There are hundreds of amazing phones on the market, but what if you’re on a tighter budget? If you need something on the cheaper end of the scale, here are the best budget mobile phones available right now, all reviewed by our experts in iD Mobile. brought to you by Currys to help you find the ideal handset.
Alongside our list of the top cheap phones, you’ll find more handset options in our pay monthly and SIM free collections.
Best budget Google phone: Google Pixel 10a
A real standout from Google, the Google Pixel 10a offers top-notch features at a fraction of flagship prices. It sits at the higher end of what you’d call ‘budget’, but it’s well worth it.
The custom Google Tensor G4 chip keeps everything running smoothly, making sure day-to-day use is fast and responsive. That’s not all that’s impressive under the hood; the battery is actually larger than the one inside the pricier Pixel 10. At an impressive 5,100mAh, you can get over 30 hours of battery life from a single charge. If you’re heading somewhere remote or stuck on a long-haul flight, Extreme Battery Saver can stretch that to nearly 120 hours, so you can stay connected for even longer.
Two new additions make the camera setup even smarter, with Camera Coach as your AI-powered photography guide, and Auto Best Take picking from a burst of group shots to create one snap of everyone looking their best. If you’re trying to get a group photo without someone blinking or mid-sentence, this feature is a photo lifesaver.
Then there’s the design. The back is completely flat with no camera bump, which gives the whole handset a cleaner and much more premium look than the price suggests. You’ll get real peace of mind too with seven years of OS and security updates guaranteed - and for the first time on an A-series Pixel, Satellite SOS lets you contact emergency services even without mobile signal or Wi-Fi. It’s something you’ll hopefully never need but will be glad to know that you’ve got it in your back pocket.
- Release date: March 2026
- Dimensions: 153.9 x 73 x 9mm
- Weight: 183g
- Display size and resolution: 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display (1080 x 2424)
- OS: Android 16
- Refresh rate: 60-120Hz
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- CPU: Google Tensor G4
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: 5,100mAh
- Rear cameras: 48MP wide + 13MP ultrawide
- Front camera: 13MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Seven-year software and security update guarantee
- Excellent camera performance, backed up by smart AI photo tools
- Premium protection with IP68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass 7i display
Best budget iPhone: iPhone 15
Whilst later Apple handsets such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series are jam-packed with the latest features and advanced technology, older phones more than punch above their weight – and are suitable for budget buyers. Meet the iPhone 15, which proves you don’t have to fork out to get a top-performing phone.
With the Dynamic Island that was previously exclusive only to the more premium iPhone 14 Pro, you get all the best of Apple’s polished build quality at a more affordable price. The Dynamic Island also offers a smarter, more intuitive way to handle your notifications, timers or music without cluttering up your screen.
The camera tells a similar story, with an impressive 48MP lens that Apple previously kept for the Pro models. This level of high-quality tech really shows in your snaps, delivering sharp, rich and natural-looking photos whatever the lighting conditions with an improved Night mode. Flip to the front camera, and you’ll find that thanks to advanced portrait photography features, your selfies have never looked better.
Enabling these high-resolution snaps and more is the A16 Bionic chip delivering knockout power and efficiency. Paired with Apple’s classic quality and clean software experience, the iPhone 15 feels cohesive and reliable in a way that you come to expect from Apple.
- Release date: September 2023
- Dimensions: 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm
- Weight: 171g
- Display size and resolution: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (2556 x 1179)
- OS: iOS 26
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB
- CPU: A16 Bionic chip
- RAM: 6GB
- Battery: Video playback up to 20 hours
- Rear cameras: 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Powerful flagship-level performance thanks to Apple’s A16 Bionic chip
- Vibrant 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with sleek Dynamic Island
- Excellent 48MP camera system, with Night mode and portrait features
With a display refresh rate of 60Hz, the iPhone 15 is smooth and responsive, but if you’re switching from a more recent phone with the latest industry norm of 120Hz, it might feel a little slower. When it comes to everyday use, it’s still one of the best-value Apple options out there.
Best budget Samsung: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Samsung have truly perfected the art of the budget smartphone, and the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is proof of this. With brand reliability you can trust, the A17 5G isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s simply a great value, everyday phone that delivers major bang for your buck.
