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.
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: £110
✔ Large 6.22 inch screen makes for an easy viewing experience
✔ 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
Alcatel also have a huge range of cheaper phones all under £100.
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 8050
Release date: March 2021
Price: £190
✔ 5.4 inch screen is larger than many other Doro models, and provides users with a clear, yet portable phone display
✔ 13MP rear camera is a common and reliable strength
✔ Compatible with hearing aids to amplify the sound of ringers and voices over a phone call
✔ Includes an SOS button, which users can press to alert friends or family members that they need assistance
✔ Includes Google Assistant so you can make verbal requests to call, text, or open certain apps
✔ 4G compatible
Doro 7010
Release date: September 2019
Price: £79
✔ 2.8 inch screen allows the phone to include big buttons for those with dexterity struggles
✔ Though the main rear camera is only 3MP, you still have the choice of being able to take photos, as well as record videos (which is not always available on these types of models)
✔ Includes an assistance button and ICE (In Case of Emergency), which stores your medical information like allergies, whether you’re hard of hearing or visually impaired, and more, so medical professionals know how to treat you
✔ Compatible with hearing aids
✔ Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can listen to music, podcasts, or the radio using headphones
Oppo
For a more high-end option, Oppo has you covered. These phones still remain under the £200 budget, but include a whole host of surprising and impressive features for users who seek a more luxurious smartphone experience.
Oppo A5 (2020)
Release date: September 2019
Price: £150
✔ Large 6.5 inch screen is perfect for gamers and film fanatics who need the display for optimal viewing
✔ Quadruple rear cameras: 12MP, 8MP, 2MP, and 2MP, for the avid photographer who likes to experiment with multiple lenses and focuses
✔ Huge 5,000mAh battery is capable of lasting for multiple days depending on usage
✔ Has Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio
✔ Functions with 4G data for connectivity worldwide
Oppo A53
Release date: August 2020
Price: £125
✔ Large 6.5 inch screen
✔ Triple rear main cameras: 13MP, 2MP, and 2MP, and an 8MP front camera for both selfies and landscape shots
✔ Built-in 64GB, with the ability to expand up to 256GB with a microSD card
✔ Long-lasting 5,000mAh battery life
✔ Has both a 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth 5.0 so the user can decide whether they want to listen to their audio wired or wirelessly
Oppo A15
Release date: November 2020
Price: £125
✔ 6.5 inch screen is great for people who want a large enough display to video chat friends or family, play games, and watch videos on
✔ Triple rear cameras at 13MP, 2MP, and 2MP, with video recording available at 1080p
✔ Nicely sized 4,230mAh battery capacity
✔ Has Bluetooth for wireless connectivity
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 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
Motorola G30
Release date: February 2021
Price: £126
✔ 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
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.
Redmi Note 9T
Release date: January 2021
Price: £183
✔ Joins the common display size amongst these smartphones with a 6.53 inch screen
✔ Features triple rear cameras at 48MP, 2MP, and 2MP, with a 13MP selfie camera and 4K video capabilities
✔ 5G compatible
✔ Has a large 5,000mAh battery you don’t need to keep a constant watch on for fear of running out
✔ 64GB built-in storage with a microSD card slot allowing the user to expand, if necessary
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 2 Energy
Release date: April 2020
Price: £142
✔ 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
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 5.4
Release date: December 2020
Price: £126
✔ Big 6.39 inch screen that trumps its predecessors, appearing more like a modern high-end smartphone
✔ Quad rear cameras: 48MP, 2MP, 5MP, and 2MP to capture shots using varying lenses and focuses. Also has a 16MP front camera for strong selfies
✔ 4,000mAh battery life
✔ Comes with 64GB or 128GB of storage, though you can expand the memory up to 512GB with a microSD card
✔ Ready to operate on Android 11, the newest system update
✔ Bluetooth 4.2 and a 3.5mm headphone jack allow the user to choose how to listen to their media
✔ 4G compatible
Nokia 3.4
Release date: October 2020
Price: £102
✔ 6.39 inch screen is identical to its successor, the 5.4
✔ Triple rear cameras with 13MP, 2MP, and 5MP strength, and an 8MP front camera
✔ 4,000mAh battery life with adaptive battery technology that prioritises the phone’s power to your most used apps
✔ Up to 512GB of storage, enough to store all of your favourite apps, photos, videos, files, and more
✔ Bluetooth 4.2 and 3.5mm headphone jack for wired or wireless listening
✔ 4G compatible
✔ Family Link feature to use parental control software for young phone users
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 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: £138
✔ 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
Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4s
Release date: July 2019
Price: £187
✔ Portable and pocket-friendly 5 inch screen may be more suitable for users who don’t want or need a huge screen
✔ 16MP rear camera and 5MP front camera, with video recording available at 1080p
✔ 2,800mAh battery isn’t as big as the others on this list, but it does have the advantage of being removable, which could save you money on going to a manufacturer
✔ 32GB of built-in storage with a microSD card slot, allowing for expansion
✔ IP68 waterproof rating, which means the device is protected against submersion of up to one metre for a maximum of 30 minutes without facing water damage
✔ Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm headphone jack
Apple
Alongside Samsung, Apple are the leading brand in smartphone manufacturing, with new iPhone families coming out each Autumn. While some of the newer ranges, like the 11 and 12, are more expensive, if you’re desperate for a budget-friendly iPhone, the 6 is your best bet.
iPhone 6
Release date: September 2014
Price: £60 - £70
✔ 4.7 inch screen makes this a dainty little phone that is easy to transport, slip into pockets and bags, and use one-handed
✔ 8MP rear camera is relatively good for the affordability and age of the model
✔ Includes AI, Siri, who allows you to complete tasks and ask questions hands-free using vocal commands
✔ Features the 3.5mm headphone jack that has since been replaced by Lightning cables in models beyond the iPhone 7, so you can still plug any brand of headphones into it
✔ Bluetooth 4.2 to listen wirelessly using AirPods or other wireless earphones
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 iPhone is right for you?
- 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 Oppo phone is right for you?
- Which Hammer phone is right for you?
- Which Nokia phone is right for you?
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