Top Best Cheap Phones Australia

In a world where smartphones continue advancing at breakneck speed, finding the best value for your money can be daunting. But fear not, as we’ve compiled the top best cheap phones in Australia.

Here, we’ll explore a selection of affordable smartphones that deliver impressive features, performance, and value without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a student on a budget, a cost-conscious professional, or simply looking for a reliable backup phone, we’ve got you covered.

These affordable options prove you don’t have to compromise on quality to save a few dollars.

Join us on this journey as we unveil the top best cheap phones in Australia, offering you a glimpse into the world of affordable yet powerful smartphones.

Read Also: Android 12 Hidden Features You Probably Didn’t Know About

Top 14 Best Cheap Phones in Australia

To find the best option for you, look through the whole selection below of cheap phones to buy in Australia:

1. Samsung Galaxy A53 Smartphone

The Samsung Galaxy A53 is a top budget-friendly smartphone, offering more than its peers.

It boasts an impressive camera array, featuring a 64MP primary camera and 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth lenses, providing a versatile photography experience.

The A53’s display is remarkable, matching the resolution and refresh rate of premium models, thanks to Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology.

Its 5,000mAh battery outperforms many budget phones, although its features can drain it. Charging isn’t exceptionally fast but should suffice for most users.

While the A53 may encounter minor performance issues with demanding tasks like gaming, it handles everyday tasks and streaming effortlessly.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A53 offers excellent value for its price, making it one of the best cheap phones to buy in Australia, with minimal drawbacks.

Specifications

• Availability: March 2022
• Size: 189g
• Dimensions: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm.
• Android Version: Android 12 OS
• Resolution: 1080 by 2400Screen 
• Size: 6.5 inches
• Exynos 1280 processor 
• Storage: 128GB with support for microSD cards up to 1TB and RAM is 6GB.
• Battery Capacity: 5,000 mAh battery
• Camera: 64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP on the back camera, 32MP front camera

Reasons to Buy 

• Cheap in Price
• Effective cameras 
• Nice screen

Reasons to Avoid 

• Low charging speeds 
• Slow navigation

Price: AUS$339.99

2. Motorola Edge 30 5G Smartphone

The Motorola Edge 30 offers a 144Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ for superb picture quality, emphasizing speed.

Its camera array includes a 50MP primary, 50MP ultrawide, and 2MP depth camera, although it’s outshone by the Edge 30 Ultra’s 200MP main camera.

While not on par with pricier rivals, it delivers crisp and detailed images in good lighting but struggles in low light.

Overall, the Edge 30 offers impressive value, highlighting Motorola’s commitment to quality in this price range.

Specifications

• Size: 155g159.
• Dimensions: 4 x 74.2 x 6.8mm
• CPU: Snapdragon 
• QualcommRAM: 8GB and 6GBStorage: 256GB and 128GB
• Battery: 4,020 mAh battery
• Camera: 50 MP (wide) + 50 MP (ultrawide) + 2 MP on the back camera (depth)32MP front camera.

Reasons to Buy

• Excellent performance for the money 
• Nice display 
• Affordable pricing

Reasons to Avoid

• Bad pictures in dim lighting

Price: AUS$599.99

3. Oppo Reno8 5G Smartphone

Oppo is challenging the smartphone market with high-quality, budget-friendly alternatives like the Reno8.

Its impressive camera specs, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 CPU and Android 12 OS, make it stand out in its price range.

The design, especially in Shimmer Gold, is sleek, but some minor issues exist, like pre-installed adware and the absence of stereo speakers.

Nonetheless, the Reno8 shines as one of the best cheap phones available in Australia.

Specifications

• Size: 179g
• CPU: MediaTek Density 1300 
• Dimensions: 160.6 x 73.4 x 7.7 mm
• Storage/RAM: 8GB of RAM 256GB, and 128GB Storage.
• Battery Capacity: 4,500 mAh battery
• Camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP on the back camera 32MP front camera

Reasons to Buy

• Reliable performance
• High-quality camera, especially for “selfies”
• 5G compatibility

Reasons to Avoid

• Bloat ware upon activation
• No stereo speakers

4. Oppo Find X5 Lite Smartphone

The Oppo Find X5 Lite, despite its budget price, feels like a mid-range alternative with a vibrant 6.43-inch AMOLED screen, a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and decent 64MP cameras.

Its MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor offers adequate performance but average battery life.

While it doesn’t outshine competitors at the same price point, it’s a reasonable choice depending on your needs.

