When it comes to smartphones, the expensive ones – loaded with cutting-edge features – take all the limelight, and not a single company boasts about their budget options.
Whether social media, gigantic hoardings, website ads, or TV commercials, the phone manufacturers want us to see, take note of, and buy their most expensive phones like iPhone 14 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Fold 4.
And understandably, they earn a high profit from these headline-grabbing flagship phones. They are loaded with mind-boggling features and technology like never before. However, the reality is that most Brits either cannot afford these exorbitant phones or don’t want to spend an extravagant amount on them.
All they want is a budget phone loaded with the necessary features like a good camera, a decent battery, a fast processor, and a good display.
We’ve got you covered if you are also one of those people searching for the best phones under £200. Let’s roll!
Table of Contents
Top Phones Under £200 – Our Top Picks for You
1. Redmi Note 11
Redmi Note 11
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor and 6.43-inch display with a refresh rate of 90Hz are standard features of the Xiaomi Note 11.
The specifications also include a quad camera setup on the back with a 50MP primary sensor and a 13MP front selfie camera, as well as a 5000mAh battery with a 33W charging speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
5000 mAh
Hardware
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
Display
6.4 inches 2400 * 1080 pixels
Storage
64GB, microSDXC
Camera
50 MP (Quad Camera)
The Good
- 5G-ready.
- Great display.
The Bad
- Slow processor.
- Not many features in the Camera.
Over the years, Redmi is known to produce many entry-level smartphones to grab the market. Their budget phones are quite popular amongst the masses, as these smartphones fit their budgets. One of their best phones under £200 is Redmi Note 11, as it comes with amazing value for money.
Although it was released with the price tag of £199, you can avail a 13% discount if you buy it now. Redmi Note 11 is making waves in the cell phone market because it comes with five cameras, a Full HD+ display, a long-lasting battery, and Android 11. The best thing is you can update it to Android 12.
Some other notable features of this mid-ranged phone are dual-sim support, Gorilla Glass 3 display, a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD expansion, 33W fast charging and an IP53 rating to protect it from dust and water.
Lastly, it comes with a longstanding battery of 5,000mAh, so you are liberated from the worries of charging it repeatedly.
Redmi Note 11 Additional Specifications
- RAM: 4/6GB
- Software: Android 11
2. Realme 9i
Realme 9i
The 6.5-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 662 processor, 4GB RAM combined with 64GB/128GB storage, and 6000mAh battery are among the Xiaomi Redmi 9i’s specifications.
On the back of the phone is a quad-camera setup with a 48MP main sensor. Android 10 comes out of the box with preinstalled. The Xiaomi Redmi 9i will retail for € 159 when it launches in Europe.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
6000 mAh
Hardware
Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
Display
6.5 inches 2340 * 1080 pixels
Storage
54GB, microSDXC
Camera
48 MP (Quad Camera)
The Good
- Excellent battery life.
- Superb display.
- Cost-effective.
The Bad
- Thick body.
- Camera need further improvements.
Considered to be one of the fastest-growing mobile brands, Realme has always been liked by customers who want to keep their budgets intact. Targeting the budget market segment, they’ve launched one of their best Android phones under £200, the Realme 9i.
Although priced reasonably, this handset packs a punch with its contemporary features. Realme 9i comes with a storage of 4GB and 6GB with up to 128GB expandable memory. It comes in two exciting colours; prism blue and prism black.
Talking about the display, it comes with a large screen real estate of 6.6-inch and a 90Hz refresh rate. A full HD plus resolution lets you catch every detail of your favourite movies and TV shows. 50MP primary camera and 16MP selfie camera makes Realme 9i the best option for taking incredible photos.
On the flip side, it is fuelled by Qualcomm’s 4G-ready Snapdragon 680 processor, meaning you’ll be compromising on top-end speeds. Moreover, this budget phone doesn’t come with a much-anticipated 5G.
With the integration of 33W charging, you can charge it fully in just 70 minutes. Considering its price of under £200, a dependable battery and other features, the RealMe 9i is a great budget phone to have in 2023.
RealMe 9i Additional Specifications
- RAM: 4/6GB
- Front camera: 16MP
- Software: Android 11
Interesting Read: Best Android Phones in the UK 2022
3. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
A cheap phone with a 6.6-inch Infinity-V display and a 5000mAh battery is the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G.
The MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, a triple setup camera on the back with a 48 MP primary sensor and an 8 MP front selfie camera, and memory options ranging from 4GB/64GB to 8GB/128GB are also included in the specifications. The starting price is €229
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
5000 mAh
Hardware
MediaTek Dimensity
Display
6.6 inches 2400 * 1080 pixels
Storage
64GB, microSDXC
Camera
48 MP (Triple Camera)
The Good
- 5G-ready.
- Excellent battery life.
The Bad
- Has only 4GB RAM.
- The charging speed is slow.
With its variants ranging from £174 to £199, and power-packed with features, Samsung Galaxy A22 5G could be your best bet in 2023. Known to be quite sturdy, this phone comes with a TFT LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate and 1080-pixel display resolution.
