Best phone under 300

Not everyone can afford an expensive gadget, and for some, it's simply unnecessary. Fortunately, now you can find great phones under 300 with very decent specifications.

Which parameters determine the rating of good phones under 300?

The rating of budget devices was compiled taking into account the following parameters:

• Fast Performance in Any Conditions: The main drawback of most budget options is a relatively weak processor, leading users to experience certain limitations during phone usage. The models included in the rating have undergone testing for fast performance using popular resources and meet all the requirements.
• Battery Life: To ensure the charge doesn't run out during active use, it's advisable to choose the best phone for 300 with a large battery capacity. Additionally, the type of screen and software optimization can significantly impact the device's battery life.
• Quality of Captured Photos and Videos: When selecting a smartphone with a good camera, the actual results matter more than the specifications on paper. If the device can capture high-quality images in various scenarios, both day and night, it unequivocally qualifies for the top-rated list. However, if a device claims advanced features but produces unclear images, it does not make it to the top.

When choosing the best phone under 300 dollars, everyone should consider their individual needs. Some people love gaming, so they require a more powerful processor. Others need a good camera for social media, and in that case, it's worth paying closer attention to the cameras. However, there are other important criteria that everyone should consider:

• Memory: RAM in the phone is more critical than internal storage, as the latter can usually be expanded with a flash card. The optimal RAM for a budget variant should be at least 4 GB, and internal storage should start from 64 GB.
• Operating System: There's no need to choose anything other than Android. When selecting a budget option, it's essential to pick a model with the most up-to-date OS version. If the software becomes outdated, many of its functions may stop working after a couple of years, and a significant portion of popular applications may cease to run.
• Battery: Most good phones for 300 distinguish themselves with good battery life, but in any case, pay attention to a battery capacity of no less than 3500 mAh.
• Processor: Together with RAM, the processor is responsible for the device's quick response. It's not necessary to expect a top-of-the-line processor in a budget model, and it wouldn't fully demonstrate its capabilities anyway. For a budget model, an optimal processor would be one with 4 cores.
• 4G Support: This criterion is crucial when choosing a phone. Otherwise, you won't be able to access the global network through your smartphone. However, there shouldn't be any issues with this criterion, as companies strive to release new models with 4G support, and even 5G support in some cases.

We analyzed phone models in this price segment and selected good Android phones under 300 dollars.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

This is a 2023 mid-range newcomer that has already received positive reviews for its high performance and long lifespan. The gadget features a 6.7-inch LCD screen with FHD+. One of its main advantages is the adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. To achieve such smoothness, the company opted for an LCD matrix instead of OLED. The phone also includes stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. The fingerprint scanner is integrated into the side power button.

The triple camera setup comprises a main Samsung HM6 sensor (108 MP, f/1.7), a depth sensor, and a 2 MP macro lens. The front camera is 16 MP (Sony IMX471). The device offers features like 3x digital zoom without loss of quality and a pre-set Pro mode. In standard mode, the phone captures photos at 12 MP resolution, thanks to the NonaBayer pixel merging technology. Daytime photos exhibit good detail, a wide dynamic range, and accurate color reproduction. Two pre-set resolution options of 108 MP (Hi-res and Extra HD) are available for sharper shots. Portrait shots and macrophotography receive positive reviews. However, the video capabilities of the Nord N30 are somewhat modest, with a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30 frames per second.

The smartphone is powered by a Snapdragon 695, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of internal storage, delivering excellent performance in applications and games. It handles games like Call of Duty Mobile smoothly even on high settings and manages Genshin Impact on low settings. The 5,000 mAh battery allows for 6-7 hours of active screen usage, which is sufficient for most users. The included 50W power adapter enables quick charging.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

The Galaxy A14 5G immediately suggests that it's a Samsung smartphone. We can say that it closely resembles the recent flagship Galaxy S23+, albeit slightly larger. This indicates adherence to the brand's design language, elevating the A14 5G in its entry-level segment. Of course, beyond the initial impression, the best phone below 300 shows that the resemblance is only visual. The polished aluminum frame of the flagship is replaced with a similarly glossy plastic one—it looks almost the same but feels completely different. The back panel is also made of plastic.

Gadget features a 6.6-inch LCD display—no AMOLED here. However, it's a Full HD panel, so there are no compromises in resolution. The display has a resolution of 1080x2408 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio, corresponding to a pixel density of 400ppi.

