It’s 2023, and phones once sold at flagship prices that would cost you a month’s salary are now available at an affordable price. Older mobile phones and even new mid-range smartphones that can compete with flagships of the past from the same manufacturer can easily be purchased below AED 2000 (US$ 550.) The fact that overall smartphone shipments are slipping works towards the consumer (you and me) as manufacturers need your attention. This means that it’s a good time to look into mid-range smartphones.
I have put together the best smartphones under 2000 Dirhams in the UAE in this list. If you feel that AED 2,000 is too much to spend on a phone, head to our guide on the best smartphone under 1000 AED.
Honestly, the list of phones below is quite impressive, and though you won’t necessarily find the latest iPhone Pro Max phone here, there is an iPhone on this list that’s not too old.
But Android is where you see most of the competition regarding mid-range mobiles. If you know you want an Android and can spend a bit more, then you should also check out the best android phones list.
I’ve reworked this list based on the phone’s pricing by dividing it into two: phones that are between AED 1500-2000 and phones below AED 1500 down to AED 1000. I’ve done this so you can further define your budget and, based on that, compare and pick a phone easily. Also, there is no shortage in the number of phones available in each budget range and over time, this list might get separated into two.
Best phones under 2000 AED
Best smartphones in the UAE between AED 1,500 to AED 2,000
While I do my best to keep this list updated, the fluctuating pricing could mean that, at some point, one or more of these phones goes past the AED 2,000 mark. That’s likely a temporary hike, and chances are the phone will come back to its market price.
1. Samsung Galaxy S22
When it comes to choosing the best phones under AED 2,000, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is our pick. You’re getting a mobile that was part of Samsung’s flagship series from last year and it holds up very well with software updates. It has a fast processor, a gorgeous screen and an excellent camera system. Battery life and charging speeds could be a bit better but this is a small phone that fits really well in your hands so some sacrifices had to be made.
Weight: 167g | Thickness: 7.6mm | OS: Android 12 OneUI 5 | Screen: 6.1” 1080 x 2340 pixels, AMOLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 50MP Triple Camera | Front camera: 10MP | Battery: 3700mAh, 25W Wired charging
- Excellent performance
- Beautiful screen
- Small-ish form factor
- Slow wired charging
- Smaller battery
2. Google Pixel 7
Weight: 197g | Thickness: 8.7mm | OS: Android 13 | Screen: 6.3” 1080 x 2400 pixels, AMOLED, 90Hz | Processor: Octa-core Google Tensor G2 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 5G | Rear camera: 50MP Dual Camera | Front camera: 10.8MP | Battery: 4355mAh, 20W Wired charging
- Brilliant camera
- Fast performance
- Quick Android updates
- Slow wired charging
- Refresh rate is lower than other phones
- Not officially available in the UAE
If you prefer a stock Android experience with fast access to Android updates, the Pixel should be your phone of choice. Though not officially available in the Middle East and it does not support 5G in the region, it’s still a great phone- especially when it goes below AED 2,000.
3. Honor 70
Weight: 178g | Thickness: 7.9mm | OS: Android 12 (MagicUI 6.1) | Screen: 6.67” FHD+, OLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | RAM: up to 12GB | Storage: up to 512GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 54MP Triple Camera | Front camera: 32MP | Battery: 4800mAh, 66W Wired charging
- Gorgeous design
- Beautiful screen
- Fast charging
- Software needs improvement
- No wireless charging
Honor is in the process of relaunching itself after detaching from Huawei and if the Honor 70 is anything to go by, the company is in good shape. This beautifully designed phone with a gorgeous screen costs a lot lower than it looks and comes with decent specs for a mid-range product.
4. Apple iPhone 11
Weight: 194g | Thickness: 8.3mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen: 6.1” 828 x 1792 pixels, AMOLED, 60Hz | Processor: Hexa-core Apple A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM, eSIM | Rear camera: 12MP Dual Camera | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: 3110mAh, 50% charge in 30 minutes
- The best iPhone under 2000
- Great performance even after 3 years
- iOS updates keep your device fresh
- Ageing hardware
- Not the sharpest screen
You can’t really have a phone roundup with an iPhone, and considering the price ceiling, the iPhone 11 is your best bet. While old, it’s still a very fast phone offering the full-screen experience as most new iPhones now. There’s the iPhone SE as well, with newer specs but a more dated design with the home button if that’s still your thing.
5. Huawei Nova 10
Weight: 168g | Thickness: 6.9mm | OS: Android 11 (EMUI 12) | Screen: 6.78 1080 x 2400 pixels, OLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Snapdragon 778 4G | RAM: 8GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 4G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 50MP Triple Camera | Front camera: 60MP | Battery: 4000mAh, 66W Wired charging, No wireless charging
- Gorgeous design and very thin
- Fast performance
- Excellent selfie camera
- No wireless charging
- The battery could be bigger
Huawei has been pushing the boundaries of phone designs and prices for some time now, and its no surprise to find the manufacturer on this list. The Nova 10 is their latest affordable phone with a gorgeous design and an excellent selfie camera.
