Looking for a cheap smartphone in Dubai?
Many people think all the UAE’s residents and expats are looking for luxurious staff, and as a result, they don’t reveal that they want a budget-friendly smartphone.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Although Dubai has a modern and luxurious culture, there are many people who don’t want to spend much when it comes to mobile phones or other tools.
Besides, buying an expensive mobile is not a prudent decision. The reason is that as technology continues to advance, all mobile models, even the most expensive ones, become old-fashioned.
For example, with the rise of AI, many smartphones now seem weak and obsolete, even those that you used to consider luxurious.
So, budget-friendly smartphones are the best choice in this ever-changing market. Of course, you want something with all the advanced features. Thanks to the UAE’s diverse smartphone market, you can find brand-new smartphones with all advanced features at low prices.
This is great for students, first-time buyers, and those who don’t have a high-profile job in the UAE. Here, we have introduced 10 top budget smartphones in the UAE to help you choose the best one according to your budget and interests.
Budget Smartphones Under AED 1,000 in the UAE
First, let’s review the best smartphones under AED 1,000 you can find in Dubai and other cities of the UAE.
1. Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE
- Country: South Korea
- Release Date: August 22, 2024
- Price: AED 309
The Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE is one of the best smartphones for those who don’t want to break the bank. It uses a MediaTek Helio G85 processor and 4 GB RAM. So, the Galaxy A06 can easily handle browsing, messaging, and video streaming.
It has a 6.7-inch PLS LCD screen that offers clear visuals for watching videos or scrolling through social media.
This budget model of Samsung also has a 50 MP main camera capturing detailed photos. You can also enjoy a 2 MP depth sensor for portrait shots, and an 8 MP front camera ensures your selfies are sharp and ready to share.
It’s also great for battery life. As it uses a 5,000 mAh battery, you can use it for a full day without using your charger. Moreover, the device supports 25 W fast charging to help you get back to full power quickly.
It’s using Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1, and a user-friendly interface. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE is a perfect smartphone under AED 1,000 in Dubai.
| Pros of Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE | Cons of Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE |
|---|---|
| ✔ Budget-friendly ✔ 5000mAh battery for all-day use ✔ Clean and simple Samsung One UI Core experience | ✖ Entry-level MediaTek processor ✖ No fingerprint sensor ✖ Lacks fast charging support |
2. Samsung Galaxy A16 LTE
- Country: South Korea
- Release Date: October 25, 2024
- Price: AED 499
The next budget smartphone on our list is also from Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy A16 LTE has a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that provides vibrant colors and sharp details. If you’re looking for a cheap smartphone suitable for streaming videos or browsing the web, this is the perfect choice for you.
The Galaxy A16 LTE is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, which offers great performance for everyday tasks. It also has multiple RAM options from 4 GB and 6 GB to 8 GB. You also have two storage options: 128 GB or 256 GB. So, you can choose your smartphone’s features based on your multitasking needs.
The A16 LTE comes with a triple-camera setup on the back:
- 50 MP main sensor
- 5 MP ultra-wide lens
- 2 MP macro camera
You can also consider the 13 MP front camera that ensures clear selfies and video calls. This combination seems unreal for a smartphone under AED 1,000 in the UAE. It provides you with versatile shooting, from wide landscapes to detailed close-ups, and is great for photography enthusiasts.
Battery life is another highlight of this budget-friendly smartphone. It has a 5,000 mAh battery, which offers a full day of use and 25 W fast charging support.
The Galaxy A16 LTE is a perfect choice for Dubai’s residents and expats who want advanced features at an affordable price.
| Pros of Samsung Galaxy A16 LTE | Cons of Samsung Galaxy A16 LTE |
|---|---|
| ✔ Bigger screen than A06 (6.7″) ✔ 6GB RAM provides better multitasking ✔ Trusted Samsung brand and after-sales service | ✖ LCD screen lacks AMOLED quality ✖ Only HD+ resolution ✖ No 5G support |
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13
- Country: China
- Release Date: January 4, 2024
- Price: AED 485
This one is a Chinese product and offers impressive features at an unbelievable price. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 has a vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. As a result, you can expect crisp visuals when streaming your favorite shows or scrolling through social media.
It’s a great choice for those interested in photography. It has a 108 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, a 2 MP macro lens, and a 16 MP front-facing camera. So, you can expect great versatile shooting, selfies, video calls, and images.
The Redmi Note 13 is powered by the Snapdragon® 685 processor and 8 GB RAM. This is great for smooth multitasking and responsive performance at this price range. Additionally, you have a 256GB on this smartphone and support for microSD cards to store all your high-quality photos and videos.
Its battery life is also exceptional:
- 5,000 mAh
- 33 W fast charging
It uses Android 13 with Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 and offers a user-friendly interface with lots of customization options.
Xiaomi might not be as famous as Samsung, but it’s offering advanced features at more affordable prices.
| Pros of Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 | Cons of Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 |
|---|---|
| ✔ 108MP camera is great for photography ✔ AMOLED screen with vivid colors ✔ 256GB storage – generous for the price | ✖ MIUI software includes ads and bloatware ✖ No IP rating or water resistance ✖ Occasional software bugs |
4. OnePlus Nord N30 SE
- Country: China
- Release Date: January 31, 2024
- Price: AED 576
OnePlus is another Chinese manufacturer famous for affordable smartphones. Its Nord N30 SE is one of the best budget-friendly smartphones in Dubai.
