The best smartphones under 150 euros in the UK 2023

Each generation of smartphone costs more than the previous one, with flagships selling for around 1,000 euros. But why break the bank when cheaper models have improved considerably? Indeed, not everyone can afford to spend so much on what is still a phone! As you can see, this guide is aimed at people with a budget limited to 150 euros. At this price, there is no shortage of good deals.

Blackview A60 Pro 1
8/10

Under €80

Blackview A60 Pro

The best smartphone under 80 euros

If you're looking for a smartphone for less than 80 euros with good performance, a modern design, 4G connectivity and a fingerprint sensor, the Blackview A60 Pro may be the device for you.

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Blackview's A60 Pro has a curved metal chassis that is comfortable to hold. There is an overall symmetry to the phone that is very pleasing to the eye. Considering its screen and powerful battery, you'd be surprised to find that it weighs only 170g. The power and volume buttons as well as the 3.5mm jack and micro USB port are all fairly accessible and follow a standard layout. Blackview claims up to 12 hours of battery life in low power mode, which puts the A60 Pro among the best and longest lasting smartphones in its class. So the 4,080 mAh battery is supposed to do a good job.

The A60 Pro has a 6.1-inch IPS panel, offering a wide range of colors and contrast levels. The pixel quality is slightly lower due to a rather low resolution of 1280 × 600 pixels. The A60 Pro, running Android 9.0 Pie, is aimed at light Android users, who use their smartphone mainly for email, web browsing, social networking and video. For these tasks, the quad-core MT6761 4X Cortex-A53 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM ensure a smooth user experience. On the other hand, it should be noted that the internal memory of 16 GB is relatively small, but well compensated by the support of external memory up to 256 GB.

DOOGEE X95 2
7/10

Best under €100

DOOGEE X95

The best smartphone under 100 euros

The DOOGEE X95 is cheap. Available for less than 100 euros, it is one of the most affordable smartphones running Android 10. Its huge battery should offer decent battery life, while its design looks surprisingly modern.

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A glance at the spec sheet reveals the entry-level identification information of the X95. DOOGEE has equipped this smartphone with a 6.52-inch display with a maximum resolution of 1200 x 540 pixels. A 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory (expandable up to 128GB) confirm the entry-level positioning of the DOOGEE X95. Inside the DOOGEE X95 is a MediaTek MT6737 processor that offers limited performance.

But think again, it's more than enough for moderate use. Indeed, the DOOGEE X95 also has 3 rear-facing cameras, the main one being a 13MP sensor. In terms of battery life, the DOOGEE x95 does quite well with a 4,350 mAh battery.

Blackview A80 Pro 3
7/10

Best under €130

Blackview A80 Pro

The best smartphone under 130 euros

The Blackview A80 Pro wants to convince us with its huge battery, numerous LTE bands and 4-lens camera module on the back. Due to its price positioning, we can be skeptical. But this smartphone has more than one trick up its sleeve!

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The Blackview A80 Pro's plastic casing doesn't allow it to stand out too much from the competition. Anyway, it's a glossy body with thin borders and a teardrop-shaped notch. With a weight of 180 g, the smartphone is about the same level as other smartphones in its price range. The A80 Pro supports multiple LTE networks. There are 2 SIM slots, one of which can be used to insert a micro SD card.

In addition, the fingerprint sensor on the back unlocks the smartphone reliably, but with a little delay, despite the fact that it runs Android 10.0. Appreciably, the Blackview A80 Pro has a 6.49-inch display with HD+ resolution (1560 × 720 pixels). With the MediaTek Helio P25 as the processor, Blackview doesn't make a bad choice in this price range. Moreover, the octa-core processor is backed by 4GB of RAM, which provides a smooth experience. Finally, the internal memory reaches 64 GB.

Redmi 9 4
8/10

A great choice

Redmi 9

Excellent smartphone under 150 euros

The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is undoubtedly the best smartphone under 150 euros in this selection. It features a 4-lens camera module, NFC connectivity, a 3.5 headphone jack and fast charging functionality.

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The Redmi 9 has a 6.53-inch IPS display with a native resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels! This is a real feat for a smartphone under 150 euros. In addition, the screen of the Redmi 9 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The build quality of the Redmi 9 is excellent, considering the price. Also regarding the screen, because the smartphone has relatively thin edges, it offers an impressive screen-to-body ratio (83%).

