Test: the best smartphone under 300 euros

A 'just good' smartphone doesn't have to cost a fortune. Solid models are becoming cheaper and better all the time. Computer!Total tests nine smartphones under 300 euros, of which four copies even sell for less than 200 euros. Which devices are really worth it?

A few years ago, a smartphone under 300 euros was not recommended. Manufacturers saved on everything from build quality and screen to performance and software support. Fortunately, a lot has changed in 2019, especially due to Chinese price fighters such as Xiaomi and Huawei. They achieved great success with good devices for a competitive price. Well-known brands such as Motorola and Samsung had to follow in order not to lose market share. The result is that you now have plenty of choice from excellent devices that cost two to three hundred euros. Computer!Totaal selected nine models that are worthwhile based on price and specifications. On paper then. To see how good they really are, we have tested the smartphones extensively in recent months. We looked at the design, screen quality, general performance, battery life and the software, among other things. There are more extensive reviews of a number of devices on our website.

No Huawei and Honor

In this test you will not find smartphones from Huawei and subsidiary brand Honor. That seems crazy, because the cheaper Huawei devices offer a competitive price-quality ratio and are not or hardly inferior to the competition. The reason we exclude Huawei and Honor is the ongoing uncertainty about Huawei's future. The US government ruled in May that Google will no longer be allowed to do business with Huawei from mid-August. This is due to concerns for national security. Google provides the Android operating system to Huawei, which adapts the software and puts it on its smartphones, including Honor's. Huawei also needs Google to be able to make Android updates. At the time this magazine goes to the printer, it is unclear what Huawei and Google are still allowed to do. Huawei's update policy is also uncertain with this, so we do not recommend a Huawei or Honor smartphone at this time. Please keep an eye on the news for developments.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite

Xiaomi's Mi A2 Lite appeared in the summer of 2018 and impressed with its very competitive price-quality ratio. Now the device has become even cheaper, giving you even more value for money. The smartphone has a sturdy metal housing with a fingerprint scanner and the 5.84-inch screen looks sharp due to the full-HD resolution. The performance is fine and the storage memory is large and expandable. Don't expect too much from the front and rear cameras, but they are adequate for home-garden-and-kitchen photos. The battery life is above average with two to three days, although it is a pity that charging is done via the old micro-USB. All competing devices in this test have a USB-C port. Because the Mi A2 does not have an NFC chip, the phone is not suitable for contactless payment. A positive conclusion is the Android One software. The smartphone runs a non-adapted version of Android and will soon receive Android 10.0 (Q). You are also guaranteed monthly security updates until the summer of 2021. That is quite unique in this price segment. Together with the Nokia 5.1 Plus, the Xiaomi Mi A2 is the cheapest smartphone in this test and for many the best choice under 200 euros.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite

Price

€ 179,-

Website

www.mi.com/global/mi-a2-lite 8 Score 80

  • Pros
  • Sturdy design
  • Full HD screen
  • Android One
  • Long battery life
  • Negatives
  • no nfc
  • micro usb
  • Cameras

Motorola Moto G7 Power

With an average price of 199 euros, the Motorola Moto G7 Power is just in the category 'smartphones under 200 euros'. With its 6.2 inch screen and large 5000mAh battery, the device is strong and heavy, and you notice that. The polymer glass housing is also smooth and sensitive to fingerprints. Speaking of which: the fingerprint scanner on the back is fine. The screen does not look very sharp due to the HD resolution, but this does contribute to a phenomenal battery life. The smartphone lasts three to four days without any worries before you have to charge it and therefore lives up to its Power name. Charging is also nice and fast and via USB-C. Motorola provides the Moto G7 Power with mediocre cameras, a great processor and a lot of storage space. You can expand this with a micro SD card. Moreover, the Android software has hardly been adjusted. Motorola promises in any case an update to Android 10.0 (Q). NFC is a concern and is not on the Moto G7 Power with model number XT1955-4. The model XT1955-7 does have NFC. Because the devices are equally expensive, it pays to study the box beforehand.

Motorola Moto G7 Power

Price

€ 199,-

Website

www.motorola.com 7 Score 70

  • Pros
  • Best battery life
  • Fast Charging
  • Great hardware
  • Hardly adapted software
  • Negatives
  • Moderate update policy
  • Smooth, quickly dirty housing
  • Cameras

Nokia 5.1 Plus

Nokia's portfolio is confusing. With two hundred euros in your pocket you can buy various Nokia devices and they also look a lot alike. We looked at the slightly cheaper 5.1 Plus. The smartphone has a great design, but the 5.86-inch screen does not look so sharp due to its HD resolution and the performance is also a bit disappointing. Apps and games regularly crash. The storage memory is not small with 32 GB, but it is the least of all tested devices. Fortunately, you can add a micro SD card. The cameras on the back are nice and the battery lasts about a day and a half. Charging is done via the USB cable, but it takes quite a while. The Android One software is great, so you are assured of a clean Android version and an update to version 10.0 (Q). You also get monthly and long-term security updates. Annoyingly, the large screen notch leaves little room for notifications. In the settings you can turn off this 'notch', after which the top screen edge is black and notifications are shown below.

