Tech in general is getting much more expensive, and the best phones prove that. For almost two months, I’ve been using the Galaxy S26 Ultra — one of the most expensive flagship models you can buy right now. It's backed by a suite of powerful cameras, extra-long battery life, and a Privacy Display unlike anything previously seen, so it’s no wonder it commands a $1,299 price tag.
But lately, I’ve been wondering what it would be like to go back to a budget phone. I’m not referring to the mid-range models around $500 that I’ve praised in the past, like the Pixel 10a. I’ve explored the flagship vs. budget phone conversation before — specifically with the iPhone X and Honor 7X back in 2018 — but a lot has changed since then.
