Technologies
Apple Pumps Up Music Features in Next Versions of iOS, iPadOS and MacOS
After previewing new streaming and sharing features at WWDC, Apple has announced more music features for its upcoming operating systems.
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference Monday, the company announced new features for streaming and sharing music on iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. On Wednesday, Apple provided more details on its upcoming music offerings and disclosed even more music features not mentioned at WWDC.
Read more: WWDC 2023 Biggest Reveals
Apple has always made it easy to play and share music across its devices, and the next versions of the company’s operating systems for iPhones, iPads and Mac computers will expand those features for cars, hotels and personal connections. A new AirDrop feature will let iOS users easily kick off shared listening experiences (as well as easily share contact info), and AirPlay and CarPlay will both make it easier for Apple users to stream and share music when traveling.
Read on to learn all about the new music features coming to your Apple devices. For more from WWDC, check out everything new in iOS 17 and the new gaming mode for MacOS.
New AirDrop features in iOS 17 will let you share music easily
An update to iOS for iPhones will soon add a new phone gesture for launching an AirDrop, Apple’s Bluetooth-based system for secure personal sharing. Now users will only need to «bump» their devices by bringing them close together to initiate an AirDrop and share contact info or other files.
The new AirDrop functionality will make it easier for Apple users to kick off shared experiences as well. Bumping devices will also enable starting SharePlay, which lets two people listen to the same music or watch the same movie simultaneously.
At the WWDC event, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi gave the example of two people running together who bump their phones to start listening to the same music at the same time. Similarly, two friends at a coffee shop could bump phones to watch the same video stream together.
More from WWDC 2023
Collaborative Playlists will let friends create shared music sets
Collaborative Playlists will make it easier to create and react to shared music.
One of the biggest upcoming Apple Music features not announced at WWDC is a new Collaborative Playlist option. Coming this fall, Apple Music subscribers will be able to invite friends and family to join group playlists. Participants can select, edit and order songs in the shared playlist, or add emojis to specific tracks.
Apple didn’t provide many details about how Collaborative Playlists will work, but an image in the company’s press release indicates that playlist participants will see their profile pictures associated with the songs they selected, with a button at the top of the app for adding or removing people from the playlist.
CarPlay will make it easier to share music on road trips
Apple also showed off the integration of SharePlay with CarPlay, which will make it possible for everyone in the car to contribute to a road-trip playlist without passing a phone around. If you’re running CarPlay and using Apple Music, everyone in the car with an iPhone should be able to join your share and add songs to the playlist.
On Wednesday, Apple provided a few more details about how SharePlay will work in cars. When people in a car are listening to Apple Music, other trusted iPhones in the car will be prompted to join the session. Participants can then control the music with their own devices, and they won’t need an Apple Music subscription to do so.
AirPlay will let you play music and movies on hotel devices
Apple announced an upcoming partnership with hotels to allow iPhone, iPad and Mac users to stream music and movies directly to hotel devices. While the most obvious use of AirPlay in hotels will be playing your movies and TV shows on the big screen, you’ll also probably be able to stream music to the hotel TV for a stereo music experience that doesn’t require headphones.
Pairing your Apple device with the hotel’s will be as simple as scanning a QR code. According to the WWDC announcement, «AirPlay will be available in select hotels before the end of the year.»
AirPlay will also soon learn your favorite music preferences
Along with the new streaming options for music in hotels and cars, Apple AirPlay is set to start learning your listening preferences and adapting to them. iPhones and iPads will soon use «on-device intelligence» to analyze your listening habits and adjust playback suggestions accordingly.
In the example provided at WWDC, someone who always listens to music while cooking dinner would be prompted to stream their music via a kitchen HomePod speaker during the usual time for food preparation.
You’ll also soon be able to initiate an AirPlay session using Siri and your Apple HomePod, letting you control the music playing at home with only your voice.
Other new audio features coming to Apple devices
Sharing and streaming music more easily were the main audio features announced at WWDC, but there were a few other minor announcements that could improve the listening experience for AirPods, iPhones and iPads.
First, a new iOS diary app called Journal will use curated information from your device — such as photos, music and location — to create personalized prompts for your journaling. You’ll soon be able to simply tap a song on your Apple device to add it to your Journal entry.
