10 Best Budget Phones 2026 in the United States

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a strong contender in the budget phone category, offering several features that stand out for everyday users. Its large 6.7-inch AMOLED display is bright and smooth with a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and media viewing enjoyable and clear. The 4900mAh battery provides solid endurance, supporting up to 33 hours of talk time, and recharges quickly with Super Fast Charging 2.0, so you won’t be tethered to an outlet for long.

The Moto G - 2025 is a budget-friendly phone that offers some impressive features for its price. It comes unlocked, making it compatible with all major U.S. carriers, which is a great convenience. The 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate is quite impressive for a phone in this category, offering bright and smooth visuals, though the HD+ resolution might not be as sharp as some users would prefer. The 50MP rear camera with Quad Pixel technology promises good photo quality, especially in low light, and the 16MP front camera should be sufficient for selfies and video calls.

The Google Pixel 9a stands out in the budget phone category by offering features typically found in more expensive models. Its 6.3-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 and an adaptive refresh rate from 60 to 120 Hz provides a sharp and smooth viewing experience, making it a solid choice for everyday use. The battery is impressive for this price range, with a 4300 mAh capacity that can last over 30 hours on a charge, and an Extreme Battery Saver mode pushing that up to 100 hours when needed — great for heavy users or those often away from power sources.