What are the best smartphones under 800 euros in 2024?
- Steve Johan
- Mar 7, 2024
- 10 min read

The smartphone market offers a dizzying array of options, making choosing the right one a daunting task. This guide explores the best smartphones under 800 euros in 2024, catering to various needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize raw performance, stunning cameras, exceptional battery life, or a combination of factors, this curated list has something for you.
It's a fact, that the prices of smartphones continue to soar, particularly with the appearance of a range of ultra-high-end devices. These phones have all the best, with the latest technology, materials, and designs. But to afford them, you have to put your hand in your wallet: they are firmly established above 1,000, or even 1,200 euros. It is not uncommon to find them among the best smartphones on the market.
Fortunately, manufacturers still offer ambitious and slightly less expensive models, the “flagship killers ”. You can find very high-quality smartphones between 500 and 800 euros, capable of lasting you for many years.
Often as pretty as their big brothers, or even as powerful, these smartphones make a few small sacrifices on certain features, to lower the bill. If you're looking for a top-notch smartphone, this is where you'll find the most attractive value for money.
Here is our selection of the best smartphones at a price between 500 and 800 euros.
For a more specific choice, we refer you to our comparison of high-end smartphones. Want an iPhone, but don't want to pay full price? Read our comparison of refurbished iPhones.
Premium by Google: Google Pixel 8

After the successes of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Google is repeating the experience in 2023 with the Pixel 8, worthy heirs of their predecessors. The new Pixel 8 is certainly experiencing a price increase but remains right under the 800 euros mark. If you want the latest model from Google, this is a good option, especially if you are looking for the best photo smartphone in this selection.
This year, Google decided to soften the edges, and that's a good thing. The design of the Pixel 8 uses softer angles, which makes it look “cuter”. The 6.2-inch Oled screen is satisfactory, with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a good maximum brightness of 1179 cd/m². The colorimetry is close to perfect.
In terms of photography, the Pixel 8 is still the best in its category. Its 50 Mpx wide-angle sensor and its 12 Mpx ultra-wide angle provide beautiful shots in any situation. Portrait mode still looks great, and the video is very satisfying with good stabilization. Night mode still lives up to its reputation. We will especially welcome the retouching possibilities provided by AI, in particular with the magic eraser as well as the “Best Take” function which allows you to change faces in group photos.
The new Pixel is equipped with the Tensor G3 chip, which performs well in most uses but will suffer a little when it comes to gaming performance. Nothing to say about the software either, with Android 14.
And autonomy? This is the only real downside of the device. The Pixel 8 provides a day, a day and a half of autonomy: we could have hoped for better, but it remains classic. This correct score is slightly tarnished by the “fast” charging which drags (1h30 for a total charge…), which is a shame in 2024.
To summarize, the Pixel 8 manages to excel in all areas. In addition, it now has a very big advantage: 7 years of updates promised by Google. It easily establishes itself as one of the best phones in this price range.
The accessible high-end: OnePlus 12R

Remember there was a time when each premium OnePlus smartphone release was accompanied by a variation bearing a letter. The OnePlus 12R follows the philosophy of offering a high-end smartphone made up of a few concessions to reduce the bill.
As always with OnePlus, the emphasis has been placed on internal power. This is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Qualcomm's flagship processor with controlled power. This is accompanied by 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and the phone is perfectly capable of running high-performance mobile games without getting too hot. The software part provided by OxgenOS offers very complete customization. The only regret is that the OnePlus 12R only benefits from 3 versions of Android.
Great services go hand in hand with good energy management. The OnePlus 12R is capable of offering up to two full days of battery life without the slightest problem. Above all, the model benefits from 100W fast charging allowing the smartphone to be at 100% in 30 minutes on a mains socket.
In more general use, the OnePlus 12R presents a beautiful 6.78-inch AMOLED screen. It has a good-quality display coupled with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The colorimetry is excellent according to our measurements and we regret that the brightness is not of the same ilk. However, for a price listed at 699 euros, this is a phone that we recommend with our eyes closed.
To learn more, our review of the OnePlus 12R is available to read.
The most original: Nothing Phone (2)

