Many flagships now cost over $1,000. Fold-ables are closer to $2,000. Those prices are hard to justify if you just want a phone that you’ll use exclusively as a phone. So don’t do that – pay less instead.

Budget phones are perfectly usable

Cheap phones aren’t what they used to be. I’m not saying they’re great, but they’re not terrible either. Old, low-end Android phones struggled to run more than one or two simple apps. They offered disappointing performance on screens that now seem the size of postage stamps (okay, two stamps).

A cheap phone might not have the best refresh rates or take great photos, but it can do most of what normal people want in a phone. It can browse the web, text, post to social media, stream video, and play Wordle – all on a big screen. The phone probably won’t even feel slow, unless you’re picking it up after just using a more powerful one.

Some are even fun in their own right. The $200 CMF Phone 1 is a real looker. It has so much character that you might think the CMF advertising is trying too hard. Unlike most phones, this one stands out before you even bother to look up its specs.

CMF’s phone has a wheel that you can attach things to, like a lanyard that lets you wear the handset around your neck – something you might think about if dropping your phone wouldn’t cost you the down payment on a car.

Don’t fall for a payment plan

If you just want a phone that works, don’t let a salesperson at your carrier talk you into a monthly payment plan for the latest flagship. Of course, you’ll definitely notice the difference between an expensive phone and a cheap one, but there are plenty of other things you can spend your money on, too.

In case it needs to be stressed, installment plans don’t save you money. $25 a month for three years is still a lot of money, and even if you ultimately decide to finance your phone, you’ll often get a better deal by going with a carrier other than your cell phone provider and combining those savings with a cheaper cell phone plan.

Visible’s annual plans are a much cheaper way to use Verizon’s network. Cricket’s $15 plan will save you money compared to AT&T. Buying a Mint Mobile SIM is much cheaper than going to a T-Mobile store.

Companies want you to spend thousands on your phone and thousands more on service, but you don’t have to, even if you want something nicer.

Premium mid-range phones are better than ever

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for something more than a phone that does its job. You value tech and want something that feels good to use. In this case, the most exciting areas of the market still aren’t the flagships that grab the most headlines. The mid-range phones are actually the ones that are the most fun to use.

Consider the Nothing Phone 2a. It offers smooth performance, a competent camera, and style for days. There’s the Motorola Edge and the Moto G Stylus 5G, both basically available at a discount from birth.

Then there’s the sweet spot that’s become known as the premium mid-range. These are phones that cost about the same as previous flagships (and they’re better than old flagships too), they’re just not the absolute top of the line.

This is where you’ll find many of OnePlus’ phones, like the flagship killer OnePlus 12R. It’s also where you’ll find the Pixel 8a, which was just a stone’s throw from the Pixel 8 in terms of price. With Google offering the Pixel 8a seven years of software support, there’s even less reason to upgrade to the more expensive Pixel.

Don’t forget the offers for opened packages and refurbished products

Now that I’ve given that advice, which phone should I use? I’m writing these words, a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Not only is it a flagship, but it’s also a foldable device. The MSRP for this device was around $2000 when I bought it. Instead, I got it on eBay for $900 in an opened box. It’s a new, unused device, just with the box previously opened, and I lose the ability to sign up for a Samsung Care plan. That’s a loss I’m willing to take, considering I could replace the entire phone out of pocket if I had to and still be slightly ahead.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is no unicorn in this regard. Honestly, if you’re willing to wait a few months, foldable phones aren’t as expensive as you think. You can get something that folds for under $500 if that’s your budget.

The best deals aren’t advertised, they’re researched. You might come across a refurbished phone that looks as good as new and can still be updated for several years. This will give you more for your money than even a premium mid-range phone. Don’t forget about the used market. Personally, I wouldn’t get a foldable without it.

Phones are worth over $1000 when they replace other devices

Even at $900, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 cost more than I’d ever spent on a phone before. Why did I think it was a good investment? Because a foldable book had the potential to make other devices obsolete. It’s a phone that folds out into a small tablet and is good for both reading e-books and as a digital note-taking device.

With Samsung DeX, a Galaxy Z Fold can also replace a PC when paired with the right accessories like a lapdock or a docking monitor. For a remote worker like me, a capable work laptop alone can easily cost over $1000. When you add up all the money I no longer have to spend on these things, I come away better off even if I had paid full price for this phone.

You don’t have to go all out on one device like I did to get some bang for your buck. If you can get a phone big enough to eliminate your desire for a separate tablet, or if you can get a phone camera good enough to displace a DSLR, then it probably works out.

When the Nexus 5 launched as Google’s flagship phone in 2013, the base price was $350. That sounds downright old-fashioned now, given that an iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1200 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1300. But if you’re just looking for something that offers basic phone features, you don’t need to pay those prices – and even if you want the very best, wait a minute. You don’t need to spend more than $1,000.