The Best Phone For Money In 2024: Our Top Picks

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Best Phone For Money
Best Phone For Money

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Ultra Cell Phone

Galaxy S22 is the most powerful smartphone for your everyday needs. With a classy, eye-catching glass-metal-glass design, Galaxy S22 features the strongest aluminum frame and latest Gorilla Glass to withstand scratches and dings. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Google Pixel 7 Pro

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is the best way to get your hands on the latest Google smartphones. This unlocked phone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, Android 8.0 Oreo, and a 12MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12MP front-facing camera that captures shots with an f/1.8 aperture. We've got you covered for quality and performance with our industry leading protection plan for your new smartphone. Read Review

3. Best Capacity: SAMSUNG Galaxy S21 FE 5G Cell Phone

The powerful pro grade camera delivers high quality photos and videos, with a Rear Camera that boasts 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide-angle cameras and an 8MP Telephoto Camera; It also features a Front Camera that includes a 32MP Selfie Camera. Live your best life with this advanced phone and enjoy all the features it has to offer. Read Review

4. Best Economical: TCL 30XL |2022 Cell Phone

The TCL 30XL is a 6.82 inch Android phone with a 20.5:9 aspect ratio and dual speakers design that give you the best smartphone experience. Sporting a unique TCL NXTVISION Technology, you will enjoy boosted color, clarity and contrast of visuals while protect your eyes from harmful blue light. This phone can work as a decent gaming phone, as well as perfect for streaming video and making video calls. Read Review

Everyone has their taste regarding phones and what they want in a device. That's why we have different budget phones for every person. However, some features matter more than others, especially if you're going to get a phone for its money value.

The best phones for your money don't cost much but offer excellent value. They should be reliable and last long before anything begins to show. Check out our list of the best phone for the money you can buy now.

