In today’s market, smartphones are becoming increasingly expensive, which can be unaffordable for many people. If you are in search of a new smartphone but have a limited budget, there are still great smartphones that cost less than $200. In this article, we will discuss the top smartphones under $200 in the US. This list is especially for the American market, and hence all of the models are available on Amazon.
Before you hop on to the list, here is the guide to choosing the best under $200 phone
Choosing a new phone when you’re on a tight budget can be a daunting task. With most phones in the under-$200 category looking very similar, it can be challenging to know what brands to trust and what to look out for. This guide will help you make an informed decision. This is done by discussing the key factors to consider when choosing a phone under $200.
Design and Display
At under $200, most phones are made of plastic. Which is a huge cost-saving measure for manufacturers. Therefore, it’s rare to find a phone made of other materials unless the manufacturer cuts back elsewhere. Additionally, most phones in this category feature a standard HD display, also known as 720p, instead of a full-HD 1080p or higher resolution.
Some phones like the Samsung Galaxy A13 offer a 1080p display that looks better than others in this class. However, a lower-resolution display can be preferable for two reasons. First, most phones in this category don’t have powerful processors, and a higher-resolution display can make the phone feel a bit laggy. Second, a lower-resolution display helps the phone’s battery last longer on a single charge.
Performance
Most phones in this category only feature 3-4GB of RAM. Which is often fine with those lower-resolution displays. The lower-power processors can’t multitask particularly well, so having extra RAM isn’t going to help much. But, in certain cases, having extra RAM could help make your phone feel a bit speedier. Samsung’s virtual RAM technology allows you to use a small portion of a microSD card to create more RAM, which could be a killer feature depending on your app usage.
Updates and Security
It’s essential to note that you should never expect to get lots of significant operating system updates on a phone in this price category. While most phones see a single big OS update, some phones will only get security updates for a few years and be done. Security updates are what you should pay attention to, and that’s why Samsung is a great choice. Samsung promises four years of security updates for the Galaxy A13. Which is double that of any other manufacturer on this page. While lower-power processors don’t always hold up well for that long, it’s great to know that your phone won’t be vulnerable to cyber-attacks or malware for as long as you own the phone.
Buying Options
At under $200, many phones offer the option to choose between buying them outright or adding them to your phone plan as part of your monthly bill. While many phones on this list won’t cost anything from great wireless carriers like T-Mobile, it might be worth buying them outright for several reasons. First, at under $200, all of these phones are quite affordable. Second, putting a sub-$200 phone on a contract means you’re stuck with it for 24 months until the contract is up. Finally, most sub-$200 phones tend to get a bit slow over a 24-month period, and that’s assuming you purchased the phone right when it came out.
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That said, below we have listed out the top $200 smartphones you can buy right now in the US.
Samsung Galaxy A14
Our top pick for the best affordable smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy A13. Although Samsung’s more expensive devices like the Galaxy S series are widely known, the Galaxy A13 is a good choice if you are looking for a budget-friendly phone. The phone features a 6.6-inch display that provides an ideal viewing experience for videos and media. This is a non-5G version of the Galaxy A13 that has a better resolution and camera quality than the 5G version.
The Galaxy A13 has three cameras on the back, including a 50MP primary, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensors, which deliver decent image quality for social media. The phone has a 5,000 mAh battery, which is large enough to last all day, and 15W fast charging that ensures quick and convenient charging. The Samsung Galaxy A13 runs Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI and comes with four years of software updates, which is a rarity for a phone in this price range.
The con is that there is no ultra-wide sensor, however even it had it would have been not the best considering the price range. Hence, Samsung opted to give other useful feature in the face of 5G.
Who should buy this device: For those looking to get a fancy UI, ,futureproof and day-to-day use
OnePlus Nord N200 5G
The smartphone comes with a 6.49 inches Fluid LTPS IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The device is powered by Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G processor.
The device is fueled with a 5000 mAh battery + Fast charging 18W. It features a triple-camera setup: On the rear side, there is 13 MP (wide) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth) while on the front, there is a 16 MP camera.
The sensors include Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. It features Bluetooth 5.1, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G runs on Android 11 + OxygenOS 11 operating system. The smartphone is built with a glass front, plastic frame, and plastic back. It is packed with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage.
Who should buy: Day-to-day usage only
Moto G Stylus
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) boasts a MediaTek Helio G88 Octa-core processor and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, along with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. The phone has a water-repellent coating and a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels and 396 PPI density. It operates on the Android 11 OS.
The device is equipped with a triple camera setup, consisting of a 50 MP wide lens, 8 MP ultrawide lens, and 2 MP depth lens, and features LED flash, HDR, and panorama. The front-facing camera is 16 MP wide. The device also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, and proximity sensors.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) runs on a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery and is available in two colors: Twilight Blue and Metallic Rose. It offers features such as A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB Type-C 2.0.
