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MagyarThe Best Smartphones for Less Than 200 Euros
The flagship smartphones from the established manufacturers always get the most attention. However, not everyone is willing to pay 500 Euros or more. Many people are actually looking for suitable smartphones in the inexpensive entry-level segment, and the price is obviously one major factor.
There is no doubt that on paper the specifications reveal significant differences compared to the super smartphones, especially in terms of performance, display and picture quality of the integrated cameras. However, this does not mean that you cannot be happy with an inexpensive smartphone if you have moderate expectations. We list the best smartphones with a current street price of less than 200 Euros that have been reviewed by Notebookcheck over the last 12 months (assuming the device is still available). The following rankings might be interesting as well:
The Best Cheap Smartphones
Position | Total Rating | Date | Image | Model | Height | Weight | Screen-Body Ratio | Size | Resolution | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85.4 % | 04/2023 |  | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G MediaTek Dimensity 1080 ARM Mali-G68 MP4 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 7.9 mm | 187 g | 87 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | Android 12 |
| 2 | 82.8 % | 05/2023 |  | Motorola Moto G73 5G MediaTek Dimensity 930 IMG BXM-8-256 8 GB Memory, 256 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.29 mm | 181 g | 90 % | 6.50" | 2400x1080 | Android 13 |
| 3 | 81.9 % | 03/2024 New! |  | Motorola Moto G34 Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 4 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.2 mm | 179 g | 84 % | 6.50" | 1600x720 | Android 14 |
| 4 | 81.7 % | 06/2023 |  | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 Qualcomm Adreno 619 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8 mm | 189 g | 85 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | Android 12 |
| 5 | 81.5 % | 03/2024 New! |  | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Mediatek Helio G99 ARM Mali-G57 MP2 12 GB Memory | 7.98 mm | 181 g | 89 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | Android 13 |
| 6 | 81.4 % | 06/2023 |  | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.3 mm | 195 g | 87 % | 6.72" | 2400x1080 | Android 13 |
| 7 | 81.4 % | 05/2023 |  | Xiaomi Poco X5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 7.98 mm | 190 g | 85 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | Android 13 |
| 8 | 81.2 % | 02/2024 |  | Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Mediatek Helio G99 ARM Mali-G57 MP2 8 GB Memory, 256 GB UFS 2.1 | 7.6 mm | 179 g | 90 % | 6.78" | 2436x1080 | Android 14 |
| 9 | 80.4 % | 08/2023 |  | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Mediatek Helio G96 ARM Mali-G57 MP2 8 GB Memory, 256 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.1 mm | 176 g | 86 % | 6.43" | 2400x1080 | Android 13 |
| 10 | 80.2 % | 02/2024 |  | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 4G Qualcomm Adreno 610 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8 mm | 188.5 g | 87 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | Android 13 |
The table above contains an overview over the best smartphones for less than 160 Euros reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Link: all devices in this class reviewed
Editors' Comments
In March 2024, our top list of the best smartphones under 200 euros continues to be flooded with Xiaomi, with the manufacturer claiming 6 of the 10 places. The Redmi Note series in particular impresses with a very good price-performance ratio and is therefore represented four times, including in first place.
1st – Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
First place goes to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G with a 120 Hz fast 1,080p AMOLED display including 940 cd/m² brightness, Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The 50MP sensor with OIS is also pretty good, while the wide-angle camera delivers blurred images. The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 is relatively fast, with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM in the basic version.
In contrast to the non-Pro version (3rd place), there is no microSD slot for expansion. However, dual sim and 5G are included, as well as a 3.5 mm jack, NFC, IR blaster, Widevine DRM L1, fast WiFi 6 including Bluetooth 5.2 and a 67 W power adapter with fast charging function.
The mid-range smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G offers good multimedia features, a long battery life, low emissions and decent voice quality. However, Andpird 14 is probably the end and instead of IP-67 there is IP-53.
Currently, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G is available on Amazon with prices starting from $240.
Pricecompare
2nd – Motorola Moto G73 5G
The slim and lightweight Motorola Moto G73 offers very good value for money. It scores with a 120 Hz IPS display, which at 500 cd/m² is only half as bright as its predecessor. The high-quality mid-range phone offers a fairly pure Android, a 3.5 mm jack, very long battery life of 17 hours and a fast and unthrottled performance typical for this class.
With the Moto G73, Motorola delivers an affordable smartphone suitable for everyday use with many advantages, such as the display and runtimes.
The camera also takes more usable photos than similarly priced devices and is therefore well suited for snapshots in between. The GPS is accurate and 5G functionality is on board.
Amazon US lists an international version of Motorola Moto G73 for around $200.
Pricecompare
3rd – Motorola Moto G34 5G
5G for under 200 euros, plus a 120Hz display, albeit with IPS technology and 720p resolution: The Motorola Moto G34 5G is a mixed bag. On the positive side, there is also the fast fingerprint scanner, the battery life of up to 20 hours and the camera, which takes good pictures even in difficult lighting conditions, but is not at the top in terms of sharpness of detail.
You also get pure Android 14 with guaranteed 3-year updates and a fast mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G SoC. The mid-range smartphone is also well equipped, with NFC, eSIM, 5G, microSD slot, 3.5 mm jack and decent stereo speakers.
The perfect budget phone? If it weren't for the low display resolution, the wide bezels and the noticeable heat build-up under load. It also lacks an ultra-wide-angle camera. Otherwise, you get a solidly built smartphone with lots of features.
