While flagship smartphones boast impressive features, spending $1,000 is not a prerequisite for a satisfying Android experience nowadays. If you’re in need of a new smartphone and have a budget of approximately $200, there are numerous excellent options available. Surprisingly, some of the best Android phones under $200 come equipped with features like 5,000mAh batteries, multi-lens camera setups, and the promise of extended software updates.
We thoroughly evaluate various Android phones to ensure optimal performance without encountering unexpected issues down the line. If we were to recommend one Android smartphone in the sub-$200 price range, it would be the latest addition to Samsung’s lineup, the Galaxy A15 5G. Boasting a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen, a sizable battery with 25W fast charging support, and more, it offers a compelling package. Alternatively, consider Motorola’s Moto G Play (2024) for a straightforward yet functional device.
If you are shopping for sub 200$ buy used. I have bought a Note 9, S10E, LG G8, … for under 80$ each. Imagine what 200$ gets you.
None of these are getting updates though.
Yeah, buying phones that old is dumb advice
- worn out battery that probably wont charge fully or last another 2 years
- outdated OS that wont get security updates
I’m 100% all for keeping old phones running for many years, but buying a note 9 in 2024 is not how to go about doing that
… Unless you put your own OS on it? Think that’s still possible in 2024, right?
even that will be out of date. when the oem stops updating a device, there’s only so much custom roms can do
I just wish they were smaller. I’d love to have a Nexus 4-sized phone again.
Asus ZenFone 8
Still gigantic. The screen is a good inch-and-a-bit larger than the Nexus 4.
But weirdly identically width and length and just .5 inches taller.
Google Nexus 4 5.27 x 2.7 x 0.36 inches | 4.90 oz Asus ZenFone 8 5.83 x 2.7 x 0.35 inches | 5.96 oz
It’s because of narrower aspect ratio on newer devices. That’s why it doesn’t make any sense to compare them with diagonal. Also there’s variation in bezel thickness. For example s23/s24 has larger sized display than zenfone 10, but they’re nearly identical in total body size.
