The Best Cheap Samsung Phones I’ve Used (and the One I’d Avoid)

I’ll be honest, hunting for the best cheap Samsung phone nearly drove me up the wall. I’ve always been a die-hard Android phone user, and Samsung’s sprawling lineup from the shiny S series to the humble A series, not to mention the quirky foldables and that FE range, had me absolutely overwhelmed.

My old phone was starting to lag like crazy during multitasking, and with Black Friday looming, I figured it was the perfect time to see what discounts I could snag. But wow… some of the options I tested shocked me, others straight-up frustrated me, and I even have one pick I kind of regret buying.

I dove headfirst into every model, looking at unlocked versus carrier deals, wondering if 5G even mattered in my region, and constantly asking myself how far I could stretch my budget. It didn’t help that Samsung is basically the king of budget phones, which sounds great until you’re drowning in choices.

In the end, though, I found some real gems. A few became personal favorites, each meeting different needs from daily essentials to that extra bit of speed. If you’re curious which ones made the cut and which one didn’t, stick around.

List of the Best Cheap Samsung Phones

1. The Galaxy S24 FE: My Almost-Flagship Adventure

I’ll never forget the day my old phone died in the middle of filming my dog chasing bubbles in the yard. It was one of those perfect golden-hour moments, and my phone decided to freeze, glitch, and then power off completely. That’s when I promised myself I’d finally upgrade. I had my eye on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, but honestly, my budget was already stretched thin.

So when I stumbled across the Galaxy S24 FE, I was instantly curious. Here was a phone that looked almost identical to the S24 Plus, boasted all those flashy Galaxy AI perks like Circle to Search and Sketch to Image, and promised a near-flagship experience. I was hooked on the idea of getting a premium feel for way less money.

What I Loved

I took the plunge, ordered the S24 FE for around $650 (cheaper than the S24 by roughly $150), and honestly, it felt like unboxing a flagship. Here’s what really won me over:

• Premium look and feel: It’s sleek, solid, and could easily be mistaken for its pricier siblings.
• Great cameras: I’m not exaggerating when I say the photos shocked me. The lenses and processing absolutely nailed every sunset and goofy pet shot I threw at it.
• Large, stunning screen: That 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display is bright, vibrant, and made streaming feel like a mini cinema.
• Galaxy AI features: From using Circle to Search to doodling something with Sketch to Image, it felt genuinely futuristic.

One Annoying Thing

But… there was one annoying thing that bugged me more than I expected. It doesn’t come with a Snapdragon processor, which meant while everyday performance was smooth enough for browsing and multitasking, it wasn’t quite the powerhouse I hoped for during heavier gaming sessions. For hardcore fans craving that flagship speed, it’s a bit of a letdown.

If that’s a deal-breaker, I’d say look into last year’s Galaxy S23 FE (I even found it for $599.99 on Amazon). It still holds up and packs a Snapdragon chip for a snappier experience.

Who It’s Perfect For

If you’re someone who:

• Loves capturing life with brilliant cameras
• Streams or scrolls all day on a buttery-smooth, big screen
• Wants the latest Galaxy AI tricks without breaking the bank
• Needs something that looks and feels flagship

then the Galaxy S24 FE is seriously worth considering.

But if you’re a hardcore gamer or someone who pushes their phone to the limits daily, you might crave that extra Snapdragon muscle.

2. Galaxy A54 5G: The Most Reliable Mid-Range Pick

A few months ago, my old phone decided to die right in the middle of a late-night call with my best friend. One second we were laughing about something dumb, the next silence. Black screen, wouldn’t turn back on. With zero backup and a pretty tight budget, I was desperate for something that wouldn’t empty my wallet but also wouldn’t feel like a total downgrade.

At first, I was daydreaming about the Galaxy S24 FE for that near-flagship vibe, but once I checked my account balance, reality hit hard. That’s when I started reading up on the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, the most accessible model in the A50 series.

It stood out because it promised solid performance, good camera quality, and a promise of five years of security updates that would take me through 2028 without a hitch.

What Genuinely Impressed Me

Honestly, I went in expecting it to feel cheap or slow. But the A54 5G surprised me and not just a little.

• Beautiful display: The Super AMOLED screen is absolutely stunning. With a 120Hz refresh rate, everything from scrolling to casual gaming felt buttery smooth and crisp.
• Versatile cameras: The main shooter, along with the ultrawide and macro lenses, handled everything from quick food snaps to wide scenic shots like a champ.
• Fantastic battery life: That 5,000mAh battery is a workhorse. I easily squeezed out nearly two days on a charge, and topping up with 25W charging only took around 85 minutes.
• Solid storage: With 128GB plus the option to pop in a microSD card, I stopped stressing about running out of room for all my photos and apps.
• Futureproof with 5G: Even though not every local area has full network upgrades yet, knowing my phone is ready for it felt smart.

The One Thing That Annoyed Me

But there’s always a catch. No charger in the box. I had to scrounge up a compatible USB-C charger that supported Power Delivery PPS, or else I was stuck at slower 15W speeds. Also, no wireless charging, though at this price point, that wasn’t exactly shocking.

