In our overview of smartphones under 300 Euros, we will show you our 4 recommendations from Xiaomi, Samsung, and Motorola, which have convinced us with their various strengths. 5G technology, fast processors, and vibrant displays: Android phones from manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi excel with their powerful internals – of course, there are still compromises. We will let you know which phones are still worth a look in our comparison.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G: A strong overall package
Our overview begins with Xiaomi. With the Redmi Note series, the manufacturer has always delivered, and the current Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro (available on Amazon) is no exception. You get a 6.7-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. While it may not support high-performance applications with the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 System-on-a-Chip (SoC), you can still enjoy YouTube and mobile games with adjusted settings on the smartphone. The Redmi Note 12 Pro offers 5G technology, and you have the option to choose between 6 GB and 8 GB of RAM. The internal storage is 128 GB, but unfortunately, there is no micro-SD slot. The smartphone comes with Android 12, with an update to Android 13 planned. For a smartphone under 300 Euros, the Redmi Note 12 Pro’s camera performs well with a 50 MP wide-angle camera, 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and 2 MP macro camera. The picture quality is even better in good lighting conditions. The battery life is also impressive, with a capacity of 5,000 mAh, lasting over 2 days. Additionally, the smartphone is IP53-certified, providing some water resistance.
Advantages:
- 120 Hz display
- 5G technology
- Certified protection against water and dust
Disadvantages:
- Comes with Android 12
- Non-expandable internal storage
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G: Learning from its predecessor
At the beginning of 2021, Samsung released the budget-friendly smartphone Galaxy A32 5G under 300 Euros, which had some weaknesses, as described in our GIGA test. One year later, Samsung made improvements with its successor, the Galaxy A33 (available on Amazon). This 5G smartphone finally features an AMOLED display instead of just LCD technology. This upgrade enhances color reproduction and black levels. The display received high praise from Stiftung Warentest, scoring 1.6 (overall rating of 2.3) in their test. The camera includes optical image stabilization, reducing blur in moving shots. Instead of the previous MediaTek processor, the Samsung Galaxy A33 features the Exynos 1280 SoC, which was also used in the higher-priced Galaxy A53. This provides a significant performance boost. The refresh rate is 90 Hz, which is lower than the other models in our comparison. In our test of the Samsung Galaxy A33, our editor Peter also highlighted its sleek design and strong battery (5,000 mAh) that can last up to 3 days. The Galaxy A33 maintains an IP67 certification, offering protection against dust and extended water submersion.
Advantages:
- 5G connectivity
- Powerful camera with optical image stabilization
- Certified protection against water and dust
Disadvantages:
- No headphone jack
Find out what to expect with Android 13 in our video:
Honor Magic 5 Lite: A true eye-catcher
In recent years, Honor has been making strides in the European market. Alongside their flagship models, they also offer budget-friendly smartphones. One of these is the stylish Honor Magic 5 Lite (available at Saturn), which was released this spring alongside the Magic 5 Pro and Magic Vs 5G foldable. The display has a diagonal size of just under 6.7 inches, making the smartphone slightly larger than the aforementioned Samsung A33. The SoC is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695, supported by 6 GB of RAM and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This means you can even play some mobile games on the smartphone. However, you will have to settle for the Android 12 operating system, as with the other models in our selection. There is currently no information available on when the Android 13 update will be rolled out. With a 5,100 mAh battery, you can expect the Honor Magic 5 Lite to last for 2 days on a single charge. On paper, the camera looks promising with a 64 MP main camera, 5 MP ultra-wide-angle and depth camera, and a 2 MP macro camera.
Advantages:
- Sleek and stylish design
- Powerful battery and performance
- 5G connectivity
Disadvantages:
- Non-expandable storage
- Comes with Android 12
- No certified protection against water and dust
Watch our video to find out what to expect with Android 13:
Motorola Edge 30 Neo: Wireless charging for under 300 Euros
The internals of the Motorola Edge 30 Neo (available on Amazon) are similar to the Honor Magic 5 Lite. It features the same Snapdragon 695 processor and also comes with Android 12 out of the box. However, it is a known “issue” that Motorola tends to lag behind with their operating system updates. Nevertheless, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is still worth considering. It boasts 8 GB of RAM and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Although the battery capacity is slightly lower at 4,020 mAh, the smartphone supports wireless charging – a rarity in this price range. The smartphone also offers a (limited) level of water resistance, certified with an IP52 rating. For those tired of large smartphones that require two hands to operate, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo has a compact 6.3-inch display. Stiftung Warentest also reviewed this smartphone, giving it a solid score of 2.4.
Advantages:
- 120 Hz display with a comfortable size
- Wireless charging capability
- Certified protection against water and dust
Disadvantages:
- Smaller battery capacity
- Comes with Android 12
- Non-expandable internal storage
If you’re looking for smartphones in other price ranges, we have suitable articles for you:
How we selected smartphones under 300 Euros
There are many models to choose from in the smartphones under 300 Euros category. Certain factors were exclusion criteria for us, such as being too outdated. We partly relied on our own tests and also took into account the results of Stiftung Warentest – the ratings are linked below. The results from other test websites and the opinions of users also influenced our selection. The user opinions were particularly helpful because they emphasized individual impressions rather than focusing solely on benchmark scores and other lab values. Sources used: Stiftung Warentest (Issue 6/2023). In a separate article, you can learn more about how we approach product recommendations and tests at GIGA.
With our research, we aim to recommend suitable products and help you avoid purchasing mistakes at GIGA. Your trust is important to us, so you can rely on us. I have been engaged in studying and exploring cellphones and smartphones for years. From the classic Nokia phones to the first flip and slide phones, and now smartphones, I have been captivated by all generations. Personally, I value not only technological innovations but also sustainability.
_A note on pricing: Most Android smartphones are subject to significant price fluctuations, especially in the first 6 months after market launch. Deal events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday also have a strong influence on prices. We will keep you updated with our deal overview, so it’s worth checking for current offers on a regular basis!
