Best Budget Phones under £150 in 2025

In an era where premium smartphones demand a king’s ransom, it’s easy to feel like staying connected means emptying your wallet. But hold on! The savvy shopper knows that incredible value can be found without compromising on the essentials. We’ve delved deep into Amazon UK to unearth the best budget phones available for under £150, proving that you can indeed snag a fantastic device without breaking the bank.

These phones may not boast the bleeding-edge technology of their flagship cousins, but they deliver where it counts: solid performance for daily tasks, capable cameras for capturing memories, and impressive battery life to keep you going. Let’s explore the top contenders, complete with detailed descriptions and the pros and cons to help you choose wisely!

Below we have listed 5 budget phones under £150 that are worth considering.

• Samsung Galaxy A05s – £80
• Xiaomi Redmi 13C – £125
• Motorola Moto G04 – £100
• POCO C65 – £115
• Nokia C22 – £50

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The Feature-Packed All-Rounder

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Samsung consistently delivers quality across all price points, and the Galaxy A05s is a shining example of their commitment to the budget market. This phone offers a fantastic balance of features, making it a strong contender for the top spot for users who want a reliable and enjoyable smartphone experience.

The Samsung Galaxy A05s is built around an expansive 6.7-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) PLS LCD display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate provides a noticeably more fluid scrolling and gaming experience compared to standard 60Hz panels, making it a joy for media consumption and casual Browse. Powering the device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 octa-core processor, clocked at up to 2.4GHz, paired with typically 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD up to 1TB). This combination ensures a responsive user experience for everyday apps, social media, and even some light gaming.

Photography is handled by a versatile triple camera system on the rear: a 50MP main camera (f/1.8) for detailed shots, a 2MP macro camera (f/2.4) for close-ups, and a 2MP depth sensor (f/2.4) for portrait mode effects. On the front, a 13MP camera (f/2.0) takes crisp selfies. The phone is fuelled by a large 5000mAh battery, promising excellent endurance for over a day of mixed use, and supports 25W fast charging (though the charger is often sold separately). Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port. It typically runs Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI skin.

Pros:

• Vibrant FHD+ 90Hz Display: Offers a significantly better visual and scrolling experience than many competitors in this price range.
• Capable 50MP Main Camera: Delivers surprisingly good photos with decent detail and colour accuracy for a budget phone.
• Excellent Battery Life with Fast Charging: The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day, and 25W charging is a bonus for quick top-ups.

Cons:

• Charger Often Sold Separately: While it supports 25W fast charging, you might need to buy a compatible charger to take advantage of it.
• Plastic Build: As expected at this price, the construction is entirely plastic, which may not feel as premium as more expensive devices.
• Bloatware/One UI Customisation: Samsung’s One UI, while feature-rich, can sometimes feel a bit heavy with pre-installed apps for some users.

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Style Meets Substance on a Budget

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Xiaomi has carved out a niche for itself by offering feature-rich phones at incredibly competitive prices, and the Redmi 13C continues this trend. It’s a stylish option that doesn’t skimp on essential features.

The Xiaomi Redmi 13C features a large 6.74-inch HD+ (1600×720 pixels) LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth user experience for its resolution. The display also boasts “Reading mode” and TÜV Rheinland certifications for eye comfort. Under the hood, it’s powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor (up to 2.0GHz), typically paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM (with virtual RAM expansion often available to boost it further) and 128GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD). This hardware handles everyday tasks and casual gaming with ease.

For photography, the Redmi 13C comes with a dual rear camera setup: a 50MP main camera (f/1.8) that captures good quality photos in well-lit conditions, and a 2MP macro camera (f/2.4) for close-up shots. An 8MP front-facing camera (f/2.0) handles selfies, with a “Soft-light ring” feature for improved low-light self-portraits. A substantial 5000mAh battery ensures excellent endurance, typically lasting well over a day. It supports 18W PD fast charging via its USB Type-C port (though a 10W charger is usually included in the box). Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and often NFC support for contactless payments. It runs MIUI 14 based on Android 13.

Pros?

• Trendy Design: The Redmi 13C offers a sleek and modern design with a comfortable grip, making it aesthetically pleasing.
• Large 90Hz Display: While HD+, the 90Hz refresh rate makes for a smoother user experience, particularly for scrolling
• Long-Lasting 5000mAh Battery: Provides excellent battery life for extended use throughout the day.

Cons?

• HD+ Resolution: The display resolution is lower than some competitors, which might result in less sharp visuals for very detailed content
• Pre-installed Apps (Bloatware): Xiaomi’s MIUI can come with a number of pre-installed apps that some users might find unnecessary
• 18W Charger Not Always Included: While it supports 18W fast charging, the bundled charger might be slower, requiring a separate purchase for faster speeds.

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Simplicity and Reliability

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Motorola has consistently delivered solid budget phones that focus on a clean Android experience and excellent battery life. The Moto G04 continues this tradition, offering a reliable and straightforward smartphone experience for those who value simplicity

The Motorola Moto G04 features a 6.56-inch HD+ (1612 x 720 pixels) IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and responsive touch experience. It also includes Dolby Atmos audio for an enhanced multimedia experience. Powering the device is the Unisoc T606 octa-core processor (2×1.6GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.6GHz Cortex-A55), often paired with 4GB of RAM (with RAM Boost technology to utilize storage as virtual RAM) and 64GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD). This hardware is capable of handling everyday applications and light multitasking smoothly.

For photography, the Moto G04 sports a 16MP main camera (f/2.2) with AI features to automatically enhance photos, and a 5MP front camera (f/2.2) for selfies. Video recording is available up to FHD (1920×1080) at 30fps. A large 5000mAh battery is a key selling point, offering exceptional endurance and claiming up to 40.5 hours of battery life on a single charge. It supports 15W charging. Running on a near-stock version of Android 14, the Moto G04 offers a clean, bloatware-free experience. It also boasts a water-repellent design (IP52 rating) for some protection against splashes and dust, along with a side-mounted fingerprint reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros?

• Near-Stock Android Experience: Provides a clean, bloatware-free operating system for a smooth and intuitive user interface.
• Exceptional Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery delivers outstanding endurance, easily lasting more than a day of heavy use.
• Durable, Water-Repellent Design: The IP52 rating offers added protection against splashes and dust, enhancing its longevity.

Cons?

• Lower Resolution Camera: While capable, the 16MP camera might not offer the same level of detail as some 50MP sensors in brighter conditions.
• Slower Charging Speed: 15W charging is decent for the price, but not as fast as the 25W or 18W options found on some rivals
• Unisoc Processor: While adequate for daily tasks, the Unisoc T606 might not offer the same raw performance as a Snapdragon or Helio G-series chip for demanding applications.

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The Verdict: Your Perfect Budget Companion Awaits!

Choosing the right budget phone within the £150 mark on Amazon UK depends heavily on your personal priorities. If a vibrant, smooth display and a decent camera are key, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is a strong contender. For those who appreciate style and a feature-packed experience, the Xiaomi Redmi 13C delivers. If you value a clean Android experience and outstanding battery life above all else, the Motorola Moto G04 is an excellent choice. The POCO C65 offers a balanced approach with a slight edge for entertainment, while the Nokia C22 stands out for its exceptional durability and multi-day battery life.

No matter your preference, these phones prove that quality and connectivity don’t have to come at a premium price. Happy hunting on Amazon UK!