What does a $100 smartphone get you in 2026?
To get a decent cell phone at or under $100, you're going to have to get creative. Here's what to do.
If you open the field to used phones, your options widen dramatically. Marketplaces like eBay and Swappa are full of older midrange and flagship models that offer higher-end hardware for that strict budget.
This is also the only realistic way to find Apple hardware in this price range. The 2022 iPhone SE can sometimes be found for around $100 used. It has a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, an A15 Bionic chip, 5G, and a 12-megapixel main camera. The iPhone 11 can also drop below $100, while the iPhone 12 usually costs slightly more. All three models will get the iOS 27 update this fall.
The Android side gives you many more options. A Galaxy A52 5G can dip under $100, and some Galaxy S10 and S10+ and Galaxy S20 FE 5G listings can come close. These used models usually show their age in battery degradation, software support and cosmetic condition. But they do offer much sharper screens, better cameras and more premium designs than the new phones at this price.
There are also Goldilocks options: mid-ranged phones that aren't quite as old as the used flagships. The Galaxy A53 5G can show up in this range, as can the Moto G Power 5G (2025) and Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). The Pixel 6a can come close, with listings in the low to mid-$100s. These can be more balanced choices for people who want something relatively modern without going far above that $100 threshold.
Of course, buying used comes with its own compromises. But worn-out batteries can be replaced, and an older flagship will usually give you a much better screen, camera and design than a new phone in the same price range.
