With the rising costs of mobile devices, finding budget friendly yet capable smartphones is essential for many UK buyers.
Modern budget phones provide strong features and performance without breaking the bank.
Choosing the right budget smartphone depends on your must-have capabilities, preferred operating system, and style.
With careful selection, an inexpensive mobile can meet your needs for a fraction of flagship prices.
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10 Best Budget Smartphones in the UK for 2023/2024
Here are the 10 best budget smartphones in the UK for 2023 and 2024:
1. Moto G22
Motorola’s G-series phones consistently offer the best value for money. The Moto G22 packs a 6.5” LCD display, capable MediaTek Helio G37 processor, quad camera system, 20W fast charging, and excellent two-day battery life.
With a clean Android 12 interface and 64GB of storage, it’s the best budget smartphone for under £150. The Moto G22 delivers an outstanding experience for everyday use.
2. Poco M5
From Xiaomi’s value-focused Poco brand, the Poco M5 provides amazing performance for just £149.
A roomy 6.58″ FHD+ display, MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, and 5000mAh battery power this device.
Quad cameras, stereo speakers, and 64GB or 128GB storage round out the specs. The Poco M5 is a leading budget choice with smooth everyday performance rivaling pricier phones.
3. Oppo A17
Oppo’s A17 focuses on core essentials like a vibrant 6.56” screen, capable gaming chip, dual cameras, long-lasting 5,000 mAh battery, and fast-charging capabilities.
With a premium design and ColorOS interface, the Oppo A17 looks more expensive than its £149 price. For a reliable budget smartphone pick, the A17 delivers.
4. Realme 9i
Realme packs great hardware like a 6.6” 90Hz display, Snapdragon 680 processor, 5000mAh battery, and 50MP main camera into the 9i model starting at just £159.
A sleek design with trendy color options makes this phone stand out. Realme also includes handy extras like a microSD card slot. Overall, it is an excellent value.
5. Redmi Note 11
Redmi’s Note 11 sports an expansive 6.43” AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 680 chip, 50MP quad camera system, and long two-day battery life – all for only £179.
MIUI 13 software keeps the phone running smoothly even with intensive use. The Redmi Note 11 brings a superb combination of specs and experience for the cost.
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6. TCL 306
If you want cutting-edge design on a budget, consider the stylish TCL 306. The 6.52” teardrop display and glossy back look far pricier than its £109 cost.
Surprisingly robust performance from the Unisoc processor, dual cameras, and 5,000 mAh battery make the TCL 306 greater than the sum of its parts.
7. Nokia G21
Nokia is renowned for making great budget mobiles, like the £149 G21. Three years of guaranteed OS upgrades demonstrate Nokia’s reliability.
With a 90Hz 6.5” screen, 50MP shooter, MediaTek G710 processor, and clean Android 12, you are getting strong capabilities for the money.
8. Samsung Galaxy A04s
Samsung provides an affordable entry point to its ecosystem with the Galaxy A04s at £147.
A generous 6.5” PLS TFT display, 5000mAh battery, and expandable storage through a microSD make this phone capable of everyday use.
While not the fastest device, One UI software and Samsung build quality outshine other budget devices.
9. OPPO A57
In the sub-£200 category, OPPO’s A57 stands out with its 6.56” 90Hz AMOLED display, MediaTek Helio G35 processor, and superb 5000mAh battery life.
The A57 also sports a premium design above its price. OPPO packs maximum value into this low-cost device.
10. Honor X7
From the recently revived Honor, the X7 provides a 6.74” LCD screen, Snapdragon 680 chip, 64MP main camera, 128GB storage, microSD expansion, and 5,000 mAh battery for £189.
A sleek, durable design and Magic UI interface make the Honor X7 a stylish productivity workhorse that outperforms its price.
What to Look for in a Budget Smartphone
The UK budget phone market is competitive, pushing prices down while delivering great features. When choosing an affordable smartphone, look for:
- Smooth processor – Capable chipsets like Snapdragon, MediaTek, or Unisoc for reliable performance.
- Solid battery life – Units with 5000+ mAh capacity and fast charging.
- Sufficient storage – 64GB+ storage and microSD expandability.
- Quality display – Crisp FHD+ resolution with 6″+ screens and 90Hz+ refresh rates.
- Decent cameras – Dual or triple-lens systems with 50+MP main sensors and night modes.
- 3+ years of updates – Models guaranteed to receive OS and security updates.
- Premium design – Metal and glass rather than plastic builds.
- Fingerprint sensor – Biometric unlocking for security and convenience.
Top Budget Smartphones Under £200
The sub-£200 category offers a great balance of affordability and features:
- Moto G22 – All-around best budget phone under £200.
- Poco M5 – Incredible performance for only £149.
- Realme 9i – Great hardware, like a 50MP camera and 90Hz display.
- Redmi Note 11 – Leading specs and polish for £179.
- TCL 306 – Stylish glass design and smooth performance.
- Nokia G21 – Reliable build and guaranteed 3 years of updates.
- OPPO A57 – Premium AMOLED screen and excellent battery life.
Under £100 Budget Models
Want maximum savings? You can get decent budget devices for under £100:
- Oppo A17 – Solid everyday phone for £149.
- TCL 306 – Impressively premium design for only £109.
- Nokia C200 – Nokia’s most affordable at £84.50 with neat software.
While these ultra-budget options compromise on some features, they cover basics reasonably well.
Read Also: 11 Things You Should Stop Doing On Your Android Phone
To Sum Up
While flagship smartphones now cost over £1000, capable budget devices offer tremendous value in the UK market.
You can find great displays, batteries, cameras, and performance for under £200 with in-depth research.
Brands like Motorola, Poco, Realme, and TCL consistently offer stellar budget devices with premium touches.
Take time to read reviews and understand what capabilities are essential versus nice-to-have.
You can get all the core functions with a sensible budget without overspending. Smart shoppers choose value!
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