The best smartphones under 300 euros in the UK 2023

No need to break the bank to have a powerful smartphone! Indeed, many manufacturers offer well-made models under 300 euros, without compromising on performance. Fast SoC, well-calibrated and often FullView screen, impressive photo module or great autonomy, find your happiness through our guide of the best smartphones under 300 euros.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 1
9/10

Best value for money

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

The best smartphone under 300 euros

With the Redmi Note 9 Pro, Xiaomi offers the best smartphone on the market for less than 300 euros. This 6.67-inch model comes with a 64MP quad-camera and a powerful battery.

192 £ on Amazon

The Redmi Note 9 Pro 128GB is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor paired with an Adreno 618 GPU, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It runs on MIUI 10 based on Android 10. On the connectivity side, this smartphone has Wi-Fi, USB Type-C and Bluetooth v5.0. In addition, the side fingerprint reader offers additional security.

For the photo part, you will get a quad rear sensor that includes: a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra wide angle, a 5MP macro and a 2MP depth sensor. In addition, the Redmi Note 9 Pro offers a 16MP front camera. The phone also features a new slow-motion selfie mode. Finally, the battery has a capacity of 5,020 mAh and a fast charge of 30 W.

Xiaomi Redmi 9 2
7/10

Best value for money

Xiaomi Redmi 9

The best entry-level smartphone under 300 euros

This smartphone produced by Xiaomi is a must-have in all areas. With its power, image quality and responsiveness, you'll love using it in all circumstances.

135 £ on Amazon

The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a very responsive smartphone, it has a 2 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and Android 10.0 version. It can detect 2 SIM cards, which will make your mobile more convenient. It has a 4G network and both cards can connect to it simultaneously. The image quality of this smartphone is satisfactory for aspiring or amateur photographers. Thanks to its 4 back cameras and powerful front camera, you will get sharp photos with exceptional qualities.

The biggest feature of this phone is the power of its battery which is more than 5,000 mAh, which ensures a longer autonomy than many other smartphones. On top of that, with its C-type connector, it charges faster without damaging the battery.

HUAWEI nova 8i
9/10

Best premium value for money

Huawei Nova 8i

The best high-end smartphone under 300 euros

Quad camera, 128 GB of internal storage or SuperCharge at 66 W are some of the great assets of the Huawei Nova 8i. In addition, it is sold for less than 300 euros. At this price, it is a gift!

240 £ on Huawei

L'Huawei Nova 8i impresses at first glance. Its 6.67-inch edge-free display makes it a next-generation smartphone. On the back, the imposing 64MP camera module and its 4 sensors confirm it. The latter is driven by an AI that will sublimate your photos, day and night. Also enjoy a wider angle of view thanks to the wide-angle sensor of 120 °.

The device uses a SnapDragon 662 SoC backed by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal memory. It will be able to run all mobile games, even the most demanding. Its battery is compatible with the SuperCharge of 66 W to recharge it quickly. L'Huawei Nova 8i is offered in 2 colors namely Cosmic Black and Azure Silver.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 3
8/10

Performant and self-contained

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite

A high-performance model with great autonomy

This 5G smartphone has a power defying many of its peers. The photographic quality of the shots and videos is just breathtaking, not to mention an incredible responsiveness.

212 £ on Amazon

The Mi 10T already has the 5G network, so it can ensure greater speed when browsing the web. Its 120Hz processor combined with the Snapdragon 750 promises an incredible performance of the smartphone. As the Mi 10T features 6 GB of RAM, then it will be able to offer excellent responsiveness at all times and whatever you do with it.

Thanks to the 4 cameras with a 64MP main sensor, the photos and videos you will take will be worthy of a photographic work. It has a very wide shooting angle, whether with the front or back camera. All this, stored in nearly 128 GB of internal memory.

The screen of the Mi 10T measures 6.67", all animated with a FHD + resolution that will be able to offer you a whole new visual quality. With its original charger, the Mi 10T will charge in 60 minutes for a battery life of several hours.

