Flagship phones are undoubtedly tempting, offering capable cameras, powerful performance and impressive displays to boot, but they also come with a high price tag to match. What can you do if your budget doesn’t quite extend to flagship prices?
That’s where we at Trusted Reviews come in, with our hand-picked selection of the best affordable phones for less than £400/$400 in 2025.
Cheap, affordable phones don’t have the best reputation, but that’s based mainly on old stereotypes. Yes, in the 2010s, cheap phones were pretty terrible; they had low-res screens, disappointing cameras and sluggish performance, but that’s not the case in 2025.
Nowadays you don’t have to break the bank to get a phone with a 120Hz refresh rate, fast charging and pixel-packed screens – all features previously exclusive to flagship-level phones. Of course, there are still plenty of devices that could let you down with sub-par battery life and bloated software, but none of those have made it to our prestigious list.
All of the below devices have been tested by one of our reviewers for at least a week but often longer to reliably gauge their performance in key areas, including camera performance, build quality and battery life, so you know that you can count on our buying advice.
We’ve also included specific categories, like best camera and best battery life, to help you decide which phone is best for your needs at a glance.
We also have other best lists for those after something a little more specific. Our best camera phone round-up focuses on a device’s photographic and videography skills, while our best mid-range phone list focuses on slightly pricier devices between £400/$400 and £700/$700.
Best cheap phones at a glance
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How we test
Learn more about how we test mobile phones
Every phone we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, screen accuracy, battery life, performance and camera prowess.
These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real-world checks, such as how much battery it loses per hour streaming video.
We also make sure to use every phone we review as our primary handset for at least 4 days to ensure our review is as accurate as possible. You can see a more detailed breakdown of our testing methodology in our how we test phones guide.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
Best budget phone
Trusted Score
Pros
Sleek, stylish design
Strong 144Hz display
Snappy main camera
Cons
Some bloatware
No HDR10 support
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is not only an impressive all-rounder at a very tempting price of just £349, but it’s also one of the more compact budget options around right now.
It measures in at just 7.9mm thick and 175g, which makes it a delight to hold and use, and that’s further improved by IP68 dust and water resistance, and the option of either vegan leather or frosted plastic depending on the colour you go for. There isn’t the Pantone colour certification we saw with last year’s Edge 40 Neo, but that was really just a nice-to-have.
The 6.7-inch screen isn’t to be sniffed at either. It sports a curved OLED panel delivering vibrant colours and deep blacks with great contrast. It can also reach a rapid 144Hz, beating the 120Hz panels of others in our list, allowing for a buttery-smooth experience that’s also well suited to gaming.
That’s backed up by a surprisingly capable camera system comprised of an OIS-enabled 50MP main snapper and a 13MP ultrawide on the rear, along with a 32MP selfie camera. The main sensor, in particular, is capable in well-lit and low-light environments, especially when compared to the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G, with auto-enhance AI helping to boost the colour and detail from the auxiliary lenses.
Performance is also surprisingly good considering its budget price tag, with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and a healthy 12GB of RAM able to compete with mid-range phones that cost £200 more. It’s still not powerful enough for high-end AAA gaming, and won’t be able to compete with the likes of the Poco X7 Pro, but for all but dedicated mobile gamers, it should more than suffice.
And, despite its more compact dimensions than rivals, it still packs in a large 5000mAh battery that doesn’t struggle to last a full day without needing a top-up, though it can’t quite make it through a second day. The good news is that 68W fast charge tech can provide a full charge in just 47 minutes, among the fastest you’ll find at the budget end of the market.
Reviewer: Jon Mundy
Full review: Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
Nothing Phone 3a
Nothing Phone 3a
Best design
Trusted Score
Pros
Distinctive, attractive design
Cohesive software experience with useful widgets
Strong battery life
Vibrant, colour-rich and bright display with smooth refresh rates
Cons
Only IP64 water-resistance
Ultrawide camera is quite poor
Only 3 years of major software updates
The Nothing Phone 3a is the follow-up to the hugely popular budget-focused Nothing Phone 2a from 2024, and just like its predecessor, there’s a lot to love. It not only retains the iconic Nothing design DNA but new features that help it truly stand out from the competition.
If you’re looking for a unique-looking phone on a budget, the Nothing Phone 3a fits the bill and then some with its iconic transparent design, which gives you a good look at the internals on the rear panel. Like the others in the collection, it also sports the Glyph interface that flashes in time to ringtones and texts and doubles up as a handy camera timer.
