In early 2026, budget smartphones continue to impress with balanced performance, long battery life, and a reliable everyday experience. So, for those looking for a new device for under $300, here’s a list of some globally available smartphones around this price range. From long-lasting batteries to tuned cameras and clean software, here are the 5 best phones under $300 you can buy this February.

Moto G Play (2026)

The Moto G Play 2026 stands out in the under-$300 class thanks to its thoughtful blend of features and solid everyday performance. It typically offers a smooth everyday experience, a sizable display for media consumption, and Motorola’s near-stock Android software, which means you have fewer bloatware apps to deal with. Battery life is a highlight here, with big capacity cells delivering reliable all-day use even under heavy browsing or streaming. The camera performance won’t rival flagship models, but for everyday photos and social posts, it’s more than capable.

Moto G Power (2026)

If you prioritise battery above all else, the Moto G Power 2026 is a compelling pick. True to its name, it packs a large battery that easily lasts more than a full day, even with heavy usage, and it continues Motorola’s trend of delivering dependable battery performance at a budget price. While the display and camera setup might feel a bit utilitarian compared with some rivals, you won’t need to worry about mid-day charging.

Samsung Galaxy A36

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is one of Samsung’s strongest mid-range contenders in the under-$300 segment. It offers a well-rounded package with a bright and crisp AMOLED display, smooth performance for everyday tasks, and decent camera hardware that captures reliable shots in various conditions. Samsung’s software polish and long-term update promise add extra value, especially if you plan to keep the phone for multiple years. It strikes a great balance between design, performance, and ecosystem support.’

Redmi Note 15 4G

The Redmi Note 15 4G is consistently one of the most feature-rich phones under $300, delivering specs that punch above its price. You’ll typically get a large, vibrant display, capable mid-tier chipset performance for everyday use and light gaming, and a useful camera system that covers most casual scenarios. HyperOS’s customisation also gives you flexibility for personalising your experience. Battery life and charging speeds are solid, making it one of the best value options in this price bracket. It trades 5G connectivity for the impressive battery capacity and a 108MP main camera.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G delivers a well-balanced hardware and software mix for a budget price tag. While its performance tier is closer to everyday use than heavy gaming, 5G support gives it future-ready connectivity for streaming, browsing, and light cloud-based tasks. Its design language feels modern, and Samsung’s UI experience is refined and user-friendly.

How We Picked These Phones

When choosing the best under-$300 phones in February 2026, we looked at a bunch of key factors:

• Global availability: Only models that are widely available in multiple regions, and not just the impressive Asia-exclusive releases.
• Balanced hardware: Good performance for daily tasks, cam quality, battery life, and software longevity.
• Brand support: Reliable update policies and ecosystem compatibility.
• User experience: Displays, battery endurance, and real-world usability.

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