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The Best Phones Under $400 That Are Worth Your Money

Best Smartphones 400 Dollars
© sodawhiskey / Adobe Stock / nextpit

Have $400 to spend on a new smartphone and not sure which one to choose? We're here to help. In this article, we've listed the best smartphones you can get for $400 or less, from gaming-ready SoCs with 5G, to 120 Hz displays and top-notch cameras. Without further ado, here are our top picks for smartphones under $400.

If you're short on time and just want our top recommendation for a $400 smartphone, glance at the table below. For a more detailed insight into our top picks, continue reading the descriptions below or check out the available reviews before making your decision.

Editor's note: the prices highlighted in this article may vary depending on discounts offered by the manufacturers.

The best smartphones under $400 in 2024

Editor's choice under $400: Google Pixel 6a

Google Pixel 6a back cover in detail
The Google Pixel 6a is probably the best under-400 smartphone out there today. / © nextpit

The Google Pixel 6a has been available for purchase since July 21, 2022, but surprisingly the device can be found on Amazon for $399 with 128 GB. Packed with Google's custom Tensor processor for better performance of Machine Learning-based features, the Pixel 6a seems to be the best option for those who want a more compact Google phone in 2024.

In my review of the device, it was already pretty clear that this phone was unbeatable among the smartphones under $400, even though it only offers one internal storage option and a 60 Hz refresh rate. More than that, the 6a is the most cost-effective smartphone out of the entire Pixel 6 series.

When it comes to the camera suite, the Pixel 6a offers a fairly basic module, but it doesn't really lag behind the competition, given that Google's big asset here is in the camera software. So you can be sure that the photos taken with the 6a will bear the Pixel series' stamp of quality.

Google Pixel 6a

Good

  • Premium smartphone performance
  • Balanced image post-processing
  • Optimum size
  • Clean software
  • Up to five years of updates
  • IP67 certification

Bad

  • Screen refresh rate of only 60 Hz
  • Only one internal storage option
  • No wireless charging support
Google Pixel 6a
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Google Pixel 6a

A friendly tip: Consider checking the Google Pixel 7a (review) prices before making a purchase. The device might be available at a similar price on your preferred e-commerce platform.

Best iPhone under $400: Apple iPhone SE (2022)

A person taking a picture with the Apple iPhone SE 2022
The form factor of the iPhone SE still works very well. / © nextpit

As an Apple alternative, we recommend the iPhone SE (2022) without any second thought. Coming two years after the iPhone SE (2020), the new budget iPhone sports a powerful A15-bionic but sees little improvement over the previous device. You get a 12MP camera inside a virtually similar casing to the iPhone SE 2020 (and iPhone 8/7/6s) and IP67 resistance.

The real upgrade aside from the SoC (and the extra GB of RAM at 4GB) is the 5G connectivity, which makes the device finally capable of enjoying the latest connectivity technology like the rest of the sub-$400 devices you see in this list. We already tested the iPhone SE (2022) and, of course, it is a great solution for anyone looking for an affordable iPhone.

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Good

  • Insane performance level
  • High-quality workmanship
  • Surprisingly good photo and video performance
  • Solid battery life that lasts up till late at night

Bad

  • Display is simply outdated
  • Too few camera functions
  • Low storage space in the base model without expandable memory
  • More expensive than predecessor at market launch
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
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Apple iPhone SE (2022)

The best alternative under $400: Samsung Galaxy A35

Samsung Galaxy A35 Display
With no sign of the Galaxy A55 in the US, the A35 will fly the mid-range flag in the country. / © nextpit

For 2024, Samsung curiously opted not to offer its best-selling Galaxy A55 model in the US. In its place, the South Korean brand placed the cheaper A35 model as an alternative for the mid-range market.

Truth be told, both phones are very similar in terms of performance and specifications, with a well-rounded package in terms of cameras, software support, and battery life. The A35 inherits the Exynos 1380 chip used in our previous recommendation, the Galaxy A54, promising smooth performance for daily tasks and even some games.

On the software front, the Galaxy A35 is the phone on this list that will keep receiving security updates for longer, with Samsung promising patches until sometime in 2029. More recent phones are starting to promise even longer support, but none at this price range (yet).

Samsung Galaxy A35

Good

  • Stylish and above all high-quality new look
  • Solid performance in everyday use and in mobile games
  • Useful cameras
  • Up to five years of security updates
  • Water and dust-proof

Bad

  • Slow quick charging
  • No wireless charging
  • Cameras not well coordinated
Samsung Galaxy A35
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Samsung Galaxy A35

The best battery life for less than $400: Nothing Phone (2a)

You get a plastic back instead of glass in the Nothing Phone 2(a).
The Nothing Phone (2a) still has a transparent back, but the glass is plastic instead of glass. / © nextpit

The Phone (2a) is Nothing's latest affordable smartphone. It offers a well-balanced technical specification but stands out above all for its design, judged by my colleague Antoine Engels to be the best-looking mid-range smartphone of 2024.

The Phone (2a) offers a pleasant experience with its Nothing OS 2.5 interface and promises to be durable with its 3 Android updates promise and a 4-year policy on security updates. Performance is decent and stable, although the smartphone is not equipped with the latest Snapdragon SoC.

With its 5000 mAh battery supporting 45 W fast charging, the Phone (2a) is the autonomy champion in its price range. In our battery benchmark, the smartphone lasted an impressive 17 h 02. You can easily go two days without recharging your Phone (2a). It also offers the added advantage of recharging not too slowly.

The only real concession you'll have to make, in my opinion, concerns the photo quality, which isn't very convincing, especially at night. Apart from that, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a well-balanced mid-range smartphone with a beautiful screen, decent performance and, above all, remarkable battery life.

