How to pick a great phone for £600 or less: our tester’s picks and what they actually deliver

# Why budget phones make sense in 2026 Buying a flagship this year is rarely necessary unless you use advanced features. The budget segment has advanced: many sub-£600 models now include OLED displays, decent chipsets and usable cameras. The reviewer tested 11 phones in real-world use and benchmarks to identify nine models worth buying.

# How these phones were tested Devices were used as daily drivers for about a week each. Testing combined everyday tasks (maps, social apps, streaming) with gaming sessions (Call of Duty: Mobile, Honkai: Star Rail) and standard benchmarks (PCMark, Geekbench 7). Battery endurance, smoothness when switching apps, camera performance in typical scenarios and repairability or update promises were all considered.

# Top picks and what they deliver

• Motorola Edge 70 Fusion (£379): Chosen as the best cheap phone for battery life. If you prioritise multi-day use or heavy screen time, this model stood out in endurance testing.

• Google Pixel 9a (£349): The best cheap phone for camera quality. Google's computational photography continues to deliver images that outclass many rivals in this segment.

• Apple iPhone 16e (£599): The most affordable new iPhone featured. If you prefer iOS and want Apple's ecosystem on a budget, this is the entry-level option included among the tester's recommendations.

• TCL 60R 5G (£129.99 new): The cheapest new phone mentioned. It gives 5G and basic modern features at a very low price, suitable for buyers with minimal needs or tight budgets.

# Practical trade-offs to expect

• Software longevity varies: Samsung's Galaxy A37 stands out for long update support (six years). Other brands may not promise as long a window.

• Repairability and sustainability: The A37's C repairability rating indicates parts and self-repairability are limited. Recycling options exist but can be geographically constrained (Samsung's recycling offer requires visiting a specific London store in this review).

• Price pressure: The review notes a RAM shortage has pushed smartphone pricing up recently, but every phone in this guide costs £600 or less.

# How to choose for yourself Decide which three factors matter most: update lifespan, camera quality, or battery life. Pick the phone that prioritises your top factor: Galaxy A37 for updates and balanced build, Pixel 9a for imaging, Motorola Edge 70 Fusion for battery, TCL 60R if lowest upfront cost is the priority.

# Quick buying checklist

• Confirm promised update period before purchase.
• Check IP rating if durability matters.
• Compare battery capacity and real-world battery tests if you're a heavy user.
• If repairability or recycling matters, read the EPREL rating and manufacturer recycling details.