Best Budget Smartphone (Under $300) in 2024

Moderators at OzBargain are now running yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. For more information on how these polls work, or if you want to suggest a new poll that isn't covered already, please refer to our announcement thread here.


Question

What is the best budget smartphone under $300 in 2024?

Once again we'll discuss options and recommendations for smartphones in the budget category. We asked the question last year … and it seems that most of you prefered Motorola when it came to budget devices.

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

How do I suggest products to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and fill up "Suggestions" text box just above your comment:

Suggestion box

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the phone is still widely available to purchase, is usable with Australian networks (check if it is VOLTE / VoWIFI compatible) and isn't a model from more than 2 years ago) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

Poll Options Wed, 01/01/2025 - 00:00

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2024. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.

Comments

  • Suggested Motorola Moto G54

    Definitely OzBargain's favourite under $300.

    • I got this for my mum, not having a native photo album kinda bugs me though

  • I bought the G54, it’s alright, nice screen, and does the job, camera is average bit on the slow side. Cant go wrong with E sim and dual speakers. Hopefully will last long.

    Had a Nokia before, do not recommend.

    • Which Nokia? Was it the G60 or something?

      What was wrong with it?

      • Had a Nokia 7.2, screen had some weird contrast issue, GPS couldn’t find me, finger print scanner had a ghost scroll, camera app lagged and sometimes didn’t open missing photo opportunities. I emailed Nokia, they never responded.

    • How's it compare with the G04?

      I want a bin android phone to be a home assistant remote and not much else

      Currently on an iPhone 6S if that helps for understanding how little I care

      G04 is here
      https://www.mobileciti.com.au/motorola-moto-g04

      G54 is here (amaysim customers $179 delivered)
      https://www.amaysim.com.au/devices/phones/motorola/motorola-…

  • +1
    Suggested Motorolla Moto G84

    Motorolla Moto G84 can be had under $300 now https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/849986

    • Not anymore.

      The typical best price for a Motorola G84 is definitely over $300, which puts the G84 into the next price category.

      • Ahh that sucks. Glad I picked mine up for around $275 when I had the chance

        • Yep, it looks like there was a couple of weeks where the price went down and that was the time to grab it. You were smart / lucky.

          I missed the boat on the G84. :-(

          Here's hoping that another sub $300 G84 deal comes by before my POCO X3 Pro dies.

          • @peteru: There will always be another deal (at least when it comes to rapidly depreciating items like phones)

  • Suggested Xiaomi Redmi Note 13

    $247 @ AliEx

  • Moto G84 now, $269 in Big W.

  • Looking for an android phone for work, camera isn’t important. JB has the Motorola G54 for $199 and the G84 for $299. Which is the better device for longevity? Is the G84 worth $100 more?

    • +2

      Search up some deals that have both G84s and G54s in it, plenty of analysis in comments.

      My summation of what I’ve read is

      • G84 is better across the board if your don’t need e-sim

      • G54 has e-sim and is amazing value

      $100 may be a small price to pay for slightly more responsive every day usage, but 40% is a lot more with budget phones (+50% in your case).

      My conclusion was I wasn’t willing to pay an extra $100 for a G84 because I was barely willing to buy a G54 so now my plan is a marketplace phone (or one out of a battery recycling bin 😏)

      • I think the major cost difference may be due to the screen. On the G84 you get OLED.
        Then there is also the increased DRAM and storage.

        If camera is not important, you probably don't need the extra storage or better screen, so the G54 might be the sensible choice.

        However, I can't find the G84 for $299 anywhere at this time.

        JB Hi-Fi prices as of today are:

        • G14 for $199
        • G54 for $299
        • G84 for $449

        Officeworks prices are within a few $ of the JB prices.

  • +1

    I got the G54 when it was $149 @ JBHI Fi and been very happy with it,Great value and no issues so far Recently went to Android 14. Does everything I need, Swapped from Vivo X50lite

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