Specifications

• Availability: March 2022
• Weight: 173 grams.
• Dimensions: 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm 
• Operating System: Android 11
• Display size: 1080 by 2400
• CPU: 900 MediaTek
• Storage: 256GB, RAM: 8GB
• Battery: 4,500mAh
• Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP on the back camera 32MP front camera

Reasons to Buy

• Slim, appealing appearance
• Solid camera package
• Fast charging

Reasons to Avoid

• Still running Android 11
• Mono speaker might sound harsh at higher levels

5. Nokia XR20 Smartphone

The Nokia XR20, while not for everyone, is a solid budget smartphone, excelling in durability and ruggedness.

It’s an ideal choice for adventure enthusiasts, featuring 5G capability, shockproofing, water resistance, and tough build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and MIL-STD-810 certification. A generous three-year warranty adds peace of mind.

Despite its durability, the XR20 falls short in performance, struggling with demanding tasks like gaming. Its camera setup is modest compared to rivals like the Oppo Reno8 and Samsung Galaxy A53.

Nonetheless, if you prioritize durability and don’t require top-tier performance or camera capabilities, the Nokia XR20 offers good overall value at a reasonable price point.

Specifications

• Availability: August 2021
• Size: 248g
• Dimensions: 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6mm is the size.
• Operating System: Android 11, with the option to upgrade to Android 12.
• Screen Size: The 6.67-inch screen 
• Pixel size: is 1080 by 2400
• CPU: Snapdragon 480
• Qualcomm (SM4350).
• Storage: 64GB, 128GB, RAM: 4GB, 6GB4,
• Battery Capacity: 6300mAh battery 
• Camera: Front camera, 8MP Rear camera, 48MP + 13MP

Reasons to Buy

• Sturdiness and substantial 
• Warranty insurance 4-year
• Operating System: upgrades and 3-year security updates

Reasons to Avoid

• Weak cameras
• No charger
• Worse battery life than those seen in other tough alternatives

Price: AUS$549

6. Apple iPhone SE Smartphone

The iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is a budget-friendly alternative to high-end smartphones but feels like a step back compared to more recent models.

It falls short in camera capabilities and display quality, which seems outdated despite its affordability.

However, it excels in performance thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, enabling features like 4K video recording not commonly found in budget smartphones.

Despite its strengths, the iPhone SE faces stiff competition from the iPhone 13 Mini, which, while slightly more expensive, offers a more premium experience.

This makes recommending the iPhone SE challenging, given the small price difference between the two models. Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities and budget considerations.

Specifications

• availability: March 2022
• Size: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm, 144g
• iOS 15.4 (upgradeable to iOS 16.1)
• 4.7-inch screen (1080 x 2400 pixels)
• Intel Atom A15 Bionic, 4GB RAM
• Storage options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
• 2,018 mAh battery
• Front camera: 7MP
• Rear camera: 12MP

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable iPhone alternative
• Powerful for the price
• Lightweight and small

Reasons to Avoid

• Weak cameras
• Small battery
• Small memory
• Feels eminently like a cheap phone

Price: AUS$429

7. Google Pixel 6a Smartphone

It’s true that for $100, you get a far better phone than the Google Pixel 6a, but it’s still a great low-cost alternative for Android lovers.

However, it shares the same issues as the iPhone SE in that the experience may seem very different from the premium Pixel options while still being reasonably close to the cost of the most affordable of these premium alternatives.

Like those of previous Google Pixel models, the camera software and capabilities stand out and are sufficient to make what would otherwise be a tiny camera package adequate for most users.

In terms of overall performance, the Pixel 6a is not at all a subpar choice, but its battery life could be surprising.

It only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, compared to some competitors’ 90Hz or higher, but as long as you don’t play demanding mobile games, you should be OK.

Power users may have trouble multitasking on their phones, but for most people, the software and the 6a’s ability to handle it will be more than sufficient.

Specifications

• Released: on July 20, 2022
• Weight: 178g
• Dimensions: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm.
• Operating System: Android 12. It may be upgraded to Android 13.
• Screen Size: 6.1-inch screen size
• Pixels: 1080 by 2400 pixels
• Processor: RAM, 6GB and 128 GB of storage 
• Battery Capacity: 4,410 mAh
• Camera: 12.2 MP + 12 MP on the back, and 8 MP on the front

Reasons to Buy

• Price effective cameras
• Attractive screen

Reasons to Avoid

• Low charging speeds
• Slow navigation

Price: AUS$449

Read Also: 11 Things You Should Stop Doing On Your Android Phone

8. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G Smartphone

Samsung Galaxy A13 stands out as the finest cheap phones available in Australia for less than AU$400 since it achieves just enough as a low-cost smartphone.

