5 Best Affordable Phones in Australia for 2025
Mid-range smartphones are better than ever, with many shoppers praising these gadgets as the perfect shopping swap.
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Whenever I’m researching products or notice my phone is on its last legs, I can’t help but think “how can an electronic brick be so expensive?” Popular flagship line-ups are edging closer towards the $2000 mark, and it’s not hard to find reviews and social media comments talking about how models are looking increasingly similar with every design update.
Of course, there are cheap ‘dumb phones’ for the extra money savvy shoppers – but these typically offer basic functionalities and now tend to be used as part of a digital detox due to the limited functionalities.
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That’s why we’ve rounded a list of affordable alternatives sandwiched between the ultra cheap phones with questionable performance and the high end smartphones loaded with all the bells and whistles. Who says you need to miss out on the fun features in exchange for saving a few bucks? So, what’s the one budget phone to rule them all?
The new Samsung Galaxy A56 is actually one of our favourite tried and tested products, and among the more wallet friendly options on the market. It offers fantastic value with a great camera, a nice range of AI features, decent battery and lightweight and slim design that doesn’t scream ‘typical budget phone’.
We also included the iPhone 16e for those wanting to slide into Apple’s ecosystem. It’s less pricier than its flashier siblings, but still worth checking out thanks to its powerful performance, long battery life, decent camera and wide range of AI functions.
*Please note the prices reflect with a 128GB storage, unless stated otherwise.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST CHEAP SAMSUNG PHONE
Samsung Galaxy A56, $699 at Amazon Australia
Samsung Galaxy A56
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Senior Shopping Writer Tech, Homes & Appliances
Samsung’s Galaxy A56 gives serious bang for buck, setting a new standard for budget friendly smartphones with larger storage space, long lasting battery, a decent camera and a mid-range price tag that leans closer to the budget friendly side than the affordable premium end.
While this model doesn’t have Galaxy AI, you can get a suite of AI features with Awesome Intelligence which still includes popular functions from the Galaxy S series like Circle to Search, Object Eraser and Best Face.
BEST CHEAP APPLE IPHONE
Apple iPhone 16e, from $999 at Apple
Tried and Tested by Troy Nankervis, former Shopping Writer
Apple may not be the first go-to brand for all things budget conscious, but its latest entry level iPhone 16e proves you don’t need to fork out for the flagship model to enjoy premium iPhone features.
Our former shopping writer Troy Nankervis became a fan after testing the iPhone 16e, saying it “offers great value especially amid cost of living pressures”.
“Its OLED display has excellent contrast, great for watching shows, gaming, or reading, plus it comes built with Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s AI-offering, which delivers enhanced capabilities for a better user experience. There’s an impressive 2-in-1 camera system with Night and Portrait modes for crystal clear photos, and the Image Playground tool lets you make custom avatars,” he mentioned in a review.
“The iPhone 16e has a slightly smaller 6.1” Super Retina XDR display when compared to other models. However, these are minor trade-offs when you consider all the inclusions, and the price point, which is around $800 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro.”
BEST CHEAP GOOGLE PIXEL
Google Pixel 9a, $847 at The Good Guys
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Senior Shopping Writer Tech, Homes & Appliances
Google’s Pixel range is known for its stellar camera quality, and the mid-range Pixel 9a is the perfect gateway model for easing into the flagship line-up. It boasts a 6.3” Actua display and includes many of the same premium AI features in Android phones, such as Gemini, Add Me, Best Take, Circle to Search, and Pixel Studio.
I’ve usually stuck with Apple and Samsung products, but the Pixel user interface was super easy to navigate. The camera is incredible, battery life is great and there isn’t much performance wise that makes you feel like you’re sacrificing many of the bells and whistles for a smaller dent in your wallet.
BEST CHEAP SMARTPHONE FOR BATTERY LIFE
OPPO Reno13 F (256GB), $599 at The Good Guys
OPPO Reno13 F
What You Need To Know
Not keen on carrying a power bank everywhere? This affordable OPPO smartphone has been praised for its long lasting battery and comes with 256GB of default storage instead of the usual 128GB, which is great if you’re serial photos hoarder (guilty!) or love gaming.
