Moving from $200 to $300 buys you something more valuable than a nicer screen: years of extra software support. At this price you can get phones that will still be updated in 2030 and beyond. This guide ranks the best used iPhones and Android phones in the $200 to $300 range using current Swappa sale prices, and tells you which ones to skip.
Quick Answer
The iPhone 13 is the best phone under $300 for most people. 128GB models have recently sold for about $242 on Swappa, and it runs iOS 27 with more support runway than the iPhone 12. On Android, the Google Pixel 8a sells for about $249 and gets updates through May 2031, the longest window of any phone here. For Samsung, the Galaxy S24 FE has averaged about $282 and is covered to about 2031. Browse used phones on Swappa.
The Best Phones Under $300 at a Glance
“Starts at” is the lowest current listing. “Avg. sale” is what the 128GB model has recently sold for on Swappa.
| Pick | Phone | Starts At | Avg. Sale (128GB) | Software Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | iPhone 13 | $134 | $242 | iOS 27 (current) |
| Best Android | Google Pixel 8a | $175 | $249 | Through May 2031 |
| Best Samsung | Galaxy S24 FE | $249 | $282 | To about 2031 |
| Newest iPhone | iPhone 14 | $273 | $283 | iOS 27 (current) |
| Best Pixel camera | Google Pixel 8 | $239 | $256 | Through October 2030 |
| Best small phone | iPhone 13 mini | $165 | $252 | iOS 27 (current) |
| Cheapest Galaxy S | Galaxy S23 | $201 | $239 | Security to about early 2028 |
Swappa price data as of September 23, 2026. Prices move with condition, storage, carrier, and demand, so check current Swappa prices before you buy. If your budget stops at $200, see Best Cheap Phones Under $200 in 2026: iPhone and Android.
Best Phone Under $300 Overall: iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 is the phone to buy if you want to stop thinking about your phone for three years. It runs the A15 Bionic, which Apple reused in the iPhone 14, and has a 6.1-inch OLED screen, a dual camera with sensor-shift stabilization and Cinematic mode, and 128GB of base storage. Apple rated it for up to 19 hours of video playback when new, two more than the iPhone 12.
It has averaged about $242 at 128GB in recent Swappa sales, about $65 more than an iPhone 12. That extra money buys a year of release-date runway on Apple’s update list and noticeably better battery life. iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13: Which Should You Buy Used in 2026? breaks down the gap, and iPhone 13 vs 13 Pro: Which iPhone 13 Should You Buy in 2026? covers the rest of the family.
Shop used iPhone 13 listings on Swappa
Best Android Phone Under $300: Google Pixel 8a
The Pixel 8a is the best long-term value in this guide. It was one of the first Pixels with Google’s 7-year update policy, so it is supported through May 2031. You get the Tensor G3 chip, a 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED screen, a 64MP main camera with a 13MP ultra wide, IP67 water resistance, and wireless charging.
A 128GB Pixel 8a has averaged about $249, with listings starting around $175. The only thing it lacks at this price is a telephoto lens. Used Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide: Which Pixel Is Worth It compares it with every other Pixel.
Best Pixel Camera Under $300: Google Pixel 8
The Pixel 8 costs about the same as the 8a, at roughly $256 for 128GB, and adds a slightly bigger 6.2-inch screen, faster charging, and a better main camera with an ultra wide that can focus up close for macro shots. Its updates run through October 2030, about seven months less than the 8a.
Pick the Pixel 8 if camera quality is the priority, and the 8a if you want the longest support for the money. For more camera-first picks across brands, see Best Used Phones for Photography on a Budget.
Shop used Google Pixel phones on Swappa
Best Samsung Phone Under $300: Galaxy S24 FE
The Galaxy S24 FE is the Samsung to buy in this range because it gets Samsung’s 7-year update policy, with support to about 2031. It has a large 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, the Exynos 2400e chip, a 50MP main camera with a 3x telephoto, IP68 water resistance, and Galaxy AI features.
It has averaged about $282 at 128GB in recent Swappa sales. Listings average higher than that, so shop around and use the sale price as your benchmark.
The Galaxy S23 is the cheaper option at about $239. It is more compact at 6.1 inches and has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that still holds up well, plus a 3x telephoto. But Android 17 is its last major update, and its security patches end around early 2028. Buy it only if you plan to replace it in about two years. The Used Samsung Galaxy S Buyer’s Guide: Which Generation to Get compares every generation.
