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Budget phone pricing had an unusually volatile year in 2026, and if you’re reading a “best unlocked phone under $300” list from earlier this year, there’s a real chance it’s already wrong. Component and memory chip cost increases pushed several popular budget phones above the $300 mark after they launched, in some cases by $100 or more. Here’s what’s verified to actually still be under $300, unlocked, right now.
Why Older Budget Phone Lists Are Getting Outdated Fast
Several budget Android phones launched at one price in late 2025 or early 2026 and then got quietly repriced upward within months, driven by rising memory chip costs across the industry. Motorola’s own lineup is the clearest example: the Moto G Power (2026) launched at $299.99 in January and now retails at $399.99 unlocked, a $100 increase that pushes it out of this price bracket entirely.
The standard Moto G (2026) launched at $199.99 and now sits at $299.99, right at the edge of qualifying. This isn’t a temporary sale price fluctuation, it’s a sustained MSRP increase.
The practical takeaway is that a phone’s original launch price isn’t a reliable guide to what it costs today. Before buying anything in this category, check the current unlocked price directly from the manufacturer rather than trusting a review or list that could be a few months stale.
What’s Actually Under $300 Right Now
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is priced at $249.99 unlocked directly from Samsung for the 128GB model. It comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, a triple camera system with optical image stabilization, IP54 splash resistance, and Samsung’s commitment to six years of OS upgrades and security updates, which is unusually long support for a phone at this price.
Motorola Moto G Play (2026) is priced at $249.99 unlocked, after its own price increase from an initial $170 to $180 range. It’s Motorola’s entry-level option in the current lineup, with a microSD slot for storage expansion.
Motorola Moto G (2026) is priced at $299.99 unlocked, right at the edge of this budget, with a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, a 5,200mAh battery, and expandable storage.
What You’re Trading Off Under $300
At this price point, expect real compromises compared to phones in the $450 to $600 range: slower processors, fewer RAM options, and displays that don’t match mid-range phones on brightness or resolution. The Galaxy A17 5G’s six years of software support is the standout feature in this bracket, since a budget phone that stops getting security updates early is a worse long-term value than a slightly pricier phone that stays protected.
Storage expansion also varies by brand. The Motorola models here support microSD cards up to 1TB, while Samsung’s A17 5G also includes a microSD slot. If you shoot a lot of video or keep a large photo library, expandable storage matters more at this price tier than it does on flagship phones with large built-in storage.
Recommended Unlocked Phones Under $300 (August 2026 Prices)
Prices below are current manufacturer unlocked prices, checked directly against Samsung and Motorola’s own listings. Given how much this category has moved in 2026, treat any third-party list, including this one, as something to verify again before you buy if time has passed.
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (128GB): $249.99
The strongest overall pick under $300 right now, mainly because of the six years of promised OS and security updates, well beyond what most budget phones offer.
Motorola Moto G Play (2026) (64GB): $249.99
The cheapest current option from Motorola after its own price increase earlier in the year. A reasonable pick if you want expandable storage and don’t need Samsung’s software-support runway.
Motorola Moto G (2026) (128GB): $299.99
Sits right at the edge of the budget. More RAM headroom and a bigger battery than the Moto G Play, but not as long a software support commitment as the Galaxy A17 5G.
Unlocked Phone Under $300: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Moto G Power still under $300?
No. It launched at $299.99 in January 2026 but now retails at $399.99 unlocked after a manufacturer price increase, pushing it out of this bracket.
Why did budget phone prices go up in 2026?
Rising memory chip and component costs pushed several manufacturers, including Motorola, to raise MSRPs on existing budget models months after launch, rather than only pricing new phones higher.
Which budget phone has the longest software support under $300?
The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, with six years of promised OS upgrades and security updates, longer than the Motorola options in this price range.
Should I trust an older “best budget phone” article?
Not without double-checking current prices directly from the manufacturer. Given how much budget phone pricing shifted in 2026, an article even a few months old may recommend a phone that’s since moved out of its stated price bracket.
Bottom Line
The safest picks under $300 right now are the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and Motorola’s Moto G Play and Moto G (2026), all confirmed at current manufacturer pricing.