The Best Phones Under ÂŁ300: Affordable Phones with Top Features
Shopping for the best phones under £300 can feel like a minefield, and if you’ve been burned by slow performance or a battery that doesn’t last, you’ll want to avoid that happening again.
The good news: refurbished phones change the game. You can often get a flagship device (or a seriously capable mid-ranger) for under £300 — with the premium features that actually make a difference day-to-day.
Below, we’ve picked five strong options and explained what each one is best for, who it suits, and what to watch for. As refurbished specialists, The Big Phone Store helps customers find the right phone without the guesswork.
Quick list: best phones under ÂŁ300 (refurbished picks)
iPhone 12 Pro Max – best for big-screen Apple fans and battery life
iPhone 13 Pro – best all-round iPhone under £300 (performance + camera + display)
Google Pixel 8 Pro – best for Google photos, smart features, and Android clean feel
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – best for zoom, productivity, and a premium experience
Samsung Galaxy A34 – best value for battery, everyday use, and a lower price
If you want a large display for Netflix, browsing, or work messages, the iPhone 12 Pro Max still feels high-end. It’s also a great choice if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone and want something that feels like a “proper” step up.
Standout features
- Large, sharp OLED display
- Strong battery life compared to smaller iPhones
- Premium build and a camera system that’s still very capable
Who it’s for
- Anyone who wants a big iPhone without paying big-iPhone money
- People who read, watch, and scroll a lot on their phone
Quick buyer tip
If you’ve got smaller hands or prefer compact phones, this can feel huge in daily use.
2. iPhone 13 Pro – The best “do-it-all” iPhone for the money
For many shoppers, the iPhone 13 Pro hits the sweet spot: smooth performance, great cameras, and a display that feels noticeably more responsive than older iPhones.
Standout features
- Smooth high refresh-rate display (feels faster when scrolling)
- Excellent photo and video quality
- Strong performance for years of everyday use
Who it’s for
- People who want the best all-round iPhone under ÂŁ300 (when refurbished deals line up)
- Social media users, content watchers, and anyone who wants a “no regrets” iPhone
Quick buyer tip
If you take a lot of videos, this is one of the strongest “value” iPhones for stabilisation and overall quality.
3. Google Pixel 8 Pro – Smart camera features and clean Android
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is for people who want Android at its simplest — and photography that looks great without fiddling. Pixel phones are known for strong processing, meaning shots often look “finished” straight away.
Standout features
- Excellent computational photography (great portraits, night shots, and detail)
- Clean Android experience (minimal bloat)
- A large, sharp display for maps, photos, and media
Who it’s for
- People who want a camera-first Android
- Anyone who likes Google’s apps and a clean interface
Quick buyer tip
Pixels are brilliant for point-and-shoot results. If you prefer natural-looking photos, Pixel processing usually suits you.
If you want the “flagship experience” under £300, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the one to check first. You get a huge screen, serious camera hardware, and the S Pen — which is great for quick notes, signing PDFs, or editing screenshots.
Standout features
- Powerful zoom for concerts, holidays, and kids’ sports days
- Big, bright display (great outdoors)
- S Pen built in for notes and productivity
Who it’s for
- People who want a premium Samsung without flagship pricing
- Anyone who values zoom photos and multitasking
Quick buyer tip
Because it’s a powerful phone, it’s worth buying refurbished from a retailer that tests properly (especially battery health and cameras).
5. Samsung Galaxy A34 – The sensible choice (battery + everyday reliability)
Not everyone needs a former flagship. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is a smart pick if you want a phone that feels modern, lasts all day, and costs less — without being slow and frustrating.
Standout features
- Strong battery life for day-to-day use
- Big screen that’s great for messaging and video
- Great value if you want a reliable phone, not a status symbol
Who it’s for
- Students, first-time smartphone buyers, or anyone upgrading on a budget
- People who want a simple, dependable Android
Quick buyer tip
This is a great “no-stress” phone if your main apps are WhatsApp, email, YouTube, banking, and maps.
| Model | Best for | Why it wins | Choose it if you… |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Big iPhone + battery | Large OLED + premium feel | want a big screen on iOS |
| iPhone 13 Pro | All-round iPhone | Smooth display + great camera | want the safest iPhone pick |
| Pixel 8 Pro | Photos + clean Android | Smart camera processing | want point-and-shoot brilliance |
| Galaxy S22 Ultra | Zoom + productivity | S Pen + flagship camera setup | want “everything” in one phone |
| Galaxy A34 | Value + battery | Reliable, modern, affordable | want simple everyday performance |
Which One??
If you want the simplest recommendation, start with this:
Best iPhone all-rounder: iPhone 13 Pro
Best big-screen iPhone: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Best Android camera experience: Google Pixel 8 Pro
Most “flagship” features: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Best budget-friendly reliable pick: Samsung Galaxy A34
If you’re still unsure, The Big Phone Store team can help you match the right model to your budget and usage.
Shop all the best phones under ÂŁ300 at The Big Phone Store and get your new phone today!
Want it Even Cheaper?
If you want to make it even cheaper, don’t forget you can trade in your old phone. It doesn’t have to be perfect either — we’ll take working or non-working devices, so even a cracked-screen handset can still help bring the price down.
You can get a guaranteed quote in minutes, then put that value straight towards money off your next device. It’s a simple way to save more, clear out your drawer, and upgrade for less with The Big Phone Store.
Quick FAQs
Are refurbished phones under ÂŁ300 actually worth it?
Yes — because you’re often buying a higher-quality phone from a year or two back, instead of a brand-new budget model with weaker specs.
Which is best for photos under ÂŁ300?
If you want easy, consistent results: Pixel 8 Pro. If you want zoom and flexibility: S22 Ultra. For iPhone video and all-round consistency: iPhone 13 Pro
