2020 is almost over, so we look back at the best budget smartphones released this year. In this overview you will find our five favorite models, which are also a good choice to start 2021 because of their fine hardware and software.
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The best budget smartphones of 2020
The price-quality ratio of budget smartphones has improved significantly this year. Because better parts have become cheaper and manufacturers have listened more to the feedback from users, a lot of great affordable devices were released in 2020. In particular the battery life, screen quality and performance have improved considerably.
Because the average budget smartphone – with a price of up to 250 euros – is so good, you really don’t have to buy a new one every year. The five toppers in this overview were a good choice this year, but are still worth considering in the first half of 2021.
The main focus is the software support. New models usually receive version and security updates for longer than devices from last year, because they have been supported for a year. For that reason, we indicate until when the five smartphones in this buying guide can expect (approximately) updates. You will find the devices below, in no particular order.
1. Xiaomi Redmi 9
Are you looking for an Android smartphone with a friendly price tag? Then the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is an interesting model. For example, the phone has a large 5020 mAh battery and therefore lasts at least two days before you have to grab the charger. Also nice: charging is fast and via the USB-C connection.
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The smartphone has four cameras on the back, a minimum of 32GB storage memory and a 6.53-inch HD screen. Xiaomi ships the Redmi 9 with Android 10 and its sweeping MIUI shell. That takes some getting used to, but the main point of attention is that Xiaomi does not guarantee a concrete update policy. In practice, cheap Xiaomi smartphones will receive updates for at least two years.
Would you like to know more about the affordable smartphone? Then check our extensive Xiaomi Redmi 9 review. Below you will find the best prices for the Redmi 9 separately or in combination with a (sim-only) subscription.
Xiaomi Redmi 9
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Which Xiaomi Redmi 9 do you want?
Xiaomi Redmi 9 with subscription
Device once € 0,00
€ 11,50 p/m Abo: € 7,00 p/m Device: € 4.50 p / m
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Sim only nodig?
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2. Samsung Galaxy A41
Of Samsung Galaxy A41 is one of the most popular affordable Android devices of this year and we get that. It is nice and compact and therefore easy to operate with one hand. The 6.1-inch screen is nevertheless large enough to clearly see movies, games and apps. Thanks to the amoled panel, the screen also looks very nice.
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The device is fast enough, has three excellent cameras on the back and lasts up to a day and a half on a battery charge. Samsung supplies the Galaxy A41 with Android 10 and its easy-to-use OneUI software shell. You can count on two years of version updates (Android 11 and 12) and security updates until at least May 2022.
Here you can read our extensive Samsung Galaxy A41 review-update. Don’t feel like reading? Then check our complete videoreview, in which you are quickly updated about all the pluses and minuses. Below we list the lowest prices of a separate Galaxy A41 and a (SIM-only) subscription.
Samsung Galaxy A41
Which Samsung Galaxy A41 do you want?
Samsung Galaxy A41 with subscription
Device once € 0,00
€ 14,50 p/m Abo: € 7,00 p/m Device: € 7.50 p / m
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Sim only nodig?
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3. Nokia 3.4
With the Nokia 3.4 you buy a discounted smartphone with Android One-software. This means that the device runs on stock Android (version 10) and can count on Android 11 and 12. Nokia guarantees monthly security updates for three years, so until the autumn of 2023. The update policy is therefore clearer and better than that of comparably priced smartphones. This argument makes the Nokia 3.4 one of the best budget smartphones of 2020.
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Furthermore, the Nokia 3.4 has a 6.39 inch screen with HD resolution, 32GB storage memory and 3GB RAM. A simpler Snapdragon 460 processor powers the smartphone.
The specifications are therefore less impressive than some of the other models in this overview, but the price is accordingly. If you are looking for an affordable smartphone with good hardware and software, the Nokia 3.4 is definitely worth considering.
Read more about the device in our Nokia 3.4 review or compare the prices of a separate smartphone or the below Nokia 3.4 with subscription.
Nokia 3.4
Which Nokia 3.4 do you want?
Nokia 3.4 with subscription
Device once € 0,00
€ 11,50 p/m Abo: € 7,00 p/m Device: € 4.50 p / m
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Sim only nodig?
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4. Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Motorola’s Moto G9 Plus is especially interesting if you are looking for an affordable smartphone with a large screen. With 6.81 inches, the Moto G9 Plus is one of the largest devices you can buy now. Ideal for multimedia and two-handed typing.
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The Moto G9 Plus runs on a smooth Snapdragon 730G processor with 4GB of RAM and a spacious 128GB of storage space. The large 5000 mAh battery sings it for two days without any problems and charges with no less than 33 Watts. That is even faster than the much more expensive Samsung Galaxy S20 in Apple iPhone 12 Pro.
The only real downside to the smartphone is its update policy. Although the Moto G9 Plus runs on stock Android 10, Motorola only rolls out an Android 11 update. Most competing smartphones also get Android 12. The device will receive security updates until the summer of 2022.
Want to discover more about the smartphone? Here you can read our Motorola Moto G9 Plus review, or view the complete videoreview. Below you will find the best prices of the Moto G9 Plus separately and with a (sim-only) subscription.
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Which Motorola Moto G9 Plus do you want?
Motorola Moto G9 Plus puts subscription
Device once € 0,00
€ 14,00 p/m Abo: € 7,00 p/m Device: € 7.00 p / m
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Sim only nodig?
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5. Little X3 NFC
Of Little X3 NFC is without a doubt one of the best budget smartphones of 2020. For a competitive price you get, among other things, a generous 6GB RAM, a powerful processor and four excellent cameras. The large 5160 mAh battery lasts up to two days and charges quickly thanks to the included 33 Watt USB-C charger.
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The big star of the Poco X3 NFC is its 6.67 inch screen. Thanks to the 120 Hz refresh rate, the display looks much smoother than a standard 60 Hz screen in a budget phone. You notice this not only when gaming, but also when reading text and the smoother animations.
A 120 Hz screen is mainly known from more expensive smartphones, and therefore extra distinctive on the Poco X3 NFC.
The smartphone runs on Android 10 and will receive updates for three years. Poco does not say exactly what the update policy looks like in practice, so it is not clear how many version updates the Poco X3 NFC will get. You are assured of security updates until the summer of 2023. Keep in mind that the software shows some advertisements, a conscious choice of the manufacturer.
Read our Poco X3 NFC review and compare the lowest prices of the smartphone below, both separately and in combination with a subscription.
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
Which Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC do you want?
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC with subscription
Device once € 0,00
€ 14,00 p/m Abo: € 7,00 p/m Device: € 7.00 p / m
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Sim only nodig?
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More good smartphones
Are you looking for a more expensive smartphone, then you are Android Planet also to the right place. For example, we have a buying guide of the best midrange devices (between 250 and 500 euros) and you will find our overview with the best high-end model (from 500 euros) of the moment.
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