When it comes to finding the best cheap phone of 2026, several top picks offer great value for money. These phones not only come with affordable price tags but also pack impressive features and performance. If you are willing to buy refurbished, you can often get a much better phone for the same price as a brand new budget device. Here are our top picks for 2026.
iPhone 15
Buying an Apple device is a worthwhile but costly investment. However, if you buy an older model, you can save a significant amount of money. And you’ll save even more if you buy it refurbished.
The iPhone 15 is a standout choice for those seeking a modern iPhone experience without the price of the newest models. It features Apple’s A16 Bionic chip, a bright Super Retina XDR OLED display, and a major camera upgrade with a 48-megapixel main sensor.
The phone also introduces Dynamic Island, which replaces the traditional notch and offers interactive alerts and notifications. USB-C charging also arrived with this generation, making it easier to charge using the same cables as many other modern devices.
The main drawback is that the refresh rate remains at 60Hz, which feels slower compared with some Android competitors. Battery life is solid but not class-leading, and you’ll still miss out on some of the premium features found on the Pro models.
Key features:
- Super Retina XDR OLED display
- Dynamic Island interface
- Apple A16 Bionic chip
- 48-megapixel main camera with 4K video recording
- USB-C charging
- Face ID security
- 6.1″ display
- Over 65,000 available apps from the App Store
Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel phones continue to offer strong performance and some of the best cameras in their price range. The Pixel 8a is a great example of this, combining Google’s smart software with capable hardware at a reasonable price.
It runs on Google’s Tensor G3 chip, which powers many of the phone’s AI features and photo editing tools. The camera system is particularly strong, producing sharp photos with impressive dynamic range and excellent night photography.
The Pixel 8a also features a bright OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations feel noticeably smoother than older mid-range phones.
However, the phone does not include a microSD card slot, so storage cannot be expanded. While the battery life is reliable for daily use, heavy users may still need to charge before the end of the day.
Key features:
- Android 14
- 64-megapixel rear camera
- 13-megapixel front camera
- Tensor G3 processor
- Fingerprint sensor
- 6.1″ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- 2.57 million available apps from the Play Store
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung is Apple’s biggest rival and for good reason. The brand continues to produce some of the most capable smartphones on the market, and the Galaxy S23 is still a strong option if you want flagship performance without paying flagship prices.
The Galaxy S23 offers powerful performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and includes a bright AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is compact compared with many modern smartphones, making it comfortable to use one-handed.
Samsung also includes a versatile triple camera system that delivers excellent photos in a range of conditions. The device also has an IP68 rating for dust and water protection, making it durable for everyday use.
The main drawback is that the battery is smaller than some larger phones, so heavy users may need to charge before the end of the day. It also does not include expandable storage.
Key features:
- Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Android 14
- 50-megapixel main camera
- 12-megapixel front camera
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- 6.1″ display
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Over 2.57 million available apps from the Play Store
Why shop at the iOutlet
When you shop refurbished, you give yourself the opportunity to get a quality device for a fraction of the original price. But why get it at the iOutlet?
- Help the environment (we’ve partnered with One Tree Planted to plant one tree a day)
- Get a device that we’ve unlocked and checked for defects
- Get a 12-month warranty
- Get fast and free shipping
- Get UK-based customer service
