Shopping for a phone for back-to-school while on a tight budget? There's one phone I can recommend without any reservations.
Somewhere between the final day of school and the first day back, your phone stopped working. Maybe its screen cracked after a particularly hard fall, or its battery dies by noon regularly, or apps take so long to open that you forget why you launched them. You doubt it will last through another school year, but with all the expenses for school supplies, a budget phone is all your finances can handle at the moment.
Luckily, affordable phones have significantly improved, providing better screens, larger batteries, and more capable cameras than models released just a couple of years ago. As you prepare to return to school, this is the perfect time to retire your old phone and secure an upgrade. However, the overall timing isn't favorable for the smartphone market, and this has noticeably affected entry-level devices.
The ongoing shortage of memory and storage has led some manufacturers to raise their prices. It has also affected availability and, in at least one instance, caused a major manufacturer to exit the US market entirely. This situation has resulted in fewer options than usual, leaving only two budget phones that merit a strong recommendation. Here are those selections, along with those that have fallen out of the running this year.
**Samsung Galaxy A17: The safest budget option**
Samsung
**Pros**
- Six years of OS and security updates, unparalleled at this price
- 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate
- 5,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day
- Compatible with all US carriers
- IP54 rating provides protection against splashes
- $35 upgrade to 256GB storage also increases RAM to 8GB
**Cons**
- Exynos 1330 is aging
- 4GB RAM on the base model is limiting
- Ultrawide and macro cameras are not very useful
Samsung’s most budget-friendly Galaxy A-series phone is the one I’d confidently give to a student who just needs a dependable device that will last for the next few years without costing too much. Samsung supports the Galaxy A17 with six years of OS and security updates—an unprecedented feature for a $200 phone, making this the best budget option right now.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen is stunning, and with its 90Hz refresh rate, it feels much smoother if you’re upgrading from an older 60Hz device. The Gorilla Glass Victus on the front can withstand drops that would crack a cheaper screen, and while the plastic build may not feel premium, it is sturdy in hand. The 5,000mAh battery can easily last a full day without a midday charge, but adjust your performance expectations accordingly.
The Exynos 1330 processor is a few generations behind, meaning you may experience occasional stuttering when opening apps or scrolling through content. This is mainly due to the 4GB RAM in the base model. Upgrading to the 256GB storage version for an additional $35 will give you 8GB RAM, which should mostly alleviate this issue and enhance multitasking.
The triple-camera setup on the back is mainly a marketing tactic, with the primary 50MP sensor handling most of the workload while the other two cameras provide little value. The device has an IP54 rating, which means it won’t survive a dive into a pool, but it can handle a spilled drink or a rainy walk without issue.
These trade-offs are typical for devices in the sub-$300 range, so they aren’t necessarily deal-breakers. What truly matters is whether the phone you select today remains visually appealing, operates smoothly throughout most of your day, and continues to receive updates by the time you graduate—that’s where the Galaxy A17 excels. It’s compatible with all carriers and stands out as the more reliable of the two options provided here.
**TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro: A strong alternative for T-Mobile users**
TCL
**Pros**
- 8GB RAM and 256GB storage are standard
- Larger 5,200mAh battery
- Unique NXTPAPER 120Hz display
- IP68 rating allows for full submersion protection
**Cons**
- $199.99 price requires signing up for T-Mobile or Metro; unlocked price is $329.99
- Carrier compatibility claims are unclear and need confirmation
- TCL doesn't match Samsung's software support duration
The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is a solid choice for students who spend extensive time in front of a screen and want to protect their eyes throughout the semester. It features 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 5,200mAh battery, and an IP68 rating, giving it an advantage over the Galaxy A17.
Its standout feature is the NXTPAPER display, which allows users to switch the 6.9-inch, 120Hz screen from full color to a matte, paper-like Ink Mode with a simple switch. The Ink Mode significantly reduces glare
Other articles
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
Rumors that Samsung is preparing an "ultra-version" of its foldable smartphone have been circulating for a long time. And now they have finally become a reality. The company officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — one of the most ambitious devices in the lineup. It is thinner, lighter, features a new titanium frame, improved cameras, larger displays, and enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
I really want a new classic Walkman, but Sony probably won't be able to provide one.
Vintage gadgets are attracting a fresh audience, but reviving Sony's iconic Walkman would necessitate reconstructing years' worth of lost components, tools, and manufacturing knowledge.
Shopping for a phone for back-to-school while on a tight budget? There’s one phone I would wholeheartedly recommend.
Shopping for back to school typically involves choosing from a few reliable budget-friendly choices. This year, though, the selection is limited, with one standout option I would suggest for the upcoming school year, along with a strong alternative that has a drawback.
If you enter the incorrect PIN 13 times, your Galaxy phone will be permanently locked.
Galaxy devices that come with One UI 9.0 will permanently lock after 13 unsuccessful PIN entries, making a factory reset the only method to regain access.
Anthropic's Claude Cowork may have the ability to break out of its local virtual machine and access credentials on a Mac.
Security researchers demonstrated that Claude Cowork could take advantage of a Linux kernel vulnerability to break out of its VM sandbox and gain access to SSH keys and credentials on the host Mac.
Apple aims for WWDC 2027 to launch smart glasses but is still deliberating on the camera feature.
Apple aims to introduce its first smart glasses at WWDC 2027, but is still uncertain about incorporating a camera due to increasing privacy concerns.
Shopping for a phone for back-to-school while on a tight budget? There's one phone I can recommend without any reservations.
Shopping for back to school typically involves choosing from a few reliable budget choices. This year, though, the selection is limited, with one standout recommendation for the upcoming school year, along with a strong alternative that has a specific drawback.