Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GBBest overall- Display
- 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, FHD+
- Storage
- 128GB, expandable up to 2TB
- Water resistance
- IP54
- Updates
- 6 OS versions and 6 years of security updates
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Phones Under $300
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If you're shopping for a phone on a budget of $300 or less, the most important things to check are how long it will keep getting security updates, whether the battery lasts a full day, and whether the screen and camera do their job well. A cheap phone that stops getting updates after a year is not really a bargain.
Here is what's available right now. Our top pick is the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, with the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 as the other two picks.
The rundown
1 Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB | 2 Samsung Galaxy A25 5G 256GB | 3 Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best battery | Best performance |
| Display | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, FHD+ | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits peak | Not listed |
| Storage | 128GB, expandable up to 2TB | 256GB, 8GB RAM | 256GB |
| Updates | 6 OS versions and 6 years of security updates | 4 OS versions, 5 years of security updates | 2 OS versions, 3 years of security updates |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GBBest overall
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G 256GBBest battery- Display
- 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits peak
- Storage
- 256GB, 8GB RAM
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Updates
- 4 OS versions, 5 years of security updates
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2025Best performance- Charging
- 68W wired
- Storage
- 256GB
- Extras
- Built-in stylus
- Updates
- 2 OS versions, 3 years of security updates
1Best overall
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB
The safest all-round budget phone, with six years of updates and a large, bright screen.
- Display
- 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, FHD+
- Storage
- 128GB, expandable up to 2TB
- Water resistance
- IP54
- Updates
- 6 OS versions and 6 years of security updates
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why it wins
- Six years of updates, longest in this price range
- Large, bright 6.7-inch display
- Long battery life for the price
One catchLimited processor and memory; it struggles with heavy multitasking.
Why it's our top pick
The Galaxy A17 5G is the phone most reviewers return to when the budget is tight and the phone needs to last. Its long software support means it will keep receiving security patches for years, which matters more at this price than raw speed.
Battery life was called impressive for a budget phone in one expert review, and the 6.7-inch AMOLED screen is a clear step up from most rivals under $300.
2Best battery
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G 256GB
A bright 120Hz OLED screen and one of the longest-lasting batteries in its class.
- Display
- 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits peak
- Storage
- 256GB, 8GB RAM
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Updates
- 4 OS versions, 5 years of security updates
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Bright 120Hz OLED display
- Battery lasted over 13 hours in testing
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
- Physical SIM only, no eSIM
- IP67 is not stated; water resistance is limited
Why we like it
The A25 is the pick for people who want a good screen and a battery that lasts a full day without thinking about it. One expert review measured over 13 hours of battery life and found it outlasted key competitors.
Its 3.5mm headphone jack is a practical plus for people who still use wired headphones.
3Best performance
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2025
Fast 68W charging, 256GB storage and a built-in stylus, unusual at this price.
- Charging
- 68W wired
- Storage
- 256GB
- Extras
- Built-in stylus
- Updates
- 2 OS versions, 3 years of security updates
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- 68W fast charging
- 256GB storage
- Built-in stylus
Cons
- Slower processor than some rivals
- Shorter update support than Samsung
Read our full take
Why we like it
The Moto G Stylus gives you more storage and faster charging than most phones under $300, and the stylus is a useful extra for notes and sketches. One expert review called it unmatched among phones at this price for those features.
Its processor is slower than others on the list, and update support is shorter, so it suits buyers who want charging and storage over long-term support.
FAQ
Who should buy which phone?
Pick the Galaxy A17 5G if you want the longest support and a dependable everyday phone. Pick the Galaxy A25 5G if battery and screen matter most. Pick the Moto G Stylus if you want fast charging, lots of storage or a stylus.
What to watch for?
Check how long the phone will get security updates before you buy, and confirm the price on Amazon, since phones in this range often drop in price during sales.
What is the best budget smartphone under 300 dollars?
The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is our top pick. It has six years of updates, a large bright display and a long battery life for the price.
What is the cheapest phone that still has good quality?
The Galaxy A17 5G is among the cheapest phones in this list that still offers a good display and long support. Check Amazon for the current price.
What is the most reliable phone right now?
Reliability depends on software support. Samsung's Galaxy A17 5G offers six years of updates, the longest support in this group.
What are the best phones under 30000 in India?
This guide covers US prices and availability, so it does not cover phones sold under 30000 rupees in India.
What are the best phones under 30000 in Pakistan?
This guide covers US prices and availability, so it does not cover phones sold under 30000 rupees in Pakistan.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 8 expert and community lists reviewed
- 3 in-stock Amazon listings compared
This shortlist is built from expert roundups and reader discussions, checked against current Amazon listings for price, stock and included features. Picks are weighed on long-term software support, battery, display and camera for the money.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 19, 2026
Checking our work: 3 sources
How we pickEditorial standardsAffiliate disclosureReport a mistake
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