High-quality gaming phones can be expensive, and now the question is, can you get a top-quality gaming phone on a budget of under $200? The answer is ‘Yes’ You can get cheap but the best Motorola gaming phones under $200 to play your favourite games such as PUBG, Minecraft, Fortune, League of Legends, Arena of Valor, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and more.
How do you choose a cheap phone for gaming under $200?
It would help if you chose a gaming smartphone with an excellent display, great camera and processor speed, great memory speed (RAM), plenty of storage space, at least 1 to 2 days of battery backup, and the latest version of Android OS.
Best Gaming Phones Under $200 in 2024
These low-cost gaming phones were chosen based on several key features you need to play games, from the quality of the phone’s display to battery performance, internal storage, RAM, chipset, and operating system. So, you get features to support all your gaming needs.
1. Moto G8 Power Lite
The Moto G8 Power Lite gaming phone has a large 6.5-inch display, Android 9.0, an Octa-core processor, and a MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset for under $200.
In addition, the device comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. I haven’t experienced glitch performance on Android 9.0, no bloat system ads, or preloaded apps.
We couldn’t get enough of this Moto G8 Power Lite 5000mAh battery. The fantastic device ran for about 18 hours in our gaming, video streaming, and music streaming tests. It comes with a 10W fast charger.
In gaming performance, the Moto G8 Power Lite handled PUBG Mobile well enough, but in recent months, most of the games we’ve found don’t fully support it, and we feel it’s a bit of a downside.
- 6.5 inches of IPS LCD screen
- 4GB RAM with 64GB storage and up to 256GB of MicroSD
- Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 processor
- Android 9.0 operating system
- 5000 mAh of larger batt
2. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an upgrade from Samsung Galaxy A13 and has some enhancements. It has Android 13 by default, and one UI Core 5 is the user interface, making it the best gaming phone of 2024 that costs under $200.
The phone is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700 with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It handles most gaming needs with ease. The device has a plastic structure. For less than $200, it is the cheapest gaming phone you should get.
Samsung also provides a headphone jack and loudspeaker here. There is a PLS LCD. Surprisingly, it’s much more colour-accurate this time around.
The fingerprint scanner is side-mounted and has a less-secure face unlock. The primary camera is 50MP, and the selfie camera is 13MP. Both cameras can record 1080p video. It has a 5000mAh battery capable of fast charging at 15 watts.
- 6.6 inches PLS LCD display
- Latest MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset for high-end gaming experience
- 4, 6, 8GB of RAM with 64 to 128GB storage
- With the expandable memory of up to 1TB to store more games
- Latest Android 13 operating system
3. Moto G Power 5G (2023)
The Moto G Power may not be up to par with the best of Motorola’s flagship smartphones, but this is your best option if you’re on a tight budget. With a large battery and power-hungry SoC, this phone will last at least two days on a single charge, making it the best gaming phone for around $200. Keep your expectations for 120Hz displays realistic.
The Moto G Power 5G is one of Motorola’s cheapest 5G smartphones of 2024, which helps you play online games like Pubg Lite. The price points help to see consistently affordable phones available on this list. The Moto G Power is an excellent option for anyone looking for a long-lasting battery life, but its slow charging speeds may put some buyers off.
Still, the G Power is a solid option at a price, and its value only falls on devices like the Pixel 6a. You could do much worse if you’re looking for a cheap Android phone for regular gaming.
- 6.5 inches of 120HZ display
- 5000mAh of long-lasting battery life
- Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers
- 256GB of storage to get tons of apps and games
4. OnePlus Nord N200 5G
OnePlus Nord N200 is the only smartphone on our list of the best gaming smartphones under $200 with 5G connectivity at an affordable price. The OnePlus Nord N200 5G camera is similar to the Nord N100, but the front camera has a better resolution with a 13MP sensor than the 8MP sensor on the back.
In terms of performance, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G chipset instead of its predecessor’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor. The Adreno 619 processor replaces the Adreno 610 processor in the N100.
- 6.49 inches of full HD+ LCD display
- Snapdragon 480 5G chipset
- 4GB of RAM with 64GB Storage enough to play games
- With 5000mAh of long-lasting battery and 18W fast charging
- Android 11 operating system
5. Samsung Galaxy A51
Samsung’s affordable A-series never fails to deliver performance at a budget-oriented price. The A-series offers plenty of performance for those who want to game at the entry level.
