Four budget phones that keep 2026 prices under control
Mashable’s early 2026 picks show Apple, Google, Samsung and Nothing still have credible phones at $599 or less.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Phone prices may be climbing, but Mashable’s early 2026 budget picks point to a clear sweet spot: shoppers can still find capable handsets from Apple, Google, Samsung and Nothing for $599 or less.
The roundup focuses on budget and midrange models released in recent months, with the wider ceiling set at $700. The standout group covers four familiar names: Apple’s iPhone 17e, Google’s Pixel 10a, Samsung’s Galaxy A57 5G and the Nothing Phone 4(a) Pro.
Apple iPhone 17e
Mashable lists Apple’s iPhone 17e at $599, making it one of the pricier options in the budget pack. The tradeoff is clear: it is still an iPhone, with access to Apple’s wider ecosystem.
According to Mashable, the iPhone 17e uses Apple’s A19 chip, one of the company’s newer processors. That means support for most current and near-future Apple Intelligence features, along with solid everyday performance.
The review notes good battery life for the price, but says buyers give up camera and display quality compared with Apple’s more expensive models. For shoppers who care more about iOS and Apple services than premium camera hardware, Mashable positions it as a strong budget contender.
Google Pixel 10a
Google’s Pixel 10a comes in at $499, according to Mashable, continuing the Pixel A-series run as a regular fixture in budget-phone recommendations.
Mashable says the Pixel 10a does not quite match the usual closeness to Google’s flagship phones, but still delivers a strong package. The site highlights Google’s camera quality as largely preserved on the device.
The Pixel 10a also gets a newly flat rear design that can sit flush on a desk, plus faster wired and wireless charging and a brighter display, according to Mashable. The compromises: it does not include the newest Google Tensor chip, and it misses some of Google’s AI features.
Samsung Galaxy A57 5G
Samsung’s Galaxy A57 5G is listed at $549, with Mashable’s commerce card showing $549.99 at Samsung. The site gives it a more cautious nod than the others, saying it is the weakest phone in the group but still a reasonable pick for people who want to stay with Samsung.
Mashable flags several drawbacks: weak WiFi behavior in awkward network environments, slow face unlock and a limited set of Galaxy AI features.
Still, the Galaxy A57 5G gets credit for a good display, solid performance and strong battery life. Mashable’s verdict is that buyers who do not need the newest premium extras may be perfectly fine with it.
Nothing Phone 4(a) Pro
The Nothing Phone 4(a) Pro is also priced at $499 in Mashable’s roundup, and it brings the flashiest design pitch of the bunch.
Mashable describes Nothing as a British, design-focused phone maker that skips some top-end specs in its more affordable devices in favor of style. For the 4(a) Pro, that means a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, a 144Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery and an LCD “Glyph Matrix” on the back.
The tradeoffs are a midrange Snapdragon chipset and storage capped at 256GB, according to Mashable. For buyers who care more about display, battery life and design than the newest AI features, the Nothing option may have the clearest personality.
This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.