The smartphone market is congested with numerous options and it easily becomes a daunting task to make a choice. Due to the competition, sub-$400 smartphones now comes with impressive features. In many cases, they feature components that are reserved for flagship phones just to have an edge. This could be in the design, processor, camera, battery or even overall performance. However, you need a guide to point you in the right direction and that is what this article aims to achieve.
Best Smartphones Under $400
Nothing Phone (2a)
The Nothing Phone (2a) continues the brand’s tradition of bold design with its semi-transparent rear and distinctive Glyph interface, which lights up to indicate calls, notifications, and charging status. At $309, it’s one of the most uniquely styled phones in its price range.
But the Phone (2a) is more than just good looks.It comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display that supports 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, a mid-range chip which balances efficiency and performance well.
The dual 50MP rear cameras handle daylight shots with sharp detail, and Nothing’s clean, near-stock Android interface is refreshingly simple. Software support is strong too, with three years of Android updates promised. In short, the Phone (2a) is a great choice for those who want a modern device with flair and solid internals.
CMF Phone 2 Pro
Nothing, founded in 2020 by OnePlus co-founder, Carl Pei has been consistent in the market. While the Nothing brand is for flagship products, the company launched the CMF brand for affordability without stripping down essential features.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is the company’s latest smartphone that costs less than $300 but delivers decent performance. This device comes with a modular rear panel which allows for interchangeable accessories like a cardholder or a kickstand. These features are rarely seen on mid-range smartphones.
The device of this device is attractive to a lot of young users especially those that like customized devices. Under the hood, this device uses the Dimensity 7200 chip as the Nothing Phone (2a). Thus, this phone can handle casual gaming and the performance is acceptable.
It also features a 120Hz OLED display with good colors and smooth visuals.To keep its lights on, this device comes with a 5,000mAh battery which is above average. For those wanting creative hardware at a low price, this is an excellent option.
Best Smartphones Under $400
Poco X6 Pro (Global)
Poco has long been known for aggressive pricing and high-performance hardware, and the X6 Pro follows that pattern with one of the best spec sheets in this price category. At $280, it offers incredible value for performance-focused users.
The highlight is the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra chip, which delivers near-flagship performance. Gaming, multitasking, and app launching are all handled with ease. The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen supports 120Hz refresh and 1.5K resolution, making content consumption visually sharp. The camera setup includes a 64MP main sensor with OIS, which gives decent low-light performance. While the design is a bit generic, Poco’s focus is clearly on power. The X6 Pro also supports 67W fast charging, topping up the battery in just about 45 minutes. MIUI might be heavy for some, but if raw speed is your priority, this phone delivers more than you’d expect at this price.
Motorola Edge 60
At the top end of the budget limit is the Motorola Edge 60, a $399 device that combines modern design, strong software support, and surprisingly capable hardware. It’s particularly appealing to those who prefer clean Android and stylish builds.
This mid-range smartphone comes with a gaming OLED display which supports 144Hz refresh rate. This is one of the fastest refresh rates that you will find in any device with this price. This brings some sort of fluidity to the device and makes gaming or scrolling seamless.
The daily routine of this device is handled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, a mid-range chip. This chip handles daily task with ease. On the software end, this device also brings a positive. Recall that Motorola’s software is very close to stock Android but there are some additions like gestures and Peek Display. The main 50MP camera offers optical image stabilization and solid results in varied lighting.
One of its biggest draws is the slim, curved design, which gives it a premium feel not usually found at this price. For buyers who want elegance and polish without breaking the bank, the Edge 60 is a strong contender.
Best Smartphones Under $400
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Another decent smartphone that you can purchase for not so much is the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G. This device is selling for $399 and it is much lower on platforms that has a coupon or active deal. Firstly, it offers brand reliability, then it comes with decent upgrades over its predecessor. It’s ideal for buyers looking for balanced performance, long software support, and a trusted name.
This device features a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and offers 120Hz refresh rate. This is at the level of many flagship phones in the market. It is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor. This chip is not the fastest in the market but it offers just enough power for everyday use. In the camera department, it comes with a 50MP main camera. The integration of Samsung’s image processing means that it gives decent images in all conditions.
One of the biggest selling points is software update. This device will get five years of major updates and up to seven years of security updates. This is way longer than most of its rivals offers. The plastic build is sturdy and water-resistant (IP67), giving it extra durability. If you’re looking for long-term value, the A35 5G is one of the safest picks in this category.
Final thoughts
Many people want to get an expensive phone because they do not want to settle for less. However, choosing a phone that costs less than $400 does not mean you are going for less. There are some great sub-$400 phones that offers cutting-edge design, strong performance, or long-term software support. We have listed a few of them on this article. These devices shows that you don’t have to spend so much to own a mobile phone that is capable and reliable.