The Samsung Galaxy A51 boasts a massive 6.5-inch display ideally suited for gaming. The large screen lets you supervise everything you need without compromising your FOV.
Powered by an incredible octa-core processor, the A51 delivers smooth performance and excellent heat even during long gaming sessions.
The A51 also has 4GB of RAM for most gaming tasks in 2024. With 64GB or 128GB of built-in storage, you’ll have no problem downloading and saving several of the latest games simultaneously.
The device also supports up to 512GB of expandable storage, giving you more space for large game downloads.
- Huge 6.5 inch display
- Quad Camera 48MP
- 4GB of RAM with 128GB Storage
- Up to 512GB of expandable storage
6. Moto G Stylus (2022)
The new Moto G Stylus 2022 is a great, affordable phone gaming phone, slightly cheaper than its predecessor. It has a massive 6.8-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. The other specs aren’t wrong, either. This phone has a 5,000mAh battery, 6GB of RAM, and a triple camera configuration.
This phone isn’t the biggest on the list because it’s flawed. But this is your only alternative if you’re on a tight budget and need a gaming phone with a stylus.
Read the full review of Moto G Stylu.s
- Built-in stylus for better expirance
- 6.8 inches Max Vision FHD+ screen
- 5000 mAh of battery that lasts up to 2 days
- powerful Octa-core processor
- Android 11 operating system
7. Samsung Galaxy A23
If you don’t want to spend more than $200 on your next gaming phone, get the Samsung Galaxy A23. It’s a great Android phone and costs just $184. The MediaTek Helio G80 processor delivers outstanding performance that lets games like Free Fire and Dead Cells.
This smartphone has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD, and the 90Hz screen refresh rate is one advantage. The increased graphics refresh rate of the screen from 60 to 90 per second for a smoother experience. It’s a minor but welcome improvement. Battery life is excellent, too. The 5,000mAh cell lasts two full days on a single charge, so you don’t have to plug it in every night.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5 G’s primary 50-megapixel camera on the back is surprisingly good, capturing much detail without overexposure. Like other Samsung phones, it’s oversaturated and removes too many shadows, but it’s still a reliable shooter at night thanks to a dedicated night mode.
Best of all, Samsung guarantees 2 OS upgrades and up to 4 years of security patches for this device. The level of software support for the phone on a budget device is lacking.
- 6.6 inches screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- 50 MP of main camera
- 4GB of large RAM with 64GB storage
- 5000 mAh of Li-Po battery with 25W fast charging
- Phone is compatible with most GSM carriers
8. Moto G Fast
The Moto G Fast has reached the top of the $200 budget, and it’s the best phone you can buy when looking for this cheap Android device for gaming.
The G Fast’s hardware is much better built than expected for a phone in this price range. It feels decent to hold, doesn’t rattle or creak, and all the physical buttons feel great to click. The 6.4-inch LCD is nice, too, and it offers a large canvas with minimal bezels, great colours, and good viewing angles.
HD+ resolution means things aren’t as sharp as you’d like, but all things considered, it’s a good screen when playing games.
On the back are three cameras: a 16MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. This 16MP sensor takes amazingly detailed and vivid photos. It’s inferior to other sensors but still fun for expanded shooting possibilities.
Battery life is another plus, with a 4,000mAh battery that some users can use for up to two days. Thankfully, it also charges via USB-C.
What makes all of this even better is the software from the excellent Moto G Fast. The user interface is like that found on the Google Pixel, and Motorola has made thoughtful changes to enhance the experience.
Moto Display continues to offer the best Always-On display on any Android phone, in addition to Moto Fast, which cuts the phone to activate the flashlight and open the camera app.
The great thing about Moto G Fast is that it works with all carriers in the US, so whether you rely on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you can buy a phone and use it without a hitch.
Also, see Best Motorola Total Wireless Phones.
- Powerful Qualcomm's Snapdragon 665 processor
- 3GB of RAM for better performance
- 16MP triple cameras with an ultra-wide 4X lens
- With the water repellent
- Android 10 operating system
9. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
The most affordable phone, the Redmi Note 11, is also the most striking. This is because they offer a lot of money despite being cheap phones. As a result, you get a fantastic screen, long battery life, and outstanding performance. The camera, on the other hand, is not particularly impressive.
It’s an international call, but if you buy this device from Amazon, you get an unlocked phone that works with all US carriers.
