X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Best phones for the holiday penny-pincher

If you're on a budget, consider these reasonably priced -- and sometimes even free (after you sign a carrier agreement) -- handsets for the holiday season.

Lynn La
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La
35435354-2.jpg
1 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung Galaxy Stellar (Verizon)

If you're on a budget, consider these reasonably priced -- and sometimes even free (after you sign a carrier agreement) -- handsets for the holiday season.

Free after you sign a two-year agreement and purchase it online, the Samsung Galaxy Stellar from Verizon offers Android 4.0, a decent screen, and a snappy CPU.
35517164-7.jpg
2 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

LG Nexus 4 (unlocked)

You simply cannot find a more affordable high-end unlocked phone than the LG Nexus 4, which Google is offering for $299 and $349 for the 8GB and 16GB versions, respectively. Though we knocked it down for not having 4G LTE, it still delivers a pure Android Jelly Bean experience, NFC, a slew of new photo options, and a decent 8-megapixel camera.
35433807-3.jpg
3 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Flex (AT&T)

For about $50 and a carrier contract, owners of the Pantech Flex can get 4G LTE speeds on AT&T's network, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and an interface that's great for smartphone beginners.
35437739.jpg
4 of 7 Richard Peterson/CNET

Motorola Droid Razr M (Verizon)

The Droid Razr M is one of the newest phones from Motorola. Offered by Verizon for $99.99, the M's attractive build complements its lovely screen, fast data and internal speeds, and impressive battery life.
35118611-1.jpg
5 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate (AT&T)

AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate has a dual-core processor, 4G LTE network speeds, and a nice 4-inch screen. But its best feature is its price -- the carrier is currently selling the Exhilarate for the rock-bottom price of 99 cents.
35118032-12.jpg
6 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

LG Viper (Sprint)

The attractively built $50 LG Viper from Sprint can record great 1080p HD video with its 5-megapixel camera, and has NFC capabilities.
35248861-9.jpg
7 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Kyocera Hydro (Boost Mobile)

If you want to get a contract-free handset with no service agreement, consider the Kyocera Hydro on Boost Mobile. For $100, you get a waterproof phone with Android 4.0 and excellent call quality.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos