Top 5 Budget-Friendly Smartphones to Buy in 2025

Smartphones have become an inseparable part of life in a world replete with never-ending technological advances. They connect us to our loved ones, help us manage jobs, and work well for entertainment purposes, all in a wonderful way-Madoni. Finding a good smartphone at a reasonable price is no longer easy, with each new one being released yearly. Here is a list of the top five budget options you can look at in the year 2025.

1. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, true to its price, is perhaps the best device one can find. Packed with attractive features, this phone performs great and is very budget-friendly. You can easily multitask at the speed of a mighty processor with all the storage for your favorite apps and media to be stored. Finest display and battery make anyone choose it over others as a quality product with price tags.

key Features

Category	Details
Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch	Announced: 2022, March 17Status: Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body	Dimensions: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)Weight: 189 g (6.67 oz)Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backSIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Resistance: IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display	Type: Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)Size: 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm² (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Platform	OS: Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6Chipset: Exynos 1280 (5 nm)CPU: Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)GPU: Mali-G68
Memory	Card slot: microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)Internal: 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera	Quad: 64 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultrawide), 5 MP (macro), 5 MP (depth)Features: LED flash, panorama, HDRVideo: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera	Single: 32 MP (wide)Features: HDRVideo: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound	Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers3.5mm jack: No
Comms	WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectBluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LEPositioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSNFC: Yes (market/region dependent)Radio: NoUSB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features	Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)Proximity sensing: Virtual
Battery	Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableCharging: 25W wired
Misc	Colors: Black, White, Blue, PeachModels: SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DLSAR (head/body): 0.75/1.58 W/kg (EU: 0.89/1.60 W/kg)Price: $137.98 / €224.08 / £149.75
Tests	Performance: AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9); GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1); GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)Display: 830 nits max brightness (measured)Camera: Photo/VideoLoudspeaker: -26.5 LUFS (Good)Battery: Endurance rating 113h

Price

Storage Configuration	Price
128GB 4GB RAM	$499.99
128GB 6GB RAM	$137.98
128GB 8GB RAM	$182.63

2. Apple iPhone 14

The list couldn’T be complete without the recent budget phone launched by Apple the iPhone 14, along with a very classy and nice design, gives the feel of Apple’s luxury value. It aims to cater to consumers who wish to experience iOS without going broke. Expect efficient performance with a robust processor and an impressive camera to snap your treasured memories along with future software updates- the perfect seamless experience you can get at a very affordable price.

Key Features

Here is the structured table for the provided data:

3. Google Pixel 8A

Google has kept impressing with its lineup of Pixel phones; this time it is more affordable than ever, Introducing Google Pixel 8A for its users. It boasts a stunning display with incredible camera capabilities and snaps your life’s noticeable moments in crystal clear and detailed images. With a powerful processor and socks of battery, the Pixel 8A is a high-performing device with value for money.

Key Features

Category	Details
Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch	Announced: May 07, 2024Status: Available, Released May 14, 2024
Body	Dimensions: 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)Weight: 188 g (6.63 oz)Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic backSIM: Nano-SIM and eSIMResistance: IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display	Type: OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak)Size: 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm² (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density)Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3Always-on display
Platform	OS: Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgradesChipset: Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)CPU: Nona-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4×2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4×2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)GPU: Immortalis-G715s MC10
Memory	Card slot: NoInternal: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAMStorage Type: UFS 3.1
Main Camera	Dual: 64 MP (16 MP effective), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73″, 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µmFeatures: Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best TakeVideo: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie Camera	Single: 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µmFeatures: HDR, panoramaVideo: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound	Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers3.5mm Jack: No
Comms	WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent)Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LEPositioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICNFC: YesRadio: NoUSB: USB Type-C 3.2
Features	Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerOther Features: Circle to Search
Battery	Type: Li-Po 4492 mAh, non-removableCharging: 18W wired, PD3.0, 7.5W wireless
Miscellaneous	Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, AloeModels: GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D Price: $299.80 / €389.00 / £342.00
Tests	Performance: AnTuTu: 1193520 (v10), GeekBench: 4384 (v6), 3DMark: 2427 (Wild Life Extreme)Display: 1508 nits max brightness (measured)Loudspeaker: -26.5 LUFS (Good)Battery (new): Active use score 11:25hBattery (old): Endurance rating 83h