The large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate is impressive, with the kind of panel that makes scrolling feel smooth and colours look rich in a way that belies the lower price tag. Performance is handled by the Exynos 1330 chip, which covers everyday tasks from messaging to streaming comfortably. Whilst it’s not built for anything too demanding, like full-on gaming, it easily keeps up with day-to-day use.
On the camera side, a 50MP main lens with optical image stabilisation keeps your shots steady and clear, whether you’re out on a dog walk or in the crowd at a concert. Pair these excellent cameras with the A17 5G’s hefty 5,000mAh battery and tough Gorilla Glass Victus protection and you’ve got a phone you can really rely on.
- Release date: August 2025
- Dimensions: 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5mm
- Weight: 192g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ (1080 x 2340)
- OS: Android
- Refresh rate: 90Hz
- Storage: 128GB
- CPU: Exynos 1330
- RAM: 4GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP + 5MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 13MP
- IP rating: IP54
- Enjoy every detail on the 6.7-inch vivid Super AMOLED display
- 50MP OIS camera for great on-the-go snaps in any light
- Impressive 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging
Best battery life: Motorola Moto G06
Not every phone needs to be packed with tech and flashy features; sometimes you just want an uncomplicated, reliable phone that keeps up with you day-to-day. That’s what the Motorola Moto G06 is all about.
Just because this phone is dependable doesn’t mean it lacks in the aesthetic department. With a stunning vegan leather back that comes in a range of vibrant Pantone colours, the Moto G06 is seriously stylish. Plus, IP64 protection and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 keep everything splash and scrape-free, so you can enjoy that sleek design for longer.
But it’s not just it’s good looks that earned the Moto G06 its place on our list, it’s the phone’s battery life too. No more worrying about your phone dying mid-afternoon; with the Moto G06’s huge 5,200mAh battery, this handset will easily see you through two full days on a single charge.
The 6.88 -inch display is also the largest yet on a Moto G phone, and paired with Dolby Atmos immersive stereo speakers, you’re in for a truly cinematic viewing experience without the major price tag. Photography has also seen a premium upgrade with the Moto G06; a 50MP main camera keeps colours accurate and rich so your photos come out just how you want them to, with no over-saturation in sight. Motorola have also integrated Google Photos editing tools into the phone’s software, so it’s never been easier to level up your shots.
- Release date: September 2025
- Dimensions: 171.3 x 77.5 x 8.3mm
- Weight: 194g
- Display size and resolution: 6.88 -inch HD+ (720 x 1640)
- OS: Android 15
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB or 256GB
- CPU: MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB
- Battery: 5,200mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- IP rating: IP64
- Large 6.88-inch display with cinematic HD+ resolution
- Huge 5,200mAh battery, rated for up to two days of use
- Durable IP64 water and dust resistance and Gorilla Glass 3 protection
Best display: Samsung Galaxy A37 5G
If you spend a lot of time looking at your phone – and let’s be honest, most of us do – the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G makes it look as good as possible thanks to its top-notch display.
Samsung has packed a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display into this budget-friendly model, with vibrant colours and slimmer bezels that make the screen feel even more immersive. With a brightness of up to 1,900 nits and Vision Booster, you can rely on the display to stay clear and readable even when you’re in the big, bright outdoors. Running at a 120Hz refresh rate, everything from scrolling through social media on your lunch break to video calling family is smooth, responsive and lag-free. It’s not hard to see why the A37 5G is our top pick for the best budget display.
Keeping this display powered is a reliable 5,000mAh battery, backed up by 45W wired charging, which is actually even faster than Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26. You don’t have to worry about wrecking your display either, with tough Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and the back, alongside IP68 water and dust resistance. A holiday poolside accident or a pavement nosedive are no match for the A37 5G.
- Release date: April 2026
- Dimensions: 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4mm
- Weight: 196g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED (1080 x 2340)
- OS: Android 16
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- CPU: Exynos 1480
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP + 8MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Bright AMOLED display designed for rich colours and smooth everyday scrolling
- Tough engineering with IP68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates
Best camera: HONOR 400 Lite
Looking to capture stunning shots without blowing your budget? The HONOR 400 Lite delivers where it matters most: its photography capabilities. This affordable all-rounder punches well above its price point with a powerful dual-lens rear camera setup and a pixel-packed front camera for brilliant selfies. Whether you’re snapping sunset landscapes or group portraits, the results are clear, vibrant, and Instagram-ready.
