At a time when prices on the smartphone market are getting higher and higher, many of us are looking for cheaper alternatives. The cell phones should be powerful and reliable in order to get along well in everyday life. It is often astonishing how much performance smartphones under €300 can offer.
In today's test we take a look at the most important criteria for a smartphone and look at the currently best models that you can get for less than €300. We'll also show you what differences there are to the more expensive devices and where inexpensive models perform surprisingly well. And an insider tip: If you buy refurbished, you can save a lot without compromising on quality.
Price range and requirements
On the smartphone market, cell phones up to €300 offer a surprisingly diverse range of options that can appeal to both price-conscious buyers and technology-savvy users. The devices in this segment are designed to offer a good balance between price and performance.
This is what you can expect from a budget smartphone
- Decent processor performance: Ideal for everyday tasks such as web surfing, social media use and simple gaming.
- Adequate storage capacities: Enough space for apps, photos and media files, with options for expansion on some models.
- Functional camera quality: Suitable for photography in good lighting conditions.
Set your priorities: This is important when you buy a budget phone
When buying a smartphone in this price segment, it is important to clarify your priorities:
- Intended use: Do you need the device for professional purposes, as an everyday cell phone or as a second cell phone?
- Most important features: Which features are most important to you? Is it the battery life, the screen quality or maybe the camera?
By understanding your needs and prioritizing them accordingly, you can effectively evaluate the best options within your budget and make an informed purchasing decision.
The most important criteria when buying a cell phone
When choosing a smartphone, a few things are particularly important. These include:
- Performance: The processor and RAM determine how fast and smoothly your smartphone runs.
- Camera: The quality of the camera, especially in different light, is crucial for good photos.
- Battery life: How long the battery lasts affects how long you can use the smartphone every day.
- Display: The size, resolution and technology of the screen are important for a good viewing experience.
These points are crucial because they directly influence how well the smartphone meets your needs. Below we take a closer look at these aspects and explain what you can expect in this price range.
These processors are in phones under 300€
Inexpensive smartphones often have mid-range processors installed, which can come from older high-end models or are designed for the mid-range.Examples of this are the Tensor processor in the Google Pixel 6a or the Snapdragon 7+ Gen2 in the Poco F5 Pro.
In terms of memory, buyers in this segment can expect up to 12 GB of RAM, although this depends on the memory configuration of the respective model. A lot of RAM is particularly beneficial for users who rely on multitasking or want to use more demanding apps and games.
Internal memory: Little choice, but often with memory expansion
When it comes to internal storage, smartphones up to €300 usually offer options between 128 and 256 GB. In some cases, models with up to 512 GB are even available, although this is rare in this price range.
In addition, many of these budget devices offer the option of expanding the memory using microSD cards. This is a crucial advantage for users who value a lot of storage space or simply want more flexibility in managing their data.
What are the cameras like in cheap cell phones?
The camera quality in smartphones up to €300 has improved significantly in recent years, but there are still differences compared to higher-priced models. In this price segment you often find devices with multiple camera systems that offer a main camera for standard shots and often additional sensors such as wide-angle or depth sensors for creative photography.
In good lighting conditions, these cameras can deliver very decent results. However, they reach their limits more quickly in poor lighting conditions. Image quality can noticeably deteriorate under these conditions because the sensors and image processing technology cannot keep up with expensive devices. The cameras are more than sufficient for everyday photos.
Display: Size matters!
Displays are a crucial factor in the everyday smartphone user experience. Most smartphones up to €300 offer screens with diagonals between 6.1 and 6.7 inches, making them ideal for multimedia, gaming and everyday browsing. This size offers enough space for social media content and is also handy enough for most users. The common resolution in this segment is Full HD, which delivers sharp and clear images, improving media playback and the overall user experience.
Why refresh rate and AMOLED displays can make the difference
The refresh rate and display technology are crucial factors for a good display. But why are they so important?
A high refresh rate ensures that scrolling through websites and dynamic scenes in games appear particularly smooth and pleasant. With LTPO technology, which enables an adaptive refresh rate, the display can be turned down to 1 Hz when not in use, which protects the battery.
AMOLED displays offer better contrast and deeper blacks compared to conventional LCDs. This leads to an overall higher visual quality, making images and videos appear more vivid and intense.
Why you can save even more with refurbished budget cell phones
When buying a smartphone up to €300, there are not only new devices but also great opportunities to save additional money through refurbished devices or special offers. These options are particularly attractive for getting more out of your budget.
Refurbished is twice as worthwhile!
