These days, you don't have to spend 1,000 euros or more to get a powerful, state-of-the-art smartphone. You can find excellent models for much less, especially for less than 600 euros. These smartphones often offer the same feature set as a flagship. But you still need to know which model and which brand to look for! Don't panic, we're here to help you identify the best smartphones under 600 euros today.
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Our selection
"The Realme X50 Pro 5G has a performance that is hard to beat at less than 600 euros. Although not the best, the camera configuration…"
"Here is an innovative smartphone, 5G network compatible, and with a power defying many of its peers. The photographic quality of photos and videos is…"
"The Google Pixel 4a is aimed at photo enthusiasts. Apart from its thin, light and compact appearance, this smartphone sold for less than 400 euros…"
"Don't rely on its price to say that this smartphone is bad. You might regret it! The OnePlus Nord has all the premium features you'll…"
"The Galaxy S10 celebrates the tenth anniversary of Samsung and the famous S series. It brings change with the new Infinity-O display, in-display fingerprint sensor…"
The Realme X50 Pro 5G has a performance that is hard to beat at less than 600 euros. Although not the best, the camera configuration is versatile. We also appreciate the powerful SoC, UFS 3.0 storage and fast charging.
469 £ on AmazonQualcommm Snapdragon 865 supercharged processor, 8GB of RAM, SuperDart 65W fast charging among the fastest in the market, 90Hz refresh rate display, a total of 6 cameras, 5G compatibility, the Realme X50 Pro 5G datasheet is really impressive. Moreover, this smartphone is in no way ugly as it has a curved glass back. The latter blends well with its rounded aluminum frame.
The display quality is also one of the selling points of the X50 Pro 5G. Realme used a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED HDR10+ panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. You can set the refresh rate to 60 Hz, 90 Hz or Auto, to balance performance and battery life. Speaking of the battery, it has a capacity of 4,200 mAh and Realme says it can be charged from zero to 100% in just 35 min using the included 65W SuperDart charger.
Here is an innovative smartphone, 5G network compatible, and with a power defying many of its peers. The photographic quality of photos and videos is just breathtaking. Not to mention an incredible responsiveness.
228 £ on AmazonThe Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G already has the 5G network. This means that it can ensure greater speed when browsing the web. Its 2.2GHz Snapdragon 750 processor promises an incredible performance of the smartphone. As the Mi 10T Lite has 6 GB of RAM, this smartphone sold for less than 300 euros will be able to offer excellent responsiveness at all times and whatever you do with it.
Thanks to the 4 cameras, whose main sensor is 64 MP, 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 Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite measures 6.67 inches, the whole thing is animated with FHD + resolution that will be able to offer a whole new visual quality. With its original charger, the Mi 10T will charge in 60 min for a battery life of several hours.
The Google Pixel 4a is aimed at photo enthusiasts. Apart from its thin, light and compact appearance, this smartphone sold for less than 400 euros surpasses the Pixel 3a with better performance, a better camera and a more competitive price.
255 £ on BoulangerNot easy to pass after the brilliant Google Pixel 3a. But with a 5.81-inch OLED screen and very thin bezels, the Google Pixel 4a surprises everyone! To sum up, it'sa small smartphone with a big screen. To achieve this feat, the OLED panel dominates the front of the Pixel 4a, thanks to a perforated selfie camera design and very thin borders. Incredibly, the Pixel 4a is exceptionally light, due to its premium polycarbonate construction. It's also quite thin
Google's own Android experience is smooth and enjoyable on the Pixel 4a, thanks to the Snapdragon 730G processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. But the main draw of the Google Pixel 4a is its 12.2MP rear camera module that has a ƒ/1.7 aperture. These shots are simply stunning and rival what high-end Android and iOS smartphones can offer. The only negative point on this model remains the rather poor battery life of 3,140 mAh.
Don't rely on its price to say that this smartphone is bad. You might regret it! The OnePlus Nord has all the premium features you'll need, all for less than 400 euros. A bargain!
320 £ on AmazonThe OnePlus Nord is undoubtedly one of the most affordable smartphones of the Chinese manufacturer. It leaves no one indifferent to the high-end models because of its design and its excellent quality of construction. With a glass finish and thin edges, this smartphone stands out with its large 6.44-inch Amoled display offering impeccable full HD resolution.