The Redmi 9 runs Android 10 with a custom MiUI 11 launcher from Xiaomi. You can upgrade it to MiUI 12 if needed. On the performance side, the Redmi 9 packs an octo-core MediaTek Helio G80 chipset consisting of 2 high-performance ARM Cortex-A75 cores and six low-energy ARM Cortex-A55 cores. To support this new chipset, the Redmi 9 comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory. Finally, with a 5,020 mAh battery the Redmi 9 manages to achieve exceptional battery life.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best smartphone under 150 euros

Any specific needs?

The best smartphone under 80 euros

The best smartphone under 100 euros

The best smartphone under 130 euros

Excellent smartphone under 150 euros

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best smartphones under 150 euros

Less than 80 euros Less than 100 € Less than 130 euros EXCELLENT
Blackview A60 Pro 5
8/10
DOOGEE X95 6
7/10
Blackview A80 Pro 7
7/10
Redmi 9 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Blackview A60 Pro
DOOGEE X95
Blackview A80 Pro
Redmi 9
If you're looking for a smartphone for less than 80 euros with good performance, a modern design, 4G connectivity and a fingerprint sensor, the Blackview A60 Pro may be the device for you.
The DOOGEE X95 is cheap. Available for less than 100 euros, it is one of the most affordable smartphones running Android 10. Its huge battery should offer decent battery life, while its design looks surprisingly modern.
The Blackview A80 Pro wants to convince us with its huge battery, numerous LTE bands and 4-lens camera module on the back. Due to its price positioning, we can be skeptical. But this smartphone has more than one trick up its sleeve!
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is undoubtedly the best smartphone under 150 euros in this selection. It features a 4-lens camera module, NFC connectivity, a 3.5 headphone jack and fast charging functionality.
Screen size (resolution)
6.1" (1280 x 600p)
6.52" (1200 x 540p)
6.49" (1560 × 720 pixels)
6.53" (2340 x 1080 pixels)
Processor
MT6761 quad-core (2.0 GHz)
MT6737 quad-core (1.35 GHz)
MediaTek Helio P25 (2.6 GHz)
MediaTek Helio G80 ( 2 GHz + 1.8 GHz)
RAM
3 GB
2 GB
4 GB
4 GB
Internal storage
16 GB
16 GB
64 GB
64 GB
Battery
4,080 mAh
4,350 mAh
4,680 mAh
5,020 mAh

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Buying guide - smartphone under 150 euros

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How to choose your smartphone under 150 euros

Choosing a smartphone for less than 150 euros requires finding the right balance between a tight budget and decent performance. Let's face it: don't expect the photo quality of a Huawei P40 Pro or an iPhone 12 Pro Max, let alone the gaming performance of an Asus ROG Phone 3. But if you're reasonable in your expectations, the following criteria will help you find something you like.

#1 - With or without a package?

Generally, we often think wrongly that we can find smartphones for less than 150 euros only with a package. However, there are many smartphones on the market for less than 150 euros that are sold bare, i.e. without a package.

If you have the money, we recommend you buy one without a SIM card. You can then find the right SIM-only offer from any cell phone provider and sell your smartphone when you want to change. If you are on a very, very tight budget, you will have to subscribe to a package. The initial selling price will be very low, but at the end of the flat-rate contract, you will notice that you paid more for the smartphone.

#2 - The operating system

With smartphones under 150 euros, there is not much choice in operating systems. With a few exceptions, almost all budget smartphones run Android. But don't worry, Android is easy to use, whether you're a novice or a seasoned user. Just check the version of Android used by the smartphone, as older versions may no longer be supported by regular security updates and lack some essential features.

If you're more interested in iOS, your choice will be limited to older generations of iPhones, which are still on sale (from iPhone 6 onwards) and are still excellent smartphones. Generally speaking, iOS offers a much more streamlined experience, but lacks the depth of customization of Android.

#3 - Screen resolution

Although recent flagships have the largest screens with the widest resolutions, you can still find smartphones under 150 equipped with a quality display. Entry-level models often have a minimum screen resolution of 1280 x 720p. Some slightly more expensive alternatives offer Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screens.

