You can still get a good phone for under $200 in 2026. The catch is that many of the cheapest listings are phones that no longer get security updates, and a bargain that stops getting patches is not much of a bargain. This guide ranks the best used iPhones and Android phones under $200 using current Swappa sale prices and flags the cheap phones to skip.
Quick Answer
The iPhone 12 is the best phone under $200 for most people. 128GB models have recently sold for about $177 on Swappa, and it runs iOS 27. On Android, the Google Pixel 7a sells for about $191 and gets updates through May 2028. For the lowest price on a phone that still gets updates, the iPhone SE (3rd generation) starts around $88. Skip the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6a: both are close to the end of their support.
The Best Phones Under $200 at a Glance
Every phone below still gets software updates. “Starts at” is the lowest current listing. “Avg. sale” is what that storage size has recently sold for on Swappa.
| Pick | Phone | Starts At | Avg. Sale | Software Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | iPhone 12 | $125 | $177 (128GB) | iOS 27 (current) |
| Best Android | Google Pixel 7a | $142 | $191 (128GB) | Through May 2028 |
| Best value | iPhone SE (3rd gen) | $88 | $120 (64GB), $172 (128GB) | iOS 27 (current) |
| Best small phone | iPhone 12 mini | $133 | $141 (64GB), $176 (128GB) | iOS 27 (current) |
| Best under $150 | iPhone 11 | $114 | $147 (128GB) | iOS 27 (oldest supported) |
| Cheapest supported | iPhone SE (2nd gen) | $76 | $84 | iOS 27 (oldest supported) |
Swappa price data as of September 23, 2026. Prices move with condition, storage, carrier, and demand, so check current Swappa prices before you buy.
Why Software Support Matters More Than Price Under $200
At this price, the phone’s age decides almost everything. A phone that no longer gets updates keeps working, but it stops getting security patches, and banking and streaming apps drop it within a year or two.
The cutoffs in September 2026:
- iPhone: iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11, the iPhone SE (2nd generation), and everything newer. Apple does not announce end dates, so the oldest supported models are the ones to treat as two-year phones.
- Google Pixel: the Pixel 6 and 7 families get 5 years of updates. The Pixel 8 and newer get 7.
- Samsung Galaxy S: the S21, S22, and S23 get 4 Android upgrades and 5 years of security patches. The S24 and newer get 7 years.
How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates? has the full breakdown by brand.
Best Phone Under $200 Overall: iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 is the cheapest phone you can buy with an OLED screen, 5G, and MagSafe that still runs the current iOS. It has the flat-edge design Apple still uses, Ceramic Shield front glass, and IP68 water resistance when new. It also keeps a physical SIM tray, which makes prepaid plans and carrier switches easy.
A 64GB iPhone 12 has averaged about $166 in recent Swappa sales and a 128GB model about $177, so the storage upgrade costs roughly $11. Take the 128GB. What you give up is support runway: the iPhone 12 is one of the older phones on Apple’s list, so plan on about two more years of full updates. Is the iPhone 12 Still Worth It in 2026? covers the model in depth, including the 12 Pro and Pro Max.
Shop used iPhone 12 listings on Swappa
Best Android Phone Under $200: Google Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a is the Android pick because it pairs a strong camera with the longest update window at this price. It runs Google’s Tensor G2 chip, has a 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED screen, a 64MP main camera with a 13MP ultra wide, wireless charging, and IP67 water resistance. Google supports it through May 2028.
It comes in one size, 128GB, and has averaged about $191 in recent Swappa sales, with listings starting around $142. The Pixel 7 is a little cheaper at about $174 and has a bigger 6.3-inch screen, but its updates end in October 2027, seven months sooner. For the full Pixel lineup, see Used Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide: Which Pixel Is Worth It.
Shop used Pixel 7a listings on Swappa
Best Value: iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is the cheapest way to get a current Apple chip. It has the same A15 Bionic as the iPhone 13, plus 5G and Touch ID, in a 4.7-inch body with a home button. Because the A15 is newer than the iPhone 12’s A14, it should stay on Apple’s update list longer.
The trade-offs are real: a small LCD screen with thick bezels, one rear camera, no Face ID, and the weakest battery life of any phone here. A 64GB model has averaged about $120 and a 128GB model about $172. It is a good first phone, work phone, or pick for anyone who prefers a small phone with a button. Is the iPhone SE 2022 Still Worth It in 2026? goes deeper.
Best Small Phone Under $200: iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 12 mini is the same phone as the iPhone 12 in a 5.4-inch body: OLED, 5G, MagSafe, and Face ID in a phone you can use one-handed. It has averaged about $141 at 64GB and $176 at 128GB.
Battery life is its weak spot. It was rated for up to 15 hours of video when new, and most units are now five to six years old, so check the listed battery health before you buy and budget for a battery replacement if it is low.
Best Phones Under $150: iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd Generation)
If $150 is the ceiling, the iPhone 11 is the phone to buy. It has Face ID, a 6.1-inch screen, a dual camera with Night mode, and good battery life. A 128GB model has averaged about $147, and 64GB about $137. It has an LCD instead of OLED and no 5G, and it is one of the two oldest phones on Apple’s update list. Is the iPhone 11 Still Worth Buying in 2026? explains how much support it likely has left.
The iPhone SE (2nd generation) is the cheapest phone that still gets updates, at about $84 in recent sales. It is fine as a backup phone or a first phone for a kid, but it shares the iPhone 11’s short runway with a smaller screen and weaker camera. See Is the iPhone SE 2020 Still Worth It in 2026? before you buy one.