The OnePlus Nord N30 SE has a large 6.72-inch Full HD+ display with a smooth 90 Hz refresh rate. It’s great for everyday scrolling and video watching without being tired. The design is modern and lightweight, with two stylish colors:
- Cyan Sparkle
- Black Satin
The OnePlus Nord N30 SE runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor and uses 4 GB of RAM. Also, it has 128 GB of storage, which is enough for your photos, apps, and files. It uses OxygenOS 13.1 and Android 13 to keep the interface clean, fast, and easy to navigate.
It also offers great options for taking photos, selfies, and videos:
- 50 MP main camera
- 2 MP depth sensor
- 8 MP front camera
Regarding the battery life, you don’t need to be worried. It has a 5,000 mAh battery that easily lasts a full day and a 33 W SUPERVOOC fast charging.
| Pros of OnePlus Nord N30 SE | Cons of OnePlus Nord N30 SE |
|---|---|
| ✔ Large 6.72″ display is ideal for watching content ✔ Sleek and stylish design ✔ Clean OxygenOS interface | ✖ Only 4GB RAM, which limits multitasking ✖ Camera struggles in low light ✖ Performance not ideal for gaming |
Budget Smartphones Between AED 1,000 – AED 1,500
Now, let’s go for smartphones in the range of AED 1,000 and 1,500. In the UAE, there are many options in this range. Here are some of the best budget smartphones you can find in Dubai below AED 1,500.
5. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
- Country: South Korea
- Release Date: April 18, 2024
- Price: AED 1,075.75
Again, a model from Korea. If you’re looking for a smartphone that balances performance, display quality, battery life, and price, the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is one of the best choices.
It features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Using this smartphone, you can experience smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals when browsing the web or watching videos.
It’s equipped with the Exynos 1380 processor, 8 GB RAM, and storage options of 128 GB and 256 GB. You also have the option to add microSD cards to store more apps, photos, and files.
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G has a 50 MP main sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5 MP macro camera. Moreover, its 13 MP front camera ensures clear selfies and video calls.
Using Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1, it can handle all the functionalities you require. Besides, you’ll get up to four years of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates.
It also has a 5,000 mAh battery and 25 W fast charging support, which means you won’t face trouble for long.
| Pros of Samsung Galaxy A35 5G | Cons of Samsung Galaxy A35 5G |
|---|---|
| ✔ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate ✔ Water and dust resistance (IP67) ✔ 5G connectivity for faster downloads | ✖ Slower 25W charging speed compared to rivals ✖ Slightly bulky design |
6. Oppo Reno11
- Country: China
- Release Date: January 2024
- Price: AED 1,299
China is taking the place of other competitors like Samsung in the budget-friendly markets, especially in Dubai.
The OPPO Reno11 5G is a sleek and capable Chinese smartphone that offers lots of premium features without the premium price tag.
It has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and the screen’s 93% screen-to-body ratio, which is great for a mobile in this price range.
The Reno11 5G uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, 12 GB RAM, and 256 GB internal storage, making it unstoppable. Also, it has a user-friendly interface and uses Android 14 with OPPO’s ColorOS 14.
Add the following photography capabilities to understand its power:
- 50 MP main sensor
- Optical image stabiliazation
- 32 MP telephoto lens
- 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera
- 32 MP front-facing camera
Its battery storage is 5,000 mAh, which is similar to other budget smartphones in Dubai, but it’s offering a 67 W fast-charging support that’s unbelievable.
Overall, it’s a great choice for those who want the best of both worlds: budget-friendly and advanced features.
| Pros of Oppo Reno11 | Cons of Oppo Reno11 |
|---|---|
| ✔ Sleek design and premium feel ✔ Ultra-fast 67W charging ✔ Good camera versatility (main + ultra-wide + macro) | ✖ No stereo speakers ✖ ColorOS interface may not appeal to all users |
7. Motorola Moto G 5G
- Country: United States
- Release Date: February 15, 2024
- Price: AED 707
If you think affordable smartphones are all coming from Asia, you’re wrong! An American manufacturer makes the Motorola Moto G 5G and ranks number 7 on our list of Dubai’s budget-friendly smartphones.
It has a huge 6.6-inch HD+ LCD display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, which is great for scrolling through apps and watching videos.
This American smartphone uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor with 4 GB RAM. It also has 128 GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards.
It provides a dual-camera setup on the back:
- 50 MP main sensor
- 2 MP macro lens
Additionally, it has an 8 MP front-facing camera that ensures clear selfies and video calls. Other features are also great, like 5,000 mAh battery storage, 15 W fast charging, and supporting Android 14.
| Pros of Motorola Moto G 5G | Cons of Motorola Moto G 5G |
|---|---|
| ✔ Clean, near-stock Android experience ✔ Budget 5G connectivity ✔ Decent performance for daily use | ✖ Basic build quality ✖ Slow 15W charging ✖ Camera performance is average |
Smartphones Between AED 1,500 – AED 2,000
If you can afford to pay AED 1,500 and more, the UAE’s smartphone market has some more advanced options for you.
