 90Hz. Yes, that’s right, another buttery smooth budget option.
As for the camera, its triple-camera setup is headlined by a 50MP main sensor, and while the secondary cameras are mostly just for show (hello, 2MP macro), the main one delivers decent daylight shots.
This one also has a 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, so you’re not stuck around the wall all day.
TL;DR: If you can get the Poco M5 on a deal, go for it.
- Motorola G34
Motorola’s been quietly killing it in the budget segment, and the Moto G34 is proof of that. It’s the kind of phone that just works: nothing flashy, but it does all the essentials without breaking a sweat.
It’s powered by the Snapdragon 695 – yep, a Qualcomm chip at this price is rare. It’s efficient, reliable, and handles multitasking without much hiccups.
On the front, you’re getting a 6.5-inch 120Hz display, which is honestly wild for this price point. That’s flagship-level smoothness on a budget. Couple it with front-facing stereo speakers and Android 14 out of the box, and it’s clear Motorola didn’t just phone it in (pun fully intended).
Battery? You might have already guessed it: 5000mAh. At this point, it’s practically a standard but still worth noting, especially at this price point. G34 will easily last you a full day and maybe more.
The 50MP camera delivers okay-ish photos in good lighting. Not mind-blowing, but hey, it’s a $100 phone, not a dedicated DSLR.
If you’re someone who wants a clean Android experience and zero bloatware, the Moto G34 is great.
- Samsung Galaxy M15
Samsung on a budget? Yes, it’s a thing, and the Galaxy M15 proves that even big brands like Samsung can play nice in the around $100.
The standout feature here is the AMOLED display. Yep, AMOLED at this price. That means deep blacks, punchy colors, and just an overall nicer screen than most LCD-equipped budget phones.
It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chip, which is 5G capable. You will get 5G on a phone that costs less than a fancy dinner. Performance is decent for daily use, watching videos, and browsing.
As for the battery, it is the biggest of the bunch – Samsung threw in a 6000mAh battery, which is just ridiculous (in a positive way, of course). This thing’s a battery beast.
The triple-camera system starts with a 50MP main shooter, and it performs fine. Again, not award-winning, but totally usable to capture your memories.
The only complaint I have with M15 is that Samsung’s One UI Core software is a bit lighter than its full-featured sibling.
All in all, the Galaxy M15 feels like a great deal if you can snag it for around $100 during sales or promos.
My Two Cents
If you’d ask me which one I would go for, my answer would be the Samsung Galaxy M15. It has everything that a budget phone user wants: great battery, fantastic display, and good performance for the price.
