Best Cheap Phones 2026

Explore affordable phones for unmatched value and performance.

Finding a great phone shouldn’t put your budget at risk. That’s why we’ve put together a handy guide to help you find a phone that offers both value and performance.

Shop budget phone ranges from top brands

Cheap phones are better than ever in 2026, carrying cutting-edge AI features and advanced upgrades. Many top brands have created dedicated affordable phone ranges that are designed to bring together all the core flagship features at a better price.

The Samsung Galaxy A range delivers exactly that, packing these devices with an incredible camera system, long-lasting battery and huge storage options. Even though they’re not a part of the flagship Galaxy S range these phones more than pull their weight in performance, style and best of all: value for money.

Samsung Galaxy A26

Feature	Details
Galaxy AI	Yes
Camera	13MP Selfie Camera, 50MP Main Camera, 8MP Ultra-Wide, 2MP Macro Camera
Battery	5,000mAh
Processor	Exynos 1380
Display	6.7-inch

Shop Galaxy A26

Samsung Galaxy A16

Feature	Details
Galaxy AI	Yes
Camera	13MP Selfie Camera, 50MP Main Camera, 5MP Ultra-Wide, 2MP Macro Camera
Battery	5,000mAh
Processor	Mediatek MT6789V
Display	6.7-inch

Shop Galaxy A16

Samsung Galaxy A56

Feature	Details
Galaxy AI	Yes
Camera	12MP Selfie Camera, 50MP Main Camera, 12MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro Camera
Battery	5,000mAh
Processor	Exynos 1580
Display	6.7-inch

Shop Galaxy A56

Google offers a similar phone range in their Pixel A devices. Check these out below to find phones that pack a punch without breaking the piggy bank. Think Gemini AI features, extended battery life and a super smooth Google Tensor processor.

Google Pixel 10a

Feature	Details
Gemini AI	Yes
Camera	48MP Wide Camera, 13MP Ultra-Wide, 13MP Selfie Camera
Battery	5,100mAh, 30W wired charging, faster 10W wireless charging vs 9a, Extreme Battery Saver mode for up to 120 hours battery life
Processor	Google Tensor G4
Display	6.3-inch - 11% brighter than Pixel 9a

Shop Pixel 10a

Google Pixel 9a

Feature	Details
Gemini AI	Yes
Camera	48MP Wide Camera, 13MP Ultra-Wide, 13MP Selfie Camera
Battery	5,100mAh, 23W wired charging
Processor	Google Tensor G4
Display	6.3-inch

Shop Pixel 9a

Google Pixel 8a

Feature	Details
Gemini AI	Yes
Camera	64MP Wide Camera, 13MP Ultra-Wide
Battery	4,492mAh
Processor	Google Tensor G3
Display	6.1-inch

Shop Pixel 8a

Switch to a SIM only deal

Save money with a SIM only deal if you already have a handset you can use. SIM only contracts typically last either 12 months or 24 months, with 30-day contracts available for anyone who wants to try it first, or if you need a short-term solution.

You’ll get a fixed monthly allowance of minutes, texts, and data with predictable billing. With O2, you’ll also get access to our reliable 5G network.

Plus, you can boost your package with Extras to get even more out of being with us. Choose from top entertainment like Disney+, Amazon Prime, TNT Sports on Discovery+, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Audible and more.

Consider a refurbished phone

At O2, a refurbished phone is one that’s been traded in with us and brought back up to perfect working order. We only choose the phones that are already in great shape, then we give them a full quality servicing with our 40-point performance tests. We rigorously check each handset for everything from screen burn and dead pixels to network connectivity and sound quality. We make sure our refurbished phones have at least 80% battery health. And they all come with a 3-year warranty if you choose a Plus Plan or Ultimate Plan, or a year’s warranty if you don’t.

Refurbished phones from our Like New range are typically more affordable than brand new Pay Monthly phone contracts and they still come with all the same O2 perks, like Priority.

Since our Like New range includes many of the latest devices, like the refurbished Samsung Galaxy S25, they’re a great option for anyone looking to stay within budget without compromising on getting a high-end smartphone.