POCO X3 Pro
9/10

For mobile gaming

Poco X3 Pro

Ideal for mobile game lovers

For less than 300 €, buy the Poco X3 Pro. It is a powerful smartphone for photo, video, internet browsing and video games. In short, an opportunity not to be missed.

160 £ on Amazon

Compared to the Poco X3 NF, the Poco X3 Pro is more powerful. This smartphone for less than 300 euros has a Qualcomm SnapDragon 860 chip with 8 GB of RAM. It is exceptionally smooth even when you perform several tasks at the same time. The 256 GB of internal memory will be enough for data and files.

If you are a fan of mobile games, this smartphone will sublimate the display with its 6.67-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. This screen even has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection that resists scratches and drops to less than 1.6 meters. The high-capacity 5160 mAh battery offers extended battery life. It supports fast charging at 33W. Finally, the Poco X3 Pro has a 4-sensor camera module.

Samsung Galaxy A51 4
7/10

Sober and efficient

Samsung Galaxy A51

A sober and efficient smartphone under 300 euros

The Samsung Galaxy A51 dual nano SIM has a Super AMOLED FHD display of 6.5 inches for 1080 x 2400 px resolution. The perforated screen gives it a great elegance and practicality.

312 £ on Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy A51 runs on Android 9 Pie OS with a custom Samsung One user interface. The phone features an octa-core Exynos 9611 SoC etched in 10 nm. Add to that 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD card. Not to mention the Mali-G72 MP3 GPU for the gaming part!

Moreover, this amazing smartphone integrates a 4,000 mAh battery. With its 6.5" Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy A51 has an occupancy rate of 87.4%. Moreover, it comes with Gorilla Glass 3 protection and an integrated fingerprint sensor. The photo part stands out with a 48 x 12 x 5 x 5 MP quad sensor on the back and a 32 MP front camera.

HONOR 50 Lite Midnight Black
8/10

Smart choice

Honor 50 Lite Midnight Black

Technical features to show for it

A 16-hour battery life while browsing the web, a 64MP quad-camera photo module, and an immersive, high-brightness FullView display are just some of the advantages of the Honor 50 Lite Midnight Black.

200 £ on Hihonor

The Honor 50 Lite Midnight Black is worth less than 250 €. Yet it has nothing to be ashamed of when compared to more expensive smartphones. Its 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage space, its 6.67-inch FullView screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2376 px are convincing. Note the automatic adjustment of color temperature and brightness.

This smartphone is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 4300 mAh. Its autonomy reaches 16 hours in web browsing mode, against 7 hours in game mode. Thanks to the fast charge at 66 W, the battery is recharged to 50% in just 10 minutes. Regarding photos, the Honor 50 Lite Midnight has a 64MP sensor camera module. The 16MP front sensor will sublimate your selfies. A fingerprint reader is placed directly under the screen.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best smartphone under 300 euros

Any specific needs?

The best smartphone under 300 euros

The best entry-level smartphone under 300 euros

The best high-end smartphone under 300 euros

A high-performance model with great autonomy

Ideal for mobile game lovers

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best smartphones under 300 euros