What About a Samsung Galaxy Under $200?
Right now there is no Galaxy S phone we would recommend under $200. The Galaxy S22 fits the budget at about $177 for 128GB, but it has had its last Android upgrade and its security patches are expected to end around February 2027. That is too little runway for the money.
The closest good option is the Galaxy S23 FE, which has averaged about $204 at 128GB. It has a 120Hz screen, a 3x telephoto camera, and security updates to about 2028. If you want a Samsung, stretch a little and see the $200 to $300 picks in Best Cheap Phones Under $300 in 2026: iPhone and Android, or compare generations in the Used Samsung Galaxy S Buyer’s Guide: Which Generation to Get.
Cheap Phones to Skip in 2026
These phones cost about the same as the picks above, and some cost more, but their updates have ended or are about to.
| Phone | Recent Avg. Sale | Why to Skip It |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS | $139 (64GB) | Off the iOS 27 list. An iPhone 11 costs about the same. |
| iPhone XR | $110 (64GB) | Off the iOS 27 list. A supported iPhone SE (2nd gen) costs less. |
| iPhone X | $112 (64GB) | Off the iOS 27 list since iOS 17 |
| iPhone 8 | $69 (64GB) | Off the iOS 27 list since iOS 17 |
| Google Pixel 6 | $135 | Updates end in October 2026 |
| Google Pixel 6a | $126 | Updates end in July 2027 |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 | $177 (128GB) | Security patches end around February 2027 |
As a spare or a phone that never touches a banking app, these still work. As your main phone, they do not make sense when a supported phone costs the same. Older phones from the original version of this list, such as the iPhone 6S and 7, the Galaxy S8 and S9, and the Pixel 3, stopped getting updates years ago.
What to Check Before You Buy a Cheap Phone
Cheap phones are older phones, so a few checks matter more than usual. Each has its own guide.
- Battery health. Most phones in this price range are four to six years old. Swappa has no minimum battery-health percentage to list, but iPhone sellers must disclose when health is below 80% and Apple’s battery message is showing. Budget for a replacement if you buy at the bottom of the range. See iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone.
- Activation Lock and FRP. A phone still tied to someone else’s Apple Account or Google account cannot be set up. See iCloud Activation Lock: How to Avoid It on a Used iPhone and Android FRP: How to Avoid a Locked Used Phone.
- IMEI status. A blacklisted or finance-locked phone will not activate. IMEI Check: What It Reveals About a Used Phone covers the check.
- Carrier lock. An unlocked phone lets you use a cheap prepaid plan, which is where most of the savings on a budget phone come from. See Using a Used Phone on an MVNO: Mint, Visible & More, or browse unlocked phones on Swappa.
- Storage. 64GB fills up quickly. On most of these phones, 128GB costs only $10 to $50 more. How Much Storage Do You Need on a Used Phone? explains why.
Buying a Cheap Phone Safely on Swappa
The less you spend, the more a bad purchase hurts. Every Swappa listing is reviewed by staff before it goes live, and the phone must have a clean IMEI or ESN, be paid off and ready to activate, have no Activation Lock or FRP lock, have no cracked glass or water damage, and have a fully functional battery that charges and discharges properly.
Payments run through PayPal with buyer protection, and if a phone arrives not as described, you are entitled to a refund. Swappa’s 3% buyer fee is already included in the listing price, and human support is available 24/7/365.
Replacing a phone that still works? It has resale value even at this age. How to Sell Your Used Phone for the Most Money walks through it, or you can sell your phone on Swappa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best phone under $200 in 2026?
The iPhone 12 is the best phone under $200 for most people. 128GB models have recently sold for about $177 on Swappa, and it runs iOS 27 with an OLED screen, 5G, and MagSafe. The best Android phone under $200 is the Google Pixel 7a, at about $191 with updates through May 2028.
What is the best Android phone under $200?
The Google Pixel 7a. It has averaged about $191 in recent Swappa sales, has a strong camera and a 90Hz OLED screen, and gets updates through May 2028. The Pixel 7 is a little cheaper at about $174, but its updates end in October 2027.
Can you get a good Samsung phone for under $200?
Not a Galaxy S model we would recommend right now. The Galaxy S22 fits the budget at about $177, but its security patches are expected to end around February 2027. The Galaxy S23 FE is the closest good option at about $204, with security updates to about 2028.
Do phones under $200 still get software updates?
Some do and some do not, which is why the model matters more than the price. iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11, the iPhone SE (2nd generation), and newer. The Pixel 7a gets updates through May 2028. The iPhone XR, XS, X, and 8, the Pixel 6, and the Galaxy S22 are at or near the end of their support.
Is a used phone under $200 better than a new budget phone?
Usually, yes. A used former flagship like the iPhone 12 or Pixel 7a has a better screen, camera, and chip than most new phones at the same price. Check the remaining update window first, and buy from a marketplace that verifies IMEI status and account locks.
Is 64GB enough on a cheap phone?
For most people, no. Photos, apps, and system updates fill 64GB quickly. On the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11, the 128GB model has recently sold for only about $10 more than the 64GB model on Swappa, so the upgrade is worth it.
The Bottom Line
Under $200, buy the newest phone that still gets updates, not the fanciest one that does not. For most people that is the iPhone 12, or the Pixel 7a on Android. If money is tight, the iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone 11 are the floor. If you can spend a little more, the $200 to $300 range adds the iPhone 13, Pixel 8a, and Galaxy S24 FE, all with years more support.
