What are the main functions of a modern smartphone? Calls, Internet, playing music and video, launching games and web applications, photographing and navigation. If you compare expensive smartphones with affordable ones, it suddenly turns out that absolutely all devices are equipped with a basic feature set.
If you do not want to spend exorbitant sums for the latest top-end smartphones, you can certainly find the best model for yourself among the available devices. We tried to present the most diverse selection of current models of 2015-16. All of them have their advantages and, of course, disadvantages, but each has its own trump card, which can be a decisive argument for.
Content:
Budget smartphone which company to buy
Homtom, Doogee, UMI
They can be carried out in one section, as they are described approximately equally. Previously unknown manufacturers from China, which do not provide official support, service, or warranty in other countries. But the cost of their smartphones is much lower than that of counterparts from A-brands. Buying smartphones from such brands is a risk, but often justified.
HTC, Samsung
The grandees of the world smartphone construction. Guaranteed build quality, authorized service centers in each more or less large city, brand shops, advertising on TV, on boards and in the press. But the price is much higher than that of nameless analogues.
Lenovo
A kind of "golden mean" between the "basement Chinese" and "majors". By making budget devices on standard low-cost components (plastic cases, Mediatek chipsets, etc.), Lenovo provides quite decent quality, but without pathos.
Highscreen
This brand belongs to the Russian company "Vobis", so in post-Soviet countries Highscreen is offered with an official guarantee and good service. Nevertheless, the assembly of models produced in the same China from low-cost components.
Micromax
An Indian company whose main task is to conquer the local market due to low prices. This allows Micromax to produce extremely inexpensive models, however, sacrificing everything it can.
- More details: Smartphone which company is better to buy
Rating best cheap smartphones
When choosing devices for the rating, in addition to cost, we considered:
- Fame of the manufacturer (albeit sometimes relative);
- Year of announcement / release of the model;
- Availability of the model on sale (as of August 2016);
- The presence of some distinctive properties (power, build quality, dimensions), which could distinguish this model among others.
Best cheap smartphones up to 5000 rubles
HOMTOM HT17
recommend: BEST CHINESE SMART PHONES
Chinese manufacturers have learned to do not only superflagmany like OnePlus, but also simply inexpensive smartphones that you do not want to immediately bang on the wall. HomTom HT17 - an example of ultrabudgetary, not bad coping with their tasks. If you are not afraid to buy the device of a little-known company without official service, then you should consider this model.
Pros:
- Android Marshmallow out of the box;
- High-quality screen (5.5 inches, HD-resolution);
- LTE;
- Fingerprint scanner;
- Decent autonomy.
Minuses:
- MT6737 budget chipset;
- Not the best materials;
- Very weak camera;
- Lack of official support.
Such smartphones are usually taken with full understanding that there are no miracles for this amount. Buyers are usually satisfied with the result, but in general they are ready to put up with a low-quality camera and shaky plastic.
HTC Desire 320
read also: HTC's best smartphones
Budget devices - rare guests in the expensive line of HTC. Desire 320 was announced in early 2015, but is still on sale and finds its followers. Although it is based on the budgetary Mediatek 6582 chipset, HTC engineers managed to make the processor work much more efficiently in it than in nameless Chinese devices.And HTC’s style hasn't gone anywhere either.
On the other hand, there are certain interruptions, brakes, overheating. What to do: usually HTC engineers and programmers are guided by more powerful and high-quality components.
Pros:
- A good 5 megapixel camera, and no ultra-pixels;
- Upgrade to Android 6.0;
- Traditionally, good sound (but only in headphones);
- Corporate design.
Minuses:
- Chipset MT6582 with deficiencies Mediatek;
- There is little internal memory, and applications are not transferred to the memory card;
- Often there are problems with the quality of the sensor;
- No LTE.
In general, HTC has never been famous for its budget models, with an emphasis on flagship devices. Many buyers are disappointed with the flaws: network loss, weak GPS, a buggy display. We ourselves doubted whether to include this device in the selection. But HTC, and for such money!
Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini SM-J105H
Of course, Samsung is not famous for “budget”, especially now, when the company is loved for flagships. But the J1 Mini has no special competitors. Which of the first-tier manufacturers in our era "shovels" produces Android-4-inch smartphones? However, this is its main advantage: otherwise, the device’s capabilities are limited by a weak chipset. And on the "kit" developers have saved on everything that can be.
- See also: The best smartphones from Samsung
Pros:
- Compactness;
- High-quality assembly;
- Samsung shell;
- Nice design.
Minuses:
- Weak Spreadtrum SC8830 chipset, poor performance;
- Not impressive autonomy;
- Somewhat overpriced (however, it gradually falls);
- No autofocus, flash, proximity sensor;
- No update above Android 5.1.1.
It is worth taking, only if you are ready to put up with extremely modest opportunities for the sake of a big name or official support. Or if you are so oppressed with the shovels that even such an unfinished "baby" will be more convenient.
