Swappa is all about saving you money. We do this in many ways, such as showcasing the best cheap phone plans with our phone plan comparison tool and finding you the lowest prices on cell phone repair. But don’t worry; we haven’t forgotten our core mission, which is to get you the best deals on used tech.
Today, we’re taking a look at the 12 best cheap phones for under $200 on the Swappa Marketplace. Since some people prefer iPhones and others prefer Androids, we divided the list into the best cheap iPhones and the best cheap Androids. So grab a cup of coffee and select your mobile OS of choice to find the best phone that won’t break the bank!
Table of Contents:
Best cheap iPhones under $200
Since Apple devices usually end up topping our sales charts, let’s kick things off with the best cheap iPhones under $200 on Swappa. What we’re looking for here are relatively modern phones that still have fast processors, good cameras, enough ram for multitasking, and support for iOS 14 — in other words, iPhone 6S or newer. Luckily, there are quite a few options that come in under $200.
Apple iPhone 8
We’re starting this list off with a bang by showcasing the iPhone 8. Released alongside the iPhone X in September 2017, the iPhone 8 is Apple’s 11th generation mainstream iPhone. Now you may be wondering why we’re including a phone that goes for a hair over $200. Although current pricing starts at $219, we felt like we would be doing you a disservice by not showcasing what you can get if you spent just a tiny bit more. And since prices on all used electronics fall over time, so it’s in your best interest to keep checking back for the latest iPhone 8 pricing.
The iPhone 8 features the same external design as the previous generation iPhone 7 (as well as the newer and more expensive iPhone SE 2). But even though the outside looks the same, the internals were given a healthy boost thanks to the speedy 6-core A11 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine. The fast A11 processor is paired with 2GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. In addition to offering higher performance, the iPhone 8 also improves on its predecessor by offering 4k 60fps video recording, a TrueTone Retina HD display, and improved build quality with an all-glass rear panel. Learn more on our iPhone 8 Comparison page.
Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus launched back in September 2016, but you’d never know it when using these former flagships. These high-end smartphones feature aluminum bodies and are available in your choice of Black, Jet Black, Gold, Rose Gold, or Silver.
Packing the quad-core A10 fusion chip and either 2GB or 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have more than enough grunt for whatever you want to throw at them. These phones are available in your choice of 32, 128, or 256GB of storage, so you’ll have enough space for all your games and media. And since they support iOS 14, you can expect several more years of software updates.
Apple iPhones feature some of the best screens and cameras available, and the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus are no exception. Shutterbugs looking to show off their mobile photography to friends and family will certainly be pleased.
Apple iPhone 7
The Apple iPhone 7 is the smaller of the two stablemates. It features a 4.7-inch display with a 1334×750 resolution, equating to a Retina HD pixel density of 326ppi. It also supports a wide color gamut and is compatible with 3D Touch technology. And with 1960 mAh of battery power, it should have enough juice to make it an entire day for most users.
Above the display, you’ll find a 7-megapixel selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture. On the rear, the iPhone 7 has a single 12-megapixel camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization.
The iPhone 7 is a high-end device that’s great for power users looking for a budget-friendly option. It is currently available for as low as $120 on Swappa. Learn more on our iPhone 7 Comparison page.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus is the iPhone 7’s larger sibling. It rocks a 5.5-inch display with a 1920×1080 (Full HD) resolution, equating to a Retina HD pixel density of 401ppi. Like the iPhone 7, the 7 Plus also offers a wide color gamut and supports 3D Touch. In addition, it boasts a massive 2900 mAh battery to ensure that you have a full day (or two) of battery life at your disposal.
The iPhone 7 Plus offers the same 7-megapixel front-facing camera as its little brother. It also features the same 12-megapixel f/1.8 rear wide-angle camera as its little brother, augmenting it with an additional 12-megapixel f/2.8 telephoto module.
Like its little brother, the iPhone 7 Plus offers one of the best combinations of value and performance on the used market today. It is currently available for as low as $160 on Swappa. Learn more on our iPhone 7 Plus Comparison page.
Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus
If you’re a fan of the overall look and feel of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus but don’t need all the speed, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are fantastic alternatives. These two phones launched in September 2015 are great for those who want something a bit more affordable that still looks and feels like a modern-day iPhone. Both phones feature full aluminum bodies in your choice of Space Grey, Silver, Gold, or Rose Gold.
