Best Second-hand Phones Under £300 in the UK

£300 used to be the boundary between "phone that does the basics" and "phone you actually enjoy using". The second-hand market has obliterated that line. Today, £300 buys you a former flagship with a brilliant OLED, multi-day battery, a competent camera and three or four more years of software updates. Here's the full shortlist for the UK in 2026.

Every phone in this guide ships with a 12-month UK warranty, certified 85%+ battery health, free UK delivery, and a 45-day returns window. Prices are for Pristine 128GB models in April 2026.

The 30-second answer

Under £150

Apple iPhone 11 — around £130

Still a perfectly capable phone in 2026. A13 Bionic, 6.1" LCD (no OLED, the main compromise), strong cameras, iOS support through to roughly 2026. Pick if budget is the absolute priority and you want iOS.

Samsung Galaxy A52 — around £130

Surprisingly good for the money: 120Hz Super AMOLED, IP67 water resistance, microSD slot, good day battery. Snapdragon 720G is fine for everyday tasks. Plastic frame is the giveaway on the price.

Google Pixel 6a — around £140

The cheapest way into the Pixel ecosystem. Tensor G1, 6.1" OLED, the same 12.2MP main sensor as the Pixel 5 — produces images that punch hugely above the price. Software support through 2027.

£150–£200

Apple iPhone 12 — £175–£195

The best value-for-money iPhone in the entire catalogue. Flat-edge design Apple still uses today, OLED, MagSafe, 5G. iOS support to roughly 2027. Covered in detail in our under-£200 list.

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) — £165–£185

Same A15 chip as the iPhone 13. 4.7" LCD, Touch ID via the home button. Buy specifically for the small size or if you actively prefer Touch ID.

Google Pixel 7 — £170–£190

The camera bargain of the price band. Tensor G2, 50MP main sensor, Night Sight, Magic Eraser. Photos that genuinely match phones at 3x the price.

Samsung Galaxy A54 — £175–£195

Flagship feel at mid-range price. 120Hz Super AMOLED, IP67, microSD, 5G, big 5,000mAh battery. Five years of Samsung software updates from launch.

£200–£250

Apple iPhone 13 mini — £230–£270

The only modern small iPhone left. 5.4" OLED, A15, full iOS support. Excellent if you want a properly compact phone — a category Apple has otherwise abandoned.

Google Pixel 7a — £210–£240

Pixel 7's chip and main camera in a slightly smaller, slightly cheaper chassis. 90Hz OLED, wireless charging (rare at this price), strong cameras.

OnePlus Nord 4 — £230–£260

Best battery and charging in the price band by a margin. 100W SuperVOOC fast charging (full charge in roughly 28 minutes), large 5,500mAh battery, 120Hz AMOLED. Under-rated.

Samsung Galaxy A55 — £240–£280

Our pick for best overall under £300. Aluminium frame, 6.6" 120Hz AMOLED, IP67, microSD, five years of updates. Genuinely flagship-feeling for mid-range money.

£250–£300

Apple iPhone 13 — £250–£290

Same A15 chip as the iPhone 14 standard. Cinematic Mode, larger main sensor than the iPhone 12. iOS support through roughly 2028. Genuinely the rational pick for UK buyers who want iOS without overspending.

Google Pixel 8 — £270–£320

Tensor G3, the upgraded 50MP main sensor with a larger pixel pitch, Magic Editor, Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser. Seven years of Pixel updates from launch — through to 2030. The best all-round Android camera under £300.

Samsung Galaxy A56 — £290–£340

Newest mid-range Samsung. Glass back, IP67, Exynos 1580, longer software support window than the A55. The right pick if you want maximum runway from a mid-range Samsung.

All twelve picks at a glance

By use case

"I want a phone for my parents"

iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 — Apple's iOS is the most consistent, predictable experience across years of updates. Touch ID-fans go to the iPhone SE 3rd gen.

"I want a phone for a teenager"

Galaxy A54 or A55. Hard-wearing, replaceable parts widely available, microSD for storage expansion, IP67 if (when) it gets dropped in something liquid.

"I take a lot of photos"

Pixel 8 if budget allows; Pixel 7 if not. Google's image processing remains a class ahead at this price band.

"I'm a heavy user — gaming, videos, hotspot"

OnePlus Nord 4. The 5,500mAh battery and 100W charging mean you don't have to think about plugging in.

"I want a small phone"

iPhone 13 mini. There is no real Android alternative at this size with current software support.

How to choose, step by step

1. Set the real ceiling. Include £40–£60 for case, screen protector, and the optional 24-month warranty extension.
2. Pick iOS or Android. Don't switch ecosystems for a £30 saving — the long-term frictions cost more than the upfront difference.
3. Identify your one priority. Battery, camera, small size, software runway, screen — pick the one that matters most.
4. Choose your condition grade. Pristine for near-new feel; Very Good for best value.
5. Add the protection. Cheap accessory bundle plus the warranty extension is the difference between a phone you keep four years and one you replace in two.

If you want to spend more or less

For tighter budgets, our under-£200 shortlist runs through five tighter picks. For more spend, the dedicated iPhone and Samsung Galaxy guides cover everything up to the current flagships. Or browse the full second-hand iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and OnePlus ranges.

Frequently asked questions