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Best budget-friendly smartphones of 2026

Jasper11 JANUARY 2026
Multiple hands hold various smartphones, some with black cases, others gold, against a backdrop of colorful clothing.

Calling, texting, navigating, streaming music or counting your steps: your smartphone is quietly becoming indispensable. Do you need a new smartphone? A powerful device does not have to be expensive at all. In this list, you'll discover the best budget-friendly smartphones of 2026.

What is the best value-for-money smartphone?

Close-up of a modern black smartphone with three rear cameras and a large bright screen displaying a minimalist blue background.

A good budget-friendly smartphone combines low price with strong performance. For less than € 250 you can already find a mobile phone with a bright screen, a decent camera, long battery life, and smooth operation in daily use. You may give up some luxuries, such as wireless charging or a premium design, but this is often compensated by a surprising amount of functionality. When choosing, pay particular attention to screen quality, battery capacity, storage space, and software updates. This way you can be sure that you are getting the most out of your money.

Best smartphone under € 100

The black Xiaomi Redmi A5 displays its specs on screen and features two distinctive cameras on the back of the phone.

Xiaomi Redmi A5

The XIAOMI Redmi A5 offers powerful features for a bargain price tag. The device has a large 6.88-inch LCD screen with a refresh rate of 120 hertz, which is unique in this price range. With the large 5200 mAh battery, you can easily go a whole day without having to recharge. Thanks to the 32MP camera, you can take sharp photographs. In addition, the Redmi A5 runs on Android 15, and you can expand the memory with a microSD card. For less than € 100, you will hardly find smartphones with such a complete package of features.

To the XIAOMI Redmi A5
ProsCons

Large 6.88-inch screen with 120 hertz refresh rate for a smooth viewing experience.

No 5G support, only 4G.

Very long battery life thanks to 5200 mAh battery.

Relatively limited 3 GB of RAM, less suitable for demanding apps or multitasking.

32 MP camera delivers good photos in this price range.

Screen resolution (720p) isn't particularly sharp in relation to the screen size.

Best affordable Samsung mobile

A black Samsung Galaxy A26 5G smartphone with a large bright display, triple rear camera and a sleek, modern appearance.

Samsung Galaxy A25

Are you looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? Then the Samsung Galaxy A26 is the right choice for you. This device offers a razor-sharp 6.7-inch Super-AMOLED display with 120 hertz refresh rate, making every image smooth and looking colourful. You get a powerful 50MP triple camera, a fast processor, and 5G support. The 5000 mAh battery easily lasts a whole day and thanks to 6 years of updates, your device stays safe and up to date. In short: the Galaxy A26 delivers premium features for a competitive price, without sacrificing reliability or ease of use.

To the Samsung Galaxy A26
ProsCons

Large, bright and smooth Super AMOLED display (6.7 inches, 120 hertz).

Plastic casing feels less luxurious.

Powerful 50 MP camera and 5G support.

Not all Galaxy AI features are available.

6 years of updates and water/dust resistant (IP67).

Best affordable iPhone

Un smartphone noir Apple iPhone 13, avec un motif géométrique coloré sur l’écran et deux caméras arrière, au design élégant et sobre.

Do you want an affordable iPhone that delivers top performance? Then the Apple iPhone 13 is the best choice. You get a lightning-fast A15 Bionic chip, a bright 6.1-inch OLED screen, and a dual 12 MP camera that lets you take beautiful photographs even in low light. The iPhone 13 is also waterproof and dustproof (IP68) and supports 5G, so you can continue to use it for years to come.

To the Apple Phone 13
ProsCons

Powerful performance thanks to the A15-Bionic chip and long software support.

Lower refresh rate of high-end Apple models.

Excellent cameras, bright OLED screen and 5G support.

Water and dustproof (IP68), so extra durable.

Best affordable smartphone with a good camera

A modern Redmi Note 14 Pro in matte black, with a large screen, four powerful rear cameras and technical details shown on display.

The XIAOMI Redmi Note 14 Pro is the best cheap smartphone for those looking for an excellent camera. This device is equipped with an impressive 200 MP main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), allowing you to take sharp and detailed photographs. Thanks to the large 1/1.4" sensor and smart AI algorithms, you can create images with vivid colours and a high dynamic range. The camera of this XIAOMI Redmi smartphone also supports 2x and 4x optical zoom without losing quality. With powerful processor, bright AMOLED screen, and a long battery life, this Redmi Note offers a complete experience at a competitive price.

To the XIAOMI Redmi Note 14 Pro
ProsCons

200 MP main camera with OIS, large sensor and AI algorithms for sharp and colourful photos.

No wireless charging, only fast charging via cable.

2x and 4x lossless optical zoom, plus excellent night mode.

Housing is less premium than with more expensive devices.

Strong battery (up to 5500 mAh) and bright 120 hertz AMOLED display.

Best budget-friendly smartphone

The black Samsung Galaxy A16 4G features a large, bright display and three rear cameras, with a simple and streamlined design.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 is the best overall budget smartphone. It offers a combination of long-term support, modern hardware, and excellent value for money. You get a large Full HD+ AMOLED screen of 6.7 inches with 90 hertz refresh rate, for a pleasant viewing experience. The powerful processor (Exynos 1330 with 5G, Helio G99 with 4G), 4 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage that can be expanded with a microSD card make this mobile fast and versatile for daily use. In addition, this Samsung Galaxy A smartphone is splash and dust resistant thanks to its IP54 certification.

To the Samsung Galaxy A16
ProsCons

Large and bright 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 90 hertz for smooth visuals.

Ultrawide and macro camera are not as good as the main camera.

6 years of updates and IP54 certification for splash and dust resistance.

Plastic body feels less premium.

Powerful battery (5000 mAh) and expandable storage.

Charging at up to 25W, which isn't super fast

The best affordable mobile phones at MediaMarkt

A smartphone with a black screen in a yellow case is held against a blue background. A green turtleneck sweater is visible.

At MediaMarkt, you'll find a wide selection of affordable smartphones that meet your needs and budget. Whether you're looking for a device under € 100, an affordable Samsung, or a budget-friendly iPhone, you'll always find a model that suits your needs. We selected the best budget devices of 2026 based on price, performance, battery life, and features. This way you get the most out of your purchase, without compromising on quality or ease of use. Discover our complete range and choose your new affordable smartphone today.

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