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MagyarThe Best Smartphones for Less Than 300 Euros
Between the frequently mentioned flagship smartphones and the inexpensive entry-level class, there are many mainstream smartphones. This ranking includes devices up to 300 USD/Euros that were reviewed by Notebookcheck over the past few months based on their ratings in our reviews. The following Top 10 rankings might be interesting as well:
The Best Mid-Range Smartphones
Position | Total Rating | Date | Image | Model | Height | Weight | Screen-Body Ratio | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 86.3 % | 12/2021 |  | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G Qualcomm Adreno 642L 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 6.81 mm | 158 g | 85 % | 6.55" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 11 |
| 2 | 84.6 % | 05/2021 |  | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 Qualcomm Adreno 640 6 GB Memory, 128 GB | 9.4 mm | 215 g | 85 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 11 |
| 3 | 83.7 % | 09/2021 |  | realme GT Master Edition Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G Qualcomm Adreno 642L 8 GB Memory, 256 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.7 mm | 180 g | 83 % | 6.43" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 11 |
| 4 | 83.6 % | 07/2021 |  | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G Qualcomm Adreno 618 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 6.81 mm | 157 g | 85 % | 6.55" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 11 |
| 5 | 83.5 % | 04/2021 |  | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G Qualcomm Adreno 618 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.1 mm | 193 g | 86 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 11 |
| 6 | 82.9 % | 07/2021 |  | OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 12 GB Memory, 256 GB UFS 2.1 | 7.9 mm | 170 g | 85 % | 6.43" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 11 |
| 7 | 82.4 % | 08/2021 |  | Oppo A74 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.4 mm | 190 g | 84 % | 6.50" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 11 |
| 8 | 82.1 % | 12/2020 |  | Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 9 mm | 215 g | 85 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 10 |
| 9 | 81.8 % | 06/2021 |  | Oppo A94 5G MediaTek Dimensity 800U ARM Mali-G57 MP3 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.0 | 7.8 mm | 173 g | 85 % | 6.43" | 2400x1080 | 060 Hz | Android 11 |
| 10 | 81.8 % | 04/2021 |  | realme 8 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Qualcomm Adreno 618 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8 mm | 176 g | 90.8 % | 6.40" | 2400x1080 | 060 Hz | Android 11 |
The table above contains an overview over the best smartphones for less than 300 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
There are no new entries this month. The realme 9 Pro almost made this list but ultimately did not score high enough. Its bigger brother, the realme 9 Pro+, is slow edging towards the 300 Euro threshold.
1st – Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE (New Edition) features a 6.55-inch FHD+ display. It is powered by a powerful Qualcomm mid-range SoC with access to either 6 or 8 GB of RAM, depending on SKU. Its 128 GB of internal storage can be further expanded via microSD card. The camera features a 64 MP sensor accompanied by an ultra-wide-angle as well as a macro lens.
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE offers a good bang for the buck.
In our review, the slim Xiaomi smartphone turned out to offer a highly color-accurate and very fast 90 Hz AMOLED display, very accurate location services, and modern communication standard support with both 5G and Wi-Fi 6. However, the SoC is slightly slower than its predecessor’s and the front is only protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
Xiaomi devices are not sold in North America.
Pricecompare
2nd - Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers high performance at an affordable price. Its high-end SoC ensures smooth system and application performance, and it supports the most important communication standards including NFC, LTE, and Wi-Fi. Additional features include a fingerprint reader and face recognition. Its very bright display offers a well-balanced way to look at its 48 MP camera’s overall good photos.
Xiaomi’s Poco X3 Pro is a well-equipped and very fast mid-range smartphone at a low price.
Battery life is on par with other smartphones in its price range, and the Poco X3 Pro’s case is IP-certified and splash as well as dust proof.
Xiaomi smartphones are not available in North America.
Pricecompare
3rd – realme GT Master Edition
The realme GT Master Edition is a well-equipped smartphone capable of running everyday tasks and applications smoothly. Its camera is good enough for occasional snapshots and its display performed adequately overall thanks to its AMOLED display with popping colors and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
The realme GT Master Edition is a well-equipped smartphone.
Battery life was decent, and the battery can be charged extremely fast thanks to support for 65 W charging. Other benefits include NFC, a 3.5-mm headphone jack, and modern 5G connectivity.
The realme GT Master Edition is not officially sold in North America. Imported unlocked international GSM-only models are available on Amazon with prices starting at around $450.