Apple also plans to add new playback features to Apple Music, including the ability to crossfade songs and display full-screen animated album art when it’s available. The app will add new artist features as well, such as new song credits that will provide details about all of the musicians and contributors involved in the recording.
Finally, Apple AirPods will soon add a new feature called «adaptive audio,» which dynamically tweaks volume and noise cancellation based on what you’re listening to and the sounds around you. A personalized volume system will also adjust your sound based on your listening preferences over time.
Read more: AirPods Getting a Cool New Feature That Sony Earbuds Already Have
For more on Apple’s WWDC 2023, check out all the new features coming to the Apple Watch with WatchOS 10 and our hands-on impressions of the biggest MacBook Air ever.
Technologies
Best Cheap Phone of 2025: Get the Most Value for Your Money
We tested dozens of affordable phones, from he $114 Samsung Galaxy A03S to the $500 Google Pixel 8A and $700 OnePlus 13R. Here are the best cheap phones in 2025.
Our Experts
- Shortlisted for British Photography Awards 2022, Commended in Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022
- Patrick’s play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
What to Consider
iOS or Android
If your family and friends are on Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime, stick with an iPhone. If you’ve been deep on Samsung, stay on Android. Know that switching between the two has never been easier.
Size
Phones are big in general with the smallest ones having a 6.1-inch screen and large models topping out at 6.8 inches. That makes visiting a store and trying a phone out before you buy it quite important.
Cameras
Phone cameras have gotten better over the past five years, but don’t be fooled by how many cameras a phone has; more is not necessarily better.
Software support
Phone-makers promise varying lengths of long-term software and security support ranging from just one year to as many as seven. These updates not only ensure you get many of the latest features but also keep your phone secure.
In 2025 affordable phones come brimming with features and options from companies like Motorola, Google, Samsung and Apple. After testing and reviewing dozens of cheap handsets, we found there are two pricing sweet spots: $300 and $450. Phones that cost $300 tend to have NFC (for Google Pay), wireless charging and good screen — though cameras can be hit-or-miss, like the $300 Motorola Moto G Power (2024). In the $450 range are phones have solid cameras and features that rival pricier models like the $499 Google Pixel 8A, which won CNET’s Editor’s Choice Award. Out of everything we tested, here are our favorite cheap phones from both price ranges.
What is the best cheap phone?
The Google’s $499 Pixel 8A is our favorite cheap phone. Google delivers all the big features that matter on the Pixel 8A, like top-of-the-line cameras, a peppy processor and years’ worth of software support. And it even has Google’s new Circle to Search tool, which is a fast and fun way to trigger a search just by circling what’s on your screen. Google makes smart compromises to keep costs low making the Pixel 8A a phone that packs an incredible amount of value. We should note that Google announced the Pixel 9A which launches in April. We look forward to testing it and if you’re considering a Pixel 8A and can wait, it might be worth going for the new Pixel 9A instead.
Best cheap phones of 2025
Best Android phone under $500
Pros
- Great camera
- 7 years of software updates
- Many of the same features as the Pixel 8
- Good battery life
Cons
- 256GB storage not available on all models
- Zoomed and low light shots aren’t as clear as the Pixel 8’s
The Pixel 8A is so good and shares so much in common with its pricier siblings. From its selection of AI-powered features like Circle to Search to its cool aesthetic and powerful Tensor G3 processor, that it’s hard to see why anyone would not buy a Pixel 8A.
The Pixel 8 and 9 offer a marginally better camera system, a slightly larger screen and the ability to charge other phones and accessories wirelessly on the back of the device. But those features don’t feel significant enough to impact the buying decision for most people. As I wrote in my review, the Pixel 8A raises the bar for what a $500 phone should be. It also won a CNET Editor’s Choice Award.
Best phone under $300
Pros
- NFC/Google Pay
- Good battery life
- Wireless charging
- Moto shortcuts
Cons
- Short software support timeline
- Screen is too dim in sunlight
- Lacks IP rating for dust and water resistance
The Motorola Moto G Power 5G is the most versatile option in this roundup, offering wireless charging, a 120Hz high refresh rate screen, Google Pay for contactless payments and a fantastic vegan leather design. Combine that with a camera that takes decent photos in bright environments, and a processor that is capable for most daily tasks, and you have a phone that’s both fun to use without cramming itself with the extra bells and whistles we see in higher priced phones.
