The Best Smartphones for Less Than 300 Euros
Between the frequently mentioned flagship smartphones and the inexpensive entry-level class, there are many mainstream smartphones. This ranking includes devices up to 300 USD/Euros that were reviewed by Notebookcheck over the past few months based on their ratings in our reviews. The following Top 10 rankings might be interesting as well:
The Best Mid-Range Smartphones
Position | Total Rating | Date | Image | Model | Height | Weight | Screen-Body Ratio | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 86.4 % | 12/2021 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G Qualcomm Adreno 642L 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 6.81 mm | 158 g | 85 % | 6.55" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 11 | |
2 | 84.1 % | 03/2022 | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G MediaTek Dimensity 900 ARM Mali-G68 MP4 8 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 7 mm | 173 g | 84 % | 6.43" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 11 | |
3 | 83.2 % | 06/2022 | Samsung Galaxy A33 5G Samsung Exynos 1280 ARM Mali-G68 MP4 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.1 mm | 186 g | 84 % | 6.40" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 12 | |
4 | 82.5 % | 07/2022 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.12 mm | 205 g | 86 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 11 | |
5 | 81.9 % | 12/2022 | Motorola Moto G72 Mediatek Helio G99 ARM Mali-G57 MP2 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 7.9 mm | 166 g | 86 % | 6.60" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 12 | |
6 | 81.9 % | 08/2022 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.12 mm | 202 g | 86 % | 6.67" | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 11 | |
7 | 81.1 % | 06/2022 | Samsung Galaxy M23 Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 4 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.4 mm | 198 g | 83 % | 6.60" | 2408x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 12 | |
8 | 81 % | 07/2022 | Motorola Moto G52 Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G Qualcomm Adreno 610 4 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1 | 8 mm | 169 g | 86.9 % | 6.60" | 2400x1080 | 090 Hz | Android 12 | |
9 | 80.9 % | 12/2022 | Xiaomi Poco M5s Mediatek Helio G95 ARM Mali-G76 MP4 4 GB Memory, 64 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.3 mm | 178.8 g | 83.5 % | 6.43" | 2400x1080 | 060 Hz | Android 12 | |
10 | 80.3 % | 10/2022 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Adreno 619 4 GB Memory, 64 GB UFS 2.1 | 8.4 mm | 197 g | 82 % | 6.60" | 2408x1080 | 120 Hz | Android 12 |
The table above contains an overview over the best smartphones for less than 300 Euros reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Link: all devices in this class reviewed
Editors' Comments
This month, four smartphones are sorted out due to their age. But even without the decluttering, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G would have ranked high, and the Moto G72 also places in the upper half of the best list.
1st – Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE (New Edition) features a 6.55-inch FHD+ display. It is powered by a powerful Qualcomm mid-range SoC with access to either 6 or 8 GB of RAM, depending on SKU. Its 128 GB of internal storage can be further expanded via microSD card. The camera features a 64 MP sensor accompanied by an ultra-wide-angle as well as a macro lens.
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE offers a good bang for the buck.
In our review, the slim Xiaomi smartphone turned out to offer a highly color-accurate and very fast 90 Hz AMOLED display, very accurate location services, and modern communication standard support with both 5G and Wi-Fi 6. However, the SoC is slightly slower than its predecessor’s and the front is only protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
In the USA, interested users can order Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE via Amazon starting from $294.50.
Top 10 Laptops
Multimedia, Budget Multimedia, Gaming, Budget Gaming, Lightweight Gaming, Business, Budget Office, Workstation, Subnotebooks, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks
under 300 USD/Euros, under 500 USD/Euros, 1,000 USD/Euros, for University Students, Best Displays
Top 10 Smartphones
Smartphones, Phablets, ≤6-inch, Camera Smartphones
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2nd - OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display that works at 90 Hz. A MediaTek chipset is responsible for the computing operations, which is supported by 8 GB of working memory. 128 GB are available for the user's own data, which can be expanded via micro-SD card. In addition, there is a 64-MPix triple camera, an audio jack, and a 4,500 mAh battery.
OnePlus' Nord CE 2 5G is a strong mid-ranger with three years of Android updates.
In the review, the few innovations compared with the predecessor and the fact that its weaknesses have been taken over are particularly striking. In this regard, the weak Wi-Fi performance and the mediocre ultra-wide-angle are noteworthy. On the plus side, there is a good panel, long battery runtimes and fast charging. The OnePlus smartphone has been supplied with Android 12 in the meantime, and the beta for Android 13 has been announced for the first half of 2023.
The Nord CE 2 5G is widely available, for example on Amazon, with prices starting at around $400.
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3rd – Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G has a 6.4-inch AMOLED display that works with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. Thanks to the IP67 certification, it is not only designated as dust-proof, but also protected against temporary submersion. The storage configuration is adequate with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage and can also be expanded via microSD card.