This budget conscious option also offers a decent camera and a few AI editing functions like AI Unblur, AI Reflection Remover and AI Clarity Enhancer to make your snaps that little bit better. It also runs ColorOS 15, which has a few AI features similar to what’s available in Apple iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy models. This includes functions such as Screen Translator, AI Writer and AI Recording Summary.
BEST MID-RANGE SMARTPHONE
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, $1096 at The Good Guys
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
What You Need To Know
Many shoppers and expert reviewers have dubbed Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE as one of the top smartphones for value for money, with many saying it’s feels similar to using a flagship model. And unlike the Galaxy FE range, this option actually includes Galaxy AI functions such as Call Assist, Interpreter, Note Assist as well as Circle to Search.
“I’ve had it a week and was worried that AI integration would take over my phone but it’s actually integrated nicely and out of the way so I can use my phone like I always have but the AI features add functionality here and there,” a shopper reviewed.
“I’ve finally made the move away from iPhones! I thought it would be very difficult but it’s been easy. I wouldn’t go back now! I love all the features. Camera, battery, text size and display screens are excellent,” posted a fan.
The Galaxy S24 FE is part of Samsung’s Fan Edition range, which offers affordable alternatives for each generation and includes many of the same features you would get from the corresponding S-series line up. (It’s essentially a middle ground between Samsung’s budget Galaxy A-series and the premium Galaxy S series).
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING CHEAP SMARTPHONES
Want to ring in some help buying a new budget friendly mobile phone? Here are a few factors we considered when choosing what to include in our roundup.
Android or iOS
If you’re unfamiliar with the Android vs iOS war, it’s essentially choosing between an iPhone (iOS) and a smartphone that’s running on an Android System (this includes Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus and pretty much anything which isn’t an iPhone).
A lot of it comes down to preference but if you’re not stuck on a particular brand, there are more Android options on the market to choose from. If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem or prefer frequent software updates, iPhones may be more convenient.
Cameras
The camera is probably one of the main important aspects you’ll likely have to slightly drop your expectations. But while there’s a good chance it won’t have the same optical zoom options (i.e. no ultra clear zoomed-in concert photos from nose bleed seats), you can still find budget phones with decent camera quality.
Battery life
Long battery life could be another trade-off, although many newer smartphones can last a full day’s worth of regular usage (i.e. not using the device as a hotspot for several hours with non-stop heavy gaming). Sometimes brands’ budget models will have a lower brightness, which can help sustain its stamina throughout the day. But if you’re worried about staying charged, we recommend carrying a portable power bank.
Software security updates
Do you why you’ll get a notification on your phone to ‘update software’? To keep your smartphone working at its best and ensure all the data is secure, manufacturers will run several updates throughout the year and will continue to do so for a certain number of years (depending on the brand and model). Once your phone model stops receiving updates, you won’t be able to get the latest security patches needed to keep your data secure.
Unlike with warranties, it doesn’t matter when you buy your phone – the update period starts from the date the model is launched and will expire on the same date for everyone. This is worth taking into account if you’re considering purchasing an older or refurbished model.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of models available, it’s impossible to test every model out there. To help you find the best cheap smartphone we tested several well-known brands at different price points. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best cheap smartphone to help you find the right one for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are security updates necessary?
Tapping the ‘software update’ on your smartphone, laptop and tablet can include adding everything from adding new features to fixing bugs and any security holes that hackers may potentially try to take advantage of.
Can you trade in your phone?
Many mobile manufacturers and telco companies run trade-in schemes which let you exchange your current device for credit, allowing you to save a bit of cash on your new smartphone. The newer the model, the more credits you’ll likely be able to claim and use towards your new gadget. But keep in mind certain factors can impact how much you can receive, including the condition of the item, device type and manufacturer.
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