10 Best Budget Phones 2025 in the United States

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a well-rounded budget phone that offers several strong features for its price. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 1880 x 2340 resolution provides crisp and vivid visuals, making it great for media consumption and daily use. The large screen size is a plus for users who enjoy browsing and streaming on their phones. The phone comes with a 2.4 GHz processor and 4 GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for most everyday tasks, although it might struggle with more demanding apps and multitasking.

With 128 GB of internal storage and the option to expand up to 1.5 TB, you won't have to worry about running out of space for your photos, videos, and apps. The camera setup, featuring a triple-lens system, is designed to capture clear and detailed photos in various conditions, which is a significant advantage for users who enjoy photography. Battery life is another highlight, with Super Fast Charging ensuring you spend less time plugged in. The phone’s durable design, coupled with an improved IP54 rating, adds a layer of protection against dust and water splashes, enhancing its longevity.

Software-wise, the Galaxy A16 5G runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI, offering a user-friendly experience. The promise of six years of OS and security updates is a standout feature, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date for an extended period. One potential downside is the 4 GB of RAM, which may not be suitable for heavy multitasking or more intensive applications. However, for the target audience looking for a reliable and feature-rich budget phone, the Galaxy A16 5G offers excellent value with its combination of a vibrant display, solid performance, extensive storage options, and long-term software support.

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.

Performance-wise, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset combined with 4GB of RAM should handle everyday tasks well, though it may struggle with more demanding applications. The option to boost RAM using internal storage is a nice touch, but it can reduce available storage space. Speaking of storage, the phone offers a generous 128GB, which can be expanded with a microSD card up to 1TB, ensuring plenty of room for all your files and apps. The 5000mAh battery is a significant plus, providing long-lasting usage, and the TurboPower charging feature allows for quick top-ups.

The build quality is solid, featuring a stylish vegan leather design and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added durability, though it's only water-repellent, not waterproof. On the software front, it runs Android 15, which is the latest version and should provide a smooth user experience along with future updates. However, some users might find the lack of included fast charger a bit inconvenient. All in all, the Moto G - 2025 is an excellent choice for those looking for a budget phone with great battery life, a good camera, and solid performance for everyday use, but it may not satisfy users seeking top-tier display resolution or who frequently use demanding apps.

The Google Pixel 9a is a strong contender in the budget phone segment, offering several features that punch above its price. It has a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a smooth refresh rate up to 120Hz, which means visuals are clear and scrolling feels fluid for everyday use. The phone’s 5100mAh battery is impressive, lasting over 30 hours on a single charge under normal use, and it can stretch up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode, making it reliable for all-day and even extended use without frequent recharging. Photography is another highlight: the Pixel 9a uses Google’s renowned camera system enhanced with AI tools to produce sharp and vibrant photos, including creative options like Macro Focus for close-up shots and group photo enhancements.

The Google Tensor G4 processor paired with 8GB RAM ensures smooth performance for typical apps and multitasking, although it may not compete with high-end phones in speed or gaming. Storage is a decent 128GB, enough for most users’ apps, photos, and videos. Build quality is solid, with IP68 water and dust resistance and a scratch-resistant screen which is rare in budget phones, adding durability and peace of mind. On software, it runs the latest Android 15 and promises 7 years of OS and security updates, an excellent commitment that keeps the phone secure and up-to-date longer than many competitors.

Some extras include fast and wireless charging, 5G support, and built-in AI assistant Gemini that helps with tasks and navigation. The main drawbacks might be the 60-120 Hz refresh rate limited to 1080p resolution rather than higher-end displays, and it lacks a headphone jack, which might be inconvenient for some. The Pixel 9a delivers a well-rounded package with standout camera and battery life, making it ideal for budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable, durable phone with good software support and solid everyday performance.