Smartphone manufacturers have been trying to surpass each-other by going one step further than the competition. While that extra mile has introduced some awesome devices in the market, the prices for premium devices have been stacking up to some pretty high figures, out of the reach of many consumers. However, manufacturers are aware that a big part of the smartphone market is composed of mid-range devices, which offer the best balance of price and performance.
And then, there was Google, who brought life in this market sector with its Nexus line, and like Google, others have started marketing smartphones and tablets for lower prices. So, if you’re looking for some great devices which won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then you should take a look over out list of the best smartphones under $300.
Best Smartphones Under $300
Keep in mind that you might find some awesome deals on more expensive or even premium devices if you are willing to sign a contract with a mobile operator, or for certain events like Black Friday. So if you’re interested in getting a new smartphone, better check out what deals are before parting with your cash.
Motorola Moto G
Under the patronage of Google, Motorola has been put to good work by crating two great smartphones for the mid-range market: the Moto X and the Moto G. While the Moto X is just over our maximum price of $300, the Moto G is well under and when you take a look over the specs, you’ll find that it is an awesome device for its price:
Processor: 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm A7
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 4.5-inch with 1280 X 720 resolution
Storage: 8GB / 16GB
Camera: 5MP rear camera and 1.3 MP front camera
OS: Android 4.4.2
Price: $199
Sony Xperia L
Sony has been known for its great camera and display features, and they’ve implemented them in almost all their Xperia devices. While some of them, like the stunning Z1, can be found only on top shelves of smartphone stores, for a more budged oriented choice, consumers can opt for Xperia L, which is still a very capable phone, but its price is still under $300.
Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm MSM8230 dual-core
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 4.3 inch TFT with 854 x 480 resolution
Storage: 8 GB
Camera: 8MP rear camera
OS: Android 4.2
Price: $203
ASUS ZenFone 5
The ZenFone 5 was one of the products which were presented by ASUS this year at CES, as part of a cheap line of smartphones scoring pretty good specs. This model sits between the low-end ZenFone 4 and the most powerful device in the family, the ZenFone 6. If you want a pretty good device, but you don’t want to play too much for it, then you will find that the ZenFone 5 is an awesome choice for a under $200 device.
Processor: 2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2580 CPU
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 5-inch HD Display
Camera: 8 MP and 2 MP for the front shooter
OS: Android 4.3
Price: $150
Sony Xperia M
Although slightly smaller than the Xperia L, the Sony Xperia M is a good choice for those who are looking for a budget smartphone under $300. Benefiting from HDR photography and seamless integration with Sony smart TVs, all wrapped in a gorgeous looking case, the Sony Xperia M is worthy smartphone under $300 and should be taken seriously.
Processor: 1 GHz Dual Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 4.0 inches TFT with 480 x 854 resolution
Storage: 4 GB
Camera: 5 MP rear shutter and VGA front camera
OS: Android 4.1
Price: $199
ASUS ZenFone 6
We’ve recently talked about the ASUS ZenFone 6 and its family of ultra-cheap smartphones. The company is trying to bring new life to the low end of the price pool by introducing more powerful devices at bargain prices. The ZenFone 6 is the top of the line product in this family, and for what specs it has under its cover you should definitely consider it:
Processor: 2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2580 CPU
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 6-inch
Storage: 8GB / 16GB
Camera: 2 MP HD front shooter and 13 MP rear camera
OS: Android 4.3
Price: $200
Nokia Lumia 920
If you’re not bothered by the somewhat bulky design, then the Nokia Lumia 920 should be somewhere on the top of your list. The Lumia 920 is only device on our list that is not running Android, but as you’ve might have guessed, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8. But the fast OS combined with the smartphone’s top notch specs make for a great smartphone under $300.
Processor: 1.5 GHz Dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 4.5-inch IPS with 768 x 1280 resolution
Storage: 32 GB
Camera: 8.7 MP PureView rear camera and 1.3 MP front camera
OS: Windows Phone 8
Price: $299
Samsung Galaxy S III Mini
The smaller version of the successful Galaxy S III is a cheap and viable option for users looking to upgrade their headsets for under $300. It is an elegant smartphone, keeping true to the “nature-inspired” design of the Galaxy S III, and at the same time this little guy is quite powerful thanks to its great specs. Overall, it has a solid build and for a smartphone priced under $300, it accomplishes quite a lot.
Processor: 1 GHz Dual-Core CPU
RAM: 1 GB
Display: 4-inch AMOLED with 480 x 800 resolution
Storage: 8GB / 16GB
Camera: 5 MP rear camera / VGA front camera
OS: Android 4.1
Price: $228
Apple iPhone 4
This might sound like a strange choice to be in this list, but this 3.5 year old device can still stand tall with many phones at this range. Yes, Apple has ceased software support, but it still runs pretty smooth. With several thousand apps available on the App store, iPhone 4 is still a great bet if you want to get a taste of Apple’s iOS without spending too much.
Processor: 1 GHz Dual-Core Cortex A8 (Apple A4)
RAM: 512 MB
Display: 3.5-inch LCD with 640 x 960px resolution
Storage: 8GB / 16GB
Camera: 5 MP rear camera / VGA front camera
OS: iOS 6.1.3
Price: $294