The phone runs on the MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 processor, which, while not exceptionally powerful, can boast the ability to maintain its initial performance level during prolonged use. It also supports 5G. You can choose from different variants with 4 to 8 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of storage.

Photos taken with the Galaxy's main camera are very good for its class. The detail is excellent, even if accompanied by a healthy dose of grainy noise. The dynamic range and contrast are good, but the colors could use some correction in the right direction—white balance is mostly accurate, but saturation is lacking. The 2-megapixel "macro" camera is predictably mediocre, which is not surprising for this segment.

The phone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, as is the case with almost all smartphones in this price range. The A14 5G's talk time was 31:35 hours (compared to 29:00 hours for the A22), and standby time improved by about the same amount. We gained an hour of additional time for video playback—16:42 hours, and the most significant increase was in web browsing, where the A14 lasted 19:29 hours. All these small improvements add up to an overall endurance rating of 130 hours.

Moto G 5G

A robust mid-range option from Motorola comes at a relatively affordable price and offers excellent performance for most users, along with 5G connectivity. The best phone around 300 features a 6.7-inch LTPS display (IPS type). While it could have been OLED, color reproduction is excellent, supporting HDR10 with good black depth, wide viewing angles, high brightness, and excellent contrast. The increased display refresh rate of 90 Hz compared to the standard 60 Hz is also noteworthy, providing smoother visuals and a perceived faster operation compared to 60 Hz counterparts.

In terms of hardware, there are no complaints about the phone. It is equipped with an 8-core Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset and an Adreno 619 GPU. Everything runs smoothly in the menu, basic tasks, and even in games, although not always at maximum graphics. The smartphone may warm up under heavy tasks but not excessively. The device's capabilities are sufficient for most users.

The main 48 MP camera module is complemented by an 8 MP wide-angle, 5 MP macro, and 2 MP ToF cameras. During daylight, the main camera captures fairly high-quality photos with sharpness and good detail. However, in low light conditions, sharpness and brightness are significantly reduced. Nevertheless, in this price segment, one should not expect camera flagship features from the device.

The phone ensures high autonomy with a 5000 mAh battery.

Google Pixel 6a 

This is a reliable, water-resistant, and consistently functioning phone with good cameras and long battery life. There are certain aspects that could be criticized, but they are offset by other interesting features.

The phone has a 6.1-inch screen diagonal, considered relatively small by modern standards. It features an OLED display with a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass of the third generation. The main drawback is the low refresh rate of only 60 Hz. However, the shell animation is designed in a way that mitigates the impact of the low refresh rate, making it less noticeable.

The smartphone model is equipped with 6 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and the built-in storage is 128 GB, which is quite adequate for such a device. It uses the Google Tensor proprietary chipset, delivering a pleasant performance and overall device functionality. It operates smoothly, without lagging, and can handle gaming.

The battery capacity is 4400 mAh, providing up to 8 hours of screen-on time and up to 16 hours of video playback. The smartphone boasts an IP67 (IEC60529) protection class, making it dustproof and capable of withstanding short-term immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for no more than 1 minute. This makes it suitable for rainy and snowy conditions in the fall and winter, as it easily handles such challenges.

Blackview N6000

Completing the selection of the best phones under 300 dollars in 2024 is a rugged model. Typically, such smartphones are large and hefty, but in this case, things are different. The model features a small 4.3-inch screen and a modest 3880 mAh battery by modern standards. Nevertheless, it has its merits, as the phone boasts a modern hardware foundation and good cameras.

Regarding design and construction, familiar materials used in other rugged smartphones are employed here. The sides and buttons are made of an aluminum alloy, while the edges are crafted from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The back panel is almost entirely made of TPU, except for the aluminum emblem with the Blackview logo and the camera module surround. TPU is a practical material resistant to water, direct sunlight, minor impacts, and scratches. According to Blackview, a portion of the back panel is made from a composite material consisting of polycarbonate and 10% fiberglass, and the smartphone as a whole can withstand an object weighing up to 20,000 kg placed on it. The manufacturer also promises dust and water resistance according to IP68 and IP69K standards, and the smartphone should remain functional when submerged to a depth of 15 meters for 30 minutes.

The internal components of the Blackview are a strong aspect for its size. The phone is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, one of the best platforms for budget and entry-level mid-range devices today. It features 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. The device operates swiftly, without system lags or slowdowns. The battery provides around 7-8 hours of screen-on time at automatic brightness.

Best cell phone under 300: Comparison Table