Smartphones at Warentest: There are good models for less than 150 euros

2023-06-22 09:16:00

41 current models tested Smartphones in Warentest: Noble models from Apple and Samsung skim, but there are good ones for less than 150 euros

Choosing the right smartphone is not easy (symbol image).

© Bjorn Beheydt/ / Picture Alliance

In a huge comparison test, Stiftung Warentest put 41 current smartphones to the test. Apple and Samsung in particular can look forward to it. The savings tip comes from China.

The smartphone market is full to bursting. No wonder that many customers find it difficult to make a decision. Stiftung Warentest is now bringing some light into the jungle of offers. In the current test, 41 models are compared from very cheap to very expensive. Unsurprisingly, the absolute premium devices also end up at the top. But already for 150 euros there is a great offer.

Not all devices were currently tested, the test field also includes devices that had already ended up in the laboratory over the past few months. This makes for a good market comparison. After all, 18 of the models were freshly checked, almost all others in the last three months. The only exception are the iPhones that have been available since autumn. There is a simple reason for this: Apple has not presented any new iPhones since the test.

Four times first place for Apple and Samsung

That’s not even necessary: ​​Although the phones are the oldest devices in the test, they easily end up in first place. However, the group has to share it with its worst competitor: iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max end up on par with Samsung’s top models Galaxy S23+ and the Galaxy S23 Ultra. All four devices are “good” (1.6), says Warentest.

Differences can only be found in the partial grades, and even then only minimal ones. Warentest certifies that the iPhones have better reception, and the two Galaxys score points in terms of battery performance. On the whole, however, the noble smartphones don’t do much. However, they also have their price. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ costs 900 euros and up, for the S23 Ultra you have to budget 1000 euros and more. The iPhone 14 Pro is available from around 1080 euros, the surcharge for the Max model is also around 100 euros. This means that the frontrunners are also by far the most expensive devices in the test.

Samsung

Galaxy S23 Ultra in a camera comparison: This is how the smartphone beats the iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro

Saving master from China

The savings tip comes from Xiaomi. The Redmi Note 12 you can get hold of for 145 euros, so it only costs a fraction of the first-place winners. Nevertheless, according to the product test, it is also just “good” (2.4). Nevertheless, you have to make compromises in almost every respect, of course, from the basic functions to the camera and stability, the expensive models are clearly of higher quality.

Surprisingly, Xiaomi can keep up with the important display. And when it comes to battery life, it even surpasses its expensive competitors. However, this should be based on another compromise: Xiaomi does without 5G support. While this eliminates a potential battery hog, it also makes the device less future-proof.

You can find the full test for a fee at test.de.

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