8. OnePlus 12R
- Country: China
- Release Date: January 23, 2024
- Price: AED 1,500
The OnePlus 12R has a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It also packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 16 GB RAM.
It offers great photography options like:
- 50 MP main camera
- 8 MP ultra-wide lens
- 2 MP macro lens
A battery storage of 5,500 mAh and a fast charger of 80 W make this smartphone a reliable option in the UAE. Additionally, it uses OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14 and offers a user-friendly experience to you.
| Pros of OnePlus 12R | Cons of OnePlus 12R |
|---|---|
| ✔ Flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip ✔ Massive 16GB RAM and 100W super-fast charging ✔ Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh | ✖ No wireless charging ✖ No IP rating despite high specs |
9. Google Pixel 8a
- Country: United States
- Release Date: May 14, 2024
- Price: AED 1,899
This is another affordable American smartphone you can find in the UAE market. It uses a 6.1-inch OLED screen, which might seem small. However, its vibrant colors, sharp resolution, and smooth 120 Hz refresh rate make everything look and feel polished.
The Pixel 8a is powered by the Tensor G3 chip that you’ll find in Google’s more expensive models. Also, it has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, making it great for multitasking and daily use.
The camera options are unreal for this range of price:
- 64 MP main lens
- 13 MP ultrawide
- 13 MP front-facing
These cameras use Google’s smart software to make the photos incredibly detailed and true-to-life, even in tough lighting.
Another great feature of this smartphone is its durability. The Pixel 8a is IP67-rated for water and dust resistance, and you can count on it for several years.
| Pros of Google Pixel 8a | Cons of Google Pixel 8a |
|---|---|
| ✔ Exceptional camera with Google’s AI optimization ✔ Pure Android with guaranteed updates ✔ Compact and lightweight for easy handling | ✖ Higher price compared to rivals ✖ Battery is smaller than others in this range ✖ Charging speed is slower |
10. Nothing Phone (2a)
- Country: United Kingdom
- Release Date: March 12, 2024
- Price: AED 869
The latest is from the United Kingdom. If you’re tired of phones that all look the same, the Nothing Phone (2a) is your choice. It has a futuristic and modern look that makes your smartphone look like AED 10,000!
Of course, it’s not just looks. The phone features a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display with vibrant colors and smooth performance. It also runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.
The Nothing Phone (2a) offers a dual 50 MP setup on the back, which delivers crisp, detailed photos. The 5,000 mAh battery and the 45 W fast charging bring peace of mind in terms of battery life.
| Pros of Nothing Phone (2a) | Cons of Nothing Phone (2a) |
|---|---|
| ✔ Eye-catching transparent design ✔ Great performance with Dimensity 7200 Pro ✔ Clean UI and strong RAM/storage combo | ✖ No wireless charging ✖ No official IP rating ✖ Design may not suit traditional users |
Conclusion: Which Budget Smartphone Is Best?
Choosing an affordable smartphone in Dubai might be difficult. There are many options from different brands with various features.
Take a look at the following table to compare the most affordable smartphones in the UAE:
| Model | Country | Price | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE | South Korea | AED 309 | 6.5″ LCD, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery |
| Samsung Galaxy A16 LTE | South Korea | AED 499 | 6.7″ Display, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 | China | AED 485 | 6.6″ AMOLED, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, 108MP camera, 5000mAh battery |
| OnePlus Nord N30 SE | China | AED 576 | 6.72″ Display, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery |
| Samsung Galaxy A35 5G | South Korea | AED 1,075.75 | 6.6″ Super AMOLED, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery |
| Oppo Reno11 | China | AED 1,299 | 6.7″ AMOLED, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, 50MP + 8MP + 2MP cameras, 5000mAh, 67W charge |
| Motorola Moto G 5G (2024) | United States | AED 707 | 6.6″ Display, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery |
| OnePlus 12R | China | AED 1,500 | 6.78″ AMOLED, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery, 100W charge |
| Google Pixel 8a | United States | AED 1,899 | 6.1″ OLED, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 64MP camera, 4492mAh battery |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | United Kingdom | AED 869 | 6.7″ AMOLED, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, Dual 50MP cameras, 5000mAh, 45W charge |
Before choosing one of them, try to get advice from friends or people who have used them. Online reviews are also great for comparing these smartphones. You can also use platforms like Shozon to compare different smartphones in Dubai and other cities of the UAE and choose the best one according to your needs.
FAQs
Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi are the most commonly used brands. Samsung is leading in overall market share.
Apple is known for premium build and long-term software support. However, Samsung and Google also offer excellent quality at various price points. Chinese manufacturers are also showing good performance in recent years.
Yes, Samsung phones are often priced lower in the UAE compared to many other regions. The reason is lower import duties and regional promotions.
You might find budget-friendly models from Xiaomi or the older Samsung Galaxy A series within that range. and offer solid performance for the price. For example, Samsung Galaxy A06 LTE and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 are two reliable options.
