This is the best Samsung phone under $300 in 2026

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The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G was last year’s budget-friendly addition to the Galaxy family, and it’s still the best Samsung phone you can buy for under $300 in 2026. However, due to rising prices due to the current RAM shortage, you might see the A26 5G peak above the $300 mark from time to time. But Amazon’s price history tool shows the A26 5G typically sits below $300. Fairly priced, the A26 5G presents one of the best value propositions in the Android ecosystem today.

Previously, the Galaxy A25 was the cheap Samsung phone recommended by Consumer Reports. Now that the A25 is becoming rarer, the A26 5G is succeeding it as the most accessible economic model. Consumer Reports praised the A25 for its battery capabilities and camera quality relative to its low price, and the A26 5G stayed the course by not changing much on those fronts.

Reviewers praised the A26 5G for its impressive 120Hz display and the AI ​​capabilities that Samsung managed to pack into such an affordable phone. It has Circle to Search, Object Eraser, and Filter features that allow you to accomplish a lot with on-screen images. However, it’s in the physical construction of the phone where you may notice some compromise in quality, so consider getting a phone case with appropriate protective features.

Lately, people are keeping their smartphones longer. If you’re looking to save money, it’s a good idea to keep your phone for more than a year or two. But if you buy a budget phone for less than $300, the natural expectation is that it won’t last as long as a more durable high-end model. That being said, a Samsung phone like the Galaxy A26 5G is still worth considering.

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy A26 5G will receive six generations of operating system upgrades and six years of security updates from its global launch date on March 28, 2025. That means this phone is expected to run on the latest software until March 2031. The physical durability and battery health of Samsung’s A-series phones should ideally hold up for four to six years, according to hardware recycling experts. The Galaxy A26 5G promises considerable longevity for a $300 phone, but if you’re looking for something that will last even longer, check out our list of Android phones with the longest software support warranties.