The editorial staff of 20 Minutes did not participate in the production of this article.

Selection of the best smartphones under 400 € in 2021

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 64GB: the economical choice

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 128 GB: the comfort of the big screen

  • Oppo Reno 4 256 GB: very high speed mobile internet

  • Samsung Galaxy M11: big screen at a low price

  • Huawei P10 Lite 32 GB: a reduced size as well as its price

  • Ulefone Note 9P 64 GB: a relevant compromise

  • Poco X3 Pro 256 GB: a perfect mid-range

  • Google Pixel 4A 128 GB: the American alternative

  • Samsung Galaxy S10 128 GB: a borderless screen for more comfort

  • Samsung Galaxy A51 128 GB: a safe bet on the market 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 64 GB: the right compromise

This smartphone offers all the useful functions for everyday use.

Powered by a 2 GHz Mediatek Jelio G85 processor, it has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space. In terms of the screen, this model has a 6.3 “panel. Full HD.

You can insert 2 SIM cards to cover your private and professional needs.

The photo part is not to be outdone with a 48 MP sensor on the back.

Its battery is in the low average with 4000 mAh.

Most :

  • 48 MP photo sensor

  • His price

The lessers :

  • Limited performance

See price on Amazon

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 128 GB: efficient and economical

Classic among the classics, the Pro version offers a fairly high-end technical sheet while maintaining a reasonable price.

It has a beautiful 6.67 “Full HD + screen and an internal memory of 128 GB. The photo sensor on the back allows you to take pictures in 48 MP and to have many shooting modes.

In the end, we only regret its RAM limited to 4 GB for a rather efficient model.

Most :

  • Large screen

  • 8-core processor

The lessers :

  • RAM memory fair

See the price on eBay

See price on Amazon

Oppo Reno 4 256 GB: 5G comes to your mobile

If we come close to the top with this model, it has the merit of offering a very high speed connection thanks to its compatibility with the 5G network which is deployed throughout France month after month.

The internal memory here reaches 256 GB and the RAM memory goes to 12 GB, enough to give it wings in addition to its powerful processor.

The screen part is also pleasant, with a panel of 6.5 “at 90 Hz for an ultra-fluid rendering.

Most :

  • 5G

  • Substantial ROM and RAM memory

The lessers :

  • His price

See the price on Boulanger

See price on Amazon

Samsung Galaxy M11: big screen at a low price

For those looking for a popular and reliable model, this smartphone is a good choice.

Its technical sheet does not present anything exceptional, but it inspires confidence by this simple and uncluttered style and key functions.

It is the smartphone of those who do not burden themselves with the superfluous.

It has a good quality screen, with a diagonal of 6.5 and accepts fast charging up to 15 W.

Most :

  • 6.5 “Infinity-O Display

  • Fast charge

The lessers :

  • Limited power

See price on Amazon

Huawei P10 Lite 32 GB: a reduced size for a better grip

With this model, forget about oversized screens.

Here, this phone has a 5.2 “touchscreen.

It has a 12 MP photo sensor.

The RAM is 3 GB and the storage space reaches 32 GB. Thin and elegant, it will slip into a handbag or a shirt pocket easily without being too bulky or too heavy.

Most :

  • 12 MP photo sensor

  • Finesse

The lessers :

  • Average performance

See price on Amazon

Ulefone Note 9P 64 GB: it has everything of a great except its price

If the big brands charge more for the characteristics of their smartphones, this one offers an attractive technical sheet for a reduced price.

It has a 6.52 “screen and a triple photo sensor on the back, while the front camera has SONY optics.

Everything is combined with a 4,500 mAh battery.

It also offers Dual Nano SIM and runs Android 10.

Most :

  • SONY photo sensor on the front

  • Fast charge

The lessers :

  • Only 4 GB of Ram

See price on Amazon

Poco X3 Pro 256 GB: a successful design and high performance

With this mobile, you benefit from the experience of an Asian manufacturer in terms of design and advanced functions.

Its 6.67 “Full HD DotDisplay screen offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The animations are ultra-smooth.

And to take advantage of the latter, it is powered by a powerful processor, the Snapdragon 860. Its RAM reaches 8 GB, which is perfect for this type of smartphone.

The free space reaches 256 GB, enough to take many photos and videos.

Most :

  • 6.67 “screen at 120 Hz

  • 8 GB RAM

The lessers :

  • No 5G

See price on Amazon

Google Pixel 4A 128 GB: Simply black

Here is the American response to Asian models.

Running Android 10, it has a memory of 128 GB. Its processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G supported by 6 GB of RAM memory.

With its 5.81 “screen, it has a nice display surface while remaining fairly compact.

On the photo side, it has a dual sensor, the main one of which reaches 12 MP.

It can take high resolution photos, but also HD and 4K videos.

Most :

  • Reduced template

  • 6 GB RAM memory

The lessers :

  • Its battery is a bit tight

See the price on Darty

See price on Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S10 128 GB: a borderless screen for more comfort

The style of this mobile does not leave you indifferent.

Between its red color and its 6.1 “Super AMOLED screen with rounded side edges, it is rather attractive.

It has a memory of 128 GB. Under the screen hides an OctaCore processor clocked up to 2.8 GHz.

The RAM memory reaches 8 GB. What offer good performance for this model.

It will accept two SIM cards.

The photo part has a triple sensor on the back.

Most :

  • Its Super AMOLED screen

  • IP68: waterproof and dustproof

The lessers :

  • Battery of only 3,400 mAh

See the price on Fnac

Samsung Galaxy A51 128 GB: sober and efficient

With this smartphone you have everything you need for a modern phone.

Its front face is particularly sleek with just the small photo sensor at the top of its 6.5 “diagonal screen.

With its 128 GB of memory and its 48 MP photo sensor, you will be able to immortalize the important things and the best moments of the day.

It is powered by an 8-core processor with 4 GB of RAM.

Most :

  • 48 MP photo sensor

  • Sober and sleek design

The lessers :

  • No 5G at this price point

See the price on Cdiscount

See price on Amazon

Why buy a smartphone for less than € 400 in 2021?

When you want to change your smartphone, one of the main criteria to refine your choice is the price.

With a maximum budget of 400 €, we are starting to find rather efficient mid-range models.

The photo sensors offer good quality both for shooting and for making videos in HD.

The memory capacity is usually large enough to store a large number of files and mobile applications.

In addition, the performance is up to par to play or use various and varied apps.

Some can even offer very high speed Internet access thanks to 5G.

How to select the smartphone less than 400 € that suits you?

After settling the budget issue, you have to define your priorities.

Do you want a laptop with a large screen or rather a compact model that fits in your pants pocket?

The power of the processor and the RAM memory are important points.

The higher the values, the smoother the use will be.

It's nasty to have a phone that takes a long time to respond, open a photo, or play a video.

Finally, photo quality and compatibility with 5G can also be important criteria to take into account at the time of purchase.

Purchase guide

RED by SFR: Discover the BIG RED offers and the Bose headphones offered for the purchase of a Google Pixel 6

Purchase guide

Cdiscount Mobile: iPhone 8 64 GB offered with the 60 GB package at € 14.99 / month until October 27

Content offered by our expert tips, partners of 20 Minutes.

The editorial staff did not participate in its realization.

The prices mentioned in this article are indicative and are subject to change.


Some links in this article are affiliate links, likely to use tracers to allow 20 Minutes to receive a commission in the event of a purchase on the partner site.

  • High tech

  • Purchase guide