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Cheap smartphones are not all disappearing, but the lowest-priced tier is under acute pressure. IDC’s August 2026 forecast projects a 16.7% drop in worldwide smartphone shipments this year and says shipments of phones priced below $100 fell nearly 60% year over year in the second quarter. Apple, meanwhile, sells the iPhone 17e as the most affordable model in its current iPhone 17 family—but that does not make it a sub-$100 phone, or prove that Apple cares little about affordability.
What “cheap smartphones are dead” gets right—and what it misses
The strongest evidence for the claim is at the very bottom of the market. IDC’s August 26, 2026 forecast expects worldwide smartphone shipments to fall 16.7% in 2026, to just over one billion units. IDC also projects the average selling price will rise 27.6% to $581. These are forecasts, not final full-year results. IDC says pressure from memory costs is especially severe for phones below $100; that segment’s shipments fell nearly 60% year over year in Q2 2026. The quarterly segment decline and the full-year worldwide forecast cover different periods.
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IDC’s forecast also projects total smartphone market value to grow 6.3% to $613 billion in 2026, despite fewer shipments. That combination points to a market selling fewer devices at higher average prices, not to every lower-cost option vanishing. Francisco Jeronimo, IDC’s vice president for Worldwide Client Devices, summarized the shift: “The era of the cheap smartphone has ended.” His accompanying point was that vendors with scale and supply leverage are better placed to keep demand at prices consumers have not previously had to pay. The quote describes mounting market pressure; it is not evidence that budget phones have disappeared.
For buyers, the useful distinction is between the sub-$100 segment, where IDC reports particularly sharp contraction, and affordable phones more broadly. The forecast does not establish that every inexpensive Android phone is gone, nor does it provide a current comparison of Android models, prices, or software-support policies.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Where Apple’s cheapest current iPhone fits
Apple announced the iPhone 17e on March 2, 2026, calling it the most affordable model in the iPhone 17 family. That is a relative position within Apple’s lineup: it does not place the device in the sub-$100 category. Apple’s announcement set a US launch price of $599 for the 256GB version. At the time of the current US storefront check, Apple listed a starting price of $699. The two figures are not interchangeable: $599 was the announced launch price, while $699 was the listed current starting price at that check. Both are US prices; check Apple’s local store for another country and confirm the current amount before buying.
Apple vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing Kaiann Drance described the 17e as “a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family.” That is Apple’s positioning, not an independent assessment of value. For an individual buyer, value depends on the price actually available, storage, and whether the phone’s features meet their needs.
Rank #2
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1320x2868px at 460ppi, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 4685mAh Battery
- 1TB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 Pro (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz), Apple GPU 6-core, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) 5x optical zoom + 48MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Does Apple’s sales performance show it ignores budget-minded buyers?
No. Strong sales do not reveal a company’s private motives. Apple’s Q3 2026 Form 10-Q reports iPhone net sales of $54.252 billion for the quarter ended June 27, 2026, up 22% year over year. Apple attributed that increase primarily to higher net sales of Pro models. That result supports a narrower conclusion: Apple’s iPhone business was growing, with the higher-end models leading the reported increase. It does not show that Apple ignores buyers seeking a lower-priced iPhone.
Apple’s April 2026 results release also said iPhone set a March-quarter revenue record, fueled by demand for the iPhone 17 lineup, and identified the iPhone 17e as a lineup addition. The existence of an entry model is evidence that Apple serves a lower price point within its own range; it is not evidence that the company competes aggressively at the market’s lowest prices.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
There is a commercial tension in offering a less expensive model alongside premium phones. In AP’s February 2025 coverage of the iPhone 16e, Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee described it this way: “The problem with a lower-end product in a luxury portfolio is that you want it to be good but not so good as to cannibalize the crown jewels.” That was commentary about the earlier 16e and the product-positioning trade-off, not a finding about Apple’s private intentions for the 17e. It helps explain why “Apple has an affordable model” and “Apple targets the cheapest phones” are different claims.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether an affordable phone is actually a good deal
Compare the complete offer, not just the headline price. The available evidence here does not establish directly comparable current Android prices or update policies, so check the specific models and terms you are considering.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
- Upfront cost and storage: Compare the price for the storage capacity you will actually use. A lower starting price can be misleading if the configuration you need costs more.
- Operating system: Decide whether you want iOS or Android, and account for the apps, services, and devices you already use.
- Software support: Check the manufacturer’s stated update commitment for the exact model. A longer usable support period may matter more than a small initial saving.
- Repairability and parts access: Consider whether repairs are practical where you live and whether parts and service are accessible.
- Camera and battery: Match these to how you use a phone—such as frequent photography, travel, or a full day away from a charger—rather than assuming a cheaper model will meet every need.
- Total price after offers: Calculate the amount you will pay after any trade-in or carrier financing, including the plan terms and the period over which payments continue. Do not treat a conditional credit as an unconditional discount.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
