The importance of the best cheap phones is only increasing as the price of flagship devices increase with each new feature. The best budget phones allow buyers to get a phone that not only takes care of the essentials, but offers a near premium experience without breaking their budget.
We've spent time with dozens of new phones in 2024, from budget bargains like the Motorola Moto G54 to the all-new iPhone 16 Pro Max, and we can confidently recommend a handful of phones under AU$1000 that will leave most users delighted with their purchase.
The premier quality of the best cheap phones though, is that whether you're looking for a great camera, gaming power or a vivid display for watching the best streaming services, you can prioritise features you want without spending on those you don't . You don't even need to miss out on flagship features, just look at the AI tools boasted by the Google Pixel 8a.
While Black Friday provided some steep savings – like the Samsung Galaxy A55 for just AU$497 – and the holiday period is destined to push some great prices, we expect even better deals on the budget offerings from Samsung, Motorola, Apple and Google once Boxing Day sales start. If your budget can stretch, the best phones and best camera phones are worth it – but if you're looking for the best budget phone, you're in the right place.
The quick list
Below you can find a roundup of our choices for the best cheap phones in Australia. You can quickly jump to a more detailed review of each pick, and view the latest deals for each using our price comparison tool.
The best cheap phone overall
As well as a premium design, the Samsung Galaxy A55 offers an impressive display, stellar performance, detailed photos and great battery life.
The best cheap Pixel
One of the best budget lines ever, the Pixel 8a offers even more value than usual, providing the greatest AI tools and years of support in an attractive, colourful and tough shell.
The best cheap iPhone
More affordable than ever, the iPhone 13 replaces the iPhone SE as the best cheap iPhone. It offers snappy performance, a good camera and several colours.
The best cheap iPhone
The cheapest of the Motorola Edge 50 Family, the Edge 50 Fusion offers well-rounded performance and a fast-charging, long-lasting battery.
The best cheap phone under AU$500
Delivering a smartphone experience that seriously belies its low price, the Moto G54 5G is a true return to form for the budget phone king.
The best cheap camera phone
Not quite cheap, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a premium experience at a mid-range price, but the star is its excellent camera array and AI tools that make great photos easy.
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The best cheap phone for gaming
If you're looking for affordable gaming thrills, the Oppo Find X5 is one of the best, offering a virtually lag-free gameplay and an overall premium mid-range experience.
The best cheap rugged phone
If you spend a lot of time outdoors and don’t want to worry about damaging your phone, the Nokia XR20 is the one to get.
The best cheap phones in Australia 2024
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Below you’ll find more in-depth reviews for each of the best cheap phones in Australia, along with links to full reviews written by TechRadar’s team of smartphone experts.
The best cheap Samsung phone
Improving on its predecessor (the Samsung Galaxy A54, which previously topped this list) in every way, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is an exceptional mid-range handset. With a bigger 6.6-inch display that provides equal clarity and brightness (peaking at 1000 nits), an improved Exynos 1480 chipset to boost performance even further and improved camera functionality, it is the Galaxy A55's design that sets itself apart from its predecessors and competitors.
Often the most obvious difference between flagship handsets and their cheaper alternatives is the way they look. Usually, you'll see a lot of plastic used with affordable phones. That's not the case here. A super stylish combination of metal and glass, the Galaxy A55 looks and feels like a premium phone that belies its price, and its performance doesn't let it down either.
While its Geekbench performance benchmark scores of 1155 and 3468 outperform its predecessor, they don't stack up against the top phones. That’s to be expected in this price bracket however, but make no mistake the Galaxy A55 runs smoothly, whether you're scrolling social media, video-calling or getting into an intense fight in an online shooter, and you'll be able to do all of that all-day long thanks to its long-lasting battery that will easily see you through a day of use.
And for those with a love for photo-taking, whether it's artistic ultra-wide nature shots or showing off your breakfast, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is more than up to the task. While it retains the 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide camera, 5MP macro and 32MP front cameras of the Galaxy A54 – a combination we loved – the A55 manages to make them work far better, particularly in low-light conditions. Whether it's dimly-lit romantic selfies or bed-time photos of your pets, the A55 has no issues capturing in low-light thanks to its much-improved night-mode feature.
A premium design at a mid-tier price range, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is everything you could want from a more affordable smartphone and offers excellent value at its price.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy A55 review
The best cheap Pixel phone
With the Google Pixel 7a getting increasingly more difficult to get your hands on outside of one of our best phone plans, if you're looking to get into the Pixel ecosystem on a budget the Pixel 8a is undoubtedly the best choice. We think it's one of the best Android phones on the market regardless of price, and while it retails for AU$850, you can often find it for less than AU$700 to really save some coin.
If you're interested in trying out the best of AI tools and Google Gemini features in a handset without spending too much, the Pixel 8a is the clear choice. In our Google Pixel 8a review, we found little difference between the AI functionality of the 8a compared to the 8 Pro, and it went toe-to-toe with the Pixel 8 in our benchmark testing.
