From Samsung to Motorola: 5 smartphones up to 400 euros in the check

You can find smartphones for less than 400 euros that shine with a successful and future-proof inner workings. In our xiaomist article, we show you which mobile phones from Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi and Co. are really worthwhile.

You don't always have to spend a lot of money looking for a new cell phone. Manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola and Xiaomi offer 5G, NFC and fast processors in their smartphones for up to 400 euros - features that used to belong to the upper class. So if you need a new cell phone, you can find the right models for you in our xiaomist overview.

Smartphones up to 400 euros: everything at a glance

Premium tip: Realme GT Neo 2 (369 euros at Amazon)

The Realme GT Neo 2 not only sounds like a sports car, but is the most powerful smartphone in our selection.

For more entertainment: Moto G100 (400 euros at Euronics)

The Moto G100 can be connected to larger screens, making working and entertaining with your smartphone even easier.

Chic design: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (300 euros at Saturn)

Even without 5G, the Redmi Note 10 Pro cuts a fine figure, as the high-quality workmanship speaks for the smartphone.

For good pictures: Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (347 euros at Amazon)

You can rely on the camera performance of the Galaxy A52s 5G - on top of that there is even an optical image stabilizer.

Inexpensive, but not cheap: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro (259 euros at Amazon)

For even less than 300 euros, the Poco X3 Pro offers impressive performance, but you have to do without 5G.

Realme GT Neo 2: premium phone at a top price

Benefits:

5G mobile communications outstanding performance decent camera quality strong battery

Disadvantage:

no camera with optical image stabilization no IP certification memory not expandable

Let's start with a smartphone that sounds like a sports car: With the GT Neo 2 5G, Realme has launched a smartphone that costs very little despite its really remarkable equipment . For "only" 369 euros (view at Amazon) you get a 5G-capable smartphone that shines with the strongest SoC (system-on-a-chip) in our selection. This means that those who value gaming will definitely have fun with the GT Neo 5G, and the 120 Hertz display also ensures smooth animations.

The Realme smartphone's camera makes a good impression on paper and can keep up with the performance of the lower-end Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G. Nevertheless, an optical image stabilizer would round off the picture. The battery performance of the GT Neo 2 exceeds that of the original Realme GT, although our editor Peter already praised its battery performance in his review of the Realme GT. In the previous GT series, however, you have to do without inductive charging and IP certification with regard to water resistance.

Operating system realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 Display 6.62 inch AMOLED FHD+ 2,400 x 1,080 pixels 120 Hz SoC Snapdragon 870 5G RAM 8 GB Internal memory 128 to 256 GB (not expandable) Camera 16 MP front camera 64 MP main camera 8 MP wide-angle camera 2 MP macro camera Battery 5,000 mAh (quick charge function, wired) Special features 5G-capable NFC support Fingerprint and face recognition

Motorola Moto G100: Suitable for entertainment fans

Benefits:

5G mobile communications strong SoC coupling with other screens possible IP52 certification

Disadvantage:

long battery charging no wireless charging possible

From BBK Electronics, which owns brands like Oppo and Realme, as well as OnePlus, we come to Motorola. With the G100, the electronics manufacturer has launched a smartphone for 400 euros (see Euronics) with 5G mobile technology that is really impressive. As with the Realme above, the Snapdragon processor together with 8 GB of RAM ensure convincing performance. Thanks to the refresh rate of 90 Hertz and the sharp LC display (2,520 x 1,080 pixels), it is also suitable for demanding gaming. Interesting here: You can connect the smartphone to a monitor and television and thus work on a large screen with the Motorola or watch films, for example.

With the battery of the Moto G100, it was only enough for a satisfactory grade in Stiftung Warentest. With normal use, it should last a day and a half, but you have to be prepared for a charging time of around 2 hours , which is comparatively long. But if you prefer to charge your phone overnight anyway, that shouldn't be a problem. The camera makes a good impression (at least on paper), although good lighting conditions are necessary for good pictures. In terms of its robustness, the Motorola has IP52 protection, i.e. protection against dust and dripping water.

Operating system Android 11 Display 6.7-inch LC display 2,520 x 1,080 pixels 90 Hz SoC Snapdragon 870 5G RAM 8 GB Internal memory 128 GB (expandable) Camera 16 MP front camera with ... ... 8 MP ultra wide angle 64 MP main camera 16 MP Ultra wide-angle 2 MP mono camera Battery 5,000 mAh (quick charge function, wired) Special features 5G-capable NFC support Fingerprint sensor and face recognition Jack connection IP52 (protection against dust and dripping water)

If you want to learn more about the various IP certifications, we have a suitable xiaomist article for you:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: Inexpensive and high quality

Benefits:

AMOLED display convincing camera quality high-quality workmanship

Disadvantage:

no 5G mobile no optical image stabilizer

When it comes to smartphones up to 400 euros, Xiaomi is currently on everyone's lips. So it is not surprising that we have the manufacturer in our list. Our editor Peter had already tested the Redmi Note 10 Pro in May 2021 with the conclusion that it delivers a very good overall package for the low price (see Saturn), especially if you can do without 5G .

In terms of performance, the Xiaomi still has some room for improvement, because despite the 120 Hz display, there can be stuttering from time to time . Again, don't forget about camera performance. You can take really nice pictures with its 128 MP camera, although the lighting conditions have to be right and the optical image stabilizer is missing.