- 6.43 inches of FHD+ AMOLED display
- 50MP of main Camera
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 for gamers
- Up to 128GB of storage with 4GB RAM
- 5020mAh long-lasting battery with fast charger of 33w
10. Samsung Galaxy A22
If you don’t want to spend more than $200 on your next gaming phone, get Samsung’s Galaxy A22. Despite its plastic body, it’s a great Android phone and costs less than 200 dollars. The MediaTek Helio G80 processor delivers an outstanding performance, allowing games like Free Fire to run flawlessly.
The smartphone comes with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD, and one advantage is the 90Hz screen refresh rate. Increases the screen’s graphics refresh rate from 60 to 90 per second for a smoother experience. This is a minor but welcome improvement. Even the battery life is excellent.
The Samsung Galaxy A22 5 G’s native 48-megapixel camera on the back is surprisingly good, capturing much detail without overexposure. Like other Samsung phones, it removes too much oversaturation and shadows, but it’s still a stable shooter at night thanks to a dedicated night mode.
Samsung packs everything you want in a phone, like a headphone jack, a MicroSD card slot, NFC for contactless payments, and a fingerprint sensor. Best of all, we guarantee 2 OS upgrades and up to 4 years of security patches for this phone.
The 5,000mAh cell lasts two days on a single charge, so you don’t need to plug it in every night.
- 6.6 inches of Infinity V Display
- MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G processor
- 4GB of RAM with 128GB storage
- Android 11 operating system
- 5000 mAh battery with a 15W fast charging
11. Moto G Play
Moto is the king of the sub-$200 category, and the updated Moto G Play is the cheapest new phone this year. Of course, there are some spec compromises to get to this price tag, but it’s still a delightful technology.
The display is a 6.5-inch, 720p HD+ LCD, but it works. It also has excellent bezels and a tiny waterdrop notch, making it a great phone for watching videos or playing light games. You’ll find a more noticeable downgrade to the 13MP + 2MP dual rear camera, but you can quickly upload it to your favourite social media apps.
On the back of the Moto G Play is a fingerprint sensor with the Moto logo. There’s also a headphone jack, expandable storage support, a friendly 5,000mAh battery, and support for all US carriers.
This device, thankfully, has USB-C charging (no wireless charging).
- 6.5 inches of larger Max Vision HD display
- 5000 mAh battery for up to 3 days of lasting
- Octa-core processor for super responsive performance
- With water repellent design
12. Realme 9i
Regarded as one of the fastest-growing gaming mobile brands, Realme has always been loved by customers who want to keep their budget in line. Targeting the budget market segment, we’ve launched the Realme 9i, one of the best Android phones for under 200 dollars.
Although reasonably priced, this handset is packed with modern features. Realme 9i comes with 4GB and 6GB of storage and expandable memory up to 1128 GB. It is available in two exciting colours. Prism Blue and Prism Black.
The display has a large screen real estate of 6.6 inches and a 90Hz refresh rate. Capture every detail of your favourite movies and TV shows with Full HD Plus resolution. A 50MP primary camera and a 16MP selfie camera make the Realme 9i the best option for taking amazing photos.
Conversely, it’s powered by Qualcomm’s 4G-capable Snapdragon 680 processor, so you’re compromising on top speed. Moreover, this budget phone doesn’t come with the much-anticipated 5G.
With 33W charging integration, it can be fully charged in just 70 minutes. Considering its under $200 price, reliable battery, and other features, the RealMe 9i is a great budget phone for gaming in 2024.
- 6.6 inches of Full HD+ screen
- Powerfuk Snapdragon 680 processor
- 5,000mAh of good backup battery with 33W charging
- Android 11 operating system
13. Moto G Power
The Snapdragon 662 processor is a step back from the 2020s 665, with clock speeds slower than its predecessor. The Moto G Power is up to 720p. While Motorola kept the headphone jack, NFa a C, wireless charging, and official IP water resistance were left out of the spec because, in addition to these issues, this device ships with Android 10 and has only received one major platform update (Android 11).
Do not misunderstand. The Moto G Power is still a solid, robust, affordable smartphone. It’s not the second action we were expecting. Still, it’s hard to beat this one if you’re looking for a gaming purpose with a three-camera setup, a big bright screen, and a massive battery.
