These budget phones have most of what you’ll need and some even pack a standout feature. All cell phones on this list are priced at $50 or less with a two-year contract and mail-in rebates applied.
We also have a list of best budget phones by carrier or you can jump straight to cheap phones at AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless.
1. Samsung Reclaim: Green Phone
The Samsung Reclaim green cell phone for Sprint is like none other. The eco- and budget-friendly handset is comprised of 80 percent recyclable materials as well as organic components and packaging.
This sustainable cell phone even makes our list of the best texting phones, best phone batteries, best camera phones, best green phones and our overall best budget phones across all carriers.More »
2. Motorola Clutch i465: Rugged Phone
A rugged handset in slender candy bar form, the budget-friendly Motorola Clutch i465 for Sprint is the first full-keyboard phone with Nextel Direct Connect, which allows for the popular walkie-talkie or push-to-talk feature.In addition, group messaging on the Motorola Clutch i465 allows customers to create groups of up to 20 people for messaging all at the same time.More »
3. LG LX 290: GPS Slider
The LG LX 290 for Sprint is a low-cost slider cell phone with Bluetooth, GPS, a long battery life and four shortcut keys for quick access to texting, email, a personal calendar and alarm.While the phone lacks clear differentiation that would make it a must-buy slider, its overall package as a relatively feature-standard cell phone at a low price could prove attractive for everyday users.More »
4. LG Rumor2: Quick, Threaded Messaging
The budget-friendly LG Rumor2 improves on the first Rumor with quick and threaded text messaging. Threaded messaging helps you more intuitively send and respond to messages in a conversation-like format (i.e. Google’s Gmail).
The LG Rumor2 for Sprint also features a music player, plenty of optional storage space, Bluetooth for short-range wireless (i.e. for a wireless headset) and more.More »
5. Samsung Highnote: Stereo Music
The Samsung Highnote is all about stereo sound. The budget-friendly dual slider packs stereo speakers, a stereo headset and stereo Bluetooth for short-range wireless devices.
Even more, this cheap cell phone has a rotating, five-way navigation key to make sharing music a snap. The Samsung Highnote for Sprint also offers high-speed 3G data access.More »
6. Sanyo SCP-2700: Quick, Threaded Messaging
Featuring a full QWERTY keyboard, the affordable Sanyo SCP-2700 for Sprint is targeted at the seasoned texter as well as the text messaging beginner of any age.
Along with a 1.3-megapixel camera and GPS for turn-by-turn directions, threaded text messaging (i.e. Google’s Gmail) keeps your texts organized with the same person in a conversation-like format.More »
7. Sanyo S1: Lightweight, Slim, Sleek
The very budget-friendly Sanyo S1 is simple, slim (0.4 of an inch), sleek and very lightweight (2.5 ounces). The phone can browse the Web, email, has voice-activated dialing and features Bluetooth for short-range wireless devices.More »