GSMArena team, Last updated 21 October 2026

Best entry-level smartphones 2026 - buyer’s guide

Last updated: October 21, 2026 (Changelog)

Here, we will discuss the super-cheap, yet very good, entry-level offerings. The industry has advanced so far that even at this price point we're seeing handsets that offer beefy chipsets and big batteries.

Editors' choice

Samsung Galaxy A17

All prices Full specs

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128GB 4GB RAM	$ 165.30	£ 158.65
256GB 8GB RAM	$ 259.99	£ 240.00

Nice design, despite the low budget
Overall decent main camera
Great selfie quality
Solid battery life for video streaming and gaming
Entitled to 6 major OS updates
microSD card slot

No notable upgrades compared to the previous model
Screen is basic - not very bright, and with no automatic refresh rate switching
Subpar performance
No stereo speakers

The Galaxy A17 5G is meant to be a low-priced phone with a decent design and long software support from Samsun and it’s one of the best entry-level phones you can get.

The Galaxy A17 5G offers a decent screen, solid camera quality, 5G, and long software support. The only issue – the 4GB RAM model is a laggy one.

Still, if you want the most features for your money in this price bracket, the Galaxy A17 5G is the right choice.

Read our full review

Xiaomi Redmi 17C

All prices Full specs

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128GB 4GB RAM	€ 199.99	₹ 20,999
128GB 6GB RAM	₹ 22,999

Attractive design with improved durability and IP64 rating
Large screen with 120Hz refresh rate
50MP primary camera
FM radio
6000mAh battery
3.5mm jack, IR blaster, microSD card slot

HD screen
Mediocre performance
Virtual proximity sensor

The Redmi 17C is a good option if you are looking for a decent entry-level smartphone. It isn’t particularly fast, sure, but has a large screen and a high-res camera.

The phone also offers 5G connectivity, a large 6,000mAh battery, NFC, FM radio and Android 16. It’s enough for a reccomendation.

SEE SPECS

Xiaomi Redmi 17 4G

All prices Full specs

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256GB 4GB RAM	$ 229.99	€ 199.99
128GB 4GB RAM	£ 199.99	€ 184.99

Attractive & sturdy design, IP64, RGB light
IPS LCD display, 120Hz
Decent chipset
Large battery capacity
NFC, microSD, FM radio, stereo speakers

No 4K video recording
Virtual proximity sensor

The Redmi 17 4G is an excellent offer if 5G connectivity is not a must-have thing. The phone is a budget phone by the book with a large HD screen with 120Hz refresh rate, acceptable performance, one rear camera, and modern Android.

But it also offers stereo speakers, FM radio, NFC, and most importantly – a huge 7,500mAh battery with fast 45W wired charging. Now we are talking.

The Redmi 17 4G is priced just below €200, and we do recommend it.

SPECS

Motorola Moto G15 Power

All prices Full specs

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256GB 8GB RAM	£ 195.39	€ 210.46

Good looks, splash-resistant design
large 1080p LCD
Dual-camera – 50MP, 5MP UW
256GB base storage, dedicated microSD slot
6,000mAh battery, 30W fast charging
Stereo speakers, FM radio, NFC
Clean Android 15

Subpar performance

The €150 Moto G15 Power is for those who want to have superb battery life and fast charging. The G15 Power packs a large 1080p LCD screen, a good main camera, and a super large 6,000mAh battery with fast 30W charging.

The Moto G15 Power comes with clean Android 15, there are NFC, microSD expansion, audio jack and powerful stereo speakers. The chipset is the only thing that is unimpressive on the Moto G15 Power, but it should be enough for a mostly smooth experience.

SPECS

Most recent updates

October 21, 2026: Added the Redmi 17 4G and Redmi 17C 5G. Removed Redmi Note 14 4G and Poco C85.

February 15, 2026: Added the Galaxy A17 5G (as new top), Redmi Note 14 5G, Poco C85, and Moto G15 Power. Removed the Poco M7 Pro, Galaxy A16 5G and 4G, Redmi Note 14 4G, and Moto G24 Power.

October 19, 2025: Added the Poco M7 Pro as new top. Removed the Redmi 14C.

June 29, 2025: Added the Galaxy A16 5G as new top. Added the Redmi Note 14 4G. Removed the Redmi Note 13 5G. Replaced the Redmi 13C with the Redmi 14C. Removed the Realme C53, Poco C65 and the Redmi 13C 5G.

February 23, 2025: Replaced the Redmi Note 12 5G with the Redmi Note 13 5G as mew top. Added Galaxy A16 5G. removed the Galaxy A05s.

August 29, 2024: Replaced the Redmi Note 12 4G with the Redmi Note 12 5G. Added the Redmi 13C 5G, Moto G 24 Power and the Realme 53. Removed the Moto G14, Moto G23, Realme C35, Nokia G11, Realme C31, Moto E22.

April 21, 2024: Replaced the Redmi 12C with the Redmi 13C, Realme C31 with Realme C35 and Galaxy A04s with Galaxy A05s. Added the Motorola Moto E22. Removed the Redmi 9C, Nokia G11, and Nokia C32.

November 7, 2023: Replaced the Moto G13 with the Moto G14. Replaced the Moto G22 with the Moto G23. Removed the Redmi A2, Realme C25Y and Realme Narzo 50A.

June 13, 2023: Added the Redmi Note 12 4G as new top.

April 18, 2023: Added Samsung Galaxy A04s, Nokia C32, Moto G13 (as new top), Realme C25Y, Redmi 12C, Redmi A2/A2+/Poco C50. Removed the Realme C30.

July 15, 2022: Added Redmi 9C, Nokia G11, Realme C31, Realme C30, Moto G22, Realme Narzo 50A. Removed the Redmi 9, Realme Narzo 30A, Realme C21, Moto G10, Redmi Note 8 2021.

October 20, 2021: Added Redmi Note 8 2021.

May 20, 2021: Replaced Realme Narzo 20A with Narzo 30A. Replaced Moto E (2020) with Moto G10. Replaced Realme C11 with Realme C21.

Dec 1, 2020: The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is now the new Editor's choice. Replaced Realme Narzo 10A with Narzo 20A. Replaced Moto G8 Play with Moto E (2020). Added Redmi 9a and Realme C11. Removed Realme 5s, Redmi 8A, Galaxy M11, vivo U20, Nokia 4.2, Galaxy A20e, Galaxy A20.