Looking to upgrade to a new phone without spending more than £100? You're in luck, there are some incredible smartphones that offer big-budget features at a small price tag from well-loved brands like Samsung and Nokia.

With no end in sight for the cost of living crisis, we'll all be thinking a little more carefully about each purchase, especially when it comes to luxuries like smartphones. Prices for top-end phones have risen in recent years – with maxed-out models from Apple and Samsung costing well over £1,500.

Fortunately, mid-range and entry-level phones are becoming more capable, so depending on what you need from your next smartphone, a budget model could give you more bang for your buck.

The Best Honor Devices

Screen: 6.7 Inches
CPU: Snapdragon 7.1
Memory 12GB RAM
Storage: 512
Battery: 5000 mAh + 66W

Honor

Screen: 6.67 Inches
CPU: Snapdragon 8.2
Memory 12GB RAM
Storage: 512
Battery: 5100 mAh
+ 66W

Amazon

Screen: 6.67 Inches
CPU: Snapdragon 8
Memory 8GB RAM
Storage: 128
Battery: 4800 mAh + 66W

Amazon

Rather than just being used to call people, modern affordable devices now host faster chips, brighter screens and expandable storage allowing you to easily stay connected, browse the internet and even play games like Call of Duty on the go.

Getting a decent smartphone for under £100 can be challenging as you can end up buying an older model or picking up a brand you have never heard of that lacks the features you are used to.

This list will be focusing on phones that are currently under £100 and all devices included on this list are from known, reputable brands that I have used.


The best cheap smartphones for under £100

1. Samsung A04s

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Image:
Samsung)

The Samsung A03 is an excellent entry-level smartphone and introduction into the Samsung ecosystem, it includes a bright 6.5-inch, LCD display, 4GB of RAM, which can be expanded to 8GB with Samsung's RAM Plus and can handle some gamers on medium settings, it also features a huge 5000mAh battery.

While this version only has 64GB of storage it can be supplemented with a microSD card to allow you to store apps, pics and video.
Overall it's a fantastic value device from one of the top smartphone manufacturers on the market.

Price: £100 | Buy Now From Amazon

2. Honor X6

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Image:
Honor)

One of the best budget phones currently around from the severely underrated Chinese company Honor. This phone provides a glossy 6.5-inch LCD screen which includes features like eye comfort mode.


It utilises a Triple camera system including a 50MP main camera, a macro camera and a depth camera which punches above its price range.

The large 5000 mAh gives you around 17 hours of video playback. It comes with 64GB internal memory but can be expanded up to a massive 1TB via a micro SD card. Express yourself with the Themes app and customise your phone to suit your style.

Price: £91.08| Buy Now From Amazon

3. Nokia G11

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Image:
Nokia)

This Nokia phone boasts a 6.5 Inch, 90Hz, IPS screen, supports expandable Micro SD storage, and features a triple 13MP main camera and 2MP macro and 2MP depth camera.

Its 32GB memory can be further enhanced with Micro SD storage. It got some serious stamina too with its 18W fast charging and a huge 3-day battery. It uses 3GB of RAM and can handle medium and lower settings on games.

It also has a fingerprint sensor in the power button as well as a face unlock functionality.

Price: £83.15| Buy Now From Amazon

4. Xiaomi Redmi 12C

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Image:
Xiaomi)

With its bright 6.7 Inch IPS LCD display the Xiaomi Remi 12C is coming in hot with its 50MP camera and a depth sensor as well as 5MP basic front-facing camera.

it also comes with a 3.5mm audio jack if you want to save your battery from using Bluetooth or don't want to give up those wired headphones.

While limited to only 32GB storage, like many others on this list it can be expanded up to 1TB using a micro SD card. By utilising up to 5GB of space, the provided 3GB RAM can be expanded to 8GB for smooth multitasking and faster performance.

with a large 5000 mAh all-day battery, plus a 10W in-box charger will help alleviate battery anxiety.


Price: £99
| Buy Now From Amazon

5. Motorola moto e13

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Image:
Motorola)

This phone is a slim and stylish little guy that provides a 6.5 Inch display. The Motorola e13 also boasts an IP52 rating, safeguarding it against dust and water splashes.

It comes provided with 64GB storage with the option to expand this with a micro SD card but only 2GB RAM. It also comes with the latest Android 13 OS.

The 13MP main camera will is basic but serviceable along with the 5MP front-facing camera. Stamina won't be a problem with its 5000 mAh battery and it uses a 10W charger.

Price: £75.99| Buy Now From Amazon


All the phones on this list are quality devices and share some similar specs and features and would also make great first-time phones or backup phones for travel work or the gym.

But If you want to check out phones specifically for kids and young adults please check out "The best kids' smartphones as well as tips for keeping them safe online"

Contract VS Prepaid

With a new phone comes the decision, Contract Vs Pay as you go which both have their advantages, I would recommend Pay as you Go as it allows you complete control of your spending.

While most networks provide free sim cards that you can then top up with credit there are some deals on Pay and you go deals that offer advantages like larger data amounts or unlimited calls and texts.

Pay as you Go deals
  • Unlimited minutes
  • Unlimited texts
  • Unused data rolls over for 30 days
  • VeryMe Rewards
  • 60Gb of Data (was 20)
Vodafone
  • Unlimited minutes
  • Unlimited texts
  • No contract
  • 100GB Data
  • Uswitch Best Network for Data Winner 2022

Three
  • Upto 10% back
  • Claim £10 free credit
  • European Roaming
  • 7GB Data
  • upto 7GB rollover
  • O2
    Best 2023 flip smartphones to buy

    Motorola has released its latest version of foldable devices which flips out into a 6-9inch display, one of the biggest on the market.

    Vodafone at Mobiles.co.uk

    This Samsung device was launched in August 2022 and has a three-camera system, 50MP wide angle and 10MP photo lens. The handset opens out from a single display to a 7.6-inch double screen.

    Samsung

    The latest Pixel Fold was launched earlier this month (May 2023) and goes on sale in the UK this June, as the nearest rival to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, pictured above. It's also the most expensive 2023 flip phone we've featured which is reportedly down to it's high processing speed and 7.6-inch screen.

    Another one of Samsung's recent flip smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a lot more affordably priced compared to the Galaxy Fold 4. Putting it to the test our reviewer praised it for its durability and its 'retro feel'.

    Carphone Warehouse

    Another new flip device launched in March this year, and is OPPO's first flip phone to be sold in the UK. Available in a standard Astral Black or Moonlight Purple, which seems to take inspiration from Samsung's Lavender Flip 4. Although not as well known in the UK, OPPO devices have a reputation for reliable performance and long lasting battery life.