Best Budget Phones Under £150 in the UK — Top SIM-Free Picks (2026)

The Motorola Moto G34 5G is the standout pick for anyone who wants a no-fuss, long-lasting 5G phone under £130. The 5,000mAh battery reliably reaches two days on a single charge with moderate use — a meaningful advantage over competitors that barely scrape through one day. 5G connectivity works on EE and Vodafone's sub-6GHz networks in the UK, and the SIM-free version accepts any UK nano-SIM without unlocking. Motorola runs a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware and commits to two years of security patches. The 120Hz LCD display is smooth for scrolling and video. At £129, it's the most cost-effective 5G phone in this guide.

• Pros: Two-day battery, 120Hz display, clean Android, 5G on EE and Vodafone, affordable
• Cons: Limited to EE/Vodafone 5G bands (check Three and O2 compatibility), average camera

Samsung's four-year security update commitment is extraordinary at this price — most budget phones offer one or two years before they stop receiving patches. The Galaxy A15 5G will remain secure and up to date well into the 2020s without requiring a replacement. The Super AMOLED display is noticeably better than the LCD panels in competing phones: deeper blacks, more vivid colours, and better outdoor visibility. 5G band support covers EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three — the most comprehensive compatibility in this guide. Samsung's wide UK service network means repairs are straightforward. For reliability and longevity, the A15 5G is the safest long-term investment under £150.

• Pros: 4-year security updates, Super AMOLED, 5G on all UK networks, Samsung service network
• Cons: One UI adds some bloatware, slower processor than Poco M6 Pro

The Nokia G42 5G takes a different approach to value: instead of packing in the most features, it focuses on longevity through repairability. HMD Global partnered with iFixit to certify the G42 5G — the back opens without specialist tools, and replacement screens, batteries, and charging ports are available to order. When a battery starts degrading after two years, you replace it for £15 rather than buying a new phone. Nokia guarantees three years of OS updates and three years of security patches. 5G works on EE and Three's networks. For eco-conscious buyers or anyone who's watched a budget phone become unusable after a cracked screen, the G42 5G is the most rational long-term choice.

• Pros: iFixit certified, user-replaceable battery, 3-year updates, lowest price in guide
• Cons: 5G limited to EE and Three, camera is average, no 90Hz+ display

The Poco M6 Pro is the pick for buyers who prioritise raw performance over anything else. The MediaTek Helio G99 processor is significantly faster than the chips in competing budget phones — PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and demanding apps all run smoothly at medium settings. The 67W fast charging is the most impressive feature: the 5,000mAh battery goes from flat to full in under 45 minutes, a significant quality-of-life advantage over phones that take two hours to charge. The 120Hz AMOLED display is vivid and smooth. Note that this is primarily a 4G phone with LTE — 5G connectivity is limited, so verify network compatibility before purchasing if 5G coverage is a priority.

• Pros: Fastest processor in this list, 67W rapid charging, AMOLED display, 5,000mAh battery
• Cons: 5G support varies by variant — check UK band compatibility, MIUI/HyperOS adds bloatware