At a glanceWhy you should trust me<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been a tech journalist for almost a decade, and I\u2019ve had the pleasure of testing many phones across the price spectrum in that time. From flagship-level iPhones<\/a> to budget-friendly Samsung handsets, I know exactly what makes a phone worth buying and, more crucially, how each one compares with the other options on the market.<\/p>\n How I tested To find out if these phones are truly as good as the marketing jargon suggests, I used each one as my daily mobile for the better part of a week, with my sim card in tow. I tested 11 in total.<\/p>\n With each phone, I split my testing into two categories: real-world use and benchmarking. For the former, I used the phones as normal, noting how well they perform in everyday tasks such as checking Google Maps for directions, scrolling through social media, and streaming YouTube. I also monitored the battery drain over time.<\/p>\n Play on: testing the phones\u2019 performance with demanding mobile games. Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian<\/p>\n To benchmark and see the raw performance capabilities of each phone, I put each device through gaming sessions in Call of Duty: Mobile and the more demanding Honkai: Star Rail, followed by tests in PCMark and Geekbench 7. In both tests, the higher the score, the better. Many of these phones are able to beat flagships when it comes to battery life due to having larger cells, but on raw horsepower (which is where Geekbench 7 comes into play), you can expect pricier options to have a single-core and multi-core score of more than 1,500 and 5,500, respectively. For context, the single-core score (as its name suggests) shows us what just one core of the CPU is capable of, while the multi-core score brings them all into play.<\/p>\n Every phone featured here did a brilliant job at passing these tests, so no matter which one you pick, you\u2019ll be getting a great-performing device.<\/p>\n If not returned to the manufacturer, these review units were donated to charity after testing.<\/p>\n The best budget phones in 2026Dialled in: our top budget phone picks. Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The GuardianBest budget phone overall: Samsung<\/p>\n Galaxy A37<\/p>\n from \u00a3349<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The GuardianFrom \u00a3399 at Samsung<\/a>\u00a3349 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Samsung doesn\u2019t really do itself any favours by having so many phones on the market \u2013 it\u2019s hard work just to understand how each one is different from the next, particularly at the more affordable end. But if all you need is a great all-rounder that\u2019s designed to last, then you can\u2019t really go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy A37.<\/p>\n Why we love it Thanks to the glass backing, the A37 doesn\u2019t feel like a budget phone in the hand either. To the untrained eye (that wouldn\u2019t notice the slightly smaller lenses), the phone could be mistaken for the far more expensive Galaxy S26+. Durability has been tightened up against its predecessor, the A36, with a higher IP68 dust and water resistance rating, and the newer Exynos 1480 chipset performs well as you jump from one app to another.<\/p>\n For repairability, the phone only has a C rating in the EU\u2019s EPREL database, and while Samsung does offer a recycling service for handsets, they must be taken to the Samsung KX store in London\u2019s King\u2019s Cross.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 as much as I rate the Galaxy A37, it is almost identical to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A36, which now costs less<\/a>.<\/p>\n Screen: 6.7in AMOLED 120Hz Samsung<\/p>\n Galaxy A37<\/p>\n from \u00a3349<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love For more, read Samuel Gibbs\u2019s guide to the best Android phones, compared and ranked<\/a><\/p>\n Best cheap phone for battery life: Motorola<\/p>\n Edge 70 Fusion<\/p>\n from \u00a3379<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3379 at John Lewis<\/a>\u00a3379.99 at Motorola<\/a><\/p>\n Ever since getting my hands on the mid-range Motorola Edge 60 Pro last year, I\u2019ve been increasingly impressed with the brand. Not only is it offering a genuine alternative to the likes of Samsung and Google, but it\u2019s doing so with phones that make the competition look boring. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion deviates from this strategy slightly, but the massive battery more than makes up for any misgivings.<\/p>\n Why we love it That kind of longevity is great when you\u2019re having a night out on the town and need to use your phone for directions, payments, train tickets and more. Speaking from experience and the fact that I now regularly carry a power bank<\/a>, being able to avoid any battery anxiety is worth the price of admission alone. There is a version of this phone with a 5,200mAh battery that costs \u00a320 less<\/a>, but I would avoid that.<\/p>\n If you need any repairs, Motorola\u2019s ReplaceBase website<\/a> sells replacement parts for devices, and there are helpful video tutorials available to help you fix your phone.