Best Smartphones under $800 in 2026
The top-rated smartphones you can buy for under $800, ranked by value for money. Specs, benchmarks, and our verdict for each.
Updated March 2026 · 7 products
A phone under $800 has to make smart trade-offs, and the models below earn their place on real specifications and benchmark scores rather than list price alone. We track live prices, so this list reflects what each phone actually costs today and reorders as deals appear. The Pixel 9a leads the value ranking here, but every pick clears the bar for dependable everyday performance, camera quality and battery life at this budget.
What to look for at this price
At $800 and under, the smart move is to spend where it counts and accept trade-offs everywhere else. A dependable chip that stays smooth for a couple of years, a screen with a high enough refresh rate to feel responsive, and a battery that comfortably lasts a full day matter far more than a glamorous spec you will rarely use. Phones at this price typically give up the fastest charging, a dedicated telephoto camera or the very brightest display — and that is fine, provided the fundamentals are solid. The models below were chosen because they get those fundamentals right without asking you to overpay for a badge.
Quick picks
- Pixel 9a — $499 · Score 82/100
- Galaxy A56 — $499 · Score 76/100
- OnePlus 13R — $599 · Score 85/100
Google Pixel 9a
6.3-inch OLED 120Hz · Tensor G4 · 5100mAh · 48MP · IP68
$499
Score 82/100
Samsung Galaxy A56
6.7-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz · Exynos 1580 · 5000mAh · 50MP · IP67
$499
Score 76/100
OnePlus 13R
6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED 120Hz · Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 · 6000mAh · 50MP · IP65
$599
Score 85/100
Samsung Galaxy S25
6.2-inch AMOLED 120Hz · Snapdragon 8 Elite · 4000mAh · 50MP · IP68
$749.97
Score 87/100
Apple iPhone 17
6.3-inch OLED 120Hz · A19 · 3692mAh · 48MP · IP68
$799
Score 89/100
Google Pixel 10
6.3-inch OLED 120Hz · Tensor G5 · 4970mAh · 48MP · IP68
$799
Score 86/100
Apple iPhone 16
6.1-inch OLED 60Hz · A18 · 3561mAh · 48MP · IP68
$799
Score 84/100
How we rank
Every phone here is scored from verified specifications and independent benchmarks, then filtered by its live price so only models genuinely selling under $800 appear. Because we track prices in real time against Amazon, a temporary discount can pull a normally pricier phone into this list — and remove it again once the deal ends. The ordering reflects measured hardware and value at today's price, not launch-day marketing, so the ranking stays honest as the market moves.
FAQ
What is the best phone under $800?
The Pixel 9a is our top pick under $800, scoring 82 out of 100 overall at around $499. It balances everyday speed, a capable main camera and all-day battery better than anything else at this price, which is why it leads the list. The phones just behind it are worth a look if you want a different size or brand.
What do you give up on a phone under $800?
Compared with flagships, phones under $800 usually drop the fastest wired and wireless charging, a dedicated telephoto camera and the very brightest displays, and some receive fewer years of software updates. The picks here are chosen specifically so those cuts land on extras rather than on the day-to-day essentials of speed, screen and battery.
Is it worth spending more than $800?
Only if you need a feature this tier genuinely lacks — a periscope zoom, the longest software-update commitment or top-tier gaming performance. For most people the Pixel 9a at around $499 covers everyday use comfortably, and spending more buys refinements rather than necessities. If none of those extras matter to you, staying under $800 is the smarter call.
How did you choose these phones?
We score every phone from verified specifications and independent benchmarks, then keep only those whose live price is genuinely under $800. Because prices are tracked in real time, the list reorders as deals appear and expire. No marketing material influences the ranking — only measured hardware and what each phone actually costs today.
Are these phones unlocked?
We rank unlocked models sold directly by the manufacturer or major retailers, so you can bring your own SIM or eSIM and switch carriers freely. Carrier-locked and refurbished listings are excluded, and each buy link points to the unlocked version wherever it is in stock. If a phone is temporarily unavailable, the link falls back to a search for the same model.