Finest Telephones Beneath $300: 5G Telephones at Starter Costs

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

The $299 OnePlus N20 5G isn’t an exciting phone, but it more than gets the job done for most situations. Unlike several phones on this list, you can buy it unlocked from OnePlus. It also provides high-end features we don’t always see at this price, like an in-screen fingerprint reader, faster 33W charging, 6GB of RAM and NFC for mobile payments. Despite being available directly from OnePlus, the N20 works with AT&T and T-Mobile but does not work with Verizon. The phone’s 5G support also only works through T-Mobile.

In his OnePlus N20 review, CNET Senior Editor Eli Blumenthal found the phone’s 64-megapixel main camera, 2-megapixel macro camera and 2-megapixel monochrome lens to take decent photos during the daytime. But its cameras struggle in the evening, which is a common issue on cheaper phones. The N20 also includes a 16-megapixel front-facing camera located in the top left of the phone’s display.

The phone is also only getting one major software update from Android 11 to Android 12, but will receive three years of security updates. As a result, despite the phone’s decent specs and slightly wider availability, it only makes sense to hang onto this phone for two to three years.

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Reviewing the $258 TCL Stylus 5G was a journey for me last year. Specs-wise, it has a lot that I enjoyed. The phone’s TCL NxtVision HDR setting provided enhanced colors when I played games, TCL made minimal changes to Android 12 and I especially enjoyed the magnetic stylus that fits securely into its own slot on the phone.

However, the big reason why my review took four months is because of repetitive software bugs that make the phone otherwise tough to recommend. I experienced frequent restarts while using the phone and Bluetooth connectivity issues, the latter of which was eventually fixed through a software update. This phone is also locked to T-Mobile completely, so it can’t be used on other carriers and is filled with T-Mobile apps that are challenging to remove.

Yet if you absolutely must have a stylus and your budget is under $300, this is one of the better overall picks. But be wary of software issues, and remember the phone is only getting one major software update along with two years of security updates.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

The $228 OnePlus Nord N300 5G is my favorite phone under $300. The only reason why I cannot recommend it above the N20 is because this phone is locked to T-Mobile. Despite being around $80 cheaper than the other OnePlus phone, it still has 33-watt fast charging, a 90Hz refresh rate display and a 48-megapixel main camera that does a decent job with photos and video. Its matte black look that highlights its two camera lenses also makes it one of the nicer-looking budget phones I’ve tested. The N300 improves on the N20 with its dual stereo speakers, over the single speaker on the N20, and I personally prefer the side fingerprint sensor over in-screen options like on the N20.

But apart from the availability issue, the N300 also suffers from a short software support timeline. The N300 will only get one major software update from Android 12 to Android 13 and two years of security updates. Even though that’s somewhat normal for the category, I still consider it a major drawback. There’s also a dose of T-Mobile bloatware, but at this price it’s easier to swallow.

If you are shopping specifically for a phone that works with T-Mobile or its Metro brand, the $228 OnePlus Nord N300 is definitely a solid choice. Just recognize you cannot take the phone to other carriers, and it won’t be a great option after two years of use.

Jessica Fierro/CNET

The Light Phone 2 is a very different kind of phone. It’s meant for people seeking freedom from the constant stream of notifications, but still want a phone that looks nice. But despite its somewhat limited functionality, this phone still costs $299.  

The Light Phone 2 supports texts, phone calls, music playback, podcasts, mobile hotspot functionality and limited GPS support for directions on its E Ink screen. It does not have a camera, web browser, email access or other common apps like news or messaging apps. 

My colleague Jessica Fierro gave life with the Light Phone 2 a try, and she enjoyed how the phone helped her stay more focused on the world around her. However she found the slower texting speed on the E Ink display to be challenging to adjust to, and could not fully make the switch because for work she needs some degree of social media access in order to stay up on trends. 

The absence of many modern features is the entire point of the Light Phone 2. It’s a device for people who intentionally just want essential communications on a screen that’s more like a Kindle’s display than the one you’d find on a Samsung Galaxy device.

The Light Phone 2 is certainly not for everybody, but it could be worth considering for someone who wants their phone to do less. Fans of conventional phones should consider the wealth of feature phones and flip phones that still exist first — which are often free with a carrier deal or available for under $100.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Admittedly I’m cheating by getting this phone into the list, but Google’s Pixel 6A has been discounted to $299 a lot lately and is an easy recommendation when it’s been discounted into a budget phone range.

Regularly $449, the Pixel 6A won our Editors’ Choice Award last year. In her review, CNET Senior Editor Lisa Eadicicco praised the phone for its great camera, Pixel-exclusive features like Magic Eraser, its colorful design and being among the first to get new Android updates. 

While it’s likely that Google announces a sequel 7A phone as soon as the next Google I/O development conference, scheduled for May 10, the current Pixel 6A is still an excellent pick for the price if you can get it at its $299 price. But if you see the phone go back to its original $449 price between now and May 10, and you aren’t in dire need of a new device, I would then say wait for the rumored Pixel 7A.

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Apple does not currently sell any iPhone options between $200 and $300. The cheapest new iPhone you can get is the iPhone SE at $429. That iPhone is a great value for its fast processor and great camera, but held back by its dated design that harkens back to the iPhone 6, 7 and 8.

If you don’t mind getting a preowned device and want something with a bigger screen, as of this writing Verizon sells a 64GB iPhone 11 for $275.

You can also get the 2020 version of the iPhone SE as a refurbished model between $200 and $300 on websites like Amazon and Best Buy, but beware of each store’s policies for refurbished devices. Especially make sure the refurbished device includes a warranty for repairs, since without one you may have to pay Apple or another retailer a high price for a screen repair or other accidental damage.