Best Cheap Android Phone 2026: Top Picks Under $600
The sub-$600 Android tier is more competitive than ever in 2026. Discounted last-gen flagships now compete directly with mid-range phones — and MKBHD's Best Value award winners deliver real flagship features at half flagship pricing.
Updated · 4 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Android phones currently selling under $600 that won or placed at MKBHD's Best Value awards or are heavily-discounted last-gen flagships from companies with 5+ year update commitments.
- #1
Best discounted flagship — runner-up Best Small Phone 2024
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung · 2024 · From $799
Runner-up Best Small Phone at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Now $599–$699 — flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Galaxy AI, and 5+ years of updates remaining at sub-$600.
Pros
- Runner-up Best Small Phone 2024
- Galaxy AI fully supported
- Five+ years of updates remaining
Cons
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 trails 8 Elite
- Average battery for size
- #2
Runner-up Best Value at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Tensor G3, Google's full computational photography pipeline, and seven years of updates at $499.
Pros
- Runner-up Best Value 2024
- Seven years of OS updates
- Best photography under $500
Cons
- Plastic frame
- Tensor G3 isn't fast
- #3
Won Best Value at MKBHD's 2024 awards. Around $349 in 2026. Most distinctive-looking phone under $500 (Glyph interface), clean Nothing OS, and competitive cameras.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Best Value winner
- Most distinctive design under $500
- Roughly $349 in 2026
Cons
- US availability beta-only
- Camera trails Pixel 8a
- #4
MKBHD's 2023 Best Value winner. Now $249–$349. IP67 water resistance, bright AMOLED display, and 4 years of remaining update support — through 2027.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2023 Best Value winner
- IP67 water resistance
- $249–$349
Cons
- Slow Exynos chipset
- Updates roll out slowly
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best cheap Android phone in 2026?
Samsung Galaxy S24 at $599–$699 if you want a discounted flagship; Pixel 8a at $499 (runner-up MKBHD's 2024 Best Value) if you want the cleanest Android with the longest update runway.
Pixel 8a or Samsung Galaxy S24 — which to buy?
Pixel 8a for camera and longest update support (7 years). Galaxy S24 for flagship Snapdragon chip and Galaxy AI feature set. Both are excellent.
Is a $400 Android phone worth it in 2026?
Yes — the Pixel 8a at $499 and Nothing Phone 2a at $349 both placed at MKBHD's 2024 Best Value awards and offer multi-year update support.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.