Thanks to a dual-core A9 chip and 2GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus still perform well to this day — nearly 5 years after release. And since these phones are still compatible with the very latest software updates including iOS 14, all the newest apps will work.
Apple iPhone 6S
The Apple iPhone 6S is the iPhone 6S Plus’s little brother. It features a 4.7-inch 3D Touch display with a 1334×750 resolution, equating to 326ppi. It rocks a 5MP f/2.2 front camera and a 12MP f/2.2 rear camera with digital image stabilization.
The iPhone 6S is a fantastic device for those looking for a modern iPhone on a budget. It is currently available for as low as $85 on the Swappa Marketplace. Learn more on our iPhone 6S Comparison page.
Apple iPhone 6S Plus
The Apple iPhone 6S Plus is the larger of the two smartphones. It features a 5.5-inch 3D Touch display with a 1920×1080 (Full HD) resolution and 401ppi. It shares the same 5MP f/2.2 front camera and 12MP f/2.2 rear camera as the iPhone 6S, but adds optical image stabilization for cleaner low-light photography.
Like its little brother, the iPhone 6S Plus is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and modern large iPhone. It is currently available for as low as $115 on the Swappa Marketplace. Learn more on our iPhone 6S Plus Comparison page.
Apple iPhone SE
What if you need a cheap iPhone that just works and still has access to all the latest software updates? Or what if you simply want one of the best small phones out there? After all, not everyone wants a huge smartphone. This is where the Apple iPhone SE comes in.
Released in early 2016, the Apple iPhone SE takes the same sort of internals as the iPhone 6S and stuffs them into a case the size of the iPhone 45S. Packing a dual-core A9 chip and 2GB of LPDDR4, it basically shoves the power of a larger device into one with a 4-inch display. The all-aluminum phone is available in your choice of Space Grey, Silver, Gold, or Rose Gold.
Given that it’s the last truly small iPhone and that it starts at just $79, it’s no wonder that the iPhone SE is a fan favorite. Learn more on our iPhone SE Comparison page.
Top 5 cheap Android phones under $200
All the cheap iPhones featured above are great and all, but what if you prefer the freedom and customization of Android? Android’s all about choice. And here at Swappa, you’re able to choose from plenty of cheap Android phones for under $200. So if you’re looking to get your hands on a gently used Android phone on the cheap, these 6 smartphones are certainly worth a look.
Samsung Galaxy S9
The Galaxy S9 was Samsung’s flagship phone for 2018, and is one of the most powerful Android phones you can get for under $200. And with a starting price of just $178, it’s also likely the sleekest phone you can get for the price.
The Galaxy S9’s front face is dominated by a vibrant 5.8-inch Super AMOLED screen with an impressive 84% screen-to-body ratio. Under the hood, you have the speedy Snapdragon 845 processor, backed by 4GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. And thanks to a 12MP f/1.5 camera with OIS and super slow-motion video recording, the S9 is great for shutterbugs looking for high-quality photos and videos.
The S9 isn’t just fast and pretty. Despite its slim proportions, the S9 packs a large 3000mAh battery to make sure that you can get through an entire day of heavy use. And to top things off, the S9 features Intelligent Scan facial recognition and Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound. And if you want a bigger screen, also consider the Galaxy S9 Plus, which starts at just $205. Learn more on our Galaxy S9 Comparison page.
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus are nothing short of technological powerhouses. Released in early 2017, these former flagship phones are spec sheet monsters that pack so many cutting edge features that they even manage to outshine many current generation flagships from other manufacturers.
The two phones feature the 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor backed by either 4 or 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, so you’ll have enough grunt to power through all the latest apps and games. And since they come with either 64 or 128GB of internal storage, with support for up to 512GB of microSD expansion, you’ll never run out of space for all your apps, games, movies, and music.
In addition to excellent performance and expansion, the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus feature fantastic front and rear cameras. The two phones pack an 8MP front-facing camera and a 12MP f/1.7 rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization.
