Smartphones up to 400 euros: 5 cell phones from Samsung, Xiaomi & Co. in the check

When looking for a new mobile phone, you don't have to do without good equipment. Well-known manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Motorola offer future-proof smartphones up to 400 euros. You can find out which models are really worthwhile in our xiaomist overview.

Your current cell phone is slowly giving up the ghost, but the successor shouldn't cost too much? In fact, you don't have to look in the upper class for a smartphone with features like 5G, NFC and a fast processor . There are various smartphones up to 400 euros from well-known brands such as Samsung, Motorola and Xiaomi that have a strong inner workings. In our xiaomist selection we present 5 models.

Smartphones up to 400 euros: everything at a glance

Realme GT Neo 2: Our premium tip (310 euros at Amazon)

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

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: Our price tip (250 euros at Saturn)

For less than 300 euros, the Redmi Note 10 Pro cuts a fine figure even without 5G thanks to the high-quality workmanship.

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

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

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: For good pictures (305 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.

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: cheap but not cheap (340 euros at Amazon)

For less than 400 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

Advantages:

5G mobile communicationsOutstanding performanceDecent camera qualityStrong battery

Disadvantage:

No camera with optical image stabilizationNo IP certificationNo expandable memory

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 less than 400 euros (see 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 11Display6.62 inch AMOLED FHD+2,400 x 1,080 pixels120 HzSoCSnapdragon 870 5GRAM8 GBInternal memory128 to 256 GB (not expandable)Camera16 MP front camera64 MP main camera8 MP wide-angle camera2 MP macro cameraBattery5,000 mAh (quick charge, wired)Special features5G- capableNFC supportFingerprint and face recognition

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: Inexpensive and high quality

Advantages:

AMOLED displayConvincing camera qualityHigh-quality workmanship

Disadvantage:

No 5G cellular 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 systemMIUI 12 based on Android 11Display6.67-inch AMOLED DotDisplay2,400 x 1,080 pixels120 HzSoCSnapdragon 732GRAM6 or 8 GBInternal memory64 or 128 GB (expandable)Camera16 MP front camera108 MP wide-angle8 MP ultra wide-angle5 MP telemacro camera2 MP depth sensorBattery5020 mAh (quick charge, wired)Special featuresIP53 (protection against dust and water spray)NFC supportFingerprint and face recognitionjack connectionTriple SIM slot

Here we show you which smartphones are currently popular with you:

Motorola Moto G100: Suitable for entertainment fans

Advantages:

5G CellularPowerful SoCPairing with other screens possibleIP52 certification

Disadvantage:

Long battery chargingNo 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 systemAndroid 11Display6.7 inch LC display2,520 x 1,080 pixels90 HzSoCSnapdragon 870 5GRAM8 GBInternal memory128 GB (expandable)Camera16 MP front camera with......8 MP ultra wide angle64 MP main camera16 MP ultra wide angle2 MP mono cameraBattery5,000 mAh (quick charge function, wired)Special features5G -capableNFC supportFingerprint sensor and face recognitionjack connectionIP52 (protection against dust and dripping water)

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

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

Advantages:

5G mobile communicationsFast SoCO 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 systemOneUI 3.1 based on Android 11Display6.5 inch Super AMOLED2,400 x 1,080 pixels120 HzSoCSnapdragon 778GRAM6 to 8 GBInternal memory128 or 256 GB (expandable)Camera32 MP front camera64 MP main camera12 MP ultra wide angle5 MP telemacro camera5 MP depth sensorBattery4500 mAh (quick charge function , wired)Special featuresIP67 (dustproof and protection against brief immersion)NFC supportfingerprint sensorjack connectionoptical image stabilization

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

Advantages:

Very strong SoCReliable battery lifeDual video function

Disadvantage:

No 5G mobile communicationsNo 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 under 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, the Poco X3 Pro is a smartphone under 400 euros that doesn't look cheap .

Operating systemMIUI 12 based on Android 11Display6.67 inch FHD+ DotDisplay2400 x 1080 pixels120 HzSoCSnapdragon 860RAM6 or 8 GBInternal memory128 or 256 GB (expandable)Camera20 MP front camera48 MP main camera8 MP ultra wide angle2 MP macro camera2 MP depth sensorBattery5,160 mAh (quick charge, wired )Special featuresIP53 (protection against dust and water spray)NFC supportFingerprint and face recognitionjack 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 ourselves on our own tests, on the other hand on the results of the Stiftung Warentest - reviews are linked below. 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 ​​that didn't say much, but rather emphasized individual impressions.

Sources used: Stiftung Warentest (Issue 10/2021)

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 slide 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!