The $200 – $400 price tag can be loosely considered as the high-end entry-level to low-end mid-range segment, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the flagship. However, it will interest you to note that there are some mobile phones within this price tag that bring flagship performance. If you are searching for a cheap mobile phone that brings a near-flagship performance, then look no further.
We have prepared this list below to help you easily make a choice. These devices are all pretty new to the market and have received positive reviews since their launch. They do not just offer enough for regular mobile phone users; some of these devices have enough power for gaming.
Best Smartphones Under $400
1. Nothing Phone (3a)
Released in March 2025 for a mere $399, the Nothing Phone (3a) boasts a 6.77-inch AMOLED screen with support for HDR10+ and a maximum brightness of 3000 nits. With 8GB or 12GB of RAM available, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and offers sufficient performance for daily chores and light gaming.
The device has three cameras: an 8MP ultrawide camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilisation. Up to 4K video recording at 30 frames per second is supported. The 32MP front camera can record 1080p video. 50W fast charging can reach 50% of a 5000mAh battery in roughly 19 minutes. In addition, the phone has stereo speakers, IP64 dust and water resistance, and Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1. It comes in three colour options: blue, white, and black.
2. Motorola Moto G Power (2025)
The Motorola Moto G Power (2025), which was released in February 2025, has a sizable 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 1080×2388 pixels. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset powers the phone, which also has 128GB of internal storage that can be expanded using a dedicated microSDXC slot and 8GB of RAM. With two significant updates, it supports Android 15. The dual-camera setup consists of an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP wide sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS). Up to 1080p at 30 frames per second can be recorded. 1080p video is also captured by the 16MP front camera.
The device comes with a 5000mAh battery that supports 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. With an IP68/IP69 rating, it is dust and water-resistant. The phone also includes stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and NFC. Priced at $299.99, the Moto G Power (2025) offers strong performance with a focus on durability and battery life.
Best Smartphones Under $400
3. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G, launched in March 2024, features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. This device is powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, which includes an octa-core CPU with 4x 2.4GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A55 cores, along with the Mali-G68 MP5 GPU. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB.
In terms of photography, the A35 5G has a triple rear camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The 13MP front camera supports 4K UHD video recording at 30fps. The phone uses a 5000mAh battery, supporting 25W fast charging. Running Android 14 with One UI, it offers 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.3. The device is priced at $399.99.
4. Nuu B30 Pro 5G
The Nuu B30 Pro offers impressive performance for a budget device, especially in gaming, thanks to its MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset and 12GB of RAM. With a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, the phone delivers solid visuals, though its 550-nit peak brightness struggles in bright environments. The design is modern, with a curved screen and glossy glass back, resembling higher-end models. However, the phone’s cameras underperform—photos from the 108MP main camera lack vibrancy, and the ultra-wide and macro lenses are mediocre at best. Selfies from the 32MP front camera are decent, but portrait mode can be overzealous.
Battery life is reasonable, lasting around 10 hours of video playback, and the 30W charging is a welcome inclusion, although it’s slower than competitors. Despite the B30 Pro’s solid performance in benchmarks and gaming tests, its outdated Android 13 and lack of modern features like expandable storage and a headphone jack hold it back. The phone’s cameras, while serviceable, are inferior to those on rivals like the OnePlus Nord N30 and Samsung Galaxy A15, making them better choices for those seeking better all-around performance. At about $300, the Nuu B30 Pro offers great gaming power but falls short in other areas.
Best Smartphones Under $400
5. OnePlus Ace 5
The OnePlus Ace 5, launched on December 26, 2024, offers a premium experience with impressive specs. This model weighs between 206g and 223g, with a thickness of 8.1mm, making it solid yet manageable. It runs on Android 15 with ColorOS 15, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with up to 1TB of internal storage and up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance for multitasking and gaming.
The phone boasts a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, offering a high resolution of 1264×2780 pixels, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision support, delivering vibrant colors and sharp details. The display is protected by Crystal Shield Glass, ensuring durability. Its triple-camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS. It also includes an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro lens, capable of 4K video recording. The 16MP selfie camera supports 1080p video at 30fps. Powering the device is a 6415mAh battery, supporting 80W wired charging. This offers a 55% charge in 15 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. This device sells for about $369 and offers robust connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, 5G, and NFC.
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