With seven years of Android updates promised from its launch in May 2024, there's still plenty of juice to be squeezed from it. And, with the recent release of the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, the deals aren't likely to dry up anytime soon. If you've been considering a Pixel phone, are intrigued by its AI functionality and want a phone that will last until you're ready to upgrade, the Pixel 8a is an incredible option at its price.
Read our full Google Pixel 8a review
The best cheap iPhone
It's now two generations old, but the iPhone 13 is still available to buy, even direct from Apple itself. Its age works in its favour too, as it means it's now more affordable than ever, and can be picked up from AU$1,099. It's technically not the cheapest iPhone you can buy, that title belongs to the increasingly hard to find iPhone SE (2022), but for our money it offers a far superior performance.
There's no one single area it outperforms the SE, but across the board the iPhone 13 is a solid choice, offering good battery life and a great camera setup. The A15 Bionic processor is the same as that found in the SE, but it's put to better use in the iPhone 13, such as with image processing.
We also can't forget the fact it's available in a range of fun colours and is far more up-to-date in terms of mod-cons, such as offering Face ID, as opposed to the iPhone SE's Touch ID home button.
Read our full iPhone 13 review
4. The best cheap Android
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion continues the Edge family’s trend as examples of how to make a budget phone feel premium. Delivering solid all-round performance, the Fusion performs seamlessly when completing everyday tasks, snaps excellent photos and excels in its long-lasting battery. Plus, adding some high-end flair is the incorporation of useful (and fun) AI functionality.
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, much like the Edge 50 Pro and Neo, are all about style without lacking substance. Putting aesthetics front and centre despite being the most budget-friendly of the Edge phones, the Fusion boasts a contoured, thin design that is wildly attractive in its three colourways and textures, with a luxurious 6.7-inch display that curves seamlessly into the coloured metal frame. Those aforementioned AI tools even allow for personalising wallpapers based on your own photos, adding a fun layer of customisation and letting you craft a background based on your favourite artwork or outfit.
However, its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip struggles with high-performance tasks – most glaring when taking photos quickly in shutter mode and after long periods within the camera app – something I also noticed with the more powerful Motorola Edge 50 Pro. Still, for everyday tasks it performs excellently. Plus, its cheaper price point makes the small issues you might encounter much more palatable.
The Fusion performs excellently in the photo department, especially for its price, thanks to its 50MP main camera that ensures sharp, vibrant images and a versatile 13MP ultrawide option. It also sports a 32MP front camera that beats the selfie cameras of some of the best phones.
The one real drawback on the Fusion, apart from some small concessions made to keep its price down – as it is with the Pro – is three years of OS updates and four years of security patches. However, the Fusion stands out as one of the best budget options on the market today especially for those who need a long-lasting battery – you even get a fast charger and protective case in the box.
Read our full Motorola Edge 50 Pro review
The best cheap phone under AU$500
If you want to spend as little as possible – like really not a lot of money at all – but you want to maximise your smartphone experience, the Moto G54 5G is an excellent choice. You get all the essentials you could need from a smartphone, including 5G connectivity and a beautiful display.
Battery life is also pretty commendable, lasting a day with ease, and it now supports slightly faster charging compared to its predecessor, at 15W. The standout feature for us, however, is the screen, which is much improved over the previous G53. It's bright and vibrant, and you'll find very little to separate it from screens on phones costing six or seven times as much.
And as for the camera, you'll get decent shots, but not class-leading which is to be expected at this price point. You could step up to the Moto G82 and still remain under the AU$500 budget for better photos, although we feel as an overall wallet-friendly package, there is much to like about the Motorola Moto G54 5G.
Read our full Motorola Moto G54 review
The best cheap camera phone
While it slots in quite perfectly into this category, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a lot more than a handy set of cameras. Coming in three colourways – Luxe Lavender and Black Beauty which employ a vegan leather, and Moonlight Pearl – the Edge 50 Pro is an incredibly stylish handset, from its attractive back cover to its aluminium frame and curved-edged display.
We think its retail price of AU$999 is more than fair, so snagging it at any kind of discount is a deal you should jump on if you're looking for the best camera phone under AU$1,000. While we found its processor struggled a touch with high-performance gaming and long-periods within the camera app, it's perfect for those looking for a flagship handset without paying the AU$1,500 plus that even an older flagship phone costs.
We think its camera is the star, but its battery gives it a run for its money – offering more than enough charge for a full day With a battery that will easily see you through the day, it also offers enough charge to get you through work in just five minutes for those Monday mornings. It's one of the more expensive phones in this guide, but with its 6.7-inch curved display, premium design and smooth performance combined with its AI-enhanced camera and long-lasting battery it offers fantastic bang for your buck.
Read our full Motorola Edge 50 Pro review
The best cheap phone for gaming
The Oppo Find X5 is an exceedingly good and enjoyable phone that delivers great performance across virtually all areas. In fact, if it weren't for its slightly inflated price compared to the Galaxy A54, it could have well earned the number one spot on this list, as it offers what is essentially a flagship performance and spec, without the sky-high price tag.