We think the highly recommended product for the best phone for money is our SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Ultra Cell Phone with 108MP resolution. You may explore the following if you need more alternatives and in-depth guidance.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Ultra Cell Phone
Our Score:
9.9
SAMSUNG
  • PREMIUM DESIGN & CRAFTMANSHIP: With a classy, eye-catching glass-metal-glass design, we’re setting a standard for smart phones; With our strongest aluminum frame and the latest Gorilla Glass, this phone is lightweight and durable to help endure scratches and dings
  • 108MP PHOTO RESOLUTION plus BRIGHT DISPLAY: Capture premium detail with 108MP resolution— the highest available on a cell phone; Your favorite content will look even more epic on our brightest display ever with Vision Booster
  • 8K SUPER STEADY VIDEO: Shoot videos that rival how epic your life is with stunning 8K recording, the highest recording resolution available on a smartphone; Video captured is effortlessly smooth, thanks to Auto Focus Video Stabilization on Galaxy S22 Ultra
  • LONG LASTING BATTERY plus FAST CHARGING: Power every scroll, click, tap and stream all day long and then some with an intelligent, long-lasting battery; Dive back into action at a moment’s notice with 45W Super-Fast Charging
  • EMBEDDED S PEN: New phone, new S Pen; Now you can unleash your creativity on Galaxy S22 Ultra with an embedded S Pen; Edit photos and videos with pinpoint accuracy, and do it all with that pen-to-paper feel
  • NIGHTOGRAPHY plus PORTAIT MODE: Capture the night with crystal clear, bright pics and videos, no matter the lighting with Night Mode; Portrait Mode auto-detects and adjusts to what you want front and center, making all your photos worthy of a frame
  • ADAPTIVE COLOR CONTRAST: Streaming on the go, working from your patio or binge-watching late into the night. The Galaxy S22 Ultra adaptive screen automatically optimizes color and brightness, outdoors and indoors
TOP Choice #2 Google Pixel 7 Pro
Our Score:
9.8
Google
  • Order the new Google Pixel 7 Pro today and get a $200 Amazon Gift Card on us
  • Ends October 23rd, 2022 at 11:59pm PT, while supplies last and subject to availability
  • Offer cannot be combined, is non-transferable and not valid for cash or cash equivalent. If a qualifying item in your order is returned, you’ll be reimbursed for what you return, minus the value of the special offer
TOP Choice #3 SAMSUNG Galaxy S21 FE 5G Cell Phone
Our Score:
9.6
SAMSUNG
  • PRO-GRADE CAMERA: The powerful pro grade camera delivers high quality photos and videos, with a Rear Camera that boasts 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide-angle cameras and an 8MP Telephoto Camera; It also features a Front Camera that includes a 32MP Selfie Camera
  • SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: The power-efficient processor chip offers reliability and performance that boosts every experience, from graphic-heavy gaming to multitasking.
  • REAL DISPLAY VISION: The high quality display with Dynamic AMOLED 2X delivers vibrant color and brightness, even in bright sunlight
  • SMOOTH SCROLLING: The 120Hz display delivers a super smooth scroll, with optimized refresh rate, and a fast touch response gives seamless visuals in both work and play
  • ALL DAY INTELLIGENT POWER: The 4500mAh intelligent battery outlasts the day, even on 5G, while Super Fast Charging can charge 50% in 30 minutes.
  • 30X SPACE ZOOM: 30x SpaceZoom combines a 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom and 30x digital zoom for high resolution close ups, while the EngageZoom Lock reduces shakiness the further your zoom in
4 TCL 30XL |2022 Cell Phone
Our Score:
9.5
TCL
  • Unlocked Smartphone - The TCL 30XL works with most major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile (Sprint not included). This android phone is also compatible with Metro PCS, Simple Mobile, Cricket, Ultra Mobile, H2O, Visible, Tello, Consumer Cellular, RedPocket (Only GSMA network), Pure talk, Viya, etc. For Straight Talk and TracFone, this model only supports T-Mobile and AT&T compatible Sim cards but does not support Verizon compatible sim card. This cell phone isn't compatible with CDMA networks, such as Sprint, Assurance wireless, Spectrum, Xfinity, Boost Mobile, etc.
  • Seize the Beauty of Life - Explore the allure of highly detailed shots and broad landscape with the 50MP AI quad camera of this android phone. The AI camera system can optimize your picture according to different lighting conditions, and clear any unnecessary object that you select in the background, allowing you to be the protagonist all the time. The 13MP front-facing selfie camera of this stylish smartphone can capture you in a unique way.
  • Large Battery, Fun for All Day - The 5000mAh mighty battery of this unlocked android smartphone can power up your entertainment for up to 3 days on one charge (estimated data based on internal lab test). With 18W fast-charging and an on-the-go reverse charging (OTG cable not included) option you can fuel and refuel your mobile phone in an instant.
  • Cinematic Viewing Experience - Featuring a 6.82 inch expansive screen with 20.5:9 aspect ratio and dual speakers design, the TCL 30XL android phone allows you to enjoy the thrill of cinematic viewing. The unique TCL NXTVISION Technology is able to boost color, clarity and contrast of visuals while protecting your eyes from harmful blue light. This TCL phone can work as a decent gaming phone, and is also perfect for streaming video and making video calls.
