The Best Android Phones Under $300
Under $300 you are choosing battery life and update promises over flagship cameras — Samsung’s A17 and Motorola’s G Power lead.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Under $300 you are choosing battery life and update promises over flagship cameras — Samsung’s A17 and Motorola’s G Power lead. Best under $300 overall: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, $245. Best battery life: Motorola Moto G Power (2026), $299.99. Best cheaper Samsung: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, $250.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best under $300 overall | Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | most people under $300 | ~$245–$270 unlocked/prepaid (Oct 2026). |
| Best battery life | Motorola Moto G Power (2026) | max battery under $300 | $299.99 MSRP; watch carrier promos. |
| Best cheaper Samsung | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G | cheapest usable Samsung 5G | Frequently under $250 on sale. |
We haven’t lab-tested these phones. For the broader $250–$600 band (Pixel 10a, S26 FE, A37), see best budget phones.
Buy US models. Prefer unlocked U / U1 Galaxy suffixes and avoid “international” grey imports when you need US bands and warranty.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Phone | Typical US price | Display | Battery story | Updates (reported) | Notes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy A17 5G | ~$245–$270 | Budget AMOLED | Solid all-day class | 6 OS + 6 security | IP54; microSD | Most people under $300 |
| Moto G Power (2026) | $299.99 MSRP | 120Hz class | Large battery focus | Shorter than Samsung | Durability marketing (IP68/IP69 reported) | Max battery under $300 |
| Galaxy A16 5G | Often <$250 sale | Budget panel by config | Everyday | Check listing | Step below A17 | Cheapest usable Samsung 5G |
The picks in detail
1. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Best for: most people under $300The Galaxy A17 5G is the safest sub-$300 Samsung: budget AMOLED, OIS on the main camera, microSD and a six-year OS/security promise that beats most Motos. Street prices around $245–$270 keep it under the cut after the A-series price shuffle.
Price (Oct 2026): ~$245–$270 unlocked/prepaid (Oct 2026). Source
Pros
- Long software support for the price
- AMOLED + OIS
- Expandable storage
Cons
- No telephoto
- Not a flagship camera
2. Motorola Moto G Power (2026)
Best for: max battery under $300Motorola’s Moto G Power (2026) lands at $299.99 MSRP and is positioned as a stamina phone (large battery, 120Hz class display, tough IP ratings in Android Authority’s[1] coverage). Pick it when you hate charging midday more than you care about Samsung’s longer update clock.
Price (Oct 2026): $299.99 MSRP; watch carrier promos. Source
Pros
- Battery-first design
- Often near the $300 ceiling with more RAM/storage deals
Cons
- Shorter software support than Galaxy A17
- Camera quality varies by lighting
3. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Best for: cheapest usable Samsung 5GWhen A17 is out of stock or you want to stay closer to $200, the older/cheaper Galaxy A16 5G still shows up on Amazon and prepaid shelves. Confirm the unlocked US model and current One UI update path on the listing before you buy.
Price (Oct 2026): Frequently under $250 on sale. Source
Pros
- Lowest Samsung entry
- Easy to find prepaid
Cons
- Older generation than A17
- Skimpier display/camera stack
Just over $300?
Galaxy A37 (~$415–$450) and sale-priced S26 FE / Pixel 10a jump into the midrange with better cameras and chips. Those live on our budget phones and phones for photography guides — not this strict under-$300 list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pixel still available under $300?
Unlocked or carrier?
Which has the best updates under $300?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Android Authority — Moto G Power 2026 (androidauthority.com)
- Samsung US smartphones (samsung.com)
- AT&T Galaxy A17 5G pricing example (att.com)
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