We've chosen it as our mobile gaming champion in the wallet-friendly space, thanks to its lag-free performance and ability to handle more graphic-intensive titles, compared to other entrants on this list. And those games are presented on a gorgeous 6.55-inch AMOLED screen that delivers when it comes to brightness, and one that handles contrast well, too.
Photos taken on the triple lens camera are admirable, even those taken in diminishing light conditions, and selfies taken on the front-facing 32MP won't leave you looking pale as a ghost. We admit, its asking price of AU$799 is going to more towards the top end of what can truly be considered cheap, but when you consider you're not making that many compromises compared to the flagships of the world, we think it's a bargain.
Read our full Oppo Find X5 review
The best cheap rugged phone
Straight off the bat, the Nokia XR20 won't be for everyone. That doesn't make it a bad budget smartphone. In fact it's arguably one of the best, particularly in the rugged category, but it fits slightly more into niche territory than many of its competitors. As a rugged smartphone, however, with quality durability and competent performance features to match, it's impressive.
5G-enabled, shockproof and water resistant, the Nokia XR20 is a clear choice for the more adventurous types or who require a smartphone they can worry less about damaging. The front screen is a tough Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the phone's exterior is verified as military durability quality with a MIL-STD-810 rating. An IP68 water resistance rounds out the XR20's resume in this arena. Add in to consideration Nokia's generous three-year warranty and there's little to worry about with respect to damaging the handset.
2x2 MIMO antenna technology allowing for superior Wi-Fi reception and support for 18W fast charging also elevate the XR20 particularly as a travel option, however the phone's performance does leave a little bit to be desired when stacked up against mid-range and premium smartphones and even many of its better budget competitors. While it's certainly no slouch in the performance department, particularly for a rugged smartphone, it nonetheless lacks an ability to quickly perform the more arduous tasks that might be thrown at it, such as mobile gaming.
The XR20's camera is also a disappointment, particularly when compared to the Oppo Reno8 and Samsung Galaxy A53 above. While these offer triple and quad lenses respectively, the Nokia XR20's rear camera offers only two and with less performance value. The front camera is even worse, offering only an 8MP wide lens which pales in comparison to the 32MP lenses of both the Reno8 and A53.
Still, if you're looking for a rugged smartphone at an approachable price point and which doesn't sacrifice too much with regards to performance and overall value, the Nokia XR20 is a solid option.
Read our full Nokia XR20 5G rugged smartphone review
FAQ
How to choose the best cheap phone for you
It's no secret that the best cheap phones don't have it all, as their low price means there are almost always compromises to be made. So the first step to choosing one is deciding which aspects of the phone are most important to you, and what you can live without.
Do you need excellent battery life? A bright and vivid screen? Or a well-performing camera? Perhaps you require a high refresh rate, or consider 5G to be vital.
Another consideration, which isn't specifically price related, is the screen size – a smaller screen makes it easier to use with one hand, and easier to fit in small pockets, while a bigger screen can make apps, games and videos more pleasant to watch and interact with.
Whatever the case, once you've decided what you do and don't need, you can read through the entries above to find a phone that fits. Whatever balance you ultimately decide on there's likely to be an ideal option above, and we've tested all of these phones extensively, so you can be sure they're good.
What is the best 5G phone under AU$400?
All the phones in this list sit just outside the AU$400 price range, though both the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and Samsung Galaxy A55 have come into the AU$400-AU$500 range, and could do again on Black Friday. However, if you're strictly looking for something that retails in that range, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy A15.
What are the cheapest phone plans?
You can find our guides to the best phone plans and best SIM-only plans. However, there is one key thing to remember when looking at the cheapest phone plans, and that's that the major telcos – Optus, Telstra and Vodafone – are rarely going to be offering competitively affordable plans, and won't be offering the cheapest. For the cheapest plans, you'll want to stick with MVNOs like Felix, TPG and catch.
What is the best cheap smartphone?
The best cheap smartphone regularly changes and is somewhat subjective, but our pick for the best cheap option is whatever's currently in the number one spot on the list above. At the time of publishing, the best overall cheap phone is probably the Samsung Galaxy A55 – though the Pixel 8a, Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and iPhone 13 are all neck and neck.
What is the world's cheapest phone?
If you're really looking for the cheapest possible phone for phone calls and text messaging, you can get a cheap flip phone for under AU$50. However, in terms of smartphones that are still recommendable and super cheap, we have spent time with the Mara X1, which costs around AU$90, and there are various phones under AU$200 like the Motorola Moto g04.
How we tested
We only include a handset on this best cheap phones list once we've fully reviewed it, so you can be assured that every entry has been tested in full.
Our testing process involves using the phone as our main handset for days or even weeks, and testing all the key factors, from the power to the battery life, the cameras, the screen, and beyond.
That means we know exactly how each of these performs in reality - not just on paper, and we use that knowledge to rank them, while factoring in the all important price and value.
- Check out how these cheaper models compare to our overall top Aussie smartphone picks
