Do budget Android phones take longer to charge?

Budget Android phones are affordable for a reason, and it’s often because of their low-end hardware. While this is mostly true for aspects like camera and processor, it’s not always true for loading speed. Low-cost Android phones don’t necessarily take longer to charge than flagship models.

In fact, many budget Android phones can now rival the charging speeds of high-end devices from Apple and major Android brands. For example, there is the Samsung A37 5G. Its price is only $450, but it can quickly reach 60% off in just 30 minutes. That’s almost the same speed as the more premium $700 Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, which can hit 69% in 30 minutes, and the $1,199 iPhone 17 Pro Max, which goes up to 50% in 20 minutes.

That’s not to say that all budget Android phones are created equal. There are still a few models that don’t support fast charging or charge quite slowly. A good example is the Chinese phone Honor Play10, available in some countries for around $112. From empty, it would take around two to three hours to fully charge this model. The same goes for the Motorola Moto G Play (2026), which costs $250. According to a charging test conducted by GSM Arena, the Moto G Play’s battery level only reached 34% after 30 minutes of charging. That being said, price isn’t always an indicator of how long an Android phone takes to charge. There are actually other determining factors to consider.

The most important factor that determines the charging speed of an Android phone is the charging power supported by the device. It is measured in watts and usually listed in the battery/charging section of the phone’s Technical Specifications page. You’ll see 45W listed for the Google Pixel 10a and 33W for the Nothing Phone (4b). The higher this charging power, the faster the Android phone can charge.

Sometimes, however, Android phones may have the same charging power but different charging speeds due to device-specific features. This is the case for the Pixel 10a and Pixel 11 Pro XL. Both are rated at 45W, but the Pixel 10a can only charge to 50% in 30 minutes, while over the same duration the Pixel 11 Pro XL can go up to 75%. That’s thanks to the Pixel 11’s Extreme Charging Mode, which turns off background activities while charging.

Besides the phone itself, the charger and cable also play a role. It is important that the charger you use has a power at least equal to the charging power of the phone. If you use something inferior, your device won’t charge as quickly as it’s designed to do. The cable should also support your phone’s charging power and should be of high quality to ensure efficient power delivery. Then there is the battery health and age of the Android phone. Older batteries will not work as well as they used to. If possible, have the battery replaced at a service center to improve your charging speed.

To get the best charging speed on your Android phone, it is also essential to limit your usage while charging. Devices generally charge faster when idle than when in use and continually consume resources.

Most Android models released in 2026 support fast charging, and you can consider several options for around $500 or even less.

The Google Pixel 10a is a good place to start. It is available for $499 and supports 45W, charging the device up to 50% in 30 minutes. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, which you can also get for $499, comes with a 50W charging speed. According to a GSM Arena test, this model can reach 68% in 30 minutes. The $550 Samsung Galaxy A57 5G is another solid option. It has a charging speed of 45W, capable of recharging an empty battery to 60% in half an hour.

For budget phones, there’s the Motorola Moto G (2026). It costs $300 and can reach 50% in 28 minutes and 100% in 75 minutes with its 30W charging. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, available for $280, is also a good find. As one of the best TCL products that isn’t a TV, this model packs 33W charging and can go from empty to full in around 75 minutes.