Even though this phone does suffer from having a shorter software and security support timeline (1 year of major Android OS, three years of security updates) than Samsung’s Galaxy A25 5G, it is a more useful device. And it’s this appeal that makes the Moto G Power 5G our top recommendation for a phone that costs $300 or less.
Best iPhone value
Pros
- Main camera is good
- Autofocus makes selfies look better
- Improved repairability is welcomed
- Action mode is smooth
Cons
- Ultrawide photos are a step down in image quality
- Videos recorded in low light look just OK
- Needs more iOS features for the Plus’ larger screen
At $599, the iPhone 14 is a great buy and solid upgrade, especially if you’re using an 11 or older. There are two models the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus that normally starts at $699. Both phones are identical and really the deciding factor comes down to screen and battery size as well as price. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have a long battery life, fast performance, great durability and wonderful cameras as well as safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite.
Both phones came out in September 2022 originally but are still solid options today. In terms of drawbacks, neither phone has a high refresh rate screen, and always-on display or the newer Action button found on the 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series. But at hundreds of dollars less, we think that the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have the best value to the dollar that Apple currently sells.
Best midrange Android phone for a discount
Pros
- Big screen
- Loud speakers
- Long-lasting battery
- Fast wired charging
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Mixed photography
The $600 OnePlus 13R is one of the most useful phones we’ve tested, even if it’s playing second fiddle to the $900 OnePlus 13. Over his three-week testing period, CNET’s Mike Sorrentino consistently got two full days of use from its 6,000mAh battery. The phone’s big 6.78-inch screen and loud speakers are a joy to use when paired to my Xbox controller while gaming. Even though it runs on Qualcomm’s year-old premium processor used in 2024’s OnePlus 12 and the Galaxy S24, it’s still a very capable chip ready for intensive tasks and AI features. All in all, the OnePlus 13R packs a lot for its lower price. At $600 it’s a decent phone, but we included it on this list because you can often find it on sale for less. Read our OnePlus 13R review.
Low price, long update commitment
Pros
- 3GB of RAM helps phone multitask
- Blue color option
- Includes fingerprint sensor
Cons
- Very little onboard storage
- Some noticeable lag
- Indoor photos are challenging
Samsung’s Galaxy A03S at $160 (£126, roughly AU$244) includes great features and could be a fit for someone in need of a cheap phone that can handle essential tasks. The phone’s 6.5-inch screen, capped at 720p resolution, is great for reading the news, watching videos and playing games. Despite some performance lag during our review, the phone is good at multitasking. The tiny 32GB of storage space could fill up fast, so if you’re considering this phone, you might want to expand the storage with a microSD card.
Samsung also plans to support this phone with at least four years of security updates, which in this price range is as good as it gets. On the software side, it’s less clear how many Android versions are scheduled, but the phone initially ships with Android 11.
Best cheap phone design
Pros
- Vegan leather design
- NFC for contactless payments
- Decent cameras for the price
Cons
- Slow performance
- Dull-looking screen
- Only one software update planned
Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G for 2024 arrived with a splash. The phone kept many highlights of the 2023 model like a 120Hz refresh rate screen and dual speakers while also getting a $50 price drop. The Moto G 5G also has an improved design and functionality with a new vegan leather look and NFC for contactless payments. And its cameras can take photos with decent color accuracy, despite soft details.
But performance and a short software update timeline both hurt the Moto G 5G. While the phone is capable of running all sorts of apps and games, multitasking on its small 4GB of RAM is challenging. Also Motorola has not budged from its policy of providing one major software update and three years of security updates to the Moto G line, which limits the number of years you can safely use the phone before needing to replace it.
Best Android phone on sale
Pros
- Excellent camera for the price
- Attractive design
- Wireless charging, face unlock and high refresh rate
Cons
- Screen is dim outdoors
- Only three generations of Android OS updates
Editor’s note: Google released the Pixel 8A, also $500. You can read our Pixel 8A review here. If you’re buying a Pixel 7A make sure it’s on sale.
