A good smartphone doesn't necessarily need to cost a lot of money. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 is a good example: It's a solid everyday smartphone with a 90 Hz display, an octa-core SoC, and NFC for less than 200 Euros (~$229). It also features a 50 MP camera and a 5,000 mAh battery with 18-watt fast charging.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Xiaomi-Redmi-10-A-lot-of-smartphone-at-a-bargain-price.578743.0.html
Just bought the Poco M4 Pro for my father for 179 €.
Xiaomi in general just has great devices at decent prices. Can't find anything remotely similar to it at that price from Samsung, Motorola, etc.