- 6.5 inches of ultra-wide HD LCD
- Snapdragon 662 processor
- affordable smartphone
- Up to 3 days of battery
14. Samsung Galaxy A12
The Samsung Galaxy A12 is an affordable smartphone that offers many features for its price. With 128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, you have plenty of room for your apps, photos, and videos. The 6.5-inch HD+ display is large and bright, perfect for streaming video or playing games.
The phone also has a 48MP quad camera setup that takes decent pictures in good lighting. All-day battery life is also a big plus, allowing you to use the phone for hours without recharging.
Performance-wise, the Samsung Galaxy A12 runs on a MediaTek Helio P35 processor, which is not the most powerful processor on the market but can handle basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming. It also supports dual SIM cards, which is helpful for those who travel frequently or need to use multiple phone numbers.
- 6.5 inches of 720 x 1600 Infinity-V display
- Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 processor
- 3GB of RAM with 32GB storage
- 5000mAh of long-lasting battery
15. Moto G8 Plus
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus is the best value-for-money smartphone on our list. The device was released in October 2019 and is affordable, especially if you want a clean Android experience.
On the front is a 6.3-inch LTPS IPS LCD with Full HD+ resolution. It has a bezel-less design in three sizes with a small chin on the bottom. The top features a dewdrop-shaped notch design for the front camera and some primary sensors. The display quality here is comparable to what you expect at this price point.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor powers the Moto G8 Plus. However, it has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage to help you multitask. It runs natively on stock Android 9.0 (Pie), which is upgradeable to Android 10.
Optics features a triple camera setup, a 48MP primary sensor with pixel binning technology, a 16MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP depth sensor. On the front, there is a 25MP camera for taking selfies. The picture quality of this device looks great.
The device is backed by a 4000mAh battery, giving you more playing time to enjoy Minecraft games or League of Legends. It also has 15W fast charging support.
This is a great device with excellent build quality and decent specs.
- 6.3 inches of display with 2280x1080 pixels
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor
- 64GB of internal storage with up to 512 GB microSD card support
- 48MP + 16MP + 5MP rear camera with 25MP front
- 4000mAh of battery that lasts around 2 d
16. Samsung Galaxy A13
For the best phones under $200 in 2024, go for the Galaxy A13. This gaming phone is a great phone that does almost everything. In addition, it is equipped with a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a refresh rate of 90Hz.
The camera is excellent and captures good images. But that should be enough if you don’t mind Samsung’s signature oversaturated look. It is suitable for most everyday chores.
- 6.6 inches screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Great performance gaming phone
- 50MP of main camera
- 5000 mAh Li-Po battery with 15W fast charging
17. TCL 20 SE
TCL’s latest cheap smartphone, TCL 20 SE, costs less than $200. We include it last because we discuss the best gaming phones under $200. However, there are compelling reasons to choose the TCL 20 SE.
It has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor, albeit with slightly better performance. The result is a solid device that feels the best and most luxurious. Unfortunately, it’s made of plastic and looks cheap but is more durable.
The 6.82-inch IPS LCD screen is colourful and bright enough to be seen outdoors. A 5,000mAh battery cell should comfortably last for a day or more, and the usual goodies include NFC, a headphone jack, and a MicroSD card slot.
The only reason it’s not among our top picks is because TCL only promises two OS upgrades and two years of security updates so that the phone will be supported for longer.
- 6.82 inches of V-notch display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor
- 4GB RAM with 128GB of larger storage to store more games.
- 5000mAh of long-lasting battery
- Enjoy playing games with dual speaker designed to give you a stereo audio experience
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes gaming phones different?
You’ll usually get a flagship processor like the Snapdragon 865 that can handle high-end graphics. Battery life, fast charging, storage, and RAM are paramount. Game Optimization helps you prioritize your games and avoid disruptions regarding LTE data usage.
Is 4GB of RAM suitable for a gaming phone?
A phone with 4GB of RAM is good for gaming. But if you want to play with intense graphics, you’ll need 8GB or 12GB of RAM for instant access to your favourite high-end games.
Does RAM increase FPS?
Yes, higher RAM helps generate more FPS because RAM is usually an essential tool to help speed up your device. It’s not fast, but it makes your phone faster with storage capacity.
Conclusion Best Gaming Phones Under $200
Choosing the right gaming smartphone is always tricky, especially when so many options are available for under $200. You need to find what you need the most.
It’s best to consider a few things mentioned above. So, this was our list of the best Motorola smartphones for gaming you could buy for under $200.
