A cheap Android may be a bargain but there are some unexpected reasons for the price gap. From processor and camera compromises to long-term security risks.
Spend a few minutes browsing Amazon, Best Buy, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and you’ll find a host of Android phone options ranging from expensive to pretty darn cheap. You can also find generic Android phones available through both traditional and prepaid carriers, which often have low-cost options for shoppers on a budget. If you’re not well-versed in the latest phones and tech, this can make things confusing. The first thing to know is that Android devices are manufactured and sold by many brands. Samsung, Motorola, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and even companies like Asus all offer Android-based phones.
Looking at the iPhone 17 versus iPhone 16 price guide, you can see that Apple iPhones fit nicely into specific price buckets. Sure, the prices may vary slightly from wireless carrier to wireless carrier, but not in the same way that they do with Android devices. If you actually stop and compare the prices, they can vary wildly. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is $1,300 before any credits or discounts are applied. There’s a stark price difference when comparing that to something like the $300 Motorola Moto G Power 2025. But, there’s also a big trade-off in both features and specifications, which is why they have such different costs, and why some Android phones cost way less.