  • Powerful, Smooth and Safe - With the 6GB Ram storage and Octa-Core processor, this unlocked cell phone provides you with an instant response time. Keep all of your precious memories with the 64GB built-in storage, and even more with a Micro SD card (sold separately) that lets you add up to 512GB memory. You can also multitask smoothly thanks to the Android 12 operating system and the floating window mode. The phone’s face unlock technology brings a carefree experience with abundant joy.
5 SAMSUNG Galaxy A13 5G Cell Phone
Our Score:
9.3
SAMSUNG
  • EXPANDABLE STORAGE: Make the most out of your memories; It comes loaded with 64GB of internal memory, with room for up to 1TB more when you add a microSD card
  • TRIPLE LENS CAMERA: With a high-res triple lens camera system, Galaxy A13 5G gives you one of our most sought-after cameras at a fraction of the price
  • ENHANCED 5G PERFORMANCE: Say goodbye to buffering and hello to quick downloading and smooth streaming; Outfitted with a fast and reliable processor, Galaxy A13 5G gives you a virtually lag-free 5G experience
  • LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Whatever your day has in store, this mobile phone’s 15W Fast Charging battery makes sure you’re ready for it and gives your charger a break
  • 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion for a faster, more responsive feel
  • 12MP TrueDepth front camera with Night mode, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
  • 5G capable
  • Durable design with Ceramic Shield
  • Up to 28 hours of video playback, the best battery life ever in an iPhone
  • iOS 15 packs new features to do more with iPhone than ever before
  • A15 Bionic chip for lightning-fast performance
  • Pro camera system with new 12MP Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide cameras; LiDAR Scanner; 6x optical zoom range; macro photography; Photographic Styles, ProRes video, Smart HDR 4, Night mode, Apple ProRAW, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
  • Cinematic mode adds shallow depth of field and shifts focus automatically in your videos
  • Industry-leading IP68 water resistance
  • 30X SPACE ZOOM: 30x SpaceZoom combines a 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom and 30x digital zoom for high resolution close ups, while the EngageZoom Lock reduces shakiness the further your zoom in
  • SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: The power-efficient processor chip offers reliability and performance that boosts every experience, from graphic-heavy gaming to multitasking.
  • PRO-GRADE CAMERA: The powerful pro grade camera delivers high quality photos and videos, with a Rear Camera that boasts 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide-angle cameras and an 8MP Telephoto Camera; It also features a Front Camera that includes a 32MP Selfie Camera
  • SMOOTH SCROLLING: The 120Hz display delivers a super smooth scroll, with optimized refresh rate, and a fast touch response gives seamless visuals in both work and play
  • REAL DISPLAY VISION: The high quality display with Dynamic AMOLED 2X delivers vibrant color and brightness, even in bright sunlight
  • ALL DAY INTELLIGENT POWER: The 4500mAh intelligent battery outlasts the day, even on 5G, while Super Fast Charging can charge 50% in 30 minutes.
8 TCL 10L Android Smartphone
Our Score:
8.9
TCL
  • Compatible with GSM carriers(AT&T and T-Mobile). TCL 10L mobile phone is also certified for use on Verizon’s LTE network. If your device is not receiving messages or experiences an error when making phone calls on Verizon, your account may need to be provisioned to support “CDMA-less” devices, please contact Verizon’s technical support team or your account’s business representative for assistance. This phone is not compatible with CDMA networks. (such as Sprint, Spectrum, Xfinity, etc.)
  • 6.53” FHD+ Dotch LCD display: Powered by NXTVISION, will upgrade your visual experience with the sharper details, vibrant images and allow you to enjoy true-to-life color accuracy in everything you present.TCL 10L Unlocked Android Smartphone is made for the US with a one-year US warranty.
  • 256GB Large Storage: With TCL 10L cell phone you can store and access massive photos, videos, music, books and files, no worry about the storage running out.Octa-core processor and 6GB of RAM provide you a smooth experience.
  • Superior clarity day & night: Coming with a 48MP high-res AI camera(48MP+8MP+2MP+2MP) and 6MP front-facing selfie camera, TCL 10L android phone helps you capture crisp and vivid pictures. The AI-powered camera recognizes and enhances scenes & objects for your best creations.
  • Comfortable viewing all day: Auto-adjusting display provides the best viewing experience regardless of lighting conditions. A 4000mAh battery and Intelligent Battery Mode optimize power usage to keep you cord-free all day. Please know that on TCL 10L phone WIFI calling is only compatible with T-Mobile.
9 SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
Our Score:
8.5
SAMSUNG
  • Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
  • Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
  • Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
  • The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charger and charging cable that may be generic.
  • Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best phone for money?

