Top 8 Budget Phones Under $300 in Australia – Best Deals for 2026

A mobile phone under A$300 doesn't have to mean a sluggish processor and a forgettable camera. The trick is to skip new entry-level handsets and buy a refurbished flagship or upper mid-ranger from a year or two ago instead. A 300 dollar phone bought that way gets you a better screen, a faster chip, and a stronger camera than anything brand new at the same price. Phonebot has refurbished and rehomed more than a million devices in Australia since 2012, and every handset below is unlocked for all Australian carriers.

Best Budget Phones Under A$300 in Australia

• Google Pixel 7a 5G (128GB) — A$289 
• Xiaomi 12 5G (256GB) — A$299 
• Apple iPhone 11 (128GB) — A$279 
• Apple iPhone 12 Mini 5G (128GB) — A$249 
• Apple iPhone XR (128GB) — A$239 
• Motorola Edge 50 Neo (256GB) — A$199 
• Apple iPhone SE 5G 3rd Gen (64GB) — A$199 

Now let's break down each phone in detail.

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Google Pixel 7a — Best Budget Phone Under $300 Overall

The Google Pixel 7a is the best all-around budget phone under A$300 in Australia, and the one we'd hand most people. Google's Tensor G2 chip keeps it quick, the 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED is sharp, and the 64MP camera outshoots everything else at this price thanks to Google's computational photography. You also get wireless charging and an IP67 rating, alongside a clean Android build that still receives security updates into 2028.

If your priority is photos and you don't want to think about the phone beyond that, this is the pick. Nothing else here gets close on image quality straight out of the camera.

Pros

• Best camera on this list, by a clear margin
• Clean Android with security updates through 2028
• Smooth 90Hz OLED display
• Wireless charging and IP67 water resistance
• 5G connectivity

Cons

• 128GB storage, not expandable
• Only 18W charging, slow next to the Xiaomi and Motorola

Xiaomi 12 5G — Best Performance Under $300

The Xiaomi 12 is the fastest phone on this list. It runs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a genuine 2022 flagship chip that still outpaces every new handset in this price bracket, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The 6.28-inch 120Hz AMOLED sits behind Gorilla Glass Victus, and at 152.7mm tall it's one of the few compact Android flagships ever made.

It also has the biggest battery here at 4500mAh, and the most complete charging setup of any phone in this guide: 67W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless. The 50MP Sony IMX766 main sensor with OIS holds up well in daylight. The catches are age-related: there's no official IP rating, and Xiaomi's software updates for this model have finished, so buy it for the hardware rather than longevity.

Pros

• Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance, the fastest chip here
• Largest battery on this list at 4500mAh
• 67W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging
• 256GB storage and Gorilla Glass Victus
• Compact 6.28-inch body with a 120Hz AMOLED

Cons

• Software updates have ended
• No official IP water resistance rating
• Limited stock

Apple iPhone 11 — Best All-Round iPhone Under $300

The iPhone 11 is the best-balanced iPhone under A$300. The A13 Bionic is still quick years on, the dual 12MP camera adds a proper ultra-wide lens with Night mode, and battery life was one of the model's genuine strengths. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and easy to read, and it carries an IP68 rating.

128GB of storage is plenty for most people, and iOS support runs longer than any of the older iPhones here. The trade-off is that this is a 2019 handset, so there's no 5G and the screen is LCD rather than OLED.

Pros

• Dual camera with ultra-wide and Night mode
• Strong real-world battery life
• A13 Bionic is still fast day-to-day
• IP68 rating and Face ID
• 128GB storage

Cons

• No 5G
• LCD rather than OLED display

Apple iPhone 12 Mini 5G — Best Compact iPhone

The iPhone 12 Mini is the pick for anyone who wants an iPhone that still feels current, or simply one that fits the hand. The A14 Bionic is plenty fast, it has 5G and MagSafe, and the Super Retina XDR OLED is the sharpest iPhone display in this guide. It's IP68 rated with a Ceramic Shield front.

