Best Budget Smartphone (Under $300) in 2021

scrimshaw on 03/05/2021 - 00:12
Last edited 03/05/2021 - 00:12

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 2021?

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 Oppo A52, with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 taking second place.

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 2021. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Mobile Mobile Phone Motorola Oppo realme Samsung Vivo What Should I Buy Xiaomi Android

Comments

  • Jasongood on 03/05/2021 - 00:29
    +1

    Poco F3 is the cheapest phone to have s870 and a decent high refresh screen?

    • scrimshaw on 03/05/2021 - 00:40
      +2

      Please vote for it in the $300~500 range poll.

      My vote goes for the Poco X3 Pro, current price is $299 from Banggood and that's including the GST.

      • ozhunter68 on 13/05/2021 - 16:10

        Wonder why Banggood does not list B28 on the global version from what I can read? It must have it surely.

        • Cheeper on 15/05/2021 - 23:11
          +1

          Network bands shown for phones are rarely accurate on most seller sites.
          Always go to the makers site for the real specs. With Xiaomi it is www.mi.com

          • ozhunter68 on 16/05/2021 - 17:32
            +1

            @Cheeper: Good one. Never a sure thing with different models for various markets around the world.

      • Lysander on 17/06/2021 - 17:50

        I would like to say that this is fantastic idea, scrimshaw. Thank you so much for establishing these pages. Well done!

  • r98 on 14/05/2021 - 23:54
    +4

    Poco X3 Pro is a beast.. flagship level performance.. battery is good too.. lasts about 2 days with 4 hrs screen on time each day.. maybe could get better if turned on power saving mode..
    Images from camera is good and video quality is pretty decent for a $300 phone. Screen quality and weight is the only thing I had found negative about this device.. don’t mind the plastic build..
    but I don’t think I could expect more from a $300 phone.. never had heating issues till now..
    stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack, dual sim, microSD support, huge battery, IR blaster.. all excellent features..
    took about two weeks to reach from Banggood.. even came with a AU adapter.. paid $266 delivered(launch day) for the base 128GB/6GB version including GST.. don’t think ever seen such good price value for a smartphone brand new..
    and about B28 and NFC, I can confirm this model comes with both of it. Banggood doesn’t list specs correctly. This is the global version.

    • Stopback on 17/12/2021 - 22:44

      A beast but I just found it too big

  • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2021 - 01:11
    +1
    Suggested realme c3

    was on sale @ $75

    bargain. pretty fast.

    • ozhunter68 on 25/05/2021 - 15:31

      Although that was an awesome bargain ( I would have got one under $100 but missed out then ), was only available

      for short time at Amazon and now $149. Could get one on clearanc at Officeworks still for $89 now if your lucky enough to find any stock left.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 19:21
        +1

        I got one for $42 used.

        • ozhunter68 on 25/05/2021 - 19:26

          Great score. Maybe even unlocked too?

  • Monty1089 on 29/05/2021 - 14:34

    Hopefully someone can help me out. I am looking for a phone for my mum under $200. An android phone. Preferably one from Australia so we can have warranty. Also I want a brand new one too for my mum.

    Two choices I see are: Realme C3 and the Xiaomi Redmi note 9. However the note 9 doesn't have warranty I read?

    I missed out on the Nokia 5.4 and the Samsung A21s from the recent deals.

    So are there any other good phones under $200 that I should be looking at too?

    • scrimshaw on 29/05/2021 - 14:56
      +1

      If you buy any product from an Australian retailer (one that has an ABN) they are required by law to give you 12mo warranty (this is called Statutory warranty) so the brand of the device is not relevant. A Xiaomi will be covered under warranty just as a realme would

      Of course, choosing a reputable seller is more important, it's a lot easier to claim warranty from a shop that has a brick and mortar store (e.g JB HiFi) than it is to claim from Kogan,

      You can find the realme c3 in locked Optus versions at Woolworths, believe they were clearing them out 2 weeks ago for $99 down from $149, but stock would be impossible to find.

