Affordable Smartphones to Impress: Top Models Under €250
Top budget-friendly smartphones priced under 250 euros
Looking for a new smartphone that won't break the bank? You're in luck! Stiftung Warentest has recently tested eight astonishing smartphones priced under €250. While these devices have some weaknesses, given their affordability, they still manage to impress.
In case you missed it, ntv.de previously mentioned some surprisingly good smartphones under €400 offering high-end features in certain areas. And now there's even more variety for those seeking budget-friendly devices. The current list includes no less than 38 smartphones, but it's advisable to avoid older models as they may no longer get regular software updates. Newer models, on the other hand, have the advantage of the newly implemented EU regulation requiring smartphones to receive updates for at least five years. Many manufacturers have already been doing so for several months.
Three Winners
Three smartphones share the top spot in the under €250 category, each receiving a quality rating of 2.3. The differences between them are tiny, so it's essential to look closely at the details to spot any advantages or drawbacks.
Motorola Moto G84
This Motorola gem is listed at a medium online price of €253, but it's currently available for around €180. Like many budget smartphones, its performance isn't exceptional, and it struggles with WLAN and location services. However, its basic functions (2.6), display (1.6), and handling (2.2) are fairly good, with an impressive battery life (very good). Unfortunately, its water resistance claims are misleading, and its cameras, while better than inevitable, are still subpar (2.7).
Samsung Galaxy A25
The Samsung Galaxy A25, available for around €215, boasts a fantastic screen (1.6) and good endurance (2.1), along with satisfactory handling (2.1). Its pitfalls include the same weaknesses in basic functions (2.6) and stability (2.7) as the Motorola Moto G84. The Galaxy A25 cameras are slightly better (2.6), but still not up to par.
Telekom T Phone 2 Pro
The Telekom T Phone 2 Pro, priced around €250, has only average cameras (3.2), with a notably poor selfie camera. However, it boasts strong WLAN performance, resulting in satisfactory overall basic functions (2.4). Its display (1.6), battery, and handling have received positive ratings from testers. The stability of the Telekom T Phone 2 Pro is also satisfactory (2.6).
Honorable Mentions
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo, with a total score of 2.4, ranked second among the eight entry-level smartphones presented. Despite its good cameras (2.5), its basic functions (2.6) aren't particularly impressive, and its battery life (2.8) may deter potential buyers. Lenovo sells the Motorola Edge 40 Neo for approximately €200.
The Motorola Moto G75, valued at around €215, has only satisfactory cameras (2.9). However, it has consistently good partial scores from testers, including for basic functions (2.1), display (2.5), and handling. Its face recognition can be fooled by photos, making it questionable for security-conscious users. Overall, it also received a quality rating of 2.4.
The Motorola Moto G55, priced affordably at around €155, boasts a very good battery life (1.5), good handling, and a fairly high level of stability (2.5). Its drawbacks are a screen (2.7) that, along with its basic functions (2.6) and camera performance (3.2), is only satisfactory.
The Samsung Galaxy A16, achieving the same quality rating of 2.5, is available for the same price. Testers found its battery (3.3) less impressive, but it offers a notable good display (1.7) and good handling. Basic functions (2.6), cameras (2.9), and stability are average.
In the current list of budget-friendly smartphones, the recently implemented Community policy for regular software updates is an advantage that newer models like the Motorola Moto G84, Samsung Galaxy A25, and Telekom T Phone 2 Pro benefit from, as manufacturers have already begun implementing this regulation for several months. Noteworthy gadgets in this category also include smartphones such as the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, Motorola Moto G75, and Motorola Moto G55, which offer various features at affordable prices. These devices, while not among the top three, are still worth considering for their satisfactory performance in key areas such as battery life, handling, and display.
