Ranking: Best smartphones for under 200 dollars/euros

The Samsung Galaxy A25, weighing just under 200g, impresses with its bright 6.5-inch 120 Hz AMOLED display, exceeding 920 cd/m². Long-term support includes five years of security updates. The Exynos 1280 delivers solid mid-range performance, though occasional stutters occur.
With 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage (expandable via microSD), the battery lasts 13 to 16 hours depending on usage. The 50 MP main camera with OIS performs well in low light.

For under 200 euros, the Galaxy A25 offers strong features, but charging is slow, there's no IP67 certification or WiFi 6, and plastic dominates the build.

Currently available on Amazon.de for 218 euros.

The Motorola Moto G34 5G offers 5G connectivity for under 200 euros, featuring a 120 Hz IPS display with a 720p resolution. Positives include a fast fingerprint scanner, up to 20-hour battery life, and a camera that performs well in low light, though detail sharpness is lacking.
Running pure Android 14 with three years of updates, it packs a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and includes NFC, eSIM, microSD support, a 3.5 mm jack, and stereo speakers.

A great budget option, but drawbacks include low display resolution, wide bezels, noticeable heat under load, and the absence of an ultra-wide-angle camera.

In Germany, this phone can be had from Galaxus for 104 euros.

The Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro stands out with its 120 Hz AMOLED display, reaching over 1,000 cd/m² brightness. It features a durable plastic case with splash resistance and is powered by the Mediatek Helio G99, offering solid mid-range performance.

With a 14-hour battery life and good stereo speakers, the Poco M6 Pro delivers a strong multimedia experience. However, it lacks 5G and has noticeable weaknesses in camera quality.

The base model with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage (expandable via microSD) is available for 175 euros on Amazon.de.

Powered by the Dimensity 6080, the performance is solid for the price, but more demanding apps may cause slowdowns. The device offers 18.5 hours of battery life, 70 W fast charging, and 10 W reverse charging.

The Tecno Pova 6 Pro stands out with its semi-transparent design and mini LED light effects, resembling the Nothing Phone. It features 5G, 12 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, and a 120 Hz AMOLED display, though its brightness maxes out at 550 cd/m².

While the speakers deliver clear audio, the update policy is uncertain, and eSIM is not supported. Availability in Europe is limited, with occasional pricing below 200 euros. The Tecno Pova 6 Neo is an alternative at 160 euros.

The CMF Phone 1, a subsidiary of Nothing, stands out with its modular design and solid hardware. It features a 90 Hz OLED display with nearly 1,200 nits brightness and a fast MediaTek Dimensity 7300.

Its modular back panel allows for easy customization with different colors and accessories like a fold-out stand or carrying strap. However, despite its design, the battery remains inaccessible.

The CMF Phone 1 offers good cameras and an 18.5-hour battery life, but lacks NFC and only supports WiFi 5. It supports 5G, dual SIM, and microSD expansion. Currently, it costs 239 euros, having recently risen from 198 euros.

The IP54-certified plastic case is sturdy and slimmer than its predecessors. It includes NFC, an IR blaster, a 3.5 mm jack, and dual nanoSIM with microSD support, though eSIM and WiFi 6 are missing.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G features a bright 120 Hz AMOLED display, well-calibrated at 965 cd/m². Its MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 685 4G in its predecessor, offering solid mid-range performance, paired with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage.

The cameras perform decently in good lighting, but the ultra-wide lens is basic. Despite good localization and low heat buildup, pre-installed ads and a quiet earpiece are drawbacks. 

The base model costs 209 euros at Alternate.

The latest instalment in the Xiaomi Redmi Note series comes with a 120 Hz AMOLED display with a brightness of almost 1,150 cd/m², which is 200 cd/m² brighter than its predecessor. The Dimensity 7025 MediaTek SoC is around 20 percent faster than the chip in the Note 13 5G. It is also interesting to note that the version with 8 GB RAM is often the cheaper one. The 128 GB internal storage of the basic version can be expanded via a micro SD card.

The fairly light and sturdy plastic casing complies with IP64 certification and you get a 3.5 mm audio port, as well as NFC, IR blaster and two Nano-SIM slots, one of which optionally accepts a microSD card. eSIM is not supported. The selfie camera has been improved and there is now a macro camera with a resolution of 2 MP.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G does not throttle and offers security updates until 2029, but the ads are annoying and the battery life is mediocre.

In Germany, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G is currently available with 8 GB of RAM and 128 of GB storage for 198 euros.

The Motorola Moto G85 features a nearly borderless 6.67-inch 120 Hz P-OLED display with a brightness of almost 1,200 cd/m². Weighing just 171 grams, it runs pure Android, similar to the G84 model. However, it lacks water and dust protection but supports NFC, nano-SIM, and dual SIM via eSIM. The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 provides solid mid-range performance.

The Moto G85 offers a stylish and sturdy design, long battery life of 15 to 18 hours, a high-quality display, and sufficient performance.

Drawbacks include noticeable heat buildup under load and camera images that lack detail and sharpness. Still, the G85 remains an excellent choice for under 200 euros.

The Vivo V40 SE 5G features eSIM support, a bright 1,200 cd/m² 120 Hz OLED display, 8 GB RAM, and fast 44W charging. It delivers over 17 hours of battery life.

However, it only supports WiFi 5, has mediocre speakers, and will receive just two major updates up to Android 16.

The V40 SE 5G offers a good main camera and a fairly fast mid-range SoC, but falls short in some details.

It is currently available for 157 euros with 128 of GB storage at Alza.de, though the 5G version has temporarily exceeded 200 euros.

With 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, a MediaTek Dimensity 7025, the Motorola Moto G55 5G delivers solid performance in the sub-200 euro range.
Storage is expandable via microSD, and the phone supports 5G, Dual SIM, and eSIM. It features a 120 Hz 6.5-inch IPS display, nearly twice as bright as its predecessor at 870 cd/m². Motorola guarantees four years of security patches and two major OS updates. Charging is up to 30 W, but no power adapter is included.

As an entry-level smartphone, the Moto G55 offers a well-rounded package with a decent 50 MP main camera, long battery life, and a durable case with an optional non-slip vegan leather back.

In Germany, the Moto G55 with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage is available from Jacob Electronics for 181 euros.