We put ten cheap phones to the test – here are our favourite Samsungs, iPhones and Pixels for £500 or less

A new smartphone needn’t cost a fortune.

From Samsung, Google, Apple and more, these are the lower-cost models we rate most – and how to buy a refurbished handset • How to make your smartphone last longer Buying a flagship phone in 2026 makes little sense unless you’re really going to use all the features at hand.

By comparison, the budget smartphone market has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years, and you can now get most of the features you’d want, including a high-quality OLED screen and a well-performing chipset, all for a reasonable price.

There’s more choice than ever for shoppers who don’t want to spend too much on their next upgrade, but many models simply aren’t worth your time.

That’s where this guide comes into play.

I’ve tested the latest models and pinpointed the nine best budget phones available right now – all you have to do is pick the one that best suits your needs.

Continue reading...