Root NationArticlesTOP DevicesTOP 10 Affordable Smartphones for the New School Year

TOP 10 Affordable Smartphones for the New School Year

Eugenia FaberEugenia Faber

© ROOT-NATION.com - Use of content is permitted with a backlink.

Motorola Razr Fold

With the new school year just around the corner, getting ready for school today involves more than just notebooks and textbooks. Tech has also become part of the school must-have list, including a smartphone, laptop, and tablet. With remote learning still a reality for many school and university students, these devices can be essential for staying connected and keeping up with classes. In this roundup, we have selected 10 good smartphones at reasonable prices that should meet the needs of students and schoolchildren alike. Most of the models are mid-range devices, as we believe this segment offers the best balance of price, features, and performance.

Read also: All smartphone reviews

ТОП-10 смартфонів не за всі гроші до школи 02

OPPO A6s

The OPPO A6s stands out with its large 7,000 mAh battery, which provides plenty of endurance. The smartphone supports 80 W SuperVOOC fast charging, allowing the battery to reach 56% in just 30 minutes. The hardware is built around the eight-core Snapdragon 685 platform with liquid cooling, paired with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The smartphone runs Android 15 with OPPO’s ColorOS interface.

OPPO A6s

Read also: OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G Review: Performance and Capable Camera at Reasonable Price

The OPPO A6s features a 6.75-inch IPS display with a 1570×720 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, peak brightness of up to 1,125 nits, and a useful glove mode. For photography and video, the smartphone is equipped with a dual rear camera system consisting of a 50 MP main sensor and an auxiliary sensor, along with a 16 MP front-facing camera. Other highlights include IP68/IP69K-rated protection against dust and water, stereo speakers, and a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. The smartphone is available at a promotional price starting from $270 until September 6. After the promotion ends, the price will be $310.

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is a strong representative of the mid-range segment, combining an accessible price with several premium features, making it a good fit for school and university students. It features a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with a 2772×1272 resolution, a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, and Gorilla Glass 7i protection. The smartphone is powered by the eight-core Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor with Adreno 810 graphics. Depending on the configuration, it comes with 8 or 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, while battery capacity is available in 5,200 mAh and 7,000 mAh versions. The smartphone also supports modern connectivity standards, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and multiple positioning systems.

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

The Edge 70 Fusion runs Android 16 and features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. Its rugged design is certified to IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810 standards, providing protection against water, dust, and accidental drops. The triple-camera system includes a 50 MP Sony LYTIA 710 main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 13 MP ultrawide camera, and an auxiliary lens. For selfies and video calls, the smartphone uses a 32 MP front-facing camera. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is available from $340/€295.

Motorola Moto G77

The Motorola Moto G77 is a solid modern device designed to withstand drops (MIL-STD-810), dust, and water splashes (IP64), making it a practical choice for active school life. It features a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a high refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 7i protection, while an in-display fingerprint scanner is integrated beneath the screen.

Motorola Moto G77

Читайте також: Motorola Razr 70 Ultra Review: Changes Where They Matter

The hardware is built around the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chipset with Mali-G57 graphics. The smartphone comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSD by up to 2 TB. All the essential wireless connectivity options are available, including Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and GPS. The Moto G77 runs Android 16 and features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, along with a 5,200 mAh battery supporting 30 W TurboPower fast charging. The camera setup includes an impressive 108 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization and 3x zoom, complemented by an 8 MP ultrawide camera and a 32 MP front-facing camera. The Motorola Moto G77 is available from $235/€205.

Motorola Moto G17 Power

If you are looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone for a school or university student, the Motorola Moto G17 Power is worth considering. It features a 6,000 mAh battery with support for 30 W TurboPower fast charging. The device is equipped with a 6.72-inch IPS display with Full HD resolution, peak brightness of up to 1,050 nits, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Performance is handled by the eight-core MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme processor, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded. All the essential wireless connectivity options are included, while the software is based on Android 16.

Motorola Moto G17 Power

Unlike many modern smartphones, the Moto G17 Power retains a classic 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired headphones. It also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button, and IP64-rated protection against dust and water splashes. The camera system includes a 50 MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor and a 5 MP ultrawide camera, while the front-facing camera has a 32 MP resolution. The Moto G17 Power is available from $180/€155.

Samsung Galaxy A27 5G

One of the key advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G is its long software support period, with the manufacturer promising updates for six years. This should help keep the smartphone relevant for an extended period. Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 710 graphics, while connectivity options include Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and GPS. The smartphone is available in two memory configurations: 6/128 GB and 8/256 GB. Another useful feature is Samsung DeX, which allows the Galaxy A27 5G to be connected to a monitor or TV and used as a desktop-like PC for studying.

Samsung Galaxy A27

The smartphone features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. Other notable features include IP64-rated protection against dust and water splashes, along with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The triple rear camera setup consists of a 50 MP main sensor, a 5 MP ultrawide camera, and a 2 MP macro camera, while a 12 MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls. Power comes from a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 25 W Super Fast Charging, which can charge the battery to 45% in 30 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A27 5G is available from $270/€235.

