Buying a smartphone for under $400: features to look for in an affordable device

As Black Friday nears, we take a look at the essential features of a decent, budget-friendly smartphone.

Today’s flagship smartphones are nothing short of powerful pocket-sized computers. They feature top-of-the-line processors rivaling the performance of laptops, advanced AI tools for tasks like transcribing meetings and drafting emails, and cutting-edge cameras capable of recording 8K videos and offering up to 10x optical zoom for stunning detail.

While having a brand new powerful flagship is undeniably appealing, most users don’t need every tool that comes with a device that costs over $1000.

If you use your smartphone mostly for daily tasks, you can likely buy a powerful enough device with a capable battery and a relatively good camera for just a few hundred bucks.

However, to find such a smartphone, you need to know what features to look for. What camera tools will improve your shots? How much RAM is enough to ensure smooth daily usage? What should you know before buying a used phone?

I tackled these and other questions with the help of a few experts and included several smartphone recommendations for under $400.

What screen is good enough?

Budget-friendly smartphones often sacrifice screen resolution and quality for better prices. What’s a good enough resolution may be a personal choice, however, to have a satisfactory experience with your affordable smartphone, you should aim at least for a Full HD (or Full HD+).

If you don’t like to see a slightly delayed view when you switch between apps or scroll through content, aim for a device with a 90Hz refresh rate or more for smoother visuals.

“Brightness is another critical factor; a display with at least 400 nits is fine for indoor use, but over 500 nits will give you better visibility outdoors,” says Ryan Molloy, the resident tech expert and editor at the website TheSeniorList.com, which helps older adults find easy to use technology products.

Most lower-end smartphones use an IPC LCD screen as their display technology. However, vendors are increasingly offering devices with AMOLED screens, resulting in a much more satisfactory experience, including vivid colors and various viewing angles.

Camera features

There are a few camera features that can significantly improve your shots. For example, the High Dynamic Range (HDR) algorithm combines multiple exposures to produce a single image with greater detail in both shadows and highlights.

To ensure that your shots do not get spoiled when you accidentally move your hand while taking a picture, look for a smartphone with optical image stabilization (OIS).

However, this feature might be quite rare for a budget-friendly phone. Alternatively, look for electronic image stabilization (EIS), a software-based solution.

As Chris Oberman, a travel photographer and editor at travel blog Moving Jack previously pointed out to Cybernews, since pictures are often taken in low-light conditions, a dedicated Night mode may be handy as well.

And, of course, there’s the megapixel count, which doesn’t tell the full story of your camera’s capabilities. It’s also worth checking other specs and aiming for a camera with a f/1.8 or lower aperture, a1/1.7" or larger sensor size, and a 1.4µm or larger pixel size.

How much RAM is enough?

To ensure that your smartphone will handle your daily tasks without major lags, look for a device with at least 6GB of RAM

“In our testing, we found that budget models such as the Samsung Galaxy A53 with 6GB of RAM are enough for most everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, using social media apps, and using messenger services such as WhatsApp,” says Eric Hartley, a director of a mobile phone dealer Simpatico Communications.

According to him, users will also be able to run some games with 6GB of RAM, although intensive games will soon eat up the RAM, making multitasking more difficult.

As for your smartphone's "brain,” the System on a Chip (SoC) options will depend on the manufacturer. Companies like Apple, Google, and some others sell smartphones with their own SoC.

Hartley recommends going for Qualcomm’s series that starts with 6 or 7 or, alternatively, MediaTek Dimensity 700 or Helio G96 9 (or newer).

“Most budget phones, however, won't lead with this information, as the average consumer doesn't consider it, so you should be sure to check the specs on a $100 smartphone that seems too good to be true,” Molly says.

Battery and fast charging

The good news for those who want to buy an affordable phone is that these smartphones often come with solid batteries. They also do not have bright screens and features that significantly drain your device's battery.

Your battery longevity will depend on many factors, though around 4,500 mAh should ensure decent usage.

Fast charging is another important tool. With your budget device, try to aim for 18W. And the more you can get, the better.

These days, smartphones have a minimum inner storage of 128GB, with some vendors offering base models with 256GB. If you are a very moderate camera user and don’t store much information on your device, even modest 64GB might do the job.

Security and OS updates

One issue with low-end smartphones, especially sold by smaller vendors, is that they receive very few security updates. Recently, the trend started to change, with models like Samsung's A15 bringing a record six years of security patches.

“You should do your best to keep up-to-date with operating system and security updates because patches like these are crucial in preventing data breaches,” says Seth Geftic, Vice President of Product Marketing at cybersecurity company Huntress Labs.

According to him, it’s “absolutely” worth looking into how often a manufacturer updates its operating system and security measures.

Such information can be found on websites such as GSM Arena or Android Authority. If the manufacturer doesn’t provide it, your device will likely be very short-lived.

“With modern devices operating at a high level for several years, it’s in your best interest to buy a phone that has ongoing support,” Geftic adds.

When it comes to security updates, Apple and Google offer solid service providing 5+ years of support.

New or used?

While more expensive, a new smartphone comes with certain advantages, such as a warranty and the latest hardware. Molly also points out that users are less likely to encounter hidden issues with a new phone.

However, if you buy a smartphone from a relatively unknown vendor, such as Umidigi, there are no guarantees that every feature will work as advertised. When testing Umidig’s G9, I couldn’t connect to the company’s 5G network, even though the phone was advertised as a 5G device.

According to Molly, refurbished or used phones may offer better features, but they may also have shorter lifespans, limited or no warranties, and occasional wear and tear.

“If you go this route, make sure to buy from a trusted seller who guarantees quality. I make sure to purchase from a seller that offers a minimum of a one-year warranty. Sites like eBay should be avoided, as you'll find many sellers who won't fix your phone or refund you in the event that the device breaks,” he advises.

Smartphone recommendations

So, which particular models may be worth checking out?

Under $300, Molly lists Samsung’s Galaxy A14 for reliable updates and best overall performance, Motorola’s Moto G Power (2023) for long battery life, and the Redmi Note 12, which comes with an AMOLED screen and 120Hz refresh rate.

“If your budget can stretch closer to $400, the Google Pixel 6a is a fantastic pick, especially for its camera and long-term software support. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A54 are also excellent for their displays, performance, and build quality,” he says.

Hartley lists Galaxy A53 for overall performance and a few other models, such as Samsung’s Galaxy A55, Honor 90, and Oppo Reno 12, for their battery life.

For those who prefer Apple, the most recent budget-friendly option would be the iPhone SE.