The A13 feels substantially less like a luxury smartphone than any of the others above it on our list, with frequently slow performance and a screen resolution far lower than industry norms.

The A13’s battery life is also a welcome surprise, especially compared to other low-cost alternatives that will cost you a little more.

However, the build quality is good and consistent with Samsung Galaxy phones.

Specifications

• Availability: December 2021
• Size: 195g
• Dimensions: 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8mm
• Operating System: Android 11, with the option to upgrade to Android 12.
• Size of screen: 6.5 inches
• Processor: MediaTek MT6833  700 processor.
• Storage/RAM: RAM 6GB, 4GB and Storage, 128GB.
• Battery Capacity: 5000mAh 
• Camera: 14MP + 2 MP + 2 MP for the rear camera 5MP front camera

Reasons to Buy

• Long battery life
• High-end construction

Reasons to Avoid

• Resolution represents a definite decline 
• Can feel lethargic

9. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Smartphone.

Since the release of its replacement, the Galaxy S21 FE, it has become a bit more difficult to obtain Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE, or “Fan Edition,” but there are still many stores in Australia offering the still-great phone at a big discount.

The Galaxy S20 FE, one of the better-value Android phones, features a triple camera array with 30x Space Zoom, a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, and a 5G connection.

Not bad for a phone that is frequently found in the AU$600-$700 price bracket.

Even while the S20 FE makes some price-saving compromises in some areas—such as its plastic back, outdated Gorilla Glass 3 front, and lower-resolution primary camera—you’ll still get the performance you’d expect from a Samsung S-series phone.

Specifications

• (2400 x 1080) 6.5-inch AMOLED display,
• Snapdragon 865 processor, and
• 6GB RAM128 GB of storage
• Extendable12 MP primary (f/1.8), 12 MP wide-angle (f/2.2), and 8 MP telephoto (f/2.4) cameras on the back.32MP (f/2.2)

Reasons to Buy

• 120Hz refresh rate
• Strong triple camera system
• steady performance
• currently more affordable

Reasons to Avoid

• A finicky fingerprint sensor
• An OK battery life.

10. Vivo Y52 5G Smartphone

The Vivo Y52 5G was advertised by Vivo as one of the cheap 5G phones in Australia when it first came out.

Overall, there aren’t enough reasons to justify purchasing a smartphone, but the fact that the Y52 5G is an older model means significant reductions are available from its already competitive launch price.

Aside from 5G, the Vivo Y52’s camera quality surprised us, considering it is a low-cost phone. It has a respectable processing power as well.

Even with 4G, the battery life was, at best, mediocre. It would be worse if you spent the entire day using the Y52 on 5G networks.

Reasons to Buy

• A good app experience
• Capable of 5G
• Cameras that are reasonable in price

Reasons to Avoid

• Very basic plastic construction
• Battery life falls short of expectations
• Average 5G speeds

11. Nokia 5.4 Smartphone

Numerous low-cost versions with essentially the same selling point have been introduced by HMD Global, which manufactures phones under the Nokia name.

They are generally all “Android One” phones in the low-cost segment, guaranteeing two years of Android updates and making them quite appealing and reasonable.

Since the Nokia 5.4 is an older model, locating one at a significant discount is not too difficult.

Although it employs older hardware, unlike many competing low-cost phones, it should operate with Android 12 and beyond because Android One was included, making it an up-to-date model in terms of software.

The drawbacks include the subpar cameras and the 720p display, which are less appealing.

Even though it’s an older phone, it kept the same chipset as the one that debuted the year before, making it an even slower, older model. However, given how inexpensive it is now, it is still something to consider.

Specifications

• Operating System: Android One (upgradable to Android 12 and beyond)
• Display: 6.39-inch HD+ (720 x 1560 pixels)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB (expandable up to 512GB with microSD card)
• Cameras:
  • Rear:
    • 48MP primary camera
    • 5MP ultrawide camera
    • 2MP macro camera
    • 2MP depth sensor
  • Front:
    • 16MP selfie camera
• Battery: 4,000mAh
• Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2
• Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Dimensions: 160.97 x 75.99 x 8.7 mm
• Weight: 180 grams

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable price
• Android One for up-to-date software
• Expandable storage option
• Versatile camera setup
• Fingerprint sensor for security

Reasons to Avoid

• Lower resolution 720p display
• Aging hardware for slower performance
• Average camera quality
• Limited to 4G connectivity

12. TCL 20 SE Smartphone

TCL used only to offer its low-cost models under the Alcatel sub-brand, but nowadays, it’s focused entirely on affordability under its brand, which is perhaps more recognized locally for low-cost TVs.

