Don’t buy a cheap Android phone without these non-negotiable features

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on an Android phone, even if it’s brand new. You can find plenty of cheap Android phone options for $300 or less, if you know what to look for. And that’s the most important thing to consider: knowing which features are crucial and where you can make concessions. Paying less for a phone that doesn’t have a sleek titanium frame, for example, is perfectly acceptable; you’ll probably (and should) file a case on it, anyway. But getting a phone with insufficient RAM, horrible battery life, poor cameras, a bad processor, or a small screen is where you want to draw the line.

In some cases, what you are willing to sacrifice is an individual decision. If you’re a casual content creator, for example, the cameras should be at least above average. But if you get a secondary phone for basic messaging, you might have no problem with decent cameras. Still, there are some non-negotiable limitations that anyone looking for a cheap Android phone should focus on, regardless of how you plan to use it.

Remember when phones had small screens? The original iPhone’s 4.5-inch screen seemed revolutionary at the time, but by today’s standards, it’s not enough. A phone must have at least a 5.6-inch screen, although most of them today are at least 6.1 inches. This allows you to enjoy a comfortable experience when holding the phone and typing with both hands while still being able to clearly see the content on it. This display should also be an AMOLED panel with HD resolution and a decent peak brightness of at least 1,000 nits, so it’s viewable in direct sunlight.

Memory is another factor to consider. You will need at least 6 GB of RAM; otherwise, multitasking, video streaming, and casual gaming might be slow or inconsistent, and the phone won’t respond quickly enough to your requests. If you play a lot of mobile games, even consider going up to 8GB. Also, if there is no expandable storage (which is rare these days), 128GB is the minimum you should consider. For peace of mind, go for at least 256GB. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a “phone full” message before you know it, and you’ll be forced to empty the device or sign up for cloud storage.

Finally, the processor matters. While you may not need the best, fastest, newest processor, you don’t want one that’s slow as molasses. Check the processor’s age, as well as its performance ratings, and factor that into your decision. There’s no point buying a cheap device if it’s slow and sluggish when you want to stream a movie, and a great processor is essential for gaming on an Android phone.

Battery and camera life are also important. A battery of at least 4,500 mAh is sufficient, especially if the phone doesn’t handle heavy AI processing. But 5,000 mAh is a better starting point today to get you through the day, even with moderate use. With cameras, you want a phone that can at least take photos good enough to share on social media and preserve for posterity. This means having at least a 32 MP sensor for the rear camera, but also a large sensor capable of capturing more light and producing better photos overall, even if the megapixels are lower in one camera compared to another. Don’t overlook the front sensor and resolution either, as that’s what you’ll be using to take selfies. Look for at least a 12 MP front camera with, again, a good sensor size.

Consider other basics like NFC for one-touch payment and newer Bluetooth versions for reliable connectivity to headphones and speakers. For older models, confirm that there are at least a few years of software and security support remaining. That sounds like a lot, but you’ll find plenty of suitable devices, like Samsung’s Galaxy A series phones (see our review of the Samsung Galaxy A17, for example) and phones from brands like Nothing and Motorola.

Even older Google Pixel phone models can meet the criteria. You can find a refreshed Google Pixel 8a for just over $300 these days, and it comes with pretty much all of the essential features mentioned earlier. Ideally, wait for seasonal promotions to find a well-decorated mid-range phone at the price of a budget phone. You’ll have to compromise to be cheap, but there are plenty of phones in the $300 range that meet or exceed non-negotiable features and specifications.