Two trade-offs to know about. The battery is the smallest here at 2227mAh, so heavy users will be reaching for a charger by evening, and this is the 64GB configuration, so it suits someone who streams rather than stores. If you want small, nothing else comes close.

Pros

• Genuinely compact, easy to use one-handed
• A14 Bionic stays fast
• 5G and MagSafe support
• Super Retina XDR OLED, IP68, Ceramic Shield
• Strong long-term iOS support

Cons

• Smallest battery on the list
• 64GB storage, and no way to expand it
• Small screen won't suit everyone

Apple iPhone XR — Cheapest Big-Screen iPhone

The iPhone XR is the cheapest way into a large-screen iPhone. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and colour-accurate, battery life was always one of its strengths, and the A12 chip still handles daily tasks without complaint. At A$239 with 128GB, it's a lot of iPhone for the money.

It's a 2018 model, so think of it as an affordable, dependable iPhone rather than one you'll keep for years. If your budget stretches another A$10, the iPhone 11 above is the better long-term buy, with an extra ultra-wide lens and a newer chip.

Pros

• Large 6.1-inch display at a low price
• 128GB storage
• Good real-world battery life
• Face ID and premium build
• A12 still capable day-to-day

Cons

• No 5G, and LCD rather than OLED
• Single rear camera, no ultra-wide
• Update support is near its end

Motorola Edge 50 Neo — Best Value Under $300

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is the best value on this list, and it is not close. At A$199 it is the only phone here with a dedicated telephoto lens, a 10MP unit with 3x optical zoom and its own stabilisation, alongside a 50MP main with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide. Every other phone in this guide does zoom digitally.

It also has the longest software support of anything here. Motorola committed to five Android upgrades and five years of security patches from launch, which runs into 2029, a year beyond the Pixel 7a. Add a 6.4-inch LTPO OLED at 120Hz that peaks at 3,000 nits, 68W wired and 15W wireless charging, 256GB of storage, IP68 with MIL-STD-810H certification, and a 171g body, and the spec sheet reads like a phone costing twice as much.

The Dimensity 7300 is mid-range, so this is not the pick for heavy gaming, and the Gorilla Glass 3 front is a tier below the others here. For everything else at A$199, nothing on this page competes.

Pros

• Only phone here with a real optical telephoto lens, at 3x with OIS
• Five Android upgrades and five years of security patches, into 2029
• 6.4-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED reaching 3,000 nits
• 68W wired and 15W wireless charging, with 256GB storage
• IP68 and MIL-STD-810H rated, at just 171g

Cons

• Dimensity 7300 is mid-range, not for demanding games
• Gorilla Glass 3 rather than the tougher glass on the Xiaomi
• 32MP front camera is fixed focus

Apple iPhone SE 5G 3rd Gen — Fastest Chip and Longest iOS Support

The iPhone SE 3rd Gen is the cheapest iPhone on this list and the cheapest 5G iPhone we stock, and it holds a distinction nothing else here can match: the A15 Bionic is the fastest processor in this entire guide, comfortably ahead of the Tensor G2 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in single-core performance. It's a 2022 chip, which also means it will keep receiving iOS updates longer than any other iPhone here.

You're paying for that with the design. The 4.7-inch LCD with a Home button and thick bezels looks dated, the single 12MP camera can't match the Pixel, and the 2018mAh battery is modest. If longevity and speed matter more than looks, it's the smartest buy here at A$199.

Pros

• A15 Bionic, the fastest chip under A$300
• Longest iOS update support on this list
• 5G and wireless charging
• 128GB storage, IP67 rating
• Tied for the lowest price here

Cons

• Dated design with large bezels and LCD screen
• Single camera and small battery

Best Android Phone Under $300

Three of the seven phones here run Android, and they suit different buyers. The Google Pixel 7a at A$289 is the best Android overall, with the best camera by a wide margin. The Motorola Edge 50 Neo at A$199 is the best value, and the only phone in this guide with an optical telephoto lens, IP68, and software updates running into 2029. The Xiaomi 12 5G at A$299 is the fastest, with a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the biggest battery here, and 67W wired plus 50W wireless charging, though its update window has closed.

