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Black Friday guide

Buying guide · 5 picks compared

Best budget phone UK 2026

The best budget phone for most people is the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G, with up to 6 OS upgrades and up to 6 years of security and maintenance releases.

See the top pick on AmazonCompare all 5Affiliate

Want to spend less? The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G gets the same 6 years of security support in a slim 7.5 mm frame.

By , Editor✓ Updated

★ Our top pickSamsung Galaxy A27 5G 128GB (Black)Image: SamsungSee it on Amazon

Which one is for you?

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Which pick suits which need
Ifyou want the best all-round budget phone with long updatesSamsung Galaxy A27 5G 128GB (Black)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want the cheapest Samsung with 6 years of security updatesSamsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GBSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want a 108MP camera with OIS and the fastest charging hereXiaomi REDMI Note 15 5G 8GB + 256GB (Black)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a 120Hz screen and a microSD slot at the lowest costMotorola moto g67 5GSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want the highest-resolution camera, a 200MP sensor with OISMotorola moto g87 5G 256GBSee it on Amazon

The 5 picks compared

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  1. 1★ Top pick

    Samsung

    Samsung Galaxy A27 5G 128GB (Black)Best for all-round budget phone

    Big screen, three cameras and up to six years of updates

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2

    Samsung

    Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GBBest for cheapest Samsung with long updates

    Six years of Samsung security support, plus six OS upgrades

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3

    Xiaomi

    Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 5G 8GB + 256GB (Black)Best for 108MP camera with OIS and 45W charging

    Steady 108MP photos and the fastest charging here

    See it on Amazon
  4. 4

    Motorola

    Motorola moto g67 5GBest for cheapest with microSD slot

    Add up to 2TB more storage with a microSD slot

    See it on Amazon
  5. 5

    Motorola

    Motorola moto g87 5G 256GBBest for 200MP camera with OIS

    Get a 200MP camera that takes sharp, steady photos

    See it on Amazon

Side by side

From the makers' and retailers' published factsAffiliate
The picks side by side
PickBest forPriceThe fact that sets it apartWhere to buy
Samsung Galaxy A27 5G 128GB (Black)all-round budget phone£329It has a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and a slim 7.8 mm profile.See it on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GBcheapest Samsung with long updates£259It has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate.See it on Amazon
Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 5G 8GB + 256GB (Black)108MP camera with OIS and 45W charging–It has a 5520mAh silicon-carbon battery with 45W turbo charging and 18W reverse charging.See it on Amazon
Motorola moto g67 5Gcheapest with microSD slot£199It has a 120Hz refresh rate and the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor.See it on Amazon
Motorola moto g87 5G 256GB200MP camera with OIS£349The 200MP camera has OIS and 16-in-1 Ultra Pixel technology, paired with an 8MP ultra-wide.See it on Amazon

Prices from the maker or retailer named on each pick below, checked 26 October 2026. A dash means the price changes too often to quote: tap through for today's.

Get a decent 5G phone that takes a good photo, has a big battery and keeps getting updates, without flagship money. This guide is for you if you want a phone that stays supported for years. Three things decide the choice: how long the software is supported, how big the battery is and how good the camera is. The top pick is the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G, with a 5,000 mAh battery, a 50 MP main camera and up to 6 operating system upgrades.

Our picks in detail

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Samsung Galaxy A27 5G 128GB (Black)
Image: Samsung

1★ Top pickBest for all-round budget phone

Samsung Galaxy A27 5G 128GB (Black)

Big screen, three cameras and up to six years of updates.

What it is
The Galaxy A27 5G packs a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen into a slim 7.8 mm body. You get a big screen for films, photos and scrolling in one neat phone.
Perfect for
It suits you if you want one all-round phone for photos, apps and everyday use.
Why we picked it
The 50 MP wide camera has optical image stabilisation (OIS), which helps steady your shots. A 5 MP ultra wide and a 2 MP macro lens sit alongside it, and the 12 MP front camera is ready for selfies. The 5,000 mAh battery charges up to 45% in 30 minutes with Super Fast Charging, so a short top-up goes a long way.
Price
£329 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and a slim 7.8 mm profile.
  • Samsung says it supports up to 6x OS upgrades and up to 6 years of security and maintenance releases.
  • The rear camera system has a 50 MP OIS wide-angle, a 5 MP ultra wide and a 2 MP macro camera, and the front camera is 12 MP.
  • The 5,000 mAh (typical) battery charges up to 45% in 30 minutes with Super Fast Charging.

The catch: IP64 protects against dirt and splashes only, so it is not rated for submersion.

Check today's price on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB
Image: Samsung

2Best for cheapest Samsung with long updates

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB

Six years of Samsung security support, plus six OS upgrades.

What it is
The Galaxy A17 5G gives you a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen at 90Hz. It also has a triple camera with a 50 MP wide lens.
Perfect for
Anyone who wants Samsung's six years of updates for less.
Why we picked it
Samsung lists six OS upgrades and six years of security support, so it keeps getting newer software for years. The 5 MP ultra-wide and 2 MP macro lenses add wide and close-up shots, and the triple camera has OIS. It comes in Black, Grey and Blue, with a 7.5 mm frame.
Price
£259 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate.
  • Samsung lists 6x OS upgrades and 6 years of security support.
  • The triple camera has a 50 MP wide, a 5 MP ultra-wide and a 2 MP macro lens, with OIS.
  • It comes in Black, Grey and Blue and has a 7.5 mm frame.

The catch: The display runs at 90Hz, where the moto g67 runs at 120Hz.

