The best budget smartphone you can buy

For those who view gadgets as tools rather than luxuries, budget phones under $500 offer great value without excessive features, allowing savings for other priorities. Essential testing criteria for budget phones include strong software support, good screen quality (preferably OLED), ample storage, and a decent rear camera, while avoiding multiple mediocre cameras. The article highlights the iPhone 16E as the cheapest new iPhone, acknowledging its limitations compared to last year’s models but recommending it for users seeking a straightforward, low-cost iPhone option.