Pricecompare
4th – Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G offers a sleek design and a very thin and leightweigt case. Its most affordable SKU comes with 64 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM and is priced affordably enough to make this list. Higher-tier models are available at prices north of 300 Euros.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G is a very thin and well-equipped mid-range smartphone with a sleek design.
You get a smooth 90 Hz AMOLED display with popping colors and a brightness level high enough for outdoor use, a good camera, and fast charging. If you require 5G and are willing to spend more, you can also get the Mi 11 Lite 5G for around 100 Euros extra.
Xiaomi devices are not available in North America.
Pricecompare
5th – Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
The Redmi Note 10 Pro is better than its immediate predecessor and manages to storm right past it to the very top of this top 10 list. Features that made this possible include its good display with 120 Hz refresh rate, high brightness, and a good contrast ratio, its good 108 MP camera, and last but not least its long battery life. In return, we would have wished for more performance than the built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G is capable to deliver.
This is also true for its internal storage and Wi-Fi modem, both of which while fast enough for everyday use lagged behind their competitors and could have been faster. As with all other Xiaomi phones the device is not officially sold in North America.
Pricecompare
6th – OnePlus Nord CE 5G
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G comes with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display running in FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz. Its Qualcomm SoC is powerful enough to ensure smooth system performance, and the OnePlus smartphone is ready to tackle all everyday tasks and challenges. Its 4,500 mAh battery ensures long battery life.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a visually appealing mid-range smartphone with solid hardware.
The device does not require any major compromises. It lacks microSD card support and therefore expandable storage, its Wi-Fi modem is not the fastest, and its ultra-wide-angle lens not the best.
The device is not CDMA-compatible and can be purchased on Amazon with prices starting at $329.
Pricecompare
7th – Oppo A74 5G
The Oppo A74 is a decent mid-range smartphone with a decent battery, camera, and display. Its 5,000 mAh battery ensures long battery life, its 48 MP camera takes decent phones in daylight, and its bright and good AMOLED display is a rare sight in this price range.
The Oppo A74 mid-range smartphone offers a great battery, camera, and display.
Unfortunately, the Oppo A74 comes with a slow and inadequate Snapdragon 662 SoC. It may be fast enough for everyday use but will sometimes slow down and seem somewhat lethargic. This means that future apps will suffer from the Snapdragon 662’s low performance, and due to lack of NFC the device does not support mobile payment systems.
The Oppo A74 is not officially sold in North America. Unlocked international GSM-only versions can be found on Amazon with prices starting at around $330.
Pricecompare
8th – Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G
The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G featuers a 6.67-inch large IPS display running in FHD+ resolution with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It is powered by the Snapdragon 750G with access to 6 GB of RAM and either 64 or 128 GB of internal microSD-expandable storage. It also features a traditional notification LED, a headphone jack, and an IR blaster. Its quad camera’s centerpiece is a 64 MP sensor accompanied by an ultra-wide angle, a macro, and a depth of field lens.
In our test, the Mi 10T Lite 5G turned out to be a well-equipped mid-range smartphone with very long battery life and support for 5G connectivity. Its additional cameras are mostly useless though, and its speakers are rather weak and thin sounding.
Pricecompare
9th – Oppo A94 5G
The Oppo A94 5G offers exactly what you would expect of a mid-range smartphone. Its performance is adequate for a mid-range device and comparable to other 5G smartphones in its price range. Its build quality is very good, its camera quality is decent, and its overall system performance is smooth. In addition, it supports a microSD card and dual SIM cards simultaneously.
The Oppo A94 5G is a mid-range 5G smartphone with good battery life.
While many competing smartphones offer a similar performance, a comparable AMOLED display, and a good-looking design the A94’s slim case also manages to offer a very good battery life thanks to its internal 4,000 mAh battery.
The Oppo A94 5G is currently not available in North America.
Pricecompare
10th – realme 8 Pro
The realme 8 Pro is another device that superseded its immediate predecessor, both of which can now be found on this list. In our review, we particularly praised its low weight, its slim design, and its fingerprint resistant backside. Its versatile camera supports various modes, and 128 GB of internal storage are comparatively spacious. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G makes for an overall decent system performance.
In return, it lacks support for 5G and its display is limited to a refresh rate of just 60 Hz, which is not uncommon in this price range. Sensitive users might also face issues caused by the display’s low PWM frequency. The device is not officially sold in North America.