So, now you’ll enjoy HD+ streaming with its vivid display. Featuring the Android 11 and OneUI core 3.1 interface and a high refresh rate, Samsung Galaxy A22 5G has made its presence felt in the best phones under £200.
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 and 4, 6 or 8GB RAM, you have a phone that has a fast processor. Considering the segment Samsung is targeting, 64GB or 128GB storage doesn’t feel inadequate. Other features include a 48MP back camera and 8MP selfie shooter, a fingerprint scanner on the side, and a powerful 5000mAh battery that supports fast charging of 15W.
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Additional Specifications
- Display Type: TFT LCD, 90Hz
- RAM and Storage: 4, 6, or 8GB RAM & 64 or 128GB Storage
- Operating System: Android 11, OneUI Core 3.1
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 700
4. Motorola Moto G62 5G
Motorola Moto G62
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G processor and 6.5-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate are standard features of the Motorola Moto G62 5G.
In addition, there is a triple camera setup on the back with a 50MP primary sensor and a 16MP front selfie camera, along with a 5000mAh battery with a 15W charging speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
5000 mAh
Hardware
Snapdragon 480+
Display
6.5 inches 2400 * 1080 pixels
Storage
64GB, microSDXC
Camera
50 MP (Triple Camera)
The Good
- High refresh rate (120Hz)
- 5G ready
- High screen-to-body ratio (85.29 %)
The Bad
- Thick body
Targeted toward the budget segment, Motorola’s G-series has been one of the most in-demand phones in the UK. One of the notable family members of this series is Moto G62. Launched in June 2022, this exciting phone is packed with a Snapdragon 480 Plus chipset and 4GB of RAM.
It comes with a decent screen size of 6.5 inches, ultra-wide, full HD+ 1080 definition, and a fantastic refresh rate of 120Hz making it one of the best phones under £200: if not the best. Not to forget the latest Android 12.
Three cameras are there for snapping great photos and videos, supported by a 5,000mAh battery which is pretty good these days. Like Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, Moto G62 also comes with a finger scanner on the side.
Motorola Moto G62 Additional Specifications
- RAM: 4GB
- Front camera: 16MP
- Software: Android 12
5. Samsung Galaxy A13
Samsung Galaxy A13
The Exynos 850 processor and 6.6-inch FHD+ display are standard features of the Samsung Galaxy A13.
In addition, there is a quad camera setup on the back with a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP front-facing camera, as well as a 5000Ah battery with a 15W charging speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
6.5 inches 2400 * 1080
Hardware
Exynos 850
Display
6.5 inches 2400 * 1080 pixels
Storage
32GB, microSDXC
Camera
50 MP (Quad Camera)
The Good
- Excellent battery life.
- Superb display.
- Cost-effective.
The Bad
- Not very durable.
Another Samsung phone that makes it to our list of best phones under £200 is the Galaxy A13. Its performance won’t blow you away as it is moderately priced at only £179. However, its ability to handle all the basic tasks combined with its minimalistic design, striking style and a quad camera to capture every minute detail will impress you.
Experience full HD+ resolution with its large 6.6-inch screen and a 5,000mAh battery – with 15W fast charging – which lets you enjoy for hours and hours. Samsung Galaxy A13 comes with an Octa-core processor with 3GB/4GB/6GB RAM and 32GB/64/GB/128GB expandable storage up to 1TB (microSD card). The fingerprint scanner comes on the side.
Samsung Galaxy A13 Additional Specifications
- RAM: 4GB
- Front camera: 8MP
- Software: Android 12
- Weight:195g
6. Apple iPhone 8
iPhone 8
The Apple iPhone 8 is the follow-up to the iPhone 7, maintaining the same form factor but bringing in hardware enhancements such as a faster Apple A11 Bionic system chip, a screen with Apple’s True Tone technology, and better cameras.
It is now essential to replace the metal housing with a glass back and a metal frame on the sides due to the addition of wireless charging.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
1821 mAh
Hardware
A11 Bionic
Display
4.7 inches 1334 * 750 pixels
Storage
256GB, non-expandable
Camera
12 MP (Single Camera)
The Good
- Supports wireless charging
- Small dimensions (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches)
The Bad
- Bad battery life
Apple iPhone 8 might not match the class and style of its latest models. However, considering the price tag of only £159 for a refurbished phone in excellent condition makes it the best iOS phone under £200.
If the latest iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 14 Pro don’t fit into your budget, we suggest you go for the iPhone 8. If you are an iPhone user and want a refurbished phone in excellent condition, iPhone 8 will serve you the best as its build quality and features are still acceptable in 2022.
Don’t get worried about its outdated operating system, as it supports iOS 15. A 4.7-inch Retina display to go along with the A11 Bionic Processor – which has no competition with the latest A16 Bionic chip in the 14 series – is more than capable of serving you in the completion of intensive tasks.
If you don’t want to spend a whopping amount on the latest iPhone 14 series phones and can compromise on the model, a refurbished iPhone 8 won’t let you down.
