It is common knowledge that the more your phone costs, the better it is. Well, that is not 100% true. There are still many well-developed budget phone options available. So, here are our reviews and guide to help you choose the best budget smartphones under $200.
Samsung Galaxy A20S ($169.99)
- Dimensions: 6.77 x 3.39 x 1.89 inches
- Screen Size: 6.5 inches
- Battery Life: 13 hours 46 minutes
- Operating System: Android 9.0
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent cameras Balanced performance Easy to use | Not suitable for intense gaming |
At a glance, you might be confused the Samsung Galaxy A20S with a high-end phone due to its stylish and modern design. This budget smartphone offers sufficient memory, a powerful processor, and great battery life.
Thanks to the 6.5-inch Infinity-V display every task you do on this phone will turn from good to amazing. Plus, its screen stretches from edge to edge so users can have an excellent view while watching videos and movies. The Samsung Galaxy A20S runs on Android 9.0, which features many smart features like Call Screen, Now Playing, and many more.
Additionally, the triple camera offers a 120 degrees angle that helps to capture pictures with detailed and bright images. Also, battery performance is one area where the Samsung Galaxy A20S shines with its 4000mAh battery capacity.
Nokia 5.3 ($149.99)
- Dimensions: 6.47 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches
- Screen Size: 6.55 inches
- Battery Life: 48 hours
- Operating System: Android 10.0
| Pros | Cons |
| Fingerprint sensor for security An effective and reliable camera system Google-assistant support | Display only supports HD+ |
The Nokia 5.3 is one of the best budget smartphones with high-quality display and decent cameras at this price range. On top of that, the security is one of the features that Nokia focuses on with this model. For example, having fingerprint sensors is a highlight that enhances the security of this phone.
With 4GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 665 processor, this phone offers surprisingly better performance than many budget phones on the market. Also, this processing power means you will have smoother transitions between games and other apps.
The Nokia 5.3’s main camera has 13 megapixels with ultra-wide-angle lenses. Moreover, it has a great battery life that can last up to 48 hours. Also, this phone is equipped with Google Assistant buttons that make it easy for you to ask questions and interact with the AI. All of these make the Nokia 5.3 a good pick when it comes to under $200 smartphones.
BLU Studio Mini ($64.49)
- Dimensions: 0.4 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches
- Screen Size: 5.5 inches
- Battery Life: 9 hours
- Operating System: Android 9.0
| Pros | Cons |
| Dual-sim design Compact design 4G/LTE connection | The screen is a bit dull |
As the name suggests, the BLU Studio Mini is a compact device. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t offer top-tier performance. The BLU Studio Mini utilizes tons of cool features at a very reasonable price. The phone packs 32GB of storage alongside 2GB of RAM.
When it comes to cameras, the BLU Studio Mini’s 13MP primary and 8MP front-cameras allow you to capture stunning images. With a 5.5-inch display and 720 x 1400 resolution, it’s quite enough for users to enjoy good-quality videos or reading.
Featuring one of the most dynamic powerhouses, the ARM Cortex-A55 chipset with a 1.6GHz Octa-Core processor will help you handle your tasks with ease. Additionally, Android 9.0 Pie not only makes this phone faster but also adapts to various specifications as you use it. So, if you’re looking for an under $200 smartphone that helps you with your simple daily tasks, then this one is a perfect choice!
Samsung Galaxy A11 ($149)
- Dimensions: 32GB internal storage
- Screen Size: 6.4 inches
- Battery Life: 28 hours
- Operating System: Android 10
| Pros | Cons |
| Solid battery life Large display Great camera for its price | The plastic body collects smudges |
The Samsung Galaxy A11 6.4-inch screen is well-detailed with excellent viewing angles. This phone comes with Android 10, meaning your user experience on this phone is relatively similar to what the Note and Galaxy S series offer. Plus, it also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 for smoother and better overall performance.
The Samsung Galaxy A11 is equipped with a 2MP depth sensor, 13MP primary, and 5MP ultra-wide that offer more expanded shooting capabilities. Basically, you will end up with brighter and more detailed photos.
With the dual-sim capability, you can insert different sim cards or use them simultaneously on the Galaxy A11. Moreover, this phone not only has facial recognition but also a fingerprint sensor to keep your phone secure. Besides, its 4000mAh battery is another strong point to consider here.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 ($189.48)
- Dimensions: 6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 inches
- Screen Size: 6.53 inches
- Battery Life: 14 hours 40 minutes
- Operating System: Android 9.0
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive battery life USB-C at an entry-level High-quality IPS panel | Lack of performance optimization |
Xiaomi has been famous for its crazy-specced smartphones at reasonable prices for years. And, this time, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is no exception! In continuation of the latest camera trends, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 introduces a 48MP AI quad-core camera and 3 sensors. When it comes to capturing images, this phone does an excellent job displaying true colors and rich details. Also, its 13MP AI selfie camera will ensure photo quality no matter what lighting conditions.
On top of that, the Redmi Note 9’s display is also incredible with a 6.53-inch punch-hole screen with 1080×2340 FHD+ resolution. These features help to provide adequate colors and sharp brightness for a comfortable viewing experience.
Thanks to the 4GB of RAM, switching between apps won’t be a problem on this smartphone. Also, playing casual games will be a breeze on this excellent phone too. Not to mention its fingerprint sensor on the rear and face unlock technology. Even at this price range, the Redmi Note 9 still offers an unlocking speed that is similar to other high-end devices.
Additionally, this phone also offers a 5020mAh battery capacity with a 22.5W ultra-fast charger. Without a doubt, the Redmi Note 9 is a great traveling companion since it can last for a whole day with only one fully charged.
The Bottom Line
That’s our list of the best smartphones under $200. To be honest, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is currently our choice for the best budget smartphone of 2020 because of its strong overall performance and battery life.
Let us know if you have any questions about our top 5 best budget smartphones under $200 in the comments!
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