Best smartphones under $400 – September 2025

Mobile phones under $200 can serve well, but when you move your budget to $400, there is an opportunity to get much more. You will find faster chips, more RAM to hold apps, and a camera that does more than just snap good images in bright light.

The displays are significantly better, apps run better, and some even handle games, all with a pretty decent price. Mid-range phones are made for those who need a device that works for work and play, yet it won't burrow a big hole in the pocket. 

Thankfully, some popular brands have good phones that cost less than $400. You do not have to rely on unknown brands for these phones. While there are a lot of options in the market, we have selected some devices that will meet your expectations. 

The Moto G Stylus (2025) stands out as it comes with an in-built pen, a feature that was once reserved for flagship phones.  For those who like to jot, draw, or tap with more ease, this adds a new way to use the phone.

The 6.7-inch screen is wide and sharp, with full HD+ for text and art. Its camera setup includes a 50MP main lens, a 13MP macro, and a depth unit, letting you snap a wide range of shots.

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) chip is mid-range, not a race tool, yet it works well for daily tasks. This device comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage.  

It runs Android 15, and the 5000 mAh battery that supports 68W fast charging can last a full day on normal use. This is a good choice for anyone who likes to take notes by hand or sketch and wants that feature in a mid-range phone.

The iQOO Z7 5G is made for speed and smooth use. It uses a Dimensity 920 (6nm) chip with eight cores and a Mali-G68 GPU, which handles apps and games well.

The phone comes with 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB storage (UFS 2.2), which can be expanded up to 1TB via microSD. It runs Android 13 with Funtouch OS 13.

The 6.38-inch AMOLED screen is full HD+ (2400 × 1080 pixels), with a 90Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch rate, HDR10+, and up to 1300 nits peak brightness. The slim bezels make it easy to hold, and the display is bright and sharp.

The rear camera includes a 64MP main lens and a 2MP depth sensor (f/2.4), with 4K 30fps video recording and LED flash. The front camera is 16MP (f/2.0).

To keep its lights on, there is a 4500mAh battery that supports 44W fast charging. This phone is suited for users who want fast apps, smooth game play, and reliable cameras.

The Realme Neo 7 blends camera, screen, and style. The main camera is 50MP with OIS and a f/1.88 lens, which performs well in daylight. It also has an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 16MP front camera for selfies and calls.

The phone runs Android 15 with realme UI 6.0 and uses a Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) chip with an Immortalis-G720 GPU for smooth app use and fast games.

The 6.78-inch OLED screen is bright and sharp with 1 – 120Hz refresh, 360Hz touch rate, up to 6000 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 colors, and Crystal Armor Glass.

The RAM options are 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X, with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. It uses a huge 7000mAh battery that supports 80W fast charging for quick top-ups.

This phone is ideal for users who want a mid-range device that looks sleek but runs apps and games fast.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is designed for those who want style and solid specs. The case comes in bold hues with trims that stand out, giving it a premium feel.

The 6.77-inch AMOLED screen is FHD+ with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 480Hz touch sampling, HDR10+, and peak brightness up to 3000 nits, protected by Panda Glass.

It runs on a Dimensity 7300 Pro (4nm) chip with Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, offering smooth performance for normal tasks. It comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, which users can expand up to 2TB via microSD. The phone runs Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.2.

The rear cameras include a 50MP main lens with EIS, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP 2x telephoto lens with 20x digital zoom, supporting 4K video at 30fps. The front camera is 16MP. This phone also comes with a 5000 mAh battery that supports 33W fast wired charging.

This phone is ideal for users who want a device that looks sharp, feels premium in hand, and works well for daily use while still standing out in style.

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is built for speed and a smooth OS experience. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) chip with Adreno 619 GPU, which handles mid to high loads well.

This device sports 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal UFS 2.2 storage, which is expandable up to 1TB via microSD. It phone runs Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.1, offering a clean interface with a few extra apps.

The display is a 6.72-inch LCD screen that is full HD+ with adaptive refresh from 30 – 120Hz, 240Hz touch sampling, and up to 680 nits peak brightness, protected by Asahi Dragontail Star Glass.

The rear camera setup includes a 108MP main lens with EIS and LED flash, plus 2MP depth and 2MP macro lenses. The front camera is 16MP. 

The 5000mAh battery supports 50W SUPERVOOC fast charge, providing a full day of use. This phone is ideal for users who want fast apps, smooth performance, and a clean interface without extra clutter.