You Can Get a Great $300 Phone as Long as You Answer One Question | Global News Avenue

if you need one New phone for less than $300there are many great options to suit your most important needs. But there are big trade-offs for this more affordable range of phones. A phone with modern specs like a striking design, improved multitasking and wireless charging might still only get one or two major software updates and three years of security patches. Some phones under $300 have longer software update windows of four years and security updates of five years. But these devices lack some features that may make you want to upgrade as soon as possible.

It’s a dilemma I’ve been weighing after testing several sub-$300 phones. We take software and security timelines seriously in our reviews, as these updates can determine whether a device gets new software features and critical fixes. Now, high-end phones like this Samsung Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 While seven years of software and security updates are promised, we’d like to see more affordable phones get at least four to five years of updates.

But we’re not there yet. Most phones priced at $300 or less promise one additional software update and three years of security updates. Although Samsung is taking the opposite approach $200 Galaxy A15 5G and $300 Galaxy A25 5Gboth phones get four years of software updates and five years of security updates, and both have outdated designs and lack features found in similar phones. Samsung’s new $200 Galaxy A16 is increasing its software and security promise to six years, but I haven’t had a chance to test the phone yet.

This means shoppers have to face the same decision I’ve been pondering for the past few months: do you choose a phone with more features, e.g. OnePlus Nord N30 5G for $300which features blazing-fast wired charging and a 108-megapixel main camera? Or opt for a simpler phone, like the Samsung Galaxy A series, which will receive significant software updates in the coming years. To add to the confusion, older devices that are now available at discounts such as Google Pixel 6A?

More features, but shorter updates

Motorola and OnePlus both offer $300 phones that are worth your time and attention.

This 2024 Motorola G Power 5G is a look that starts with its pale lilac vegan leather design. entire Motorcycle G series This material is now used, making it easier to grip if you choose not to use your phone with a case. Motorola has also included 15-watt wireless charging, making it one of the cheapest phones with this option. You’ll get faster 30W speeds when plugged into your phone and charging the old-fashioned way, but the flexibility to charge without cables is very useful – a rarity at this price. Motorola also announced a 2025 version Moto G for $200, Moto G Power for $300 Continuing the trend of colorful vegan leather designs, durability and fast charging speeds.

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G features an attractive reflective design that highlights its 108-megapixel main camera. When I reviewed it last year, it took decent photos, but the really valuable feature was its 50-watt SuperVooc charger. Even though it’s proprietary (meaning only the included charger can hit those speeds), it can top up the battery to 75% in 30 minutes, a speed that most other phones can’t match.

Budget phones from Motorola and OnePlus both come with ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rates, NFC for contactless payments, and processors fast enough for multitasking and gaming. But unfortunately, both phones also have shorter update schedules. While the N30 is still on sale, it’s nearly two years past its three-year security support promise. Motorola’s 2025 Moto G phones, meanwhile, will get two years of software updates and three years of security updates, a slight increase from the single software update the Moto G series received in previous years along with the same security commitments.

Long life, but less fun with the phone

Samsung deserves recognition for extending the life of its cheaper Galaxy A series phones. The $200 Galaxy A15 and $300 Galaxy A25 both get four years of software updates and five years of security updates, which is great. Even better, the Galaxy A16 comes with a six-year warranty each. No competitor can deliver on this promise.

Samsung has perfected the basics on both phones, including a high refresh rate display, NFC contactless payments, and a sufficiently powerful processor.

But compared to other phones in its price range, Samsung’s Galaxy A devices feel underwhelming. The A15 and A25 are made of plastic and have a blocky notch instead of the smooth cutout for the selfie camera on most other competing phones. While Samsung’s budget phones handle essentials without issue, they struggle with simple multitasking. The A15 was particularly slow to load. While the A25 performed better at most tasks, it occasionally stuttered when loading a game or playing music while using a web browser and password manager at the same time. I’m looking forward to testing the A16 to see if Samsung can improve the phone’s performance with its lower-priced options.

If you want a communications phone that you won’t need to replace anytime soon, the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A25 are more than adequate. But I worry that as apps and services grow over the next few years, you’ll hit a dead end, especially if these phones are already easily swamped.

Can Google Pixel 6A become the low-budget champion?

You may have noticed that I didn’t discuss the cameras on any of the previously mentioned phones. That’s because while they all feature at least a 50-megapixel main camera, none of them take particularly impressive photos. However Google Pixel 6A still available And the price is usually less than $300.

thanks a Recent extensions for Pixel 6 and abovethe Pixel 6A will now get software updates until July 2027, as well as security updates in the same timeframe. This is a significant improvement for the usability of this cheaper phone, especially considering that Google originally planned to stop software updates for the Pixel 6A in 2025.

The Pixel 6A’s 12.2-megapixel main camera is still impressive for the price. It runs on Google’s first-generation Tensor processor and comes with many of Pixel’s flagship features, such as Magic Eraser for editing photos, real-time translation, and other long-time Pixel-exclusive features like call screening and call hold features. Pixel 6A also includes AI-powered Circle search. Although the Pixel 6A will miss out on Google’s newer, more advanced products Gemini artificial intelligence featureseven two years after its release, it’s still a promising option.

However, there’s no wireless charging or a headphone jack on the Pixel 6A, and its screen is smaller and dimmer than the other phones mentioned in this article.

How to decide the best option?

When choosing a budget phone, your priorities matter most. If you want the most features at an affordable price with an eye-catching design, consider phones from Motorola, Google, and OnePlus.

However, if the most important reason for buying a cheaper phone is to avoid upgrading for as long as possible, then you should consider Samsung’s Galaxy A phone.

Ironically, you can’t have it both ways. A phone that is newer for four years is not necessarily a phone that you want to use for four years.