Best Smartphones Under $200 – April 2025

Efe Udin

April 19, 2025

The mobile phone market is consistently expanding, and budget phones now integrate top features. Even in the entry-level category, there are several options to choose from and making a choice can become confusing. In addition to the price, there are several other things to consider, including the brand, features and of course, availability.

To this end, we have compiled a list of the best mobile phones under the $200 price mark that offer a decent value for money. These phones are from trusted brands and have gotten positive reviews from us as well as other trusted websites. Though cheap, they offer just enough to cater for the daily needs of an average mobile phone user

Best Smartphones Under $200

1. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G

Source: Medium

With as little as $170, you can be a proud owner of the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. This is a budget 5G phone that offers a solid feature set for its price. It sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, reaching up to 800 nits brightness. Under the hood, there are two options – Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 6300, depending on the region. Coupled with the chip, this device comes with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

In the camera department, there is a triple rear camera setup led by a 50MP main sensor and supported by a 5MP ultrawide and 2MP macro sensors. On the front, there is a 13MP sensor that supports 1080p video. This device runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1 out of the box, and though cheap, it promises six major Android upgrades. To keep its lights on, this device uses a 5000mAh battery that supports 25W charging and delivers over 12 hours of active use.

2. CMF Phone 1

At launch, this device was actually in the sub-$300 range, but with several discounts and price cuts, this device now sells for about $199 on several e-commerce platforms. Released in July 2024, the CMF Phone 1 by Nothing is an affordable Android smartphone that offers a high-end feel and unexpected versatility at a low cost. Its 6.67-inch AMOLED display is ideal for outdoor use because it has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, Full HD+ resolution, and a maximum brightness of 2000 nits. It weighs about 200g and has a detachable back cover with eco leather options. Additionally, it has a basic splash and dust resistance rating.

With up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage via microSD, the phone’s 4nm Dimensity 7300 chip powers multitasking effectively. In terms of software, it is running Android 14 with Nothing OS 3.0 and will soon get two significant Android updates. To capture images, this device comes with a modest 50MP main camera supported by a 2MP depth sensor. It supports EIS, which allows for 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. For selfies, there is a 16MP sensor that captures 1080p videos. Under the hood, there is a 5000mAh battery that supports both 5W reverse wired charging and 33W fast charging and delivers up to 16 hours of continuous use.

Best Smartphones Under $200

3. TCL 50 XL 5G

Source: CNET

Like other devices on this list, the TCL 50 XL 5G is not meant to compete with gaming or flagship phones. This is a simple device for everyday use that costs onlt $159.99. Released at CES 2024 and designed for the U.S. market, this device comes with a 6.8-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor and comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable via microSD.

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On the rear, there is a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth lens. To keep its lights on, there is a 5,010mAh battery that supports 18W wired charging. The design is simple, with a matte finish and side-mounted fingerprint scanner. TCL markets the 50 XL 5G through U.S. carriers like Verizon and Metro by T-Mobile, often bundled with discounts or trade-in deals.

4. Xiaomi Redmi 14C

My personal best on the list, perhaps because i’m a Xiaomi fan, is the Redmi 14C released in August 2024 and costs onlt $110. This also makes it the joint cheapest device on this list. The Redmi 14C sports a large 6.88-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, although the HD+ resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels is relatively modest for its size. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, and the phone comes in various finishes, including eco leather options, weighing between 204g and 211g depending on the variant.

Running Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS, the device is powered by the 12nm Helio G81 Ultra chipset, paired with 4GB to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. There is a dedicated microSD slot that allows further expansion. On the flip side, this device does not support 5G network, users will have to be content with 4G. In the camera department, it comes with a 50MP main sensor and either a QVGA lens or a basic secondary module. The front camera is a 13MP shooter, and both cameras support 1080p video at 30fps. It also includes a 5160mAh battery with 18W charging via USB-C and retains the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Best Smartphones Under $200

5. Motorola Moto G04

Last on the list is the Moto G04, a budget Android phone launched in early 2024. It features a 6.6-inch HD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and runs on the Unisoc T606 chipset. In addition to the chip, it supports 4GB or 8GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage. The phone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 15W wired charging. A 16MP rear camera and 5MP selfie camera cover basic photo needs. The G04 runs Android 14 with Motorola’s near-stock UI, offering a clean and responsive user experience without heavy bloatware.

Its design is minimal, with a single rear camera housed in a large module, flat edges, and a matte finish. Motorola includes useful features like RAM Boost and ThinkShield for mobile security. With pricing starting at about $110, the Moto G04 emphasizes simplicity, long battery life, and software stability. It competes with similarly priced phones from Redmi, particularly in markets like India, Latin America, and Africa.

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