Time was, buying the best cheap smartphone meant serious compromise. From potato-quality cameras to sluggish processors that can barely handle scrolling, the budget end of the smartphone world was a sad, maddeningly slow place. But no more.
Today, you don’t need to spend flagship money to get a great smartphone. In fact, the cheaper end of the market is more competitive than ever, with brands packing high refresh-rate displays, capable cameras and long battery life into phones that cost a fraction of premium models. You can also get away with the sensible approach of buying phones that have been out for a year or so, getting more bang for your buck.
From Google’s consistently excellent Pixel A-series, to budget-friendly Motorola phones and Apple’s most accessible iPhone, I’ve tested and assessed the latest cheap smartphones to find the ones worth your money in 2026.
After using the Pixel 9a as a main phone, it’s hard to escape the feeling that this is what most people should be buying right now. It nails the basics, avoids unnecessary compromises and, crucially, doesn’t feel like a budget phone once you’re actually using it. And that’s even more true now that the Pixel 10a is out. While the newer model brings a brighter display and faster charging, both phones use the same Tensor G4 processor and deliver almost identical performance and camera results in day-to-day use. With the 10a sitting around £449 on offer, the 9a’s current £349 price makes it the clear sweet spot.
The Poco M8 Pro 5G feels like it’s been built to prove that you can get serious performance and battery life without spending much money. It’s noticeably quicker than most cheap phones. Apps load faster, multitasking feels smoother and it holds up better when you start pushing it with games or heavier workloads. Battery life is a big part of the appeal, too. The large 6,500mAh battery easily lasts a full day with heavy use, and the fast charging means you can get it back up quickly when needed.
