{"id":3503,"date":"2026-09-25T10:28:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T15:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/?p=3503"},"modified":"2026-10-09T19:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T00:10:25","slug":"best-cheap-phones-under-300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-cheap-phones-under-300\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Cheap Phones Under $300 in 2026: iPhone and Android"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone 13<\/strong> is the best phone under $300 for most people. 128GB models have recently sold for about $242<\/strong> on Swappa, and it runs iOS 27<\/strong> with more support runway than the iPhone 12. On Android, the Google Pixel 8a<\/strong> sells for about $249<\/strong> and gets updates through May 2031<\/strong>, the longest window of any phone here. For Samsung, the Galaxy S24 FE<\/strong> has averaged about $282<\/strong> and is covered to about 2031<\/strong>. Browse used phones on Swappa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Used Phones on Swappa<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Best Phones Under $300 at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Starts at” is the lowest current listing. “Avg. sale” is what the 128GB model has recently sold for on Swappa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick<\/th>Phone<\/th>Starts At<\/th>Avg. Sale (128GB)<\/th>Software Support<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Best overall<\/td>iPhone 13<\/a><\/td>$134<\/td>$242<\/td>iOS 27 (current)<\/td><\/tr>
Best Android<\/td>Google Pixel 8a<\/a><\/td>$175<\/td>$249<\/td>Through May 2031<\/td><\/tr>
Best Samsung<\/td>Galaxy S24 FE<\/a><\/td>$249<\/td>$282<\/td>To about 2031<\/td><\/tr>
Newest iPhone<\/td>iPhone 14<\/a><\/td>$273<\/td>$283<\/td>iOS 27 (current)<\/td><\/tr>
Best Pixel camera<\/td>Google Pixel 8<\/a><\/td>$239<\/td>$256<\/td>Through October 2030<\/td><\/tr>
Best small phone<\/td>iPhone 13 mini<\/a><\/td>$165<\/td>$252<\/td>iOS 27 (current)<\/td><\/tr>
Cheapest Galaxy S<\/td>Galaxy S23<\/a><\/td>$201<\/td>$239<\/td>Security to about early 2028<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Swappa price data as of September 23, 2026. Prices move with condition, storage, carrier, and demand, so check current Swappa prices<\/a> before you buy. If your budget stops at $200, see Best Cheap Phones Under $200 in 2026: iPhone and Android<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Phone Under $300 Overall: iPhone 13<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has averaged about $242<\/strong> 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?<\/a> breaks down the gap, and iPhone 13 vs 13 Pro: Which iPhone 13 Should You Buy in 2026?<\/a> covers the rest of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop used iPhone 13 listings on Swappa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Android Phone Under $300: Google Pixel 8a<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>. You get the Tensor G3<\/strong> chip, a 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED screen, a 64MP main camera with a 13MP ultra wide, IP67 water resistance, and wireless charging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 128GB Pixel 8a has averaged about $249<\/strong>, 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<\/a> compares it with every other Pixel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Pixel Camera Under $300: Google Pixel 8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Pixel 8<\/strong> costs about the same as the 8a, at roughly $256<\/strong> 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<\/strong>, about seven months less than the 8a.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop used Google Pixel phones on Swappa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Samsung Phone Under $300: Galaxy S24 FE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Galaxy S24 FE<\/strong> is the Samsung to buy in this range because it gets Samsung’s 7-year update policy, with support to about 2031<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has averaged about $282<\/strong> at 128GB in recent Swappa sales. Listings average higher than that, so shop around and use the sale price as your benchmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Galaxy S23<\/strong> is the cheaper option at about $239<\/strong>. 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<\/a> compares every generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newest iPhone Under $300: iPhone 14<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone 14<\/strong> just fits the budget at about $283<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing to know before you buy: US iPhone 14 models are eSIM-only<\/strong> 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<\/a> explains how it works. For a bigger screen, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus<\/strong> has averaged about $299.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Small Phone Under $300: iPhone 13 mini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone 13 mini<\/strong> 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<\/strong> it actually sells for a little more than the standard iPhone 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Used iPhones on Swappa<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Phones to Skip in the $200 to $300 Range<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These show up at similar prices but have much less support left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phone<\/th>Recent Avg. Sale<\/th>Why to Skip It<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Google Pixel 7 Pro<\/td>$223 (128GB)<\/td>Updates end in October 2027. The Pixel 8a costs about $26 more and is supported 3.5 years longer.<\/td><\/tr>
Google Pixel 6 Pro<\/td>$173 (128GB)<\/td>Updates end in October 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra<\/td>$318 (128GB), listings from $226<\/td>Security patches end around February 2027<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone 12 Pro Max<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should You Stretch Past $300?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you keep phones four years or longer, a small stretch can be worth it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n