We live in a tech-driven world with many options for affordable smartphones. Gone are the days when we had to drill a hole in our pocket to buy a new handset. Sure, the pricey flagship phones deliver advanced computational photography experiences and console-quality gaming. But the pocket-friendly alternatives don’t lag a lot behind. If you don’t want too many bells and whistles and desire an affordable smartphone, here are our top three options.

1. Samsung Galaxy A14
Courtesy of its phenomenal battery life, sleek design, and software support till at least 2027, the Samsung Galaxy A14 is indeed a winner in its class. Samsung has amplified the A14’s performance by including a better chipset. Further, the presence of 4GB RAM makes it easier to handle tasks. It cannot fire up demanding games like Call of Duty, but it works well to scroll social media, stream content on video apps, and send or receive texts and calls.

Sadly, the A14 comes with 64GB storage, which can be low for many. However, you get a microSD card slot. By paying a little extra, you can shop for the 5G version, which is mostly identical. Further, with a 60Hz display and average camera quality, there is no reason not to shop for the Samsung Galaxy A14. It costs less than $200 on Samsung, but you can get it cheaper with carriers or from other platforms like Amazon or Best Buy.

2. Pixel 6a
Despite the release of the Pixel 7a (costing $499), the Pixel 6a continues to hold its value. At $349, it is one of the best Android phones under $500. You get the same Tensor chip as in the Pixel 6 ($599), beyond several preferred features from the model. The good thing is that the 6a is usually discounted online and available at $299, which makes it the best value-for-money smartphone.

At 6.1-inch, the device is somewhat smaller than the Pixel 6. The camera resembles the Pixel 5a, so you get a 12MP ultrawide and a 12.2MP primary camera. Its Tensor chips add additional benefits, absent in the Pixel 5a, such as Face Unblur, Real Tone for equitable skin tones, Magic Eraser to remove unwanted elements, and Night Sight to get quality photos in low light. Unfortunately, its video quality is not as good as the photos, and its display is slightly dim. That said, it’s a great steal for the price and its many likable features.

3. iPhone SE
Want an iPhone without spending too much money? How about the 2022 model iPhone SE? It’s not much different from its predecessor. So, you get an LCD 4.7-inch screen that may feel somewhat cramped, especially with the thick bezels on both ends. But if you love an iPhone with a Touch ID and a home button, the SE can be a great pick.

The iPhone SE gets the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 range, making it one of the most potent budget smartphones. The chip makes it handle challenging tasks simultaneously and provides a good battery backup lasting a day or less if you use it a lot. It offers 5G support and is one of the few phones in the range to charge wirelessly. While its back camera takes good daytime pictures, it has no Night mode. So, low-light pictures may be blurry and grainy.