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP HIGH END PERFORMING AND SELF-CONTAINED MOBILE GAMES SOBER AND EFFICIENT SMART CHOICE
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5
9/10
Xiaomi Redmi 9 6
7/10
HUAWEI nova 8i
9/10
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 7
8/10
POCO X3 Pro
9/10
Samsung Galaxy A51 8
7/10
HONOR 50 Lite Midnight Black
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi 9
Huawei Nova 8i
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite
Poco X3 Pro
Samsung Galaxy A51
Honor 50 Lite Midnight Black
With the Redmi Note 9 Pro, Xiaomi offers the best smartphone on the market for less than 300 euros. This 6.67-inch model comes with a 64MP quad-camera and a powerful battery.
This smartphone produced by Xiaomi is a must-have in all areas. With its power, image quality and responsiveness, you'll love using it in all circumstances.
Quad camera, 128 GB of internal storage or SuperCharge at 66 W are some of the great assets of the Huawei Nova 8i. In addition, it is sold for less than 300 euros. At this price, it is a gift!
This 5G smartphone has a power defying many of its peers. The photographic quality of the shots and videos is just breathtaking, not to mention an incredible responsiveness.
For less than 300 €, buy the Poco X3 Pro. It is a powerful smartphone for photo, video, internet browsing and video games. In short, an opportunity not to be missed.
The Samsung Galaxy A51 dual nano SIM has a Super AMOLED FHD display of 6.5 inches for 1080 x 2400 px resolution. The perforated screen gives it a great elegance and practicality.
A 16-hour battery life while browsing the web, a 64MP quad-camera photo module, and an immersive, high-brightness FullView display are just some of the advantages of the Honor 50 Lite Midnight Black.
Technical Specifications
Screen Size
6.67"
6.5"
6.67"
6.67"
6.67"
6.5"
6.67"
Battery
5,020 mAh
5,000 mAh
4300 mAh
4,820 mAh
5160mAh
4,000 mAh
4300 mAh
Camera
48 x 8 x 2 x 2 Mpx + 16 Mpx
13 x 8 x 5 x 2 Mpx + 8 Mpx
64, 8, 2 and 2 MP + 16 MP
64 x 8 x 2 x 2 MP + 16 MP
48, 8, 2 and 2MP + 20MP
48 x 12 x 5 x 5 Mpx + 32 Mpx
64, 8, 2 and 2 MP + 16 MP
Storage
128 GB
32 Gb
128 GB
128 GB
256GB
128 GB
128 GB

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Buying guide - smartphone under 300 euros

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How to choose your smartphone under 300 euros

#1 - The technical configuration

Choose a phone that packs at least 3GB of RAM and 64 or 128GB of internal memory. Below these specifications, you will have a hard time using social networks, checking your emails, and let's not even talk about games.

#2 - Autonomy

Battery life will ensure a good user experience. So, remember to check the duration of this autonomy on the smartphone you want to buy. The mAh rating will give you an indication, but the capacity is also affected by the screen size, resolution and software. Look beyond that number and check the other specs.

#3 - The screen

You're going to spend many hours looking at the screen, so make sure it's the right size for you and has a high resolution. We recommend a minimum of Full HD 1920 x 1080 p resolution, or even 2160 x 1080 p if the phone has an 18:9 aspect ratio. Anything 1080p or higher will be sharp enough. Even at less than £300, you'll be able to find smartphones with these specs.

#4 - The processor

The processor or SoC is the most important consideration. In general, the newest one offers better performance in terms of speed and power efficiency. For Android smartphones, Snapdragon, Exynos and Kirin SoCs are the cream of the crop. For heavy gaming, consider the presence of a graphics chip or GPU.

#5 - The photo part

Smartphone cameras have improved dramatically in recent years. The choice can be confusing, but note that good camera performance is about more than just megapixel count.

And don't forget the front camera, for video calls and those all-important selfies. Again, the number of megapixels can be a good clue: a 5MP lens with an LED flash should be more than capable of making you look good at any time of the day.

Are Chinese brands reliable?

There has been a recent influx of new manufacturers on the French market, including the Chinese giants Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, OnePlus or Blackeview. Their technical characteristics and their very attractive prices justify their dazzling success. Autonomy, photo, speed, etc., the Chinese manufacturers have become essential in terms of smartphone.

However, be sure to ask before you buy, especially if it's a Huawei or Honor smartphone. The Chinese giant and its subsidiary Honor have had their access to Google services withdrawn. This problem mainly concerns recent products. Remember to ask the seller if the phone still has access to Google services (YouTube, Google Store, Google Play, Gmail...).