Check today's price on Amazon
Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 5G 8GB + 256GB (Black)
Image: Xiaomi

3Best for 108MP camera with OIS and 45W charging

Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 5G 8GB + 256GB (Black)

Steady 108MP photos and the fastest charging here.

What it is
The REDMI Note 15 5G packs a 108MP camera. Its optical image stabilisation (OIS) keeps shots steady when your hand moves, and a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip powers it.
Perfect for
Photo lovers who want steady shots and a phone that tops up fast.
Why we picked it
Its 5520mAh silicon-carbon battery comes with 45W turbo charging for quick top-ups. The 18W reverse charging lets it charge other gadgets too. It also has dust and water resistance, and the 8 GB + 256 GB model is listed on Xiaomi's UK store.
  • It has a 5520mAh silicon-carbon battery with 45W turbo charging and 18W reverse charging.
  • The 108MP camera has OIS.
  • It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and has IP65 dust and water resistance.
  • The 8 GB + 256 GB model is listed on Xiaomi's UK store.

The catch: Xiaomi's UK store shows it on offer against a higher regular price, so check today's price before you buy.

Check today's price on Amazon
Motorola moto g67 5G
Image: Motorola

4Best for cheapest with microSD slot

Motorola moto g67 5G

Add up to 2TB more storage with a microSD slot.

What it is
The moto g67 5G has a 120Hz screen for smooth scrolling. It also packs a 5200mAh battery and TurboPower 30 charging.
Perfect for
Anyone who wants the lowest price here, with a microSD slot to add storage later.
Why we picked it
Motorola lists a 50MP Sony LYTIA camera system for your photos. Motorola also says the stereo speakers are 300% more powerful than the previous generation. Plug in a microSD card and your storage can grow with your photos and music.
What's new
Motorola says the stereo speakers are 300% more powerful than the previous generation.
Price
£199 (motorola.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 120Hz refresh rate and the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor.
  • It has a 5200mAh battery and TurboPower 30 charging.
  • Motorola lists a 50MP Sony LYTIA camera system and microSD support for up to 2TB more storage.

The catch: It has up to 4GB of RAM, so heavy multitasking slows it sooner.

Check today's price on Amazon
Motorola moto g87 5G 256GB
Image: Motorola

5Best for 200MP camera with OIS

Motorola moto g87 5G 256GB

Get a 200MP camera that takes sharp, steady photos.

What it is
The moto g87 5G packs a 200MP camera with OIS to cut blur. Paired with an 8MP ultra-wide, it fits more of the scene into every shot.
Perfect for
Pick this if photos come first and you want a steady, sharp camera built in.
Why we picked it
Under the hood sits the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chip, with up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage and an optional microSD card for extra space. A 5200mAh battery and TurboPower 30 charging round it out. Motorola says its stereo speakers are 280% more powerful than the previous generation.
What's new
Motorola says the stereo speakers are 280% more powerful than the previous generation.
Price
£349 (motorola.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • The 200MP camera has OIS and 16-in-1 Ultra Pixel technology, paired with an 8MP ultra-wide.
  • It uses the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 with up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage and an optional microSD card.
  • It has a 5200mAh battery and TurboPower 30 charging.

The catch: At £349 it costs the most of the phones here with a listed price.

Check today's price on Amazon

What we left out, and why

  • Google Pixel 10a: It promises seven years of updates, but the Google Store prices it above this guide's budget picks.
  • Samsung Galaxy A37 5G: It sits one step above the Galaxy A27 5G in Samsung's range and costs over 50% more than the A27 on Samsung's UK shop.
  • Apple iPhone 17e: Apple's UK shop sells it only in 256GB and 512GB versions, so there is no low-storage entry price.

How we chose

Our buying criteria

To make this list, a phone had to give you three things: years of software support, a big battery and a camera that takes a sharp photo. Support means how long the maker promises updates, so your phone stays safe for longer. Battery size is in mAh (milliamp hours, the bigger the number, the longer it lasts), and screen smoothness is in Hz (hertz, the higher the number, the smoother the screen moves). Every pick is checked against the maker's UK spec sheet and live UK listings, with one honest catch each.

  • Software support: how many OS upgrades and years of security updates the maker promises.
  • Camera: OIS (optical image stabilisation, which steadies your shots) and a high-resolution main sensor.
  • Battery and charging: the mAh size and the watts that set charging speed, such as 45W.
  • Screen and protection: the Hz refresh rate and the IP rating for dust and water.

How we choose every pick

Your questions, answered

Which budget phone gets the longest software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A27 5G and Galaxy A17 5G. Both get up to 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates, the longest support here.
Are budget phones water resistant?
Some are. The Redmi Note 15 5G has dust and water resistance, and the Galaxy A27 5G is rated IP64 against dirt and splashes.
Can I add a memory card to a budget phone?
Yes, both Motorola picks take one. The moto g67 5G adds up to 2TB via microSD, Motorola says, and the moto g87 5G takes a microSD card too.
Which budget phone charges fastest?
The Redmi Note 15 5G supports 45W turbo charging, the highest wattage listed for these phones. The moto g67 and moto g87 use TurboPower 30 charging, which is a lower wattage than the Redmi's 45W. Samsung says its Super Fast Charging reaches up to 45% in 30 minutes.
Which budget phone has the best camera?
For the highest-resolution camera in this guide, look at the moto g87 5G. It has a 200MP camera with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Want another option? The Redmi Note 15 5G has a 108MP camera with OIS.

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