BudgetPhone helps people choose an affordable phone. This page explains where our information comes from, how we rank phones, and what we do not claim.
We research; we do not test phones in hand
Our guides are research-based. We do not run our own battery, camera or performance tests, and we never present someone else’s test as our own. When a page mentions battery life, camera quality or performance, it cites the outlet that measured it.
Where the facts come from
- Specs and features come from the manufacturer’s US product and support pages for the exact model. A spec sheet for a different region or a whole product family is not enough.
- Software support (security updates and Android or iOS upgrades) comes from the manufacturer’s published policy for that model. If no end date is published, we show it as unknown.
- Carrier compatibility comes from carrier and manufacturer compatibility information for the exact US model number. “Unlocked” does not mean a phone works on every network.
- Prices shown on our pages are the manufacturer’s regular unlocked list price (not a sale, trade-in or carrier-activation price), with the date we checked it. Makers do change list prices: in 2026 Samsung and Motorola raised several budget models by $50 to $100, so we recheck them and update our guides when they move. Store prices change constantly, so every merchant button takes you to the store to see the current price.
Every phone page lists its sources and the date each one was checked.
Unknown means unknown
If we cannot confirm a feature from a reliable source, we show Unknown, not “No” and not “Yes”. A missing price is never shown as $0. Our finder only counts a feature as present when a source confirms it.
How we rank
- Budget first. A phone appears in an “under $X” guide only when a sourced unlocked price fits that ceiling.
- Everyday needs. Software support length, carrier fit and the features most buyers rely on.
- Evidence. Cited, measured performance from independent testers beats spec-sheet numbers. We do not treat battery capacity as battery life, or megapixels as photo quality.
- The tradeoff. Every pick names the main compromise you accept, and when another phone is the better choice.
Commission rates never change the order. We list fewer phones rather than pad a list.
Updates and corrections
We review the catalog regularly and when phones launch, are discontinued, or change price. If you spot an error, please contact us with the model and a reliable source.