The 6 Best Cheap Cell Phones Cost Less Than $600

ProsSleek, flat-backed design with no camera bumpExcellent performance and battery lifeSeven years of guaranteed updatesConsBarely changed from the Pixel 9aThe Pixel 10a is the cheap phone we’d steer most people toward. It doesn’t reinvent Google’s budget A-series so much as refine it, but that’s an easy thing to forgive when the fundamentals are this good. This year, the back of the phone is completely flat, so there’s no unsightly camera bulge. It’s a sleek look that means it won’t wobble when you place it on a table. It also features a layer of Gorilla Glass 7i over the display, making it far more scratch-resistant than the 9a, so you can carry it caseless without much worry.In our week of testing, the Pixel 10a’s Tensor G4 chip handled everything we threw at it, battery life lasted a full day, and the 48MP main camera and 13MP ultrawide produced fantastic photos. New software tricks like Camera Coach help you frame better shots, and Satellite SOS connectivity — a feature usually reserved for pricier flagships — means you can reach emergency services even off the grid. Add Google’s seven years of guaranteed Android updates, and this is a phone that will stay current for a long time.If you already own a Pixel 9a, there’s no reason to upgrade, since the hardware is nearly identical. And the discounted 9a is still worth a look if you want to save a few more dollars and don’t care about the flat back or satellite feature. But for anyone shopping fresh for a new phone, we recommend the Pixel 10a.Full Google Pixel 10a review.Key SpecsDisplay6.3-inch, 1080p, 120Hz Actua pOLEDChipGoogle Tensor G4Camera48MP main, 13MP ultra-wide, 4K video recording, 13MP selfie cameraMemory8GB RAM, 128/256GB storageConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Bluetooth 6, WiFi 6EBattery5,100 mAhProsEnormous 5,200 mAh battery rated for nearly two daysLarge 120Hz screen that stays readable in sunlightConsMid-tier Dimensity 6300 chipIf battery life is your main priority, we like the Moto G Power. Not only is this one of the more affordable options on this list, but its 5,200 mAh battery is rated for close to two full days. That makes it a great option for anyone who always forgets to charge their phone. When it does get low, the 30W TurboPower charging can provide hours of battery life in just minutes.The G Power also features a spacious 6.8-inch screen that runs at a smooth 120Hz and pushes up to 1,000 nits, so it’s easy to see in direct sun, while Gorilla Glass 7i and IP68/IP69 ratings ensure it can survive drops and dunks. You even get a microSD slot for storage expansion, which most phones don’t offer anymore. There are a few compromises, though: the Dimensity 6300 is great for everyday use, but not for heavy gaming. And, as with most Motorola phones, it comes with an annoying amount of preinstalled bloatware, so you may have to spend some time uninstalling the apps you don’t want.Key SpecsDisplay6.8-inch FHD+ LCD, 120HzChipMediaTek Dimensity 6300Camera50MP main, 32GB selfieMemory8GB RAM, 128GB storage + microSDConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, BluetoothBattery5,200 mAhAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsA19 chip delivers fantastic performanceMagSafe with 15W wireless chargingConsSame camera the 16ENo Dynamic IslandIf you want an iPhone without paying the Apple tax, this is the model to buy. The iPhone 17e looks identical to last year’s 16e, but the A19 chip inside is a noticeable bump in performance. In our testing, it flew through iOS, held a dozen-plus apps open without a stutter, and ran a Tomb Raider port with detailed graphics and sharp haptics. It cleared a full day of mixed use on a charge, and the new Ceramic Shield 2 glass resists scratches well enough that we’d skip a screen protector.The device includes MagSafe too — finally! — which means faster wireless charging and support for an entire ecosystem of magnetic accessories. A few pricier-iPhone perks aren’t included, though. There’s no Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped area around the front camera that features live info like timers, directions, and sport scores. The camera is also the exact same setup as last year’s 16e, which is good enough for sharing pictures on social media, but falls short of other iPhone models in Apple’s lineup. Still, if you want an iPhone that'll last years at a more affordable price, the 17e is the one to grab.Full Apple iPhone 17e reviewKey SpecsDisplay6.1-inch, 460ppi Super Retina XDR OLED, Ceramic Shield 2ChipA19 BionicCamera48MP main, 12MP selfie Face IDMemory8GB RAM, 256/512GB storageConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3Battery4,005 mAhProsMetal unibody and Glyph LED matrix feel more premium than the price suggestsA real telephoto lends with 3.5x optical zoomFast performance and all-day batteryConsOnly three years of Android version updatesMost budget Android phones blur together. Despite the Pixel 10a earning our top spot, it’s not hugely different from the last-gen 9a. That’s why the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is such a compelling alternative.We used (4a) Pro as our main Android for a week, and we came away hugely impressed by the device’s premium aluminum unibody design. It feels more like an iPhone 17 Pro than anything you’d expect at this price. Then there’s the Glyph matrix, a grid of rear LEDs that shows the time, weather, caller ID, and charging status. It sounds like a gimmick, but we found it useful. A glance at the back of a face-down phone beats lighting up the whole screen every time a notification arrives.It’s also a rare phone at this price with a proper triple-camera setup, and the 3.5x optical telephoto is something alternatives simply don’t match. