Best Budget Smartphones 2025 Under 300 in 2025
Looking for the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300? Check out our expert-picked list of top affordable phones with great cameras, battery life, 5G, and clean Android — all under $300.
Table of Contents
Smartphones have come a long way – by 2025 you can get serious features on a shoestring budget. These days even sub‑$300 phones sport 5G, AMOLED screens and fast charging. This guide is for students, minimalists, or anyone who wants solid daily drivers without splurging. We’ve hand‑picked the top best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 in real‐world categories: best for battery, camera, clean Android, gaming, etc. Each pick includes what actually matters (battery life, camera performance, updates and speed), not just specs. Think of this as advice from a tech‑savvy friend – no fluff, just what you need to know.
Our Top Picks (by Use Case)
Motorola Moto G 5G (2024) – Best Battery Life
Why? The new Moto G 5G packs a 5,000 mAh cell into a $199 phone, and it shows. In testing it ran 14.5 hours on our battery loop – about 4.5 hours better than average. Performance is modest (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1), but everyday apps run fine and the near‑stock Android means almost no bloatware. Motorola’s UI is “wonderfully uncluttered and easy to use”, so if you hate ads and junk apps, this one’s for you. The vegan‑leather back even feels a bit premium. Downsides? The 720p LCD isn’t very bright and the cameras (50MP main + macro) are just okay. But if you want a day‑plus battery life on a budget, the Moto G 5G is hard to beat.
If clean Android matters to you, the Moto G 5G (2024) is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 — no bloat, no lag, just solid basics.
(Amazon link: Moto G 5G (2024) – 128GB†)
OnePlus Nord N30 5G – Best All-Round Performer
Why? At $250–300, the Nord N30 5G delivers a lot. It has a 108MP main camera (surprisingly good for the price) and a snappy 120Hz LCD for silky scrolling. Thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery and efficient Snapdragon 695 chip, it easily lasts a full day – Nord’s “excellent battery life” is one of the reasons to buy. It even supports 50W fast charging, so short top-ups are quick. OnePlus’s OxygenOS is also fairly clean (less bloat than many Android skins). In other words, you’re getting a 5G phone with smooth display, strong battery, and decent speed for well under $300. The only hitch is the plastic body and the cameras can’t match pricier flagships in low light. Overall, the Nord N30 5G is a solid all-rounder if you want a fast display and long life on the cheap.
If you want a fast, fluid phone with zero slowdowns, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 — smooth UI, big screen, and 50W charging for the win.
(Amazon link: OnePlus Nord N30 5G – 128GB†)
Samsung Galaxy A26 5G – Best Software Support (and Battery)
Why? Samsung’s A-series continues to rule the budget space. The new Galaxy A26 5G ($280–$300) has a big 6.7″ AMOLED, IP67 water resistance (yes, water rating on a budget!), and a 5,000 mAh battery. Even better, Samsung promises 6 years of updates on it – crazy for this price. In fact, it “gives… a big battery, six years of software update support, and much more at a price that’s too good to resist”. The 50MP main camera takes sharp daytime shots, and everything feels smooth on Samsung’s One UI. (It’s not completely stock Android, but it’s clean compared to some UIs.) At $300 you’re basically getting a long-lived flagship design for cheap. This is our pick if you want a mainstream brand, worry-free updates, and AMOLED colors on a budget.
If you want Samsung’s smooth One UI, solid updates, and a vibrant AMOLED screen, the Galaxy A26 5G is easily one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 — polished, protected, and future-proof.
(Amazon link: Samsung Galaxy A26 5G – 8GB/256GB†)
Poco X6 Pro – Best Performance/Design
Why? Poco (a Xiaomi sub‑brand) often packs extra power into its phones. The Poco X6 Pro ($280–$300) has a bold design – choose a yellow vegan‑leather back if you want to stand out. Under the hood is a 6.67″ 120Hz AMOLED, a 64MP main camera, and 67W fast charging, which are unheard‑of in cheaper models. Thanks to its MediaTek Dimensity chip it handles heavy apps and gaming much better than most $300 phones. The one main downside is the MIUI software, which can feel a bit cluttered. But if you value performance (and a super-fast charge), the X6 Pro is tough to beat in this price bracket.
Gamers and power users, take note: the Poco X6 Pro 5G is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 if you care about raw speed, slick display, and lightning-fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G – Best Camera (50MP)
Why? If the biggest camera sensor is your priority, the Galaxy A16 5G fits the bill. It’s a straightforward Samsung budget phone with a 50MP main camera, 5G support, and a 6.7″ LCD display. You also get that same 6 years of updates promise as the A26 – a huge plus. The results: good daytime photos for the price, and performance is solid for daily apps. (Don’t expect OIS or telephoto zoom; it’s a basic setup.) So for under $300, the A16 delivers one of the best main cameras you’ll find. As Samsung notes: you “get an elegant design, a 50MP camera, and the latest 5G technology” for not much cash.
