Best smartphone under €400
Under €400 you get an excellent everyday phone. Look for at least 5 years of updates, an OLED screen at 120 Hz, a good main camera with optical stabilisation and a battery of 5,000 mAh.
What to look for
Our picks
Samsung Galaxy A56
6 years of updates, a bright OLED screen and solid cameras; often under €400 now.
Nothing Phone (3a)
Clean Android, good main camera and a 120 Hz OLED screen at a fair price.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G
Big battery, fast charging and a 200 MP main camera, often well under €400.
Picks are based on published specs and common review findings. Prices and availability change daily; use "Live price" to check.
Buying tips
- Last year's flagship on sale can beat a new mid-range phone, but check how many update years are left.
- Count the update years from the launch date, not from the day you buy.
- Fast charging matters more than the biggest battery if you charge in short breaks.
- Phones lose value fast: look at the price history before buying.
Questions and answers
Is a €400 phone good enough for photos?
For daylight photos and video, yes. In low light and with zoom, flagships are still clearly better.
How long will a phone under €400 get updates?
Samsung promises 6 years for the Galaxy A56. Other brands give 3 to 6 years: check before you buy.
Should I buy last year's flagship instead?
It can be a great deal, especially for the camera. Make sure it still has at least 4 years of updates left.