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 never bogged down in our testing, even running a full Android port of Red Dead Redemption on that big 144Hz screen, and 50W wired charging tops up faster than what Google or Samsung give you.The downside is Nothing promises just three years of OS updates against the seven you’d get from a Pixel. If you tend to hang onto a phone for longer, that’s worth considering; however, if you’re the kind of Android user who doesn’t want something that feels like everything else, Nothing (see what I did there?) else at this price is this much fun.Full Nothing Phone (4a) Pro reviewKey SpecsDisplay6.83-inch, 1260p, 144Hz AMOLEDChipSnapdragon 7 Gen 4Camera50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 32MP telephoto (3.5x), 32MP selfieMemory8/12GB RAM, 128/256GB storageConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4Battery5,080 mAhAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSix years of OS and security updatesBright 120Hz AMOLED screenSix years of OS upgrades and six years of security patches put the A57 among the longest-supported phones on this list. That means the phone should stay current into the 2030s, which is pretty good for a phone at this price. It has a design to match, too, with a slim 6.9mm aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus+ body, a bright 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, and IP68 water resistance.The device also features a beefy 5,000 mAh battery and 45W charging; however, there is no wireless charging, so you’ll need to have a USB-C cable handy. The Exynos 1680 chip and triple camera are capable for a mid-range device, though it can't quite match the power of the Pixel 10a’s Tensor G4. That said, the Galaxy A57 5G still offers a lot for the price, especially if you want a phone with long-term software support.Key SpecsDisplay6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120HzChipEcynos 1680Camera50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 12MP selfieMemory8GB RAM, 128/256/512GB storageConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6Battery5,000 mAhProsIncluded stylus tucks into the phoneIP68/IP69 rated, with microSD expansion to 1TBConsOnly two years of major OS updatesThe Moto G Stylus is the rare cheap Android with an actual stylus built in, and the closest alternative that does the same thing is a Samsung Galaxy S Ultra at roughly triple the price. The stylus elevates the experience of marking up documents or jotting down notes, and the G Stylus’ 6.7-inch AMOLED display provides ample space for these tasks.Beyond the pen, the G Stylus is a competent device without quite reaching the heights of the Pixel 10a or Nothing Phone (4a) Pro. The 5,200 mAh battery is large, and 68W charging refills it fast, with wireless charging thrown in as a bonus you rarely see at this price. You can push storage to 1TB with a microSD card, and the IP68/IP69 ratings plus military-grade durability testing mean a spill or drop won’t automatically spell disaster.The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 handles everyday apps and light multitasking, though it may struggle to play today’s more intensive games. Motorola is only promising up to two major OS updates, too, which falls well short of what Google and Nothing offer. That said, the pen makes the G Stylus a great option if you frequently mark up documents or like to sketch when inspiration strikes.Key SpecsDisplay6.7-inch, 1.5K Extreme AMOLED, 120HzChipSnapdragon 6 Gen 3Camera50MP main, 32MP selfieMemory8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage + microSDConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4Battery5,200 mAhMatt Ng is a writer and editor who specializes in gaming, tech, and movies, so he’s usually writing about the next shiny gadget or triple-A PS5 title. He also has experience as a copy editor within the healthcare sector. When he’s not fawning over the latest MCU release, he can be found on a softball pitch chasing after flyballs.Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.Stefan is an award-winning consumer technology editor with over a decade of experience in reviewing gadgets, particularly smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, desktop and laptop computers across multiple form factors and platforms, as well as accessories for them. He also covers televisions and audio equipment, including headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and soundbars. Since joining Hearst in 2015, Stefan has contributed to BestProducts, Popular Mechanics, and numerous other publications. Prior to his current role, he served as the US Editor for GSMArena.com.