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 for whatever reason, Motorola has kept all of the exciting colours to the 5,200mAh version of the Edge 70 Fusion, so anyone who wants the larger battery has to make do with a rather unexciting Pantone silhouette. There are also just three years of software updates (until 2029), although you do get five years of security patches (until 2031).<\/p>\n Screen: 6.78in AMOLED 144Hz Motorola<\/p>\n Edge 70 Fusion<\/p>\n from \u00a3379<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Best cheap phone for camera: What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3349 at Argos<\/a>\u00a3349 at John Lewis<\/a><\/p>\n Although it\u2019s been supplanted by the newer Pixel 10a<\/a>, Google has rather smartly kept the Pixel 9a<\/a> around and slashed its price to just \u00a3349. It can be found for even less if you shop around. Aside from making the camera flush with the phone, upping the brightness and durability of the display and introducing faster charging, the Pixel 10a is practically identical to its predecessor \u2013 they even use the same chipset. You\u2019re better off picking up the previous-gen tech at a discount.<\/p>\n Why we love it With its clean Android interface, this is the least cluttered software experience you\u2019ll find outside Apple\u2019s ecosystem, with no annoying bloatware to contend with when you switch the phone on for the first time. Alongside Samsung, Google leads the charge on long-term support, too, with a committed seven years of updates (until 2032). This means the phone will last you for quite some time to come. At least 23% of the device is made from recycled materials, and when it reaches the end of its life, Google offers a free device recycling service<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 for all its prowess elsewhere, the Pixel 9a isn\u2019t a great phone for gaming: the Tensor G4 isn\u2019t as powerful as comparable Snapdragon chips. Charging at 23W is also quite slow for a modern phone.<\/p>\n Screen: 6.3in pOLED 120Hz What we love What we don\u2019t love Best cheap iPhone: Apple<\/p>\n iPhone 16e<\/p>\n from \u00a3599<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3599 at John Lewis<\/a>\u00a3599 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Designed as the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, the iPhone 16e<\/a> was something of a head-scratcher at launch. Despite its \u00a3599 price, there were a number of missing features, such as Apple\u2019s MagSafe technology, and only a single camera on the back of the phone. Those issues were softened when Apple reduced the phone to \u00a3499 after the release of the iPhone 17e, but the price has since jumped back up as a result of the ongoing memory crisis. However, because the phone can be picked up for less when going down the refurbished<\/a> route and I anticipate plenty of deals for the iPhone 16e during major sales events like Black Friday, I\u2019ve decided to keep the iPhone 16e in this list.<\/p>\n Why we love it Apps are also better optimised for iPhones, with less variety between models to develop for. I struggled to get the Edits app to run smoothly on my Pixel 10 Pro<\/a>, but had no such issues with the iPhone 16e and its super-efficient A18 chipset. It\u2019s also a better long-term investment, since Apple has a good track record of supporting older phones. The recent iOS 27 update extends all the way back to 2019\u2019s iPhone 11. More than 30% of the iPhone 16e\u2019s overall composition is made from recycled materials, and while there is scope for home repair, Apple does provide (admittedly fairly costly) screen<\/a> and battery<\/a> repairs for handsets that are out of warranty.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 the single 48MP sensor means you\u2019re limited with the types of photos you can take. It can take solid shots with enough light, but the shutter speed is noticeably slower than pricier iPhones, and there\u2019s no ultrawide capability.<\/p>\n Screen: 6.1in 60Hz OLED Apple<\/p>\n iPhone 16e<\/p>\n from \u00a3599<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love For more, read our guide to the best iPhones<\/a><\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to The Filter<\/p>\n Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Best phone under \u00a3150: What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3129.99 (new) at eBay<\/a><\/p>\n As much as I would recommend saving a bit more for the Samsung Galaxy A17 or the Pixel 9a, if you need a lower-budget phone, then the TCL 60R 5G is worth a look. At \u00a399.99, the 60R 5G is very affordable, and you still get some impressive features for the price.<\/p>\n Why we love it I was also impressed with the performance of the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. I did notice the occasional bit of lag when scrolling through certain websites too quickly, but I played a few rounds of Call of Duty: Mobile without issue (even if the graphics were downplayed to improve performance). There\u2019s a sizeable 5,200mAh battery to get you through long days, and the ability to expand storage via a microSD card<\/a> is always welcome.