Best Budget Phones For 2023
Now, more than ever, we’re all keen for a bargain. As the cost of living crisis squeezes our finances, we want to make sure we’re making each pound count. But mobile phones are a necessity that most of us use every day. So, what do you do when you need a new phone and there’s limited funds? Luckily, there’s a wide choice when it comes to phones, and while some do come with a large price tag, others are very affordable. And even budget phones these days come with some impressive features. And yes, you might have to compromise on some areas, but do you really need the sharpest camera or the longest battery life?
We take a look at the best budget phones around right now, and what they have to offer.
RealMe C35
For a phone that comes in at £150 the RealMe C35 is pretty remarkable. For a start it features a 50MP main camera that takes clear and colour-rich photos. Okay, you don’t get an ultra-wide lens on this one, but you do get two days of charge from the battery. The 1080p display is crisp and clear and while it only comes with a standard 64GB storage, for an extra £20 you can ramp that up to 128GB. The one area where this phone tells you it’s budget is in its design. The flat edges are bang up to date, but when you hold it in your hand it doesn’t feel as smooth and sleek as higher priced phones. Arguably, for the cost, that’s a small sacrifice to make.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G
The speedy Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset on the Poco X4 Pro is just one of the features that makes this phone outstandingly good value for the price. At around £260 you’re getting a fast phone, that actually has a decent camera too – the 108MP camera is a real bonus. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything on this phone that underperforms much higher-priced mobiles. It has 67W fast charging, and with the ability to connect to 5G, it’s a budget phone with everything you’d expect from a higher price point. Let’s just say the design appeal is going to be down to personal choice, but when a phone performs this well at this price, a lack of sleekness is easily tolerable.
Motorola Moto G62 5G09
If 5G is important to you, the Motorola Moto G62 5G is the cheapest 5G phone you can get. At £200 it’s a budget phone with a lot to offer. We won’t beat around the bush – the camera on this phone is average, with a 50MP main lens, and two other lenses that aren’t really worth bothering with. But there’s a lot to shout about too. This budget phone looks great, sleek and polished, and it performs fantastically well for the price. Using Android 12 and a 2400×1080 resolution screen, it’s sharp looking, despite the LCD screen instead of OLED. The 5000mAh battery will give you around two days of charge, depending on your usage. Yes, it’s a bit slow sometimes if you’re gaming or steaming movies, but if you’re on a budget this is an option to consider.
Motorola Moto G50
If you’re looking for a well-priced phone that can cope with gaming and multiple tabs, the Motorola Moto G50 is a snip at £330, and it comes with 5G. The 500mAh battery will last around two days, and the 90Hz refresh rates are good, not amazing, but for the price a little wait here and there won’t be a big deal. The compromise is in the camera: the triple lens camera seems impressive at first, but only the main 48MP lens is really worth using, and even that’s grainy in low light.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
At around £189 the Redmi Note 11 is a solid rival to the Motorola Moro G50. This one looks far more expensive than it is, and it will hold up pretty well for gaming and movies. If you’re looking for a great camera, again, there are better ones out there. But with a 50MP rear camera and an ultra-wide option, it does still beat the Motorola Moto G50. It has a 90Hz refresh too, but with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB or 6GB RAM it might feel a bit slow sometimes.
Switched On’s mobile phone insurance gives you total peace of mind that you’re protected for the unexpected. It’s feature packed policies include 24/7 online claims, immediate cover and fast repairs and replacements. Cover starts from just £4.25 a month, or there’s two month’s free if you take out annual cover. Find out more here.