5 inexpensive smartphones you don’t regret buying in six months

Many people associate the budget segment of smartphones with nondescript gadgets that start to fail almost out of the box, and their limit of possibilities is limited by instant messengers, simple games and photographing as many documents as possible. The market for cheap mobile phones is really full of frankly bad gadgets, but among them there are inexpensive but good phones that do not disappoint even after prolonged use. This article is written about the five of these (in ascending order of price up to 20,000 rubles).

Realme C21 (4/64ГБ)

From 7 990 rubles

• Display: 6.5 inches, IPS, 1600 × 720 pixels, 60 Hz.
• Processor: Helio G35 (12 nm), 4 × Cortex-A53 (2.3 GHz) + 4 × Cortex-A53 (1.8 GHz).
• RAM: 4 GB.
• User memory: 64 GB.
• Main camera: 13 MP (f / 2.2) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 5 MP (f / 2.2).
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 10 W, microUSB.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 10, Realme UI.

Previously, among ultra-budget models, installing 2 GB of RAM was considered the norm, but then this “standard” increased to 3 GB. Realme C21 became the smartphone that brought 4 GB of RAM to the segment, and this is really a lot – most smartphones have the same amount of “RAM” more expensive. Focusing on RAM, the manufacturer did not forget about other characteristics: a modern processor, a sufficient camera, a large battery and an NFC chip for contactless payment. The only “drawback” is the low resolution of the display, but for this price there are practically no models with Full HD (and if there is, then with the sacrifice of other characteristics for the sake of the screen).

Samsung Galaxy M12 (4/64 ГБ)

From 11 470 rubles

• Display: 6.5 inches, PLS IPS, 1600 × 720 pixels, 90 Hz.
• Processor: Exynos 850 (8 nm), 8 × Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz).
• RAM: 4 GB.
• User memory: 64 GB.
• Main camera: 48 MP (f / 2.0) + 5 MP (f / 2.2, ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 8 MP (f / 2.2).
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 15 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 11, One UI Core 3.1.

For a long time, Samsung was frankly inferior in the market of budget smartphones, but with new models, the Korean company began to crowd out competitors. One of the most successful new products is the Galaxy M12. In addition to the fact that its screen supports a frequency of 90 Hz (this, until recently, a flagship feature), the built-in processor is made according to the energy-efficient and modern 8 nm process technology – autonomy, taking into account also the low resolution of the display with a large battery, is at the highest level. In addition, the smartphone comes with fresh Android 11 and a lightweight One UI Core 3.1 shell – this can also be attributed to the advantages of the gadget.

Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro (4/64 ГБ)

From 14 390 rubles

• Display: 6.5 inches, IPS, 2400 × 1080 pixels, 90 Hz.
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G (7 nm), 2 × Cortex-A76 (2.2 GHz) + 6 × Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz).
• RAM: 4 GB.
• User memory: 64 GB.
• Main camera: 48 MP (f / 1.8) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 8 MP (f / 2.0).
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 18 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 11, MIUI 12.

Xiaomi’s Poco series smartphones have always miraculously received cutting-edge hardware, but at the same time a low price. This happened with the Poco M3 Pro – unlike the aforementioned models, it already has a Full HD screen and a really productive processor (considering the price). Add some decent cameras to that and you have a hit smartphone for its price – and that’s what it has become. The only caveat is that for this price there are models with 6 GB of RAM, but 4 GB will be enough for most undemanding users.

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro (6/128 ГБ)

From 16 990 rubles

• Display: 6.67 inches, IPS, 2400 × 1080 pixels, 120 Hz.
• Processor: Snapdragon 860 (7 nm), 1 × Kryo 485 Gold (2.96 GHz) + 3 × Kryo 485 Gold (2.42 GHz) + 4 × Kryo 485 Silver (2.0 GHz).
• RAM: 6 GB.
• User memory: 128GB.
• Main camera: 48 MP (f / 1.8) + 8 MP (f / 2.2, ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 20 MP (f / 2.2).
• Battery: 5160 mAh, 33 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 11, MIUI 12.5 for POCO.

Poco X3 Pro is a true flagship killer. He has a display with a frequency of 120 Hz (previously only premium models had such), and a truly productive processor (which is enough for any task), and 33 W high-speed charging. The cameras cannot be called the best in the segment, but they cannot be described as bad either. This is the best smartphone for its price for those who are not going to take pictures every day in poor shooting conditions.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (6/128 ГБ)

From 19 500 rubles

• Display: 6.67 inches, AMOLED, 2400 x 1080 pixels, 120 Hz.
• Processor: Snapdragon 732G (8nm), 2 × Kryo 470 Gold (2.3 GHz) + 6 × Kryo 470 Silver (1.8 GHz).
• RAM: 6 GB.
• User memory: 128GB.
• Main camera: 108 MP (f / 1.9) + 8 MP (f / 2.2, ultra wide angle) + 5 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor).
• Front camera: 16 MP (f / 2.5).
• Battery: 5020 mAh, 33 W, USB-C.
• NFC chip: yes.
• Pre-installed operating system: Android 11, MIUI 12.

Judging solely by the processor, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a step back from the aforementioned Poco X3 Pro. But in many other components it is better. Firstly, here is an AMOLED display with the same characteristics (it is considered better in color and contrast than IPS). Secondly, the cameras are better here – they are still not reference, but the difference is noticeable. Thirdly, there is a premium design that shows up in the glass lid. However, not everyone considers the glass back to be an advantage, since it is more fragile and, moreover, is often hidden behind a cover.