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Phones Best Android phone for £400?

S

SammyxVine

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 1, 2025
304
89
London
Hi all,

I am looking to buy an Android phone for my mum for Xmas. She currently has a Motorolo G53 5g phone but the screen has cracked.
She is in her 60's so she isn't looking for a phone with a lot of features, as she isn't the best with tech. She just wants a phone that has a large screen, has good picture quality and is easy to use. She mainly uses her phone for WhatsApp messaging and watching YouTube and TikTok videos.

My budget is £400 but I can stretch if necessary.
 
SammyxVine said:
Hi all,

I am looking to buy an Android phone for my mum for Xmas. She currently has a Motorolo G53 5g phone but the screen has cracked.
She is in her 60's so she isn't looking for a phone with a lot of features, as she isn't the best with tech. She just wants a phone that has a large screen, has good picture quality and is easy to use. She mainly uses her phone for WhatsApp messaging and watching YouTube and TikTok videos.

My budget is £400 but I can stretch if necessary.
Click to expand...
There are so many choices, would you go for a Chinese branded android phone?

From Samsung you could get the 256gb Galaxy A36. It would be a solid phone and do everything your mother needs. It has a nice big screen for aging eyes and watching content.
 
MarkX said:
There are so many choices, would you go for a Chinese branded android phone?

From Samsung you could get the 256gb Galaxy A36. It would be a solid phone and do everything your mother needs. It has a nice big screen for aging eyes and watching content.
Click to expand...
Somebody I know recommended the Google Pixel 9A. Would you say that would be a good choice?
I don't know too much about Android phones and I need to order it today so that it comes in time for Xmas day.
 
SammyxVine said:
Somebody I know recommended the Google Pixel 9A. Would you say that would be a good choice?
I don't know too much about Android phones and I need to order it today so that it comes in time for Xmas day.
Click to expand...
The 9a will have a smaller screen, but the launcher (the look and layout of apps, and menus) will be closer to the Moto than the Samsung A36. The samsung A 36 has a larger display, but cameras will be weaker imo.

I prefer the pixel ecosystem/launcher so I would say Pixel 9a, but I am bisaed lol. Both phones have software updates that will outlast the phone (6 years for the samsung and 7 for the pixel),m the pixel ones will be quicker and more frequent, which might not be an issue tbh.
 
robvalentine said:
The 9a will have a smaller screen, but the launcher (the look and layout of apps, and menus) will be closer to the Moto than the Samsung A36. The samsung A 36 has a larger display, but cameras will be weaker imo.

I prefer the pixel ecosystem/launcher so I would say Pixel 9a, but I am bisaed lol. Both phones have software updates that will outlast the phone (6 years for the samsung and 7 for the pixel),m the pixel ones will be quicker and more frequent, which might not be an issue tbh.
Click to expand...
Yes, the 9a looks small. I don't think my mum will like the Samsung tbh.
Do you have the 9a? If yes, do you use a screen protector and case?
 
SammyxVine said:
Yes, the 9a looks small. I don't think my mum will like the Samsung tbh.
Do you have the 9a? If yes, do you use a screen protector and case?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how much you'll value this opinion but I just wanted to share that my sister-in-law just bought a 9a and loves it.
 
SammyxVine said:
Yes, the 9a looks small. I don't think my mum will like the Samsung tbh.
Do you have the 9a? If yes, do you use a screen protector and case?
Click to expand...
I have the Pixel 9a and it is a 6.3" screen. It's a decent size phone. A small phone was the Pixel 4a and the Pixel 8.
 
I'm actually looking at the 2026 Moto G and Moto G Power phones from Motorola which is now owned by Lenovo. They have incredible battery life, in some cases 2 days and they are priced at $300 MSRP in the US. The downside is that they only promise 1-2 OS upgrades but they also are considered budget phones so that is to be expected.

The 2025 Moto G is on sale for $149 on Amazon and the Moto G Power is $199.
 
Samsung or pixel is your only real choice if you want from the main brands. Oneplus and their Nord range is also worth a look.

But if you consider Chinese models there is Realme, Redmi and Poco. Decent Value and specs for your money.
 
MarkX said:
Samsung or pixel is your only real choice if you want from the main brands. Oneplus and their Nord range is also worth a look.

But if you consider Chinese models there is Realme, Redmi and Poco. Decent Value and specs for your money.
Click to expand...
What about Motorola?
 
I bought a Pixel 9a this Black Friday and I'm very pleased with the phone.

Beautiful camera, really good performance (I don't play videogames) and really really good battery life (2 days battery).

The size is nice and the screen looks good and it moves good with 120hz. Solid choice. Also, the Android has a basic look and I think it is really close to the Motorola one.

Good phone with a good camera.. Even if she doesn't take a lot of photos, for me, it is always important to have a good camera
 
aespana said:
I bought a Pixel 9a this Black Friday and I'm very pleased with the phone.

Beautiful camera, really good performance (I don't play videogames) and really really good battery life (2 days battery).

The size is nice and the screen looks good and it moves good with 120hz. Solid choice. Also, the Android has a basic look and I think it is really close to the Motorola one.

Good phone with a good camera.. Even if she doesn't take a lot of photos, for me, it is always important to have a good camera
Click to expand...
I would have went with the 9a if the screen was bigger. My mum likes big screens.
 
SammyxVine said:
Any more options?
Click to expand...
If it's just for your mum and she isn't bothered about the features and just wants 'a phone' you don't need to spend £400. Other people have suggested the Samsung A36 (which would be my recommendation at that price point), but really the A26 will easily be sufficient and is available for well under £200
 
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Smellmet said:
If it's just for your mum and she isn't bothered about the features and just wants 'a phone' you don't need to spend £400. Other people have suggested the Samsung A36 (which would be my recommendation at that price point), but really the A26 will easily be sufficient and is available for well under £200
Click to expand...
It's for my mum, yes. Although she doesn't want and need a lot of features, I want a phone that has a big and vibrant screen as she loves to watch videos on her phone, and I want a phone with a decent battery as well.
 
SammyxVine said:
It's for my mum, yes. Although she doesn't want and need a lot of features, I want a phone that has a big and vibrant screen as she loves to watch videos on her phone, and I want a phone with a decent battery as well.
Click to expand...
You have asked and been given a few phones to consider, up to you to buy one now!
 
SammyxVine said:
It's for my mum, yes. Although she doesn't want and need a lot of features, I want a phone that has a big and vibrant screen as she loves to watch videos on her phone, and I want a phone with a decent battery as well.
Click to expand...
Then the Galaxy A26 (or wait a couple of months for the A27) will easily do the job you need.
 
SammyxVine said:
Hi all,

I am looking to buy an Android phone for my mum for Xmas. She currently has a Motorolo G53 5g phone but the screen has cracked.
She is in her 60's so she isn't looking for a phone with a lot of features, as she isn't the best with tech. She just wants a phone that has a large screen, has good picture quality and is easy to use. She mainly uses her phone for WhatsApp messaging and watching YouTube and TikTok videos.

My budget is £400 but I can stretch if necessary.
Click to expand...
The Google Pixel 9a is more phone that most people ever need and should be your first port of call.

If you're going Android it makes more sense to buy a Google device than any other as you're gettimng faster updates and patches.
 
Ctrlos said:
The Google Pixel 9a is more phone that most people ever need and should be your first port of call.

If you're going Android it makes more sense to buy a Google device than any other as you're gettimng faster updates and patches.
Click to expand...
Sadly the Pixel 9a will be too small for mum. She needs a slightly bigger screen.
 
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