Google’s budget phone took a leap forward in 2023 with the Pixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google’s Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A’s 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7’s in quality.
While we still like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A’s lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Otherwise, the main differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former’s more durable build, slightly faster charging and its ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that’s more sensitive to light, according to Google, but CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco didn’t notice much of a difference.
Best ultra cheap T-Mobile phone
Pros
- Great screen for $160
- NFC support for Google Pay
- Decent multitasking for the price
Cons
- T-Mobile exclusivity
- Battery drains fast
- Weak cameras
The TCL 50 XL 5G includes an impressive amount of specs for $160. This is one of the cheapest phones I’ve seen so far that includes a 120Hz refresh rate display and NFC for Google Pay and contactless payments. It also includes 6GB of memory, which made the phone breeze through multitasking during my testing. But the TCL 50 XL 5G does show compromises from its low price in other ways.
Even though it has a big 5,010-mAh battery, it drains quickly — possibly because it’s powering a large 6.78-inch 1080p display with a low-end processor. Cameras struggle to take photos with clean, crisp details, in both well-lit and lowlight situations. It’s carrier-locked to T-Mobile as well, making it only useful when running on the magenta carrier or its Metro prepaid brand. And it’s also only set for one software update and three years of security updates, which matches what Motorola provides but is still low compared to Samsung. But if you’re on T-Mobile, the TCL 50 XL 5G is a serious value for its $160, and helps excuse some of its faults. But you should still be aware of them.
Best ultracheap phone for long-term use
Pros
- Excellent software and security support
- 25-watt wired charging
- Eye-catching Light Blue color option
Cons
- Slow performance
- Single audio speaker
- Mediocre photography
Editor’s Note: Samsung has also released the Galaxy A16.
Samsung’s $200 Galaxy A15 5G is an easy choice for someone looking to buy a phone that will last for years. Samsung provides it with four years of software updates and five years of security support, which in this price range is unparalleled. Plus the phone supports 25W wired charging that in my testing was able to charge half of its big 5,000-mAh battery from empty in 30 minutes. I also like the eye-catching light blue option.
A $200 phone has to have some compromises. The Galaxy A15 5G feels sluggish compared to competing phones like Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G, and as an entertainment machine falls short with its single audio speaker that is blocked by accident when you hold the phone sideways for games and video. Photography, which is typically a weak point on phones in this price range, is similarly mixed with decent photography in outdoor environments while struggling to photograph lowlight spaces. Read our full Samsung Galaxy A15 5G review.
Pixel 9A specs vs. Moto G Power 5G, iPhone 14, OnePlus 13R, Galaxy A03S, Moto G 5G, Pixel 7A, TCL 50 XL 5G, Galaxy A15 5G
| Google Pixel 9A | Moto G Power 5G (2024) | Apple iPhone 14 | OnePlus 13R | Samsung Galaxy A03S | Moto G 5G (2024) | Google Pixel 7A | TCL 50 XL 5G | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | |
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate | 6.7-inch LCD; 2,400 x 1,080 pixels; 60-120Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.78-inch AMOLED; 2,780×1,264 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.5-inch LCD; 720×1,600 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.6-inch LCD; 1,612 x 720 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60 -90Hz variable refresh rate | 6.78-inch; 2,460 x 1,080 pixels; 120Hz refresh rate | 6.5-inch AMOLED; 2,340 x 1,080 pixels; 90Hz refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 391 ppi | 460 ppi | 450 ppi | 269 ppi | 269 ppi | 361 ppi | 396 ppi | 420 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in. | 6.6 x 3 x 0.3 in. | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in. | 6.36 x 2.98 x 0.32 in. | 6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in. | 6.5 x 3 x 0.3 in. | 6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in. | 6.6 x 2.9 x 0.32 in. | 6.3 x 3.02 x 0.33 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm | 167.2 x 76.4 x 8.5mm | 147 x 72 x 7.8 mm | 161.72 x 75.77 x 8.02 mm | 165.8 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm | 164.4 x 75 x 8.2 mm | 73 x 152 x 9.0 mm | 167.6 x 73.6 x 8.1mm | 160 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 186 g (6.6 oz) | 201g (7.09 oz.) | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 206g (7.26 oz.) | 7.13 oz; 202g | 194g (6.84 oz.) | 193g (6.81 oz) | 195g (6.9 oz) | 201g (7.09 oz.) |
