Budget phone deals in January
Are you looking for the best budget phone? We can help you find the best deal while saving up to $600 a year, per line.
At a time when all your household costs are increasing, your cell phone bill doesn't need to be one of them. At MoneySavingPro we can help you find the phone you want, on your favorite network, at a much lower cost.
If you've not heard of MVNOs, you're not alone. They're low-cost carriers that operate on the three major US networks, offering the same 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage but with plans starting as low as $10 a month.
Buying a phone directly from a major network may look like a good deal initially but after factoring in the cost of their over-priced unlimited data plans over 3 years, you could end up paying as much as $2,000 more than you need to!
We've compiled a list of the best budget phones from low-cost carriers, so you can find the best phone deal at the cheapest price without sacrificing your wireless service.
Best budget iPhones
Cheapest iPhone SE prices
Cheapest iPhone 12 prices
- Retailer
- US Mobile
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- Verizon
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
- $71/mo15% APR for 12 mths
The Apple iPhone 12 has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 12 is available from US Mobile with Verizon & T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $71/mo.
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 AT&T | $26/mo | $28/mo | $32/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 Verizon | - | $71/mo | $83/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 T-Mobile | - | $71/mo | $83/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 Unlocked | $26/mo | $71/mo | $32/mo |
Cheapest iPhone 13 prices
Apple iPhone 13 mini
* Save $300 rebate with phone service
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
- $26/mo*0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 13 mini has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.4 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 13 mini is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $26/mo.
| Device | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 13 mini AT&T | $26/mo | $30/mo | $39/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini Verizon | $71/mo | $69/mo | $86/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini T-Mobile | $71/mo | $69/mo | $86/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini Unlocked | $26/mo | $30/mo | $39/mo |
Apple iPhone 13
* Save $300 rebate with phone service
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
- $30/mo*0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 13 has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 13 is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $30/mo.
| Device | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 13 AT&T | $30/mo | $35/mo | $43/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 Verizon | $74/mo | $56/mo | $63/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 T-Mobile | $74/mo | $30/mo | $30/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 Unlocked | $30/mo | $35/mo | $43/mo |
Best budget Android phones
Budget Samsung phones
Budget One Plus phones
OnePlus Nord N10
* $50 Off with 12 Month Plan
- Retailer
- Mint Mobile
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
- $11/mo*0% APR for 18 mths
The OnePlus Nord N10 has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.49 inches screen and 64 MP camera. This new Nord N10 is available from Mint Mobile with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $11/mo.
| Device | 128GB |
|---|---|
| OnePlus Nord N10 Unlocked | $11/mo |
Budget Motorola phones
Motorola Moto E
* $50 Off with 12 Month Plan
- Retailer
- Mint Mobile
- Storage
- 32GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
- $11/mo*0% APR for 12 mths
The Motorola Moto E has 32GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.2 inches screen and 13 MP, 2 MP camera. This new Moto E is available from Mint Mobile with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $11/mo.
| Device | 32GB |
|---|---|
| Motorola Moto E Unlocked | $11/mo |
Motorola Moto G Power
* $50 Off with 12 Month Plan
- Retailer
- Mint Mobile
- Storage
- 32GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
- $12/mo*0% APR for 12 mths
The Motorola Moto G Power has 32GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.4 inches screen and 16 MP camera. This new Moto G Power is available from Mint Mobile with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $12/mo.
| Device | 32GB | 128GB | 64GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Moto G Power Unlocked | $12/mo | $23/mo | $189 |
Budget Nokia phones
Budget phones benefits
Low-cost carriers offer phones under $500 with something for everyone.
Providing a range of the best budget phones, there are a number of great benefits to buying a phone from an MVNO.
- Save money: Low-cost carriers offer the best budget phones while saving you up to $600 per year, per line.
- Latest cell phones: Offering the same phones as the big three, but without the three-year contract.
- Cheap monthly payments: Many low-cost carriers offer affordable interest-free payment plans on their phones along with cell phone plans starting from only $10 a month.
- Unlimited data plan: There's still the option of unlimited data phone plans, however unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited, so be sure to check the small print.
- 5G compatible: If you want access to the fast 5G network, there is a selection of 5G budget phones to choose from.
- iPhone deals: Whether you're looking for the latest Apple iPhone or a cheap iPhone SE, you'll find the best budget iPhones with low-cost carriers.
- Phones for seniors: If you want the best cell phones for seniors there are plenty of phones under $200 to choose from.
- Phones for kids: When your kid wants their first cell phone, MVNOs have a range of phones under $300. For even more savings they offer the best family phone plans with multi-line discounts.
- Cheap cell phones: MVNOs offer a range of phones under $400. Whether you're looking for an Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or cheap Android phone.
Best budget T-Mobile phones
| Device | 32GB | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A03s (T-Mobile) | $9/mo | - | - |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 (T-Mobile) | - | $12/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $17/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $19/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (T-Mobile) | - | - | $19/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (T-Mobile) | - | - | $20/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $21/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra (T-Mobile) | - | - | $25/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $29/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22+ (T-Mobile) | - | - | $33/mo |
Best budget AT&T phones
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (AT&T) | $18/mo | $20/mo | $24/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini (AT&T) | - | $26/mo | $30/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 (AT&T) | - | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro (AT&T) | - | $33/mo | $37/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 (AT&T) | - | $35/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro (AT&T) | - | $37/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (AT&T) | - | $37/mo | - |
Best budget Verizon phones
| Device | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A13 (Verizon) | $23/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone SE (Verizon) | $39/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 (Verizon) | - | $59/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Verizon) | - | $63/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Verizon) | - | $63/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Verizon) | - | $64/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (Verizon) | - | $69/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Verizon) | - | $71/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 (Verizon) | - | $74/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Verizon) | - | $77/mo |
Best cheap refurbished phones
| Device | 32GB | 128GB | 64GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 7 Refurbished | $92 | $129 | - | - |
| Apple iPhone 7 Plus Refurbished | $140 | $149 | - | $170 |
| Apple iPhone SE Refurbished | - | $230 | $150 | - |
| Apple iPhone XR Refurbished | - | - | $244 | - |
| Apple iPhone 11 Refurbished | - | $341 | $322 | - |
Best cheap cell phone plans
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $10/mo |
| Mint Mobile 4GB plan | 4GB | T-Mobile | $15/mo |
| Lycamobile 12GB plan | 12GB | T-Mobile | $5/mo** Only $5 for First 3 Months |
| US Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | Verizon & T-Mobile | $20/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $30/mo |
Budget phones FAQs
What is the cheapest phone?
Whether you're looking for an iPhone or Android, there's a range of phones available for all budgets including the Samsung Galaxy S10e, iPhone SE, Google Pixel 4a 5G, and Motorola G Power.
What is the best budget phone in 2021?
There's a range of great phones that may not be new to 2021 but are some of the most affordable smartphones. The Apple iPhone SE, Google Pixel 4a 5G, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G are some of the top-rated phones offering the best value for money.
What is the best low budget smartphone?
The best will come down to a number of factors including whether you're looking for an iPhone or an Android and what features you want from your phone. MVNOs offer a range of unlocked low-budget phones with something for everyone.
Recap
Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly iPhone or just a cheap cell phone, Mobile Virtual Network Operators can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
MVNOs, like Mint Mobile or Visible, offer phones with cheap plans, often with interest-free payments over 12-24 months.
Although the major networks offer to finance over 36 months, being tied into their over-priced unlimited data plans for 3 years could mean wasting as much as $2,000!
Compare deals from low-cost carriers to find the cheapest cell phones.
