Best budget phones for the end of 2026
A good phone in 2026 doesn’t have to cost the best part of a grand. Spend up to £400 and you can find bright, smooth displays, capable cameras, 5G and software support that should last for years.
The tricky bit is choosing where to spend the money. Do you want the best camera, a dependable everyday phone, a foldable screen or the longest update support?
Here are some of the best options listed at Fulfillment Goods UK for under £400!
Prices, storage options and availability can change, so check the product page before ordering.
Samsung Galaxy A36
£297.04
The Galaxy A36 covers most everyday needs without using the whole budget. It has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor and a 5,000mAh battery. The listed version includes 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, plus a 50MP main camera and IP67 dust and water resistance.
The update policy is another reason to consider it. Samsung promises up to six generations of Android and One UI upgrades, along with six years of security updates. Those periods run from the model’s release, so buying one later doesn’t reset the clock.
The main thing to consider is its size. A large screen is useful for reading and watching videos, but check that you’re comfortable carrying and using a 6.7-inch phone.
Google Pixel 8
£306.62
The Pixel 8 is one of the more interesting options at this price. It launched as a premium phone, and its camera system remains a good reason to consider it.
You get a main and ultrawide camera, Google’s image processing and Night Sight for low-light photography. Its 6.2-inch OLED screen is also easier to manage than the larger displays on the Samsung models here. Inside are Google’s Tensor G3 processor and 8GB RAM.
Google promises seven years of OS and security updates from the phone’s first availability on the US Google Store. That period began in 2023, so it still has several years of support remaining as we approach the end of 2026.
Google Pixel 8a
From around £297
The Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the same Tensor G3 processor as the Pixel 8 and 8GB RAM. It also includes a 64MP main camera and IP67 dust and water resistance.
It benefits from Google’s seven-year update policy too. Because the 8a launched later than the Pixel 8, its support period finishes later. That’s useful if you tend to keep a phone for several years.
At the listed prices, though, there’s very little between them. Compare the exact storage options and prices before choosing. A phone designed to be the cheaper option doesn’t necessarily remain the better deal once the other model comes down in price.
Samsung Galaxy A56
£379.68
The Galaxy A56 has a 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, an Exynos 1580 processor and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W wired charging. Its rear cameras include a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation, a 12MP ultrawide and a 5MP macro camera. The listed version has 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.
Samsung’s promise of up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates applies here too.
Compared with the A36, the processor and camera hardware are the main reasons to spend more. If most of your use involves messages, browsing and social media, the cheaper A36 may already give you what you need.
Motorola Razr 60
£389.26
A folding screen is usually something people expect to pay extra for, so the Razr 60 is worth a look at under £400.
The listed model includes 8GB RAM, 256GB storage and a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X processor. Its main camera has a 50MP sensor with optical image stabilisation, and the handset is described as new and sealed.
The folding design is the reason to choose it. It gives you a smaller footprint when closed, which may suit you better than carrying a conventional large-screen handset.
Think about how much that format matters to you. If you’re mainly interested in photography or software support, compare those details with the Pixel and Samsung options before deciding.
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
From £301.50
The iPhone 13 Mini is here because some people want a small phone. Not everyone finds a larger screen an improvement, especially when it makes the handset awkward to use.
Its 5.4-inch OLED display keeps the size manageable, while the A15 Bionic chip, dual 12MP rear cameras and 4K video recording cover the main practical requirements. You also get Night mode, Face ID, 5G and MagSafe compatibility. Charging is through a Lightning connector.
The smaller screen is the main attraction, although it may feel restrictive if you watch a lot of videos or play games. Battery condition is also worth checking when choosing an older handset.
Our iPhone 13 Mini is ex-display, which should be considered alongside the £305 price. If you prefer iOS and want something compact, it belongs on the shortlist.
Sony Xperia 10 VI
£349.74
The Xperia 10 VI keeps some practical features that have disappeared from plenty of other phones. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 5,000mAh battery and a relatively lightweight design at 164g. There’s also a 6.1-inch OLED display, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.
The software support period needs consideration. Sony’s security update commitment runs for four years from the model’s launch, giving it a shorter overall support window than the Samsung and Google phones above.
It’s worth considering if the headphone jack, weight and battery are your priorities. For someone hoping to keep their next phone for as long as possible, the remaining update period carries more weight.
Which one would we choose?
Around £300, we’d start by comparing the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 8. The A36 offers a larger screen and a long update commitment, while the Pixel 8 is our camera-focused choice.
The iPhone 13 Mini is the compact iOS option, and the Razr 60 is there for anyone who specifically wants a foldable. The A56 gives you another option towards the top of the budget, but spending the full £400 isn’t compulsory.
Before ordering, check the storage, condition and exact version. Those details can explain a price difference that otherwise looks like a straightforward saving.
