The best cheap smartphones for relaxation, sports and social

Summer has arrived and with it the desire for weekends away at the seaside or in the mountains, to be in the open air and have fun with friends and family doing sports in contact with nature. And summer often also brings with it the desire for a new technological gadget, preferably one that is inexpensive, to make the most of those moments of relaxation and leisure. Smartphones under EUR 300 are rightfully among the most desired tech products and are, not surprisingly, one of the most crowded categories of the entire mobile device offer. So let's leave aside for once the top-of-the-range models, those with list prices of around a thousand euros, and try to understand how to make the right choice for a mid-range terminal, capable of satisfying the needs of a wide audience (young and not only) without renouncing a certain level of technical baggage in terms of screen, battery, photo module and memory. If one accepts the 'homologation' factor, dictated by the fact that these types of smartphones are very similar to each other and in many aspects are equivalent (starting with the Android operating system, net of the various customisations), one can still think about treating oneself to a new (or a second) 'digital companion' for the summer with good (in some cases excellent) functionality without compromising the holiday budget.

Wanting to define a grid of features to aim for in order to maximise value for money, the proposals put forward by the main vendors (from Samsung to Oppo, via Xiaomi, Honor, Motorola, OnePlus, realme, vivo and others, excluding Apple of course) revolve around these components: large Amoled technology displays, support for 5G networks, cameras with 50 megapixel sensors or even higher, 'premium' options such as IP68/IP69 certification for water and dust resistance, and the Nfc chip for contactless payments. Going into the details of these credentials, it is good to check, for example, the refresh rate of the screen: if it reaches 120 Hz, it is synonymous with quality colour rendition and visual fluidity that is also ideal for entertainment and light gaming. Speaking of video and images, several mid-range smartphones boast dual or triple cameras and excellent optics, often supported by artificial intelligence to improve shots and filming in all light conditions and contexts. Working autonomy, finally, is another item where manufacturers have raced to innovate. It is not uncommon, in fact, to find devices equipped with 5100 mAh batteries, and even recharging systems, once exclusive to top-of-the-range products, have become a standard attribute even in mid-range models, with capacities of up to 67W on some models. Other merits of these mobile phones (not all of them, mind you) are therefore to be found in the aesthetics and form factor: without of course approaching the quality of detail and finish of premium mobile phones, several models present themselves with reduced bezels and carefully crafted designs, helping to dispel the myth of the budget smartphone as a 'cheap' object in look & feel. Last but not least, the user experience, which is increasingly closer to that of flagship devices, thanks also to increasingly optimised (Android-based) interfaces and software updates guaranteed (for several brands) for at least two or three years.

The other side of the coin, for those who want a smartphone without spending a lot of money, is in the compromises one has to make in terms of performance. Returning to the photographic compartment, while the main cameras achieve good levels, the secondary sensors (ultra-wide-angle, macro or depth) often offer decidedly inferior capabilities, which defeat their real usefulness. Video quality is also generally limited to 1080p and only a few models support advanced electronic stabilisation. Other limitations to consider are wireless charging (often absent) and the internal memory, with 128 Gbyte denominations not always expandable. Probably the most critical point of a sub €300 mobile phone is however hidden and concerns the build quality: if the design is well thought out and pleasant, it is physiological that the materials used (glossy plastics abound) and the quality of the finish are not comparable to high-end models, with obvious repercussions on the level of solidity or the feel. But for a summer of beach, pool, hiking trails and cycling, one can be reasonably content.