Pricecompare
Best Mainstream Smartphones in Comparison
Test Results
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Adreno 642L, SD 778G 5G, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Adreno 640, SD 860, 128 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | realme GT Master Edition Adreno 642L, SD 778G 5G, 256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G Adreno 618, SD 732G, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Adreno 618, SD 732G, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) Adreno 619, SD 750G 5G, 256 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Oppo A74 5G Adreno 619, SD 480, 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G Adreno 619, SD 750G 5G, 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Oppo A94 5G Mali-G57 MP3, Dimensity 800U, 128 GB UFS 2.0 Flash | realme 8 Pro Adreno 618, SD 720G, 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response Times | ||||||||||
| Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 3.6 ? | 50.8 ? | 6 ? | 2.8 ? | 2.8 ? | 3.6 ? | 39.6 ? | 52 ? | 4 ? | 8 ? |
| Response Time Black / White * | 3.2 ? | 24 ? | 8 ? | 2.4 ? | 2.4 ? | 2.4 ? | 17.6 ? | 32.4 ? | 4 ? | 6 ? |
| PWM Frequency | 373.1 ? | 2404 ? | 245.1 | 373.1 ? | 490.2 ? | 373.1 ? | 2404 ? | 2358 ? | 250 ? | 114.7 |
| Screen | ||||||||||
| Brightness middle | 797 | 567 | 587 | 815 | 653 | 590 | 582 | 606 | 577 | 581 |
| Brightness | 800 | 524 | 584 | 809 | 651 | 596 | 573 | 574 | 586 | 563 |
| Brightness Distribution | 97 | 87 | 97 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 94 | 89 | 96 | 86 |
| Black Level * | 0.57 | 0.35 | 0.44 | |||||||
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 0.9 | 1 | 4.06 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 4.34 |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 2 | 2.1 | 6.28 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 7 | 7.15 |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 1.1 | 1.7 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 4.9 |
| Gamma | 2.26 97% | 2.16 102% | 2.322 95% | 2.17 101% | 2.25 98% | 2.13 103% | 2.26 97% | 2.21 100% | 2.25 98% | 2.327 95% |
| CCT | 6397 102% | 6343 102% | 7270 89% | 6544 99% | 6426 101% | 6698 97% | 6736 96% | 6224 104% | 6617 98% | 7658 85% |
| Contrast | 995 | 1663 | 1377 | |||||||
| Heat | ||||||||||
| Maximum Upper Side * | 33.4 | 40.5 | 47.6 | 37.6 | 38.7 | 42.7 | 36.8 | 33.8 | 34 | 45 |
| Maximum Bottom * | 33.1 | 39 | 45.7 | 37.5 | 37.6 | 42.6 | 36.3 | 33.2 | 33.1 | 42.3 |
| Idle Upper Side * | 29.4 | 34.9 | 24.6 | 32.2 | 32 | 30.7 | 34.7 | 29.2 | 29.8 | 33.3 |
| Idle Bottom * | 27 | 30.2 | 24.3 | 29.7 | 30.2 | 28.9 | 30.9 | 25.7 | 29.1 | 32.2 |
| Battery Runtime | ||||||||||
| Reader / Idle | 1648 | 2372 | 2785 | 1489 | 2439 | 2870 | ||||
| WiFi v1.3 | 705 | 879 | 728 | 692 | 753 | 924 | 1223 | 1096 | 1026 | 1006 |
| Load | 233 | 276 | 264 | 283 | 286 | 250 |
* ... smaller is better
Benchmarks
| PCMark for Android - Work 3.0 (sort by value) | |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
| Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | |
| realme GT Master Edition | |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G | |
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) | |
| Oppo A74 5G | |
| Oppo A94 5G | |
| Antutu v9 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
| Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | |
| realme GT Master Edition | |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G | |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | |
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) | |
| Oppo A94 5G | |
| Networking | |
| iperf3 Client (transmit) 1 m 4M x10 Netgear AX12 (sort by value) | |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
| Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | |
| realme GT Master Edition | |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G | |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | |
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) | |
| Oppo A74 5G | |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G | |
| Oppo A94 5G | |
| realme 8 Pro | |
| iperf3 Client (receive) 1 m 4M x10 Netgear AX12 (sort by value) | |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
| Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | |
| realme GT Master Edition | |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G | |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | |
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) | |
| Oppo A74 5G | |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G | |
| Oppo A94 5G | |
| realme 8 Pro | |
| PUBG Mobile - HD (sort by value) | |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
| Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | |
| realme GT Master Edition | |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G | |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | |
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Nord Core Edition) | |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G | |