Redmi 17

Another battery-life champion in our roundup is the Redmi 17. It packs a massive 7,500 mAh battery and, despite weighing slightly more than the average smartphone at 232 g, retains a relatively slim design with a thickness of just 8.8 mm. This capacity is enough for several days of intensive use, while 45 W HyperCharge fast charging allows the battery to be topped up quickly. The smartphone also supports 22.5 W reverse charging, effectively turning it into a power bank. The display is a 6.9-inch IPS panel with a 1600×720 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 7i protection.

Redmi 17

Read also: Bigme HiBreak Plus Review: Affordable E Ink Smartphone-Reader with Color Display

The smartphone is powered by the eight-core MediaTek Helio G91 processor with 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM. Internal storage is available in 128 GB or 256 GB configurations, with microSD support in both cases. The camera setup includes a 50 MP main sensor with an auxiliary lens, along with an 8 MP front-facing camera for selfies. The smartphone also features a 3.5 mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and IP65-rated protection against dust and water. The base version of the Redmi 17 is available from $190/€165.

Poco M8 5G

The Poco M8 5G stands out with a stylish, nearly bezel-less design and a curved waterfall display that gives the smartphone a more premium look. It features a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 2392×1080 resolution, along with an optical fingerprint scanner integrated beneath the display. The smartphone also offers stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, while the body is rated IP66 for protection against dust and water and has an SGS certification for resistance to minor shocks and drops.

Poco M8 5G

Under the hood, the Poco M8 5G is powered by the eight-core Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 710 graphics. It is available in three configurations: 8/256 GB, 8/512 GB, and 12/512 GB. The smartphone runs Android 16, while connectivity options include the standard Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC, as well as an IR blaster. The camera setup includes a 50 MP Light Fusion 400 main sensor with an auxiliary module, while the front-facing camera has a 20 MP resolution. The 5,520 mAh battery supports 45 W fast charging and 18 W reverse charging. The entry-level Poco M8 5G is available from $230/€200.

Tecno Camon 50

This is an interesting option if you are looking for a modern learning tool for a child with advanced AI capabilities. The Tecno Camon 50 features a dedicated physical button on the body for quickly accessing the AI assistant. Another advantage for active school life is its robust IP68/IP69K-rated protection, along with MIL-STD-810 certification. The smartphone features a nearly bezel-less 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2644×1208 resolution and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz.

Tecno Camon 50

Read also: Samsung Galaxy A57 vs Galaxy A37 Review: Updated Bestsellers

Reliable performance is provided by the MediaTek Helio G200 Ultimate processor with liquid cooling. The smartphone is available in several configurations, including 8/256 GB and 12/256 GB. For photography and video, it features a 50 MP Sony LYT-700C main camera paired with an 8 MP ultrawide lens, while a 32 MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls. Battery life is another strong point: the 6,150 mAh battery provides extended endurance, while 45 W fast charging allows it to be topped up quickly. The device also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The Tecno Camon 50 is available from $270/€235.

realme P4 4G

The realme P4 4G features a 6.8-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits. An in-display fingerprint scanner is integrated beneath the panel. Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 685 chipset with Adreno 710 graphics, paired with 6 GB of RAM and either 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage. In both configurations, the storage can be expanded. The smartphone also offers all the essential wireless connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS.

Realme P4 4G

The realme P4 4G runs Android 15 with the company’s ColorOS interface. Its 7,000 mAh battery provides long battery life and supports 45 W Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging. For photography and video, the smartphone uses a 50 MP OmniVision OV50D40 main sensor, while an 8 MP front-facing camera is available for selfies and video calls. The device also features IP65-rated protection against dust and water splashes. The realme P4 4G is available from $195/€170.

Infinix Hot 70

The budget-friendly Infinix Hot 70 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate chipset with Mali-G57 graphics. The model is available with either 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage, while both versions come with 4 GB of RAM. Storage can be expanded via a dedicated microSD card slot. On the software side, the smartphone runs Android 16 with Infinix’s XOS interface. The device features a 6.78-inch IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 700 nits. The resolution is relatively modest at 1576×720 pixels.

Infinix Hot 70

The rear panel houses a 50 MP main camera capable of recording video in 2K resolution, while an 8 MP front-facing camera is available for selfies and video calls. A 6,000 mAh battery provides extended battery life and supports 45 W fast charging as well as 10 W reverse charging. Other features include stereo speakers with DTS Sound, a fingerprint scanner integrated into the side-mounted power button, and IP65-rated protection against dust and water splashes. The base version of the Infinix Hot 70 is available from $150/€130.

Overall, the market for capable budget and mid-range smartphones is broad, offering fairly good specifications at reasonable prices. Of course, these devices are not designed for gaming at maximum graphics settings, but they should handle all the tasks required for studying with ease. And that is exactly what matters.

What do you think: is a relatively basic smartphone enough for a student, or is it better to opt for a more powerful device? And is it really worth spending money on a top-of-the-line flagship for a school student? Share your thoughts, experience, or popular models that were not included in our roundup in the comments.

Read also: Review and Comparison of Redmi Note 15 Pro and Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Newest
OldestMost Voted