Samsung's Galaxy A33 5G offers an attractive overall package with a long update supply.
The equipment is rounded off with Wi-Fi 5, 5G, NFC, a large 5,000 mAh battery, and a nominally fast mid-range SoC. Unfortunately, Samsung did not quite manage to elicit an impeccable system speed from it at the time of the test. The below-average slow memory certainly plays an important role in this.
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4th – Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro
The Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro relies on a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with up to 120 Hz. It is powered by a rather weak Snapdragon 695 5G compared to the predecessor, which can fall back on 6 or 8 GB of RAM depending on the configuration variant. There is a choice of 128 or 256 GB for the internal storage, and a storage expansion via microSD is also possible.
The Poco X4 Pro offers an attractive overall package with an AMOLED screen, 5G and a good 108 MP camera.
Xiaomi provides a comprehensive upgrade for the main camera sensor, which now has 108 MPix. Fast charging with up to 67 watts and a large 5,000 mAh battery are also included. However, it is a pity that only Android 11 is preinstalled; even the predecessor already runs Android 12.
Interested users can purchase the device through Amazon for $324.5.
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5th – Motorola Moto G72
Motorola Moto G72 convinces with its very bright 120 Hz OLED display, which measures 6.6 inches and reaches over 1,000 cd/m². The smartphone is powered by an entry-level SoC from MediaTek that has 6 GB of RAM and does not support 5G. 128 GB are available for the user's own data, which can be expanded via a quite fast micro-SD slot.
Motorola's Moto G72 is an appealing mid-range smartphone that unfortunately does without 5G.
In addition, Motorola provides a 5,000 mAh battery, Bluetooth 5.0, an audio jack, 30 watt fast charging, and a 108 MPix triple camera. Security patches are supposed to be available until October 2025 and Android 13 is already confirmed. However, it is a pity that the 5G standard is omitted and the LTE frequency equipment is a bit thin.
The Motorola Moto G72 cannot easily be found in the US.
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6th – Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro
With its 6.67-inch AMOLED display, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G relies on the company's universal size and also spends a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz in addition to Full HD+. The two storage variants of the Xiaomi phone only differ by 2 GB of RAM, and the 128 GB of internal storage can be expanded via microSD card. The manufacturer also adds NFC, an audio jack and an IR blaster. The highlight is certainly the 108 MP camera, but its accompanying lenses are rather decorative.
In the review, the Redmi Note 11 Pro convinces with a bright display, good speakers and long battery runtimes, but it is a bit heavy, only supports Full HD video and was still shipped with Android 11.
The device does not require any major compromises. It lacks microSD card support and therefore expandable storage, its Wi-Fi modem is not the fastest, and its ultra-wide-angle lens not the best.
Currently, Amazon lists the Redmi Note 11 Pro, starting at $281.70.
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7th – Samsung Galaxy M23 5G
The Samsung Galaxy M23 relies on a 6.6-inch PLS display, which offers a Full HD Plus resolution. The Qualcomm SoC used is no longer brand-new, but it still enables an appealing system speed and can fall back on 4 GB of working memory. An internal storage of 128 GB is available for the user's data, which can be expanded via micro-SD card.
Samsung's Galaxy offers an attractive overall package that only demands little compromise from the user.
The panel is not as bright as in the current models of the A-series, but it does not need pulse width modulation. 5G is also on board, as well as a 5,000 mAh battery that enables long runtimes. However, the device does not have an IP certification and the update supply is probably not as long as in the more expensive models - Samsung does not provide exact details in this regard.
Seemingly, it is hard to purchase Samsung Galaxy M23 in the USA.
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8th – Motorola Moto G52
The Motorola Moto G52 offers a 6.6-inch AMOLED display that works with Full HD+ and up to 90 Hz. It is powered by a Qualcomm SoC from the lower mid-range, which can fall back on 4 GB of RAM. The internal storage has a capacity of 128 GB and can be expanded via microSD.
Motorola Moto G52 is a pretty well-equipped LTE smartphone that could have become an insider's tip with a slightly more modern SoC.
Motorola also provides the smartphone with a radio receiver and an audio jack. The 5,000 mAh battery provides very good runtimes in the test. The triple camera consists of a 50 MPixel sensor as well as a macro and an ultra-wide-angle lens. It is only a pity that owners of a G52 have to do without 5G.
At the time of writing, Motorola Moto G52 is listed on Amazon US for $445.
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9th – Xiaomi Poco M5s
The Xiaomi Poco M5s offers a 6.43-inch AMOLED display that operates at Full HD+ and 60 Hz. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G95 with 4 GB of RAM. The internal storage is either 64 or 128 GB and can be expanded via microSD card. An IR blaster and an audio jack are also installed. A 64 MPixel sensor is the core of the triple camera.