It is essential to focus on smartphones under 150 euros with an LCD panel, which is more than enough. However, AMOLED displays are starting to appear on some entry-level models, which produce even better colors and deeper blacks.

#4 - Battery life

Battery life is crucial, and the endurance of each phone is different. When considering your next budget phone, keep an eye on the phone's battery capacity (in mAh). The higher the number, the longer you can expect the battery to last on a full charge.

#5 - Performance

Smartphones under 150 euros don't come with high-end internal components. But that doesn't mean their performance is bad, far from it. In fact, the best smartphones under 150 euros are equipped with fast processors.

After that, gamers and demanding users for the photo will inevitably be disappointed. To get an idea of a smartphone's performance, look at the processor's base frequency (measured in GHz), the photo module, and the amount of RAM (the minimum acceptable being 3 GB).

#6 - The internal memory

It's amazing how much storage you can consume on a smartphone with apps, games, and images! You'll need at least 16GB of storage. Also favor models with a micro SD card slot to expand memory.

Smartphones under 150 euros that you should definitely avoid

It's easy to lose money or time when you buy such affordable smartphones. It's hard to have an idea of how a cheaper phone will perform in the long run, especially if you buy it online. The big manufacturers like to keep selling their pre-2019 smartphones.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid most models released before 2019. They probably won't continue to receive software and security updates for a long time, if they are even supported now.

For example, we no longer recommend buying the iPhone XR. It's still a good smartphone, but it's only 90 euros less than the more powerful iPhone 11, which is vastly superior in many ways.

Flagship or smartphone under 150 euros?

Flagship

Flagship phones are usually aimed at the hardcore smartphone fans, i.e. those who want the best possible experience. It is on these models that manufacturers put all their premium technology and features. Flagships are equipped with the latest hardware and the most impressive features.

A basic flagship will be equipped with the latest operating system, a large screen with great resolution, a multi-camera camera module on the back, 8 GB of RAM at least and a large battery around 5,000 mAh. Usually, flagship smartphones from smartphone manufacturers have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which means it can be fully immersed in water for a short period of time.

Smartphone under 150 euros

On many smartphone models under 150 euros, many compromises have been made in order to offer such a low price. But the difference is slowly becoming blurred. Basically, smartphones under 150 euros are quite capable of performing everyday tasks such as browsing, gaming and productivity.

Some smartphone manufacturers are even bringing features previously found on flagships to entry-level models, which can now have a four-camera module, a built-in fingerprint scanner and a fast battery charging feature.

Verdict

Of course, it's pretty easy to conclude that a 1000 euro smartphone will always be better than a 150 euro smartphone, almost 10 times cheaper. So if you can afford it, go for a flagship. There are only two main reasons why you should consider a smartphone under 150 euros. The first is obviously budgetary. And if you need a backup smartphone, a smartphone under 150 euros will do just fine.

Why buy a smartphone for less than 150 euros?

Cheap

It was obvious! But this is the main advantage of a smartphone under 150 euros. Being able to buy a good smartphone with good features at a practical and reasonable price is no small feat. There is no doubt that your lifestyle could change with the arrival of a smartphone in your life. So, the main advantage of the budget smartphone is that it makes the dream of "owning a smartphone" possible for some.

Cheaper to replace parts

Generally, replacement parts for an entry-level smartphone are more affordable and repairmen can adapt parts. This is not the case with high-end or new generation smartphones, as manufacturers point to planned obsolescence. In addition, accessories will also be cheap and there will be more choice.

No emotional dilemmas

Imagine you bought a high-end smartphone. Imagine you lost it or it accidentally fell out of your hand and is broken. Your heart will be broken into more pieces than the smartphone, right? Considering the huge fortune you spent on the expensive smartphone, you are sure to lose peace of mind. But if it's a smartphone under 150 euros, the burden will certainly be lightened.

Full functionality

The interesting fact is that you will get almost all the features available in a high-end smartphone in a smartphone under 150 euros. Moreover, there is a trend going on right now that once a flagship phone is released with high-end specs and a very high price tag, a replica will soon be released with almost similar features and design, but with a price tag of less than 150 euros.

Availability

If it's a sub-€150 smartphone, it will reach you soon after its release in any part of the world. But that's not the case with flagship smartphones. You'll have to wait weeks, if not months, to get your hands on the device once it's released in its home country.