Still, the most important aspect of the Phone 3a is the tech, and Nothing has excelled once again. The 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen is bright and accurate, with a whopping 3000nits peak brightness when watching HDR10+ content and an impressive 1300nits in regular high-brightness mode.
That’s flanked by a triple camera setup comprised of a 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide and, rather surprisingly, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens.
The latter is still rare at the price point, and while it can’t quite compete with the periscope lens of the more premium Nothing Phone 3a Pro, it delivers excellent results in daylight. The 50MP main is similarly capable, though it performs way better in low-light scenarios. The ultrawide has taken a hit, dropping down from 50MP on the previous generation and it’s easily the weakest of the trio as a result, but it’ll still take a decent wide-angle shot.
That’s backed up by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 which allows it to outperform the competition in tests, and a 5000mAh battery delivers all-day battery life. There’s also the dot-matrix-inspired Nothing OS to appreciate, complete with Nothing’s new Essential Space, essentially its own spin on AI with some pretty handy features.
Reviewer:Cam Bunton
Full review: Nothing Phone 3a
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Best budget camera phone
Trusted Score
Pros
Good screen
Interesting design
Versatile cameras
Cons
Not the absolute best photo quality
Other smartphones are more powerful
Side buttons are a little small
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is similar to the Edge 50 Fusion in many regards; it’s similarly thin and lightweight, at 8.1mm thick and 171g, and it sports speedy 68W fast charging, but there are key differences that make it stand out.
For one, it boasts a range of Pantone-certified colour options with the Pantone logo clear for everyone to see on the vegan leather-clad rear. These give the phones a distinctive look not only compared to the Fusion, but most other budget-friendly phones.
Most importantly, however, the Edge 50 Neo offers a surprisingly capable camera setup comprised of a 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto, the latter of which is rarely seen at the price point. Performance is solid from the main sensor, which is able to handle both well-lit and low-light scenarios with ease. The auxiliary lenses don’t quite match up, but the ability to get closer to the action with the 3x sensor is very much appreciated.
Elsewhere, the Edge 50 Neo is a fairly compact device with a 6.4-inch OLED screen that makes it easy to use one-handed, though it’s equally not as well suited for gaming and binging as larger alternatives. It also means that it has a slightly smaller 4310mAh battery than the standard 5000mAh we see in 2025, though it’s more than enough to power the smaller display and get through a day unaided.
Reviewer: Sean Cameron
Full review: Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Poco X7 Pro
Poco X7 Pro
Best budget gaming phone
Trusted Score
Pros
Plenty of power
Excellent charging speeds
Great value for money
Cons
Bloated software
Average camera performance
Some connectivity concerns
The Poco X7 Pro delivers proper flagship-level performance that’s perfect for gaming without the associated price tag. That’s down to the use of the Dimensity 8400-Ultra, which sits just under MediaTek’s flagship 9000 series chips, complete with either 8- or 12GB of RAM.
Combined, the phone is slick and fast in daily use, and it can also handle demanding 3D games like CoD Mobile for extended periods with a large liquid cooling system under the hood. Gaming-specific software features allow access to common settings from within games to boost that experience further.
That’s paired with a bright, vivid 6.67-inch AMOLED display that’s more than large enough to game on, and the super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate helps things feel more responsive still. It’s also fairly high-res at 1.5K, and the screen is completely flat.
The phone’s gaming focus is completed by a massive 6000mAh battery that easily lasts a day, if not two days, depending on what you’re up to. Considering 30 minutes of gaming used just 5%, you’ll be able to game to your heart’s content. And, with 90W fast charge support, it’ll get a full recharge in under an hour.
There are weak points, of course; the dual 50MP main and 8MP ultrawide lenses are nothing to get excited about, and Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 is both full of bloatware and about as far from stock Android as you can get. However, if you care about performance above all else, it’s the ideal cheap option.
Reviewer: Chris Hall
Full review: Poco X7 Pro
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Best build quality
Trusted Score
Pros
Solid build quality
Decent main camera
Strong battery life
Cons
Screen not the brightest
Secondary cameras not great
Design rather bulky
Editor’s Note: Samsung has announced the Galaxy A36 5G, due out later in March. We’ll be reviewing the smartphone as soon as it’s available.
If you’re looking for a solid all-rounder that’ll just keep on going, Samsung’s Galaxy A35 5G is a tempting option. Our reviewer found that, even on busy days with nearly 8 hours of screen-on time, the phone still had enough juice to last ’till bedtime and, on less busy days, it could easily make it to the end of a second day.