<\/p>\n TCL has a gold EcoVadis rating<\/a> for a more responsible manufacturing process, and the company runs a repair service<\/a> for faulty handsets.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 the big compromise with the TCL 60R is that it includes just one major OS update that came out this year, and only two years of security updates (until 2027), so it won\u2019t last as long as other phones here.<\/p>\n Screen: 6.7in IPS LCD 120Hz What we love What we don\u2019t love The best of the restClose contenders: the best of the rest. Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian Samsung Galaxy A17 Samsung<\/p>\n Galaxy A17<\/p>\n from \u00a3155.39<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3169.99 at Argos<\/a>\u00a3155.39 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: a phone under \u00a3200<\/p>\n If the Galaxy A37 is out of your price range but you still want long-term software support, then it\u2019s worth considering the Samsung Galaxy A17. Despite costing only \u00a3169.99, Samsung has committed to supporting the phone for six years from release (until 2031), so you\u2019re getting far more bang for your buck than with any other budget smartphone below \u00a3200.<\/p>\n Samsung\u2019s One UI software is better than ever, with a very sleek interface that\u2019s fun to use. As a longtime tech reviewer, I\u2019ve endured my fair share of bloatware-ridden Android phones<\/a>, but this isn\u2019t one of them. Unlike the A37, the A17 uses a slightly cheap-feeling plastic backing, but the Exynos 1330 chipset works well under everyday use.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026 the Galaxy A37 is a better buy overall, and doesn\u2019t cost that much more. The Pixel 9a is only a bit pricier, too, and you\u2019ll get far better camera performance.<\/p>\n Screen: 6.7in AMOLED 90Hz; processor: Samsung Exynos 1330 Ram: 4GB; Geekbench 7 CPU results: 619 single-core, 1,851 multi-core; storage: 128GB; operating system: Android ; Security updates available until: 2031; battery size: 5,000mAh; PCMark tested battery life: 17hrs 24mins; camera: 50MP wide, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 13MP selfie; connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, wifi 5, dual-band dust and water resistance: IP54; dimensions: 77.9 x 7.5 x 164.4mm (WDH); weight: 192g<\/p>\n Samsung<\/p>\n Galaxy A17<\/p>\n from \u00a3155.39<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Nothing Phone (4b) Nothing<\/p>\n Phone (4b)<\/p>\n from \u00a3299<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3299 at Nothing<\/a>\u00a3299 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: a well-designed phone on a budget<\/p>\n One of the unfortunate compromises at the budget end of the market is that design is often an afterthought. There are some fun colourways, sure, but very few options are what I would deem to be eye-catching. But the Nothing Phone (4b) is different. Regardless of the price tag, Nothing endows all of its phones with an engaging, space-age aesthetic \u2013 many big-brand options seem boring by comparison.<\/p>\n That philosophy also extends to the software, with Nothing OS featuring exclusive widgets that go beyond the standard Android fare. On the back you\u2019ll find the Glyph Bar, a small strip of LED lights that can display all manner of information, including the impending arrival of your Uber driver and the countdown of a timer. Admittedly, it\u2019s a bit scaled back compared with the Glyph lights on previous Nothing phones, but it still works rather well.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026 the (4b) pales in comparison to Samsung and Google phones for long-term support, getting just three years of OS updates (until 2029), although its lifespan is lengthened by six years of security patches (until 2032).<\/p>\n Screen: 6.77in AMOLED 120Hz; processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4; Ram: 8GB; Geekbench 7 CPU results: 956 single-core, 3,145 multi-core; storage: 128GB; operating system: Android; Security updates available until: 2032; battery size: 5,200mAh; PCMark tested battery life: 20hrs 8mins; camera: 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 16MP selfie; connectivity: Bluetooth 6, wifi 6; dust and water resistance: IP64; dimensions: 78.2 x 8.6 x 164.4mm (WDH); weight: 210g<\/p>\n Nothing<\/p>\n Phone (4b)<\/p>\n from \u00a3299<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Honor Magic 8 Lite Honor<\/p>\n Magic 8 Lite<\/p>\n from \u00a3329<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3329 at Currys<\/a>\u00a3329.99 at Argos<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: entertainment<\/p>\n With so many of the brand\u2019s phones occupying space at the budget end of the market, it can be tricky to know where the Honor Magic 8 Lite sits among them. If you want a long-lasting phone with a great screen for streaming, though, then this is the one to go for.<\/p>\n The 7,500mAh battery can stretch to multiple days of use, making it great for a long journey, and the display\u2019s peak brightness of 6,000nits makes flagship phones look dim by comparison. The 6.79in panel provides plenty of space for wide-screen films to sprawl out. There is a fair amount of bloatware to deal with when you first boot up the phone, but it\u2019s not a major issue.