      The unlocked versions are $149 on Amazon

      • Monty1089 on 29/05/2021 - 18:29

        Thanks Scrimshaw.

        Will the warranty still apply the same if I purchase from Banggood?

        The Realme C3 is a good bang for buck phone it seems. $99 at Woolworths or $89 at Officeworks if you can find it in stock otherwise yeah the unlocked versions may have to do.

        The Xiaomi Redmi note 9 also is great value too.

        • Monty1089 on 30/05/2021 - 23:16
          +1

          Just to update this post:

          I bought the Realme C3 from Officeworks for $89. It is the locked version from Optus.

          I rang the store in the morning and was told there was one left so they held it for me until the afternoon when we picked it up.

          An absolute steal at this price.

          The store was Officeworks Campbelltown NSW.

          Here is the receipt:

          https://imgur.com/a/IO1qHSF

          • Spastro on 21/06/2021 - 21:17

            @Monty1089: Also available online. Just bought one with $4 delivery.

            Not fussed that it's locked to Optus as we're not getting here prepaid. Just home wifi.

            Thanks for the tip in the at office works.

            • gazgolf1 on 19/09/2021 - 07:19

              @Spastro: Noob question, can these phones be used with resellers that use the Optus network like Moose mobile or does it have to be with Optus directly?

  • Spastro on 21/06/2021 - 20:42

    Hey all.

    Looking for a cheap phone for my little niece.
    No mobile network required. Just wifi for home.

    Main uses, mobile games, Spotify and YouTube.

    Is realme c3 the best option.

    Looking at $100 to $130

  • USER DC on 24/06/2021 - 03:54

    Suggested
    Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G

  • ddhar on 07/07/2021 - 12:04

    Looking to buy a budget phone to replace mum's cracked S7 Edge. Typical usage are Whatsapp, Calls and monitoring CCTV apps at her stores.

    She's quite pro-Samsung so naturally considering A21S, A31 or A32. Honestly lost between these phones and would appreciate some guiding hand from OzB community.

    • Geoff-bargain on 25/08/2021 - 15:13

      What did you end up getting?

      • ddhar on 25/08/2021 - 16:02

        Got her a Samsung A52 for $479. The additional $80 over the A32 is IMO worth the better CPU, better camera and IP-rating.

        Kinda miffed the price went down by another $30 a week after I bought it but oh well…

  • aidenh37 on 23/08/2021 - 15:27
    Suggested Nokia 5.4

    SD662, Android One doesn't mean updates are as good as Pixel but the UI is certainly better. Nice looking phone with plenty of colour choices. Nokia 5.4.

    Damn, I like the Moto G30 though. That's the better buy.

  • aidenh37 on 23/08/2021 - 15:28
    +1
    Suggested Google Pixel 3

    Available on the used market for under $300, including from reputable sellers like Alegre's Green Gadgets. Will get Android 12. Probably the fastest phone on this list, best camera too (still in use up to Pixel 5). Battery life isn't great though. Pixel 3.

  • aidenh37 on 23/08/2021 - 15:30
    +1

    Realme 6 isn't quite under $300, currently $329. Still, if you can shell out the extra $30 it's a big step up and worth it.

  • gcstudent on 06/09/2021 - 13:25
    Suggested Motorola Moto G9 Plus

    Currently $197 at Officeworks. I bought this phone when it was $320 last year. It would be the perfect phone for me if it wasn't so damn big! Some people seem to enjoy big screens though.

  • Requiem4Solace on 07/09/2021 - 18:08

    I've been really happy with my Motorola G30. The only issue is the silly google assistant button which is in the exact same location as the volume up button on phones of the same body size.

  • garuda on 14/09/2021 - 20:23

    Hi there. I have been looking at the Poco X3 Pro on Banggood and Amazon, and I just have a question about Banggood's reliability. Is Banggood a trustworthy place to be buying smartphones off of? Or is there some sort of catch that it has that I'm not aware of?