Who Should Buy the Galaxy A54 5G?

If you:

• Want security updates that’ll keep you covered until 2028
• Love a bright, vibrant display for streaming or doom-scrolling
• Care about having versatile cameras without paying flagship prices
• Need a battery that truly lasts
• Want to be ready for 5G in your area

then the Galaxy A54 5G is honestly a no-brainer. It’s especially great for people who multitask all day with loads of apps running at once.

My Final Take

The Galaxy A54 5G might not be the flagship I once wanted, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. It’s reliable, feels premium enough, and gives me peace of mind knowing I won’t be phone shopping again anytime soon. Sometimes, finding the perfect middle ground is even more satisfying.

3. Galaxy A25 5G: The Budget Surprise That Outdid My Expectations

A few weeks ago, I found myself standing in line at a coffee shop when my old phone decided to freeze for the third time that day. It struggled with even the most basic apps, and every little thing checking Instagram, browsing the internet, or snapping a quick photo felt like it took forever.

I didn’t have the cash for anything close to flagship territory like the Galaxy S24, so I started digging for something that wouldn’t leave my wallet empty. That’s when the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G popped up.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. With its low price and plastic build, I figured it’d be another typical cheap phone that might look alright on paper but fall apart in real life. Still, the promise of a solid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a camera setup boasting a 50MP primary lens was too tempting.

What Genuinely Impressed Me

Once I got my hands on it, the Galaxy A25 5G turned out to be a much better deal than I ever imagined.

• The AMOLED display with that smooth 120Hz refresh rate made scrolling through social media and watching short videos strangely satisfying. It might not be the brightest outdoors, but inside it looked sharp and clear.
• The camera surprised me the most. For a budget phone, the 50MP primary lens and 8MP ultrawide sensor handled well-lit shots beautifully. Even the macro lens, while not the sharpest, let me have some fun experimenting.
• Battery life was honestly a relief. With a 5,000mAh capacity and 25W wired charging, it lasted comfortably through a day, which felt like a luxury after my old phone’s afternoon battery dives.
• The Exynos 1280 chip isn’t lightning fast, but for daily tasks like browsing, messaging, or using basic apps, it handled itself just fine.

One Thing I Didn’t Expect

But there were still moments that reminded me I was in budget territory. The fingerprint reader was sometimes inconsistent, forcing me to try a couple times. There were also occasional lags in the UI and slight slowdowns when multitasking.

It’s the kind of thing you can shrug off at this price, but still a bit annoying when you’re in a rush.

Who Should Actually Buy the Galaxy A25 5G

This phone is ideal if you’re like me someone who mostly uses their device for social media, browsing, taking simple photos, and doesn’t care much for gaming or heavy multitasking. It’s a fantastic value option that hits the sweet spot between true budget devices and the more expensive mid-range crowd.

If you’re considering the Galaxy A35, which runs about $359.99 on Amazon, I honestly think the A25 is the better deal, especially given the heating and performance complaints about the A35.

My Honest Take

At the end of the day, the Galaxy A25 5G gave me far more than I expected. It’s not perfect, but it made me stop dreading using my phone every day and that alone made it worth every penny. Sometimes, getting more than you paid for is the best kind of surprise.

4. Galaxy A15 5G: The Shockingly Good $200 Gamble I Took

I ended up trying the Galaxy A15 5G for a pretty simple reason my old phone literally fell out of my hoodie pocket while I was hopping out of my car, smacked the pavement, and shattered.

I wasn’t prepared to drop hundreds of dollars on a replacement, so I went on the hunt for something extremely cheap. That’s how I landed on this $200 Samsung. Honestly, at that price, I expected the absolute bare minimum.

I figured it would lag through basic apps, take washed-out photos, and probably die by dinner. But desperate times, right? I picked up an unlocked model, mostly because I needed something fast and couldn’t be bothered to deal with carrier deals or payment plans.

What Surprised Me in the Best Way

The Galaxy A15 5G turned out to be a much better experience than I expected for such a low price.

• The 6.5-inch OLED display might only be 1080p, but it looked incredibly vibrant, with deep blacks that blew every cheap LCD panel I’ve ever used out of the water. Even the 800 nits brightness wasn’t bad outside.
• The primary camera actually delivered some pretty good detail in daylight. The colors were a bit punchy and exposures ran long, but it still gave me shots I was proud to post.
• Most shocking of all was the battery life. I routinely got two full days on a single charge, something I wasn’t expecting at this budget level.

One Annoying Thing

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The speaker quality was kind of tinny and weak, which made watching videos without earbuds less fun. And the chunky bezels definitely gave it a cheaper vibe. I also noticed there was no charger in the box, which meant hunting one down last minute just to get powered up.

Who Should Actually Grab This Phone

If you’re on an ultra-tight budget, need a quick replacement, or just want a Samsung phone that’s unlocked, this is honestly a solid pick. It handles basic apps, social media, browsing, and some casual photos without much fuss.