Its great advantage lies in its 2 front cameras, including a classic 32MP photo sensor and an 8MP ultra wide-angle sensor specially designed for selfies. Its 4 photo sensors, including the main one with a resolution of 48 MP, located at the back will complete the picture. Its great autonomy allows to use it in a moderate way over a period of 2 days.
The Galaxy S10 celebrates the tenth anniversary of Samsung and the famous S series. It brings change with the new Infinity-O display, in-display fingerprint sensor technology and Wireless PowerShare.
466 £ on AmazonIt's the 6.1-inch QHD+ Infinity display that really sets the Samsung Galaxy S10 apart. The handset has an almost edge-to-edge look that stretches from top to bottom, with pixels spilling over the curved edges on the sides. All the important sensors are neatly hidden behind this vibrant and bright Super AMOLED display. It is possible to use the Samsung Galaxy S10 with one hand, the curved edges on the front and back make the smartphone feel narrower than it really is.
As you might expect, the Samsung Galaxy S10's gaming performance is impressive. In the GFXBench test duo in FHD+ resolution, the recorded frame rate is almost identical to that of its main competitors, the iPhone XR, the Huawei P30 or even the Xiaomi Mi 9. If you decide to increase the screen resolution to native QHD+, you will notice a drop, but nothing dramatic.
The 2020 iPhone SE offers the latest iOS apps and Apple features for hundreds of euros less than the premium models that appeared in late 2020. It is the only new product under 600 euros from the Apple brand.
391 £ on BoulangerAny specific needs?
The best smartphone under 600 euros
The best smartphone under 300 euros
The best smartphone under 400 euros
The best OnePlus smartphone under 600 euros
The best Samsung smartphone under 600 euros
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| TOP OF THE TOP | Less than €300 | Less than €400 | OnePlus | Samsung | iPhone | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Realme X50 Pro 5G
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Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G
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Google Pixel 4a
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OnePlus North
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Samsung Galaxy S10
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Apple iPhone SE (2020)
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The Realme X50 Pro 5G has a performance that is hard to beat at less than 600 euros. Although not the best, the camera configuration is versatile. We also appreciate the powerful SoC, UFS 3.0 storage and fast charging.
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Here is an innovative smartphone, 5G network compatible, and with a power defying many of its peers. The photographic quality of photos and videos is just breathtaking. Not to mention an incredible responsiveness.
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The Google Pixel 4a is aimed at photo enthusiasts. Apart from its thin, light and compact appearance, this smartphone sold for less than 400 euros surpasses the Pixel 3a with better performance, a better camera and a more competitive price.
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Don't rely on its price to say that this smartphone is bad. You might regret it! The OnePlus Nord has all the premium features you'll need, all for less than 400 euros. A bargain!
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The Galaxy S10 celebrates the tenth anniversary of Samsung and the famous S series. It brings change with the new Infinity-O display, in-display fingerprint sensor technology and Wireless PowerShare.
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The 2020 iPhone SE offers the latest iOS apps and Apple features for hundreds of euros less than the premium models that appeared in late 2020. It is the only new product under 600 euros from the Apple brand.
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Screen size (resolution)
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6.44 inches (1080 x 2400 pixels)
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6.67 inches (1080 x 2400 pixels)
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5.8 inches (2340 x 1080 pixels)
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6.44 inches (1080 x 2400 pixels)
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6.1-inch (1440 x 3040 pixels)
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4.7 inches (750 x 1334 pixels)
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Processor
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (2.42 - 2.84 GHz)
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (1.8 - 2.2 GHz)
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (1.8 - 2.2 GHz)
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Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (2.2 - 2,.4 GHz)
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Exynos 9820 (2.31 - 2.73 GHz)
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A13 Bionic (1.8 - 2.65 GHz)
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RAM
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8 GB
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6 GB
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12 GB
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8 GB
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3 GB
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Internal storage
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256 GB
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64 GB
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256 GB
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128 GB
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64 GB
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Main photo sensor
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64 MP (f/1.8)
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64 MP (f/1.9)
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48 MP (f/1.8)
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12 MP (f/1.5 - 2.4)
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12 Mpx (f/1.8)
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RAM is the random access memory of your smartphone that allows running applications to store the data they collect. In simple terms, the higher the RAM, the higher the capacity to run simultaneous applications and store their data. 4 GB is the minimum you can expect on a smartphone under 600 euros. On the other hand, today it is possible to find smartphones under 600 euros that have 8 GB or even 12 GB of RAM. You can indeed focus your entire purchase decision on this factor alone. The size of the RAM usually contributes to the speed and performance of your phone.
