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Discover the 7 best-performing smartphones under $300 in 2025.
Compare specs, cameras, battery life, and software updates.
Find the ideal budget phone for gaming, photography, or daily use.
Getting a smartphone nowadays doesn't have to be expensive. Many companies manufacture affordable feature-rich phones under $300 that provide decent performance, a good camera, and decent battery life.
If you are a student, a budget-conscious professional, or just want to keep a backup phone, these are the best smartphones under $300 to go for in 2025.
With Xiaomi perfecting the best value-for-money smartphones, Redmi Note 14 5G is no different. It features a massive 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The processor is a MediaTek Dimensity 7050.
Its triple rear cameras comprise 108MP, 8MP, and 2MP, making it suitable for gaming, watching media, or any casual use. A 67W fast charger is very convenient for large users with a long-term battery, approximately 5000mAh.
Price: $299
Pros
Seamless 120Hz AMOLED screen
Impressive battery life with fast charging
Reliable performance for gaming and multitasking
Cons
Software updates are not as frequent as rivals ‘
Cameras perform well in daylight but struggle in low light
Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro packs a 6.7” AMOLED display at 120Hz, brought to life by Dimensity 7300 Pro. It has a fantastic dual rear-camera setup (50MP + 50MP) and a clean, bloat-free, well-optimized Nothing OS with promises of long-term updates. There is also a 5000mAh battery and 33W fast charging.
Price: $279
Pros
Modular customization in minimalist design
Nothing OS: optimized, fluid, and bloat-free
Assured long-term software updates
Cons
The camera system is middling compared to competitors
Not the quickest charging in this category
Moto G Power 5G features a 6.5” LCD at 120Hz, Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chip, and dual cameras (50MP + 8MP). Its colossal 6000mAh battery with wired and wireless charging makes it ideal for users who value longevity over aesthetics.
Price: $249
Pros
Enormous battery with wired and wireless charging
120Hz display with pristine near-stock Android
Google Pay support and fashionable design
Cons
Cameras are good but not great
Bulky compared to competitors due to the massive battery
Galaxy A25 5G has a 6.5” Super AMOLED screen, Exynos 1280 chipset, and a triple rear camera setup (50MP OIS + 8MP + 2MP). It comes with One UI and Samsung’s update promise, as well as a 5000mAh battery with 25W charging.
Price: $299
Pros
Samsung’s refined One UI with a lengthy update cycle
Vibrant AMOLED screen with robust brightness
OIS camera enhances night shooting
Cons
Slower charging than the Chinese competition
Plastic design is not so premium
Google Pixel 7a is one of the best smartphones that packs in an OLED display to tune of 6.1” size, holds Dual Cameras with 64MP + 13MP resolutions, and includes Google Tensor G3 chip.
A 4385mAh battery with 18W charging comes under the hood. The Android OS will give the phone long-term support, including 5 years of updates.
Price: $162.81
Pros
Top-of-the-line camera quality for less than $300
Clean Android experience with timely updates
Google Tensor G3 chip enables innovative AI features
Cons
Smaller battery life compared to competitors
Heating problems during extended gaming
Neo 7 SE comes with a 6.7” AMOLED screen at 120Hz, Dimensity 8400 Max chipset, and three rear cameras (64MP + 8MP + 2MP). Its 7000mAh battery with 80W fast charging is perfect for power users, and Realme UI offers 2–3 years of assistance.
Price: $288
Pros
A first in industry-the mammoth 7000mAh battery
This enables 80W rapid charging, allowing quick top-ups.
Powerful multitasking fueled by Dimensity 8400 Max chipset
Cons
The device turns grossly heavy with the large battery
Realme UI, on the other hand, is cluttered with onboard apps.
Poco X7 5G comes equipped with a 6.67” OLED screen at 120Hz, Dimensity 7300 Ultra chip, and triple rear cameras (64MP + 8MP + 2MP). It comes with a 5000mAh battery and 67W charging, along with MIUI software with 2–3 years of updates.
Price: $293
Pros
Dimensity 7300 Ultra gives excellent performance.
Smooth 120Hz OLED display
Performance for the value of the enthusiasts
Cons
The camera setup is below average compared to Pixel and Samsung.
MIUI software updates sometimes get delayed.
Also Read: Best Smartphones Under $500
Battery life, screen type, camera capabilities, and software updates are the key factors that determine the worth of these seven phones. Realme Neo 7 SE and Moto G Power 5G are top performers in terms of longevity, while Google Pixel 7a is still the best for photography.
Poco X7 5G and Redmi Note 14 5G provide a good equilibrium of performance versus screen smoothness, whereas Samsung Galaxy A25 5G covers the scope of software and OIS camera stabilization; Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro is for those who treasured clean interfaces and long-term updates.
Trade-offs are unavoidable: The best camera is a trade-off for battery life, the largest battery is heavy, and the best software polish can compromise raw specs performance.
If you are looking for the best camera, Google Pixel 7a takes the cake. For battery life, go for Realme Neo 7 SE or Moto G Power 5G.
Multitaskers and gamers will like Redmi Note 14 5G and Poco X7 5G. If software reliability is your concern, Samsung Galaxy A25 5G or Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro are better bets. Users are advised to purchase their desired phone after considering the device’s features and specifications.
1. Which is the best smartphone under $300 in 2025?
Google Pixel 7a offers the best camera, while Realme Neo 7 SE excels in battery and performance.
2. Are budget phones under $300 good for gaming?
Yes, Poco X7 5G and Redmi Note 14 5G handle most games smoothly with 120Hz displays.
3. How long do software updates last on these phones?
Pixel 7a offers five years, the Samsung A25 5G four years, and the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro three years of updates.
4. Which phone has the most extended battery life under $300?
Realme Neo 7 SE (7000mAh) and Moto G Power 5G (6000mAh) offer extended battery endurance.
5. Are cameras on budget phones good enough for photography?
Yes, Pixel 7a leads, Samsung A25 5G, and Redmi Note 14 5G provide decent photography for daily use.