Apple iPhone 8 Additional Specifications
- Operating system: iOS 14
- Weight: 148g
7. Nokia G21
Nokia G21
The Nokia G21 has a 6.5″ HD+ screen with a 20:9 aspect ratio. The specs also include a quad camera setup with a 48 MP main camera and an 8 MP front camera, Android 11, Mediatek G35, and a 5050 mAh battery with a 10 W charging speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
5050 mAh
Hardware
Mediatek G35
Display
6.5 inches
Storage
64GB, non-expandable
Camera
48 MP (Quad Camera)
The Good
- Big battery (5050 mAh)
The Bad
- Thick phone.
Nokia comes up with another cutting-edge mobile that you can have without cutting corners. Available at amazon for only £124, Nokia G21 has a lot to offer, considering its price range.
The notable features of Nokia G21 are its large 6.6-inch display, a 90Hz refresh rate, and an HD+ resolution. It comes loaded with a Unisoc T606 processor with a RAM of 3GB or 4GB and an efficient storage of 128 GB.
What makes it the best android phone under £200 is its remarkable 50MP primary camera and impressive colour recreation, also seen in the preceding models. Another feature worth mentioning is its longstanding 5,050mAh battery that lasts for three days.
It comes with an 18W wired charger and lets you charge the device faster than previous mobile phones from Nokia. Lastly, you’ll have to compromise on the 5G feature, as Nokia G21 doesn’t have it.
Nokia G21 Additional Specifications
- RAM: 3/4GB
- Front camera: 8MP
- Software: Android 11
Interesting Read: Best Phones with Wireless Charging
8. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
The MediaTek Helio G96 processor and 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz are standard features of the Xiaomi POCO M4 Pro.
Moreover, the specifications include a 500mAh battery with 33W charging speed, a triple camera arrangement on the back with a 64MO primary sensor and a 16MO front selfie camera.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
5000 mAh
Hardware
MediaTek Helio G96
Display
6.4 inches 2400 * 1080 pixels
Storage
128GB, microSDHC
Camera
64 MP (Triple Camera)
The Good
- Excellent battery life.
- Superb display.
The Bad
- Has only 6GB RAM.
Owing to its low cost, one would suppose that Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro would be another phone with ordinary features. However, it packs a lot of punch when it comes to versatility and power.
Boosted with MediaTek’s Helio G96 chip, a rating of IP53, and an HD+ display, you can get it from Amazon at only £191.55. What makes it an ideal phone to have in 2023 is its basic features like an extendable memory slot, dual sim capacity, a headphone jack, great RAM of 6GB, and inbuilt memory of 128GB.
Talking about the software, Poco M4 Pro comes with MIUI 13 with Android 11. Reports are that it will get an Android 12 update soon. Poco’s MIUI has undergone many changes in the last two years to enhance the user experience and surprisingly, it’s not for everyone.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Additional Specifications
- RAM: 6/8GB
- Front camera: 16MP
- Software: Android 11
9. Motorola Moto E40
Motorola Moto E40
The Unisoc T700 processor and 6.5-inch display with a refresh rate of 90Hz are standard features of the Motorola Moto E40.
The specifications also include a triple camera setup on the back with a 48MP primary sensor and a 5000mAh battery with a 10W charging speed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery
5000 mAh
Hardware
Unisoc T700
Display
6.5 inches 1600 * 720 pixels
Storage
64GB, non-expandable
Camera
48 MP (Triple Camera)
The Good
- Excellent battery life.
The Bad
- 64GB basic storage (not expandable)
Are you searching for the best phone under £200? What if we tell you about a cheap smartphone having all the necessary features and which is available under £100? It’s none other than Motorola Moto E40, famous for its affordability in both US and the UK.
Some of the notable features of this solid budget phone are its large 6.5-inch display, and a 90Hz refresh rate which comes with Motorola’s standard HD+ resolution. Moto E40 is powered by a Unisoc T700 processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage in its basic variant.
Talking about the camera, it comes with a 48MP main camera which is 2MP less than its US-based variant. However, 2MP macro and depth lenses are present in both models. There’s no 5G connectivity, which is understandable considering the price, as you can get it for well under £200.
The battery power is great with 5,000mAh to support video streaming, gaming, browsing, etc. It comes with not-so-fast charging, but considering that Moto E40 isn’t 5G supported, you can be sure it won’t drain in a few hours.
Motorola Moto E40 Additional Specifications
- RAM: 4GB
- Front camera: 8MP
- Software: Android 11
Final Words
There are a lot of factors involved when it comes to buying a budget mobile phone for under £200. Before you finalise a purchase in 2023, make sure that the device you are about to buy ticks all the boxes like budget, screen size, resolution, camera result and battery timings.
To make your life easy, we have discussed some of the best phones under £200 that cover all the bases. So, pick a phone based on your interest and specifications and start enjoying it. We’ll include more phones under the £200 price bracket as they hit the market.
If you can increase your budget and want to enjoy a plethora of the latest features, read our guide: The Best Phones Under $500.
