Ranking: Best smartphones for under 300 dollars/euros

The Motorola Moto G75 features a premium build and is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance. Its 5,000 mAh battery delivers long battery life and supports both 30-watt wired charging and 15-watt wireless charging. The 6.78-inch IPS display, with a resolution of 2,388 x 1,080 pixels, reaches a brightness of up to 1,000 nits and does not use PWM flickering, making it a good choice for users sensitive to screen flicker.
Its 50 MP main camera captures high-quality images, while the 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens produces average results. Other highlights include fast Wi-Fi 6E, accurate GPS, and support for various Bluetooth audio codecs. Additionally, Motorola promises six years of software updates, which is a major plus.

The Moto G75 is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone with solid performance and a strong feature set.

However, there are a few drawbacks, including the absence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack, mediocre speaker quality, and the lack of a charger in the box.

The CMF Phone 1 from Nothing is a modular mid-range smartphone designed with sustainability and adaptability in mind. It features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and high peak brightness, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor. Available with either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, it delivers solid performance that holds up well against pricier competitors. The device runs on Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.6.

The CMF Phone 1 offers a lot for its price but has compromises, particularly with the camera and the lack of NFC.

One of its standout features is its modular design. The back panel can be easily replaced using screws, allowing users to attach accessories like stands or carrying straps. However, the battery is not easily swappable. The main camera has a 50 MP sensor, while the front-facing camera is 16 MP. Priced at around 269 euros, the phone boasts a durable design and decent features but lacks NFC and fast charging speeds. The 5,000 mAh battery supports 33-watt fast charging.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a MediaTek mid-range processor, paired with either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, depending on the configuration. Storage options include 128 GB or 256 GB, with the possibility of expansion via microSD. The device also includes an IR blaster and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The Redmi Note 13 5G offers impressive value for money.

Its triple camera setup is led by a 108 MP main sensor, capable of capturing good-quality photos. However, the two additional lenses offer limited functionality. The phone supports Wi-Fi 5, and while the speakers are serviceable, their sound quality is only average.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion features a 6.7-inch pOLED display with a smooth 144 Hz refresh rate. It is powered by an upper mid-range processor and comes with 256 GB of internal storage, though it lacks expandable memory.  

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion stands out as one of the few smartphones in its class with IP68 certification.

Its dual-camera system includes an ultra-wide-angle lens alongside a 50 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization for improved photo quality. The 5,000 mAh battery ensures excellent battery life, making it a reliable choice for users who need long-lasting performance. Additionally, the device is both dust and waterproof, meeting IP68 standards.

The Motorola Moto G85 5G features a 6.5-inch pOLED display with a sharp resolution and a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. Powered by a Qualcomm mid-range SoC, it comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, with the option to expand via microSD or use an eSIM.

The Motorola Moto G85 delivers an excellent overall package.

It also boasts a large 5,000 mAh battery and reliable location tracking. However, the lack of an official IP certification and some minor shortcomings in camera performance hold it back slightly.

The Vivo V40 SE was the official smartphone of the 2024 European Football Championship and it features a bright 6.67-inch display, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSD. It is powered by a Qualcomm entry-level SoC, delivering decent system performance.

The Vivo V40 SE 5G stands out with its stylish design, good main camera, and eSIM support.

Overall, the Vivo V40 SE offers a solid package, but its software update support is relatively short, and it only includes Wi-Fi 5 with no HDR playback. The 5,000 mAh battery, however, provides exceptionally long runtimes in testing.

The TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper features a 6.8-inch matte IPS display with a resolution of 2,460 x 1,080 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The matte coating reduces reflections while maintaining vibrant colors, and with a peak brightness of around 500 cd/m², outdoor readability remains solid. No PWM flickering was detected.  

The TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper is an appealing choice for those who prioritize a matte display and can accept some trade-offs in performance and camera quality.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, the device delivers average performance for its price range. The main camera captures solid images, though the ultra-wide-angle lens lacks detail. The 5,010 mAh battery ensures good runtimes, and a charger is included. Additional positives include eSIM support and a well-built design. However, drawbacks include mediocre speaker quality and relatively slow internal storage.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels and a 90 Hz refresh rate. It runs on the Samsung Exynos 1330 processor and comes in variants with 4 GB or 8 GB RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD.  

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G delivers strong value for money, particularly for users seeking an affordable smartphone with long-term update support.

One of its standout features is Samsung’s update policy, promising six major Android updates and six years of security patches—an uncommon commitment in this price range. The device sports a 50 MP main camera and a 13 MP front camera, while its 5,000 mAh battery supports 25-watt fast charging. The plastic case is rated IP54 for splash resistance. Additional features include 5G connectivity, dual SIM support, NFC, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The Motorola Moto G35 runs on a lesser-known UNISOC SoC and comes with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card. It also supports eSIM functionality.  

The Motorola Moto G35 offers impressive features for its budget-friendly price.

Its flicker-free IPS display delivers high brightness and strong contrast, ensuring good visibility. Battery life is solid, and the camera is capable of recording Ultra HD videos. Considering the price range, the three-year update commitment is reasonable.

The Samsung Galaxy M15 5G is an affordable mid-range smartphone priced under 200 euros, offering solid performance and useful features. It features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels and a 90 Hz refresh rate. Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, paired with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. The large 6,000 mAh battery provides up to 25 hours of video playback and supports 25-watt fast charging via USB-C.

The Galaxy M15 stands out with its long battery life and extended software support.

For photography, the phone includes a 50 MP main camera, a 5 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2 MP macro camera. A 13 MP front camera sits within a notch for selfies. Additional features include a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and Android 14 with a software update guarantee of four major Android updates and five years of security patches.