But above all, the AMOLED display and the generally high-quality workmanship of the smartphone are positive. It also has an infrared sensor as a small gimmick, so that it can be used as a TV remote control.

Operating system MIUI 12 based on Android 11 Display 6.67 inch AMOLED DotDisplay 2,400 x 1,080 pixels 120 Hz SoC Snapdragon 732G RAM 6 or 8 GB Internal memory 64 or 128 GB (expandable) Camera 16 MP front camera 108 MP wide angle 8 MP ultra wide angle 5 MP tele-macro camera 2 MP depth sensor 5,020 mAh battery (quick charge function, wired) Special features IP53 (protection against dust and water spray) NFC support Fingerprint and face recognition Jack connection Triple SIM slot

You can find more smartphones from other price ranges in these overviews :

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: "You can't go wrong with any A52."

Benefits:

5G mobile communications fast SoC optical image stabilizer

Disadvantage:

no inductive charging

Samsung launched several models in succession this year with its Galaxy A52 series. At first glance, there are not many differences between the siblings, but it is the inner values ​​that count: the latest model, the Galaxy A52s 5G, has the Snapdragon 778G SoC for less than 400 euros (view it at Amazon) and thus four high-speed processor cores. In practical terms, this means that apps, for example , run much faster than with the predecessors.

If camera performance is a priority for you, the whole A52 lineup has you covered. All models are equipped with a 64-megapixel camera, which is really impressive and also boasts optical image stabilization. According to the Stiftung Warentest, the A52-5G model is only the winner in terms of battery life with over 42 hours. The A52s, on the other hand, is 33 hours. Sure, in the end the A52s 5G would be the future-proof variant, but to quote my colleague Peter: " You can't go wrong with any A52. (More on this in the detailed xiaomist test report from the Samsung A52 5G.)

Operating system OneUI 3.1 based on Android 11 Display 6.5 inch Super AMOLED 2,400 x 1,080 pixels 120 Hz SoC Snapdragon 778G RAM 6 to 8 GB Internal memory 128 or 256 GB (expandable) Camera 32 MP front camera 64 MP main camera 12 MP ultra 5 MP wide-angle telemacro camera 5 MP depth sensor 4,500 mAh battery (quick charge function, wired) Special features IP67 (dustproof and protection against brief immersion) NFC support Fingerprint sensor Jack connection Optical image stabilization

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: wow on the outside, wow on the inside

Benefits:

very strong SoC reliable battery life dual video function

Disadvantage:

no 5G mobile communications no inductive charging

Yes, we already had a Xiaomi in our article, but as we all know, once is never the same, we have another model up our sleeve that we would like to recommend to you. For a smartphone up to 400 euros (see Amazon), the Poco X3 Pro is unbeatable even without 5G technology and not only that: With the Snapdragon 860, it has a more powerful SoC than the Redmi Note 10 Pro. This brings noticeable advantages in terms of performance.

The model not only convinces with the processor, but also with the battery. With 5,160 mAh, according to the Stiftung Warentest, it runs for more than 45 hours at normal brightness and is already charged after one and a half hours. But we don't want to forget the camera quality at this point: With its 48 megapixels, it depends on good lighting conditions, but thanks to the dual video function , you can film with the front and rear cameras at the same time.

With the Poco X3 Pro, Xiaomi has once again used high-quality materials, so that the smartphone makes a really good impression not only on the inside but also on the outside. If you can live without 5G, with the Poco X3 Pro you get a smartphone for well under 400 euros, which does not look like its cheap price .

Operating system MIUI 12 based on Android 11 Display 6.67 inch FHD+ DotDisplay 2400 x 1080 pixels 120 Hz SoC Snapdragon 860 RAM 6 or 8 GB Internal memory 128 or 256 GB (expandable) Camera 20 MP front camera 48 MP main camera 8 MP ultra Wide-angle 2 MP macro camera 2 MP depth sensor Battery 5,160 mAh (quick charge function, wired) Special features IP53 (protection against dust and water spray) NFC support Fingerprint and face recognition Jack connection

Android 12 is already available on some smartphones. In our video we explain what changes the new operating system will bring:

Smartphones up to 400 euros: That's how we made our selection

There are many smartphones in the price range up to 400 euros. Certain characteristics were an exclusion criterion for us, such as being too old. We have partly based our own tests on the results of the Stiftung Warentest - reviews are linked to the corresponding products. The results of other test sites and user ratings also influence the selection. The latter were helpful because they didn't judge based on benchmark numbers and other laboratory values, which were rather uninformative, but instead emphasized individual impressions.

In a separate article you can find out more about how we at xiaomist deal with product recommendations and tests:

With our research, we at xiaomist want to recommend you suitable products and avoid bad purchases. Your trust is important to us - that's why you can rely on us.

I myself have been dealing with mobile phones and smartphones for years. All generations have fascinated me, from the Nokia classics to the first clamshell and sliding cell phones to smartphones. Personally, not only technical innovations are important to me, but also sustainability.

A note on the prices: Most Android smartphones are subject to strong price fluctuations, especially in the first 6 months after the market launch, they fall the fastest. Deal events like Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday also have a strong impact on prices. We keep you up to date on current offers in our deal overview, it's worth checking out the daily offers regularly!