Best Entry-Level Smartphones UK 2026 (Up to £299)
Smartphone Buying Guide · UK
Best Entry-Level Smartphones
Up to £299 — 2026
Great smartphones don’t have to cost a fortune. These picks deliver solid performance, capable cameras and long battery life — all under £299.
Updated June 2026 · UK Prices
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Why Entry-Level in 2026?
Entry-level smartphones — those priced up to £299 — have never been better value. In 2026, you can pick up a handset with a 50MP+ camera, a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and solid battery life for well under £300. Whether you’re buying your first smartphone, upgrading an ageing device, or looking for a reliable second phone, this guide covers the best options currently available on Amazon UK.
Our Top Picks
1
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G — 8GB/256GB
Best overall entry-level smartphone
Display
6.7″ FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz
Main Camera
50MP
RAM / Storage
8GB / 256GB
OS Updates
6 generations
5G
Yes
Water Resistance
IP67
✓ Pros
- 6 years of OS and security updates
- Large, bright 120Hz AMOLED display
- Samsung Knox security — great for privacy
- Solid 50MP camera for the price
- 5G ready, IP67 water resistance
✗ Cons
- Not the fastest chip at this price point
- Samsung One UI can feel heavy for some
- No charger in the box
Our verdict: The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is the safest choice in this category. Samsung’s promise of 6 years of OS updates is exceptional for an entry-level phone — it means this handset will stay secure and supported well into the 2030s. The large 120Hz AMOLED screen and solid camera system make it a fantastic all-rounder for under £300.
View on Amazon UK
2
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 5G — 8GB/256GB
Best value camera phone under £299
Display
6.77″ FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED
Main Camera
108MP AI
Battery
5520mAh
Chipset
Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
Storage
256GB
Water Resistance
IP65
✓ Pros
- 108MP camera — class-leading at this price
- Large 5520mAh battery for all-day use
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 — capable and efficient
- Ultra-slim, modern design
- IP65 splash resistance
✗ Cons
- HyperOS includes some pre-installed apps
- No charger in the box
- Fewer software update years than Samsung
Our verdict: For anyone who prioritises camera quality and battery life on a tight budget, the Redmi Note 15 5G is outstanding value. A 108MP sensor in this price range is rare, and the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip keeps things running smoothly. A genuine best-buy for photography enthusiasts on a budget.
View on Amazon UK
3
Xiaomi POCO X7 Pro — 8GB/256GB
Best performance phone under £299
Display
6.67″ AMOLED 120Hz 1.5K
Chipset
Dimensity 8400-Ultra
Main Camera
50MP OIS
Battery
6000mAh
Fast Charge
90W HyperCharge
Water Resistance
IP68
✓ Pros
- Flagship-level Dimensity 8400-Ultra chip
- Enormous 6000mAh battery
- 90W fast charging — full charge in under an hour
- IP68 water resistance — rare at this price
- Sharp 1.5K AMOLED display
✗ Cons
- Slightly above £299 in some configurations
- No charger in the box
- Bulkier than some rivals due to large battery
Our verdict: The POCO X7 Pro punches far above its price tag. The Dimensity 8400-Ultra chip is a near-flagship processor, meaning this phone handles gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps with ease. Combine that with a 6000mAh battery and 90W fast charging, and you have a genuinely remarkable deal for budget-conscious buyers.
View on Amazon UK
4
Honor 70 5G — 8GB/256GB
Best design and display for the price
Display
6.67″ Curved OLED 120Hz
Main Camera
54MP Triple Rear
Battery
4800mAh
Fast Charge
66W SuperCharge
Storage
256GB
5G
Yes
✓ Pros
- Beautiful curved OLED display — premium feel
- 54MP triple camera with solid low-light performance
- 66W SuperCharge is very fast
- Slim, stylish design
- Good value for a curved-screen phone
✗ Cons
- Fewer software update commitments than Samsung
- No Google Wallet/Pay compatibility on some versions
- Smaller battery than some rivals
Our verdict: The Honor 70 stands out from the crowd with its gorgeous curved OLED display and slim, premium design — a look and feel you’d usually pay much more for. The triple camera is genuinely capable, and 66W fast charging keeps downtime to a minimum. A great pick if aesthetics and display quality matter most to you.
View on Amazon UK
5
TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER 5G — 8GB/512GB
Best for eye comfort and reading
Display
6.8″ NXTPAPER 120Hz
Main Camera
108MP Triple
Storage
512GB
Battery
5010mAh
Eye Care
TÜV Certified
5G
Yes
✓ Pros
- Unique NXTPAPER display — paper-like, reduces eye strain
- TÜV Rheinland certified for blue light reduction
- Huge 512GB storage at a budget price
- 108MP triple camera
- Ideal for reading, e-books and long screen sessions
✗ Cons
- TCL is a lesser-known brand in the UK
- NXTPAPER display has a matte look — less vibrant than OLED
- Slower charging than some competitors
Our verdict: The TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER 5G fills a unique niche: it’s the go-to phone for anyone who spends hours reading on their screen. The proprietary NXTPAPER technology genuinely reduces eye strain, and TÜV Rheinland certification confirms the blue light reduction. Add in 512GB of storage and a 108MP camera, and this is exceptional value for a very specific but loyal audience.
View on Amazon UK
📊 Quick Comparison
| Phone | Chip | Camera | Battery | Water Resist. | Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A36 | Octa-core | 50MP | Large cell | IP67 | 6 yrs Android |
| Redmi Note 15 5G | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | 108MP | 5520mAh | IP65 | 3 yrs Android |
| POCO X7 Pro | Dimensity 8400-Ultra | 50MP OIS | 6000mAh | IP68 | 3 yrs Android |
| Honor 70 5G | Snapdragon 778G+ | 54MP Triple | 4800mAh | None stated | 3 yrs Android |
| TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER | MediaTek | 108MP Triple | 5010mAh | None stated | 2 yrs Android |