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026 Honor\u2019s MagicOS overlay is a bit too cumbersome to use, especially when compared with the cleaner Android experience on the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion or the latest Pixel phones.<\/p>\n Screen: 6.79in 120Hz AMOLED; processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4; Ram: 8GB; Geekbench 7 CPU results: 958 single-core, 3,040 multi-core; storage: 512GB; operating system: Android; Security updates available until: 2031; battery size: 7,500mAh; PCMark tested battery life: 19hrs 56mins; camera: 108MP wide, 5MP ultrawide, 16MP selfie; connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, wifi 6; dust and water resistance: IP68\/IP69K; dimensions: 76.1 x 7.76 x 161.9mm (WDH); weight: 189g<\/p>\n Honor<\/p>\n Magic 8 Lite<\/p>\n from \u00a3329<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love TCL Nxtpaper 70 Pro TCL<\/p>\n Nxtpaper 70 Pro<\/p>\n from \u00a3289<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The Guardian\u00a3289.99 at Argos<\/a>\u00a3289 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: display<\/p>\n If you\u2019re an avid reader of online articles and books, and don\u2019t want to carry around a separate e-reader<\/a>, then the TCL Nxtpaper 70 Pro is well worth a look. The phone features a matt display that minimises reflections, and a slider toggles a book-style Ink Paper mode for easy reading.<\/p>\n For those who prefer a dumb-phone approach, there\u2019s also the Max Ink mode that limits distractions and puts an emphasis on using the Nxtpaper 70 Pro for reading. It\u2019s reminiscent of Fairphone<\/a>\u2019s Moments toggle, and I wish more manufacturers offered it. Anything that diverts my attention away from social media and towards something more fulfilling gets a big thumbs up from me.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026 the screen doesn\u2019t feel quite as sharp without the E-Ink-style modes activated, and there are only two years of OS security patches and vulnerability fixes (until 2028).<\/p>\n Display: 6.9in IPS LCD 120Hz; processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300; Ram: 8GB; Geekbench 7 CPU results: 905 single-core, 3,280 multi-core; storage: 256GB\/512GB; operating system: Android; Security updates available until: 2028 battery size: 5,200mAh; PCMark tested battery life: 19hrs 10mins; cameras: 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 32MP selfie; connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, 802.11ax wifi 6E; dust and water resistance: IP68; dimensions: 80.1 x 8 x 169.4mm (WDH); weight: 208g<\/p>\n TCL<\/p>\n Nxtpaper 70 Pro<\/p>\n from \u00a3289<\/p>\n What we love What we don\u2019t love What you need to knowBeyond the specs: what matters is how a phone performs in everyday use. Photograph: Thomas Deehan\/The GuardianWhat to look for when choosing a budget phone<\/p>\n Forget about branding and all the marketing that goes with the latest phones, and instead consider the features that you prioritise from your current handset. After all, in order to hit a budget price for a phone, manufacturers are forced to compromise in one way or another.<\/p>\n A phone may have a great battery and a bright screen, but the chipset might be lacking. A phone that performs as well as a much pricier handset might lack another feature, such as fast charging. Decide ahead of time which features matter the most to you, so you won\u2019t find yourself regretting your purchase.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth considering how long the phone will be supported in terms of software and security updates. If you don\u2019t want to fork out again in three or four years, then opt for a phone with longer support.<\/p>\n What to avoid when choosing a budget phone<\/p>\n As with any phone, don\u2019t be swayed by the specs on paper: they don\u2019t always translate to a better experience. For instance, the Honor Magic 8 Lite packs a 108MP main camera, but its photos aren\u2019t as pleasing to the eye as those captured on the Pixel<\/a> 9a: Google\u2019s computational processing works its technical wizardry despite the phone\u2019s 48MP sensor.<\/p>\n This guide is based on real-world use, so these recommendations will help you avoid these marketing pitfalls.<\/p>\n When you should replace your phone<\/p>\n To maximise the value of your phone (and cut down on waste), it\u2019s worth holding on to your existing phone for as long as it\u2019s officially supported with software and security updates. But if your phone is irreparably damaged or the battery has aged to the point that it can no longer be replaced or mitigated with a power bank<\/a>, it might be time to upgrade.<\/p>\n How to buy a good refurbished phone<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a bargain on a phone, there\u2019s never been a better time to choose refurbished. Reputable retailers such as Giffgaff<\/a>, Back Market<\/a> and the iOutlet<\/a> sell professionally refurbished devices with clear gradings and warranties.