From Xiaomi to Motorola: top smartphones up to 400 euros

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 GIGA overview.

Update notice: We last checked the prices and availability of the products mentioned here on 6/2/2022 at 6:05 p.m.

You need a new cell phone that shouldn’t cost too much? And features like 5G, NFC, a fast processor and so on shouldn’t be missing either? Then you no longer have to search in the upper class. Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi and Motorola have launched smartphones up to 400 euros that are definitely worth a look. We took a closer look at some cell phones and present you with our 4 recommendations.

Motorola Moto G200 5G: For more entertainment

Moto G200 5G (Star Blue)

The Moto G200 is available for less than 400 euros with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage.

The price may be higher now. Price from 04/06/2022 03:25

Advantages:

• Responsive display
• IP52 certification
• Strong SoC

Disadvantages:

• Mediocre camera
• No memory expansion

The Motorola Moto G200 cuts a really good figure for a price of 400 euros (see Otto). Although it an LC display which means that it has weaknesses in terms of black levels and viewing angle stability compared to AMOLED panels, among other things. It scores particularly well with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. The smartphone responded quickly in the GIGA test for the Moto G200, which is not only evident in everyday use is very pleasant, but also has its advantages when gaming.

In terms of robustness, the Moto G200 only received a low IP52 rating, which at least protects it from dust and dripping water. As with the other models in our overview, you have to do without a jack connection and wireless charging, and there is also no integrated micro SD slot. And also the camera is in good light conditions reliant.

Are you still unsure when buying a smartphone? Then our GIGA guide will help you further:

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G: Learned from the predecessor

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G (Black)

The Samsung Galaxy A33 is available with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage for well under 400 euros.

The price may be higher now. Price from 06/04/2022 00:02

Advantages:

• 5G cellular
• Fast SoC
• IP certification

Disadvantages:

At the beginning of 2021, Samsung launched a cheap mid-range smartphone with the Galaxy A32 5G, but it had some weaknesses, as we also described in the GIGA test. A year later, Samsung eradicated this with the successor Galaxy A33 (view at Amazon): The 5G smartphone has finally an AMOLED display, not just LC technology anymore. As a result, colors come into their own better, as do black levels. And another bonus: With the camera, we benefit from an optical image stabilizer. The recordings are less blurred when there is movement.

Instead of the previous Mediatek processor, the Samsung Galaxy A33 is a system on a chip the Exynos 1280, which was also installed in the higher-priced Galaxy A53. So here we get a whole lot more power. In addition, Samsung remains true to the IP certification of the Galaxy A33: The smartphone is protected against dust and prolonged immersion.

Realme GT Neo 2: Strong performance and strong battery

Realme GT Neo 2 (Black)

The Realme GT Neo 2 has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. With the powerful Snapdragon processor, it’s fun to use the phone.

The price may be higher now. Price from 04.06.2022 00:11

Advantages:

• 5G cellular
• Outstanding performance
• Decent camera quality
• Strong battery

Disadvantages:

• No IP certification
• Memory not expandable

Our next cell phone sounds like a sports car: with the GT Neo 2 5G, Realme has launched a smartphone that, despite its really remarkable facilities costs very little. You get a 5G-capable smartphone for up to 400 euros (see Amazon), which shines with a strong system-on-a-chip (SoC) – even if there is still some room for improvement compared to the Motorola above.

The camera of the Realme smartphone makes a good impression on paper. 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, with our editor Peter already praising the 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.

Android 12 is already available for many smartphones. You can find out what innovations the update brings with it in our GIGA video:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: Top phone at a top price

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (Atlantic Blue)

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is available from Saturn for less than 400 euros with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage.

The price may be higher now. Price from 06/04/2022 00:18

Advantages:

• AMOLED display
• 5G technology
• IP53 certification

Disadvantages:

• No inductive charging
• 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 delivered a very good overall package. The impression continues with the successor, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (see Saturn).

In contrast to its predecessor, the Redmi Note 11 Pro impresses with a 5G modem and a more up-to-date processor. Although the working memory and display are based on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the new Xiaomi cell phone convinces with a smooth performance, which should also enable one or the other game with adjusted settings. You can also expect the same performance from the camera, but Xiaomi does not use the telephoto macro lens in the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

Otherwise you can expect a strong battery, the one sure by a day or two brings. The IP53 certification, i.e. (low) protection against water and dust, rounds off the model again.

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

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 5/2022)

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

With our research, we at GIGA 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 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!