Top Affordable Smartphone of the Year: Tech Advisor’s 2025-26 Winner

Back in the day, opting for a budget smartphone meant making a lot of compromises. The features and quality of budget phones were far from matching those of flagship or mid-range devices, often requiring users to spend more for a reliable device.

However, times have changed. In 2025, the best budget smartphones offer a solid user experience in all essential aspects while remaining affordable. At Tech Advisor, a budget smartphone is defined as a handset that costs less than £300/$300 when purchased outright, providing numerous options to choose from.

Best New Budget Phone of the Year – Winner: CMF Phone 2 Pro

The CMF Phone 1 was the top budget phone of 2024, and its successor, the Phone 2 Pro, brings meaningful upgrades to maintain that position. With significant camera enhancements, including a 2x telephoto lens and ultrawide sensor, this phone offers impressive photography capabilities at an affordable price.

The 6.5-inch display of the Phone 2 Pro is a standout feature, complemented by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset for reliable performance. The phone also boasts solid battery life and runs on Nothing’s customized version of Android, providing a slick and customizable experience with six years of security patches.

One of the key highlights of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is its design, allowing users to easily change the back cover to experiment with different colors and textures. The inclusion of a dedicated connector for accessories adds to the phone’s unique appeal.

Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro combines style with substance, making it a highly recommended choice for budget-conscious consumers.

For a detailed review of the CMF Phone 2 Pro, click here.

Best New Budget Phone of the Year – First Runner-Up: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, although similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy A16 5G, remains one of the top budget phones despite a lack of innovation. It features premium elements like a 6.7-inch OLED display and triple rear cameras, with the 50Mp main camera standing out for its stabilization.

With One UI 8 and six years of OS and security updates, the Galaxy A17 5G offers a smooth user experience. The phone excels in everyday performance, battery life, and durability, making it a compelling choice in its price range.

For a comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, click here.

Best New Budget Phone of the Year – Second Runner-Up: OnePlus Nord CE 5

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Although priced at £299 at launch with no availability in the US, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 sits on the border of budget phones. Despite this, its premium build, impressive display, strong performance, and good battery life make it a worthy contender. The phone retains the excellent OxygenOS software experience and benefits from six years of security updates.

If you’re open to spending a bit more and none of the above options suit your preferences, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a solid choice.

For a detailed review of the OnePlus Nord CE 5, click here.