Best entry-level smartphones 2026 - buyer’s guide
Last updated: February 15, 2026 (Changelog)
Here, we will discuss the super-cheap, yet very good, entry-level offerings. The industry has advanced so far that even at this price point we're seeing handsets that offer beefy chipsets and big batteries.
Editors' choice
Samsung Galaxy A17
| 128GB 4GB RAM | $ 119.00 |
£ 142.49 |
| 128GB 6GB RAM | $ 165.00 |
£ 144.99 |
- Nice design, despite the low budget
- Overall decent main camera
- Great selfie quality
- Solid battery life for video streaming and gaming
- Entitled to 6 major OS updates
- microSD card slot
- No notable upgrades compared to the previous model
- Screen is basic - not very bright, and with no automatic refresh rate switching
- Subpar performance
- No stereo speakers
The Galaxy A17 5G is meant to be a low-priced phone with a decent design and long software support from Samsun and it’s one of the best entry-level phones you can get.
The Galaxy A17 5G offers a decent screen, solid camera quality, 5G, and long software support. The only issue – the 4GB RAM model is a laggy one.
Still, if you want the most features for your money in this price bracket, the Galaxy A17 5G is the right choice.
Read our full review
Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G
| 128GB 6GB RAM | £ 169.99 |
|
| 256GB 8GB RAM | £ 235.00 |
€ 185.32 |
- Attractive design with improved durability and IP64 rating
- Nicely specced flat OLED display with HDR10+ video
- Fluid day-to-day performance
- Relatively quick charging
- Loudspeakers are very loud (at the expense of quality)
- 3.5mm jack, IR blaster, microSD card slot
- Camera quality is not great
- Some competitors support 4K video recording
- Virtual proximity sensor
- Doesn't come with the latest Android 15/HyperOS 2 out of the box
We enjoyed the 120Hz AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 14 5G and together with the loud stereo speaker it promises some proper video streaming experience. The battery life is alright and the charging speed is adequate.
The Redmi Note 14 5G isn’t particularly fast, maybe even a bit slow. And its camera department, while offering plenty of imagers, fails to deliver on quality.
If we still had to express some wishes, a better chipset would probably be up there. The same goes for the omission of HyperOS 2 and the latest Android 15, both of which Xiaomi has promised to deliver as soon as possible, whatever that means.
Overall, the Redmi Note 14 5G is a solid all-round offer in this basic segment and we do recommend exploring it.
Read full review
Xiaomi Poco C85
| 128GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 15,149 |
|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 17,116 |
- Attractive & sturdy design, IP64
- IPS LCD display, 120Hz
- Decent chipset
- Large battery capacity
- 5G, NFC, microSD, FM radio
- No HDR video support, no AOD
- No stereo speakers
- No 4K video recording
- Virtual proximity sensor
The €130 (256GB/8GB) Poco C85 5G is a nicely constructed device covering most bases. It is a splash-resistant device with a 120Hz display and a decent chipset and plenty of RAM and storage. There is a beefy battery, too.
The phone lacks stereo speakers, there is no HDR video streaming, and you should not expect wonders from the camera department.
The Poco C85 5G currently retails for about €130 for the 256GB + 8GB RAM variant, which makes it a very good offer, all things considered.
SPECS
Motorola Moto G15 Power
| 256GB 8GB RAM | £ 187.55 |
€ 150.55 |
- Good looks, splash-resistant design
- large 1080p LCD
- Dual-camera – 50MP, 5MP UW
- 256GB base storage, dedicated microSD slot
- 6,000mAh battery, 30W fast charging
- Stereo speakers, FM radio, NFC
- Clean Android 15
- Subpar performance
The €150 Moto G15 Power is for those who want to have superb battery life and fast charging. The G15 Power packs a large 1080p LCD screen, a good main camera, and a super large 6,000mAh battery with fast 30W charging.
The Moto G15 Power comes with clean Android 15, there are NFC, microSD expansion, audio jack and powerful stereo speakers. The chipset is the only thing that is unimpressive on the Moto G15 Power, but it should be enough for a mostly smooth experience.
SPECSMost recent updates
February 15, 2026: Added the Galaxy A17 5G (as new top), Redmi Note 14 5G, Poco C85, and Moto G15 Power. Removed the Poco M7 Pro, Galaxy A16 5G and 4G, Redmi Note 14 4G, and Moto G24 Power.
October 19, 2025: Added the Poco M7 Pro as new top. Removed the Redmi 14C.
June 29, 2025: Added the Galaxy A16 5G as new top. Added the Redmi Note 14 4G. Removed the Redmi Note 13 5G. Replaced the Redmi 13C with the Redmi 14C. Removed the Realme C53, Poco C65 and the Redmi 13C 5G.
February 23, 2025: Replaced the Redmi Note 12 5G with the Redmi Note 13 5G as mew top. Added Galaxy A16 5G. removed the Galaxy A05s.
August 29, 2024: Replaced the Redmi Note 12 4G with the Redmi Note 12 5G. Added the Redmi 13C 5G, Moto G 24 Power and the Realme 53. Removed the Moto G14, Moto G23, Realme C35, Nokia G11, Realme C31, Moto E22.
April 21, 2024: Replaced the Redmi 12C with the Redmi 13C, Realme C31 with Realme C35 and Galaxy A04s with Galaxy A05s. Added the Motorola Moto E22. Removed the Redmi 9C, Nokia G11, and Nokia C32.
November 7, 2023: Replaced the Moto G13 with the Moto G14. Replaced the Moto G22 with the Moto G23. Removed the Redmi A2, Realme C25Y and Realme Narzo 50A.
June 13, 2023: Added the Redmi Note 12 4G as new top.
April 18, 2023: Added Samsung Galaxy A04s, Nokia C32, Moto G13 (as new top), Realme C25Y, Redmi 12C, Redmi A2/A2+/Poco C50. Removed the Realme C30.
July 15, 2022: Added Redmi 9C, Nokia G11, Realme C31, Realme C30, Moto G22, Realme Narzo 50A. Removed the Redmi 9, Realme Narzo 30A, Realme C21, Moto G10, Redmi Note 8 2021.
October 20, 2021: Added Redmi Note 8 2021.
May 20, 2021: Replaced Realme Narzo 20A with Narzo 30A. Replaced Moto E (2020) with Moto G10. Replaced Realme C11 with Realme C21.
Dec 1, 2020: The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is now the new Editor's choice. Replaced Realme Narzo 10A with Narzo 20A. Replaced Moto G8 Play with Moto E (2020). Added Redmi 9a and Realme C11. Removed Realme 5s, Redmi 8A, Galaxy M11, vivo U20, Nokia 4.2, Galaxy A20e, Galaxy A20.
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