The different types of smartphones under 300 euros

Smartphones under 300 euros are not necessarily new models. You can find more powerful phones reconditioned or second hand.

New smartphone for less than 300 euros

New smartphones are not to be introduced anymore. They have a long lifespan and their quality is assured. Today, several European and Chinese brands offer models in this price range with satisfactory performance. However, one is sometimes forced to make concessions on certain features. Let's just say that you can't have it both ways at this price for a new smartphone.

Refurbished smartphone for less than 300 euros

Refurbished or reconditioned smartphones are also interesting in the sense that their performance is more advanced. Always ask for a warranty for this type of purchase. It is more reassuring in relation to the quality and longevity of the device. Indeed, it is a phone that has already been used and returned to the manufacturer because of an original defect or other technical malfunction. It is then refurbished and resold at a lower price. The price can drop from 30% to 70% depending on the brand and model.

Used smartphone for less than 300 euros

The used smartphone for less than 300 euros is mostly offered by a private individual who goes through an intermediary site. It is sold in its current state, that is to say that it has not benefited from any repair. You buy it with full knowledge of the facts. This is obviously the least safe option.

New or refurbished smartphone?

New smartphone

For less than €300, you can find many mid-range smartphones of excellent quality. Phones with very good performance, autonomy that has nothing to envy the high-end smartphones. They may have fewer features, but that's not really a disadvantage.

refurbished smartphone

High-performance smartphones for under €300? You'll surely find them: iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 around €200, Huawei P9 for €150, Sony Xperia X for less than €90, etc. However, they are not always reliable, because being refurbished they have already been used by another owner. As a result, they have been refurbished to be resold later.

Verdict

Buying a new smartphone or a better performing refurbished phone, the choice is yours. But we don't recommend investing in refurbished smartphones under £300.

Indeed, the range of products available at this price will be attractive, but you don't know exactly what problems led the previous owner to part with it and which may resurface when the device is in your hands.

Why buy a smartphone for less than 300 euros?

Economy

Manufacturers have realized that only 1% of consumers can afford a top-of-the-line phone at 1,000 euros. They have started to produce affordable smartphones, i.e. for less than 300 euros, without neglecting the technical features. Now you don't have to break the bank to get a phone that meets your needs.

Power

It is the processor that guarantees the power of a smartphone in the sense that it is the heart of the device. The higher the number of cores, the more powerful the smartphone will be. For less than 300 euros, you can have an octacore device, i.e. with eight cores.

Design

The design has no influence on the power or performance of a device. However, it is an important criterion. You can have a smartphone with a sleek and modern design without paying more than 300 euros. Gone are the days when you only swear by devices designed by well-known brands! Now there are cheaper, more compact smartphones that look just as good as the big names.

Performance

In order to handle multiple tasks, your smartphone must have a good RAM. To make the most of its power, the device should have at least 2GB of RAM. However, you can find more powerful models with 8GB of RAM without spending 300 euros. This range of smarthphones is very popular with young people because of its technology, connectivity, connections and especially its image quality.

Autonomy

The more powerful the smartphone is, the more energy it will consume. The battery of the phone must therefore have a good battery to offer you a decent autonomy. With less than 300 euros, you have the possibility of acquiring a device capable of holding more than 8 hours.

The best brands of smartphones under 300 euros

In our opinion, the best brands of smartphones under 300 euros in 2022 are :

Xiaomi
Samsung
Realme
Huawei
Honor

Xiaomi, the Chinese brand that is very much in vogue at the moment, manufactures and invests in smartphones, mobile apps, laptops, consumer electronics and many other products. Its products are pretty good quality and consumers around the world are starting to embrace them well, especially since they offer unbeatable value for money.

Samsung specializes in the production of a wide variety of consumer and industrial electronic products, including home appliances, digital media devices, etc. This South Korean brand is one of the world's largest producers with quality products. And its smartphones are the flagship of its industry.

