The best cheap cameras offer good-enough image quality for a very low price
The best cheap cameras still offer features that make them worth owning for specific uses, even now that the best camera phones can compete on picture quality.
For instance, they can be a great option for kids or those learning about photography and they're also a great choice if you need rugged or underwater capabilities. And of course they're a great option if you're going somewhere where you don't want to risk your pricy smartphone — or at least not risk taking it out of your pocket often. After all, dropping a $70 camera down the side of a mountain won't bother you as much as losing a $700 phone.