Frankly speaking, this is the most entertaining phone in the list of top $200 phones with its unique stylus addon.
Who should buy this: Students!
Moto G 5G
Under the hood, the Motorola Moto G (2022) is powered by a MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 Octa-core processor and features a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It comes with 6 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, so you’ll have plenty of space to store all your apps, games, and files.
One of the standout features of this phone is its water-repellent design, which makes it perfect for use in all kinds of weather. It also features a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and 270 PPI density, which makes it perfect for watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games.
The Motorola Moto G (2022) runs on the latest Android 12 operating system and comes equipped with a triple camera system, which includes a 50 MP (wide) lens, a 2 MP (macro) lens, and a 2 MP (depth) lens. It also comes with LED flash, HDR, and panorama capabilities, so you can take stunning photos and videos no matter where you are.
On the front of the phone, there’s a 13 MP (wide) camera that’s perfect for taking selfies and making video calls. The Motorola Moto G (2022) also comes with a range of sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer.
Last but not least, this phone is fueled by a powerful non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery, which provides long-lasting battery life that’s perfect for all-day use.
Who should buy this device: Those looking for simple software
Nokia G20
If you want to buy an affordable unlocked phone, Nokia G20 is a reliable option. The phone has a 6.52-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution of 720×1600. It is powered by a MediaTek processor and has 4GB of RAM, which is enough to run most social apps without any issues. Nokia G20 comes with 128GB of expandable storage, which is more than enough to store your media files and documents.
The phone has a quad-camera setup, including a 48MP primary camera, which is surprisingly decent for the price range. The Nokia G20 runs on Android One, which means you get two years of Android upgrades and three years of monthly security patches. The phone has a 5,050 mAh battery, which provides an impressive battery life for the user. The Nokia G20 comes with a textured back available in two colors and features an IPX2 rating that makes it splash-proof in nature. The phone lacks fast charging, which is its only downside.
Who should buy this: Mostly for the aged, who want the simplest operating system
Motorola Moto G Play
The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is equipped with an octa-core Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 processor and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU. It offers 3 GB of RAM and a choice of 32 GB of internal storage.
The device features a water-repellent coating and boasts a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and a pixel density of 270 PPI. It runs on the Android 12 operating system.
The Moto G Play (2023) is equipped with a triple camera system that includes a 16 MP wide lens, a 2 MP macro lens, and a 2 MP depth lens. On the front, there is a 5 MP wide camera. The device also features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, an accelerometer, and a proximity sensor.
Powering the device is a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery with support for 10W wired charging. The device is available in a single color, Deep Indigo. It offers features such as GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB Type-C 2.0. It supports Nano-SIM
Who should buy this: Works with every US carrier, and has a huge display
TCL 20 SE
TCL 20 SE boasts a captivating 6.82-inch LCD panel that offers vivid colors. It has 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB. The phone features a fingerprint scanner on the backside and a 5,000mAh battery that can be charged quickly with its 18W fast charging speed. It has quad cameras, including a 48MP primary lens, and runs on Android 11 with a Snapdragon 460 chipset. However, the TCL 20 SE lacks waterproofing and any future platform upgrades beyond two years of security updates.
Surely, the looks of this phone makes it a great addition to the list of top $200 phone on Amazon.
Who should buy: Multimedia lovers!
Moto G Power (2022)
The Moto G Power (2022) features the best camera in its class, delivering clear photos even in low-light situations. It also has great battery life, lasting up to 3 days per charge, and a large 6.5-inch display that can run at 90Hz. The phone runs on Android 11 and is powered by a weak MediaTek processor, making the UI sluggish and slow. The phone only supports 10W charging, so it takes several hours to charge up.
Who should buy: For camera only
Blackview BV4900
The Blackview BV4900 is designed to be rugged and durable, making it an excellent choice for those who work in physically demanding environments or are prone to clumsiness. It has an IP68 dust/water resistance rating and MIL-STD-810G certification, meaning it can survive drops of up to five feet. It features a massive 5,580mAh battery, USB-C charging, NFC for contactless Google Pay payments, and 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage, which can be expanded to 128 GB. However, the BV4900 has no fingerprint sensor, and it runs on Android 10 with no updates.
Who should buy: Those looking for a rugged phone
Final Verdict: Which phone should you buy under $200 in the US in April 2023?
A few years back, a budget of $200 could not fetch you the best Android phones. However, the current market offers plenty of options that are pretty impressive in the low-price segment. You can find many “cheap” Android phones that offer great features.
Among all the available options, we believe that the Samsung Galaxy A13 is the best Android phone for under $200. It is an excellent choice for an average person looking for a new phone, with solid cameras, a reliable display, and years of software updates to keep it secure and relevant.
Samsung’s commitment to software updates is unmatched in the industry, offering more updates than any other Android phone manufacturer. This is crucial for both getting new features and maintaining security. Without proper updates, older phones can be vulnerable to malware or hackers.
