Top 5 Budget Smartphones Under $300 in 2025

Buying a cheap phone used to mean accepting a bad screen and a slow camera. In late 2025, that is no longer true. The budget smartphone market has exploded with powerful devices that look and feel expensive. You can now get 5G speed, multi-day battery life, and stunning screens for less than $300.

If you are looking to save money without sacrificing quality, you have come to the right place. We have tested and researched the latest models to find the absolute best phones you can buy right now.

Here are the top 5 budget smartphones under $300 in 2025.

1. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G: The Long-Term Value King

Best For: People who want a phone that lasts for years.

Samsung has changed the game with the Galaxy A16 5G. Usually, cheap phones stop getting updates after one or two years. But Samsung now promises 6 years of updates for this model. This means your phone will stay secure and get new features until 2031. No other phone in this price range offers this kind of longevity.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. It is bright, colorful, and runs at 90Hz for smooth scrolling.
• Battery: 5,000mAh battery that easily lasts a full day and a half.
• Camera: A 50MP main camera that takes crisp photos in daylight. It also has an ultra-wide lens for landscape shots.

Why You Should Buy It: It is the safest choice on this list. It feels reliable, the software is easy to use, and you won’t need to buy a new phone for a very long time. It usually costs around $199, leaving you plenty of cash for a nice case.

2. Moto G Power 5G (2025): The Battery Beast

Best For: Users who hate carrying a charger.

Motorola owns the budget market in the US, and the 2025 Moto G Power is their best version yet. As the name suggests, the star of the show is the battery life. You can easily get two days of use on a single charge if you are not gaming heavily.

Key Features:

• Durability: It has a special “vegan leather” back that feels grippy and premium. It is also tough, with military-grade protection against drops and dust.
• Wireless Charging: Surprisingly, this phone supports 15W wireless charging. This is a rare feature for a phone under $300.
• Screen: A massive 6.8-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is huge and great for watching movies.

Why You Should Buy It: If you work long hours or travel often, this is the phone for you. It is tough, the battery refuses to die, and the leather texture makes it feel like a luxury device. It is priced exactly at $299 but often goes on sale.

3. CMF Phone 1: The Design Revolutionary

Best For: People who want something unique and fun.

Most smartphones look like boring glass sandwiches. The CMF Phone 1 (by the company Nothing) is completely different. It has a modular design, which means you can actually use a screwdriver to take off the back cover and swap it for a different color. You can even attach accessories like a kickstand or a lanyard holder directly to the phone.

Key Features:

• Performance: It uses a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, which is surprisingly fast for gaming.
• Display: A beautiful AMOLED screen with deep blacks and vibrant colors.
• Price: It is incredibly affordable, often starting around $199 to $230.

Why You Should Buy It: It is the “coolest” phone on this list. It sparks conversations. The software is clean and stylish (no bloatware), and the ability to change the back cover means you don’t really need a case. It is perfect for younger users or tech enthusiasts.

4. Poco X7: The Performance Powerhouse

Best For: Gamers and power users.

If your main priority is speed, the Poco X7 is hard to beat. This phone is built for performance. It packs a processor that is usually found in much more expensive phones, making it the best option for playing games like Call of Duty or PUBG without lag.

Key Features:

• Speed: It features fast RAM and storage speeds, so apps open instantly.
• Charging: It supports blazing-fast charging (often 67W or higher), which can fill the battery in under 45 minutes.
• Screen: A top-tier AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate that looks buttery smooth.

Why You Should Buy It: You get the most “bang for your buck” in terms of raw power. It might not have the polished software of Samsung, but it is faster than almost anything else under $300. Prices usually hover around $280.

5. OnePlus Nord N30 5G: The Charging Champion

Best For: Quick top-ups and loud audio.

Even though it has been out for a little while, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G remains a top recommendation in 2025 because it does the basics so well. It is famous for its “SuperVOOC” fast charging, which changes how you use your phone.

Key Features:

• 50W Fast Charging: You can plug it in for just 20 minutes and get enough power for the whole day.
• Audio: It has dual stereo speakers that can get very loud (up to 200% volume mode), which is great for listening to music without headphones.
• Camera: A 108MP main camera that captures plenty of detail.

Why You Should Buy It: If you often forget to charge your phone until the last minute, this device is a lifesaver. It is reliable, fast, and has a very clean software interface that many people love. You can often find it for $250 or less.

Which One Should You Choose?

• Go for the Samsung Galaxy A16 if you want a phone that will last you 4-5 years comfortably.
• Pick the Moto G Power (2025) if you want the best battery life and a tough, durable body.
• Choose the CMF Phone 1 if you want a cool design and a great screen for a low price.
• Buy the Poco X7 if you are a gamer on a budget.
• Grab the OnePlus Nord N30 if you need super-fast charging.

No matter which one you pick, you are getting an amazing piece of technology that proves you don’t need to spend $1,000 to get a great smartphone in 2025.