Top-Rated Budget Mobiles 2025: Most Affordable Handset Options Revealed
The Best Cheap Phones for 2025: Top Budget Smartphones
Are you tempted by the latest flagship phones but find yourself limited by a tight budget? You’re not alone. Flagship phones often come with a hefty price tag, but it doesn’t have to be that way. At Trusted Reviews, we’ve got you covered with our selection of the best affordable phones for under £400/$400 in 2025.
Busting the Reputation of Cheap Phones
The thought of a "cheap" phone often conjures up images of a low-resolution screen, a sluggish processor, and a cameras that can’t even. But the truth is, things have changed dramatically in recent years. Even on a budget, you can still get a phone that offers a 120Hz refresh rate, fast charging, and a pixel-packed screen. Yes, you might still have to compromise on a few things, but we’ve ensured that the following options deliver in key areas like camera performance, build quality, and battery life.
Our Testing Methodology
We take pride in our rigorous testing process, which involves using each phone as our primary device for at least a week. We put the phone through its paces, testing its performance, camera capabilities, and battery life in real-world scenarios. You can find more information on our testing methodology here.
Best Cheap Phones for 2025
Here are our top picks for the best affordable phones you can buy in 2025, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a brilliant all-rounder at an affordable price of just £349. It’s compact design, IP68 water resistance, and vegan leather or frosted plastic options make it a great choice. The 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate provides a smooth gaming experience, while the dual camera setup with OIS and a 32MP selfie camera delivers impressive results.
POCO X6 Pro
The POCO X6 Pro is another great option at an affordable price of around £200. It features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display, a powerful processor, and a quad-camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor. The 4500mAh battery offers all-day battery life, and the phone supports 30W fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is a popular choice in the mid-range segment, priced around £350. It boasts a 6.4-inch FHD+ display, a powerful Exynos processor, and a triple camera setup with a 24MP primary sensor. The 3500mAh battery provides decent battery life, and the phone supports 25W fast charging.
Honor Magic 6 Lite
The Honor Magic 6 Lite is another great value option at around £250. It features a 6.5-inch FHD+ display, a Kirin 710A processor, and a quad-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor. The 4000mAh battery offers long battery life, and the phone supports 22.5W fast charging.
iPhone SE 2022
If you’re an iPhone fan, the iPhone SE 2022 is a great option, priced around £400. It features a 4.7-inch HD display, a powerful A15 Bionic processor, and a dual camera setup with a 12MP primary sensor. The 1624mAh battery offers decent battery life, and the phone supports fast charging.
POCO CMF Phone 1
The POCO CMF Phone 1 is another great budget option, priced around £200. It features a 6.5-inch FHD+ display, a powerful processor, and a triple camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor. The 4000mAh battery offers long battery life, and the phone supports 30W fast charging.
These phones offer a great balance of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life, making them excellent value options for those on a budget. FromMotorola and POCO to Samsung and Honor, there’s something for everyone in our list of the best affordable phones in 2025.
