7. iPhone SE (64 GB version)
The iPhone SE is Apple's budget smartphone, which is another way of saying it's scarcely a budget smartphone at all.
There's a $399 version of this phone, which would still be expensive compared to anything else on this list, but it only has 16 GB of onboard memory with no slot for an SD card. In other words, it's a device you'll likely grow quickly frustrated with since you'll be constantly deleting photos and other types of content to make more room for daily operations, and in my opinion, that can't be considered good value.
The $499 64 GB version is unquestionably the best value you can get in a new iPhone right now. It's a good choice for people who want to spend a bit less than the $600-$700 prices of other premium smartphones while getting similar specs, or people who just want something resembling a budget iOS device.
6. OnePlus 2
The sequel to the Chinese company's first "flagship killer" smartphone is an excellent device. While OnePlus can no longer claim to make the only premium smartphone in the world under $400, it retains its spot in the pantheon of high-end affordables.
The device's most appealing features (above and beyond the standard zippy processor and 5.5-inch screen) include 64 GB of storage, a hefty battery, and nearly-pure Android — all for $349.
5. Moto X Pure
Motorola has recently become one of the best manufacturers of high-quality, low-cost smartphones. And the company's flagship Moto X Pure is the highest-quality Motorola device on offer.
Running a just-shy-of-pure version of Android, it has a good camera, excellent screen, and plenty-fast processor. It's a great choice for many buyers, and it looks pretty good too, for $349.
#4 Nexus 5x
The best smartphone in the $300-$399 price range, the Google Nexus 5x offers stellar value in an affordable package. The 32 GB version (currently available for $349 on Amazon) comes with all the features and most of the speed you'd expect from a high-end smartphone, including a very nice camera on both the front and back.
Another way to pump value out of this phone is to buy it along with signing up for Google's excellent Fi wireless service plan. As a pay-for-what-you-use plan, Fi is great value itself. Get a Nexus 5x along with it and the 32 GB version will cost just $249. (The less-recommended 16 GB version will cost just $199.)
Click here to see why the Nexus 5X is so good >>
#3 OnePlus X
OnePlus beat themselves at their own value game last October with the release of the excellent OnePlus X. Like the OnePlus Two, it runs nearly-pure Android. And it's an attractive, premium-looking device with a five-inch, full-HD screen and a nice camera.
Its specs won't blow anyone away, but they're plenty good for most tasks, including an impressive 3 GB of RAM. You'll likely want to pick up an SD card to make up for the 16 GB of storage though.
For $249, this is an excellent-value device and certainly worth a look for anyone looking to spend less than $300 on a smartphone. It's also the only cell phone I've ever seen advertised as "fire-baked."
2. The Moto G3
There's only one smartphone under $199 worth buying and it's the Moto G3. While it's a bit underpowered compared to some of the other phones on this list, it's still more than fast enough for the vast majority of tasks you'll want to do on a smartphone.
The 720p, 5-inch screen isn't quite high-res enough that you won't spot the individual pixels. But that's an overrated trick in smartphones anyway, and you'll only miss it when you see the G3 next to premium devices. Plus, the lower-res screen allows the battery to last for incredibly long periods.
Like the Moto X Pure, the G3 runs a nearly-pure version of Android. It's also durable, water-resistant, and its customizable plastic body looks way better and more interesting than many more-expensive devices.
I used one for months, and despite being the cheapest smartphone I've ever owned it's still one of my absolute favorites. It's not quite the best value device on this list, due to its somewhat lacking processing power. But it's far and away the cheapest smartphone worth the adjective "excellent."
The $180 version comes with a paltry 8 GB of storage, though it's expandable with an SD card. You may want to go for the $220, 16 GB model though, because it comes with an extra gig of RAM, which is helpful for maintaining solid performance even while multi-tasking.
Click for more on why the Moto G3 is the best smartphone for people on strict budgets >>
1. Nexus 6
The most affordable premium-quality smartphone around comes from the last generation of Nexus phones. The Nexus 6, made by Motorola, remains one of the great smartphones of all time — though its audience is limited to people who want a huge 6-inch screen.
This device lacks some of the trimmings of top-tier 2016 smartphones, like a fingerprint sensor and latest-gen processor, but it's still a seriously premium device. And it will allow you to sign up for Google Fi.
Best of all? You can pick it up refurbished right now from Amazon for just $280. That makes it dollar-for-dollar the best smartphone in the world.