Realme is an offshoot of the Chinese brand Oppo, and aims to provide smartphones under Rs. The latest smartphone launched by Realme is the C25. This brand is not very well known yet but has a lot of potential and its products are pretty good quality.

Founded in 1987, Huawei is one of the world's leading providers of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. The brand is among the best in the mobile phone market. Robust and powerful, Huawei smartphones are rather mid to high-end.

Honor is a smartphone brand owned by Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co, Ltd. It was previously owned by Huawei Technologies. The quality of its products is about the same as Huawei's. Honor smartphones are good and reliable devices that offer good value for money.

What is the price for a smartphone under 300 euros

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
85 £ to 120 £
Mid-range
120 £ to 300 £
High-end
more than 300 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Update your software immediately

Whenever an update is available for your device, download and install it without delay. These updates often include security patches, vulnerability fixes, and other necessary maintenance.

Avoid animated wallpapers

Not only does the animated wallpaper consume a lot of battery power, it also takes up a few megabytes of RAM. On a high-end smartphone, that's nothing. But the memory of a cheap smartphone is still very limited. Sticking to the static wallpaper will free up memory, which will be allocated to something more useful.

Disable bloatware and stop idle applications

This anglicism refers to an application that uses an excessive amount of system resources or an app with a large amount of disparate features. Don't hesitate to disable or uninstall bloatware. Also, most smartphones have pre-installed applications, which are not necessarily useful to you. Even if you close them, they can run in the background. Go into the settings and force their shutdown if necessary.

Use a VPN on open Wi-Fi networks

Install a VPN app on your mobile device. Such an app will make you anonymous online, so you can use open Wi-Fi networks safely, safe from lurking cybercriminals.

Download applications from official application stores

Use only the official app stores - App Store for an iPhone or iPad, and Google Play Store for an Android device. It's all too common for malware developers to create fake malicious apps and install them on suspicious third-party sites, hoping someone will be naive enough to download them. Official app stores have a rigorous approval process that ensures the reliability of their apps.

FAQ

What's the best smartphone under £300?

The best smartphone under £300 depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.

How to get the most out of a sub-$300 smartphone?

You can delete unnecessary applications and clean up memory, change your application launcher, not install animated wallpaper, perform a phone reset, or prevent social network apps from using mobile data in the background.

Are there any trust marks?

You will be able to find very good branded smartphones in this price range - Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.

How long should my smartphone battery last?

Smartphone batteries should perform optimally for 18 to 24 months. Over time, wear and tear will prevent the battery from effectively holding a full charge. But during the first few months, a smartphone should offer 12 to 24 hours of performance between charges.

Why should you buy a smartphone for less than 300 euros rather than another?

Smartphones under 300 euros are very reliable against all expectations. They perform just as well as the more expensive models.

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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  6. , Androidcentral.com
  7. , Echosdunet.net
  8. , Cnet.com
  9. , Stuff.tv
  10. , Tomsguide.com
  11. , frandroid.com
  12. , echosdunet.net
  13. , presse-citron.net
  14. , 20minutes.fr
  15. , clubic.com
  16. , phonandroid.com
  17. , lesnumeriques.com
  18. , fnac.com
  19. , ecomparatif.fr
  20. , kimovil.com
  21. , bouyguestelecom.fr
  22. , lemeilleuravis.com
  23. , lebonsmartphone.com
  24. , ma-reduc.com
  25. , journaldugeek.com
  26. , comparatifsmartphone.com
  27. , frandroid.com
  28. , aviscomparatif.com
  29. , samsungphoto.fr
  30. , lesnumeriques.com
  31. , lereporter.net
  32. , 01net.com
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See more

Updates

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

See more
Our selection
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 9
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi 9 10
Xiaomi Redmi 9
HUAWEI nova 8i
Huawei Nova 8i
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 11
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite
POCO X3 Pro
Poco X3 Pro

Lecteurs

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