Lenovo A2010
We recommend to look at the selection: BEST SMART PHONES LENOVO
Lenovo has a unique gift: take the same components as other Chinese manufacturers, and build well-functioning devices on the same Mediatek chipsets. Lenovo A2010 is built on an economical MT6735M, and the display resolution seems archaic - 854x480. However, this modesty allows it to have excellent autonomy with a 2000 mAh battery. A combination of low-cost components makes the smartphone itself extremely affordable.
Pros:
- Good build;
- Relatively new version of Android (5.1);
- Good support from the manufacturer;
- LTE.
Minuses:
- Weak camera;
- Insufficient power for "heavy" applications and games;
- Inexpressive design.
As a rule, such smartphones are taken by buyers accustomed to counting money. The drawbacks of the model seem to them quite acceptable.
DOOGEE X6 Pro
Doogee - Chinese manufacturer, gaining weight in recent times. Like other companies from China, Doogee begins with the release of compelling budget models. The X6 Pro is a powerful, affordable smartphone with a 5.5-inch HD screen, MT6735 chipset, 16 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM. About three years ago, these were almost flagship parameters.
Pros:
- Large amount of memory;
- LTE;
- 3000 mAh battery;
- Strict stylish design;
- Upgrade to Android Marshmallow.
Minuses:
- A little-known brand without well-established support;
- Multitouch for just 2 touches;
- Incomplete Russification of Android.
Considering that today manufacturers like Doogee are popular mainly among enthusiasts who are able to fix most of the problems on their own, the device owners most often are delighted with it. However, ordinary users will be forced to contact the usual repair services, for lack of a formal guarantee.
UMI Rome X
The main feature of the Chinese company UMI, producing devices with approximately the same filling that others - design. The Rome X model with a 5.5-inch display features a frameless style (like the latest Samsung, LG and Motorola models) and a metal case. Particularly impressive "Roman" smartphone looks in a gold color. The rest of Rome X doesn’t really stand out: MT6580, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB drive and memory card slot, plus a rather modest 2500 mAh battery (and measurements show that its actual capacity is even lower).
- We recommend: Best shockproof smartphones
Pros:
- Design;
- Metal case;
- High quality HD display;
- Proven chipset.
Minuses:
- Multitouch for 2 touches;
- Weak autonomy;
- Unfinished firmware (problems fixed in updates, but they must be installed manually);
- Lack of official support.
For once, geeks can get for modest money not only interesting iron and a great screen, but also a great look. UMI Rome X is a smartphone for fashionistas and fashionistas, but people who are able to reflash it or get a root on their own are truly pleased with it.
Highscreen Pure F
You'll like it: RATING COMPACT SMARTPHONES
Compact devices today are represented mainly in the budget segment. Model Pure F offers today's rare screen size - 4 inches. In the sense of stuffing, this is quite a standard state employee on MT6582, which is primarily distinguished by relatively fresh Android - 5.1.
Pros:
- Compactness;
- Relatively powerful chipset;
- Available in a variety of bright colors;
- Android 5.1 is out of the box.
Minuses:
- Mediocre low resolution TN display;
- Strange design;
- Poor autonomy (1 business day);
- No OTG;
- Extremely bad camera.
As in the case with the above Samsung J1 Mini, the main reason for taking this particular model is the dimensions. Buyers, not spoiled by the choice, are forced to put up with other shortcomings of the device, but, as a rule, are ready to accept them.
Micromax S300 Bolt
look: GOOD AND EXPENSIVE SMART PHONES
The Indian company Micromax is forced to be equal to the market, where, for obvious reasons, inexpensive devices are used. However, the fanaticism of the Indians pushes them to create masterpieces that are inaccessible even to their Chinese neighbors. If you have just enough money, pay attention to the S300 Bolt model (you can joke about the tractor driver and the bolts). Of course, for such money, the apparatus will differ not only in modesty, but in the austerity of the master yoga.
Pros:
- Price! Today it is the cheapest Android-smartphone available on the Russian market;
- Compact: 4-inch display;
- Good voice quality;
- Android 4.4 (for its class, this is an achievement);
- Pretty nice design;
- Funny name (and why not).
Minuses:
- 0.3 MP main camera. No, not a typo: zero point three megapixels. The main VGA camera in 2016, Karl!
- 1200 mAh battery, providing a full day of work;
- Archaic processor SC7715;
- Lack of GPS;
- Cheap materials.
It is clear that with such a limited budget, there is not much to choose from. Therefore, users can’t complain about problems with a smartphone called Bolt.
What budget smartphone to choose
Another good smartphones in different price ranges:
1. If you need a phone with maximum functionality, you should pay attention to the "Chinese". They offer chipsets and screens of such quality as A-brands are worth a lot of money. A flashing can achieve greater stability.
2. Brands like Samsung or HTC are good for their relative reliability. They are worth taking if you do not trust devices without a guarantee (or if you are not understood with the Chinese in your environment)
3. If you have a problem with money or just need an extra "dialer", you can take Micromax. True, with the remaining tasks this device will cope exactly at its price - that is, no way. But you will have synchronization of contacts, good voice communication and convenient applications for calls and mail.
Did not find a suitable option? Read our article:How to choose a mobile phone - inexpensive, but good and you can choose the right device yourself.
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