FOXX S13 Gray 256GB

The FOXX S13 is a $299 unlocked phone that pairs a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display and excellent battery life with a mediocre camera and buggy software. It's a solid choice for screen-obsessed budget buyers, but anyone who values polish or camera quality should look at a Pixel or Motorola instead.

The FOXX S13 is a $299 unlocked Android phone that tries to punch above its weight with a spec sheet that reads like a mid-ranger's wish list. You get a 6.7-inch AMOLED display running at 120Hz, a 108MP main camera, a beefy 5000mAh battery, and 12GB of RAM, all wrapped in a slim 199g body. On paper, it's the kind of phone that makes you wonder why anyone spends four digits on a flagship. But hardware specs are only half the story, and the FOXX S13 has some rough edges that remind you why it costs less than a decent set of wireless earbuds.

For people searching for a cheap phone with a big screen and all-day battery, the FOXX S13 ticks those boxes loudly. The AMOLED panel gets bright enough at 900 nits to handle direct sunlight, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel fluid. The Dimensity 900 processor won't set any speed records, but it's paired with enough RAM to keep dozens of apps in memory without a stutter. And you get modern connectivity like 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and NFC, which isn't always a given at this price.

But this isn't a phone for everyone. The software experience is where things get dicey, and the camera system, while numerically impressive, doesn't always deliver the consistency you'd hope for from a 108MP sensor. The FOXX S13 is best seen as a budget powerhouse for someone who values hardware over polish, and who doesn't mind tinkering or dealing with a few software quirks to save a bundle.

The MediaTek Dimensity 900 inside the FOXX S13 is a familiar mid-range chip, and it lands right in the middle of the pack in our performance database. That means it handles everyday stuff like streaming, messaging, and web browsing without breaking a sweat, but it starts to show its limits when you throw demanding 3D games at it. You can play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll need to dial settings down to medium or low to keep frame rates smooth. The 12GB of RAM (plus whatever virtual RAM the phone adds) is generous and keeps app switching fast, but it doesn't make the processor any quicker.

Where the phone does shine is in battery and connectivity. The 5000mAh cell scores in the 85th percentile across all phones, which translates to a genuine two-day battery for light users and a full day even with heavy screen time. The 33W charging is decent, though not class-leading. 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 all work as expected, and you get dual SIM support for those who need it. For basic productivity and media consumption, the performance is more than adequate, but power users and gamers will feel the difference compared to phones with snappier chipsets.

At $299, the FOXX S13 throws down a spec gauntlet that's hard to ignore. You're getting a display and battery combo that usually lives in phones costing $400 and up, plus a 108MP camera that sounds like it belongs on a flagship. The real question is whether you can tolerate the software hiccups and the fact that FOXX isn't a name anyone asks for by, well, name. Alternatives like the Motorola G Stylus 5G (around the same price) offer a cleaner Android experience and a built-in stylus, while a used Samsung Galaxy A54 can be found near this price and brings better cameras and software support. But if you want maximum screen and battery for minimum cash, the FOXX S13 makes a compelling argument.

Stack the FOXX S13 against the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the spec sheet alone might fool you into thinking it's a fair fight. It's not. The S23 Ultra costs four times as much and delivers a vastly superior camera system, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that runs circles around the Dimensity 900, and a level of software polish that makes the FOXX feel like a school project. But for a tenth of the price, the FOXX S13 still gives you a 120Hz AMOLED screen and a battery that lasts just as long, which matters more to some people than raw processing power.

A more realistic rival is the Google Pixel 10a, if and when it lands. Google's A-series phones historically offer a clean camera experience and prompt updates, but they typically cut corners on display and RAM. The FOXX S13 flips that script by giving you a better screen and more memory while skimping on camera software and brand trust. The Motorola G Stylus is another direct competitor, trading the FOXX's camera megapixel count for a stylus and a near-stock Android build that's less likely to drive you crazy. If photography and software are your priorities, skip the FOXX; if it's raw hardware value, the FOXX holds its own.

If you need a phone that can survive a drop onto concrete or a splash by the pool, look elsewhere, the FOXX S13 is about as rugged as a soap bubble. Gamers who want high frame rates at max settings will find the Dimensity 900 frustrating, and anyone obsessed with consistent camera output should hunt for a used Pixel or a newer Galaxy A-series instead. Also, if you can't stand the thought of googling error messages or living with a quirky Android skin, this isn't your phone. Spend a bit more on a Motorola or OnePlus for a less adventurous experience.

Should you buy the FOXX S13? If you're broke but refuse to compromise on a big, beautiful screen and battery life that just won't quit, the answer is a cautious yes. This phone delivers where it counts for media lovers and casual users, and the 12GB RAM means it won't feel sluggish for years to come (even if the processor sets a low ceiling). The camera, while numbered like a headline, is more of a backup singer than a star, and the software can sometimes feel like it was translated by someone in a hurry.

If you can stretch your budget by $50 or $100, a Pixel or a Galaxy A-series phone will give you a smoother ride and longer software support. But for $299, you're getting a lot of screen, a lot of battery, and a surprising amount of RAM. It's the quintessential budget overachiever, as long as you're willing to live with its rough edges.