These are the best smartphones up to 300 euros
You don't have to fork out a lot of money for good smartphones. At Stiftung Warentest, more than a dozen current devices costing no more than 300 euros achieved an overall score of at least 2.5. Seven of them scored even better, and two offer good cameras.
There are good reasons not to spend huge sums on a smartphone. Some realists simply know that valuable devices have little chance of remaining unscathed for long. Parents of scatterbrained teenagers have similar motives, while other users simply want to save their money for more important things than technical gadgets. However, this doesn't mean they have to buy or give away bad smartphones, as there are now a number of good devices that cost less than 300 euros. Stiftung Warentest lists a total of 13 cell phones that scored at least 2.5 overall, ntv.de presents the seven best of them.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
The price of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 makes you rub your eyes in amazement. Stiftung Warentest states a median value of just 180 euros, but large electronics chains are currently selling the device for just under 120 euros. Nevertheless, the device achieved a quality rating of 2.4.
The eye-catcher of the Redmi Note 12 is its 6.67-inch OLED display, which offers a maximum refresh rate of 120 hertz (Hz). The testers gave it a very good rating, as did the extremely long-lasting battery. The basic functions, which include performance, radio, localization and voice quality, are good. The same applies to the stability of the smartphone.
Buyers have to accept limitations with the cameras, which only scored satisfactory overall. This is mainly due to the performance in low light. If it is bright enough, the Redmi Note 12 takes good pictures. Because the user manual is only available as a download and unlocking via facial recognition is not secure, the testers also found the handling only satisfactory.
Samsung Galaxy A23
The Samsung Galaxy A23 also received a quality rating of 2.4. It is available for around 180 euros. The smartphone doesn't have any real highlights to offer, it primarily impresses with its overall performance.
Stamina, handling and stability are good. The cameras are slightly better than those of the Redmi Note 12, but like the basic functions, they are only satisfactory. The biggest disadvantage of the Galaxy A23 is its screen. The 6.6-inch LCD can't keep up with OLED panels, and even 120 Hz doesn't help. The screen was therefore also only rated as satisfactory.
However, the device makes up for this disadvantage with its long software support for this price range. Samsung wants to continue to provide the Galaxy A24 with Android updates up to and including 2026, and the smartphone will even receive security patches for a year longer.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo
The third cell phone in the €300 class with an overall score of 2.4 is the Motorola Edge 30 Neo, which currently costs around €250 in online shops. Its 6.3-inch OLED screen with 120 Hz is almost very good (1.6), while handling, battery and stability received good marks from the testers.
In addition to the cameras, Stiftung Warentest also found the basic functions only satisfactory. Among other things, this is due to weaker network sensitivity. Users who already live in a region with poor reception should therefore perhaps opt for a different smartphone.
Motorola Moto G72
The situation is similar for the Motorola G72, which received the same score in this category. Overall, however, the device, which costs around 200 euros, achieved the better quality rating of 2.3, primarily thanks to its very good endurance, which is made possible by a battery with 5000 milliampere hours (mAh).
The Moto G72 takes good photos in sufficient light. Otherwise, the cameras performed satisfactorily, although the front camera is only adequate. The 6.6-inch OLED display with 120 Hz as well as handling and stability received good ratings.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
At 270 euros, the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is one of the more expensive devices in this price range. However, buyers get one of the rare smartphones in this price range that has good camera features. This is because the device delivers good results in both low and bright light.
The testers found the 6.67-inch OLED panel (120 Hz) and the smartphone's high endurance to be very good. Its network sensitivity could also be better, but otherwise the basic functions such as stability were found to be good. Only the handling did not receive more than a satisfactory rating for the same reasons as the Redmi Note 12. It therefore missed out on a better quality rating than 2.3.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Users are also likely to opt for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. Not only did it receive a better overall score of 2.2, but it is also available at a lower price with an approximate online price starting at 240 euros. Without the typical Xiaomi shortcomings (lack of manual, insecure face recognition), it would probably even have won the test among the 300-euro phones.
The camera rating is slightly better than that of the X5 Pro due to the equally good videos. Stiftung Warentest rated the OLED display (6.67 inch/120 Hz) and performance as very good, stability and basic functions as good.
Samsung Galaxy A34
Stiftung Warentest gives the average online price of the Samsung Galaxy A34 as 325 euros, although it is available from a number of retailers from as little as 290 euros. With a quality rating of 2.1, it is the best smartphone in this price range. Although its camera performance is only satisfactory overall, the Galaxy A34 still takes good photos in sufficient light.
Otherwise, the smartphone had no weaknesses in the test. Its 6.6-inch OLED screen (120 Hz) is very good, and it scored well in all other disciplines.
The Galaxy A34 is the sole leader when it comes to software support. Samsung will provide Android updates until at least 2027, and the device will definitely receive security patches for another year.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and Samsung Galaxy A34 are two budget-friendly smartphones that performed well in Stiftung Warentest's technology tests, earning overall scores of 2.4 and 2.1 respectively. These devices offer good performance and battery life, even while maintaining affordable prices below 300 euros.
Source: www.ntv.de
