Best mobiles up to €200

What should you look out for in a mobile phone costing up to 200 euros?

In 2026, for 200 euros you can buy a fully-fledged Android smartphone: an AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 90 or 120Hz, 5G, NFC for contactless payments and a battery capacity of 5000 mAh or more. The current models and prices are listed in the overview above. When choosing, pay attention to three things: the screen type, whether 5G and NFC are actually included, and how long the manufacturer promises to provide updates.

Can’t decide between two models? Compare them side by side in our phone comparison tool. If you’re not yet sure what sort of phone you’re looking for, our selection guide will help you get started in three steps.

What you get here in addition to the under-100-euro category

The difference compared to the up to 100-euro category isn’t in the figures on the packaging, but in everyday use. An AMOLED screen instead of an LCD offers deeper blacks and is easier to read in sunlight. 5G and NFC are the norm rather than the exception here, charging is faster (up to 45 watts on some models) and you’re more likely to get 128GB of storage instead of 64GB. The device also remains responsive for longer when using more demanding apps.

The camera: one lens that makes all the difference

Almost every phone in this price range has a main camera of 50MP or more, alongside a wide-angle, macro or depth sensor. These extra sensors produce noticeably poorer photos than the main camera; they’re mainly there to add more lenses to the spec list. So don’t focus on the number of lenses or megapixels, but on how the main camera performs in low light. A proper zoom lens only becomes available from around 350 euros.

Check for 5G, NFC and eSIM

Manufacturers sometimes release cheaper versions of popular models without 5G, and NFC is still missing from some entry-level models. Check these points before you order:

• 5G: useful if you stream a lot whilst on the move, although 4G will remain perfectly usable in the Netherlands for years to come.
• NFC: required for contactless payments with your phone; this won’t work without NFC.
• eSIM: useful for a second number or a data bundle whilst travelling, but not a given in this price range.
• Dual SIM: two numbers in one device, for example for work and personal use.

Six years of updates are achievable here

From 20 June 2025, new smartphones in the EU must receive operating system and security updates for at least five years (EU regulation). Some manufacturers go even further: even the cheapest models in the Samsung Galaxy A series receive six years’ support. This is reflected in the price: a handset costing 180 euros that lasts six years works out cheaper per year than a 130-euro handset that you replace after three years. You can see how long a specific model will receive updates on that handset’s specifications page.

Just below or just above this price range

If you’re mainly unsure about your budget, it helps to compare the different price ranges side by side:

• Up to 100 euros: calls, messaging and social media; often an LCD screen and a slower charger.
• Up to 250 euros: more storage and RAM, and the upper limit for a device on an instalment plan without a BKR credit check.
• Up to 350 euros: a dedicated zoom lens, a faster processor and charging times of around half an hour.

If you’re specifically looking for the cheapest handset that still works well, do have a look at budget phones.