5 Cheaper Android Phones to Try Instead of the Google Pixel 11

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Google’s new Pixel 11 is already receiving praise from reviewers who say it’s one of the best and most complete Android options for 2026, combining good cameras, advanced Gemini features, and one of the most polished user interfaces you’ll find anywhere. Google also offers one of the longest Android update support periods, guaranteeing new features and security fixes for seven years.

The problem is that all that premium Pixel 11 experience also comes at a higher price, starting at $899. But not everyone needs to pay high fees to find a fast and reliable phone. Over the past few years, several more affordable alternatives to flagship phones have gone on sale, offering competitive features, even if they aren’t the best possible.

With that in mind, below is a list of Android phones that are cheaper than the Pixel 11, but still worth buying. Since they are lower priced, these smartphones usually have some compromises, such as lower quality cameras or less powerful hardware, but they still offer good performance for the asking price. This is especially important for people who really only need a “good enough” device.

The first option on our list is also the most obvious: Google’s Pixel 10, released in 2025. Although it’s a year older than its sibling, the Pixel 10 was also well-received when it was new, but now it’s no longer full price. The Pixel 10 is a bit weaker in terms of hardware, but still has several features that can be found using the current flagship of the line, such as a 6.3-inch, 120Hz display. It comes with a previous generation Tensor G5 chip, which is fast enough for everyday use. Additionally, according to users, some of the Pixel 10’s best features also involve seven years of updates and PixelSnap.

Of course, while the Pixel 10 is still a good phone, it still has some compromises. The Pixel 11’s Tensor G6 helps improve hardware, software, and quantum security, making the overall experience of using the newest phone sometimes superior. Still, considering this previous generation phone can make a lot of sense, especially when it regularly appears in promotions pushing the price as low as $449, well below Google’s $799 price tag.

For anyone who wants to save money without leaving the premium Android range, the Galaxy S25 is another option. For $799, it offers a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display running at 120Hz, and a triple camera with a 50 MP main sensor with 2x optical zoom and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It’s still a compelling package compared to Google’s flagship Pixel phones.

Just like the Pixel 10, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is relatively similar to its new sibling, the Galaxy S26, when compared in 2026. For anyone looking for an Android smartphone with good performance and a versatile camera set, it’s a choice that still makes sense.

If your budget is even tighter, Samsung also offers its Galaxy S25 FE, priced around $650. This device comes with a larger 6.7-inch screen and runs at 120Hz. The downsides are mainly the chip, which is replaced by a Qualcomm Snapdragon by Samsung’s less impressive Exynos 2400. The main camera remains at 50MP, but the telephoto lens is downgraded to 8MP, still with 3x optical zoom and wireless charging.

If cameras don’t matter as much to you, the OnePlus 15R might be a better option. For $700, it offers excellent performance, but not so good photos. It is equipped with a Snapdragon Gen 5 and works with 12 GB of RAM, as well as 256 GB of storage. The 6.83-inch AMOLED display also hits 165Hz, and the 7,400mAh battery should last more than a full day of normal use, making it excellent for anyone who wants to play games or spend a lot of time away from an outlet.

At the same time, there are several reasons why OnePlus R series phones are cheaper, mainly due to strategic compromises and downgrades. The 15R doesn’t have a telephoto lens or wireless charging, two features that have become standard on flagship phones. Still, for the price difference, it’s worth considering as long as you can live with the less impressive cameras.

RedMagic 11 Pro is another option, especially if you prefer a smartphone focused more on hardware than cameras. So, for $699, you get a device with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage and a 6.85-inch AMOLED screen running at 144 Hz. You will also have to pay attention to the 7,500 mAh battery and especially the wired or wireless charging up to 80W. The phone also has liquid cooling thanks to large vapor chambers on the device, making it particularly appealing to gamers.

In comparison, the Pixel 11 offers a more balanced experience, mainly thanks to the camera system. The image processing of this Google smartphone is generally more consistent, since the RedMagic 11 Pro also lacks a telephoto lens, using two 50 MP cameras and a 2 MP auxiliary sensor to help improve quality, especially for close-ups. Software support is also a bit shorter, with the company only promising two major Android software updates as well as five years of security patches.

The Motorola Edge launched this year is also another good, cheaper alternative to the Google Pixel 11, starting at just $600. The Edge is very light, weighing around 160.5 grams compared to 195.6 on Google’s phone. Additionally, it also has a good 6.3-inch display running at 120Hz and reaches 5,200 nits of brightness, beating Google’s rival with 3,000 nits. The 5,000mAh battery is larger, with 68W wired charging, which is one of the benefits of moving to a Motorola phone.

Despite its compact design, the Motorola Edge (2026) lags behind the Pixel 11 with its camera. Both cameras have similar 50 MP sensors, but Google’s image processing results in more consistent photos, especially at night. The Edge’s MediaTek Dimensity 7450 also loses performance compared to the Pixel 11’s Tensor G6, and the software support between these two phones is also quite different. Motorola only guarantees three years of support for the 2026 Edge, less than half of Google’s seven years.

To choose the models for this list, we looked for Android phones that were priced lower than the Pixel 11, which launched at a sticker price of $899 in the US market. Below that value, we chose phones that offer a flagship-like experience in one way or another, whether in terms of performance, displays, cameras, or software support from manufacturers. Models with specs much lower than Google’s new flagship stayed away, even if they were aggressively priced.

We also avoided including phones that didn’t offer significant savings, like other flagships launched this year. The Samsung Galaxy S26, for example, is excellent, but costs almost the same as a Pixel 11. However, flagship models from previous years that have a better price have always been considered, such as the S25, which has several premium features and some compromises.