There's plenty of things to consider before buying a phone, but often it's the cost that's at the front of our minds!
If you’re on the lookout for a mobile phone that doesn’t break the bank, here are the best ones you can buy for under £200.
Looking for something slightly cheaper? Discover the best phones for under £100.
Samsung
Samsung is one of the biggest smartphone brands in the world. They typically release more expensive models, so to have Samsung options in our under £200’s list is an absolute steal!
Samsung Galaxy A03S
Release date: August 2021
Price: £140
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✔ Large 6.5 inch screen is ideal for gaming and watching videos, and with an Infinity-V display, you’ll feel completely immersed in the virtual world ✔ Triple rear cameras: 13MP, 5MP, and 2MP, with a 5MP front camera and video recording capabilities means you can capture all your memories ✔ Large 5,000mAh battery capacity with Adaptive Fast Charging to get you up and running again in no time ✔ Store photos and videos with 32GB internal storage (with a memory card slot to expand) ✔ 4G ✔ Available on Android 11 |
Samsung Galaxy A21s
Release date: May 2020
Price: £150
✔ 6.5 inch Infinity-O display screen provides a clear and colourful screen
✔ Quad rear cameras (48MP, 8MP, 2MP, and 2MP) with a 13MP front camera for detailed photos, and video recording capabilities
✔ 5,000mAh battery is compatible with 15W Fast Charging technology so when your phone eventually drains, it’ll be back up and running in no time
✔ Upgradeable to Android 11 for all the newest features and security measures
✔ MicroSD card slot allows you to expand internal memory up to 128GB
✔ Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm headphone jack
Samsung Galaxy A12
Release date: November 2020
Price: £165
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✔ 6.5 inch display screen ✔ Quad rear camera with 48MP, 5MP, 2MP, and 2MP, and an 8MP front camera with 1080p video recording ✔ 64GB internal storage with a memory card slot to expand up to a whopping 1TB (terabyte) ✔ Large and reliable 5,000mAh battery will last you days at a time with fair usage, and is compatible with 15W Fast Charging to get you back up to speed as quickly as possible ✔ Upgradeable to Android 11 ✔ Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm headphone port |
Xiaomi
The fourth largest brand for phones worldwide, Xiaomi have a wide range of smartphones with big displays, impressive cameras, and long-lasting battery capacities. Check out our top pick for under £200.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
Release date: January 2022
Price: £197.99
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✔ Great specs from a reputable brand for less than £200 ✔ Impressive 6.43 inch FHD+ AMOLED screen. With its 90Hz refresh rate and high pixel count, the Redmi Note 11 is brilliant for all activities ✔ For a budget phone, it has a super long lasting battery. With careful use, you could easily get a couple of days out of it. Supports 33W fast charging ✔ 128GB internal storage |
Redmi 9AT
Release date: September 2020
Price: £98.99
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✔ Sleek, immersive 6.53 inch display with low blue light to protect your eyes ✔ 13MP rear and 5MP front camera ✔ Large 5,000mAh battery offers 34 days of standby time and several days of charge ✔ 4G compatible ✔ Decent 32MP storage ✔ Upgradeable to Android 11, the most recent OS |
TCL
You may know TCL for their budget-friendly HD TVs, but they’ve actually been on the mobile market for years. They used to release phones under other brands, namely Alcatel and Blackberry, but in 2020 started selling under their own name.
They focus on affordable, mid-range smartphones. If you’re trying to keep costs under £200, TCL could be a great fit.
TCL 20R
Release date: September 2021
Price: £180
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✔ Beautiful 6.5 inch HD+ display ✔ Sleek, modern design ✔ Biometric fingerprint sensor for easy unlocking and extra security ✔ Massive 4500mAh battery that’ll last you all day ✔ 64GB built-in storage ✔ 5G compatible |
TCL 20L
Release date: April 2021
Price: £179
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✔ Huge 6.67 inch FHD+ Dotch display featuring NXTVSION and HDR enhancements ✔ Capture perfect moments with its 48MP AI quad-camera, including 2X lossless zoom ✔ Huge 5000mAh battery that’ll keep you going from dawn to dusk ✔ Dual speaker design for stereo, cinematic audio ✔ 64GB built-in storage |
Interested in more from this brand? Check out our full TCL guide.
Nokia
Nokia were much loved in the early 2000s with the 3310, but they have since strayed from their famous design to adopt a more modern appearance. Check out the models below to see if one of these could be your next buy.
