While we all have different priorities when buying a new cell phone, there’s one that unites us: we always want to get a good deal and never want to spend more than we have to. This list of our best budget cell phones will satisfy you without breaking the bank.
The budget cell phones on this list, which cost around $50 or less, can be purchased at various carriers including AT&T, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile and Sprint.
We also have a list of best budget phones by carrier or you can jump straight to cheap phones at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless.
Cell Phone Chooser: Reveal your best new cell phone!
The budget cell phones on this list, which cost around $50 or less, can be purchased at various carriers including AT&T, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile and Sprint.
We also have a list of best budget phones by carrier or you can jump straight to cheap phones at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless.
Cell Phone Chooser: Reveal your best new cell phone!
1. MOTO W233 Renew Green Phone for T-Mobile
Image © Motorola
The MOTO W233 Renew green phone for T-Mobile is unique enough because of its eco-friendly construction, but it’s also so cheap that it’s practically free.
2. Samsung Reclaim for Sprint
Image © Samsung
The Samsung Reclaim green cell phone is like none other. The affordable, eco-friendly handset is made up of 80 percent recyclable materials and is designed with organic components and packaging.
3. LG CU720 Shine for AT&T
Image © LG
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The LG CU720 Shine was released in the U.S. for AT&T to great fanfare because it steps things up several notches as compared to the LG KE970 Shine, which is its Asian and European counterpart.
This Shine actually shines. It can literally be used as a compact mirror while in standby mode, and unlike the KE970, the CU720 features 3G for high-speed data transfer. The LG CU720 Shine is also a full-featured multimedia phone.
The LG CU720 Shine was released in the U.S. for AT&T to great fanfare because it steps things up several notches as compared to the LG KE970 Shine, which is its Asian and European counterpart.
This Shine actually shines. It can literally be used as a compact mirror while in standby mode, and unlike the KE970, the CU720 features 3G for high-speed data transfer. The LG CU720 Shine is also a full-featured multimedia phone.
4. Nokia 5310 XpressMusic for T-Mobile
Image © Nokia
Rating: 3.5/5.0
If the concept of the Nokia 5610 XpressMusic sounds about right but its price doesn’t work on your budget, the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic is designed to be much like the higher-priced upgrade but for less.
The Nokia 5310 XpressMusic features less storage space, less talk time because of the battery, a downgraded camera and it’s not a world phone. The 5310 XpressMusic, though, is lighter in weight.
If the concept of the Nokia 5610 XpressMusic sounds about right but its price doesn’t work on your budget, the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic is designed to be much like the higher-priced upgrade but for less.
The Nokia 5310 XpressMusic features less storage space, less talk time because of the battery, a downgraded camera and it’s not a world phone. The 5310 XpressMusic, though, is lighter in weight.
5. Sony Ericsson W350 for AT&T
Image © Sony Ericsson
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Dubbed the “thinnest flip phone available on the market” today, the Sony Ericsson W350 for AT&T also packs two other perks: it’s a feature-packed music phone and (like other handsets on this list) it’s affordable.
Dubbed the “thinnest flip phone available on the market” today, the Sony Ericsson W350 for AT&T also packs two other perks: it’s a feature-packed music phone and (like other handsets on this list) it’s affordable.
6. Pantech C610 for AT&T
Image © Pantech
Rating: 4.0/5.0
The Pantech C610 flip phone for AT&T could very well be one of the better values you’ll find with among the most features you can have for this price.
While you should look elsewhere for high-end luxuries such as a touch screen, the Pantech C610 manages to be a high-speed 3G phone (for fast data transmission) all while packing GPS (for satellite-based navigation) and a chrome design accent.
Though the handset covers most of its feature bases, it lacks anything unique or revolutionary.
The Pantech C610 flip phone for AT&T could very well be one of the better values you’ll find with among the most features you can have for this price.
While you should look elsewhere for high-end luxuries such as a touch screen, the Pantech C610 manages to be a high-speed 3G phone (for fast data transmission) all while packing GPS (for satellite-based navigation) and a chrome design accent.
Though the handset covers most of its feature bases, it lacks anything unique or revolutionary.
7. Motorola Rival A455 for Verizon Wireless
Image © Motorola
While winning the title of “Thumb-Fu Master” with the Motorola Rival A455 for Verizon Wireless is gimmicky, what’s real is that this is a full-keyboard phone for quick text messaging in a chat-like, iPhone-like format at a very affordable price.
8. Samsung Slash for Virgin Mobile
Image © Samsung
Rating: 4.0/5.0
It’s a slider phone with style, durability, the features you need and ultimately a low price. The phone cuts right to the core of everyday cell phone use.
The Slash packs a cell phone camera, short-range Bluetooth wireless communications (i.e. for Bluetooth headsets), access to the mobile Web, a speakerphone, text messaging, ringtones, voice dialing, screensaves and more.
For this price tag, though, don’t expect a touch screen, GPS or other advanced features of phones like the iPhone from Apple or the Instinct from Samsung.
It’s a slider phone with style, durability, the features you need and ultimately a low price. The phone cuts right to the core of everyday cell phone use.
The Slash packs a cell phone camera, short-range Bluetooth wireless communications (i.e. for Bluetooth headsets), access to the mobile Web, a speakerphone, text messaging, ringtones, voice dialing, screensaves and more.
For this price tag, though, don’t expect a touch screen, GPS or other advanced features of phones like the iPhone from Apple or the Instinct from Samsung.
