Technologies
Best Cheap Phones for 2023: Most Value for Money
These affordable-phone picks start at $160 and include choices from the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel lines.
This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
You don’t need to splurge on the iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23 to get perks like multiple cameras, useful photography tools, the latest version of iOS or Android and access to your favorite apps and games. The best cheap phones provide plenty of value when it comes to the basics but cost noticeably less than their flagship competitors.
Our top picks come as cheap as $160, while more advanced models will run you $600 — which is substantially cheaper than top-of-the-line models from Apple, Samsung and Google. If you have a specific budget in mind, you can also check out our best phones under $200 and best phones under $500 lists for other affordable phone options.
Mike Sorrentino/CNET
Samsung’s Galaxy A03S at $160 (£139, roughly AU$240) includes plenty of great features and could be a great fit for someone looking for the cheapest possible phone that can handle most essential tasks. The phone’s 6.5-inch screen, capped at 720p resolution, is great for reading news, watching videos and playing games. Despite some performance lag found during our review, the phone is good at multitasking. But the phone’s tiny 32GB of storage space could fill up fast, so if considering this phone, it may be worthwhile to consider expanding 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 ships with Android 11 to start.
Patrick Holland/CNET
Apple’s new iPhone SE for 2022 is a mix of an older design with the latest smartphone features, including Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip and 5G support, for $429. It’s also one of the few phones on the market that includes a smaller, 4.7-inch screen.
Yet it’s that throwback design, which continues the general shape that Apple has used since 2014, that could be what you will love or dislike most about this phone. If you want a larger iPhone in this price range, you can also consider the $599 iPhone 12 in order to get a bigger screen and Face ID.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The $449 Pixel 6A is the newest device in Google’s more affordable A series, replacing the Pixel 5A. CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco called it the «best Android phone under $500» in her Pixel 6A review, citing how it keeps the same Tensor chip seen in the $599 Pixel 6 and many of its best features.
The phone is slightly smaller than the Pixel 6, featuring an 6.1-inch OLED display and a refresh rate of 60Hz. It also has a similar camera system as the Pixel 5A, which includes a 12.2-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. But the Tensor chip brings additional benefits you won’t get on the Pixel 5A, such as Real Tone for more equitable skin tones, Face Unblur, Night Sight for low-light photography and the Magic Eraser for removing unwanted elements from a photo.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy A53 gets you an abundance of Samsung features and power at a fraction of the S-series price. It boasts a far larger screen and more versatile camera cluster than the iPhone SE, though Apple’s budget model delivers snappier performance.
Still, Samsung fans will appreciate what they’re getting here considering the affordable price. The Galaxy A53 5G has an ultrawide lens for taking photos with a broader field of view and also supports night-mode photography. Image quality isn’t as good as what you’d get on a more expensive Samsung phone like the Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S22, but it’s certainly clear and colorful enough for basic shots. Other highlights include a long-lasting battery, four guaranteed generations of Android operating system updates and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
Overall, the Galaxy A53 5G is a suitable choice for those who prioritize having a large screen and long battery life for less than $500. Just keep in mind, you might have to deal with some occasional lag, and the camera isn’t as advanced as those found on pricier phones. Read our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review.
Google’s Pixel 7 refines the design formula introduced with last year’s Pixel 6, while also throwing in the company’s new Tensor G2 processor. The phone keeps the $599 price as last year’s Pixel 6, but new Pixel-exclusive features like Photo Unblur add even more value.
How we test phones
We evaluate phones based on overall performance, features, design, cameras, battery life and value. We accomplish this by assessing how phones perform in daily use and by comparing them against competing phones. When evaluating lower-priced phones, we pay attention to whether these devices include features and specifications typically seen at higher price levels, such as a brand new processor, a display with a high refresh rate or advanced camera features. We also look at how well these features are executed and what they bring to the experience.
We test phone cameras in a variety of situations, including outdoors, indoors and in both bright and dim scenarios. We also test specific settings and shooting modes, like portrait mode and night mode. To test performance, we run benchmark tests that evaluate the processor’s general competence and observe how well the phone is able to handle everyday tasks.
Battery life is monitored in two ways: Seeing how much power remains after a day of normal usage, and by seeing how much battery is depleted during a more intensive hour with the phone. For the latter test, we’ll see how the phone’s battery performs during a series of video calls, gaming, video streaming and web browsing.
Best cheap phones FAQs
Can you find cheap phones on sale?