After a successful market entry, the young Nothing brand had the difficult task of confirming its success. It is in this sense that the Phone (2) was designed even if to do this, the smartphone retains its atypical design. The finishes are excellent and the Glyph makes its return at the rear. Too bad it's not waterproof, however, the Nothing Phone (2) remains one of the most original smartphones under 800 euros.
In terms of internal power, the mobile has a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. Certainly, this was released last year, but it remains one of the benchmarks in terms of performance deployed. The speed of tasks performed is improved and above all, during your gaming sessions, the phone no longer heats up. Autonomy is ensured by a 4700 mAh battery allowing you to last a day of use.
The software part is also one of the big strengths of this phone. Nothing OS 2.0 first offers a real graphic identity. Above all, it is possible to use the smartphone without having to access the application drawer. To do this, the software draws on the strengths of Android and iOS. The icing on the cake is that you are entitled to three versions of Android for your smartphone.
The Nothing Phone (2) also offers a great photographic experience even if some details are regrettable. The absence of a telephoto lens is thus felt. In the screen part, the Oled panel is satisfactory even if the brightness remains a little low. Above all, the average user will notice an increase in price to 679 for its basic version, which is justified given the context and the improvements. For a smartphone for less than 800 euros, you can go there with complete confidence.
A cheaper Galaxy S: Samsung Galaxy S23

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is small, cute, efficient and high-end. It is a compact smartphone that is very pleasant for everyday use and long-lasting.
Its 6.1-inch AMOLED screen is a big asset: with its adaptive 120 Hz refresh and a peak brightness of 1482 cd/m2, it is a real eye-catcher. Samsung remains one of the best in touch screens, both for smartphones and TVs.
In terms of performance and fluidity, no worries since this model integrates the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, therefore the best of the year 2023. It is here accompanied by 8 GB of RAM. In terms of autonomy, again thanks to this chip gifted with energy performance, the smartphone is capable of enduring a day and a half of use.
With its One UI OS, the smartphone is packed with customizations, and the fluidity of the latter has been greatly improved. Finally, on the photo part, if the latter is certainly not as impressive as that of the S23 Ultra, it remains of a high level. The x3 telephoto lens is particularly pleasant to use.
When it was released in February 2023, the S23 was sold for 959 euros. A year later, it is regularly on sale and you will therefore find it most of the time at 699 euros, which is why it ended up being included in this selection.
An FE model?
As usual, Samsung is also offering an iteration of its main range with a “Fan Edition” with the Galaxy S23 FE. The smartphone is still of good quality thanks to a beautiful AMOLED screen, its superb design, and above all a neat photo section. We especially regret the presence of a slightly dated Exynos 2200 chip which prevents us from fully recommending the phone. Above all, this constitutes a great alternative for less than 800 euros.
The compact and premium choice: Asus Zenfone 10

In the mobile phone market, Asus is an exception with rather marginal devices. If the ROG Phone range is distinguished by gaming-oriented phones, the Zenfone 10 is more “classic”. In the design part, you will notice more contained dimensions than usual allowing a better grip.
Within the technical sheet, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is in place. The latter is accompanied by at least 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Daily use of the smartphone shows that it is difficult to fault the Qualcomm chip. In the gaming part, it is possible to run games like Genshin Impact without the Zenfone 10 heating up.
The photo part of the Asus smartphone consists of a dual sensor of 50 and 13 megapixels. While these are improvements compared to last year, the Zenfone 10 still struggles against the best smartphones on the market. The main sensor offers good performance. The lack of a telephoto lens makes you feel an overall lack of versatility.
The compact format requires you to have a 5.9-inch screen. The Amoled panel highlights good performance such as refreshing up to 144 Hz (for games). In our measurements, we noticed a brightness peak at 730 cd/m2. Enough to offer you suitable performance. Autonomy is ensured by a 4300 mAh battery, capable of lasting a day of use, no more.
If you want a good compact smartphone without too many differences in the technical sheet, the Zenfone 9 is still recommendable. The phone is still available from several merchants for 599 euros.
Power and a big screen: Xiaomi 13T