<\/p>\n Keep an eye out for incentives, too. Giffgaff provides a 24-month warranty with phones bought in \u201clike new\u201d condition, while Vodafone\u2019s Battery Refresh scheme lets you get a new battery for your phone, free of charge, for up to three years from the point of purchase, depending on your plan.<\/p>\n I would strongly advise against buying a refurbished phone through private or unverified sellers, however. Unverified sellers aren\u2019t held to the same standards as those aforementioned retailers, so the quality of the phones they\u2019re selling cannot be guaranteed.<\/p>\n For more, read Samuel Gibbs\u2019s guide on how to find the best refurbished phone<\/a><\/p>\n For more: Thomas Deehan is a technology and entertainment journalist with almost a decade\u2019s experience. He\u2019s tested everything from smartwatches to video games, action cameras and more, but it\u2019s smartphones that make up the bulk of his coverage. He very rarely leaves the house with fewer than two smartphones, and is constantly on the lookout for the perfect all-in-one handset<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Buying a flagship phone in 2026 makes little sense unless you\u2019re really going to use all the features…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":609562,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[342,111,139,69,145],"class_list":["post-609561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mobile","tag-mobile","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/609561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=609561"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/609561\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/609562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=609561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=609561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=609561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Budget_phone_loop--5bcfef11-1884-4575-9ee7-7e30dfaaaab8-1.0.0000000.jpg\")
Picture this: putting the phone\u2019s camera to the test.<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy A37![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196731_502_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Updates until 2032 and a slick software experience<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a minimal update over the Galaxy A36<\/p>\n
With a promised six years of software and security updates from the time of launch in April 2026, the Galaxy A37 offers far better long-term value than most. Samsung\u2019s One UI Android overlay has come a long way in recent times, too, and it now rivals the stock Android experience of Pixel phones when it comes to everyday usability.<\/p>\n
Processor: Samsung Exynos 1480
Ram: 6\/8GB
Geekbench 7 CPU results: 990 single-core, 3,357 multi-core
Storage: 128\/256GB
Operating system: Android
Security updates available until: 2032
Battery size: 5,000mAh
PCMark tested battery life: 16hrs 37mins
Camera: 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 12MP selfie
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, wifi 6
Dust and water resistance: IP68
Dimensions: 78.2 x 7.4 x 162.9mm (WDH)
Weight: 196g<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Updates until 2032 and a slick software experience<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a minimal update over the Galaxy A36<\/p>\n
Motorola Edge 70 Fusion![\"Motorola](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196732_826_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
The phone can last for up to two days at a time<\/p>\n
The larger-battery model only comes in one colour<\/p>\n
With its sizeable 7,000mAh battery, the Edge 70 Fusion can outlast almost any budget phone on the market \u2013 even the Honor Magic 8 Lite below, despite its larger battery. And the 70 Fusion trumps Honor\u2019s phone for software: Motorola hasn\u2019t tinkered with it too much, for an experience that feels a lot like stock Android. With that battery in tow, you can easily get the phone to last for up to two days at a time.<\/p>\n
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
Ram: 8GB
Geekbench 7 CPU results: 989 single-core, 2,764 multi-core
Storage: 256GB
Operating system: Android
Security updates available until: 2031
Battery size: 7,000mAh (tested unit)
PCMark tested battery life: 24hrs 35mins
Camera: 50MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP selfie
Connectivity: Bluetooth 6, wifi 6E
Dust and water resistance: IP68\/IP69
Dimensions: 75.6 x 7.99 x 162.8mm (WDH)
Weight: 193g<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
The phone can last for up to two days at a time<\/p>\n
The larger-battery model only comes in one colour<\/p>\n
Google Pixel 9a![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196732_123_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
High-quality photos with helpful editing features<\/p>\n
The Tensor G4 chip isn\u2019t great for gaming<\/p>\n
The Pixel 9a shows you don\u2019t always need high-end camera hardware to take great pictures. Google\u2019s computational processing remains among the best on the market. Colours are vibrant, while skin tones are naturally replicated, and each photo looks like it could have been taken on a much pricier phone. The abundance of AI-driven features such as Magic Eraser and Best Take make it easy to edit on the go, too.<\/p>\n