Yes, many of the cheap phones included in this list are available at a discount during shopping events. For instance, Google’s Pixel 6A received a $150 discount that temporarily brought its price down from $449 to $299. So if you have a phone in mind but also have the flexibility to wait for a shopping event like Black Friday, it may be worth it to wait for a price reduction.
Are cheap phones available unlocked?
Yes, many cheap phones are available unlocked by the manufacturer. This allows you to use the phone with nearly any wireless carrier by inserting your SIM card. IF you want the flexibility to switch carriers, make sure you buy an unlocked model.
Are cheap phones good for kids?
Buying a cheap phone could be a great option when shopping for a kid or teenager, but that doesn’t mean the phone is customized to have a kid-friendly experience. Parents should still set up any necessary parental controls, restrictions or apps to help ensure a cheaper phone — whether its an iPhone or an Android — is set up appropriately for your kids.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 29, #871
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Oct. 29, No. 871.
Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle has some very tricky words in the grid. You might not know the meaning of all of them, but if you need help, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.
The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for today’s Connections puzzle groupings, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Bravery.
Green group hint: Delivery method for media.
Blue group hint: Say, say, say.
Purple group hint: All the letters.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Fortitude.
Green group: Channel.
Blue group: Words starting with the «say» sound.
Purple group: Things featuring letters A through Z.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is fortitude. The four answers are backbone, courage, heart and spirit.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is channel. The four answers are medium, outlet, platform and venue.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is words starting with the «say» sound. The four answers are sacrum, seitan, Seychelles and seance.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is things featuring letters A through Z. The four answers are abecedarium, computer keyboard, Ouija board and Scrabble.
Technologies
Nothing’s Unique Ear (Open) Earbuds Are Back Down to $99 for a Limited Time
This limited-time deal knocks $50 off the $149 list price, a 33% savings on these open-ear favorites.
If you’re not a fan of silicone tips jamming uncomfortably inside your ears, open-ear buds are a great alternative. These lightweight models prioritize comfort, resting gently on your ear canal rather than inside it like traditional buds. They also let external sound in, so you can stay aware of your surroundings. And right now, you can treat yourself to one of our favorite open earbuds for less.
Amazon is currently offering the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds for just $99, a 33% discount off the $149 list price. Grab the deal while it lasts. For more audio savings, check out our best headphone deals and top wireless earbuds picks.
Stepped drivers move sound closer to your ear without blasting it in. An automatic algorithm detects music signals, adjusting sound settings on its own for a more personalized experience. The diaphragm is uniquely shaped and titanium-coated for clear, balanced audio and the earbuds support EQ tuning and low-latency gaming via the Nothing X app.
You’re also getting a sound seal system that keeps the audio from leaking, so while you’ll stay aware of your surroundings, your listening stays private. One full charge gets you 30 hours of playback, and when you’re running low on power, a quick 10-minute charge gives you an extra two hours of use. The earbuds themselves offer up to 8 hours of playtime, with the fast-charging case adding 22 more.
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Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable, low-latency audio and multipoint pairing — which lets you switch between devices seamlessly. Dual microphones with AI noise reduction trained on 28 million samples help keep calls clear, while ChatGPT voice control is available when paired with Nothing or CMF phones.
There’s also an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance — perfect for sweaty workouts, long commutes and the occasional adventure.
In his review, CNET’s audio expert David Carnoy calls these the best lightweight earbuds with earhooks among all the open-ear models he’s tested. Featuring the brand’s signature translucent plastic, they are super lightweight, fit comfortably and actually feel like nothing when you’re wearing them.
HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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Why this deal matters
Good quality earbuds that offer a secure-yet-comfortable fit, 30-hour battery life and AI-enhanced features typically cost well over $150. This deal gets you one of our favorite lightweight open-ear models for under $100 — a rare price drop on a standout design. Just be sure to get your orders in before Amazon pushes the price back up.
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Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Oct. 29
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 29.
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s a bit trickier than normal, so read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Skill taught at lifeguard training, for short
Answer: CPR
4A clue: Bop it!
Answer: HEAD
6A clue: Not given anything to eat
Answer: UNFED
8A clue: Twist it! Pull it!
Answer: TAFFY
9A clue: Best of the best
Answer: ELITE
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Means of getting trash to a basement dumpster
Answer: CHUTE
2D clue: Word that can precede «code» or «colony»
Answer: PENAL
3D clue: «Baby Beluga» musician
Answer: RAFFI
5D clue: Neatly skillful
Answer: DEFT
7D clue: Change the color of, as hair
Answer: DYE
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