Of course, battery longevity isn’t the only reason to opt for the Galaxy A35 5G over other options in our list. The Galaxy A35 5G has design staples rarely seen at the price point including an aluminium frame, glass rear, IP67 dust and water resistance and even Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection for the 6.6-inch display that helps it look and feel even more like a Galaxy S24 at a cheaper price.
That 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED display is a highlight of the affordable phone. It might match the A33’s panel, but the AMOLED nature means that blacks are deep and colours are particularly vibrant, and at 1000nits peak brightness, it’s easy enough to use outdoors.
If there’s one area where the Galaxy A35 5G’s budget nature truly shines through, it’s in the chipset department. Using the same Exynos 1380 chipset as 2023’s Galaxy A54 5G isn’t necessarily a bad thing, offering a boost in performance compared to the A34 5G, but there are options like the Poco X7 Pro that’ll deliver faster everyday performance, and at a similar price too.
Still, if you want a cheap phone that’ll keep on going, the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G remains a tempting choice.
Reviewer: Jon Mundy
Full review:Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
TCL 40R 5G
TCL 40R 5G
Best entry-level phone
Trusted Score
Pros
An eye-catching design
All-day battery life
Just about powerful enough to game on
Cons
720p resolution
2MP macro lens isn’t great
Plenty of pre-installed bloatware
What if you want a decent entry-level phone for less than £200 that simply does the job? The TCL 40R 5G fits the bill.
The budget-focused device offers all the main staples of a solid budget smartphone experience with 5G connectivity, a good-looking design, long battery life from a 5,000mAh cell and decent (though not quite snappy) everyday performance.
There’s a large 6.6-inch LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate great for scrolling and binging, though its sub-1080p resolution can make elements look a little soft. The main 50MP rear camera is capable of delivering surprisingly sharp images for the price, at least.
It might not be able to compete with more premium options on the market, but for the £199 price tag, you won’t find much better right now.
Reviewer:Lloyd Coombes
Full review: TCL 40R 5G
Nothing CMF Phone 1
Nothing CMF Phone 1
Best modular phone
Trusted Score
Pros
Attractive, fun design
Very accessible price point
Big, bright and vibrant display
Cons
Second camera is only for depth sensing
IP52 rating means little moisture protection
Slow charging
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 isn’t just affordable, it’s also customisable thanks to its modular design, making it stand out from the vast majority of budget handsets on the market.
The CMF Phone 1 has a removable back casing, allowing you to switch out the colour of the device at a whim or repair a damaged rear for as little as £30. There’s also the Accessory Point in the bottom corner, where you can attach lanyards, kickstands and even a magnetic card wallet.
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display has a 120Hz refresh rate and 2000 nits of peak brightness. We did notice the occasional stutter and the refresh rate isn’t able to drop down to reserve battery, but the screen is still great for binge-watching content considering its budget price. There’s also an optical fingerprint sensor in the display.
The camera module includes a 50-megapixel main camera and a second depth sensor for blurring in portrait mode. We found the effect generally to be nice, though the sensor did sometimes struggle with edge detection. The main camera, meanwhile, captures sharp, colour-rich shots in daylight with decent 2x digital zoom. We did encounter some issues in HDR and low-light images often came out looking over-sharpened, but for the phone’s price, we remained impressed with its overall performance.
The CMF Phone 1 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 with 8GB of RAM that is capable of running just about any mobile game – just not in their extreme or ultra graphics settings. The software, meanwhile, has an immediately recognisable Nothing look to it, with bold, retro iconography and typefaces. There’s also a dedicated ChatGPT widget for chatting to the AI assistant.
When it comes to battery life, the phone can last around two days with light use, though apps like WhatsApp and social media will drain the battery much faster. Charging speeds are limited with 30 minutes of charging offering about 35%, but if you’re someone who charges their phone every night overnight this shouldn’t be a problem.
Reviewer: Cam Bunton
Full Review: Nothing CMF Phone 1
FAQs
Which cheap phone has the best camera?
Our favourite cheap phone for the camera is the Motorola Edge 50 Neo, though the Nothing Phone 3a isn’t too far behind.
Can I get 5G on these phones?
Yes, all of the phones in the above list offer 5G connectivity so you’ll be able to get these data speeds as long as you have network coverage and a compatible SIM card.
