10 Best Cell Phones Under 100 2025 in the United States

The Moto G Play (2024) offers a good balance of features for a budget-friendly phone under $100. Its 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate provides decent visual quality and smooth scrolling, although the resolution is somewhat low at 1600 x 720 pixels. The device shines with its impressive battery life, thanks to a robust 5000mAh battery, ensuring extended use without frequent recharges.

Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM deliver sufficient speed for daily tasks and light entertainment, though it may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking. The 50MP camera is a strong point, capturing vibrant and sharp photos, although the effective resolution is 12.5MP due to pixel binning. Storage is ample with 64GB onboard, and it can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card, which is great for users needing additional space.

Running on Android 13, the operating system is modern and user-friendly, offering a smooth experience. The build quality is solid with a sleek, stylish design and splash protection, but it's not designed to be submerged in water. While the phone includes useful features such as stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos sound, and built-in GPS, it lacks some higher-end capabilities found in more expensive models. For those seeking an affordable, reliable phone with good battery life, a decent camera, and expandable storage, the Moto G Play is a commendable choice. Power users or those requiring higher performance may need to look elsewhere.

The Apple iPhone 8 64GB Unlocked is a preowned device, available for under $100, which offers great value considering its brand and features. The 4.7-inch Retina HD display with a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels provides clear and vibrant visuals, though it might feel small for users accustomed to larger screens. The build quality remains high with a robust aluminum and glass design that is both durable and premium-feeling.

Performance-wise, the A11 Bionic chip and 2GB of RAM handle basic tasks efficiently, but may struggle with more demanding applications and multitasking. The 64GB of internal memory is decent for this price range, providing ample space for apps, photos, and files, though it isn't expandable. The iPhone 8 runs on iOS 16, ensuring up-to-date software and access to the latest features and security updates. Camera quality is impressive, featuring a 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera, both of which are capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos. However, low-light performance may not be as strong compared to newer models.

The battery life is a bit of a letdown, with a non-removable 1821 mAh battery offering moderate usage but likely requiring daily charging. Wireless charging is a convenient feature for an older model. This iPhone 8 is factory unlocked and compatible with all service providers, adding flexibility for users who may want to switch carriers. Given its excellent condition despite being preowned, this phone is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable yet capable device from a reputable brand. Its main drawbacks are the smaller screen size, limited battery capacity, and potential performance issues with more demanding apps.

The Samsung Galaxy A05 A055M is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a decent set of features for its price range. The 6.7-inch HD+ PLS LCD display is quite large, making it suitable for watching videos and browsing the web, though the 720 x 1600 resolution may not be as sharp as higher-end models. The battery life is impressive with a 5000 mAh capacity, which should easily last a full day of use.

The dual-camera setup includes a 50 MP main camera and a 2 MP depth sensor, providing good quality photos for its class, although it may struggle in low-light conditions. The 8 MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls. With 64GB of storage and the option to expand up to 1TB via microSD, storage shouldn't be an issue. Performance is handled by the Mediatek Helio G85 processor and 4GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for everyday tasks and light gaming, but might lag with more demanding applications.

Running on Android, the phone offers a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of apps. The build quality is typical of budget phones, mostly plastic, which keeps it lightweight but less premium-feeling. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy A05 A055M is a good choice for those seeking an affordable smartphone with a large screen, long battery life, and decent camera capabilities.