Buying a refurbished or used phone, although often cheaper, comes with a lot of challenges, as we covered in Should You Buy a Refurbished Phone? Many of these issues you are not always ready to face, but did you know that at the same price you spend on a refurbished phone, you can actually get a brand-new smartphone?
One might ask, why buy a cheap brand-new phone when I can get a slightly older(outdated) flagship device for the same amount? Here’s why
When you buy a brand-new phone, you’re surely getting a device that still has full software support. That means better device security and overall performance capabilities that roll out with phone software updates over the set years. Most Android phones receive software updates for about 5-7 years, with popular phone brands in Africa guaranteeing only 3-4 years of updates. After the set period, you’ll need to get a new device to keep up with the latest features and App compatibility.
Noticed how Apps like Chrome browser can display and behave differently on different phones running the same app version? It comes down to the phone’s operating system updates, not the app.
And let’s not overlook the hardware issues that often come with used phones, such as weak batteries, scratched screens, and blurry cameras with broken notches. It’s a lot to handle, which is why we created this list of some of the best budget phones in Uganda that you can buy for less than UGX 500,000.
Samsung Galaxy A06: Released in August 2024, this phone will comfortably carry you through 2025, with about 5-6 years of software updates expected. Compared to the 2023 release of A05 and A05s, a top recommendation on Jumia.ug, A06 comes at a slightly higher price than the two but offers improved performance for phone users who mostly browse social media, and handle everyday phone tasks with common apps.
Priced at around UGX 360,000, the Galaxy A06 delivers a side-mounted fingerprint, faster charging and improved speed, thanks to Android 14 with One UI 6, unlike the A05 and A05s, on Android 13. Still, if you’re on a tight budget, the A05 and A05s models will work just fine.
Samsung Galaxy A05: Overlooking the camera and phone speed on heavy tasks, the Galaxy A05 offers a fresh and relatively reliable experience at a lower price, in the vicinity of UGX 300,000 for the 4GB RAM model and UGX 500,000 for the 6GB RAM version of A05. If your needs are mostly calls and basic app usage, 4GB RAM will do. But if you or your children enjoy racing games or graphics-heavy apps, go for the 6GB RAM version.
On a budget slightly close to Galaxy A05, the Samsung Galaxy A05s offers better graphics and a smoother refresh rate than the A05. These two nearly deliver the same overall performance.
Disclaimer: Samsung Galaxy models listed in this article are entry-level devices and aren’t the best for heavy and extended gaming, but can handle light gaming reasonably well.
Redmi 14C: If you’re not tied to big-name brands, Redmi is worth considering for its budget-friendly phones that deliver solid performance. As of 2025, Redmi 14C, released in August 2024, offers good value for money. Depending on where you buy it, the Redmi 14C (8GB RAM + 128GB Storage) goes for around UGX 340,000. Prices vary for larger storage options, with the 256GB version priced at about UGX 420,000.
What stands out about Redmi phones is that they consistently come with a decent camera, strong battery and reliable overall performance.
Budget Tecno Phones in Uganda 2025
When you set aside the usual Tecno-phone stereotype, something we addressed in our Tecno Spark Go Series review, you’ll find that Tecno is actually a reliable brand for budget-friendly devices offering features comparable to flagship phones on the market.
One of these headliners is the Tecno Spark 40, a 2025 release rumoured to resemble the upcoming iPhone 17. Priced at around UGX 450,000 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, with a side-mounted fingerprint, this phone currently boasts one of the most futuristic designs among entry-level options.
If you’re buying this phone online, be sure to check the official Tecno website to see how the phone looks and avoid confusing it with the Tecno Spark 30C. Some vendors on Jiji and Jumia Uganda are listing the 30C as the Spark 40 at a lower price. According to YouTube tech reviewer Ben Freeman, the Spark 40 is the fastest-charging budget phone on the market in 2025.
Next in line is the Tecno Spark 30C, released in October 2024, which comes at a slightly lower price than the Spark 40. However, considering that the Spark 40 is its upgraded version with faster charging, a larger battery, longer software support, and a small price gap, going for the Tecno Spark 40 is a recommendable option here.
As for the Tecno Pop line, it’s rarely recommended. However, if you’re a Tecno user with a budget under UGX 350,000, the Tecno Pop 9 (October 2024) and the upcoming Tecno Pop 10 can still meet basic performance needs within that price range.
Affordable Infinix Phones in Uganda 2025
Don’t like the Tecno brand? Go for Infinix. Along with Itel and phone accessory maker Oraimo, these brands are all owned by the same Chinese company, Transsion Holdings. Often, Tecno and Infinix phones in the same price range share similar features.
At about UGX 420,000, the Infinix Hot 50i, released in October 2024, offers performance comparable to the Redmi 14C and Tecno 30C. It has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and is dust and water-resistant. This makes it a good choice for budget-friendly users who don’t prefer Tecno or any of the phones recommended above.
Released around the same time and priced similarly is the Infinix Smart 9, a close alternative to the Hot 50i. These literally have the same specifications.
Affordable Itel Phones in Uganda 2025
For some reason, some Android users prefer Itel phones over Tecno and Infinix. The Itel P65, released in August 2024, is a good option for a brand-new budget-friendly phone in 2025. Priced at about UGX 450,000 for 128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM (with an 8GB variant available depending on where you buy it), it’s a fair buy.
Itel users on a tighter budget can consider the Itel A80, released around the same time at a slightly lower price. However, it comes with reduced specs in terms of chipset, CPU, and GPU. All these are entry-level phones.
We intentionally skipped the flashy details, such as camera pixels, resolution, and phone dimensions, because these features, despite changing over the years, haven’t made a meaningful difference in real-world performance across most budget phones. It’s often just marketing.
This article also doesn’t break down every phone feature or function, even for the models that have them. If you’re interested in detailed specifications, it’s better to choose a brand you’re comfortable with and check the full specifications on the manufacturer’s or vendor’s website.
Instead, we’ve focused on what actually matters for daily use: RAM, refresh rate, software support, and operating system, all within a price range of UGX 300,000 to 500,000, for a decent battery life and display quality.
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