Last updated: April 20th, 2026 at 17:50 UTC+02:00
SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, we may earn a commission.
Reading time: 9 minutes
The Galaxy A57 in undoubtedly one of the best phones on this list. This series has almost always provided exceptional value for money. It's no different with the Galaxy A57, the 2026 addition to the lineup which brings some notable upgrades and makes it stand out from the competition.
The Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A37 remain respectable mid-range options. They all deliver 5G support at attractive price points. The company's enhanced software support is just the cherry on top, as few OEMs deliver similar longevity for Android OS upgrades. Lastly, the Galaxy A17 is one of the cheapest 5G phones from Samsung, particularly in the United States, and it continues to be a best-selling model for precisely that reason.
The search for the best cheap Android phones can often be daunting. There are just so many manufacturers to choose from. The cheapest phones aren't made alike, though. The budget options you choose should offer respectable specs, decent performance and good software support.
This can often be lacking in devices from other manufacturers. However, Samsung is a company that excels at making the best budget phones. These happen to be some of its best-selling devices across the globe. So if you're looking for cheap Android phones in the US that cost under $500, Samsung is your best bet.
Don't have time to read the entire list? We've conveniently listed all of the best cheap Android phones in each category here. You're just one click away from picking them up!
Samsung's Latest: Galaxy A57
The Underdog: Galaxy A26
Balanced Option: Galaxy A37
Best-Seller: Galaxy A17
Honorable Mention: Galaxy S25 FE
As premium devices have become more expensive over the years, there has been a conscious push by manufacturers to provide more capable cheap phones. A lot of the tech that was previously limited to mid-range devices has since trickled down to the cheapest phones. Features such as 5G connectivity, ultra wide cameras, four years of security updates and more are now offered with entry-level devices.
Many of the best budget phones cost less than $500. As the leading global Android smartphone vendor, Samsung provides the best selection. The company wants to offer the best value for money with its budget devices. Customers can rest assured that they will get the most bang for their buck.
The Galaxy A5x series has for long been the preferred option for customers who want an affordable device that provides good performance. Samsung always focuses on providing competitive specs with this lineup at aggressive prices. The Galaxy A57 is Samsung's current hero device in this series.
With prices starting at around $549, the Galaxy A57 offers a great mix of specs. There's a powerful Exynos 1680 chipset under the hood paired with up to 12GB of RAM. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ 120Hz refresh rate display is the brightest yet in this series..
Samsung has equipped the device with a triple-camera setup at the back. It includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 5-megapixel macro sensor. There's also a 12-megapixel selfie camera. The 5,000mAh battery supports 45W wired charging.
The Galaxy A57 is also the first in the Galaxy A5x series to feature an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. It comes with Android 16 One UI 8.5 out of the box and Samsung will provide six years of Android OS upgrades.
Reasons to buy: Refined design, faster charging, powerful chipset and great price.
Who should buy: Those who need a capable phone without breaking the bank.
Galaxy A57 Review | Buy Galaxy A57 from Samsung
The Galaxy A26 is undoubtedly one of the best cheap Android phones from Samsung. It may not get as much spotlight as the Galaxy A5x or A3x devices, but it's a decent affordable option in its own right, especially with prices starting from $299.99.
Samsung has equipped it with a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The device is powered by Samsung's Exynos 1380 chipset paired with 6/8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage. There's a microSD card slot for external expansion as well. The device comes with a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide and 2-megapixel macro camera.
This device also has a chunky 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging.. It also supported for six Android OS upgrades from Samsung.
Reasons to buy: AMOLED display panel, respectable performance, and exceptional value for money.
Who should buy: Those who want a decent device at a fair price.
At $449, the Galaxy A36 strikes a good balance between affordability, performance, and 5G connectivity. It also has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate that's brighter than its predecessor. There's an Exynos 1480 chipset under the hood that can be paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The triple-camera setup at the back includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor alongside an 8-megapixel ultra-wide and a 5-megapixel macro sensor. A 12-megapixel selfie camera is also present.
In addition to an IP68 rating, the device also has a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired fast charging support. It ships with Android 16 One UI 8.5 and will get six years of Android OS upgrades.
Reasons to buy: Faster chipset, improved battery life, decent performance.
Who should buy: An affordable 5G phone that combines value for money with decent performance.
Galaxy A37 Review | Buy Galaxy A37 from Samsung
The Galaxy A1x phones have consistently been one of the best-selling devices from Samsung in this price segment. The Galaxy A17 is one of the most affordable Samsung latest budget phones in 2026. It's also one of the cheapest 5G phones that you can buy from the company.
Priced at just $174.99, the Galaxy A16 has a 6.7-inch display with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It has an Exynos 1330 chipset with the phone being available 4/6/8GB RAM and 128/256GB RAM configurations globally. The rear triple-camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor with a 5-megapixel ultra-wide and 2-megapixel macro camera. A 13-megapixel camera handles selfies at the front.
The Galaxy A17 easily takes over the crown as the best cheap Android phone from the model that came before it. It's a particularly great option in this price point for customers in the United States.
Reasons to buy: Best cheap Android phone for US customers, bigger display, good software support.
Who should buy: People who want a device with respectable features and 5G support in a fair price.
The Galaxy S25 FE may not be a “cheap” phone in the true sense of the word, but it deserves a place on this deal, since it's often possible to get it for much less through the great deals offered through Samsung's online store. This can be a great option for someone who is capable of stretching their budget,
Samsung has developed the FE series of phones as an attainable alternative to its flagships. The focus remains on providing a high degree of performance. It has a design similar to its much more expensive siblings in the Galaxy S25 series, including a glass panel at the back. It boasts a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz refresh rate display and the Exynos 2400 chipset under the hood. It's paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.
The camera setup is an impressive one. It features a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. There's also a 12-megapixel selfie camera. All this is powered by a 4,900mAh battery that supports 45W wired fast charging.
While this may not be the cheapest Samsung phone you can buy, it offers an almost flagship-like performance in a body that also looks and feels very premium. The value for money it can offer is immense when the device is picked up at a good discount. You can also enjoy new features on it for longer as it will get seven years of Android OS upgrades.
Reasons to buy: Premium build, flagship-level chipset and specs, support for seven years of Android OS upgrades.
Who should buy: Those who can expand their budget a bit to get the most value for money.
Galaxy S25 FE Review | Buy Galaxy S25 FE from Samsung
You want something that's going to last you a few years. There's no point in buying a budget smartphone that can't go the distance, because you'll end up having to spend more money if you need to replace the phone after a few months.
Fortunately, the cheap Android phones from Samsung are very well made, even the very affordable ones. Samsung doesn't skimp on the quality so you're bound to get a product that's going to last you a couple of years at the very least.
Next, ask yourself, what are the main things you want the phone to provide you? Do you want a larger display? A process that can handle some light mobile gaming? Perhaps you want expandable storage?
As long as you're clear on the basics, you can find a great budget phone. For example, if you're looking to spend just above $500, you can get the Galaxy A57. If you're only after a basic device that can handle emails, some apps, and support light browsing, get the Galaxy A17.
With the recent changes in Samsung's software support policy, some of its cheapest phones are now also guaranteed to up to six years of Android OS upgrades, making them a cut above the rest.
Adnan Farooqui is a long-term writer at SamMobile. Based in Pakistan, his interests include technology, finance, Swiss watches and Formula 1. His tendency to write long posts betrays his inclination to being a man of few words.
