What is the best phone you can buy in Nigeria for under ₦150,000 or ₦200,000? Budget phones have improved a lot. For around ₦130,000 you can now get 128GB of storage, a smooth 120Hz screen and a 6,000mAh battery. For under ₦200,000 you can get 5G, water resistance or Samsung’s six years of software updates. Prices, however, change almost weekly and vary widely between shops.
We compared prices from Nigerian retailers and price guides and checked the specifications of the most popular budget phones from Xiaomi, Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, itel and POCO. Below are our picks for each budget, what each phone is best at, and how to avoid paying too much or buying a fake.
Last updated: 21 October 2026. Prices are typical new-phone prices from Nigerian retailers such as Slot, Pointek and Jumia, and Nigerian price guides (see Sources). They vary by shop, storage version and the exchange rate, so always confirm before buying.
Quick picks
| Phone | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 15C (4GB/128GB) | ₦128,000 to ₦150,000 | Best overall under ₦150k |
| Infinix Hot 60i (4GB/128GB) | ₦120,000 to ₦146,000 | Fast charging (45W) |
| POCO C85 (6GB/128GB) | About ₦143,000 | Most RAM for the money |
| Tecno Spark 40 (4GB/128GB) | ₦135,000 to ₦160,000 | Camera and design |
| Xiaomi Redmi A5 (4GB/128GB) | About ₦109,000 | Cheapest good phone |
| itel Power 70 (4GB/128GB) | About ₦125,000 | Battery life |
| Xiaomi Redmi 15C 5G (4GB/128GB) | About ₦174,000 | Cheapest 5G phone |
| Samsung Galaxy A07 (4GB/64GB or 128GB) | ₦127,000 to ₦196,000 | Long software support |
| Tecno Spark 50 (4GB/128GB) | ₦175,000 to ₦201,000 | Biggest battery (6,700mAh) |
| itel S25 (6GB or 8GB/128GB) | ₦140,000 to ₦160,000 | AMOLED screen on a budget |
| Samsung Galaxy A17 4G (6GB/128GB) | ₦180,000 to ₦200,000+ | Best screen and updates under ₦200k |
What to look for in a budget phone in 2026
- At least 4GB of real RAM. Many adverts quote “8GB RAM” by adding “virtual” or “extended” RAM, which uses storage and is much slower. Check the physical RAM figure.
- 128GB of storage. 64GB fills up quickly once WhatsApp photos, videos and voice notes build up. Pay a little more for 128GB.
- A 5,000mAh battery or bigger. With power cuts common, a 6,000mAh battery can make the difference between lasting the day or not. Fast charging (33W or 45W) helps when power returns briefly.
- A 90Hz or 120Hz screen. It makes scrolling feel much smoother. Most phones in this price range now have one.
- The chip. In this range, the MediaTek Helio G81 is the common baseline, the Helio G99 is noticeably faster, and the Dimensity 6300 adds 5G.
- Software updates. Samsung promises up to six years of Android and security updates on its A-series phones. Tecno, Infinix and itel usually give far fewer, so their phones age faster.
- Do you need 5G? 5G is still limited to parts of major cities. See our list of 5G locations in Nigeria before paying extra for it.
Best phones under ₦150,000
1. Xiaomi Redmi 15C: best overall under ₦150k
Price: about ₦128,000 to ₦150,000 (4GB/128GB); about ₦144,000 to ₦149,000 (6GB/128GB).
The Redmi 15C is the most complete package in this price range. It has a huge 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, a 6,000mAh battery with 33W charging and a MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra chip that handles WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok and light games comfortably. It is a big, heavy phone, and the screen is HD+ rather than Full HD, but nothing else under ₦150k combines this battery, charging speed and screen size.
Good for: almost everyone, especially people who use their phone heavily for social media and video.
2. Infinix Hot 60i: fastest charging
Price: about ₦120,000 to ₦146,000 (4GB/128GB); about ₦186,000 (8GB/256GB).
The Hot 60i stands out for its 45W fast charging, which fills its 5,160mAh battery much faster than rivals. It has the same Helio G81 Ultimate chip class as the Redmi 15C, a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen and a 50MP main camera. It is a strong choice if you often have only short windows of electricity to charge.
Good for: people who need to charge quickly during short power windows.
3. POCO C85: most RAM for the money
Price: about ₦143,000 (6GB/128GB).
The POCO C85 is Xiaomi’s sister phone to the Redmi 15C, with a similar 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, 6,000mAh battery and 33W charging, but with 6GB of RAM at this price. The extra RAM helps keep apps open in the background, so switching between WhatsApp, the browser and your banking app is smoother.