Nokia 5.1 Plus

Price

€ 179,-

Website

www.nokia.com 6 Score 60

  • Pros
  • Android One
  • Great cameras
  • Negatives
  • No fast charger
  • HD screen
  • Relatively little working and storage memory

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

The Redmi Note 7 from Xiaomi offers a surprising amount for little. For just under two hundred euros you get a beautiful smartphone with a glass housing, fast fingerprint scanner and a large 4000mAh battery. It lasts one and a half to two days and charges quickly via USB-C. Xiaomi also provides the Redmi Note 7 with a great screen that is on the large side with 6.3 inches and fills almost the entire front. The display looks sharp due to the full-HD resolution. There is a dual camera on the back. The primary lens has a resolution of 48 megapixels and photographs using the so-called quad-bayer technique in 12 megapixels. This combines the details of four pixels and this produces remarkably good photos. The performance is also impressive. We mainly know the processor used from more expensive devices and with 4 GB of RAM, the Redmi Note 7 runs like a charm. The storage memory is generous and thanks to the infrared sensor you can use the device as a remote control for your television. Handy, but we would have preferred an NFC chip for contactless payment. The main focus is the MIUI software, because it is busy, cluttered and adds a lot of apps. Xiaomi does have a good update policy.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Price

€ 199,-

Website

www.mi.com 9 Score 90

  • Pros
  • Premium appearance
  • Powerful hardware
  • Excellent battery life
  • Negatives
  • no nfc
  • MIUI software is not for everyone

Samsung Galaxy A40

Samsung's Galaxy A-line goes from the A10 to the A80 and in this test we discuss the A40 and A50. The two devices differ best in terms of specifications and that is why the A40 is also fifty euros cheaper. It has a somewhat cheap-feeling plastic housing with a fast fingerprint scanner. The 5.9-inch screen is quite large, but the narrow edges allow you to operate the smartphone reasonably well with one hand. The weight is also very low: 140 grams. The screen quality is good: the OLED panel delivers beautiful colors and the full-HD resolution provides a sharp image. The performance is average. Popular apps run fine, but games sometimes falter. The battery lasts a little over a day. Charging is very fast via USB-C. The primary camera on the back takes good photos and videos. Unfortunately, the secondary camera, a wide-angle lens, is disappointing. It shoots pictures that fit more, but the image quality is poor. To conclude on a positive note: Samsung's software looks great, is user-friendly and the device will be updated for two years. Bottom line, the Galaxy A40 is a reliable choice, although there are competitors that offer even more value for money.

Samsung Galaxy A40

Price

€ 229,-

Website

www.samsung.com 8 Score 80

  • Pros
  • Handy
  • Screen quality
  • Software
  • Negatives
  • cheap look
  • wide angle lens
  • Not for gaming

Wiko View 3 Pro

Wiko's smartphones are not as popular and readily available in the Netherlands as the competition. That's not to say they aren't worth it. We tested the View 3 Pro, a more expensive and better version of the View 3. The device has a premium glass housing, but is very sensitive to fingerprints and scratches. The large 6.3-inch screen looks nice and sharp. The maximum brightness is unfortunately low, making the display difficult to read in the sun. The performance is comparable to the competition and the storage memory is also the same with 64 GB. The 4000mAh battery lasts about a day and a half and is quickly charged via the USB-C connection. Like the Samsung Galaxy A50, the View 3 Pro has three cameras on the back. The primary lens and wide-angle lens take nice photos and the third depth sensor usually produces good portrait photos. Wiko uses a barely modified version of Android and that's nice. The smartphone will receive two years of software support, but the manufacturer rolls out updates less often and less quickly than most competitors. If you are looking for a good, but not a dime-a-dozen device, the Wiko View 3 Pro is a great buy.

