The Best Budget Camera Phones (USA and Canada)

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If you are shopping for affordable smartphones with good camera in the United States of America and Canada, we have just the list for you. Americans use the term “budget smartphone” to refer not to phones under US$200 or US$100, as used in some other regions of the world, especially in emerging markets. 

When a US or Canadian resident says “budget phone”, they often use it to mean the sub-$400 price range. So, a smartphone that costs $250 is considered a budget device, though it is definitely expensive elsewhere. If you are a non-US, non-Canadian, and even non-European, resident reading this, you need to take this to heart.

This quick guide presents our editors’ selection of the most affordable smartphones with good camera – the best budget camera phones available in North American and European markets.

The Top 5 Affordable Smartphones With Good Camera

We are going to start this list with the most affordable of the best budget camera phones you can buy in the United States Of America. This list is also applicable in Canada, and to a large extent, countries in the European Union. All prices are in US dollars.

Google Pixel 3a

Google Pixel 3a is one of the top affordable smartphones with good camera
Google Pixel 3a is the most affordable of the best budget camera phones in North America and Europe

The Pixel 3a is the lower budget model of Google’s budget flagships, Pixel  3 and Pixel 3 XL. Coming in at about $250 now, it is the most pocket-friendly of the affordable smartphones with good camera available in mature markets worldwide. It is officially supported in those markets too.

Google Pixel 3a has a 12-megapixel single lens at the back and an 9-megapixel snapper in front. With a 5.6-inch display and a plastic body, it is lightweight and handy. It does have significant top and vottom bezels, giving it a mildly dated appearance. But it is the cheapest super camera phone you will find in the USA.

Google Pixel 3a XL

Pixel 3a XL is one of the best budget smartphones with good camera 
Pixel 3a XL is one of the best budget smartphones with good camera

The Pixel 3a XL is the same camera phone as the 3a, but with a bigger display and a bigger battery. Everything else about it, including its cameras, is the same as on the 3a. Of course, it costs a little more too. For just $270, you can pick this up on Amazon websites in the US, Canada and across Europe, as well as from wireless carriers and mobile networks.

Samsung Galaxy A71

Samsung Galaxy A71 cameras

Samsung has a player in the game, and it is the Galaxy A71. It is packing a 64-megapixel rear camera. The other lenses include an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth lens. For selfies, there is a 32-megapixel lens in the punch hole.

It s interesting that Samsung’s A71 is the only budget camera phone on this list of affordable smartphones with good camera that has a multiple lens setup. All the others have single camera lens.

Samsung Galaxy A71 will set you back by US$350 only.

Google Pixel 4a

google pixel 4a is one of the affordable smartphones with the best cameras

The Pixel 4a is the successor to the 3a, and it brings a more up-to-date design and apperance – minimal beels all round – and a punch hole selfie camera. The cameras are still specified the same as the 3a’s – a 12-megapixel snapper at the back and an 8-megapixel snapper in front. But they take better quality photos, so we think it is a worthy upgrade. Some disagree. But we shall leave that to you to sort out.

How much does the Google Pixel 4a cost unlocked? US$350 only. Not bad for a budget camera phone in its class.

iPhone SE 2020

Apple iPhone SE 2020 top
Apple iPhone SE 2020 is the most expensive of the affordable smartphones with good camera

The last and the most expensive of the affordable smartphones with good camera is Apple’s iPhone SE 2020 model. While the name suggests that it is a follow-up to the original iPhone SE, in terms of looks, it is a replica of the Phone 8.

The main camera of the iPhone SE 2020 is a single 12-megapixel lens, while the selfie camera has a 7-megapixel lens. And like the other smartphones listed on this page, it shoots great quality photos. How much does Apple iPhone SE 2020 cost? Just a little shy of the $400 mark. Just $399.

All of these affordable smartphones with good camera can be purchased unlocked from Amazon websites. They are also available SIM-locked on various American carriers, including Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon,  AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and others. In the USA, you can also purchase them via instalment payment plans.

Of course, you can also find them to buy regardless of what country you reside in. Some of them are officially supported in your country, and some are available through 3rd party, unofficially supported channels. At the worst, you can place your orders via e-commerce websites like Amazon, GearBest, AliExpress, Jumia, Flipkart, and others.

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