Most people mistakenly think that megapixels are the only thing that determines the photo quality on a smartphone. Megapixels represent image size, and as pixels increase, images become sharper on smaller screens. In addition to megapixels, other features such as camera aperture, ISO levels, autofocus, etc., play a key role in creating clear images. Any camera of 12MP or more with an f/2.0 aperture or smaller will be suitable for photography enthusiasts, while an 8MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture will be sufficient for casual use.
Connectivity is an important factor in choosing a smartphone under 600 euros. First, the smartphone must be compatible with 4G technology. This is the minimum. Although it is already deployed, 5G is a significant plus, although for now it is not really essential to have a 5G smartphone. When it comes to connectivity, you should also check the Bluetooth and WiFi standards used. It is recommended to go for the latest technologies in wireless connectivity. The iPhones also have Apple AirDrop, the Apple brand's proprietary connectivity solution.
Battery life is something that every buyer of a new smartphone should keep an eye on. Generally speaking, the best iPhones have less battery life than the best smartphones. If you buy an iPhone, the battery life will vary between 8 h and 12 h depending on the usage and specifications of the smartphone. The best Android smartphones under 600 euros have good battery life, many of them last from 12 to 24 h with a single charge.
The body of the smartphones is made of metal or plastic. Although there are glass-coated panels, they are not very popular. The durability of your smartphone depends greatly on its build quality. A metal-bodied smartphone is more likely to withstand drops of two to three feet. The survival of a plastic-bodied phone is limited. At the same time, you can't expect glass-clad panels to survive any drop. So give it the weight it deserves.
There has been a recent influx of new manufacturers on the French market, including the Chinese giants Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, OnePlus or Blackview. 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 ...).
It is easy to lose money or time when you buy smartphones under 600 euros. 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, these are mainly the older generation flagships.
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 still supported at all 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.
Even though they may be a year or two older, most older flagships almost always have a much better display than most of today's newer sub-€600 smartphones. Flagships generally tend to be much better built than their mid-range counterparts. However, thanks to the rise of Chinese brands like Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi, this gap is rapidly closing.
It goes without saying that flagships usually have state-of-the-art hardware and the best processor you can buy at the time of release. What you probably don't know is how good those processors are even two or three years later. So, yes, last year's flagships can easily beat mid-range smartphones in benchmarks.
Mid-range smartphones, the ones that are usually priced under 600 euros, generally tend to be a bit more durable and are less likely to break, thanks to their plastic construction. And even when they do break, they are much cheaper to repair. While it's undeniable that the cameras in sub-$600 (mid-range) smartphones have seen several improvements over the years, the general consensus is that most mid-range smartphones - to date - have a hard time competing with the photographic capabilities of one- and two-year-old flagships.
Surprising as it may seem, new smartphones under 600 euros may have a slight advantage over older flagships when it comes to storage. While you can buy an older flagship with up to 256GB or 512GB of storage, it's not uncommon for mid-range devices to also offer an option with 128/256GB of storage. But what tips the scales is that for very little money, you can (on most of them) expand the storage further with a microSD card.
As you may have already figured out, the decision to buy last year's flagship over a new sub-$600 smartphone (or the other way around) should be made based on the intended use case. For example, a year-old flagship would still make sense for gamers on a budget and for those who want a better photographic experience. It is also advisable for those who want regular and reliable software updates for at least the next two years. On the other hand, those who don't want high-end performance, but want something new without spending too much money, will naturally turn to smartphones under 600 euros. There are some real gems in this category.
The price
This is the most obvious argument and probably the most common reason why many people will choose a sub-£600 smartphone over a £1,000+ flagship. Price will almost always be the biggest determining factor in just about any technology purchase.