Mobile Phones between AED 1,000 to AED 1,500
Below you’ll find phones between AED 1000 to AED 1499, and chances are some of them might dip below the AED 1,000 mark during a sale period. I’d highly recommend purchasing a phone in this list selling below AED 1,000 as that is a tremendous value.
1. Poco X5 Pro
For mobile phones under AED 1,500, the Poco X5 Pro tops the list with almost everything you would want from an affordable phone. It has a speedy processor with a large and beautiful OLED screen with fast refresh rates. The 5,000 mAh battery should keep the phone going for a long time while the 67W wired charging capabilities will top up the battery quickly. It’s no surprise that the Poco X5 Pro sits as the best smartphone under AED 1,500.
Weight: 181g | Thickness: 7.9mm | Screen: 6.67” 1080 x 2400 pixels, AMOLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Snapdragon 778G 5G | RAM: up to 8GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 50MP Triple Camera | Front camera: 16MP | Battery: 5000mAh, 67W Wired charging
- Excellent performance
- Fantastic display
- Great battery life
- Bloated software
- Plastic build
2. Nothing Phone (1)
Weight: 193.5g | Thickness: 8.3mm | OS: Android 12 (NothingOS 1.1) | Screen: 6.55” FHD+, OLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | RAM: up to 12GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 50MP Dual Camera | Front camera: 16MP | Battery: 4500mAh, 33W wired charging
- Glyph lighting on the back adds character
- Good display
- Camera could be better
- Mediocre battery life
We were always fans of OnePlus phones because of their fast performance and clean version of Android at a great price point. Sadly the company lost that vision and their co-founder who has now started a new company called Nothing. The first phone by Nothing is outstanding as an affordable phone and makes us excited to see what else is coming.
3. Google Pixel 6a
Weight: 178g | Thickness: 8.9mm | OS: Android 12 | Screen: 6.1” FHD+, OLED, 60Hz | Processor: Octa-core Google Tensor | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Cellular: 5G, NanoSIM | Rear camera: 12MP Dual Camera | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4410mAh, 18W Wired charging
- Fantastic camera
- Pure Google software
- Good performance
- Screen could be better
- Slow charging speeds
- Not officially released in the UAE
Once again the Pixel makes an appearance and the supper affordable Pixel 6A is a great phone to get at this price- especially because of its camera capabilities that are second to none for phones in its price range.
4. Xiaomi 12T
Weight: 202g | Thickness: 8.6mm | OS: Android 12, MIUI 13 | Screen: 6.67” 1220 x 2712 pixels, AMOLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Mediatek Dimensity 8100-Ultra | RAM: 8GB | Storage: up to 256GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 108MP Triple Camera | Front camera: 20MP | Battery: 5000mAh, 120W Wired charging
- Excellent display
- Good battery life
- Slightly pricey for the specs
- Camera system is just ok
Xiaomi has been up and coming in the UAE, offering phones across all price segments. The Xiaomi 12T has an excellent display and a great battery life and shows that Xiaomi isn’t afraid to offer great features and good pricing.
5. Oppo Reno 8T 5G Dual SIM
Weight: 171g | Thickness: 7.7mm | Screen: 6.7” FHD+, AMOLED, 120Hz | Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Cellular: 5G, Dual SIM | Rear camera: 108MP Triple Camera | Front camera: 32MP | Battery: 4800mAh, 67W Wired charging, No Wireless charging
- Beautiful design
- Nice screen
- Old Processor
- No wireless charging
Oppo is another brand that resonates with the local market, especially when it comes to good affordable phones. the Reno 8T 5G is Oppo’s latest phone in that segment and comes with a nice design and a beautiful screen. It has slightly older specs but gets the job done.
Bottom Line
We’ve picked a good selection of phones that cost under AED 2,000 or under AED 1,500. If your budget is close to AED 2,000, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is a fantastic phone but if you’re more of an iPhone person then we recommend the iPhone 11.
If you want to stay closer to AED 1,500 then we recommend the Poco X5 Pro as well as Nothing Phone (1) as excellent phones that offer features and performance closer to phones that cost more. You can’t go wrong with either.
Best affordable phones FAQs
Which smartphone is best under 2000?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is currently our pick for phones under 2000
Which mobile is best in 2000 range?
There are many phones that cost around AED 2,000, including smartphones from Apple and Samsung. They’re all listed in this article.
What are the top 10 phones to buy?
If budget is no option, head over to our list of best phones in UAE which currently has the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra sitting in the first spot.
Which phone is best in low budget?
The Poco X5 Pro is an excellent phone that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and is our pick for under 1500 AED.
Abbas Jaffar Ali
Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN to the Middle East.