The Poco M5s convinces with extensive features and a bright display, but it does without 5G.
The Poco M5s convinces with its bright panel, long battery runtimes and extensive features in the test. Unfortunately, there is no power supply included and the modern 5G standard is not supported.
The device is available for use in non-US countries from Amazon for $233.
Pricecompare
10th – Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G offers a 6.6-inch PLS panel, which works with Full HD+ and up to 120 Hz. It is powered by a Snapdragon 695 with 4 GB of RAM and is available in both 64 and 128 GB versions. Samsung also adds a microSD slot, an audio jack, a 5,000 mAh battery and a 50 MP triple camera.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a pretty complete mid-range smartphone that has a PWM-free PLS display.
Among other things, the Galaxy A23 convinces with a fast system speed and long battery runtimes in the test. The screen could have been a bit brighter and the ambient light sensor does not always work reliably.
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Best Mainstream Smartphones in Comparison
Test Results
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Adreno 642L, SD 778G 5G, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G Mali-G68 MP4, Dimensity 900, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Samsung Galaxy A33 5G Mali-G68 MP4, Exynos 1280, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro Adreno 619, SD 695 5G, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Motorola Moto G72 Mali-G57 MP2, Helio G99, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Adreno 619, SD 695 5G, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Samsung Galaxy M23 Adreno 619, SD 750G 5G, 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Motorola Moto G52 Adreno 610, SD 680, 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Xiaomi Poco M5s Mali-G76 MP4, Helio G95, 64 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Adreno 619, SD 695 5G, 64 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Response Times | ||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 3.6 ? | 6 ? | 1.303 ? | 1.2 ? | 1.5 ? | 1.05 ? | 36 ? | 13 ? | 3.5 ? | 18 ? |
Response Time Black / White * | 3.2 ? | 10 ? | 1.25 ? | 1.25 ? | 1.5 ? | 1.07 ? | 22 ? | 12 ? | 2.8 ? | 26 ? |
PWM Frequency | 373.1 ? | 354.6 | 366.2 | 479.1 | 180 | 521.5 | 90.1 | |||
Screen | ||||||||||
Brightness middle | 797 | 601 | 693 | 687 | 992 | 675 | 551 | 655 | 715 | 447 |
Brightness | 800 | 596 | 695 | 694 | 980 | 686 | 525 | 649 | 720 | 428 |
Brightness Distribution | 97 | 98 | 98 | 96 | 92 | 95 | 87 | 95 | 95 | 86 |
Black Level * | 0.4 | 0.31 | ||||||||
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 0.9 | 3.35 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 4.56 | 1.3 | 4.57 | 1.1 | 2.04 | 5.54 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 2 | 6.72 | 3.5 | 4 | 7.96 | 3.9 | 6.56 | 2.58 | 4.85 | 10.04 |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 1.1 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 1 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 5.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 7.3 |
Gamma | 2.26 97% | 2.363 93% | 2.14 103% | 2.16 102% | 2.233 99% | 2.16 102% | 2.31 95% | 2.212 99% | 2.28 96% | 2.03 108% |
CCT | 6397 102% | 7372 88% | 6530 100% | 6496 100% | 7098 92% | 6591 99% | 7750 84% | 6557 99% | 6488 100% | 8853 73% |
Contrast | 1378 | 1442 | ||||||||
Heat | ||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * | 33.4 | 42.2 | 36.1 | 35.1 | 36.5 | 34.1 | 42.9 | 40.8 | 46.6 | 40.1 |
Maximum Bottom * | 33.1 | 41.4 | 35.9 | 32.8 | 36.3 | 33.5 | 44.2 | 42.8 | 41.2 | 43.6 |
Idle Upper Side * | 29.4 | 35 | 30.2 | 30 | 25.8 | 30.2 | 28.6 | 29.2 | 22.3 | 22.2 |
Idle Bottom * | 27 | 34.1 | 27.8 | 27.9 | 27 | 28.9 | 31.4 | 29.7 | 23 | 23 |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||
Reader / Idle | 1648 | 1873 | 2041 | 1575 | 2396 | 2366 | 2183 | 2088 | 2586 | |
WiFi v1.3 | 705 | 962 | 771 | 739 | 929 | 788 | 1004 | 1102 | 1011 | 1099 |
Load | 233 | 255 | 347 | 432 | 333 | 415 | 398 | 382 | 305 |
* ... smaller is better
Benchmarks
Networking | |
iperf3 transmit AX12 (sort by value) | |
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
iperf3 receive AX12 (sort by value) | |
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE |
PUBG Mobile - HD (sort by value) | |
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | |
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G | |
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G | |
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro | |
Motorola Moto G72 | |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G | |
Xiaomi Poco M5s | |
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G |