Best Smartphones Under $300 in 2025

Here's a curated list of standout budget-friendly phones that deliver strong performance, camera quality, and battery life—backed by reliable sources:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G – Best Overall Value

• Price: ~$279
• Highlights:
  6.6″ AMOLED 90Hz display (HDR certified)
  Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Lite, 6 GB RAM
  50 MP triple-camera system, 4K video
  5,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging
• Why it stands out: Offers a near-flagship experience at a low price.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G – Premium Feel & Updates

• Price: ~$299
• Features:
  6.4″ Super AMOLED 120Hz display
  Exynos 1480, 6 GB RAM
  64 MP OIS-enabled camera + ultrawide lens
  Attractive design and guaranteed software support (4 years)
• Why it matters: Combines standout visuals with long-term update reliability.

Motorola Moto G Power (2025) – Unmatched Battery Life

• Price: ~$249–$299
• Specs:
  6.7″ FHD+ display (90Hz refresh)
  MediaTek Dimensity 8100 / Dimensity 6300
  48–50 MP camera
  Huge 5,000–6,000 mAh battery (multi-day endurance), wireless charging, IP69 durability
• Why pick it: Built to last—both in battery and physical resilience.

Realme 12X 5G – Performance Plus Speed

• Price: ~$299
• Details:
  6.6″ AMOLED 120Hz display
  MediaTek Dimensity 8200, 8 GB RAM
  64 MP Sony main + ultrawide camera setup
  5,000 mAh battery with blazing 65W fast charging
• Standout trait: High-speed charging paired with smooth display.

Nokia G42 (2025) – Clean Software, Rugged Build

• Price: ~$269
• Highlights:
  6.5″ HD+ LCD, Gorilla Glass 5
  Snapdragon 6 Gen 2, 6 GB RAM
  48 MP triple-camera with Zeiss optics
  Android One for 3 years of updates and IP52-rated durability
• Why it’s appealing: Simple, reliable, and secure.

Google Pixel 7a (2025 Refurbished) – Compact Camera Power

• Price: ~$299 (renewed)
• Specs:
  6.1″ OLED 90Hz screen
  Tensor G2 chip, 6 GB RAM
  64 MP camera with Google’s Night Sight and AI photography
  Updates guaranteed until 2027
• What makes it shine: Exceptional camera software and update longevity at a budget-friendly rate.

Voices from the Community

Real users often echo these findings:

“Moto G Power… 6.7″ screen, SD card, headphone jack, NFC, wireless charging.”
— Reddit user applauds its all-around practicality Reddit

“Pixel 8 for $300 is great… not many options at that price that are also small.”
— Reflecting demand for compact yet powerful phones Reddit

Even though these let us know budget users appreciate battery, camera, and performance above all, Samsung and Motorola remain frequent recommendations.

Google’s Pixel 10 lineup is already making headlines, but not for the reasons many expected. Just a couple of weeks after the phones hit the shelves, the company has quietly removed one of its headline features — the Pixel 10 Daily Hub.

What is Pixel 10’s Daily Hub?

Daily Hub was designed as a personalized space on the Pixel 10, gathering important information like your calendar, weather, and recommended content into one central hub. It wasn’t just about reminders — it also used AI to serve up media suggestions, including podcasts, music, and even YouTube content.

The feature carried a public preview label, signaling that it wasn’t fully polished yet. Some Pixel 10 users even reported never receiving it, as the rollout appeared to be limited. On devices where it was available, Daily Hub appeared at the top of the Discover feed or in the “At a Glance” section on the home and lock screen.

Why Did Google Remove It?

According to a statement shared with 9to5Google, the company decided to pause the feature to improve its reliability and personalization. Google explained that its teams are “actively working to enhance its performance” and that Daily Hub will return once it’s ready in a more refined form.

In practice, the feature showed promise but also had inconsistencies. Podcast recommendations were generally useful, but YouTube Shorts results often missed the mark. The last panel of Daily Hub also linked into the Gemini app with pre-filled prompts, though its usefulness varied from user to user.

How This Impacts Pixel 10 Owners

If you own a Pixel 10 or Pixel 10 Pro XL, you may have noticed Daily Hub disappearing from your feed. The removal means Pixel owners lose a feature meant to act as a central “daily assistant.” While not critical to the phone’s performance, it was positioned as one of the smarter additions to the lineup.

What’s Next for Pixel 10

Google has a track record of pulling back preview features, retooling them, and then relaunching stronger versions. A similar pattern was seen with Pixel Studio, which debuted in preview before being upgraded to Pixel Studio 2.0. Daily Hub is expected to follow that same path, with an improved version rolling out in the coming months.

Until then, Pixel 10 users will need to rely on the existing At a Glance and Gemini features for daily organization and suggestions.

Apple iPhone 17 Launch Event: Time and Details

Apple fans worldwide are counting down the hours to the official unveiling of the iPhone 17 series at today’s “Awe Dropping” event. Alongside the new iPhones, Apple is also expected to introduce the latest Apple Watches and possibly some surprise announcements.

If you’re planning to tune in, Apple is making it easy for everyone to watch the event live. You can stream it directly from:

• Apple’s official website (Apple.com)
• Apple TV app
• Apple’s official YouTube channel

Here’s a breakdown of when the event begins across different time zones:

• United States: 10 a.m. PT | 1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CT
• UK: 6:00 p.m. local time
• India: 10:30 p.m. IST
• Pakistan: 10:00 p.m. local time
• Dubai: 9:00 p.m. GST
• Australia: 3:00 p.m. local time

Whether you’re in New York, London, or Dubai, Apple has ensured the event is accessible worldwide.

What to Expect from the iPhone 17 Series

Speculation around the iPhone 17 lineup has been intense, and leaks have given us a glimpse of what’s coming.

• iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max
  Apple is rumored to be making a bold shift in camera design. Instead of the classic square bump, the Pro models may feature a horizontal camera bar stretching across the back—similar to Google Pixel phones. This redesign signals Apple’s focus on blending aesthetics with functionality.
• iPhone 17 Air
  Perhaps the most talked-about model, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be only 5.5mm thin, making it one of the slimmest iPhones ever. Reports suggest it will include a single-lens camera setup with a slim, minimal camera bar. This design is aimed at users who want a sleek, lightweight option without compromising Apple’s premium build quality.

Industry insiders like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have highlighted that this could be Apple’s most visually striking iPhone lineup in years.

The Excitement Around the iPhone 17

Every Apple launch generates global buzz, but the iPhone 17 event stands out because of its rumored design shift and the possibility of introducing a completely new category of thin, lightweight smartphones. With millions set to tune in, the event is not just about product launches—it’s a cultural moment for technology enthusiasts worldwide.