Good for: multitaskers who keep many apps open.
4. Tecno Spark 40: best for selfies and style
Price: about ₦135,000 to ₦160,000 (4GB/128GB).
Tecno’s Spark series is popular for its design and camera tuning, particularly for selfies in low light. The Spark 40 has a 6.67-inch 120Hz screen, a Helio G81 chip, a 50MP main camera and a 5,000mAh battery, though charging is slower at 18W. The Spark 40C (about ₦140,000 to ₦160,000) swaps in a bigger 6,000mAh battery.
Good for: social media users who care about selfies and how the phone looks.
5. Xiaomi Redmi A5: best under ₦110k
Price: about ₦109,000 (4GB/128GB).
If your budget is tight, the Redmi A5 is the cheapest phone we would recommend. It still gets 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 6.88-inch 120Hz screen and a 5,200mAh battery. Performance is basic and charging is slow (15W), but it handles calls, WhatsApp, browsing and YouTube well.
Good for: students, first-time smartphone users, parents and anyone who needs a second phone.
6. itel Power 70: best battery under ₦130k
Price: about ₦125,000 (4GB/128GB).
The itel Power 70 has a 6,000mAh battery, and it comes with a 4,000mAh battery case in the box that works like a small power bank. It also has IP54 splash resistance and a 6.67-inch 120Hz screen. Its Helio G50 chip is slow, so it is a phone for battery life, not for games.
Good for: traders, drivers and anyone who spends long days away from a socket.
Also worth considering: the itel P65 (about ₦120,000 to ₦140,000), with a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen and 18W charging, and the Tecno Spark 30C (about ₦118,000), last year’s model, which is now cheaper.
Best phones under ₦200,000
An extra ₦50,000 buys a faster chip, 5G, a better screen or much longer software support.
1. Samsung Galaxy A17 4G: best overall under ₦200k
Price: about ₦180,000 to ₦200,000+ (6GB/128GB).
The Galaxy A17 is the best phone you can buy for around ₦200,000, if you can find it at that price. It has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen (much brighter, with deeper colours than the LCD screens on cheaper phones), the faster Helio G99 chip, 6GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging. Samsung promises up to six Android upgrades and six years of security updates, so it should stay safe and usable far longer than rivals. Prices vary a lot between shops, so compare before buying.
Good for: anyone who wants a phone that will last four years or more.
2. Xiaomi Redmi 15C 5G: cheapest 5G phone
Price: about ₦174,000 (4GB/128GB, recommended retail price).
The 5G version of the Redmi 15C uses the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip, so it works on MTN and Airtel 5G in the areas that have it. It keeps the 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, 6,000mAh battery and 33W charging, and adds IP64 dust and splash resistance. If you live in a 5G area of Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt, this is the cheapest way to use it.
Good for: people in 5G areas and anyone who wants a phone that is ready for 5G as it spreads.
3. Samsung Galaxy A07: Samsung reliability on a budget
Price: about ₦127,000 to ₦196,000, depending on storage and shop.
The Galaxy A07 is Samsung’s cheapest current phone. It has the Helio G99 chip, a 6.7-inch 90Hz screen, a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging, IP54 splash resistance and Samsung’s long update promise. Its price varies more than any other phone on this list, so shop around: at under ₦150,000 it is excellent value, but at close to ₦200,000 the Galaxy A17 is the better buy.
Good for: Samsung fans and anyone who values long-term updates over a big battery.
4. Tecno Spark 50: biggest battery
Price: about ₦175,000 to ₦201,000 (4GB/128GB).
The Spark 50 has a 6,700mAh battery, the largest on this list, plus a 6.78-inch 120Hz screen and a 50MP camera. It also supports reverse charging, so you can top up another phone from it. Its Helio G81 chip is the same as on cheaper phones and charging is only 18W, so you are paying mainly for battery size.
Good for: anyone dealing with long power outages.
5. itel S25: AMOLED screen for less
Price: about ₦140,000 to ₦160,000 (6GB or 8GB/128GB).
The itel S25 is the cheapest way to get a 6.78-inch AMOLED 120Hz screen, which makes videos and photos look noticeably better. It has 6GB or 8GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery. Its Unisoc T620 chip is modest and itel’s update support is limited.
Good for: people who watch a lot of video on their phone.
6. Redmi 15C or Infinix Hot 60i with more storage
If you store lots of photos and videos, the Redmi 15C 8GB/256GB (about ₦175,000) or the Infinix Hot 60i 8GB/256GB (about ₦186,000) double the storage and RAM of the base versions.