For folks who care more about everyday camera quality than fancy extras, the Galaxy A16 5G is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 with solid imaging and water resistance to boot.
Redmi Note 13 Pro – Best Display (AMOLED)
Why? Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 Pro (around $299) is a well-rounded all‑star. It has a gorgeous 6.67″ AMOLED screen that gets really bright, plus a 200MP main camera sensor (yes, two hundred!) – though it often combines pixels for a 50MP output. In short, it “is a well-rounded smartphone with great overall specs and an even better AMOLED panel”. You also get 8GB or 12GB RAM and 256GB storage as standard. The software (MIUI) is a bit heavy, but performance and display quality punch above the price. If you love watching videos or gaming on a rich color screen, the Note 13 Pro is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 for your buck.
If you’re all about binge-watching and blasting music, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 — that 200MP cam and stereo speakers don’t disappoint.
(Amazon link: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G – 256GB†)
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) – Best for Notes/Sketching
Why? Few phones in this price range even try a stylus. The Moto G Stylus 5G ($299) does, and it’s surprisingly good at it. You get a 6.7″ pOLED screen (bright AMOLED) and a built-in pen for jotting notes or editing photos. On performance and battery it’s basically the same story as the Moto G Power – 5,000 mAh with day‑long life and clean Android software. Motorola’s “vegan leather” design looks upscale. For sketching or annotating on the go (or just having a stylus in a pinch), this is your pick. It’s “easy to use for writing notes and precise screen interactions” and really good value for sub‑$300. The camera is 50MP (like the regular G series), and charging is 30W. Basically, it’s the best “productivity” phone under $300.
Love jotting notes or doodling on the go? The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is one of the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 for stylus fans who don’t want to splurge.
(Amazon link: Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) – 8/256GB†)
Comparison Table
| Phone | Highlights | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Moto G 5G (2024) | 90Hz LCD, 50MP, clean Android | Battery & value |
| Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | pOLED 120Hz, stylus, 30W charge | Stylus, casual sketching |
| Galaxy A26 5G | AMOLED 120Hz, OIS cam, IP67 | Updates, display quality |
| Galaxy A16 5G | AMOLED 90Hz, 50MP, water resistant | Main camera |
| OnePlus Nord N30 5G | 120Hz LCD, 108MP, 50W fast charge | All-round smooth use |
| Poco X6 Pro 5G | AMOLED 120Hz, 67W fast charge | Gaming, fast charging |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G | AMOLED 120Hz, 200MP, stereo speakers | Media & screen quality |
(Specifications are approximate; prices can vary with sales. Data from manufacturer and reviews.)
What to Expect From Phones Under $300 in 2025
Buying a phone under $300 always means trade-offs. As one expert notes, budget phones typically have “much worse cameras” and lower RAM/storage than flagships. Don’t expect the latest AI tricks or ultra‑wide telephotos. You’ll often see modest chips (Snapdragon 4-series, MediaTek middling chips) and LCD or 90Hz screens at the lowest end. In short, cameras and raw performance get cut first on the budget.
But there are pleasant surprises. These best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 often include features that were flagship‑only just a few years ago. Most support 5G, many have AMOLED or high refresh screens, and almost all charge at least at 25–30W (some even 67W!). You’ll find long battery life is common – a 5,000 mAh pack is standard across the board. Even IP water resistance is not unheard of (as on the Galaxy A26).
In short, in 2025 a $250–$300 phone can surprise you: you may not get pro‑level low-light photos or flagship gaming power, but you can expect solid day‑to-day speed, silky smooth screens, and extra goodies like fast charging, multiple cameras, and multi-year software support. If you hate bloatware, stick with Motorola or Nothing’s devices, as they run very clean Android. And if you mainly want basics – calling, social apps, videos – any of the above picks will serve you far beyond their humble price.
Overall, the best budget smartphones 2025 under 300 are real bargains: they handle everyday tasks easily and now even include features like 5G and AMOLED. Just don’t be surprised if they use plastic bodies or have so-so night‑time cameras. By balancing what you care about (battery, camera, software updates, etc.) with these compromises, you’ll walk away with a genuinely great phone without overspending. Happy hunting!
Sources: Tech reviews and specs from Android Central, Tom’s Guide, TechAdvisor and others. These reflect testing and info on 2024/25 models.
