Joe Maring / Android Authority
It’s hard to believe, but 2026 is almost upon us. It’s a new year for renewed resolutions, fresh starts, and — unfortunately — more expensive smartphones.
As AI continues to get bigger, companies are building more and larger data centers to keep the lights on. Those data centers require tremendous amounts of RAM to function, and as you might have heard, that’s quickly leading to a RAM shortage. AI companies are buying RAM at significantly higher levels than ever before, leading to less of it to go around and dramatically higher prices for the inventory that is available.
Although smartphone brands largely ate the cost of this memory shortage in 2025, that’s going to change in 2026. There are already rumors that Xiaomi’s next Android phone will see a 10% price increase as a direct result of RAM shortages, and experts predict that lower-cost budget phones could be hit even harder.
In other words, if you expect you’ll need a new cheap Android phone at some point in 2026, you’re almost certainly better off buying right now while prices are stable. If you decide to do so, these are the five best options.
Heading into 2026, what do you think is the best cheap Android phone to buy? 62 votes Google Pixel 9a 35 % OnePlus 13R 16 % Samsung Galaxy A16 5G 24 % Nothing Phone 3a 10 % Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025) 13 % Other (let us know in the comments) 2 %
Google Pixel 9a
Joe Maring / Android Authority
I’ve recommended the Google Pixel 9a multiple times in various articles throughout 2025, and for good reason. Google has always had success with mid-tier/budget Android phones, and the Pixel 9a is its best yet.
This isn’t due to any single feature or specification; it’s how the Pixel 9a comes together as a complete package. Its cameras are so good and so consistent, its day-to-day performance is great, it has clever AI features, its battery life is solid, and Google’s seven-year software update guarantee is one of the best in the business. You also get all of this housed in a comfortable, well-built body with virtually no camera bump.
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