Samsung Galaxy S8
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the smaller of the two devices. It features a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED at 2960×1440 resolution, which equates to an incredibly sharp 572 ppi. Despite the relatively large screen, the Galaxy S8 remains quite pocketable, thanks to being just 8.0mm thin and weighing only 155g. The S8 manages to pull off all-day battery life thanks to a large 3000 mAh battery.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the ideal device for those looking for a gently used former flagship that is still able to keep up with most of the current crop of smartphones. It is currently available for as low as $148 on the Swappa Marketplace. Learn more on our Galaxy S8 Comparison page.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is the big brother to the excellent Galaxy S8. It offers all the same features as its little brother, but with a larger screen and battery. Featuring a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED at 2960×1440 resolution, the S8 Plus delivers a ridiculously sharp 529 ppi. With a thickness of 8.1mm and a weight of just 173g, the S8 Plus feels a lot smaller than it actually is. And with a 3500 mAh battery, the S8 plus makes sure you have enough juice to last the entire day — and then some.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is a fantastic smartphone for those who like large phones. The Galaxy S8 is currently available for as low as $163 on the Swappa Marketplace. Learn more on our Galaxy S8 Plus Comparison page.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 shares much of its DNA with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus above. Released in mid-2017, the Note 8 is every bit the technological powerhouse as its stablemates, but with the added versatility of its signature stylus.
Featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core chip and 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the Note 8 is quite a powerful phone even by today’s standards. And with 64GB of internal storage in the North American model and microSD expansion, you’re sure to have enough space for whatever you may need to store locally.
The Galaxy Note 8 rocks a mammoth 6.3-inch display with S-Pen stylus support. The Super AMOLED panel features a stunning 2960×1440 resolution with a pixel density of 521ppi. In addition to a great screen, the Note 8 also features a set of great cameras. For selfies, we have an 8MP f/1.7 front-facing camera. And on the rear, we find a pair of 12MP shooters — a wide-angle f/1.7 lens and a telephoto f/2.4 lens. Both rear camera modules feature optical image stabilization.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is an incredibly versatile phablet that can do it all. This large phone is available for as low as $194 on the Swappa Marketplace. Learn more on our Galaxy Note 8 Comparison page.
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
Finally, we get to the Pure Google Experience. For many shopping for an Android phone, there’s no alternative to a Google Pixel. Released in October 2018, the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL are high-end former flagships that offer the Pure Google Experience, and continue to deliver timely updates to all the latest Android versions. In fact, these phones are faster and more capable than the newer Pixel 4a.
The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL feature the speedy 8-core Snapdragon 845 processor backed by 4GB of RAM. Like all Pixel phones, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are free from software bloat, leading to a very snappy user experience. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL come in your choice of 64GB or 128GB of fast UFS 2.1 storage — but make sure to select the right capacity at the start since there’s no microSD expansion slot. These phones are also visually striking thanks to their aluminum and glass construction, and they are available in your choice of Just Black, Clearly White, and Not Pink.
In addition to offering a stellar hardware and software experience, the entire Pixel lineup has become known for its superlative camera performance. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL pack an 8MP front-facing camera and a 12MP f/1.8 rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization, dual pixel PDAF, and loads of computational photography features.
Google Pixel 3
The Google Pixel 3 is the smaller of the two phones. It features a 5.5-inch AMOLED at 1080×2160 (Full HD+), which equates to 443 ppi. The Pixel 3 comes in at just 7.9mm thin and weights only 148g. It also features a 2915 mAh battery, which should be able to give most users a full day of normal usage.
The Google Pixel 3 is one of the best devices for those looking for the Pure Google Experience on a budget, and it’s currently available for just $135 on Swappa. Learn more on our Google Pixel 3 Comparison page.
Google Pixel 3 XL
The Google Pixel 3 XL is the bigger of the two siblings. It features a 6-inch AMOLED display with a 2880×1440 (QHD+) resolution, which equates to a staggeringly high 523ppi. Despite the large size, it’s quite thin at just 7.9mm and weighs only 184g. And with a 3430 mAh battery, you have more than enough juice for a full day of heavy use.
Just like its little brother, the Google Pixel 3 XL is one of the best phones for those looking for Google’s vision of what Android should be. It is currently available for as low as $179 on Swappa. Learn more on our Google Pixel 3 XL Comparison page.
What’s the best cheap phone under $200?
Ultimately, there isn’t a single “best phone under $200” for everyone. Rather, there are plenty of great used iPhones and Android phones for under $200 on the Swappa Marketplace. And remember: Saving money doesn’t mean you have to settle for an inferior phone.
Whichever phone you choose, you can rest assured that Swappa has your back. Not only will you find some of the best prices around on gently used mobile tech, but we’ll keep you safe while doing so. Each listing is screened by our expert moderation team before it goes live in order to make sure you’re getting a fully functional, gently used phone that’s ready for activation on the network of your choosing.
So what are you waiting for? Click on the button below to snag a great deal on a newish iPhone or Android phone.
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