smartphones under 600

Best Smartphones Under $600 (£410)

Having a good budget when buying a smartphone makes things a little more simple, because you get to choose from some of the best phones out there. Still, it's important to understand all the important tech specs in order to make the correct decision and choose the right phone.

We've decided to make the job easy for you and have found five best phones on the market for under $600.

Learn More Below
  • Samsung Galaxy S6
  • Huawei Nexus 6P
  • Sony Xperia Z5
  • HTC One A9
  • Microsoft Lumia 950 XL

Samsung Galaxy S6

The Galaxy S6 is truly an amazing phone. It sports an incredibly sharp 5.1-inch screen, as well as really fast internals. It handles multitasking with ease and you won't have any trouble playing even the most demanding games. The S6 also has a 16MP rear camera that produces some stunning photos and also takes great 4K video. These are just some of the reasons why the Galaxy S6 is our top pick under $600.

Huawei Nexus 6P

The Nexus 6P is one of the best smartphone choices under $600. It offers buttery smooth performance thanks to great specs, as well as Google's latest mobile operating system - Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The phone has a great camera that takes beautiful photos by day and night and takes 4K video as well.

Sony Xperia Z5

The Xperia Z5 is a beautifully designed phone that will definitely turn some heads. It's fast and has a great camera, but unfortunately, it doesn't offer anything unique compared to its rivals. While the phone is still waterproof, we're a bit saddened that the phone is no longer able to be submerged under water like its predecessor, the Sony Xperia Z3. With all that said, the Z5 is still a great smartphone option under $600.

HTC One A9

Yes, the HTC One A9 resembles the iPhone 6 quite a bit, but we don't mind this at all. Unlike Apple's smartphone, the One A9 offers expandable storage via microSD card slot, a feature that's pretty rare with all-metal phones these days. The phone's camera is good, but its battery life is not that impressive. Also, we expected better and faster internals for the price.

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL

We'd be really happy if developers started making more quality apps for the Windows 10 mobile operating system, because 950 XL is generally a really good phone. But for this reason alone, we simply can't recommend it over other high-end smartphones on our list that are running Android. Software aside, this phone packs really powerful internals and features a pretty good rear camera.

best smartphones under 600

What is the best smartphone under 600 dollars?

When you're searching for a phone that costs between $400 and $600, you probably want a quality-made device with an impressive set of features like an extremely sharp screen, amazing camera, fast processor and more. In this comparison we're looking at five such smartphones.

Our top choice is the Samsung Galaxy S6. There's no doubt about it - Samsung is one the most popular companies that makes Android phones, and for a good reason — their flagship devices never disappoint.  It's no different with the Galaxy S6. It's powerful, well-built and takes great photos. The only issue we have with it is its unimpressive battery, but that's not a huge problem. If you prefer the "pure" Android experience and larger displays on your device, then Google Nexus 6P should be your choice.

The Sony Xperia Z5 is a great choice for people who love beautifully crafted smartphones that pack a lot of features and a great camera. However, we're a little disappointed with the fact that the Z5 can't be submerged under water, like its predecessor. It's one of the things that used to set this Android phone apart from the rest of the herd. 

The HTC One A9 is a decent phone, although a bit overpriced for the specs you get, so you should think twice before opting for it.

Finally, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is a solid option if you're tired of your Android or iOS device and looking for a change. Keep in mind that Microsoft's mobile operating system doesn't have as many apps, though. 

Screen Size and Resolution

Samsung Galaxy S6 - 5.1 inches (2560x1440 pixels)
Google Nexus 6P - 5.7 inches (2560x1440 pixels)
Sony Xperia Z5 - 5.2 inches (1920x1080 pixels)
HTC One A9 - 5.0 inches (1920x1080 pixels)
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL - 5.7 inches (2560x1440 pixels)

Processor, Memory and Storage

All smartphones in our comparison perform extremely smoothly. The HTC One A9 is the only phone that packs somewhat slower internals, but it still performs fine in most cases.

Basically every smartphone in our comparison has 3GB of RAM, which seems to be the standard for high-end phones these days. As far as storage goes, all phones come with at least 32GB, with the exception of HTC One A9 that comes with just 16GB. Keep in mind that if you opt for Samsung Galaxy S6 or Google Nexus 6P, you won't be able to expand the storage via microSD cards, while this is possible on the other three phones. 

Camera

When it comes to the camera, all smartphones in this price range perform really well. If we had to pick a winner, it would be the Galaxy S6's 16MP camera.

To Conclude

If you want the best Android smartphone under $600, the choice is simple - go with the Galaxy S6 or Nexus 6P, but keep in mind that Samsung's offering is cheaper. If you want the best-looking device that also performs well, and are willing to pay a bit more for it than it's probably worth — go with the Sony Xperia Z5. The HTC One A9 is a solid choice, but there are much better options for slightly more money. Finally, the Microsoft Lumia 950XL is a great choice if you're happy with the number and quality of apps that are available on Windows 10.