What is the best cheap Android phone in 2025?

If you mean a genuinely cheap Android phone in 2025 — roughly the $200–$300 range — my safest pick would be the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. It was widely available, affordable, had 5G, good battery life, a decent display for the price, and Samsung’s unusually strong software-update policy for a budget phone.

If you could spend a bit more, the better “cheap-ish” Android pick was the Google Pixel 8a, especially when discounted, because its camera, software, and update support were much stronger than most budget phones.

Quick recommendation:

• Best cheap Android for most people: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
• Best camera/software on a budget: Google Pixel 8a, if discounted
• Best value outside the U.S.: consider Xiaomi Redmi Note or CMF/Nothing models, but check local warranty, bands, and software-support terms

So, for a simple answer: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G was the best safe cheap Android buy in 2025; Pixel 8a was the better choice if your budget stretched higher.