For more options across the range, see our full lineup of cheap Android phones.

Best Samsung Phone Under $300

Samsung is the most common request we get at this price, so it's worth being straight with you: we don't currently have a Samsung handset in stock under A$300, which is why there isn't one in this guide.

Stock changes weekly, so it's worth checking the cheap Samsung phones range directly, where A-series models often sit just above or below this budget. If you want a Samsung alternative today, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo at A$199 is the closest match in spirit: a 120Hz AMOLED, expandable-class 256GB storage, IP68, and five years of Android updates.

Best Oppo Phone Under $300

Oppo is another common request at this price, and the answer is the same. We don't currently have any Oppo handsets in stock under A$300, so there's no Oppo pick in this guide.

It's worth checking the full refurbished Oppo phones range, where Reno and Find models sit just above this budget. If you want something now, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo at A$199 or the Pixel 7a at A$289 will serve you better for the money.

Is a Refurbished Phone Worth It Under $300?

Yes, as long as it's properly refurbished. The real risk with cheap phones is hidden faults and a worn-out battery, and that's exactly what a graded device removes. At Phonebot, every handset passes a 72-point inspection, has its battery health verified to at least 80%, and ships unlocked with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns, so you carry far less risk than buying second-hand from a marketplace. You can see exactly what each condition means on our phone grading guide.

How We Picked These Phones

Budget phones under A$300 won't match a current flagship, but the right one still feels good to use every day. Our team grades and tests every device in-house before it's listed, and we reviewed this list in August 2026 against live stock and pricing across our full refurbished phones range. Every phone named here was in stock at the price shown on the day of publication. We weighed processor performance, screen quality, camera output, battery life, how long each phone will keep receiving software updates, and overall value for the price.

What to Look for in a Budget Phone

Software longevity matters most if you plan to keep the phone a few years. The Motorola Edge 50 Neo leads here with Android updates into 2029, followed by the Pixel 7a with security patches into 2028, then the iPhone SE 3rd Gen and iPhone 12 Mini. The iPhone XR is a 2018 model near the end of its window, and the Xiaomi 12's updates have already finished, so buy those two for value rather than longevity.

Camera comes down to sensor size and processing rather than megapixel counts, which is why the Pixel 7a wins comfortably. The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is the only phone here with a real optical telephoto lens, and among the iPhones, the iPhone 11 is the only one with an ultra-wide.

Battery is worth checking closely at this price. The Xiaomi 12 leads at 4500mAh, with the Motorola Edge 50 Neo and Pixel 7a close behind. Charging speed matters just as much day-to-day, and the Motorola's 68W and Xiaomi's 67W are in a different league to the Pixel 7a's 18W.

Processor is where buying refurbished pays off most. A flagship chip from a couple of years ago, like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xiaomi 12 or the A15 in the iPhone SE, will comfortably outpace a brand-new entry-level processor at the same money.

5G is on five of our seven picks: the Pixel 7a, Xiaomi 12, Motorola Edge 50 Neo, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone SE 3rd Gen. Only the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR are 4G. If you plan to keep the phone past 2027, 5G is worth prioritising.

Which Budget Phone Should You Buy?

If you're not sure where to start, the Pixel 7a at A$289 is our top pick for most people. Want the best value? The Motorola Edge 50 Neo at A$199 gives you a telephoto lens, IP68, wireless charging, and updates into 2029. Want the fastest phone? The Xiaomi 12 5G at A$299. Prefer iOS? The iPhone SE 3rd Gen at A$199 for speed and longevity, or the iPhone 11 at A$249 for the better all-round package.