Currently, the Motorola Moto G34 5G isn't available for purchase within the US. However, you can keep tabs on stores like Amazon, newegg, and Best Buy and wait for the device to appear here.
Pricecompare
4th – Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
The Redmi Note 12 5G from Xiaomi offers 2400 x 1080 pixels, an AMOLED 120 Hz display and a measured 1,000 cd/m² peak brightness. It also comes with the new Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, 6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM, a well-made plastic casing, a microSD card reader and hybrid dual nano-SIM.
You also get NFC and a 3.5 mm jack, as well as USB-C 2.0, HD streaming and good GPS. Stereo sound is missing, while there are also compromises in terms of the cameras.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is a mature mid-range smartphone with a very good display and plenty of features, with only the battery life showing potential.
Currently, Amazon US lists an unlocked version of the device at $230.
Pricecompare
5th – Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro
The Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro presents itself as the display king with its bright 120Hz AMOLED panel with a brightness of over 1,000 cd/m². It also has a very solid plastic casing that protects against splash water. The built-in mid-range SoC Mediatek Helio G99 also offers plenty of power. The battery life of 14 hours is also impressive, as are the good stereo speakers.
The Poco M6 Pro lacks 5G, otherwise it only has significant weaknesses in terms of camera quality.
The Poco M6 Pro 4G is available directly from the Xiaomi store, but also from Amazon.
Pricecompare
6th – OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite "only" has an IPS display, but with 120 Hz and a high 401 ppi, paired with a solid mid-range Snapdragon 695 5G SoC, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of main memory, which can be expanded via microSD card if you don't use dual SIM. The plastic casing is sturdy and the mono speaker does not deliver a bad sound and is loud enough at over 84 dB(A).
The Nord CE 3 Lite from OnePlus offers a very long battery life of up to 17 hours, but IP certification, a wide-angle sensor and video recording above 1080p30 must be dispensed with.
In the US, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is currently listed for around $255.
Pricecompare
7th – Xiaomi Poco X5
Xiaomi Poco X5 is basically very similar to the Redmi Note 12 5G (2nd place): 2.4K 120 Hz AMOLED display, 1,000 cd/m² peak brightness, 6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM and a well-made plastic case.
The similarly fast Snapdragon 695 is used as the SoC. The main camera takes quite good pictures in bright light, but the ultra-wide-angle camera is grainy. In addition to NFC, you also get an infrared blaster and 3.5 mm jack.
The features are consistent, as is the display, while the battery life is slightly below the class level. Otherwise, there is not much to complain about with the Poco X5.
The features are consistent, as is the display, while the battery life is slightly below the class level. Otherwise, there is not much to complain about with the Poco X5.
In the US, users can order the Xiaomi Poco X5 via Amazon for about $250.
Pricecompare
8th – Tecno Spark 20 Pro+
Smartphones from Tecno are not yet so well known in Europe, but the Spark 20 Pro+ offers a good main camera with 108 MP and decent low-light performance, but without an ultra-wide-angle camera. You also get a 120 Hz fast 1,080p AMOLED display with a very bright 906 cd/m². However, the panel is not optimally calibrated and uses PWM. The Helios G99 SoC offers class-standard performance values, plus 256 GB ROM, 8 GB RAM and Android 14.
The Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ is a slim and lightweight smartphone with a long battery life and good speakers, but lacks a microSD card slot.
The panel is not as bright as in the current models of the A-series, but it does not need pulse width modulation. 5G is also on board, as well as a 5,000 mAh battery that enables long runtimes. However, the device does not have an IP certification and the update supply is probably not as long as in the more expensive models - Samsung does not provide exact details in this regard.
Seemingly, the Spark 20 Pro+ cannot easily be found in the Europe and North America.
Pricecompare
9th – Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
With its 6.43-inch display, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is slightly smaller than the non-S version and, at 176 g, also slightly lighter. It has a 630 cd/m² bright 90Hz AMOLED panel in 1,080p and a sturdy plastic casing. The basic version offers 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM, in addition to the slightly older Helio G96 SoC.
The Note 12S is equipped with a 3.5 mm jack, NFC, infrared, FM radio and dual SIM, while the second SIM slot can also accept microSD cards. Android 14 has recently been offered as an update, while Android 15 has also been promised as a future update by Xiaomi. The main and rear cameras, including the wide-angle and macro camera, shoot pretty solid photos, provided you don't scan them for details.
The relatively compact Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S offers long battery life and can be charged quickly, but suffers from PWM flickering, has inaccurate localization and the ads are annoying from time to time
Users can order the international version of the Xiaomi's smartphone on Amazon US for around $196.
Pricecompare
10th – Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G
The fourth smartphone in Xiaomi's Redmi series to make it onto our list is the Note 13 4G. The latest edition of the mid-range phone once again offers a 120Hz AMOLED display, which is very bright at 922 cd/m² and is well pre-calibrated. The built-in Snapdragon 685 4G offers typical mid-range performance, plus 6 GB RAM and 128 GB fixed memory in the basic version.
The IP54-certified plastic casing is quite sturdy and looks more modern than the Redmi Note 12 4G. You get NFC, IR blaster, 3.5 mm jack and two SIM slots, one of which optionally accepts a microSD card. eSIM is not supported. You get decent pictures in good ambient light, while the ultra-wide-angle camera is suitable for snapshots at best.
The Redmi Note 13 from Xiaomi is given a modern polish, the localization is good, the heat dissipation is low, but the advertising is annoying and the update policy is unclear.
In the US, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G can be order via Amazon for around $200.
