Phones
The best budget smartphones to buy in 2025
Looking to save money on your next smartphone? These are the best budget phones to buy in the UK, fully tested by our team of experts
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Pixel 9a vs iPhone 16e: Five ways Google’s mid-ranger beasts Google’s latest budget smartphone is here and it’s already looking like an iPhone 16e killer -
Google Pixel 9a preview: Raising (and removing) the bar Losing the camera bar leaves the design a little generic but the Google Pixel 9a otherwise looks to be a solid improvement for a keen price - recommended
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: The best mid-range Samsung phone Better than last year’s model in some ways and worse in others, Samsung’s Galaxy A56 is an affordable pick for Samsung enthusiasts£499 - recommended
Apple iPhone 16e review: The best value iPhone Misses out on some core features but the iPhone 16e has better battery life and a much nicer design than SE models£599 -
The best mid-range phones in the 2025, as tested by us Forget the flagships and save some money with the best mid-range smartphones we’ve tested and reviewed -
Is the HMD Fusion X1 a phone kids and parents can agree on? Pairing modern design with robust safety features, the HMD Fusion X1 aims to be a phone that kids will want and parents can trust -
Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro hands-on: Two’s a crowd While the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro are a big improvement over last year’s entries, I’m not convinced they needed to be two phones -
Xiaomi 15 Ultra hands-on: Held back by the software The incredibly powerful Xiaomi 15 Ultra undercuts the competition on price but the software could undermine it all -
Honor ups the Magic 7 Pro’s software support to seven years Honor matches Samsung and Google’s seven years of software support for its Magic phones – but it’s not good news for everyone -
Xiaomi 15 review: Get a Samsung Galaxy S25 instead The Xiaomi 15 is a sleek, powerful and capable smartphone – but the Samsung Galaxy S25 does better for less money£899 - recommended
Xiaomi Pad 7 review: My new favourite iPad alternative The software still bothers me but the Xiaomi Pad 7 gets enough right elsewhere to be Android’s best answer yet to the 10.9in iPad£369 -
Samsung Galaxy A56 and A36 hands-on: Mid-range marvels? Samsung gives its mid-range A-series smartphones a bit of spit and polish but there’s nothing particularly dramatic about this update -
Motorola ThinkPhone 25 review: Taking care of business The work-focused Motorola ThinkPhone 25 pairs a robust build with excellent stamina but it struggles to compete as an all-rounder£450