Founder
About Rob
Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
Rob's Expertise
5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.
Are you looking for the best phone under $400? 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 phones under $400 from low-cost carriers, so you can find the best phone deal at the cheapest price without sacrificing your wireless service.
Phone deals under $400 in June
Best iPhones under $400
Apple iPhone 7
- Retailer
- Back Market
- Storage
- 256GB
- Network
- Verizon
- Condition
- REFURBISHED
- Price
-
$148 MSRP: $849
The Apple iPhone 7 has 256GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 7 is available from Back Market with Verizon network coverage and prices starting from $148.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
- Retailer
- Back Market
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- REFURBISHED
- Price
-
$135 MSRP: $869
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.5 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 7 Plus is available from Back Market with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $135.
Apple iPhone 8
*$40 off
- Retailer
- Tello
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- REFURBISHED
- Price
-
$239* MSRP: $279
The Apple iPhone 8 has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 8 is available from Tello with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $239.
Best Android phones under $400
Best Samsung phones
Best cheap OnePlus 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 |
Best cheap 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 | $150 | $189 |
Best cheap Nokia phones
Best cheap LG phones
LG K51
- Retailer
- Ultra Mobile
- Storage
- 32GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$10/mo 0% APR for 24 mths
The LG K51 has 32GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.5 inches screen and 13 MP camera. This new K51 is available from Ultra Mobile with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $10/mo.
| Device | 32GB |
|---|---|
| LG K51 Unlocked | $10/mo |
Phones under $400 benefits
Offering the best phones under $400, there are a number of great benefits to buying a phone with 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 complete 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 budget 5G phones to choose from.
Phones for seniors: Choose from a range of budget phones suitable for seniors, under $400.
Phones for kids: Low-cost carriers offer a variety of phones under $400 suitable for kids, and for even more savings they offer the best family phone plans with multi-line discounts.
Best refurbished phones under $400
Samsung Galaxy S10e
- Retailer
- Back Market
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- REFURBISHED
- Price
-
$115 MSRP: $749
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.8 inches screen and 16 MP camera. This refurbished Galaxy S10e is available from Back Market with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $115.
Best cheap cell phone plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB |
$10/mo |
|
Verizon | 4GB |
$20/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 20GB |
$25/mo |
|
T-Mobile | Unltd |
$30/mo |
Phones under $400 FAQs
What phones should I get under 400 dollars?
There's a range of great smartphones under $400, which one is best for you will depend on what features you want and if you'd prefer iOS or Android. The Apple iPhone SE starts from under $400 along with the popular Google Pixel 4a. You can also find some great deals on refurbished phones.
What is the best mid-range phone?
Costing between $400 to $700 a mid-range phone can be a great option if you want a smartphone but you're on a budget. The Motorola Edge, Google Pixel 4a, and the Apple iPhone SE are just some of the smartphones available for a midrange budget.
Recap
Whether you're looking for the latest 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 best phones under $400 at the cheapest price.
