Various manufacturers, including many from China and Korea, have compelling products that are becoming more popular as we reach smartphone saturation. We also now see Samsung, Google, and Apple offering more affordable options with all three bringing in models that support 5G cellular connectivity. In particular, Google is committed to bringing its advanced camera software technology to mid-range phones. Camera performance was a major differentiator between flagships and mid-range phones over the past couple of years, but even today’s affordable phones can help you capture decent photos to share with family and friends or selfies for social media. Let’s take a look at some of the best smartphones available for your budget.
You can read more phone buying tips and how we make our recommendations here.   
Also: Best super-cheap phones under $100: Top budget smartphones Samsung offers a range of A Series smartphones worth considering with one of the most affordable ones in the US appearing as the A32 5G. That’s right, for barely over $200 you get an Android phone that supports 5G mobile networks, 4GB of RAM, and a 5,000 mAh battery. We also find a high refresh rate display, 90Hz, and if you have used anything better than 60Hz, it is tough to go back to anything less than 90Hz. We also find fast charging, NFC, and very capable quad rear cameras. The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is available only in Awesome Black, but one can’t be too picky at this price point. Last year Google released the Pixel 4A 5G, which is one of the most affordable 5G phones, for $499. Google updated that phone with the Pixel 5A for $50 less than the 4A 5G, making the 4A essentially obsolete.  There are often special deals for the Pixel 5A with the phone at $399 or less too so keep an eye out for these offers. The Pixel 5A, see our full review, is targeted at people who want an affordable Pixel phone with Google’s stunning camera software The 5A also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, an aluminum body with IP67 dust/water resistance, and at least three years of OS and security updates. The phone is available just in black as either an unlocked phone or one with service provided by Google Fi. Apple satisfied those looking for a tiny phone a few years ago with the 2016 iPhone SE. In 2020, it introduced another SE model in a larger form factor that carried on the tradition of the Touch ID front fingerprint sensor. The 2022 iPhone SE (3rd Generation) is available now for a very affordable starting price of $429 in three color options - Midnight, Starlight, and PRODUCT Red. Full review: Apple iPhone SE (2022): As fast as iPhone 13 Pro Max, but half the price The latest model brings Sub-6 5G support (mmWave is not supported) and a new Apple processor with the same traditional display size, front Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and single rear camera. The processor brings improved performance, longer battery life, and enhanced photography results with the same hardware. The iPhone SE is still essentially an iPhone 8 with upgraded internals to match the modern iPhone 13 range. For those who want a smaller and less expensive iPhone, this is the one to get. There are also still many fans of Touch ID, especially if you wear a mask regularly. The TCL 30 V 5G is Verizon’s lowest priced Android smartphone with 5G support so if you are a Verizon customer this phone serves as a solid gateway into 5G service. Full price from Verizon is $299.99 with monthly payment options available too. The phone supports 18W fast charging and can also be used as a WiFi hotspot. TCL is known for its display technology and it brings the NXTVISION technology to the phone with the TCL 30 V 5G so you can experience high quality streaming video content through the Verizon network or a local WiFi connection. Dual speakers help enhance the experience too. The TCL 20 SE is not a gaming phone or one that will help you easily take award-winning photos. As a TCL-branded phone, it is focused on the display experience and the basics. There is no 5G connectivity and it will get 18 months to 24 months of Android security patches, likely released on a quarterly basis. It is also a very large phone – with a 6.82-inch display and a thickness of 9.14 mm. All that said, it is priced at just $189.99. There are not many phones priced less than $200 and the TCL 20SE appears to be well built with a rather lovely modern design. I enjoyed using the large display for messaging and enjoying Google TV movies so there are definitely ways to enjoy the optimized visual experience of the phone.