Reviewing the best phones under $300

If you’re on a tight budget but in need of a phone upgrade, there are many solid smartphone options that cost $300 or less. Several of our favorite mobile phone devices are from Motorola, which is unsurprising given that the company has made feature-rich budget phones for years now. In addition to its newest phones, the Moto G Stylus and G Power, Motorola’s G phones from 2019 are also still available for cheap.

A budget phone may be less expensive, but many of these still offer features that enthusiasts crave, including wireless charging, a great front camera and rear camera and even an elusive headphone jack! Here are three of CNET’s top picks for great smartphones that won’t drain your bank account:

Samsung Galaxy A50

CNET TAKE: Although the Galaxy A50 came out last year (and is the predecessor to the newly announced A51 phone), it’s still a great phone. Plus, you can find it even cheaper than when it first launched. The phone has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen, an in-screen fingerprint reader and a headphone jack. On the back, the three cameras include a wide angle lens as well as a “depth lens,” which is used to take portrait shots with blurry, dramatic backgrounds.

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$299.99, amazon.com

Motorola Moto G7

CNET TAKE: The Moto G7 may not be as cheap as some of its other Moto G counterparts, but it’s still a good deal. Though its single speaker doesn’t offer the greatest sound, and it takes mediocre low-light photos and video, the Moto G7 has a dual rear camera setup, an enduring battery life and a sleek design. It also charges quickly, which is useful when you need to juice up while on the go.

$199.99, amazon.com

Moto G Stylus

CNET TAKE: If you’re looking for a phone that serves as a cheaper Note 10 alternative, the Moto G Stylus device features a stylus that you can store inside the phone along with a built-in Notes app to help with productivity. The phone also has a triple-rear camera, 128GB of internal storage and a robust 4,000-mAh battery.

$269.99, amazon.com