Tips

Uninstall applications you don't need.

Most smartphones on the market today come with a good amount of pre-installed applications. Many will be welcomed by almost everyone, but there are definitely a few that you don't want or need. If you're simply not a podcaster, you don't need a podcast app. And smartphone vendors tend to include a bunch of their own apps that you may never need to use. Unfortunately, there are some stock apps that you can't uninstall.

Use the digital wellness features.

Staying

up all night while fiddling with your smartphone isn't the healthiest thing in the world. Android 11's "Bedtime" mode is one of the new so-called "Digital Wellness" features. Not only does it automatically put your smartphone into silent mode at a set time, but it also changes the screen to black and white, in case you don't need to look at the screen after the set times. There is a Pause option in the drop-down menu if you need more time before going to bed.

Install applications from the web

One of the most interesting advantages of Android over iOS is that you don't need to have your phone in hand to install an app on it. Just access the Google Play Store in your web browser and you can remotely install any app or game, as long as you're logged into the same Google account that's activated on the smartphone. This is very handy when you discover an app on your computer and don't want to fiddle with your smartphone to install it on it.

Install an antivirus software.

As

Android is much more open than iOS, i.e., closer to Windows than to Mac OS, it is also more open to malware attacks. Google has built in a lot of strong protections, but we recommend that you install an antivirus app on your Android smartphone. You have plenty of choices: Bitdefender Total Security, Kaspersky Security Cloud, Norton 360 Deluxe and McAfee AntiVirus Plus, etc. Most are free.

Install a Launcher.

It's

a type of customization that iPhone users will never experience: you can change the basic launcher screen on your phone by installing a third-party launcher app from the Play Store. Some of the best Launchers available include Action Launcher, Apex, Microsoft Launcher, Nova, Niagara and Smart Launcher.

FAQ

What's the best smartphone under 150 euros?

The best smartphone for under £150 depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.

Why update the operating system version?

The latest version of Android, just like the latest version of iOS, offers you optimal security while providing you with patches and performance improvements.

How to activate "Locate my device on Android and iOS"?

If you misplace your smartphone or if it is stolen, both major mobile operating systems, Android and iOS have features that help you locate it on a map. On Android, this functionality is provided by Find My which also allows you to deactivate the smartphone. On iOS, Apple goes a step further by allowing you to display a phone number to call or a message on the screen of the lost or stolen iPhone.

What are the best Android apps for photos?

There are many free applications that can certainly help you improve the quality of your photos. However, we recommend PhotoScan and Snapseed. In addition to scanning your images into Google Photo, you can also do some minor editing.

How do I use the battery saving mode?

Android offers much more control over battery saving options than the iPhone. Not only can you turn on "Battery Saver" mode and automatically turn it off when the phone is charged, but you can also use the "Adaptive Battery" feature, which extends battery life based on your usage patterns. You can also set a schedule for the battery saving mode and choose it automatically based on your usage or when you reach a specified charge percentage.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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  2. , cdiscount.com
  3. , backmarket.fr
  4. , fr.wikomobile.com
  5. , blog.ariase.com
  6. , hardwired.pbtech.co.nz
  7. , wired.com
  8. , digitaltrends.com
  9. , micky.com.au
  10. , medium.com
  11. , techradar.com
  12. , tomsguide.com
  13. , pcmag.com
  14. , t3.com
  15. , notre-lettre.com
  16. , masculin.com
  17. , jeuxvideo.com
  18. , darty.com
  19. , consumer.huawei.com
  20. , clubic.com
  21. , monpetitforfait.com
  22. , universfreebox.com
  23. , journaldugeek.com
  24. , frandroid.com
  25. , frandroid.com
  26. , lesnumeriques.com
  27. , fr.wikomobile.com
  28. , mobile.free.fr
  29. , monpetitforfait.com
  30. , journaldunet.com
  31. , android.developpez.com
  32. , tomsguide.fr
  33. , gametwo.applebutterexpress.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Blackview A60 Pro 9
Blackview A60 Pro
DOOGEE X95 10
DOOGEE X95
Blackview A80 Pro 11
Blackview A80 Pro
Redmi 9 12
Redmi 9

Lecteurs

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