Wiko View 3 Pro

Price

€ 249,-

Website

www.wikomobile.com 7 Score 70

  • Pros
  • Cameras
  • Performance
  • Software
  • Negatives
  • Low screen brightness
  • Housing
  • Update Policy

Motorola One Vision

At 299 euros, the Motorola One Vision is one of the most expensive models in this test. We are happy to see that. The device has a luxurious glass housing with a fast fingerprint scanner and no less than 128 GB storage memory. At 6.3 inches, the screen can hardly be operated with one hand, although the size is ideal for multimedia. The image looks good and sharp, although we do not necessarily find the deviatingly long 21:9 ratio an improvement over a normal 18:9 display. Not all apps are optimized, this takes time. The longer screen is useful for surfing the internet and reading text. The hole in the screen for the selfie camera is an ingenious solution to avoid the notch, but it takes up quite a lot of space. That takes some getting used to. The powerful processor and 4 GB of RAM guarantee fast performance that is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy A50. The camera on the back takes good photos during the day and in the dark. The usefulness of the extra depth sensor is limited, although it does provide beautiful portrait photos. The battery lasts one to one and a half days and that is not that long. Fortunately, charging is fast via USB-C. The Android One software guarantees you regular software support for three years. All this makes the Motorola One Vision a fine smartphone with only one notable downside: the battery life.

Motorola One Vision

Price

€ 299,-

Website

www.motorola.com 9 Score 90

  • Pros
  • Android One
  • Hardware
  • Cameras
  • Negatives
  • Battery life
  • Camera hole in screen

Xiaomi Pocophone F1

The Pocophone F1 is already a year old, but still sells very well. Rightly so: it still offers excellent value for money. The plastic housing is light and solid, but sensitive to scratches. The 6.18-inch screen has a full-HD resolution and looks nice. The large battery lasts for two days. Charging is fast via USB-C. You don't have to expect miracles from the dual camera on the back, but it takes great photos and portrait pictures. The selfie camera is less good than the competition. What the Pocophone F1 should mainly rely on is its hardware. The Snapdragon 845 used is the fastest processor of last year and is therefore in much more expensive devices. Combined with no less than 6 GB of RAM, the Pocophone blows all other smartphones off the table in this test. All apps and games run like a charm. The storage memory is also very spacious with 64 GB. Interestingly, you can secure the device with your face. This is done via an infrared sensor and is safer and more user-friendly than on phones that only use the selfie camera. The Pocophone runs a modified version of Xiaomi's MIUI shell and it is user-friendly. The device will receive updates for at least a year and a half. The only thing we miss is an NFC chip for contactless payment.

Xiaomi Pocophone F1

Price

€ 299,-

Website

www.mi.com 8 Score 80

  • Pros
  • Hardware
  • Battery life
  • Face Protection
  • Negatives
  • Back scratches quickly
  • no nfc
  • Mediocre selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy A50

The Galaxy A50 has been the best-selling smartphone in Europe in recent months and can only compete in this test in terms of price. The device does not come across as very premium with its plastic housing, but it is nice and light and surprisingly solid. Just like the Galaxy A40, the A50 has a beautiful OLED panel with sharp full-HD resolution. The screen is large (6.4 inches) and lends itself well to multimedia and typing with two hands. Using the smartphone with one hand is very difficult. The fingerprint scanner is special, because it is located under the screen. That sounds exciting, but it works less quickly and accurately than a normal scanner. The processor is powerful enough to handle all popular apps smoothly and the storage memory measures a generous 128 GB. The graphics performance is unfortunately a bit disappointing, which means that not all heavier games can be played well. On the other hand, the large battery effortlessly lasts a day. Those who take it easier will get two days. Charging is nice and fast via USB-C. There is a triple camera on the back. The primary lens takes very nice pictures. The wide wide-angle lens performs a little less, but works properly. Finally, a depth sensor helps with portrait photos and it does that well. The software on the Galaxy A50 is user-friendly, extensive and will receive updates for at least two years.

Samsung Galaxy A50

Price

€ 279,-

Website

www.samsung.com 8 Score 80

  • Pros
  • Screen
  • Battery life
  • Hardware
  • Negatives
  • Graphics Performance
  • Fingerprint Scanner

Conclusion

If this group comparison test makes one thing clear, it's that the affordable smartphone generally offers great value for money. All but one of the devices we tested are fine to remarkably good. Those who want to spend a maximum of two hundred euros are best off with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. A good alternative is the Mi A2 Lite, also from Xiaomi. This smartphone is slightly more compact and performs less well in some areas, but it does have better software (support). Do you think a long battery life is important? Then look especially at the Motorola Moto G7 Power. Nokia's 5.1 Plus isn't bad, but it doesn't offer great value for money. If you have a bigger budget, you make a good buy with the Samsung Galaxy A40 or A50. The former is especially recommended if you are looking for a relatively handy smartphone, while the A50 with its large screen is ideal for multimedia. The Wiko View 3 Pro is an unknown, but excellent smartphone, although it is difficult to distinguish itself from the rest. Xiaomi's Pocophone F1 does that very well and is by far the fastest smartphone in this group test. It also performs well in other areas. If you want a 'just good' smartphone, we recommend the Motorola One Vision to almost everyone. It has a beautiful design, smooth specifications and thanks to the Android One program will receive updates for almost three years. All in all, there is plenty to choose from and there is no longer any need to pay hundreds of euros for a top smartphone.

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