Credit: Oppo
With the arrival of smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Apple iPhone 13, buying a premium smartphone has become more expensive than ever.
However, if you’re willing to look past more elaborate features like super quick processors and the fastest refresh rates, it’s not all that hard to find a budget smartphone that’s capable of doing all the things you want and need a modern smartphone to do.
Here’s our latest list of the top 10 best Android smartphones you can find for under $400.
1. Vivo Y52 5G
Credit: Vivo Vivo are a relatively new arrival to the Australian smartphone scene but the Y52 5G suggests they've definitely got something to offer local smartphone shoppers in the entry-level smartphone category.
The Vivo Y52 5G runs on a Dimensity 700 processor, 4GBs of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 5000mAh battery. It's also got a 6.58-inch FHD + LCD (IPS) screen, 5G connectivity, a 48-megapixel camera and a Micro SD slot.
Pros
- 48-megapixel camera
- 5000mAh battery
- MicroSD card slot
Cons
- Low resolution front-facing camera
- Only 4GB RAM
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Vivo Y52 5G outright at the following retailers:
The Vivo Y52 5G isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
2. Motorola Moto e32
Credit: Motorola Although the entry level option in Motorola's 2022 range, the Moto e32 has a lot going for it. Features like a large 5000mAh battery and generous 6.5-inch display make this a decent option for budget shoppers wanting for a phone for everyday use.
The Moto e32's display also has a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate for a fluid viewing experience, meaning it should play videos well. If you're more into gaming though you probably should consider the step-up Moto g82 5G that has 5G connectivity and costs AU$200 more.
Pros
Large 5000mAH battery capacity
Side-mounted fingerprint reader
Cons
Very affordable (costs AU$229 at launch)
No 5G. It has 4G/LTE connectivity
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can find the Motorola Moto e32 through the following:
Big W - AU$229
Kogan - AU$225
MobileCiti - AU$225
The Motorola Moto e32 isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
3. Samsung Galaxy S10 + (Refurbished)
Credit: Samsung The Samsung Galaxy S10 + hit stores in 2019, but its feature set was considered pretty ground-breaking at the time and remains decent even by 2022 standards. It features a 6.4-inch QHD Super AMOLED display powered by a sporty Snapdragon 855 processor.
On the back, the Galaxy S10 + has a triple camera array consisting of a 12MP wide angle lens, 12 telephoto lens and a 16MP ultra-wide angle lens, while on the front you'll find a 10MP selfie camera with an 8MP depth sensor.
With Wi-Fi 6 functionality and a large display, the Samsung Galaxy S10 + makes a fine phablet (phone tablet) for use at home or on the run, so is a great option for those that want to simplify their digital lives to just one device.
Pros
Excellent 6.4-inch QHD Super AMOLED display
Decent quality rear-facing triple camera
Cons
Bixby button can be annoying
Thin bezels can result in false touches
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 + through the following:
The Samsung Galaxy S10 + isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
4. Nokia G20
Credit: HMD Global HMD Global says the G20's 5000mAh battery lasts for up to three days between charges. It also comes with Spatial Audio Capture that adds directional sound to videos.
The G20's hardware is average, but adequate, for a low priced smartphone. The device itself runs on a MediaTek Helio G35 processor and 4GBs of RAM and it has a 48-megapixel quad rear-facing camera.
The Nokia G20's IPS LCD display only displays images and videos in 720x1600 pixels, which may be lower than what you can get for the same price. Still, if you're after longevity in battery life, the Nokia G20 is an affordable option.
Pros
Promises long battery life
Spatial Audio Capture
Cons
Low resolution display
Average hardware
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Nokia G20 through:
The Nokia G20 isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
5. TCL 20 R 5G
Credit: TCL TCL's new handset teeters on the bridge between mid-range functionality and entry-level simplicity sporting a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, 4500mAh battery capacity and 90Hz screen refresh rate on one hand, while having a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera on the other hand.
With its 5G functionality and the above features, there's a lot to like about his phone and enough to ensure its continued popularity.