    Besides that, I might not consider going to places like Banggood and Amazon, as I have actually received a JB-HI-FI gift card, so I am just wondering if there are any outstanding phones that I should take a look at or any phones that I should avoid? If required, I can spend a little over 300 dollars.

    Thanks

    • Kremleen on 22/09/2021 - 21:36

      Banggood is a known seller of electronics from HK/China so I'm pretty sure their stuff is legit. Only problem most people thiink of is warranty and delivery time but now with a local warehouse, that could potentially be less troublesome.

      You can keep an eye out for JB specials as they sometimes have a cheeky sale on android phones. No xiaomi products but you can grab Oppo and Nokia phones from JB

  • Nillionaire on 14/10/2021 - 05:41
    Suggested Google Pixel 2 XL

    Mobileciti still has Google Pixel 2 XLs brand new, $239 for 64 GB, $259 for 128 GB.

  • wiffy on 14/10/2021 - 19:03

    https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/
    Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro
    Google Pixel 3
    Google Pixel 2XL

    Did a quick check of LineageOS support. Only those are in the running, unless I missed some.

    The rest can be eliminated if you value some semblance of privacy. Unless you like permissionless 24-hour location tracking data sent back to Google, even when you think everything has been turned off.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8ZG6HuLrU
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3RXs1e7FcJg

  • Stopback on 12/11/2021 - 09:25

    Suggested
    POCO M4 Pro 5G (6.6" 90Hz, 6GB/128GB, 50MP, NFC, 5000mAh)

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/662756

    Available. Released 2021, November 11

    (Phone is a mid range spec compared to poco pro)

    AU $280.45 for lower ram variant

    And around $300 for higher (wait for coupons)

  • s0144886 on 12/11/2021 - 17:56
    Suggested Vivo Y33s

    vivo y33s is the new budget phone under 300 with
    6.58"
    8gbram 128gb rom
    50mp all triple camera
    5000mah battery
    18w fast charge

    • Stopback on 12/11/2021 - 20:49

      no band 28

      • s0144886 on 12/11/2021 - 21:28
        +1

        Yes, b28 from vivo.com.au

        2G GSMB2/3/5/8
        3G WCDMAB1/2/4/5/8
        4G FDD-LTEB1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28/66
        4G TDD-LTEB38/40/41(194M)

  • andyman1908 on 24/11/2021 - 14:18
    +1

    So with the current sales, there seems like I'm interested in 3 phones on sale.

    Which should I go for?

    It's for my 11yo son who's starting a new school (he wanted an iPhone 12 but considering I spend less than $200 on my phones I managed down his expectations :) )

    Vivo Y52 5G 128GB Black $258- https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/665721
    Vivo Y33s 128GB 8GB RAM (Midday Dream) $239- https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/665690
    ealme 8 5G Mobile Phone (Dimensity 700, 4GB/64GB, 90hz 6.5" Screen) $245.70- https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/664453

    • Stopback on 25/11/2021 - 00:05

      Get the one that can game the best and best battery

      • andyman1908 on 25/11/2021 - 16:37

        Went the cheapest option, oppo a53s that is on sale at jbhifi for $187 :D

  • franco cozzo on 25/11/2021 - 06:16

    any suggestions on a sub $300 phone with the current black friday sales?

    would like min 4gb/64gb & expandable memory and would like something smaller than the 6.5" which seems to be standard size these days
    uses: no gaming required….would like good audio/photo. solid browsing and app support and updates would be my priorities
    thanks for any suggestions/recs

  • alex123711 on 19/12/2021 - 14:59

    Any suggestions on a phone under 6 inches?

  • yow on 23/12/2021 - 12:25
    Suggested Nokia C30

    Nokia C30
    BIG 6.84", 6000Ah, 237g and CHEAP $99

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