At the heart of it all is a 108MP main camera, rarely seen in budget phones. It delivers pro-level detail and clarity in both bright and low light, capturing every texture and nuance. This incredible pixel count also means your photos will maintain a significant amount of detail when cropping them, giving the HONOR 400 Lite an advantage even over flagship handsets. If you like to edit and crop your snaps, this budget phone is a winner.
The 5MP Wide & Depth camera adds greater versatility to the array, designed to make every photo pop. Yes, the pixel count is a lot lower, but the sheer fact that this camera exists on the HONOR 400 Lite means you’ve got more tools to work with. There’s also a 16MP front camera that ensures your selfies are detailed and sharp, with AI-enhanced features that smooth out skin and enhance lighting automatically. A truly remarkable photography suite for such an affordable phone.
Add in MagicOS 9.0, built on Android 15, and you’ll find a whole host of smart camera tools like AI scene detection, real-time HDR and filters, right out of the box. Budding photographers buying on a budget should not pass up the HONOR 400 Lite.
- Release date: April 2025
- Dimensions: 161 x 74.55 x 7.29mm
- Weight: 171g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch AMOLED display (2412 x 1080)
- OS: MagicOS 9.0 (Based on Android 15)
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: 5,230mAh
- Rear cameras: 108MP Main + 5MP Wide & Depth
- Front camera: 16MP
- IP rating: IP64
- Dual-lens setup with a massive 108MP main camera
- AI photography tools that enhance colours, lighting and detail
- AMOLED display for reviewing shots in high contrast and vivid colour
- Generous storage (256GB) for keeping thousands of high-res photos
Best classic budget phone: Nokia 2660 Flip
Ultra-simple design? Check. Long-lasting battery? Check. Iconic and nostalgic style with unbeatable value? Also check. The Nokia 2660 Flip is our pick for the best classic budget phone. Whether you’re after a reliable backup device, buying for an older or younger member of the family, or just prefer the comfort of tactile buttons, this retro-inspired handset nails all the essentials without any of the distractions.
With a 2.8-inch main screen and a second external display for notifications, the 2660 Flip keeps things clear and accessible. The large, high-contrast UI is easy on the eyes, while the simple Series 30+ interface is as intuitive as it gets. Plus, the classic clamshell design means you can end an annoying call in the most satisfying way possible: snap. This isn’t the phone to buy for taking photos, however, as its camera pales in comparison to other phones on this list.
Being a classically designed phone doesn’t mean the Nokia 2660 Flip is stuck in the past, though. As we mentioned, it comes with an external 1.77-inch screen that showcases the time, notifications and more, so you don’t even have to open the phone up to check what’s going on. We were so impressed by this feature on a classic design that we just had to include it on this list.
- Release date: July 2022
- Dimensions: 108 x 55 x 18.9mm (folded)
- Weight: 123g
- Display size and resolution: 2.8-inch main display (320 x 240); 1.77-inch cover display
- OS: MOCOR (with Nokia Series 30+ interface)
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Storage: 128MB (32GB with MicroSD card)
- CPU: Unisoc T107
- RAM: 48MB
- Battery: 1,450mAh
- Rear cameras: 0.3 MP
- Front camera: N/A
- IP rating: IP54
- Iconic flip phone design with large, physical buttons
- Incredibly lightweight and pocket-friendly
- Up to several days of standby time on a single charge
Summary
Budget smartphones offer more value than ever, combining great displays, capable cameras, reliable performance, and long battery life. Whether you prefer Android or iOS, want cutting-edge features or classic simplicity, there’s a budget phone here for everyone.
If you’ve got a little more to spend, you might also be interested in exploring the best mid-range phones.
FAQs
Many budget smartphones now come with powerful processors and high refresh rate displays, making them suitable for casual and even mid-level mobile gaming.
For everyday use, 4GB to 6GB of RAM is usually enough for browsing, social media and streaming. If you plan on playing games or using multiple apps at once, 8GB of RAM will give you a smoother, more responsive experience and help your phone stay faster for longer.
Yes! Thanks to advances in AI and sensor tech, many budget phones now offer excellent cameras, especially for everyday photography and social media.