Pros
90Hz screen refresh rate
Large 4500mAh battery capacity
5G capable
Cons
Only has a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the TCL 20 R 5G through:
Harvey Norman - AU$198
JB Hi-Fi - AU$198
Dick Smith - AU$291
Amazon - currently unavailable
The TCL 20 R 5G isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
6. Motorola Moto G30
Credit: Motorola The Moto G30 is a relative newcomer in Motorola's line-up, having been released in the first half of 2021. It sports a 64-megapixel quad camera system and a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display (720x1600 pixels) with a 90Hz screen refresh rate. The Moto G30 runs on the Android 11 OS and is powered by a Snapdragon 662 processor.
It comes with 128GB internal storage options and 6GBs RAM. It also comes with a large 5000mAh battery capacity that Motorola says can last for two days.
Pros
Fast charging
Large battery
Cons
Low resolution display
No 4K video recording
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Moto G30 through the following:
The Moto G30 isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
7. Oppo A74 5G
Credit: Oppo The Oppo A74 is an entry level phone that punches well above its weight in the functionality stakes. It's equipped with a Snapdragon M480 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a large 5000mAh battery, 6.5-inch FHD+ display (1080x2400p), plus a 48-megapixel rear quad camera.
In our review of the Oppo A74 5G, we said that “Power users may prefer the likes of the Oppo Find X3, but the Oppo A74 5G has more than enough get up and go for enjoying FHD+ video. It also takes great photos for your social media accounts.”
You can read our full review here.
Pros
Large beautiful 6.5-inch display
Large 5000mAh battery
Cons
Design lacks flair
Heavier than some phones
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Oppo A74 5G through
Amazon - currently unavailable
Officeworks - AU$347
Mobileciti - AU$348
The Oppo A74 5G isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
8. Oppo A54 5G
Credit: Oppo The Oppo A54 5G is another affordable 5G handest. It features a 6.5-inch HD+ display (1080x2400) and is powered by a Snapdragon 480 processor with 4GB of RAM. It also has 64GBs of on-board storage and a quad-lens camera.
The Oppo A54 5G's main camera shoots 48-megapixel images. It also has a 16-megapixel front-facing camera discreetly positioned in the phone's top left front corner. Like other phones in Oppo's line-up it runs on Oppo's proprietary ColorOS 11.1 Android skin.
Pros
5G support
90Hz screen refresh rate
Cons
Internal storage a bit small
OS is ColorOS 11.1
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Oppo A54 5G through:
Amazon - AU$278
JB Hi-Fi - AU$279
The Good Guys - AU$299
Officeworks - AU$278
Catch - AU$288
The Oppo A54 5G is available on a postpaid mobile plans through Optus and Woolworths. Check the widget below for more.
9. Nokia 5.4
Credit: HMD Global The Nokia 5.4 has one major upgrade over its predecessor the Nokia 5.3, that being a 16-megapixel front-facing camera in place of the Nokia 5.3's 13-megapixel camera. On the back it sports a quad camera array with a 48-megapixel main camera.
The Nokia 5.4 has a 6.39-inch IPS LCD display (720x1560 pixels) and is powered by a Snapdragon 662 processor. It comes with 128GBs internal storage and 4GBs RAM. It also has a 4000mAh capacity battery.
Pros
Sturdy design
Dual-SIM and microSD card slot
Cons
Low resolution display
Battery capacity 4000mAh
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the Nokia 5.4 through:
BigW - AU$229
JB Hi-Fi - currently unavailable
Officeworks - AU$247
The Nokia 5.4 isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
10. TCL 20L+
Credit: TCL The TCL 20L+ has some of the best hardware we've seen in a phone under $400 bar 5G. It runs on a Snapdragon 662 processor and 6GBs of RAM. It has a 6.67-inch FHD+ (1080x2400-pixels) IPS LCD display and a large 5000mAh battery.
It comes with 256GB internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via its microSD). The 64-megapixel main camera includes an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel macro camera and 2-megapixel depth camera.There’s also a 16-megapixel selfie camera.
Pros
64-megapixel rear camera
FHD+ display
Cons
No 5G connectivity
Black colour not available
Where to buy?
In Australia, you can buy the TCL 20L+ through:
- Amazon - AU $389
- Dick Smith - AU$388
- Officeworks - AU$397
The TCL 20L+ isn’t available on any postpaid mobile plans via Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, but you can always pair the device up with a SIM-only plan (see below).
Related: Top 10 best Android and Apple smartphones for under $600
