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You no longer need to break the bank for a good mobile gaming experience. Recent technological advancements allow you to play games even on budget smartphones. That's because modern processors from Qualcomm and Google have more than enough performance in the budget segment.
As of this writing, several mobiles, including Pixel phones, have been discounted. This article features some of the best budget phones you can buy right now for gaming.
Note: This list is subjective and the entries are arranged in no particular order.
Explore these budget phones for gaming in 2024
1) Pixel 8
Price: $499 (Currently discounted)
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The Pixel 8 is heavily discounted at the moment, which is a lucrative deal for gamers.
The new Pixel 8 has the latest Tensor G3. It has powerful cores and a clock speed of 2.91 GHz, so it can deliver one of the best gaming experiences. The battery life is also quite decent and it supports wireless charging.
Pros
- Has an incredible gaming performance for the price.
- The body is made of premium materials.
- Has a quality display with a high refresh rate.
Cons
- The deal price of $499 will not stay forever.
2) Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Price: $449
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a great smartphone for gaming. Depending on the region, the phone will have either Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200. They are quite capable and can provide higher graphical fidelity and smooth framerates in any games you want to play.
The Galaxy S23 FE's display is also incredible for the price tag and can go toe-to-toe with more expensive smartphones. That said, its bezels are a bit thicker than usual and don't look uniform with the rest of the screen.
Pros
- Has a flagship-level display quality.
- Powered by gaming-grade chipset.
- Has a stellar camera setup.
- Supports wireless charging.
Cons
- The bezels are thicker than usual.
3) Google Pixel 6a
Price: $294
The Google Pixel 6a is a bit older at this point but is available at an incredible price, so you cannot miss this deal. Under $300, you cannot get a better budget phone than this. It has a premium metal and glass construction that users appreciate.
It also has a flagship-grade chipset that is quite capable and can comfortably run Genshin Impact and other graphically demanding games at decent framerates. You also get an incredible camera performance from this smartphone. It's a Pixel, after all.
Pros
- Features a great chipset for the price.
- Has a stock Android setup, which will get updates till 2027.
- Provides impressive camera performance.
- Great build quality.
Cons
- There's no wireless charging.
4) OnePlus Nord N30
Price: $229
The OnePlus Nord N30 is available at a significantly low price tag but still has a capable processor inside. The Snapdragon 695 has just enough power to run Genshin Impact at low graphics settings. It should also be able to play other gacha games.
It has a great display with an AMOLED panel, which produces rich colors and deeper blacks. It also has a great design that looks quite modern and definitely doesn't look like a cheaper phone, even though it is.
Pros
- Has a decent chipset that can play most games over 30 FPS.
- Features an AMOLED display that provides rich colors and higher contrast levels.
- Has a great battery life.
Cons
- It is not running on the latest Android version.
5) Motorola Moto G 5G (2024)
Price: $179
The Motorola Moto G 5G was recently launched in March 2024. It currently costs $179 and for this price, it comes with a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor. This is not a gaming-grade chipset but it can still play modern titles with decent framerates.
It has a large display with a high refresh rate, so the phone's user interface will feel smoother and deliver a better user experience. It also has a large battery capable of providing up to two days' worth of juice.
Pros
- Comes with a high refresh rate display for a smooth user experience.
- Is equipped with the latest Android version.
- Has a decent performance for the price.
- The battery life is incredible.
Cons
- The secondary rear camera is useless.
There's no way of sugarcoating this. Budget phones won't have the best gaming performance, but they have just enough performance to deliver smoother gameplay at lower graphical settings, thanks to technological improvements. Choose a smartphone that best suits your needs and requirements.
