I’ve Saved Thousands by Refusing to Buy an iPhone. Here’s How I Get Everything I Need in a Phone for Under $100

Apple’s latest iPhone 17 starts at $799, with premium models like the Pro Max and Air reaching up to $1,199. That’s just for the base version making it one of the most expensive consumer tech upgrades this season.

While crowds lined up worldwide for the launch, I stayed home. I’ve never spent more than $100 on a phone and I don’t plan to. My budget-friendly device handles everything I need without the premium price tag.

People sometimes react like I’m living off the grid when I mention my phone costs less than a pair of sneakers. But I’ve got all the essentials: texting, streaming, GPS, and apps. It just didn’t come with a luxury markup like the iPhone or Galaxy.

Here’s how I stay connected, productive, and entertained with a smartphone that costs less than dinner for two and why it’s one of the smartest budget decisions I’ve ever made.

Pre-2003

A prehistoric era in mobile tech most households didn’t own cellphones, and landlines ruled the day.

2003 to 2010

During high school and college, I used a basic flip phone generously provided by my parents. It handled calls and texts, and that was enough.

2010 to 2017

I relied on company-issued phones starting with a Blackberry, then a couple of iPhones. Privacy wasn’t a priority, and I used these devices for everything. Shoutout to my former employers for the free data and premium tech perks.

2017 to Present Day

Once the corporate freebies ended, I joined Google Fi, which offers a limited lineup of phones none of them iPhones. While premium models like the Pixel Pro top $1,000, I’ve consistently chosen the lowest-cost options, usually last year’s Samsung or Motorola models. They’re often discounted, likely because I’m one of the few people still buying them.

The main reason? I’m frugal by nature. Raised in a household that valued saving over spending, I’ve never seen the point in dropping hundreds on a phone especially when my income didn’t justify it.

I don’t chase upgrades. I wear clothes until they fall apart, drive cars until they quit, and only replace my phone when it becomes painfully slow or unusable.

My current device is a Moto 5G I picked up for $64. It handles everything I need texting, podcasts, GPS, and entertainment. I download apps from the Google Play store, and while my 128GB of storage is modest compared to the iPhone 17’s base model, it’s more than enough for daily use.

I’m not bothered by the green bubble in group chats. I don’t need a cinematic display or an AI assistant. I need a phone that works and this one does, without draining my wallet.

There are trade-offs to using a budget phone. I envy the crisp photo quality of high-end camera phones especially now that I’m a parent. I want to capture meaningful moments, but my lens feels like it’s wrapped in plastic. And as my devices age, they slow down to a crawl.

Still, those frustrations don’t justify spending an extra $1,000. And maybe it’s not just about being frugal.

A study from Wharton’s Neuroscience Initiative found that Apple users often feel emotionally bonded to the brand and its community. Samsung users, by contrast, tend to favor the brand simply because it’s not Apple.

I’m not emotionally invested in my phone or in Apple. I just want something that works.

If you’re trying to trim your tech budget, your phone is a smart place to start. Premium devices come with a hefty markup for features many users rarely use. Is that price tag really worth it?

You don’t have to settle for a $64 device like mine, but before rushing to upgrade, ask yourself what you actually need and whether a cheaper smartphone could meet those needs without draining your wallet.