Apple, Google and Samsung keep announcing better, nicer phones, but they’re also getting a little more expensive. That while you do not have to dig deep into your pocket for a good device: for 200 euros you also have a great phone. We list the best models.
This is an abbreviated version of an extended smartphone comparison on Tweakers.
In the low-end category, smartphones are getting better, although it seems to be leveling off a bit lately. Still, you can get pretty good devices for the money in this category.
These are the best smartphones for less than 200 euros
In our opinion, the Redmi Note 11 remains highly recommended in this segment, with the TCL 30 E as an affordable alternative.
Redmi Note 11
Xiaomi always manages to score high with the Redmi Note series and that also applies to the Redmi Note 11. For just under 200 euros, it has specifications that you will only find elsewhere in the more expensive segment. For example, there is an OLED screen with full HD resolution, which can refresh with ninety frames per second and looks particularly smooth. The maximum brightness is so good that it can compete with devices from the high-end segment.
This smartphone also scores very well in terms of battery life, especially if you use the device to watch videos. The combination of a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera is versatile for the money, although 4k video recording, like most budget smartphones, is not supported.
Xiaomi has not forgotten a headphone jack, place for two SIM cards, microSD card reader and fingerprint reader. The phone runs Xiaomi’s MIUI software. It is not free of unwanted apps and advertisements, but it does offer many customization options.
TCL 30E
At 134 euros at the time of writing, the TCL 30E is the cheapest phone we recommend. You can see that from the specifications. The screen has a low 720p resolution and refreshes at 60 frames per second – which is less smooth than with the above competitor. The processor isn’t a high-flyer either, and faster Wi-Fi standards aren’t supported.
At the same time, many other basics are good for each other. The screen is sufficiently bright and the battery life is fine. The device comes standard with 64GB storage, with the option of using two SIM cards and a memory card at the same time. In addition, the 30E is equipped with a fingerprint scanner and a 50-megapixel main camera, functions that you do not see standard in this segment.
Should the TCL 30E be sold out for this amount, you can consider the Nokia G11 as an alternative. It has a 90Hz screen and a considerably faster processor, but a less good camera on paper and only 32GB of storage in the cheapest variant.
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