Nokia G50
Release date: October 2021
Price: £197.99
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✔ Huge 6.82 inch screen is perfect for watching videos, playing online games, and video-chatting with friends or family ✔ Quad rear cameras (8MP, 48MP, 5MP, and 2MP) with an 8MP front camera allows for stable and colourful photography ✔ 64GB or 128GB internal storage options, large enough for the majority of users. A memory card slot is also available so the user can expand on their storage even more ✔ Huge 5,000mAh battery for multiple days of usage without needing to be recharged ✔ Bluetooth capability for attaching to other devices and playing audio wirelessly ✔ 5G compatible for speedy data connection |
Nokia G21
Release date: May 2021
Price: £135
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✔ Large and clear HD+ 6.5 inch screen ✔ Triple rear cameras (50MP, 2MP, and 2MP) with advanced AI imaging and a decent 8MP front camera ✔ 64GB internal storage ✔ Fingerprint and face unlocking ✔ Huge 5,050mAh battery with USB-C charging port ✔ Dual SIM compatible ✔ 4G compatible |
Nokia G10
Release date: April 2021
Price:£109
✔ Large 6.5 inch display
✔ Decent triple rear camera (13MP, 2MP, 2MP) with an 8MP front camera, all of which benefit from automatic image stabilisation to keep shots clear and balanced
✔ Comes with a handy 32GB of internal storage, with a microSD card slot that allows for further expansion to store all your favourite apps, photos, and videos
✔ Long-lasting 5,050mAh battery life means you can go longer without needing to charge your phone
✔ Compatible with Bluetooth for wireless connectivity
✔ Water resistant design
✔ 4G compatible
Motorola
Motorola, the founders of the first flip phone, are a great choice for affordable phones that still offer many of the same features as bigger manufacturers.
Motorola G50
Release date: August 2021
Price:£197.99
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✔ Vivid and clear 6.5 inch display screen is ideal for watching and streaming visual content ✔ Triple rear camera (48MP, 5MP, 2MP) with a strong main lens, and a useful 13MP front camera for clear selfies ✔ Built-in 64MP internal storage, which may be enough for most users, but if not, you can upgrade your storage with a microSD card ✔ Big 5,000mAh battery capacity could keep your smartphone alive for days ✔ Water resistant rating ✔ 5G compatible |
Motorola G30
Release date: February 2021
Price: £158.99
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✔ 6.5 inch screen ✔ Quad rear cameras: 64MP, 8MP, 2MP, and 2MP, with a 13MP front camera, and video recording at 1080p. Camera technology also features automatic image stabilisation so photos and videos will be blur-free ✔ 5,000mAh battery ✔ Operates on Android 11, the most recent OS, so will be implemented with the newest bug fixes and security protocols ✔ Comes with 128GB built-in storage and the option to expand using a microSD card if you need more |
Motorola G9 Power
Release date: November 2020
Price: £142
✔ Almost tablet-size 6.8 inch screen is ideal for streaming tv apps or games.
✔ Triple rear camera - 64MP, 2MP, and 2MP, for super clear and detailed images with a 16MP selfie camera for stable and well-lit Instagram-worthy snaps. You can also record footage at 1080p
✔ Whopping 6,000mAh battery life, which is one of the largest capacities in a modern smartphone, lasting up to 60 hours on a single charge
✔ Has a large 128GB of built-in storage, which some users won’t need to manually expand on, particularly if they use backup cloud storage options
✔ Water-repellent design means there’s less chance of the device being damaged if you drop your phone in water
Alcatel
Alcatel offer some of the most affordable phones on the market, with most retailing between £20 - £150. These truly are budget-friendly phones, but their low price doesn’t mean you’re losing out on any great features! Check out our number one pick below £200.
Alcatel 3L (2020)
Release date: May 2020
Price: £138.99
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✔ Large 6.22 inch screen makes for an easy viewing experience and ideal for surfing the web. Discover other budget phones for internet browsing ✔ Features a 48MP rear camera, embedded with smart AI technology to stabilise and improve the quality of photos you take ✔ Big 4,000mAh battery offers over a day of average usage before needing to be recharged, perfect for long road trips or multiple hours without access to electricity ✔ 64GB built-in storage |
Doro
Doro is another reliable staple for budget-friendly phones that can be found for under both £200 and £100! If you’re looking for a cheap phone aimed more at older users with specialised features to aid those with visual or hearing impairments, this could be the brand for you.
Doro 8100
Release date: 2022
Price: £199.00
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✔ Uses a unique Doro interface that’s based on Android, but designed to make things easier, safer, and more intuitive for all ✔ Doro proudly focus on accessibility, and the 8100 is no different. It’s hearing aid compatible, and the Response by Doro assistance button allows you to alert family and friends with a single press ✔ Charging and video calls are easy thanks to its charging cradle (included in the box) ✔ Water resistant (IP54 rating) |
Hammer
A manufacturer of strong, durable, rugged phones with an edgier appearance than the typical sleekness of modern smartphones, Hammer should be on your watchlist if you need a device that’s capable of surviving harsher conditions.
Hammer Energy 2
Release date: April 2020
Price: £178.99
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✔ Portable and pocket-friendly size with a 5.5 inch display screen ✔ IP68 waterproof rating means the device is protected against submersion up to one metre of water for a maximum of 30 minutes ✔ IK05 rating against drops from heights of 280mm ✔ 13MP rear camera still allows you to use the phone for photos, with autofocus technology meaning you never miss your mark ✔ 5,000mAh battery life will last all work day and more ✔ 4G compatible |
And there you have it - all of our recommendations for the best mobile phones under £200. Some of the huge battery lives, storage options, and large screens go to show that you don’t always need to empty your wallet for a good and reliable smartphone.
If your budget is a little higher, though, you may be interested in viewing some of our masterlists for the best of each brand:
- Which Samsung phone is right for you?
- Which Google phone is right for you?
- Which Xiaomi phone is right for you?
- Which Huawei phone is right for you?
- Which Hammer phone is right for you?
- Which Nokia phone is right for you?
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