Tested: these are the best cheap smartphones up to 300 euros | Tweakers

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02 March 2024 at 10:47

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Smartphones do not have to be expensive, as the models in this comparison prove. In the price range up to 300 euros you will find excellent devices, with long software support and sometimes even functions that you would expect in a higher price range.

This is a shortened version of an extensive comparison on Tweakers.

Are you looking for a smartphone without paying the top price? There are excellent options available in the price range up to 300 euros. The housing is often made of plastic, which makes the device feel less luxurious than high-end models made of aluminum, stainless steel or titanium. Cheap smartphones are also often not completely waterproof. In affordable models you will sometimes find a connection for headphones and a memory card reader, which are currently missing from more expensive devices.

The devices in this comparison have been extensively tested in our test lab. When selecting the best cheap smartphones up to 300 euros, we look at, among other things, the software supplied, the quality of the screen, the battery performance, the camera system and the speed of the chip.

The best buy: Samsung Galaxy A34 (269 euros)

The Samsung Galaxy A34 can be seen as a stripped-down version of the Galaxy S23 phones. There are few differences in terms of software, although the DeX function to use the device as a desktop is missing. The smartphone has a waterproof housing with IP67 certification, something that is not common in this price range.

This phone has a less powerful chip than other mid-range smartphones, but you can play some more demanding games on high settings. The screen has a high refresh rate of 120 Hz, which ensures that the content is displayed smoothly. Moreover, the color reproduction of the 6.6-inch screen is surprisingly good.

Even if you like to take photos and videos with your smartphone, you can get by with the Galaxy A34 quite well. You can film in 4K and, as long as there is enough ambient light, take great photos to share on social media. Samsung also promises five years of security updates and support up to and including Android version 17.

Samsung Galaxy A34

Want to know more about the Samsung Galaxy A34, such as specifications, user experiences and the stores with the best prices? Then view the overview in the Tweakers Pricewatch.

Almost as good: Redmi Note 12 Pro (239 euros)

Thanks to its glass body, the Redmi Note 12 Pro looks luxurious. The device has a 6.67-inch screen, fits comfortably in the hand and is splash-proof. Many features correspond to those of the more expensive Redmi Note 12 Pro+, which costs just over 350 euros. The biggest difference can be found in the cameras. There is no 200 megapixel camera, but a 50 megapixel camera. You can take excellent photos with this.

The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip is above average fast and makes it possible to film in 4K. We are not dissatisfied with the battery life; which is average to good. Moreover, the device charges very quickly with the included charger. In addition, this smartphone is splash-proof, which means that it is not suitable for being submerged under water, but it should be able to withstand some splashes.

A major disadvantage of this smartphone is that it comes with a lot of bloatware. This means that there are many extra apps installed, many of which you will probably never use. Fortunately, you can easily remove most of them. The Redmi Note 12 Pro will receive updates until mid-2027.

Redmi Note 12 Pro

Want to know more about the Redmi Note 12 Pro, such as specifications, user experiences and the stores with the best prices? Then view the overview in the Tweakers Pricewatch.

Alternative for less money: OPPO A58 (148 euros)

For those looking for a cheaper alternative, the OPPO A58 is a great choice. The specifications are nice for its price range. The device has a 6.71-inch screen with a resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels. We think the screen is set a little too blue, although the color temperature can be changed in the settings.

The OPPO A58 has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel depth camera on the back. There is also an 8 megapixel selfie camera, but an ultra-wide-angle lens is missing. You can usually find this on smartphones that cost 50 to 100 euros more.

The available MediaTek Helio G85 chip is also not particularly fast, but in terms of battery performance, the phone can keep up with slightly more expensive smartphones. The OPPO A58 is also both dust and splash-proof. The device will also receive security updates until 2027 and two more Android upgrades will follow, up to Android 15.

OPPO A58

Want to know more about the OPPO A58, such as specifications, user experiences and the stores with the best prices? Then view the overview in the Tweakers Pricewatch.

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Tweakers is a tech site that helps you make the best choice. Every year, the experts at Tweakers test hundreds of products to arrive at the best advice. This is done completely independently and without interference from third parties.