It’s definitely not for gamers or heavy multitaskers, but if your days are mostly calls, messages, and scrolling, the A15 won’t disappoint.

And if you’re on a carrier, it’s even more tempting I saw Google Fi offering this thing for free if you sign up with a plan, reimbursed over 24 monthly credits. That’s about as budget-friendly as it gets.

My Honest Take

All said and done, the Galaxy A15 5G is the little cheap phone that could. It didn’t blow me away with flagship power, but it also didn’t let me down when I really needed a backup. For just $200, it kept me connected, let me snap decent pics, and actually made me appreciate just how far even budget tech has come.

5. Galaxy A03s: The Cheapest Samsung I’ve Ever Tried And Why I Don’t Regret It

Not too long ago, I needed a phone for my younger cousin who was getting her first smartphone. She’s the type who mostly texts, scrolls through social media, and occasionally watches videos.

With that in mind, I didn’t want to drop big money on a flagship. I wanted something affordable, ideally under $200, that could still hold up for daily use. That’s how I ended up testing the Galaxy A03s, which, by the way, is the absolute cheapest Samsung phone we recommend.

Going in, I wasn’t expecting much. A basic phone with a weak processor and modest build quality sounded like it might be frustrating to use. I was ready for it to lag and maybe even overheat. But given the price, it seemed like a fair compromise.

What Genuinely Surprised Me

Despite my low expectations, the A03s actually impressed me in a few big ways.

• The 5,000mAh battery was a total lifesaver. Even with moderate use, it easily stretched to two days, something you usually see in pricier phones.
• It’s super affordable. For someone in the US who just needs to get connected without worrying about a payment plan or blowing their budget, this is about as cheap as it gets.
• Samsung didn’t cheap out on software support. This phone gets the same five-year guarantee on updates that some flagship phones costing ten times as much do. That level of longevity gives you peace of mind, even if you’ll probably want to upgrade before then.

One Thing That Annoyed Me

But of course, you can’t ignore the trade-offs. The performance was undeniably underwhelming. The phone sometimes stuttered when opening apps, and the overall build quality felt a bit too plasticky. Plus, there was no charger in the box, which meant I had to dig around for a spare just to set it up.

Who This Phone Is Actually Made For

This is the kind of phone that’s perfect for someone getting their first smartphone, or for anyone who mainly wants a device for calls, texting, social media, and light browsing. It’s definitely not for gamers or someone who lives with dozens of apps open.

But for anyone who just needs a reliable introduction to One UI and the broader Samsung Android ecosystem, the Galaxy A03s does its job well.

My Honest Take

At the end of the day, the Galaxy A03s was exactly what I hoped for a super cheap phone that could handle daily essentials without breaking down. It didn’t wow me with speed or luxury, but it did give my cousin the perfect start to her smartphone life. Sometimes, you don’t need fancy. You just need something that quietly works, and that’s what this little Samsung delivered.

What to Actually Look for in a Cheap Samsung Phone

I didn’t start out as someone who cared about things like build quality, processor power, or even whether a phone was unlocked or tied to a carrier. The first time I shopped for a cheap Samsung phone, all I did was sort by lowest price tag and pick whatever had decent reviews.

It was only later, after that phone cracked from one drop and crawled to a halt running basic apps, that I realized how important it is to look at the overall value, not just the price.

Why I Learned to Care About More Than Just Price

It was tempting to grab something dirt cheap a shiny budget handset that cost less than a night out. But what I didn’t think about was how long it would actually last me.

A phone that costs $100 more but stays smooth for an extra couple of years ends up being the better deal. That can come down to things like a sturdier body that doesn’t break when you drop it, or a more powerful processor that won’t choke on future demanding apps.

Unlocked vs Carrier: The Deal That Caught Me Off Guard

Another mistake I made? Buying unlocked without first checking what my carrier offered. Turns out, some mobile phone companies in the US had huge discounts on Samsung phones, including the fancy S24 lineup and the more humble A series. Some were literally free on contract. I could’ve saved a lot just by asking.

The Camera Trap

When I finally settled on a cheap Samsung phone, I was dazzled by all the talk of multiple camera lenses ultrawide, macro, you name it. But honestly? Most of those extra cameras are low-resolution and more of an afterthought. The only one that consistently mattered was the primary shooter. So if cameras aren’t high on your list, it’s no big deal. But if you want reliable pics, look closely at that main sensor and don’t get fooled by marketing hype.

Frequently Ask Questions

Final Thoughts: What I Loved, What Let Me Down

When I first tried these cheap Samsung phones, I didn’t expect to find anything I’d actually love. But the Galaxy A54 5G honestly surprised me it’s smooth, reliable, and I’d still recommend it to any friend on a budget.

The A03s, though, left me a bit disappointed; it was just too limited for how much I multitask. Still, I’m thrilled knowing you can get a great phone without paying flagship prices. Tried something better or had a regret of your own? I’d love to hear your story.