Comparison: key specs
| Phone | Chip | Screen | Battery and charging | 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 15C | Helio G81 Ultra | 6.9″ LCD, 120Hz | 6,000mAh, 33W | No (5G version available) |
| Infinix Hot 60i | Helio G81 Ultimate | 6.7″ LCD, 120Hz | 5,160mAh, 45W | No |
| POCO C85 | Helio G81 Ultra | 6.9″ LCD, 120Hz | 6,000mAh, 33W | No |
| Tecno Spark 40 | Helio G81 | 6.67″ LCD, 120Hz | 5,000mAh, 18W | No |
| Redmi A5 | Entry-level | 6.88″ LCD, 120Hz | 5,200mAh, 15W | No |
| itel Power 70 | Helio G50 | 6.67″ LCD, 120Hz | 6,000mAh + 4,000mAh case, 18W | No |
| Redmi 15C 5G | Dimensity 6300 | 6.9″ LCD, 120Hz | 6,000mAh, 33W | Yes |
| Galaxy A07 | Helio G99 | 6.7″ LCD, 90Hz | 5,000mAh, 25W | No |
| Tecno Spark 50 | Helio G81 | 6.78″ LCD, 120Hz | 6,700mAh, 18W | No |
| itel S25 | Unisoc T620 | 6.78″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 5,000mAh, 18W | No |
| Galaxy A17 4G | Helio G99 | 6.7″ AMOLED, 90Hz | 5,000mAh, 25W | No |
What about a used iPhone?
For ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 you can only get an old UK-used iPhone such as the iPhone XR, which no longer gets major iOS updates and usually has a worn battery. For the same money, a new Android phone from this list will have a much better battery, more storage and a warranty. If you want an iPhone, budget at least ₦280,000 for a UK-used iPhone 11. See our full guide to iPhone prices in Nigeria.
How to buy safely
- Buy from a known retailer or the brand’s own store. Slot, Pointek, Jumia (sold by the official brand store), and Tecno, Infinix, itel, Samsung and Xiaomi brand shops all give a proper warranty.
- Check the box and IMEI. Dial *#06# and make sure the IMEI on screen matches the box and the sticker on the phone.
- Check the real RAM and storage in Settings > About phone before you leave the shop. Ignore “extended RAM”.
- Get a receipt and warranty card. Most brands give 12 months’ warranty, and Tecno, Infinix and itel have Carlcare service centres across Nigeria.
- Be careful with very cheap online deals. On Jiji, Instagram and WhatsApp, inspect the phone in person and never pay a deposit to an unknown seller.
- Compare prices. The same phone can differ by ₦30,000 or more between shops, especially Samsung models.
Once you have your phone, see our guide to MTN data plans and how to save data and our overview of mobile technology in Nigeria.
Need more battery? See our guide to the best power banks in Nigeria, with prices and how many charges you really get.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best phone under ₦150,000 in Nigeria?
The Xiaomi Redmi 15C (4GB/128GB) is our top pick, with a 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, a 6,000mAh battery and 33W charging. The Infinix Hot 60i is the best alternative if you want faster charging.
What is the best phone under ₦200,000 in Nigeria?
The Samsung Galaxy A17 4G, if you can find it at around ₦200,000, for its AMOLED screen and six years of updates. The Redmi 15C 5G is the best choice if you want 5G.
Which budget phone has the best battery?
The Tecno Spark 50 (6,700mAh). The itel Power 70 (6,000mAh plus a 4,000mAh battery case) is the best under ₦130,000.
Is Samsung better than Tecno and Infinix?
Samsung’s budget phones get far more software updates, which keeps them secure for longer. Tecno, Infinix and Xiaomi usually offer bigger batteries, faster charging and bigger screens for the same money. Choose based on whether you plan to keep the phone for years.
Why do phone prices in Nigeria change so often?
Phones are imported and priced in dollars, so prices follow the naira exchange rate. Retailers also run frequent promotions, so a phone’s price can change from week to week.
Sources
- Mobility Nigeria: best phones under ₦150,000 in Nigeria (2026)
- Mobility Nigeria: best phones under ₦200,000 in Nigeria (2026)
- Revibyte: best phones under ₦120k and ₦200k in Nigeria (updated September 2026)
- NaijaTechGuide: best budget smartphones under ₦200k (2026)
- Mobility Nigeria: Xiaomi Redmi 15C 5G specs and price
- Mobility Nigeria: Tecno Spark 50 specs and price (updated October 2026)
- Slot: Samsung Galaxy A07 listing