Newest iPhone Under $300: iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 just fits the budget at about $283 for 128GB. It shares the iPhone 13’s chip and screen, so the real reasons to pay about $41 more are a release date a year newer, Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, a front camera with autofocus, and better low-light photos.
One thing to know before you buy: US iPhone 14 models are eSIM-only and have no SIM tray. Moving your number is a quick digital transfer, but you cannot pop in a physical SIM card, such as a travel SIM. eSIM and Used Phones: What to Know Before You Buy explains how it works. For a bigger screen, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus has averaged about $299.
Best Small Phone Under $300: iPhone 13 mini
The iPhone 13 mini is the last small flagship Apple made: the iPhone 13’s chip and cameras in a 5.4-inch body. Small-phone demand keeps its price up, so at about $252 it actually sells for a little more than the standard iPhone 13.
Its battery is noticeably better than the iPhone 12 mini’s (Apple rated it for 17 hours of video versus 15), but it is still the weakest in this guide. Check the listed battery health before you buy.
Phones to Skip in the $200 to $300 Range
These show up at similar prices but have much less support left.
| Phone | Recent Avg. Sale | Why to Skip It |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | $223 (128GB) | Updates end in October 2027. The Pixel 8a costs about $26 more and is supported 3.5 years longer. |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | $173 (128GB) | Updates end in October 2026 |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | $318 (128GB), listings from $226 | Security patches end around February 2027 |
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the one close call. At about $288 it has the biggest screen and battery of the iPhone 12 family plus a 2.5x telephoto, but it shares the iPhone 12’s shorter runway. The iPhone 13 is the safer buy at the same budget. For more on iPhone cameras by price, see Which iPhone Has the Best Camera? 2026 Picks by Budget.
Should You Stretch Past $300?
If you keep phones four years or longer, a small stretch can be worth it:
- iPhone 15 (about $387 at 128GB): USB-C, the Dynamic Island, and a 48MP main camera.
- Google Pixel 9a (about $339 at 128GB): updates through April 2032.
- Galaxy S24 (about $324 at 128GB): a compact Galaxy S with support to about 2031.
For iPhone-only picks, see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300. For Android, see Best Budget Android Phones to Buy Used (2026). How long each brand supports its phones is covered in How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?
What to Check Before You Buy
- Battery health. 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. See iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone.
- Account locks. Make sure the phone is not tied to someone else’s Apple Account or Google account. 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. See IMEI Check: What It Reveals About a Used Phone.
- Carrier lock. Unlocked phones cost a little more and work with prepaid carriers. See Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones: What It Means When Buying Used, or browse unlocked phones on Swappa.
Buying a Phone Under $300 Safely on Swappa
Every Swappa listing is reviewed by staff before it goes live. Phones 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.
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.
Upgrading from an older phone that still works? How to Sell Your Used Phone for the Most Money shows how to get the most for it, or you can sell your phone on Swappa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best phone under $300 in 2026?
The iPhone 13 is the best phone under $300 for most people. 128GB models have recently sold for about $242 on Swappa, and it runs iOS 27 with an A15 chip, an OLED screen, and good battery life. On Android, the Google Pixel 8a is the best pick at about $249, with updates through May 2031.
What is the best Android phone under $300?
The Google Pixel 8a. It has averaged about $249 in recent Swappa sales and gets updates through May 2031, the longest support of any phone in this price range. The Pixel 8 costs about the same and has a better camera, with updates through October 2030.
What is the best Samsung phone under $300?
The Galaxy S24 FE. It has averaged about $282 at 128GB on Swappa and gets Samsung’s 7-year update policy, with support to about 2031. The Galaxy S23 is cheaper at about $239, but its security patches end around early 2028.
Is the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 better under $300?
For most people, the iPhone 13. The two have the same screen and nearly the same A15 chip, and the iPhone 13 has recently sold for about $41 less. The iPhone 14 adds Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, and a newer release date, but US models are eSIM-only.
How many years of updates does a $300 phone get?
It depends on the model. The Pixel 8a is supported through May 2031, the Galaxy S24 FE to about 2031, and the Pixel 8 through October 2030. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 run iOS 27, and Apple does not announce end dates, but both are newer than the oldest iPhones Apple still supports.
The Bottom Line
The $200 to $300 range is where used phones get long-lived. The iPhone 13 is the safe pick for iPhone users, the Pixel 8a gives Android buyers support into 2031, and the Galaxy S24 FE is the Samsung to get. Skip the older Pro and Ultra models that look like bargains but are close to the end of their updates.