Therefore, It is no surprise that the TCL 20 SE’s display is its finest feature outside of its asking price.

It has a 6.82-inch 720p display with TCL’s proprietary NXTVision technology, which boosts the brilliance of the pictures and videos you see on it.

The TCL 20 SE may be a fantastic choice if you want a phone for continually binge-watching low-quality YouTube videos.

But outside of the screen, you’ll have to make concessions. The main CPU is slow, and it only runs Android 11.

Although the 5,000mAh battery supports reverse charging, you wouldn’t want to utilize that feature frequently because the rear cameras produce average results. Additionally, the battery life isn’t great overall.

Specifications

• Operating System: Android 11
• Display: 6.82-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (720 x 1640 pixels), NXTVision technology
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 460
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB (Expandable up to 256GB with microSD card)
• Rear Cameras:
  • 48MP primary camera
  • 5MP ultrawide camera
  • 2MP macro camera
  • 2MP depth sensor
• Front Camera: 13MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Reverse Charging: Supported
• Weight: 206g

Reasons to Buy

• Enormous exhibition
• Android 11
• 18W Charging

Reasons to Avoid

• 5,000mAh battery, yet it has poor battery life.
• Average performance
• The camera quality is poor.

13. Oppo A54 5G Smartphone

Oppo has always promoted itself as an affordable brand and focused on cameras. The Oppo A54’s selling point relies more on the presence of 5G for quicker network access and NFC for contactless payments than its photography skills, which are adequate but not extraordinary in this price range.

The remainder of the bundle, however, is on the mediocre side, and we would only suggest it in comparison to the somewhat nicer Oppo A74 5G, which is also available right now for a large discount.

Specifications

• Operating System: Android 11 with ColorOS 11.1
• Display: 6.49-inch IPS LCD, Full HD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB (Expandable up to 256GB with microSD card)
• Rear Cameras:
  • 48MP primary camera
  • 8MP ultrawide camera
  • 2MP macro camera
  • 2MP depth sensor
• Front Camera: 16MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Network: 5G
• NFC: Yes
• Fingerprint Sensor: Yes (Side-mounted)
• Weight: 190g

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable 5G Network is included.
• Case and screen protector are included.

Reasons to Avoid

• Low battery life
• Slow performance
• The use of fingerprint sensors is challenging.

14. Oppo A74 5G Smartphone

One of the realities of the Android phone market is that new models’ prices quickly decrease over time due to the intense competition.

The Oppo A74 5G is a fantastic example since, although it would have fallen outside the purview of this guide at its $449 launch price, it is now easily accessible in the budget pricing range if you look around.

Yes, you’re getting an older phone, but you’re also getting one that is significantly better equipped than is typical for the budget market.

You also get a Snapdragon 480 CPU with 6GB of RAM, more than the typical 4GB (or less) you see in many cheap phones. 5G, which is not currently prevalent in budget phones.

If you use a lot of Android apps, this makes the Oppo A74 5G a more enticing option. It can also be used for basic mobile gaming.

Comparative battery performance, where 5G doesn’t assist much either, and camera quality, which is relatively ordinary for an Oppo phone, are where it falters a touch.

Specifications

• Operating System: Android 11 with ColorOS 11.1
• Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD, Full HD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels), 90Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB (Expandable up to 256GB with microSD card)
• Rear Cameras:
  • 48MP primary camera
  • 8MP ultrawide camera
  • 2MP macro camera
  • 2MP depth sensor
• Front Camera: 16MP
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Network: 5G
• NFC: Yes
• Fingerprint Sensor: No
• Weight: 188g

Reasons to Buy

• 90Hz display that is Google Pay-ready
• More RAM than you often get on a cheap phone—6GB of RAM

Reasons to Avoid

• Not very good battery life
• Only mediocre quad cameras are used.
• The body is made of plastic

Read Also: Best Camera Phone Under 15000 in 2023

To Sum Up

Finding a budget-friendly yet high-quality phone can be a true gem. Our guide to the top best cheap phones in Australia has unveiled a range of options that cater to different preferences and requirements.

From impressive camera capabilities to powerful performance and sleek designs, these affordable smartphones prove you can have it all without emptying your wallet.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or looking for a reliable and cost-effective device, these phones offer a fantastic balance between affordability and functionality.

RELATED POST

Redmi Note 12 Series Launched in Kenya: Specs, Reviews and Price
Top 5 Best Smartwatches with Onboard Music Storage Under $100
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Specs, Review and Price
19 Best Smartwatches for Scuba Diving and it’s Features
How to Update The Firmware Of Your AirPods or AirPods Pro