| Mobile software | Android 15 | Android 14 | iOS 16 | Android 15 | Android 11 | Android 14 | Android 13 | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (wide), 8-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50 megapixel (wide), 8 megapixel (ultrawide), 50 megapixel (2x telephoto) | 13-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (depth), 2-megapixel (macro) | 50-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (macro) | 64-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (wide), 5-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (depth) | 50-megapixel (wide), 5-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (macro) |
| Front-facing camera | 13-megapixel | 16-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 16 megapixel | 5-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 13-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 13-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 1,080p | 4K | 4K | FHD | 1,080p | 4K | 1,080p | 1,080p |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 | Mediatek Dimensity 7020 | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Google Tensor G2 | MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus | Mediatek Dimensity 6100 Plus |
| RAM + storage | 8GB + 128GB, 256GB | 8GB RAM + 128GB | RAM NA; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 12GB + 256GB | 3GB + 32GB | 4GB RAM + 128GB | 8GB + 128GB | 6GB RAM + 128GB | 4GB RAM + 128GB |
| Expandable storage | None | Up to 1TB | None | None | Up to 1TB | microSD | None | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 5,100 mAh | 5,000 mAh | Undisclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playback | 6,000 mAh | 5,000mAh | 5,000 mAh | 4,385 mAh | 5,010 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | Side | None (Face ID) | Under display | Side | side | Side | Side | Side |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | Yes | None | None | Yes | Yes | None | Yes | Yes |
| Special features | 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 23W fast charging (charger not included); 7.5W wireless charging Qi certified; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To Search | 30W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, Dolby Atmos, NFC (Google Pay), water repellent, gesture controls, Moto Secure, RAM Boost, Moto Gestures, 1 major Android update | 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity | 55W SuperVOOC wired charging with included power adapter, alert slider, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IP65 certified, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Aqua Touch 2.0, 4 years of software updates, 6 years of security updates, LTPO 4.1 display | Charger not included, supports wireless charging | 18W wired charging, Dolby Atmos, NFC, water repellent, gesture controls, Moto Secure, RAM Boost | 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave), IP67 rating, 18W fast charging, 7.5W wireless charging | NFC, 5G connectivity, TCL NxtVision, 18W wired charging | 25W wired charging, 800-nit brightness |
| US starting price | $499 (128GB) | $300 (128GB) | $599 (128GB) | $600 (12GB + 256GB) | $160 | $200 (128GB) | $499, $549 (mmW) | $160 (128GB) | $200 (128GB) |
Recent updates
In January 2025, we added the OnePlus 13R to our list. The new phones replace last year’s OnePlus 12R and is a decent midrange Android phone that is best bought when on sale.
Factors to consider when buying a cheap phone
Try it before you buy it: It’s one thing to ogle over a phone, but it’s another to actually try it out in a store.
Decide on Android or iPhone: Do you have a lot of iPhone apps and Apple subscriptions? Stick with an iPhone. Likewise, if you’ve invested in loads of Android apps, you’ll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it’s simple enough to switch platforms.
Pick the most important feature: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices.
How we test phones
Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET’s expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. If we find something we don’t like — be it battery life or build quality — we tell you about it.
We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:
- Display
- Design and feel
- Processor performance
- Battery life
- Camera quality
- Features
We test all the phone’s cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.
We account for additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. We weigh all our experiences and testing against the price so you know whether a phone represents good value.
Read more: How We Test Phones
Other phones to consider
At $700, the iPhone 15 isn’t necessarily considered cheap. Compared to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, it’s much more affordable. In 2025, the iPhone 15 is still one of the best Apple phones you can buy. It has a 6.1-inch screen, great dual-rear cameras and an outstanding battery life. It’s worth a look if you can work it into your budget.
Best cheap phones FAQs
What to look forward to in 2025?
We are in the middle of «budget phone season» with new affordable phones being released by Google, Motorola and Samsung. We look forward to testing them all once we can get our hands on them. Otherwise, later this summer we’ll see the start of «flagship phone season» with major releases from Apple and Google.
