Best Budget Smartphones Under €300 in Europe (2026)
HandyPriceScout Team
Published
You don't need to spend €1,000 for a great phone. We tested the best budget smartphones available in Europe under €300 — here are the winners.
Why Budget Phones Are Better Than Ever
In 2026, a €200–300 smartphone gives you what a €600 phone gave you three years ago. AMOLED screens, 50MP cameras, 5G, and all-day battery are now standard in the budget segment. Expert Reviews maintains a dedicated budget ranking, and Notebookcheck provides detailed benchmark data for every model.
The trick is knowing which brands deliver real value and which ones cut corners where it matters. If you're looking for a cheap 5G phone in 2026, all five picks below include 5G connectivity.
Our Top 5 Picks
1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro — Best Overall (€249)
The Redmi Note 14 Pro is the budget king for 2026. You get a 6.67" AMOLED display at 120Hz, a 200MP main camera, 5000mAh battery, and 5G — all for under €250.
- •Display: 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz
- •Camera: 200MP main, 8MP ultrawide
- •Battery: 5000mAh, 67W charging
- •Why buy: Best specs-per-euro in its class, period
2. Samsung Galaxy A35 — Best for Samsung Fans (€279)
Samsung's A-series has been the quiet bestseller in Europe for years. The A35 brings you into the Samsung ecosystem with One UI, 4 years of updates, and IP67 water resistance — rare at this price.
- •Display: 6.6" Super AMOLED, 120Hz
- •Camera: 50MP OIS main camera
- •Battery: 5000mAh
- •Why buy: Samsung reliability, water resistance, long update support
3. Motorola Moto G85 — Best Clean Android (€199)
If you want a phone that just works without bloatware, the Moto G85 is it. Clean Android, smooth 120Hz pOLED display, and Motorola's signature gesture controls.
- •Display: 6.67" pOLED, 120Hz
- •Camera: 50MP main
- •Battery: 5000mAh
- •Why buy: Cleanest software experience under €200, curved display at a budget price
4. Nothing Phone (2a) — Most Unique Design (€299)
Nothing continues to stand out with their transparent Glyph interface. The Phone (2a) is not just a design statement — it's genuinely fast with the Dimensity 7200 Pro chip.
- •Display: 6.7" AMOLED, 120Hz
- •Camera: 50MP dual camera
- •Battery: 5000mAh
- •Why buy: Unique design, great software updates, strong community
5. Poco X6 Pro — Best for Gaming (€279)
Powered by the Dimensity 8300 Ultra, the Poco X6 Pro handles mobile gaming effortlessly. The 64MP camera is decent too, though this phone is really about raw performance.
- •Display: 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, 1220 nits
- •Processor: Dimensity 8300 Ultra
- •Battery: 5000mAh, 67W charging
- •Why buy: Flagship-level gaming performance at budget price
What to Look For in a Budget Phone
| Feature | Must Have | Nice to Have |
|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED, 90Hz+ | 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Camera | 50MP+ main with OIS | Ultrawide, night mode |
| Battery | 4500mAh+ | 67W+ fast charging |
| Updates | 3 years minimum | 4+ years |
| 5G | Yes in 2026 | — |
| Water resistance | Splash proof | IP67/IP68 |
Where to Find the Best Deals
Prices vary by up to €80 between retailers for the same phone. Always compare before buying:
- •Amazon.de — Usually the lowest for Xiaomi and Poco
- •MediaMarkt/Saturn — Good for Samsung, occasionally has bundles
- •AliExpress — Cheapest for Xiaomi/Poco, but slower shipping (7–15 days)
Use HandyPriceScout to compare all retailers instantly and find the current best price.
Bottom Line
- →Best overall value: Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro at €249
- →Best brand reliability: Samsung Galaxy A35 at €279
- →Best clean experience: Motorola Moto G85 at €199
- →Most unique: Nothing Phone (2a) at €299
- →Best for gaming: Poco X6 Pro at €279
All of these phones are excellent. The €200–300 range has never been this good.