Nothing Phone (2)

Good

  • Beautiful OLED LTPO 120 Hz screen
  • Almost unchanged but still very cool design
  • Glyph interface a little less gimmicky
  • Three Android updates + four years of security updates
  • Excellent autonomy
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

Bad

  • Average photo quality
  • IP54 certified only
  • Aggressive thermal clamping
  • No charger included
Nothing Phone (2)
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Nothing Phone (2)

Best phone with Stylus under $400: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)

Motorola Stylus 5G 2024 product image
The Moto Stylus 5G offers premium looks with the added versatility of the stylus. / © Motorola

Motorola offers many options in this price range—some might argue too many—but a standout is the Moto G Stylus line. It brings some productivity features of the Galaxy Note family to a broader market.

Despite not launching a 4G model in 2024, Motorola kept the "5G" moniker on the full model name. The specifications are broadly similar to the previous generation, though, with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip running the show and a surprisingly large 8 GB of RAM.

The 2024 model fixes one of the issues we had with the previous model, which only offered 8 megapixels on the ultra-wide camera. Now, your landscape and wide vistas can have 13 megapixels of resolution for better image capture and maybe even some printing action.

In conclusion, while the Moto G Stylus 5G might not excel in every category, it offers a balanced set of features and a uniqueness not commonly seen in today's smartphones.

Buying guide: What you can expect from smartphones up to $400

In this section, we outline what smartphones under $400 offer in 2024. While mid-range phones provide a decent balance of price and performance, in the US, this price sits between budget models and high-end mid-rangers.

At this price, you might find older devices or ones with lesser specs. Though most have 5G, they may lag in camera, performance, and design compared to the $600 range with newer tech.

  • Power and performance: Investing in a sub-$400 device will at least guarantee that the SoC can tackle the most recent games. Here, you should expect SoC's that are at least one to two years old and offer good performance for daily tasks.
  • Cameras: In the mid-range, models like the Samsung Galaxy A35 have 50-megapixel main cameras, but don't match the Galaxy Ultra's photo quality. The primary issue in this range is with the cameras, especially "Quad cameras" that use low-quality macro and depth sensors. Unfortunately, the telephoto camera often gets compromised.
  • Battery & charging: Batteries in this price range are typically between 4,500 and 5,000 mAh, but charging speeds are subpar. Devices from Honor and Xiaomi offer over 60W fast-charging, but they aren't available in the US. Here, 10W to 15W is decent. Wireless charging is rare at this price point.
  • Display: In terms of display, we can expect FullHD+ screens with high refresh rates (except for Apple), and OLED displays are getting increasingly popular, with nice color reproduction and impressive contrast levels.
  • Age and support: At this price, be wary of devices older than two years due to limited software updates. Most will receive only one or two updates beyond their initial OS. Hence, Android 10 devices will become outdated after the launch of Android 14 in 2023, for example.
  • Carrier compatibility: In this price range, not all devices are compatible with every carrier. Many are designed for GSM networks, common outside the US. If you're on a CDMA network like Verizon, ensure compatibility. However, with 4G LTE and 5G, this issue is diminishing.

Alternatives to purchasing a more expensive smartphone

Getting a device with a plan, discounted or free

Financing a device is an affordable way to obtain a new one, as carriers offer incentives to attract and retain customers. Typically, payments are broken into 24 or 36 installments with an eligible plan. Additionally, discounts or even free devices are available when starting a new plan.

Refurbished and used smartphones

If removing the protective film for the first time on your new device does not cause you to jump for joy, you can pick up more expensive smartphones from the second-hand or refurbished market. It is particularly advisable to use devices that carry a refurbished guarantee.

Refurbished smartphones are inspected and restored by trusted companies to ensure quality. They're especially appealing when accompanied by an extended warranty, offering protection against potential issues shortly after purchase.

What do you think of this selection? Which models do you think we have forgotten and which deserve to be included? Do you find the advice sections and our testing process useful? What do you think of this new format? We look forward to your feedback! 

 The best gaming monitors at a glance

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Model
Image LG Ultragear 27GP850P - product image Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ - product image BenQ MOBIUZ EX3210U - product image Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM - product image Gigabyte M32U - product image
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Camila Rinaldi

Camila Rinaldi
Head of Editorial

With over a decade of experience in tech product reviews, I’ve recently embraced the world of wearables and developed a passion for digital health innovations. While I am now deeply immersed in the Apple ecosystem, my enthusiasm for Android still burns strong. Formerly editor-in-chief at AndroidPIT and Canaltech in Brazil, I now share my insights with the US audience at nextpit. Beyond tech, I cherish my vinyl collection and believe exploring local cuisine is the best way to discover new places. Join me as I explore the fusion of technology and culture in our everyday lives.

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  • 49
    storm Mar 17, 2022 Link to comment

    TCL has been making some interesting moves in the phone world. But Motorola still gets my vote. Their chop and twist features are supreme.

    But I've got to disagree about financing a phone being a deal. You get roped in to way overpriced contracts. You'll save a lot more buying the phone and going pre-paid service. If you can't afford a smartphone, buy a feature phone and still go prepaid. I did this for years during the smartphone era. Saved a lot of money until it made financial sense to get a smartphone.

    If you need a smartphone for work, they should offer some option to supply or cover the the costs.

    Rusty H.Deactivated AccountCamila RinaldiZois Bekios Zannikos


    • Rusty H. 33
      Rusty H. Aug 24, 2022 Link to comment

      My phone bill costs 50 bucks a month (straight talk). Boss pays half of that. I haven't "financed" a phone since before the smartphone era. The amount you pay "on contract" is nuts. It's cheaper just to buy one full price, UNLOCKED, and go where you want. Plus, if you trade it in, or sell it (unlocked) are easier to sell so you can get something back.

      gilivi