If you can’t imagine your life without music — and your phone without headphones — you’ve probably faced the challenge of picking the right smartphone for enjoying your favorite tracks.
Great music-focused devices exist even in the budget segment. AdmiGram.com can guide you through this tricky choice — but the final decision is yours.
Best Affordable Smartphones for Music
What Makes a Music Smartphone Different?
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A regular smartphone relies on the built-in audio chip of its processor (like Snapdragon Sound or similar). The sound is often “flat”: limited bit depth, weak power for headphones, and basic Bluetooth codecs (SBC/AAC). The 3.5 mm jack is becoming rare, and speakers are usually simple stereo without any special tuning. Such a phone is fine for podcasts or background music, but when it comes to complex genres (rock, classical, electronic), it lacks depth, detail, and soundstage.
A music-focused smartphone stands out thanks to an advanced audio chain:
- Dedicated DAC (e.g., from ESS, Cirrus Logic, or Sony) and amplifier — clean, powerful wired sound
- Support for Hi-Res Audio (24-bit / 192 kHz and higher) and lossless formats
- Modern Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, aptX Adaptive/HD — near lossless over wireless
- High-quality stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, often professionally tuned
- 3.5 mm headphone jack (still present in some models) + a convenient built-in equalizer
- Excellent battery life for music playback thanks to optimization and large battery capacity
The result is richer, more detailed, and more emotional sound — even with affordable headphones. These devices are especially appreciated by audiophiles who listen to FLAC files or high-quality streaming.
How to Choose a Music Smartphone?
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When choosing a music smartphone, follow a simple rule: it’s better to hear it once yourself than to read about it a hundred times online. So before buying, make sure to listen to your favorite tracks on the device in-store. Ideally, prepare around 10 songs from different genres.
If possible, do this in a quiet environment without background noise. Always use your own headphones — the ones you actually plan to use for listening. And hopefully, they’re of decent quality too.
Top 5 Affordable Models for Music (Under ~$500 / €450)
Here are five current options that stand out for audio quality in their price range:
Sony Xperia 10 VI (around $300–450 / £300–350)
A classic choice for high-quality sound lovers. Sony traditionally equips its Xperia lineup with Hi-Res Audio, LDAC support, DSEE Ultimate (upscaling to hi-fi), and a 3.5 mm headphone jack with a solid amplifier. The front-facing stereo speakers deliver clean and detailed sound. This model works especially well with wired headphones and lossless files. Battery life is among the best in its class — music playback can last for dozens of hours. The only downside is that the speakers aren’t the loudest, but for headphone use, it’s one of the best budget options available.
Nothing Phone (3a / 3a Pro) (around $300–400 / £250–350)
A stylish option with impressively good sound. The stereo speakers are loud and clean, with support for hi-res-like formats and modern codecs. The Glyph interface adds a unique touch, while the software includes a handy equalizer. The sound is spacious with good detail, especially noticeable in headphones. Battery life is strong, and charging is fast. A great choice for those who want modern design and quality audio.
Motorola Moto G Power (around $250–300 / £220–280)
A great pick for those who want reliable sound without overpaying. This model still includes a 3.5 mm jack. The stereo speakers are loud and well-balanced, and Dolby Atmos adds depth. Bluetooth codec support is solid, delivering clean sound both wired and wireless. A huge plus is the outstanding battery life (up to two days of active use) and durability (IP68/IP69 in some versions). Ideal for everyday music listening and an active lifestyle.
Samsung Galaxy A17 / A25 (around $200–350 / £180–300)
Samsung offers balanced sound in the budget and mid-range segments. You get stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, a good equalizer in One UI, and support for modern Bluetooth codecs. While the 3.5 mm jack isn’t available in every model, audio via a USB-C adapter or wireless headphones is still rich and loud. Long-term software support (up to 6 years) is a major advantage. A solid choice for users who listen to Spotify or Tidal and appreciate the Samsung ecosystem.
Google Pixel 9a / 10a (around $400–500 / £350–450)
The Pixel lineup is known for clean software and solid audio performance. You get stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, excellent audio processing, and deep integration with Google services (including YouTube Music). While there’s no 3.5 mm jack, audio via USB-C or Bluetooth (with LDAC-like support) is detailed and well-balanced. With up to 7 years of updates, these phones stay relevant for a long time. Perfect for music lovers who also value AI-powered features.
image on top: Daniel Cañibano / Unsplash
