A cheap phone can do almost everything a flagship does. The things that separate good ones from bad ones are less obvious than the specs sheet suggests: how long it gets updates, how much memory it has, and how long the battery lasts. This guide covers the phones worth considering, what to check before you buy, and why budget prices have started to climb.
The picks at a glance
| Phone | Good for | Update support | UK price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 10a | Cameras, clean software, longest support | Up to seven years | From £499 |
| Samsung Galaxy A57 5G | Bright screen, slim body, fast charging | Six years | From £529 |
| Samsung Galaxy A37 5G | Samsung software for a smaller budget | Six years | From £399 |
| iPhone 17e | The cheapest way into Apple’s range | Apple does not publish a period | £599 |
| Motorola Moto G77 | Battery life and value | Check Motorola’s stated period | Around £250 |
| Nothing Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro | Design, display, and zoom on the Pro | Check Nothing’s stated period | Check current price |
| Motorola Moto G06 | Calls, messaging and the lowest cost | Short | Around £89 |
Prices are RRPs or typical shop prices at the time of writing. They move often, so confirm before you buy.
Everyday value
The Pixel 10a is the strongest all rounder. It has a 6.3 inch 120Hz screen, a 48MP camera, a 5,100mAh battery and Google’s promise of seven years of updates. Reviewers point out that it changes little from last year’s Pixel 9a, so a Pixel 9a owner has little reason to upgrade. It is still the safest pick for someone who wants to keep a phone for many years.
The Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G went on sale on 10 April. Samsung promises up to six generations of Android upgrades and six years of security updates on both. The A57 has a 6.7 inch Super AMOLED screen, a 5,000mAh battery and 45W charging, though the memory card slot has gone. Its starting price went up by £30 on the A56, while the A37 held its price.
Lower cost
The Motorola Moto G77 is a good example of what a modest budget buys: a 6.78 inch AMOLED screen, a 108MP main camera and a 5,200mAh battery. Motorola’s cheaper phones usually have shorter update promises than Samsung or Google, so check the figure before buying.
At the very bottom, phones such as the Moto G06 work for calls, messages and basic apps. Expect slower performance, less memory and a short support period, so they suit a spare phone or a secondary device better than a main one.
If you want an iPhone
The iPhone 17e launched in March 2026 and is Apple’s cheapest current model. For more choice in Apple’s range, see our guide to top-end phones if you want to spend more.
What to check before you buy
- Update length. A phone that stops getting security updates after two or three years becomes a risk, even if it still works. This matters more than the chip.
- Memory and storage. Look for at least 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, since cheaper models are cutting back.
- Battery. Around 5,000mAh is normal now. Big batteries are a strength of Motorola and Samsung’s A series.
- 5G. Most phones above the lowest tier have it. See 5G on a cheaper handset for what it changes.
- Contactless and eSIM. NFC is needed for tap to pay. Some cheaper phones leave out eSIM, which matters if you plan to use one.
- UK suitability. A phone imported from elsewhere may lack some UK 4G or 5G bands, and its warranty may not apply here.
Why budget phones cost more now
Memory chips have become much more expensive because data centres are using up supply. Cheap phones are hit hardest, because memory is a bigger share of their cost. Counterpoint Research estimates that the cost of building an entry level phone has risen about 25%. Motorola raised US prices on some budget models by up to half, and Nothing’s chief executive says phone prices will keep going up. In the UK, the Galaxy A57 started £30 above its predecessor.
Makers are responding by raising prices, trimming specs, or both. The practical advice is to buy a good phone now rather than wait, and to compare against last year’s model.
How to pay
Most budget phones cost little enough to buy outright. Our guide to why outright often wins for a cheap phone shows why a contract rarely saves money at this price. Pair the phone with a SIM only plan to pair with a cheaper phone, and see phone deals at the lower end of the price range if you do want to spread the cost.
A used phone can beat a new budget one on quality. See checking the condition grade of a used phone before choosing.
For a child, see phones suited to a child’s first handset. Insurance on a cheap phone can cost a large share of its price, so think about whether a cheap phone is worth insuring.
FAQs
Is a phone under £100 worth buying?
For calls and messages, yes. Expect little memory, slow apps and a short update period, so it works better as a spare.
Can I buy an import model?
You can, but check that it supports UK 4G and 5G bands and that the warranty covers you. Many import listings do not make this clear.
Will cheap phones get cheaper next year?
Not necessarily. Analysts say the memory shortage could last through 2027, so more price rises are possible.