Refurbished smartphones are used devices that have been carefully checked, cleaned and, if necessary, repaired to ensure that they are technically sound. They are often significantly cheaper than new models and offer excellent value for money. In addition, purchasing refurbished devices supports environmentally friendly consumption as fewer resources are required to produce new devices.
Save with offers
Another way to save on purchasing a smartphone is to purchase during special promotions or sales. There are often strong discounts, especially during big events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Regularly checking prices or waiting for special promotions can also mean you get better value for your money or simply spend less.
These manufacturers offer a good price-performance ratio
When looking for cheap smartphones, it is worth taking a closer look at the offers from certain manufacturers that represent a good price-performance ratio.
Brands like Xiaomi, Realme and Oppo often offer devices that score with solid technical specifications at a low price. These manufacturers often use the latest mid-range chipsets, offer good camera setups and use high-capacity batteries to satisfy even demanding users.
Large established brands such as Google, Samsung, OnePlus and Nothing are also expanding their product lines with budget models that sit alongside mid-range and high-end devices. These smartphones often benefit from strong basic equipment, but are somewhat weaker in some respects than mid-range or high-end devices.
Current smartphones for under €300 in 2024: These are the advantages and disadvantages
Now we know what to look for in cheap smartphones, but what can we expect from the current smartphones up to €300? In this section we analyze four budget smartphones and give you an overview of what they offer - and disadvantages.
Samsung Galaxy A25
Advantages:
- 6.5-inch AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Exynos 1280 processor with 5G support
- High quality camera with 50 MP main camera
- Big 5.000 mAh battery for long service life
- Storage expansion possible with SD card
- 3.5 mm headphone jack for conventional headphones
Disadvantages:
- Slightly older and thicker design with wide bezels
Redmi Note 13 Pro
Advantages:
- High-quality OLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and high brightness
- Powerful Snapdragon 778G processor for smooth everyday performance
- Excellent main camera with 108 MP that can also record 4K videos
- Long battery life of over 14 hours at 60 Hz refresh rate and fast 67W charging
- Stereo speakers and 3.5 mm headphone jack for optimal sound
Disadvantages:
- No microSD card slot for storage expansion
- Camera bump on the back can get in the way when you put it down
- Camera has problems in low light conditions
- Many pre-installed apps (bloatware)
Samsung Galaxy A34
Advantages:
- Large 6.6-inch AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and high brightness
- Powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor with 5G support
- Good camera equipment with optical image stabilization
- Large 5,000 mAh battery with up to 14 hours of runtime
- microSD card slot for easy storage expansion
Disadvantages:
- Fingerprint sensor could react faster
- Camera equipment could be even better for the price
Poco X6 Pro
Advantages:
- Excellent AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and high brightness
- Powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra processor for smooth everyday performance
- High-quality 64 MP main camera that can also record 4K videos
- 5000 mAh battery with fast 67W charging, fully charged in just 45 minutes
- Stereo speakers with good sound
Disadvantages:
- Weak night photography capabilities of the camera
- No option to expand memory
- Many pre-installed apps (bloatware)
Conclusion: Smartphone test up to €300
After thoroughly examining the most important factors and presenting some recommended models up to €300, we have gained some key insights. Smartphones in this price segment usually offer enough power for everyday tasks, sufficient storage space and satisfactory camera functions for standard shots. Many models also have large batteries that last all day and high-quality displays with improved refresh rates and technologies that ensure a good user experience.
These devices are ideal for price-conscious buyers who are looking for a reliable smartphone for everyday use without having to spend a fortune. They're great for users who want to enjoy basic features like calling, texting, playing simple games, and using social media without lag. Even casual users who occasionally take photos and do not place high demands on their devices will find what they are looking for in this price range. With the right expectations and a clear idea of your own needs, you can find a device that reliably accompanies you in everyday life.
Why refurbishing is particularly worthwhile
Another insider tip to get even more out of your budget is to buy refurbished smartphones. These devices are refurbished models that have been thoroughly tested to ensure they are technically sound. The advantage here is that you can often get mid-range smartphones at the price of budget models, offering excellent value for money. In addition, purchasing refurbished devices supports more sustainable consumption as fewer resources are required to produce new devices. So: No matter which mobile phone you buy used - be it a used iPhone or a used Samsung cell phone - with refurbished you can save a lot of money.
In summary, smartphones under €300 offer a surprising amount of performance and quality for the price. With the option to buy refurbished devices, you can save even more and still get a high-quality smartphone that meets your everyday needs.