Looking for the best phone for money requires consideration of many criteria. Product learning varies in type, feature, and customer ranking. Overall, it comes with several difficulties in buying. So, we are available to support you occasionally.

It is beneficial for you to have a closer look at the things below to evaluate and then choose which one is suitable:

Operating System

You have two options when it comes to operating a smartphone: Apple's iOS or Google's Android. You must decide which ecosystem of tech you like best. Apple's iOS integrates, among other things, with iOS devices such as the iPad and Mac, along with services such as iCloud and Apple Music. Android on the other side leverages Google’s ecosystem and supports deeper integration with services such as Google Drive, Google Photos Search, Search, etc.
In general, iOS works a bit more consistently than Android, but Android can be customized more. Android, for example, allows you to install apps from third party sources. iOS does not.
You will need to make other choices if you choose the Android route. Android can be modified by Android manufacturers to make it work on their devices. Samsung is known for heavily altering Android in order to make it look and function differently.

Camera

Camera is next in our phone buying guide. As people increasingly use smartphones for video and photography, camera quality becomes more important. It's difficult to determine the camera's quality without actually using it. This is because, while you have some specifications that can be viewed, the quality of an image will vary.

Storage

Storage is next in our guide to buying a phone. The performance of your phone is less important than how it can store and retrieve data.
As time passes, devices generally have more storage. Some people do not necessarily require a lot of storage. Cloud services have made it possible to store less. Apps are the only things I store on my phone. My music, videos and files can be accessed in the cloud. I only download them to my device when I view or stream them.

Battery

The battery capacity, measured in milliamp hours, is the size of a battery. This metric is not very useful in determining how long your phone can last without charging. There are many factors that impact the life of a phone, including its display specifications, network usage and how frequently you use it for gaming. It can therefore be difficult to determine how much use you will receive. Many phone reviews attempt to gauge the battery, but it is worth looking at customer reviews before buying if battery life concerns you.

RAM

RAM (or Random Access Memory) is basically where you store files and apps on a temporary basis. The RAM on your phone is basically how much space you have to store files and codes for easy access.
RAM, which is an extremely fast storage option for your smartphone, can be used to store data faster than what's in the main memory. However, the amount of RAM your phone can handle is a major determinant as to whether it has more or less.

Display Size

This section will cover other specifications, but it is fairly straightforward. A larger screen may be necessary if you watch a lot on your smartphone, or play lots of video games. You may not be as concerned if you do, and you might even prefer something smaller.
Phone displays are now ranging from approximately 5 to 6.8 inches.

Network Support

Each decade, new networks are released. We are currently in the middle of 5G deployment. One problem: if you want to actually use 5G you must be both near a tower or cell that has 5G coverage and your phone supports 5G networks.
Further complicating matters, there are many types of 5G networks. Sub-6 networks are slower, but they can go further. There are also mmWave network that can travel further distances but are not as reliable.
You will need to make sure your phone can connect to multiple networks if you are interested in connecting.

FAQs

What About Performance And Battery Life?

These days, most smartphones run on octacore processors. The clock speed (measured by GHz) is a measure of the processor's performance. It will also give an indication of the fluidity of the operating system and how it handles running applications and games.
Long battery life, however, is something you should be looking for in a phone. The battery test helps you decide the best handset for you. However, the larger the battery capacity of the phone (measured as mAh) the more it can last without needing to be charged.

What Should I Look For In A Smartphone Display?

The display size and quality are important because smartphones can be controlled completely using their touchscreens. Larger screens are better for reading and web surfing, while larger displays can make it more difficult to transport.
The screen's pixel density (measured in pixels per inch, ppi) will tell you how sharp and clear text will look on the screen. A smaller amount of pixels across large screens, such as a big one, can lead to jagged edges. The screen technology is also important. AMOLED and IPS are the main technologies. Each has its pros and cons.

Why Are Security Updates Important?

It can be easy to overlook a notification on your smartphone that a new update has been released. These updates contain not just patches to improve user experience, but also fixes bugs that could be exploited or exploited by malware. These updates are not available forever by phone manufacturers. Some only offer them for two years from the date of launch. Your phone may become unsecure without this critical security support. In the worst scenario, hackers could have access to your data.

Do Cell Phones Give Off (emit) Radiation?

Yes, cell phones as well as cordless phones transmit radiofrequency radiation (RF). Radiofrequency radiation is not like other forms of radiation, such as x-rays. We know that RF can cause cancer. It is not known if radiofrequency radiation (RF) from mobile phones could cause long-term health issues. International Agency for Research on Cancer has designated RF radiation as possible human carcinogen. (A carcinogen refers to an agent that can cause cancer.

How Much Do Senior Cell Phones Cost?

Prices for cell phones vary depending on which provider they are from and what features it has. Both brick-style and flip phones can be purchased at a reasonable price. Smartphones can be the most costly of all the phones, depending on their features and model. You can choose a smartphone that suits your lifestyle and budget with all these options.

How Much Smartphone Storage Do I Need?

A minimum 64GB onboard storage should be sufficient if the microSD slot is available. However, you will soon notice that your internal storage starts to fill up fast. In recent years there has been more emphasis on smartphones cameras. It's probable that Instagram photos will take up the majority of your internal storage. We recommend 64GB at minimum to get you going.

Should I Buy A Phone Outright Or Through A Plan?

Are you going to buy your phone upfront or do you plan on paying it over time? It all depends on the product you are looking for. Compare both and choose the one that's best for you.
It may save you a lot in the end, so it is worth looking into if it is possible.
If you don't want to pay upfront, there are many post-paid options.
The amount that you pay for the phone plan will depend on which contract you choose and the use of your phone.


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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.