Processor: Google Tensor G4
Ram: 8GB
Geekbench 7 CPU results: 1,479 single-core, 4,206 multi-core
Storage: 128\/256GB
Operating system: Android
Security updates available until: 2032
Battery size: 5,100mAh
PCMark tested battery life: 20hrs 39mins (refurbished unit)
Camera: 48MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 13MP selfie
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, wifi 6E
Dust and water resistance: IP68
Dimensions: 73.3 x 8.9 x 154.7mm (WDH)
Weight: 186g<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
High-quality photos with helpful editing features<\/p>\n
The Tensor G4 chip isn\u2019t great for gaming<\/p>\n
Apple iPhone 16e![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196733_380_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Affordable iOS; great performance and battery life<\/p>\n
Only one camera and a slow 60Hz refresh rate<\/p>\n
It might sound a bit obvious, but the best thing about the iPhone 16e is the unfettered access to iOS and the entire Apple ecosystem for a reduced price. Apple News remains one of the better non-Kindle reading apps available, while Find My is helpful for tracking down your keys or anything else with an AirTag attached, as well as offering peace of mind on whether your iPhone-toting friends or family have made it home safely.<\/p>\n
Processor: Apple A18
Ram: 8GB
Geekbench 7 CPU results: 2,881 single-core, 7,618 multi-core
Storage: 128\/256\/512GB
Operating system: iOS
Security updates available until: 2032
Battery size: 4,005mAh (estimated)
Average battery life: up to two days (PCMark battery test unavailable on iPhone)
Camera: 48MP wide, 12MP selfie
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, wifi 6
Dust and water resistance: IP68
Dimensions: 71.5 x 7.8 x 146.7mm (WDH)
Weight: 167g<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Affordable iOS; great performance and battery life<\/p>\n
Only one camera and a slow 60Hz refresh rate<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196735_184_379.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
TCL 60R 5G![\"TCL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196736_531_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Covers the smartphone basics on a budget<\/p>\n
Limited software support hampers long-term use<\/p>\n
It\u2019s fair to expect a compromise for a phone as cheap as this, but I was surprised by what TCL had managed to include, particularly the display. It\u2019s a 6.7-inch IPS LCD panel (so you won\u2019t be getting the deeper contrast in colours that OLED can provide), but it\u2019s very bright and packs a decent 120Hz refresh rate \u2013 higher than the pricier iPhone 16e\u2019s. Plus, with stereo speakers onboard, it works well for entertainment.<\/p>\n
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
Ram: 4GB
Geekbench 7 CPU results: 652 single-core, 1,828 multi-core
Storage: 128GB
Operating system: Android
Security updates available until: 2027
Battery size: 5,200mAh
PCMark tested battery life: 19hrs 17mins
Camera: 50MP wide, 8MP selfie
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, wifi 5 dual-band
Dust and water resistance: IP54
Dimensions: 76.2 x 8.2 x 165.6mm (WDH)
Weight: 190g<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Covers the smartphone basics on a budget<\/p>\n
Limited software support hampers long-term use<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196736_331_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Has longer support than most sub-\u00a3200 phones<\/p>\n
The camera is lacking compared with the Pixel 9A<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Has longer support than most sub-\u00a3200 phones<\/p>\n
The camera is lacking compared with the Pixel 9A<\/p>\n![\"Nothing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196736_897_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Budget phone with better looks than most flagships<\/p>\n
Samsung offers better long-term support for less<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Budget phone with better looks than most flagships<\/p>\n
Samsung offers better long-term support for less<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196737_280_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Battery lasts for days; screen made for streaming<\/p>\n
OS is cumbersome; ultrawide camera is lacking<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Battery lasts for days; screen made for streaming<\/p>\n
OS is cumbersome; ultrawide camera is lacking<\/p>\n![\"TCL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790196737_970_725.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
The ideal budget phone to help curb doomscrolling<\/p>\n
Just two years of OS security patches and bug fixes<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
The ideal budget phone to help curb doomscrolling<\/p>\n
Just two years of OS security patches and bug fixes<\/p>\n
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The best phone straps: our favourite stylish and practical picks<\/a><\/p>\n