I'm looking for a budget-friendly burner smartphone since I need it only to expand a family member's home security system using a specific app. I'm not interested in keeping the phone for long, just for this one-time purpose. I want to know what the cheapest options are available in the U.S. without borrowing from friends or using my own phone.
5 Answers
Why not consider using an emulator like BlueStacks on your computer? If you're just needing to run the app, that could save you the hassle and cash of buying a phone.
Have you looked into refurbished options? Sometimes companies sell their old devices at discounted prices. Or check around for any old phones friends or family might have lying around. It's surprising how many people have upgrades just sitting unused!
You might want to check out Amazon for options. Older Google Pixel models usually work well with most apps, just ensure they’re unlocked. There are plenty of choices to suit your budget!
If it's just for one time, you could really simplify your life and use a prepaid phone. Stores like Walmart or Dollar General have decent options, and I've seen them bundled with the first month of service for under $100.
eBay is another great place to search for used phones, especially locked ones that might not be in demand. I found an almost new iPhone 6+ for around $145, perfect for using with WiFi!
Yeah, definitely check the clearance section! You can often find locked phones for $20-$30, especially if you only need it to connect to WiFi.