Recommended budget smartphones – December 2024

What are some of the best budget smartphones on the market at the moment? Xiaomi offers Note 13 5G at around  $250 and Poco M6 Pro at around $200. Best offering from OnePlus at that price range would be the Nord CE 3 Lite. Samsung is trying to beat this competition with their A34 5G model.

As the phones are getting more expensive every year, it makes it hard for people to keep upgrading every year. This is where budget phones come in, to offer a decent experience at the low price.

Usually where you’re losing out when going for a cheap phone are things like:

• Build quality
• Camera
• Processing power
• Battery and charging speeds

Here is the full list of phones we’ll be presenting in this article:

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G
• Poco M6 Pro 5G
• OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G
• Motorola Moto G84
• Samsung A34 5G
• Xiaomi A3

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G

Our favorite smartphone in this price range and there are many reasons why that is. From a capable camera, decent mid range chipset and gorgeous screen, it is hard to find a big flaw for a normal user.

Let’s start from the gorgeous 6.67″ AMOLED display which displays 68B colors, supports 120 Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision. Resolution of the screen is 1220x2712px with 446 ppi.

Frame of the phone is made out of plastic, but it has glass back, while on the front, the AMOLED is protected by Gorrilla Glass Victus. When it comes to dust and water resistance, it has only IP54 rating, therefore it’s only splash resistent.

Inside we have Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) or Mediatek Helio G99 – Ultra chipsets. You can choose between the 256 and 512GB of storage and between 8 and 12GB of RAM.

For taking photos and capturing your favorite moments, Note 13 Pro has a 3 camera lens setup. Main sensor is 200MP, ultra wide is 8MP and then you also have a dedicated 2MP macro shooter. On the front for selfies there is a 16MP camera. Unfortunately you are not able to record a 4k/60FPS videos, the highest you can go is 4K/30FPS.

Battery life is really good, reason for this is also a very big battery with the capacity of 5100mAh. Maxiumum charging power is 67W, with this charger you could do around 50% of the charge in around 20 min, also from 0-100% in less then 50 mins.

Verdict

When you put all these things together, there is very little you can complain about. Display is amazing for this price point, camera setup is very capable, although ultrawide could be a bit better. Battery will last you the whole day, but if you are a real power user, there is a 67W charging to top up the battery in no time. While it’s released in January of 2024, it still holds up in battle with other competitors in this price range.

Pros

• AMOLED Screen
• Great Camera Setup
• Decent Chipset Choices
• Very Good Battery Life and Charging Speeds

Cons

• Plastic Frame
• Not so solid ultra wide sensor
• No microSD card slot

POCO M6 Pro 5G

The Poco M6 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone aimed at delivering exceptional value for its price. Targeted at gamers and everyday users, it boasts a modern design, 5G capabilities, and an impressive hardware package for its segment. Let’s break it down and see how it performs in key areas.

The Poco M6 Pro features a 6.79-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels offers sharp visuals, making it suitable for media consumption and gaming. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. LCD here does a commendable job with vibrant colors and decent brightness levels of up to 550 nits, though outdoor visibility in harsh sunlight could be better.

The phone features a plastic back with a glossy finish that mimics glass, offering a premium look, though it is prone to fingerprints. The frame is sturdy, and the device feels solid in hand despite being relatively lightweight at 199 grams. Additionally, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the front provides basic protection against scratches. It is IP53-rated, meaning it’s resistant to dust and splashes.

Under the hood, the Poco M6 Pro packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset. This mid-range processor is a standout in this price segment, offering excellent energy efficiency and performance. It handles multitasking, casual gaming, and everyday apps with ease. Coupled with Adreno 613 GPU, games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty run smoothly on medium settings.

Camera setup wise, it features a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor in its rear camera setup. The main sensor captures sharp and detailed images in good lighting conditions, though it struggles slightly in low light. The 8MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls. Camera software is packed with AI enhancements and modes like Night Mode, which perform reasonably well.

Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, the Poco M6 Pro delivers impressive longevity. It can easily last a full day of moderate to heavy usage. The inclusion of 18W fast charging (with a 22.5W charger in the box) ensures that you can top up quickly, going from 0% to 50% in around 45 minutes. While 18W charging feels slow compared to competitors offering faster speeds, it’s acceptable for the price range.

Verdict

While not as solid of a package as the Note 13 Pro 5G is, the Poco M6 Pro is still a great choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a dependable phone with good looks. With its 5G connectivity, 120Hz display, capable Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, and long-lasting battery, it offers great value. The camera performance and LCD panel may not wow everyone, but they’re more than adequate for the price. If you’re looking for a reliable, no-frills phone that punches above its weight, the Poco M6 Pro deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Pros:

• 5G support and solid performance for its class
• 120Hz smooth display
• Impressive battery life

Cons

• LCD Display
• Low light camera performance
• Slow charging speeds compared to today’s standards

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is a mid-range offering from OnePlus aimed at delivering the core OnePlus experience at a more affordable price. It comes with a strong focus on performance, design, and charging speed, catering to users seeking a reliable daily driver with some premium touches.

The Nord CE 3 Lite sports a 6.72-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, it offers clear and vivid visuals, though it lacks the deeper blacks and punchy colors of AMOLED screens. However, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth navigation and fluid gaming.

The phone features a plastic frame and back, giving it a lightweight feel at 195 grams, though it doesn’t compromise much on durability. Its sleek and minimalist design is appealing, with a glossy finish that enhances its premium look. It lacks official IP certification, so even minor splashes might be a risk.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, the phone provides consistent performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. While not the fastest in its class, it’s efficient and pairs well with 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, which is expandable via microSD.

The Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a 108MP main camera, accompanied by a 2MP macro and a 2MP depth sensor. The primary sensor captures detailed shots with good color reproduction in well-lit conditions, while low-light photography is acceptable but not groundbreaking. The 16MP front camera ensures crisp selfies.

With a 5000mAh battery, the phone easily lasts a full day of heavy use. Its standout feature is the 67W SuperVOOC charging, which charges the device from 0% to 80% in about 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest chargers in its segment.

Verdict

The Nord CE 3 Lite excels in offering excellent charging speeds, a high-resolution main camera, and smooth everyday performance. However, it could have benefited from an AMOLED screen, a better build quality and an IP rating.

Pros

• 108MP camera is excellent for the price
• 67W charging is a major plus
• Clean, smooth OxygenOS experience

Cons

• LCD panel instead of AMOLED
• Lacks advanced camera features like OIS
• No IP rating

Motorola Moto G84

The Motorola Moto G84 stands out in the mid-range category with its emphasis on display quality, stock Android experience, and versatile cameras. It aims to provide an excellent multimedia and productivity experience at a reasonable price.

The Moto G84 features a 6.5-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. This panel is bright, vivid, and offers deep blacks, making it perfect for watching videos or gaming. The screen also supports HDR10, enhancing the color depth.

The phone features a slim and lightweight design with a vegan leather back, providing a premium feel. Weighing just 166 grams, it is comfortable to hold for extended periods. It’s also IP54-rated, offering protection against dust and water splashes.

The device runs on the quite old Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, still a capable mid-range processor. Combined with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it delivers smooth multitasking and gaming performance. While not designed for intensive gaming, it handles most modern titles at medium settings.

The Moto G84 is equipped with a 50MP primary sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The main camera delivers crisp and detailed images in various lighting conditions, while the ultra-wide lens adds versatility. The 16MP front camera offers decent selfie performance.

With a 5000mAh battery, it provides excellent endurance, easily lasting a day and a half of typical use. The 30W TurboPower charging is decent but slower compared to rivals offering faster charging speeds.

Verdict

The Moto G84 impresses with its pOLED display, clean Android experience, and well-rounded cameras, but not so solid or new chipset It’s a solid pick for those who value user experience over raw performance.

Pros

• pOLED display with HDR10 support
• Clean Android interface
• OIS for better photography

Cons

• Old chipset with 6nm architecture
• Charging speeds are average
• No 4K video recording

Samsung A34 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is part of Samsung’s A-series, known for balancing features and affordability. It’s tailored for users seeking excellent build quality, a stunning display, and dependable software updates.

The A34 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. The screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals, making it a standout feature of the phone.

The phone has a plastic back with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. It is IP67-rated, offering strong protection against water and dust, making it more durable than many competitors. At 199 grams, it feels solid without being too heavy.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, the A34 offers smooth performance for daily tasks and casual gaming. Paired with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage, it’s reliable but may not impress hardcore gamers.

The triple-camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro sensor. The main sensor excels in daylight and low-light photography thanks to OIS, while the ultra-wide and macro cameras add versatility. The 13MP front camera is excellent for selfies and video calls.

The 5000mAh battery delivers impressive endurance, and the 25W fast charging is adequate but falls short compared to competitors offering faster charging speeds.

Verdict

The Galaxy A34 5G is a reliable mid-range option with a stunning display, great cameras, and solid durability. While not a performance powerhouse, it delivers a balanced experience.

Pros

• Vibrant Super AMOLED display
• IP67 water resistance
• OIS for improved camera performance

Cons

• Average charging speeds
• Chipset performance lags behind some competitors

Xiaomi Redmi A3

We’ve also included the cheapest phone in Xiaomi’s lineup, just to see what you can expect to get in case you want to spend as little money as possible. The Xiaomi Redmi A3 was launched in February 2024. Designed for entry-level users, it offers practical features like a large screen, a decent battery, and a lightweight design. It is powered by Android 14 (Go Edition) with MIUI, optimizing it for smooth performance despite its economical hardware.

The Redmi A3 features a 6.71-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and visuals. The HD+ resolution of 720 x 1650 pixels offers satisfactory clarity for its price. Additionally, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring durability against scratches and minor drop.

At 193 grams, the Redmi A3 is lightweight, with dimensions of 168.3 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm. The body is constructed with a Gorilla Glass front and a plastic or eco-leather back, giving it a durable yet cost-effective build. Its rounded edges and matte finish provide a good grip, available in three appealing colors: Midnight Black, Forest Green, and Lake Blue.

This phone is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, built on a 12nm process. It features an octa-core CPU (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 + 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) and PowerVR GE8320 GPU. While not a powerhouse, it performs adequately for casual use, such as browsing, social media, and lightweight apps. The device comes with 3GB, 4GB, or 6GB of RAM, and storage options range from 64GB to 128GB, expandable up to 1TB via microSD card

One of the standout features of this phone is its 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent endurance. With 10W wired charging, it takes longer to charge but compensates with lasting power, making it ideal for all-day use without frequent recharging

Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi A3 offers great value for its price, particularly for budget-conscious users who prioritize durability, battery life, and a decent display. While its performance and cameras are modest, they are acceptable within its segment. It is a reliable choice for light usage or as a secondary phone.

Pros

• Extremely affordable
• Big screen with 90Hz refresh rate
• Great battery size
• microSD slot

Cons

• Very old chipset built on 12nm process
• Quite poor front camera
• Slow charging

All in all, we as consumers we have enough quality options to choose from in different price ranges as well. In 2024 all of these models recieved a pretty good upgrades compared to last year’s counterparts.

You can’t really go wrong with any of these phones, they provide enough features for every day life if you are not a power user at the affordable prices.