Best Phone Under $300 in 2026: Cheap Picks That Don't Feel Cheap
Sub-$300 phones are surprisingly capable in 2026 — but only if you buy the right ones. The wrong $250 phone is plastic, slow, and abandoned by its manufacturer in 18 months. The right one is a former MKBHD Best Value award winner now on a deep discount. Here are the picks worth your money.
Updated · 3 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Phones currently available under $300 (new, refurbished, or used) that have won or placed at MKBHD's Best Value award, or the closest equivalent.
- #1
Runner-up at MKBHD's 2023 Best Value awards. Now widely available used at $200–$280. The cheapest way to get Google's industry-leading computational photography. Tensor G2 is no longer fast, but for typical use it's still smooth.
Pros
- Best photography under $300
- Clean Android with fast Pixel updates
- Excellent OLED display
Cons
- Battery life is short — 4–5 hours of screen-on
- Tensor G2 thermals can be uneven
- #2
MKBHD's 2023 Best Value winner, now $249–$299. Samsung's four-major-Android-version update commitment means software support through 2027. IP67 water resistance is rare at this price tier.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2023 Best Value winner
- IP67 water resistance
- Updates through 2027
Cons
- Slow Exynos chipset
- Plastic frame
- #3
Won Best Design at MKBHD's 2022 Smartphone Awards. The original Glyph-interface phone. Now around $199–$249 used — the most distinctive-looking phone you can buy at this price by a wide margin.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2022 Best Design winner
- Most distinctive design under $300
- Clean Nothing OS
Cons
- Limited remaining update runway
- Camera trails Pixel 7a
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best phone under $300 in 2026?
Used Google Pixel 7a — runner-up at MKBHD's 2023 Best Value awards. It pairs Google's computational photography with $200–$280 used pricing for the best balance under $300.
Is buying a used Pixel 7a in 2026 a good idea?
Yes — Google guarantees five years of OS updates from the launch date (so support runs through ~2028). Buy from a reputable refurbisher with at least a 90-day warranty.
Can you get a flagship phone for under $300?
Refurbished iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S22 sometimes hit this price tier. Both are 4 generations old in 2026 — fine for basic use, but you're getting closer to the end of their software-support window.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.