Top Budget Phone Brands: Quality Meets Affordability

In an era where technology is rapidly advancing, budget phones have become more sophisticated, providing remarkable features at affordable prices. Consumers are increasingly looking for devices that offer great value without compromising on quality or performance. With numerous brands entering the market, it's essential to identify those that consistently deliver reliable and efficient phones on a budget. Curious to find out which brands made it to the top of the list? Read on to discover our recommendations below.

Illustration of budget phones

Best brands of budget phones in 2025

Xiaomi

Xiaomi has established itself as one of the leading producers of budget phones, capturing a significant global market share. In January 2024, Xiaomi held an 11.9% global market share, making it the third-largest smartphone brand worldwide. The company saw a notable increase in revenue, with a 32.9% rise in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, reaching $6.42 billion. Xiaomi's strong performance is also reflected in its shipment numbers, with 40.7 million devices shipped in the fourth quarter of 2023, a 23% increase. Additionally, Xiaomi's market share in China's RMB4,000-RMB6,000 price segment reached 16.9% in 2023. For more detailed insights, visit Xiaomi's official article.

Realme

Realme has established itself as a leading producer of budget-friendly smartphones, boasting an impressive 8.2% global market share in the first half of 2024, driven by the successful launch of new models and expanded market presence. The company sold around 15 million smartphones worldwide during this period, generating an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue. Realme's focus on high performance, fast charging, and trendy designs has made it popular among younger consumers, particularly in markets like India and Southeast Asia. The brand's best-selling phone, the RealMe GT 3 Pro, contributed significantly to its revenue with approximately 4 million units sold. Realme's rapid growth is also fueled by its aggressive pricing strategy and frequent product launches. For more insights, you can read about the smartphone companies with the largest market share in 2024.

Samsung

Samsung's Galaxy A series stands out as a top choice for budget phones, offering impressive features such as high-resolution Super AMOLED displays, multi-lens camera systems, and long-lasting batteries, often starting from as low as $199.99. These phones, like the Galaxy A55 5G, feature 120Hz refresh rates, up to 5,000mAh batteries, and extensive storage options, making them highly competitive in the mid-range market. With models like the Galaxy A32 5G providing three years of Android upgrades and four years of security fixes, Samsung ensures durability and ongoing support. The Galaxy A series has been praised for its balance of performance and affordability, making it an ideal option for everyday smartphone users. Additionally, these phones often come with additional perks like free access to Samsung TV Plus and other premium services. For more details, visit the official Samsung Galaxy A series page.

Motorola

Motorola stands out as a leading producer of budget-friendly smartphones, capturing a 5.2% share of the global smartphone market in 2024, up from 5% in 2023. The company's strong presence in North America, with an 8.2% market share, and its dominance in Latin America with a 20.5% market share, are driven by the popularity of its affordable and reliable devices. Motorola's strategy of targeting mid-range users has helped maintain a stable market share, with models like the Moto G Power 5G and Moto G Stylus 5G being top sellers. In 2024, Motorola reported a total revenue of $14 billion, a 3.7% increase from 2023, and invested $1.9 billion in research and development. The company's focus on budget phones has made high-quality smartphones accessible to a broader audience. For more information, you can visit Motorola statistics.

Nokia

Nokia, although no longer a dominant force in the global smartphone market, has seen a resurgence in recent years, particularly in the budget segment. In Q3 2023, Nokia's smartphone shipments grew by 17% in the US market, according to Counterpoint Research, indicating a strong performance in a challenging environment. Despite its transition from a mobile handset manufacturer to a network infrastructure provider, Nokia still maintains a presence in the smartphone market, especially with its budget-friendly options. However, its global smartphone shipments are now a fraction of what they were in the past, such as in 2011 when Nokia recorded shipments of 77.3 million units. Nokia's focus on budget phones has helped it regain some market share, particularly in regions where affordability is a key factor. For more information, visit Nokia's smartphones web page.

Vivo

Vivo has solidified its position as a leading producer of budget phones, particularly in the Chinese market. In Q3 2024, Vivo retained its top spot with a 19% market share, driven by successful mid-range product launches that boosted both offline and online sales. The brand's shipments surged 25% year on year to 13.0 million units, highlighting its strong performance in the budget segment. Vivo's rich portfolio across all price bands has been a key factor in its success, making it a preferred choice for budget-conscious consumers. This growth is indicative of Vivo's effective strategy in capturing a significant portion of the smartphone market. For more detailed insights, you can read about the China smartphone market in Q3 2024.

Oppo

Oppo has established itself as a leading producer of budget-friendly smartphones, capturing a significant global market share. In the third quarter of 2024, Oppo held over 9% of the global smartphone market share, a substantial increase from its 2.2% share in the first quarter of 2015. The company's success is partly due to its competitive pricing strategy, with 97% of its phones priced under $400, making them highly popular in emerging markets. Oppo also dominates the Chinese smartphone market, holding an 18% market share in the first half of 2023. Additionally, Oppo's focus on innovative technologies, such as foldable smartphones, has further solidified its position. For more information about Oppo's growth and innovations, visit their official website.

OnePlus

OnePlus has established itself as a leading producer of budget phones, particularly with its Nord series, which has catalyzed significant sales growth globally. The Nord series, introduced in 2020, has been a game-changer, making up a majority of OnePlus's sales and helping the company grow strongly in markets like Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, where it achieved a 17% market share in Finland by Q3 2020. The phones offer impressive features such as 5G connectivity, high-quality cameras, and robust hardware at affordable prices, with models like the Nord CE starting at PS299 and the Nord 4 offering 100W charging and a 5500mAh battery. This strategy has enabled OnePlus to compete effectively against rivals like Samsung and Apple in the mid-range segment. The Nord series has received positive reviews for its design, display, and overall value.

Poco

Poco, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has established itself as a leading producer of budget phones, offering premium specs at affordable prices. Since its inception in August 2018, Poco has seen significant growth, with a 123% increase in sales in the first eight months of 2021 compared to the previous year. In the Indian smartphone market, Poco has maintained a strong presence, particularly in the mass budget segment (US$100-US$200), which saw a 22% year-over-year growth in Q1 2024. Poco's devices, such as the POCO F3, feature high-end components like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, making them attractive to tech enthusiasts on a budget. The brand's global expansion has also been successful, with notable market penetration in APAC, Europe, and MEA regions.

Infinix

Infinix has emerged as a leading producer of budget phones, boasting a significant year-on-year market share growth from 1.7% to 3.7% in Q1 2024, along with a 150.6% surge in global smartphone shipments. The brand has secured top 5 positions in over 20 countries and achieved impressive growth rates, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Infinix's innovative products, such as the NOTE 40 Series and the GT 20 Pro, have been instrumental in its success, featuring advanced technologies like the All-Round FastCharge 2.0 and dedicated gaming display chips. Recognized as the sixth most innovative brand in the Asia-Pacific region by Fast Company in 2024, Infinix continues to deliver cutting-edge technology at affordable prices. With a presence in over 70 countries, Infinix is committed to empowering young consumers globally. You can learn more about their offerings on the Infinix official website.