We also considered…
Comparison Specifications
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Rear Camera
Front Camera
Video Recording
IP rating
Battery
Wireless charging
Fast Charging
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Resolution
HDR
Refresh Rate
Ports
Chipset
RAM
Colours
Stated Power
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
£349.99
Unavailable
–
–
Motorola
6.7 inches
256GB
50MP + 13MP
32MP
Yes
IP68
5000 mAh
–
Yes
73.1 x 7.9 x 161.9 MM
174.9 G
B0D31ZZXLF
Android 14
2024
07/06/2024
1080 x 2400
–
144 Hz
USB-C
Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
12GB
Forest Blue, Marshmallow Blue, Hot Pink
68 W
Nothing Phone 3a
£329
–
–
–
Nothing
6.77 inches
128GB, 256GB
50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide); 50 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto); 8 MP (ultrawide)
32MP
Yes
IP57
5000 mAh
–
–
77.5 x 8.4 x 163.5 MM
201 G
–
Nothing OS (Android 15)
2021
04/03/2025
2392 x 1080
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
12GB, 8GB
Blue, White
–
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
£329
Unavailable
€499
AU$699
Motorola
6.4 inches
256GB, 512GB
50MP + 10MP + 13MP
32MP
Yes
IP68
4310 mAh
Yes
Yes
71.2 x 8.1 x 154.1 MM
171 G
B0DBW1HSF5
Android 14
2021
31/10/2024
1256 x 2760
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C
MediaTek Dimensity 7300
–
Nautical Blue, Latte, Grisaille, Poinciana
–
Poco X7 Pro
£309
–
–
–
Xiaomi
6.7 inches
256GB, 512GB
50MP + 8MP
20MP
Yes
IP68
6000 mAh
–
Yes
75.2 x 8.3 x 160.8 MM
195 G
B0DKP4M9DS
Android 15
2025
31/01/2025
1220 x 2712
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C
MediaTek Dimensity 8400-Ultra
12GB
Black/Yellow, White, Green
90 W
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
£339
$399
–
–
Samsung
6.6 inches
128GB, 256GB
50MP + 8MP + 5MP
13MP
Yes
IP67
5000 mAh
–
Yes
78 x 8.2 x 161.7 MM
209 G
B0CVXMM22B
Android 14 (OneUI 6.1)
2024
18/04/2024
2340 x 1080
–
120 Hz
USB-C
Samsung Exynos 1380
6GB
Iceblue, Lilac, Lemon, Navy
–
TCL 40R 5G
£199
$220
–
–
TCL
6.6 inches
128GB, 64GB
50MP + 2MP + 2MP
8MP
Yes
No
5000 mAh
–
Yes
75.4 x 9 x 164.5 MM
192 G
B0BTZ6MKC6
Android 12
2023
27/06/2023
720 x 1612
–
90 Hz
USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
MediaTek Dimensity 700
4GB
Purple, Black
–
Nothing CMF Phone 1
£209
–
–
–
Nothing
6.67 inches
128GB, 256GB
50MP + 2MP
16MP
Yes
IP52
5000 mAh
–
Yes
77 x 8.2 x 164 MM
197 G
–
Android 14
2024
08/07/2024
1080 x 2400
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C
MediaTek Dimensity 7300
8GB
Black, Orange, Light Green
33 W
›
Trusted Reviews test data
‹
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
Max brightness
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
30 minute gaming (light)
Time from 0-100% charge
Time from 0-50% charge
30-min recharge (included charger)
15-min recharge (included charger)
30-min recharge (no charger included)
15-min recharge (no charger included)
3D Mark – Wild Life
GFXBench – Aztec Ruins
GFXBench – Car Chase
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
1015
2914
–
4 %
7 %
47 min
20 Min
76 %
44 %
–
–
3015
18 fps
25 fps
Nothing Phone 3a
1164
3273
–
5 %
5 %
56 min
19 Min
–
–
74 %
41 %
3883
50 fps
51 fps
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
1052
3031
–
11 %
17 %
45 min
16 Min
75 %
44 %
–
–
–
–
–
Poco X7 Pro
1575
5884
–
6 %
5 %
48 min
23 Min
–
–
71 %
33 %
3706
63 fps
78 fps
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
1023
2947
–
6 %
4 %
85 min
29 Min
–
–
52 %
25 %
2812
19 fps
25 fps
TCL 40R 5G
706
1840
400 nits
20 %
15 %
180 min
75 Min
19 %
9 %
–
–
1203
2 fps
3 fps
Nothing CMF Phone 1
947
1927
2000 nits
8 %
6 %
112 min
41 Min
62 %
32 %
–
–
836
21 fps
26 fps
›