Best smartphones under $400 – August 2025

Buying a smartphone can feel like a big spend, but you don’t always need to drop a fortune.

There are some surprisingly capable devices that cover the essentials and even throw in a few extras.

This year, there have been a couple of affordable phones – whether new launches or price cuts with decent features like better displays, faster charging, and even premium features like OLED screens and wireless charging.

The question is not whether you can get a good phone under $400, but which one deserves your money. That’s where this guide comes in.

The HMD Skyline 5G is one of the more interesting budget devices this year. HMD leaned into nostalgia with a design that recalls classic Nokia styling.

The flat edges, boxy corners, and two-tone finish give it a distinct personality. It looks different from the sea of generic slabs, and that alone makes it worth a look.

Spec-wise, the Skyline comes with a 6.55-inch pOLED display running at a 144Hz refresh rate. That’s a spec you’d usually see in gaming phones, not a mid-ranger under $400.

Inside, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 powers the phone, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, plus a microSD card slot. That combination is more than enough for multitasking and casual gaming.

On the back, there’s a 108MP main camera with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultrawide camera. On the front, you get a 50MP selfie shooter, which is a rare treat at this price point.

The 4,600mAh battery supports 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and even reverse wireless charging. And here’s the kicker — the battery is user-replaceable.

Apple’s iPhone 14 slipping under $400 in 2025 is a big story on its own. New, it was well out of this range, but as Apple’s newer models rolled out, the price dropped — and that makes it one of the best value picks right now.

The phone has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1170 × 2532 pixels. Colors are accurate, brightness peaks high enough for outdoor use, and Apple’s panel quality is still a gold standard.

Under the hood, the A15 Bionic chip drives performance. It’s paired with 6GB of RAM and a starting 128GB of storage.

Even today, the A15 holds its own against most mid-range Android processors. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is smooth, and games run without noticeable hiccups.

This device features a 12MP wide with OIS and 12MP ultrawide camera which delivers excellent images.

To keep its lights on, there is a 3,279mAh battery that supports 20W wired charging and 15W MagSafe wireless charging.

Not the largest cell, but Apple’s efficiency makes the most of it, and iOS updates continue to improve power use.

The Moto G Stylus 2025 is Motorola’s attempt to do something different in the budget space.

The name gives it away: this phone ships with a built-in stylus. If you like jotting notes, sketching, or even just navigating with more precision, this is one of the few affordable ways to get that experience.

The phone comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ display at a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s not OLED, but it’s still bright and roomy enough for stylus use.

Underneath, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 handles daily workloads, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD.

On the back, you’ll find a 50MP main camera with OIS and a 13MP ultrawide that also doubles as a macro lens.

Battery life is strong, thanks to a 5,000mAh cell with 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

One of the less common devices on the list, TCL has been pushing its Nxtpaper technology for a while, and the 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G brings it to a wider audience.

This phone is designed for people who read a lot on their screens. It features a 6.78-inch FHD+ Nxtpaper display that runs at 120Hz and is coated to reduce glare and eye strain.

Unlike e-ink, it still shows full color, but text looks sharper and easier on the eyes. TCL also includes modes like “Ink Paper” and “Color Paper” that further tweak the display for reading or conserving battery life.

Inside, the phone runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage.

In the camera department, this device comes with a 50MP main shooter, which is supported by a 5MP ultrawide and 2MP depth sensors. On the front, there is a 32MP sensor for selfies.

A 5,010mAh battery powers the device, and it supports 18W wired charging. Not the fastest, but big enough to last all day.

Another less popular device on this list, the NUU B30 5G, proves that you don’t need a well-known brand name to get a good phone.

The device features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, offering a superior display quality compared to many LCD panels on the market.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7050 runs the show here, backed by 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This combo makes day-to-day use feel snappy, with enough power left over for a bit of gaming when you want it.

On the back, you get a 64MP main camera, though in some regions the Pro model swaps it for a sharper 108MP sensor. Up front, the 16MP selfie camera does a decent job for quick shots and video calls.

Keeping things running is a 5,000mAh battery, supported by 30W fast charging, so topping up doesn’t take too long.