4. Motorola Moto G Power 5G

Motorola has long been known for making economical smartphones, and the Moto G Power 5G is no exception. Motorola has always crafted high-quality budget smartphones, and the Moto G Power 5G is one such device. One highlight is the battery lifetime, which this mobile claims can last days. It’s a very good value for what it offers, mixing 5G, a large and colorful display, and good camera performance, making it appealing to wide swathes of users.

Key Features

Category	Details
Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch	Announced: April 06, 2023Status: Available, Released April 13, 2023
Body	Dimensions: 163.1 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)Weight: 185 g (6.53 oz)Build: Glass front, plastic back, plastic frameSIM: Nano-SIMWater Resistance: Water-repellent design
Display	Type: IPS LCD, 120HzSize: 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm² (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Platform	OS: Android 13, upgradable to Android 14Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)GPU: IMG BXM-8-256
Memory	Card Slot: microSDXC (dedicated slot)Internal: 256GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera	Triple: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)Features: LED flash, HDR, panoramaVideo: 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera	Single: 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µmVideo: 1080p@30fps
Sound	Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers3.5mm Jack: Yes
Comms	WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandBluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LEPositioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEONFC: NoRadio: NoUSB: USB Type-C 2.0
Features	Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery	Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableCharging: 15W wired
Miscellaneous	Colors: Dark BluePrice: $79.99

5. HMD XR21

HMD Global enters the budget-friendly sector with XR21, offering an amazing package at an affordable price. This smartphone’s beautifully designed bright display and modern look will catch your attention. It boasts performance, enough storage, and battery life to last all day. XR21 has you covered with smooth operation.

Key Features

Here is the table with the provided details:

Category	Details
Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch	Announced: May 14, 2024Status: Available, Released May 2024
Body	Dimensions: 168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)Weight: 231 g (8.15 oz)Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frameSIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM, eSIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Water Resistance: IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min)Drop Resistance: Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8mMIL-STD-810H: Compliant
Display	Type: IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)Size: 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm² (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Platform	OS: Android 12Chipset: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)GPU: Adreno 619
Memory	Card Slot: NoInternal: 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera	Dual: 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0″, PDAF8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µmFeatures: Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panoramaVideo: 1080p@30fps
Selfie Camera	Single: 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)Video: 1080p@30fps
Sound	Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers3.5mm Jack: Yes
Comms	WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandBluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX AdaptivePositioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)NFC: YesRadio: UnspecifiedUSB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features	Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerWarranty: 3-year warranty (Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)
Battery	Type: Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removableCharging: 33W wired, PD2.0, QC3
Miscellaneous	Colors: Midnight BlackPrice: About 600 EUR

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice of a budget smartphone does not imply a compromise on quality and salient features. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 8A, Motorola Moto G Power 5G, and HMD XR21 are a few great recommendations that deliver very good performance at an affordable cost. From a techie to the layman, these smartphones provide a proper paper-plane balance of affordability and productivity to keep you social and entertained without breaking the bank.

FAQ’s

1. What are the top budget-friendly smartphones to consider in 2025?
The top budget-friendly smartphones to consider in 2025 include the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, Samsung Galaxy A14, Motorola Moto G Power (2025), OnePlus Nord N20, and the Google Pixel 6a. Each of these models offers great features at an affordable price point.

2. How much should I expect to spend on a budget-friendly smartphone in 2025?
You can expect to spend between $200 and $400 on a budget-friendly smartphone in 2025. Prices may vary depending on the brand, specifications, and features included in the device.

3. What features should I look for in a budget smartphone?
When looking for a budget smartphone, consider features such as a decent camera, long battery life, sufficient RAM (at least 4GB), a reliable processor, and good software support. Additionally, check for quality display and storage options that meet your needs.