Best Budget Smartphone (Under $300) in 2020

scrimshaw on 27/07/2020 - 15:04
Last edited 27/07/2020 - 15:05

Moderators at OzBargain are now running yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. For more information on how these polls work, or if you want to suggest a new poll that isn't covered already, please refer to our announcement thread here.

Question

What is the best budget smartphone under $300 in 2020?

Once again we'll discuss options and recommendations for smartphones in the budget category. Last year, the clear winner of the poll was the value-oriented Samsung Galaxy A20, which dethroned the Xiaomi Mi A1 which took top spot the previous year.

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

How do I suggest products to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and fill up "Suggestions" text box just above your comment:

Suggestion box

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the phone is still available to purchase) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

Poll Options expired

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2020. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
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Comments

  • sackrace on 27/07/2020 - 15:15
    +1

    Voted Redmi Note 8 but I got the Note 9 for 236 bucks so that's my reccie. Pretty damn good, especially for the money.

    • MatrixM on 30/07/2020 - 19:12

      Oh How'd you manage that?

    • Jec on 05/08/2020 - 13:18

      I thought this meant the Samsung Note 9 for a second and just paused xD

    • thepigs on 19/08/2020 - 18:03

      did you investigate the note 9 pro? would it be worth another $100?

    • shadowangel on 14/11/2020 - 16:25

      Same but i have a Hauwei y8p, AMOLED Screen, in screen touch, slicker and cheaper but no google. good for me bad for some lol.

  • Frank Murphy on 27/07/2020 - 15:20
    +6
    Suggested Oppo A52

    Pretty sure the Oppo A52 is lauded as a great budget option considering its features.

  • charlesqi on 27/07/2020 - 15:21
    +1
    Suggested Xiaomi Redmi Note 9s

    Xiaomi Redmi Note 9s

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/540529

  • Neoika on 01/08/2020 - 10:51

    Put Redmi Note 8 and 8T together? I voted for 8T actually.

    • Nadder on 13/08/2020 - 15:07

      Not the same phone though. For the money the 8T is my choice.

      • Neoika on 13/08/2020 - 17:42
        +1

        I have all three phones in my family. I must say 8 Pro is much better and worth for the more money paid.

        8 and 8T are almost same in looking and function, maybe just the NFC difference.

        • NeverMissABargain on 20/08/2020 - 10:33

          What would be the good price for Redmi Note 8T? I can see around $249 @ Kogan + Shipping (can be signed up as Kogan First for free shipping). Thanks much!

  • Arthur Dunger on 01/08/2020 - 10:55
    +2

    I think it's pointless voting on the Samsung A20 as the deals for around $179 have stopped and nobody on Ozbargain should be paying more.

  • mp3police on 07/08/2020 - 05:05

    Charging my 8T now , only needs to be done every 2 or 3 days

    • ozhunter68 on 07/08/2020 - 19:02

      "Neoika" & "mp3police" I can't see an 8T on the board, only the Redmi N8 & 9s.

  • Void on 09/08/2020 - 18:54

    Voted Mi A3 because of the stock Android with long support. Can't really compete with this imo. Sure you can root and install Lineage but even that's limited, and it also limits things you can do as you've now triggered an alarm in the phone to say that it is unsecure (if that's still a thing?).

    • SupeNintendoChalmers on 17/08/2020 - 12:05
      +1

      The extra 64Gb over the A52 is totally worth it if you don't need dual sim

    • BartholemewH on 18/08/2020 - 23:14
      +2

      Does anyone know where to get a reliable unlock code for A72? I would get this but family member is on Telstra.

  • chicken lover on 16/08/2020 - 21:21
    +2

    Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 pro

    $300 at tecobuy but if you don't like tecobuy, I'm sure if you shop around and match that price .

    https://www.tecobuy.com/en_AU/xiaomi-redmi-note-9-pro-6gb-64…

    • CVonC on 16/08/2020 - 23:42
      • $15 shipping

      But yeah that's a good deal for the pro if you don't wanna get it from BuyBuyBox.

    • chicken lover on 20/08/2020 - 09:44

      Tecobuy is now currently offering an $8 coupon on the main page so this will bring the "Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 pro" down to $292.

      If anyone finds it cheaper can you please let me know. I want to buy this phone but tecobuy is the cheapest I can find. Never used tecobuy before so I'm reluctant to use them. Hoping to find it cheaper elsewhere more trustworthy.

      Also, Does anyone have this phone? If so, can you please comment on what you think if this phone. Thanks

      Admin, for some reason I am unavailable to vote on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 pro. it states that admin has rejected this suggestion. Is there a reason for this? Thanks.

      • CVonC on 21/08/2020 - 01:09
        +1

        That would be $307 including $15 shipping.

        $305 shipped for the same white from TobyDeals using Toby10 voucher. Elligible for 1.5% Shopback too.

        People have had issues with TobyDeals not responding to emails and what not. But no real issues with receiving the item (and you're Paypal protected anyway).

        Tecobuy seems to be a rip off of the TobyDeals website as well as being in HK too. So it'd be much of a muchness most likely.

  • jacko milz23 on 17/08/2020 - 13:05

    Yea boi, - I got my A20 back in Nov 2019 from Target for $150- it was a deal, it was a steal, it was the sale of mutha f***ing century

    • Arthur Dunger on 17/08/2020 - 15:29

      No point voting for now in late 2020, as I explained above.

      • jacko milz23 on 17/08/2020 - 16:21

        I disagree, if it is a good performing smartphone and it's under $300 why shouldn't people vote for it? Say the price of the A20 dropped to $150 again - (people may use this poll to help in the decision process), users could think 'no one voted for it so it can't be that great of a phone' plus the poll wouldn't be very factual. Poorly worded but you get my point.

