Best Low Budget Smartphones

In recent years, there has been a trend for smartphone manufacturers to create smartphones with decent, or amazing specs at an affordable price. The logic behind this is that if they create a smartphone that can compete with the top flagships for a cheaper price, they'll gain more marketshare and more loyal users. If they can mass produce affordable smartphones, the profit margin won't matter as much.

Under $200 - Moto G (2015)

While it's unclear whether Motorola will continue to offer low cost smartphones like the Moto G, what is certain is that the current 3rd gen model is the best smartphone you can get below $200. It offers an updated near-stock experience, a 5-inch display, and a 13 megapixel camera in an affordable package. It isn't the most flashy or best specced smartphone out there, but it's about as good as you'll get for under $200. The Moto G starts at $179.99 unlocked.

Under $300 - OnePlus X

I do have my problems with OnePlus as a company and their inability to provide consistent software experience and customer service, but I can't overlook the OnePlus X in the under $300 category. In a package strikingly similar to the iPhone 4 days, it provides an updated Android experience. Its camera and display are fairly similar to the Moto G, but its specs outpace it. With 3GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 801 processor, this device won't be lagging behind any time soon. And while Oxygen OS isn't stock Android, it's pretty darn close. It adds some nifty new features such as accent colors, but I wouldn't count on consistent updates. The OnePlus X starts at $249.99 unlocked.

Under $400 - LG Nexus 5X & Moto X Pure Edition

LG Nexus 5X

The successor to the wildly popular Nexus 5 is here in the form of the Nexus 5X. The design is cost effective while at the same time keeping a premium feel. The 5X is also the first device on this list to include a fingerprint sensor, which is in fact the same as the one in the Huawei Nexus 6P. Speaking of similarities with the 6P, the 5X's camera is the same as well. The only difference is that the 5X cannot shoot 4K video due to hardware limitations. Regardless, the 5X has one of the best cameras on this list. Because this is a Nexus, you're getting the stock Android experience as Google intended, as well as receiving constant updates. The LG Nexus 5X starts at $349.00 unlocked.

Moto X Pure Edition

The Moto X Pure Edition's praise comes from a variety of things.While it doesn't have a fingerprint sensor, the Moto X Pure Edition's screen outpaces other smartphones in this class. Its QHD screen combined with a 21 megapixel camera makes for some really sharp photos. Besides this, the Moto X Pure Edition also has something completely different from anything else on this list. (Besides the Moto G.) Moto Maker. This allows for nearly limitless customization of your phone. You can choose the color of different parts of your phone, different materials, and even engravings. The Moto X Pure Edition starts at $399.99 unlocked.

Above $400 - Huawei Nexus 6P

If you know this blog, you know this was going to be here. While I wouldn't call this phone "low budget", it certainly is cheap for what it is. This phone rivals every other flagship smartphone out there for about half the price. You can read my full review of the Nexus 6P by clicking here, but for the sake of this post, I'll keep it short and sweet. The Nexus 6P has no major faults. It's all-around great in every sense of the word. Amazing metal build, top-of-the-line Samsung AMOLED QHD display, fingerprint sensor, award winning camera, and pure stock Nexus experience. The fact that all of this can fit in a package that's merely $499.00 is a feat.