What does a $100 smartphone get you in 2026?

Core Impact Points

• A $100 smartphone can get you a basic phone with a full-color touchscreen, modern Android apps, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, at least one rear camera, and a decent battery.
• Brands like Motorola and TCL offer options, but with varying levels of compatibility and specs.
• Prepaid carrier deals can bring 5G, FHD+ AMOLED displays, 128GB of storage, and multiple rear cameras into the mix.
• The Motorola 2024 Moto G Play is a good option, with a big 6.5-inch HD+ screen, a 50-megapixel main camera, 64GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM.
• The TCL 30 Z is unlocked and advertised as compatible with major carriers, but it's a basic phone with limited specs.
• Brands like BLU also sell new unlocked phones below $100, but they come with rock-bottom specs and limited carrier compatibility.