The Moto G Play 2026 stands out in the sub-$300 class thanks to its thoughtful feature set and solid everyday performance. They typically offer a smooth everyday experience, large displays for media consumption, and Motorola’s near-standard Android software, so you’ll have fewer bloatware apps to deal with. Battery life is the highlight here, with high-capacity cells providing reliable all-day use even under heavy browsing and streaming. Although the camera performance is not as good as the flagship model, it is more than sufficient for everyday photos and social posts.

If you prioritize battery above all else, the Moto G Power 2026 is an attractive option. As the name suggests, it packs a massive battery that can easily last more than a full day even with heavy use, continuing Motorola’s trend of offering reliable battery performance at an affordable price. The display and camera setup may feel a bit utilitarian compared to some rivals, but you won’t have to worry about charging during the day.

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is one of Samsung’s strongest mid-range contenders in the sub-$300 segment. It offers a well-rounded package with a bright and crisp AMOLED display, smooth performance for everyday tasks, and decent camera hardware to take reliable shots in a variety of conditions. Samsung’s software polish and promise of long-term updates provide added value, especially if you plan on using your phone for multiple years. It has a great balance of design, performance, and ecosystem support. ”

The Redmi Note 15 4G has always been one of the most feature-rich phones under $300, and it offers specs that outperform its price. You typically get a large, bright display, competent mid-tier chipset performance for everyday use and light gaming, and a useful camera system that covers most casual scenarios. HyperOS customization also gives you the flexibility to customize your experience. Battery life and charging speed are solid, making it one of the best value options in this price range. In exchange for 5G connectivity, it has great battery capacity and a 108MP main camera.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G offers a balanced hardware and software combination at an affordable price. Its performance tier is closer to everyday use than heavy gaming, but 5G support provides future-proof connectivity for streaming, browsing, and light cloud-based tasks. Its design language is modern and Samsung’s UI experience is sleek and user-friendly.