Top 10 phones under £200 in 2026

I had nothing better to do during the Christmas break, so I went through everything we’ve got under £200 and picked 10 phones that’ll work best for you in 2026.

This list is about real-world use: camera, battery, screen and whether it’ll annoy you. And we'll go from "worst" to "best" (IMO).

10. Samsung Galaxy A15 - £176.27

Big screen for the price, decent battery life that will get you through the day, and performance that’s fine for calls, messages, browsing and socials. The camera is nothing to write home about, but it works in good light. This is not a fast phone and it’s not trying to be.

9. Nokia XR20 - £159.25 to £189.64

Built like a brick, in a good way. This is the phone you buy if you drop things, work outdoors, or just want something tough. Battery life is solid, the screen is usable, and the camera is okay. Not exciting, but dependable. Perfect for someone who values durability over looks.

8. Realme 12X - £177.48 to 187.21

A budget-friendly phone that sticks to the basics and doesn’t pretend to be more than it is. You get a large, smooth screen for the price, reliable battery life that’ll comfortably last the day, and performance that’s fine for everyday stuff like messages, browsing and socials. The 50MP main camera takes perfectly usable photos in good light, especially for everyday snaps.

7. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 - £167.76 to £176.27

A newer-feeling budget option that does the basics well. Nice screen, good battery life, and decent performance for everyday tasks. Camera is fine for casual photos and socials. Nothing fancy, but nothing painful either.

6. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G - £192.72

One of Samsung’s better mid-range efforts that still holds up. You get a large AMOLED screen that’s genuinely nice for Netflix and doomscrolling, solid battery life that comfortably lasts the day, and 5G support. The camera is fine rather than exciting. Good choice if you want something familiar, balanced and easy to live with.

5. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ - from £187.21

If you want a big screen and strong battery without spending much, this is a solid pick. The AMOLED display is bright and sharp, the battery lasts comfortably through the day, and charging is fast. The camera is good in daylight, less impressive at night, but perfectly usable. Great for streaming, social media and general use.

4. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE - £192.07

Still a strong option if you want something that feels a bit more premium without paying flagship money. The screen is excellent, the performance is noticeably quicker than most budget phones, and the camera setup is versatile. Battery life is okay, not incredible, but manageable.

3. OnePlus Nord 2 - £162.90

One of the better all-rounders on the list. It’s fast, responsive and doesn’t stutter when you open apps. Battery life is solid and charging quick. Not a camera-first phone, but it won’t embarrass you either. Great if you care about speed and smoothness more than photography.

2. OnePlus 9 - £192.07

Still surprisingly capable. The screen is sharp, performance strong, and it handles everyday use easily. Battery life is reasonable, and charging is quick enough to save you when you forget to plug it in overnight. Camera quality is fine, especially in daylight.

1. Google Pixel 6A - £181.13

If camera quality matters to you even a little bit, this is hard to beat at this price. The Pixel 6A takes consistently good photos without you having to think about it. Battery life is decent for a full day, and the software stays clean and smooth. This is the phone for someone who wants things to just work and doesn’t care about flashy extras.

Comparison table:

Phone	Screen	Processor	Camera	Battery
Samsung Galaxy A15	6.5" PLS LCD, FHD+, 90Hz	MediaTek Helio G99	50MP main + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro	5000mAh
Nokia XR20	6.67" IPS LCD, FHD+, 60Hz	Snapdragon 480 5G	48MP main + 13MP ultra-wide	4630mAh
Realme 12X	6.72" OLED, FHD+, 120Hz	MediaTek Dimensity 6100+	50MP main + 8MP front	5000mAh
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13	6.67" AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz	Snapdragon 685	108MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro	5000mAh
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G	6.5" Super AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz	Exynos 1280	64MP main (OIS) + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro + 5MP depth	5000mAh
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+	6.67" AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz	MediaTek Dimensity 1080	200MP main (OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro	5000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE	6.5" Super AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz	Snapdragon 865	12MP main (OIS) + 12MP ultra-wide + 8MP telephoto	4500mAh
OnePlus Nord 2	6.43" AMOLED, FHD+, 90Hz	MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI	50MP main (OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP mono	4500mAh
OnePlus 9	6.55" AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz	Snapdragon 888	48MP main + 50MP ultra-wide + 2MP mono	4500mAh
Google Pixel 6a	6.1" OLED, FHD+, 60Hz	Google Tensor	12.2MP main + 12MP ultra-wide	4410mAh

 

So which one should you buy?

If you care about camera quality, go for Pixel 6A.

If you want a big, nice screen, go for Samsung Galaxy A53 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

If you want speed and smoothness, go for OnePlus Nord 2 or OnePlus 9.

If you want compact and sensible, go for Sony Xperia 10 IV.

Other than that? It’s your (and your wallet’s) choice.