Best Phones Under $300: 5G Phones at Starter Prices

The $299 OnePlus N20 5G is not an thrilling cellphone, however it greater than will get the job executed for many conditions. In contrast to a number of telephones on this checklist, you should buy it unlocked from OnePlus. It additionally supplies high-end options we do not all the time see at this worth, like an in-screen fingerprint reader, sooner 33W charging, 6GB of RAM and NFC for cellular funds. Regardless of being accessible immediately from OnePlus, the N20 works with AT&T and T-Cellular however doesn’t work with Verizon. The cellphone’s 5G assist additionally solely works by T-Cellular.

In his OnePlus N20 evaluate, CNET Senior Editor Eli Blumenthal discovered the cellphone’s 64-megapixel primary digital camera, 2-megapixel macro digital camera and 2-megapixel monochrome lens to take first rate images throughout the daytime. However its cameras wrestle within the night, which is a standard challenge on cheaper telephones. The N20 additionally features a 16-megapixel front-facing digital camera situated within the high left of the cellphone’s show.

The cellphone can also be solely getting one main software program replace from Android 11 to Android 12, however will obtain three years of safety updates. Consequently, regardless of the cellphone’s first rate specs and barely wider availability, it solely is smart to hold onto this cellphone for 2 to 3 years.

Reviewing the $258 TCL Stylus 5G was a journey for me final yr. Specs-wise, it has loads that I loved. The cellphone’s TCL NxtVision HDR setting supplied enhanced colours after I performed video games, TCL made minimal modifications to Android 12 and I particularly loved the magnetic stylus that matches securely into its personal slot on the cellphone.

Nevertheless, the large cause why my evaluate took 4 months is due to repetitive software program bugs that make the cellphone in any other case robust to advocate. I skilled frequent restarts whereas utilizing the cellphone and Bluetooth connectivity points, the latter of which was ultimately mounted by a software program replace. This cellphone can also be locked to T-Cellular fully, so it might’t be used on different carriers and is full of T-Cellular apps which might be difficult to take away.

But if you happen to completely will need to have a stylus and your price range is beneath $300, this is likely one of the higher general picks. However be cautious of software program points, and bear in mind the cellphone is simply getting one main software program replace together with two years of safety updates.

The $228 OnePlus Nord N300 5G is my favourite cellphone beneath $300. The one cause why I can not advocate it above the N20 is as a result of this cellphone is locked to T-Cellular. Regardless of being round $80 cheaper than the opposite OnePlus cellphone, it nonetheless has 33-watt quick charging, a 90Hz refresh charge show and a 48-megapixel primary digital camera that does a good job with images and video. Its matte black look that highlights its two digital camera lenses additionally makes it one of many nicer-looking price range telephones I’ve examined. The N300 improves on the N20 with its twin stereo audio system, over the only speaker on the N20, and I personally want the facet fingerprint sensor over in-screen choices like on the N20.

However aside from the provision challenge, the N300 additionally suffers from a brief software program assist timeline. The N300 will solely get one main software program replace from Android 12 to Android 13 and two years of safety updates. Although that is considerably regular for the class, I nonetheless contemplate it a serious downside. There’s additionally a dose of T-Cellular bloatware, however at this worth it is simpler to swallow.

In case you are purchasing particularly for a cellphone that works with T-Cellular or its Metro model, the $228 OnePlus Nord N300 is certainly a stable alternative. Simply acknowledge you can not take the cellphone to different carriers, and it will not be an incredible possibility after two years of use.

The Mild Cellphone 2 is a really completely different sort of cellphone. It is meant for individuals looking for freedom from the fixed stream of notifications, however nonetheless need a cellphone that appears good. However regardless of its considerably restricted performance, this cellphone nonetheless prices $299.  

The Mild Cellphone 2 helps texts, cellphone calls, music playback, podcasts, cellular hotspot performance and restricted GPS assist for instructions on its E Ink display. It doesn’t have a digital camera, internet browser, electronic mail entry or different frequent apps like information or messaging apps. 

My colleague Jessica Fierro gave life with the Mild Cellphone 2 a attempt, and she or he loved how the cellphone helped her keep extra targeted on the world round her. Nevertheless she discovered the slower texting velocity on the E Ink show to be difficult to regulate to, and couldn’t totally make the swap as a result of for work she wants some extent of social media entry to be able to keep up on developments. 

The absence of many fashionable options is your entire level of the Mild Cellphone 2. It is a gadget for individuals who deliberately simply need important communications on a display that is extra like a Kindle’s show than the one you’d discover on a Samsung Galaxy gadget.

The Mild Cellphone 2 is actually not for everyone, however it could possibly be value contemplating for somebody who needs their cellphone to do much less. Followers of standard telephones ought to contemplate the wealth of function telephones and flip telephones that also exist first — which are sometimes free with a provider deal or accessible for beneath $100.

Admittedly I am dishonest by getting this cellphone into the checklist, however Google’s Pixel 6A has been discounted to $299 loads these days and is a simple suggestion when it has been discounted right into a price range cellphone vary.

Usually $449, the Pixel 6A received our Editors’ Alternative Award final yr. In her evaluate, CNET Senior Editor Lisa Eadicicco praised the cellphone for its nice digital camera, Pixel-exclusive options like Magic Eraser, its colourful design and being among the many first to get new Android updates. 

Whereas it is seemingly that Google publicizes a sequel 7A cellphone as quickly as the following Google I/O improvement convention, scheduled for Could 10, the present Pixel 6A continues to be a superb decide for the worth if you may get it at its $299 worth. However if you happen to see the cellphone return to its unique $449 worth between now and Could 10, and you are not in dire want of a brand new gadget, I’d then say await the rumored Pixel 7A.