Budget-conscious consumers have more options for smartphones than ever before, with 2026 witnessing a robust line-up of budget phones that don’t compromise on essential features. As the price of smartphones climbs due to a RAM shortage driven by AI development, finding a phone under £600 that fits your needs can seem daunting. However, our comprehensive testing helps make that choice easier.
Top Picks for Affordable Smartphones
Among the top affordable smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A37 emerges as the best all-around budget phone available for £349 on Amazon. Packing a promising six years of software and security updates from April 2026, it stands out for its longevity and usability, rivaling even premium devices with its smooth One UI Android experience. While it offers excellent durability and performance with its Exynos 1480 chipset, the A37 is only a minimal upgrade from the A36, which now offers better value for its price.
Best Battery on a Budget
The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is the top choice for those needing long-lasting battery life, available for £379 at John Lewis. Its impressive 7,000mAh battery ensures up to two days of usage, making it perfect for people constantly on the move. This model, despite Motorola’s usual vibrant design considerations, is available in a single colour but offers a near-stock Android experience, further enhancing its software appeal.
Outstanding Budget Camera
For photography enthusiasts, the Google Pixel 9a is the ideal phone, priced at £349 at Argos. Renowned for its exceptional computational photography capabilities, the Pixel 9a delivers vivid colours and clear image quality. Despite not being strong in gaming with its Tensor G4 chip, its remarkable camera features alongside long-term software updates (until 2032) make it a compelling choice.
Affordable Entry to iOS
Apple users can find value in the iPhone 16e, priced at £599 at John Lewis. It provides an accessible entry to the Apple ecosystem without sacrificing performance, thanks to its A18 chipset. While it lacks a high refresh rate and has a single rear camera, its robust battery life and enduring software support make it a viable long-term investment.
Most Economical Entry-Level Option
For those with a tighter budget, the TCL 60R 5G offers a balance of basic functionalities at just £129.99 on eBay. It features a 6.7-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, proving satisfactory for everyday tasks. However, limited long-term software support is a caveat to consider.
Honourable Mentions
For those looking under £200, the Samsung Galaxy A17 promises excellent software support until 2031 for £155.39 on Amazon, although its camera capabilities lag behind those of the Pixel 9a. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone (4b), available for £299, dazzles with its vibrant design and functionality but falls short in long-term update support compared to rivals.
Each of these devices was rigorously tested, evaluating practical day-to-day usage and benchmarking for performance. Moreover, review units were donated to charity post-testing, ensuring social value alongside consumer advice.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.