With this Xiaomi 13T, the Chinese manufacturer places itself at the top of the mid-range. To achieve this clever combination, the device takes almost exactly the design of the 13T Pro. In its recipe, the brand remains quite classic even if we regret a propensity to see too many fingerprints. Note that the reference is IP68-certified and protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.
Above all, this smartphone suffers from no real faults. The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel offers Full HD definition and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 144 Hz. We also measured a peak brightness of 1325 cd/m2 and an average Delta E of 4.05. The software part with MIUI is a little disappointing, even if the smartphone has four years of updates.
The Xiaomi 13T is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8200-Ultra processor accompanied by 8 GB of RAM. For daily use, the model can meet all your needs. If you are a consumer of mobile games, be careful not to push the titles in question to the maximum. In terms of autonomy, the phone can last a day and a half of use for a quick recharge in 43 minutes.
To conclude on the photo part of the phone, the general assembly is insufficient in the face of fierce competition in this price bracket. The latter is also priced at 649 euros and has enough satisfaction points to be a good investment.
An almost affordable iPhone: Apple iPhone 13

The price of iPhones tends to skyrocket quickly. If you want a recent iPhone for less than 800 euros, you will have to look at the iPhone 13, still sold new by Apple. We even took stock to see if this model is worth it in 2024. With its flat edges and its wide choice of colors, it remains very modern, and as always with Apple, the design and handling are impeccable.
The latter maintains a relatively compact format with a 6.1-inch Oled panel. This offers a nice peak in brightness at 1200 cd/m2. We will only regret the absence of refreshment at 120 Hz. On the power side, the A15 Bionic chip runs everything perfectly, and this iPhone also benefits from good battery life. You can last up to two days if you are a little careful.
On the photo side, the iPhone 13 is equipped with two main sensors, a wide-angle and an ultra-wide angle, each of 12 MPx. No telephoto lens here; you will have to choose a more expensive Pro or Pro Max model for this. The photos taken will all be satisfactory and progress has been made on night photography. As always on iPhones, the video is of excellent quality and it can film in Dolby Vision up to 4K/60 fps.
When it was released it was priced at 909 euros, it is now sold at 699 euros. A good option for iOS aficionados who want a new model that will still have many years of updates ahead of it.
The marginal proposition: Fairphone 5

In the telephony market, the Fairphone brand stands out as a separate entity, notably through a philosophy that sets itself apart from other manufacturers. The promise for the customer is to acquire a more ethical and eco-responsible smartphone wherever possible. This Fairphone 5 is a bit dated in terms of design. It is IP55 certified to resist dust and water to last over time while being easy to repair.
In terms of performance, a Qualcomm QCM6490 is used. With 8 GB of RAM, the smartphone is certainly not the most optimal for playing games. The Fairphone 5 will be in difficulty as updates continue, even for slightly more traditional applications. The brand also promises 5 versions of Android and 8 years of security updates.
Once again, this is not a phone that we would recommend to the general public as the experience offered is unique. If you don't have major technical needs and are handy enough to replace the parts yourself, then this durable smartphone is for you. At 700 euros, the Fairphone 5 will stay in your pocket for a long time.
Choosing the right smartphone for less than 800 euros
What concessions must be made compared to very high-end smartphones?
Let's say it right away, at this price, we are already at the top of the table, with the best performance of the moment and high-quality screens.
Compromises on smartphones at this price are mainly made on small details of comfort (or luxury, it depends). Depending on the model, you may have to do without waterproofing or even wireless charging. The materials used are also often a little less noble. It is the photo module that acts as the big differentiator, with less advanced and fewer sensors.
What are the best brands in this price range?
Beyond the “usual suspects” like Samsung or Apple, more and more Chinese manufacturers are venturing into this market. The two most visible at the moment are Xiaomi and OnePlus.
Which plan should I choose to save money after purchasing my smartphone?
Buying a smartphone in this price range represents an investment. To save money, we recommend that you choose a no-obligation offer that is much more attractive in the long term.
Find the best offers of the moment thanks to our mobile plan comparator. All the smartphones in this selection are 5G compatible, we recommend that you take a look at our 5G plan comparator.
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