💰 Budget Guide · Updated 2026

Best Phone Under £250

Q: What is the best phone for under £250?

The Samsung Galaxy A35 regularly hits this price on deals and offers an AMOLED display and 5,000mAh battery.

You don't need to spend a lot to get a capable smartphone. These are the best phones under £250 in 2026 — reliable, fast and with genuinely good cameras and battery life.

Best Phones Under £250

Best Overall Under £250

Samsung Galaxy A35

The Galaxy A35 regularly dips under £250 on deals and is the best budget smartphone you can buy. Bright AMOLED display, 5,000mAh battery, reliable performance and a surprisingly capable triple camera.

Priceabout £250–£300

Battery5,000mAh

DisplayAMOLED

Best ForBest Value

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Best Camera Under £250

Google Pixel 7a

When on deal or refurbished, the Pixel 7a can come in around £250 and offers camera quality that rivals phones costing £500+. Outstanding computational photography at a bargain price.

Price~£250 on deal

CameraClass-leading

SoftwareClean Android

Best ForBest Camera

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Best Performance Under £250

Poco X6 Pro

For gaming and performance, the Poco X6 Pro packs a powerful Dimensity 8300 chip and 120Hz display for under £300, often under £250 on deal.

ChipsetDimensity 8300

Display120Hz

Battery5,000mAh

Best ForPerformance

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best phone for under £250?

The Samsung Galaxy A35 is our top pick under £250 — it regularly hits this price on deals and offers an AMOLED display, 5,000mAh battery and solid performance.

Can you get a good phone for £250?

Absolutely. Budget phones have improved dramatically. The Samsung Galaxy A35 and Poco X6 Pro both offer genuinely impressive specs and performance at this price point.

What compromises do you make at under £250?

You typically get a slower chipset than flagship phones, a less versatile camera system (no periscope zoom) and slower charging speeds. But everyday performance is still very capable.