Features
You no longer have to sacrifice features when you opt for a sub-€600 smartphone. On the hardware front, there are an increasing number of features on mid-range smartphones that were once limited to the most expensive devices. Fingerprint scanners, facial recognition and multi-camera setups are excellent examples.
The design
You don't have to sacrifice build quality when buying a mid-range smartphone either. A while back, spending less meant getting cheaper, but arguably more durable materials like plastic and polycarbonate. Now, you can get smartphones under 600 euros with hybrid designs where there is a combination of metal and glass.
Photo quality
The difference between the photo modules on premium models and others has slowly eroded over time. Yes, there is often a big disparity between the best smartphone cameras, but the differences are getting harder to decipher.
The user experience
In general, most people simply use their smartphones to text, browse social networks, browse the web, and perhaps play modest mobile games. In nearly 99% of these cases, a mid-range smartphone will provide the same basic experience as a flagship. The hardware will help improve the overall experience, but the extra cost isn't always worth it.
In our opinion, the best brands of smartphones under 600 euros in 2022 are :
Samsung is currently one of the world's largest producers of electronic devices. The brand has long since established itself at the top of the smartphone market. Samsung smartphones are known for their excellent screen quality. In its catalogue, the smartphones under 600 euros are the Galaxy S10 and earlier models.
Realme was officially born on August 28, 2018. Realme's stated goal is "to provide products with a complete user experience for young people, and Realme is committed to being a forward-thinking technology brand." Due to the capabilities to produce and use cutting-edge technologies, Realme offers consumers smartphones under 600 euros with the latest technologies in the industry.
After 35 years of designing, developing and selling consumer electronics telecommunications equipment, Huawei now deploys its products and services in over 170 countries. It overtook Ericsson in 2012 as the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and overtook Apple in 2018 to become the world's second largest smartphone manufacturer, behind Samsung. So there is no doubt about the quality of Huawei smartphones.
OnePlus is a Chinese technology company that primarily makes smartphones. Co-founders Pete Lau and Carl Pei started the company in late 2013. OnePlus primarily makes Android smartphones. In its early days, it was known for making powerful phones with unique design elements and rock-bottom prices. Today, the prices have certainly gone up, but OnePlus smartphones are still simple and elegant, emphasizing usability.
Google Pixel is a brand of consumer electronic devices developed by Google. Google Pixel is primarily smartphones, tablets and laptops that run Chrome OS or Android. Google Pixel smartphones are known for their exceptional photo module, competing with Samsung and Apple handsets.
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.
Block unwanted contacts and nuisance calls
Do you often receive phishing texts or unwanted phone calls? Blocking these numbers is simple and will prevent you from being hacked and passing on personal information. To block contacts, here's how to proceed:
Decide which applications can access your location
Location tracking is vital for GPS and mapping, but not all apps need to use it. In fact, if you download an app that requires unusual permissions given its primary function, that's a red flag. For example, a calculator shouldn't want access to your camera. You can allow one-time access to an app at your location later if it needs it.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your online accounts
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is essentially an extra layer of security for your online accounts. It typically means that a unique code is sent to your smartphone, which you then enter after your password to confirm it's you.
Use a launcher
Most Android devices have a custom user interface created by the device manufacturer (for example, the Samsung Experience launcher). This includes the home screen. It's an important part of the experience, and the default home isn't always satisfactory Installing an alternative like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher can make your device much easier to use. You can use these apps to change icons, assign navigation gestures, organize apps, and more.
Set up the emergency call
If you haven't already configured your emergency call settings, now is the time to do so. That means you can quickly contact emergency services without having to scroll through your contacts.
Not all brands offer devices at this price. But you can still find smartphones from Redmi, Oppo or even Sony in this range.
In the smartphone market, you will find models that will meet all needs, including budget needs. So if you are looking for a smartphone under 600 euros that is unbreakable, you will certainly find your happiness. It is also highly possible that the smartphone in question is second-hand or refurbished.
Batteries in smartphones priced under €600 should offer optimal performance for 18 to 24 months. Over time, wear and tear will prevent the battery from effectively holding a full charge. But in the first few months, a smartphone should offer 12 to 24 hours of performance between charges.
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.
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