Tried and tested: The best budget-friendly smartphones

If you’re looking to save a packet on your next pocket gadget, these five budget-friendly smartphones could save you plenty. We’ve put them to the test - here are our picks.

The cost of living might be rising but the price of your next smartphone could fall with these budget-friendly options.

GOOGLE PIXEL 6A

The internet giant’s new phone cuts few corners

$749, store.google.com

PROS

– Same chip as pricey models

– Screen fingerprint scanner

– Packed with Google smarts

CONS

– No wireless charging

– Slow screen refresh

– Older camera hardware

Google fans waiting for a cheaper phone, your time has arrived. The internet giant’s budget-friendly Pixel 6a undercuts its Pro model by $550 and makes smaller compromises than you might expect. It’s smaller, with a 6.1-inch screen, but sports water resistance, a 5G connection, in-screen fingerprint scanner, and a 12.2-megapixel camera with wide and ultra-wide lenses. It also uses the same Tensor chip as its pricier predecessor, and gives users access to handy additions like Magic Eraser for removing photo bombers and a recorder with real-time transcription. The Pixel 6a omits wireless charging and fast screen refresh rate but this is a capable smartphone.

VERDICT: ★★★★

SAMSUNG GALAXY A53

This money-saving take on Samsung’s top phone scores high marks

$549, samsung.com/au

PROS

– Four capable rear cameras

– Fast, 6.5-inch screen

– In-screen fingerprint reader

CONS

– No wireless charging

– No charger in box

– Only blue or black

If you’ve got the desire but lack the budget for a top Samsung phone, the Galaxy A53 could suit. This less expensive take on a Galaxy smartphone — which recently fell in price again — borrows plenty of features from its S22 brothers, including a 6.5-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, a 5000mAh battery to get you through the day, water-resistance, and a set of four cameras on its rear panel. They include a 64-megapixel main camera and smaller cameras for macro, ultra-wide shots, and finding focus. This hardware is capable of capturing more detail than its competitors, including Google’s new Pixel, despite its mid-range price.

VERDICT: ★★★★½

MOTO G62 5G

A lot of hardware for not as much cash as you’d think

$399, motorola.com.au

PROS

– Advanced camera hardware

– 6.5-inch, crisp screen

– Dolby stereo speakers

CONS

– Sluggish operation

– Limited RAM

– No wireless charging

Motorola’s new-release smartphone will set you back just under $400 but will deliver plenty of advanced hardware. Despite its price tag, there’s a 50-megapixel camera on the back of this smartphone, along with an eight-megapixel camera with ultra wide lens and a two-megapixel camera for macro photography. The 5G phone also sports a fingerprint scanner on its side, a 6.5-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate and comes with a case and charger in the box. It scrimps on RAM, with just 4GB, making its operation sluggish and it has no wireless charging, but it delivers a lot for a modest cost.

VERDICT: ★★★

TCL 30+

A stylish budget phone but one with a few compromises

$399, tcl.com/au

PROS

– 6.7-inch screen

– Stylish, sleek design

– A rare headphone jack

CONS

– Slow to operate

– Lots of TCL software

– Average camera results

TCL deserves kudos for delivering a smartphone that looks and feels like it’s worth more than $399. The stylish design of the 30+ helps it stand out and, in the hand, feels slim and less plasticky than some of its peers. It also features a 50-megapixel main camera that’s paired with two smaller two-megapixel cameras for macro and depth, a fingerprint scanner, and a bright, 6.7-inch screen. This phone does comes with obvious compromises, however. The screen is just 60Hz, for example, its operation is sluggish thanks to a slower chip and 4GB RAM, and its photographic results don’t compare favourably to its peers, particularly in challenging light.

VERDICT: ★★★

VIVO Y55 5G

An inexpensive way to connect to 5G

$299, telstra.com.au

PROS

– Solid and sparkly form

– Competitive price for 5G

– Fingerprint scanner

CONS

– Locked to Telstra

– No wide or telephoto lens

– No water resistance

Those with a small smartphone budget could appreciate this prepaid handset. Made by Vivo and delivered through Telstra, the Y55 is an inexpensive 5G smartphone with a decent 6.5-inch touchscreen, a fingerprint sensor at its side, an expandable memory and 50-megapixel camera. That camera is accompanied by two two-megapixel cameras for macro and portrait shots, and together they’re capable of sharp images (if you stay away from digital zoom). The phone is missing top features, like wireless charging and water resistance, but it’s a solid option for the money.

VERDICT: ★★½

Originally published as Tried and tested: The best budget-friendly smartphones