Samsung is a leader in the budget phone market, known for its excellent build quality and features. Their Galaxy S series is the flagship line, while the A series provides reliable budget options. Even with some trade-offs in the lower-end models, Samsung ensures a great user experience with timely updates, making them a top choice for Android users. In this article, I’ve put together a brief consumer guide and reviewed the top 5 best cheap Samsung phones for 2024. For more information on the products, you can find links in the description below. Let’s get started!
1. Galaxy A05s
Samsung introduced the Galaxy A05s as its entry-level smartphone in October 2023. Priced at just $115, this device boasts a modern style. The A05s comes in several stunning color combinations and offers significant features, including a large 6.7-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400. However, its 90Hz refresh rate is currently limited by a software issue in OneUI 5.1, affecting smoothness.
The Galaxy A05s retains practical features like a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming rare in higher-end models. It has a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP primary camera, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor, along with a 13MP front camera. While it performs reasonably well in good lighting, low-light conditions can be challenging.
Internally, the A05s runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, providing decent performance for its price. It comes in two storage options—64GB and 128GB—both expandable via microSD. The 4GB RAM might limit app performance, but the 5,000mAh battery ensures reliable battery life. Overall, the Galaxy A05s offers great value for budget-conscious consumers.
2. Galaxy A13 5G
The Galaxy A13 5G is Samsung’s latest addition to its budget lineup, succeeding the Galaxy A12 with notable upgrades. It comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage, offering a streamlined experience compared to its predecessor’s multiple configurations. Buyers can choose between a 5G model powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 700 and a 4G LTE version with the Exynos 850 chipset.
The A13 features a 6.5-inch HD Plus display and a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring ample screen time and longevity. While it launched with Android 11, it has received updates to Android 12, 13, and 14, benefiting from Samsung’s commitment to four years of security patches and two years of software updates. Priced at $149, the A13 is a viable option through US carriers if good deals are available.
Overall, the Galaxy A13 5G stands out for its strong performance, decent camera quality, long battery life, and substantial update support, making it a worthy contender in the budget phone market.
3. Galaxy A15 5G
Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G, priced at $200, combines a generous feature set with cost efficiency. The 6.5-inch AMOLED screen, despite thick bezels and a teardrop camera cutout, provides vibrant colors and smooth visuals with a 90Hz refresh rate. Running on Android 14 with Samsung’s OneUI 6.0, the A15 5G promises four years of software updates and five years of security patches, making it a potential long-term companion.
Its design takes cues from Samsung’s premium models, featuring a plastic body and triple rear cameras within sleek rings. The main camera delivers 50-megapixel shots downscaled to 12-megapixels for improved quality, supplemented by an ultra-wide and a macro lens. While the phone’s performance may lag due to the MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus processor, it includes up to 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD, and 8GB of RAM.
The build quality is solid for the price, although the lack of dust and water resistance is a downside. Audio performance is weak, with a tinny mono speaker that can be easily obstructed. The 5,000mAh battery supports 25W fast charging but lacks wireless charging capabilities. Despite its performance limitations and some design compromises, the Galaxy A15 5G stands out in its price range for its display, design, and longevity, offering a robust entry-level smartphone experience.
4. Samsung Galaxy A35
This year, Samsung shifted its budget phone strategy, offering only the Galaxy A35 5G in the US, priced at $399, and launching on April 18th. This model features a glass back for a more premium feel, though it makes the phone slightly heavier at 209g. The frame remains plastic, but the design is enhanced by a bump housing the volume and power buttons.
The standout feature is its 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080×2340 and a variable refresh rate, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. The main camera, while still 50MP, has a new sensor for better performance. Video capabilities are somewhat limited compared to higher-end models. Powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, the A35 5G handles games well but may occasionally stutter during general use.
It offers 128GB or 256GB of storage, expandable via a microSD card. Running on Android 14 with OneUI 6.1, it promises four years of software updates and five years of security patches. With a 5000mAh battery, the A35 5G ensures a full day of heavy use. Overall, it combines a superb display, solid gaming performance, and customizable software, making it a worthy budget alternative to the Galaxy S24.
5. Galaxy A25 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G stands out with its vibrant Super AMOLED display, dependable performance, robust software, and high-quality camera, all at an impressive price of $300. Promising four years of OS updates, this phone offers longevity rarely seen in its price range.
The A25 features a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vivid colors and high brightness. Powered by an Exynos 1280 chip with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, it efficiently handles everyday tasks. Its 5000mAh battery supports 25W wired charging, though it lacks wireless charging.
Connectivity includes sub-6GHz 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel ultrawide, and a 2-megapixel macro lens, along with a 13-megapixel front camera. Running on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.0, the Galaxy A25 excels in user experience and productivity features.
While it lacks premium components and an IP rating, it offers a balanced mix of features and performance, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G does its best to compete in a crowded market, improving on its predecessor with an upgraded chipset, strong update commitment, and a solid primary camera.
