Best Used Phones for Game Emulation in 2025 (All Under $100)

In today’s economy, where $20 barely covers lunch and tech prices keep climbing, the idea of a $200 “budget” phone feels out of touch. This guide is for the rest of us — gamers who want a great retro emulation experience without breaking the bank. We’re talking real budget, like $60 to $100. And not only is it possible — it’s better than ever.

Why Used Phones Make Sense in 2025

Buying used tech isn’t just smart financially — it’s also a more sustainable choice. Many Snapdragon-powered phones from just a few years ago still offer killer performance, especially for retro gaming. With people upgrading phones faster than ever, there’s a goldmine of capable devices out there for a fraction of the price.

In the shadow of a deepening economic crisis and political uncertainty, stretching your dollar counts more than ever. A used flagship from 2018 can run circles around many brand-new budget phones released today.

How Powerful Android Emulation Has Become

Android emulation has come a long way. Thanks to powerful chipsets like the Snapdragon 845 and above, you can now run PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, and 3DS games at full speed with the right tweaks. Even better, with a telescopic controller like the BSP-D8 Pro or GameSir X2, your phone turns into a Switch-style handheld — no extra hardware required.

Many of these phones also support USB-C video out, meaning you can dock them and play on your TV. With a Bluetooth controller and an HDMI cable, your phone becomes a 2-in-1 hybrid console. If docking is part of your setup, prioritize the Galaxy S9 or LG V30. Just grab a USB-C to HDMI cable, and you’ve got yourself a console.

Don’t Want to Use Your Daily Driver? No Problem

Inspired by creators like TechDweeb who advocate for using your phone as a retro gaming handheld, and Game Tech Talk, who made a great breakdown on the best telescopic controllers for Android,, we’re taking that one step further: if you don’t want to risk your main phone, just buy a used one. Dedicated emulation phones are perfect for travel, couch gaming, or tinker projects — and with prices this low, there’s no reason not to.

Best Used Phones for Emulation (Under $100)

Google Pixel 3 (Snapdragon 845)

• Price: $70–$100
• Android Version: Android 12 (official support ended), can run newer versions via custom ROMs
• Pros: Clean Android experience, compact form factor (no HDMI out)
• Watch for: Smaller battery, no microSD slot

Samsung Galaxy S9 (Snapdragon 845, US variant)

• Price: $70–$90
• Android Version: Android 10 (official), some custom ROMs available
• Pros: Beautiful AMOLED display, decent thermal performance, HDMI out support (via DeX or DisplayPort Alt Mode)
• Watch for: Curved screen can be annoying in handheld grips

LG V30 (Snapdragon 835)

• Price: $60–$90
• Android Version: Android 9 (official), custom ROMs may reach Android 11/12
• Pros: Fantastic audio, good screen, HDMI out support (DisplayPort Alt Mode), works great for retro systems
• Watch for: Bootloader unlock is region-specific

Sony Xperia XZ1 (Snapdragon 835)

• Price: $60–$85
• Android Version: Android 9 (official), custom ROMs available
• Pros: Squarish design fits well in grips, great performance for its age (no HDMI out)
• Watch for: Limited software support, small battery

Moto Z2 Force (Snapdragon 835)

• Price: $50–$80
• Android Version: Android 9 (official), custom ROM support varies
• Pros: Thin, solid performance, can be modded with a Gamepad Mod (no native HDMI out)
• Watch for: ShatterShield screen scratches easily

Emulators to Use

• DS – DraStic (fast, easy to use, and supports save states and cheats)
• PS2 – NetherSX2
• GameCube/Wii – Dolphin or MMJR builds
• 3DS – Citra MMJ
• PSP – PPSSPP
• Everything PS1 and older – RetroArch (great for PS1, SNES, NES, GBA, CPS1/2/3, NEOGEO, and even MAME-based arcade games) or standalones like SNES9x EX+, MyBoy!, etc.
• Dreamcast – ReDream (easy to set up, great compatibility) and Flycast (more advanced features, also supports Naomi/Atomiswave)

Want a more detailed walkthrough? Check out Retro Game Corps on YouTube — he has an excellent step-by-step guide on setting up emulators on Android.

You don’t need to spend $300 on a gaming handheld or fight scalpers for retro consoles. With a used Snapdragon-powered phone, a telescopic controller, and a little setup, you’ve got a pocket-sized retro powerhouse.

Now more than ever, smart tech choices matter — and there’s no smarter move than turning yesterday’s flagship into today’s ultimate emulation machine.

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