  • Oofy Doofy on 18/08/2020 - 11:38
    Suggested Umidigi F2

    I have had it since release, quite a good phone overall.

  • Oofy Doofy on 18/08/2020 - 11:41
    Suggested Umidigi Power 3

    Bought this phone for a family member, also a good phone.

    • thepigs on 19/08/2020 - 18:06

      wold not recommend. quality control on mine was bad.

      • Oofy Doofy on 20/08/2020 - 08:50

        What did you have problems with?

      • TimberLover on 25/09/2020 - 20:04

        I was totally disappointed with Umidigi phones. They just use really cheap components.

  • Oofy Doofy on 18/08/2020 - 11:42
    Suggested Cubot X30

    Haven't got my hands on it, though quite compelling at even the full price with the 8/256 model. No local warranty compared to Umidigi eBay official Aus store.

    • Arthur Dunger on 18/08/2020 - 12:19

      You know you can edit your first comment within the 1st hour.

      • Oofy Doofy on 18/08/2020 - 18:53

        I can't edit the suggestion though.

  • wisdomtooth on 20/08/2020 - 11:42
    Suggested Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

    The RN9 is already under $300. No reason why it shouldn't replace the RN8 on this poll.

    • wisdomtooth on 20/08/2020 - 11:44

      Where did my suggestion go? Dunno.

      • scrimshaw on 20/08/2020 - 11:58

        Poll options need to be manually approved by a mod, and it looks like I completely missed it as I was away yesterday. I've added it in now.

        • chicken lover on 21/08/2020 - 12:19

          scrimshaw @ any chance of adding the xiaomi redmi note 9 pro to the list as I think $5 is neither here or there and this phone will probably retail below the $300 mark before the years end. It would be good to give people the opportunity to vote on this. In the spirit of the survey I'm sure people would want to know where this phone sits compared to others in this price range(ish).

          Thanks

  • kancha on 30/08/2020 - 18:10
    Suggested Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T

    Since it's not in the Poll Option yet but has been mentioned a few times.

    Redmi Note 8T has Band 28 & NFC meanwhile Redmi Note 8 doesn't AFAIK.
    Paid under $250 for the 4GB/128GB.

  • Kiro on 02/09/2020 - 08:37
    +1

    realme c3.

    the dual sim is a bit pricey although the features are great and you can consider it abudget gaming device.

    the singlesim varient from Optus is where you can really save as it costs 179 last time i checked a few days ago.

    i has NFC, band 28 3gb ram 64 gb storage with a 6.5 inch screen and a whopping 5000mAh battery. i hav tried out PUBG and can set it to max detail with no issues and get a good solid 4 hours gaming.
    screen is viewable in direct sunlight as well.

    • capslock janitor on 28/10/2020 - 11:08

      does it have ir transmitter

      • Kiro on 28/10/2020 - 21:37

        No. It has radio. If it had ir it would be great

  • morgs640 on 05/09/2020 - 13:15

    Should be the 8T, almost the same price but has NFC.

  • coolsteps on 19/09/2020 - 14:15

    is this $87 one any good? https://www.wish.com/product/5e942ede23e6c5e47d4f540c?hide_l…

    • CVonC on 20/09/2020 - 00:29

      anything from wish isn't.

  • TimberLover on 25/09/2020 - 20:00
    +1

    Build quality of Umidigi phones is really bad, and you can expect very few software updates.

    I had opened some Redmi and Umidigi phones, the workmanship and component quality of Redmi phones are far more premium than Umidigi. I can only say, Umidigi is just junk.

  • ams898 on 29/09/2020 - 18:57
    Suggested Motorola Moto G8 Power Lite

    5000mAh battery plus a huge 6.5” HD+ screen.

  • astarman on 08/10/2020 - 23:41

    is there anything budget thats on the smaller screen size end?

    like less than 6inch?

  • ozhunter68 on 11/10/2020 - 21:01
    +2

    After snaring the Oppo A52 from The Good Guys with the Lattitude deal for $180 C & C after the extra $20 casback from Shopback

    and playing with it for some time, had to come here and give it a Vote as it is great value around $250 or less.

  • ams898 on 24/10/2020 - 00:47
    Suggested Optus X Pro

    Optus prepaid phone made by ZTE with big 6.5” screen with triple camera, USB-C, Android 10 plus NFC for contactless payments-$179

  • Pricebeat on 27/10/2020 - 18:11
    +1

    Oppo A52 is below $200 for those with AMEX offer, if anyone is looking
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/574953

  • Gazpacho on 09/11/2020 - 22:25

    Will there ever be a best burner phone for under $100 category?

    • scrimshaw on 09/11/2020 - 23:05

      No. A burner phone is just a temporary phone that you intend to keep around in the closet and not use much, or as a temporary device till you get a nicer phone, don't think we need a poll for that. People just buy whatever's cheapest regardless of it's brand or specs.

      • Gazpacho on 09/11/2020 - 23:44

        Understandable cheers

  • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2020 - 01:08
    Suggested Motorola Moto G9 Play

    From JB Hi-Fi includes earbuds for a total of $300 - https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/motorola-g9-play-64gb-ele…

    • ams898 on 18/11/2020 - 19:50

      I have one, it’s awesome!

  • RexLongfellow on 30/11/2020 - 18:19

    Been using Xiaomi phones for a while now, and they've all given me incredible value for money. The Note 8 is no exception, being my current phone. Of course one has to make certain sacrifices, especially in this price bracket, but it is overall well worth the money.

    • scrimshaw on 30/11/2020 - 18:21

      Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 already exists in the poll. Please click the + button to vote.

  • scrimshaw on 02/12/2020 - 16:21

    The polls will be closed soon at the end of this month. Make your choices (or don't) and revote if you have changed your minds

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