A good inexpensive smartphone on Android. The best inexpensive smartphones: review, description, characteristics and reviews

Alcatel smartphones have never been super fast - even flagship models received middle-class processors, and state employees were not particularly distinguished by their performance. It didn’t stand out that not a single model remains in memory, with the exception of the flagship Idol.

Pop 4S was also not created as an extremely powerful mobile phone. On the contrary, it was a solid option for those who did not like “Chinese” and could not save up for middle-class Korean smartphones. Now the dam has broken and all sorts of things have poured into cell phone stores at reasonable prices. Xiaomi Redmi and Honor/Huawei with the suffix “lite”, and at the beginning of 2016 the choice was much more modest. This is probably why Alcatel asked for a smartphone as much as 19 thousand rubles.

Fans of Chinese phones did not appreciate this initiative and went to buy Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro, while lovers of beautiful nameplates on the case sighed and took out a loan Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016), with a protective film and an extended warranty, but of course!

As a result, the popularity of the Pop 4S did not work out, and it began to fall in price sharply. So much so that last year’s mid-range smartphone in some stores is now sold for 6,500 rubles! For this money, even from China you can only order the cheap Xiaomi Redmi 4A, which will not have eight cores, a Full HD display, or NFC ( Android Pay), nor a fingerprint scanner. And the Pop 4S even has a discrete DAC (AK4375). It's cheap and poorly configured, but even in this condition it produces better sound in headphones than almost all quad-core budget smartphones for the same money.

There are also plenty of disadvantages in the cheap Alcatel - a consumer-grade display, which is “adjusted automatically” to a good level of contrast, cameras exactly at the level of smartphones for 8 thousand rubles, stuffed with all sorts of rubbish and a bit “buggy” firmware (no prospects Android updates, as is customary with Alcatel), and autonomy, which is barely enough for a day. The question of reliability also remains open, which at Alcatel varies widely from model to model, and yet in the new Pop 4S for 6.5-8 thousand rubles, the pros outweigh the cons.

Moto G5 - fast processor and nothing extra in the system

Smartphones with good modern processors today start from 10-12 thousand rubles - for this money you can count on a Chinese mobile phone that will be much faster than the flagships of past years ( Sony Xperia Z3/Samsung Galaxy S5) or new Samsung/Sony/LG worth 20-25 thousand.

You can even buy a smartphone with a rare processor and 4 GB of RAM - some ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML with Intel Atom and powerful graphics on board. But only if the monsieur knows a lot about perversions, because in Android everything that is rare or outdated in modern conditions does not work optimally. That is, it almost always turns out that the new simple “state employee”, without heating up and hesitating, performs the same tasks as the fire-breathing flagship of 2015 “I can’t jump over it.”

Although the “Aliexpress warriors” can afford nothing even for 7-8 thousand - there is enough money for both a cheap, reliable Redmi 4X and a fast LeEco Cool1, like the flagships of 2016. And the fashionable, stylish, although not so fast Meizu. But those who don’t want/can’t buy smartphones in Chinese stores, whatever one may say, are the majority, so today we will dance from official retail.

And in this very retail, your “Xiaoma” no longer looks so sexy - the Redmi 4X “at minimum” (2/16 GB) for 12 thousand rubles closely competes with the faster Wileyfox Swift 2 and the more intelligent Honor 6C in taking photos. Therefore, I will give preference to the Moto G5, and I have five two reasons for this:

The first reason is the software, it is very old and thick in Xiaomi. The second is, after all, the price; in Xiaomi it is very blatant. And, let’s be honest, a truly powerful budget Redmi is definitely not the 4X, which works just “within the bounds of decency”; you can’t count on more under the yoke of MIUI on 2 gigabytes of RAM. On the contrary, in the Moto G5, Android is one of the lightest of its kind, and this helps a lot. And Motorola also has a phenomenally bright and clear display (by the standards of state employees) - Xiaomi and ASUS, comparable in price, were not close!

Everything else in the G5 is done at a “B” level - the camera is average in quality (by default it takes better pictures than in the Redmi 4X, but it doesn’t “drag” beyond that in either HDR or manual mode), average battery life for a day, the usual sound for Snapdragon 430 in headphones. Of the features dear to old believers, it’s worth checking out the separate SIM (two) and microSD slots. There are no more surprises, and that’s good, because you can’t imagine how many “jokes” (most often in the bad sense of the word) smartphones worth 10 thousand rubles contain.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime is the most “evil” budget phone in a 5-inch case

Almost any Xiaomi smartphone can be called the fastest for your money, without even looking at the characteristics plate - Chinese “discounters” extract super discounts from processor manufacturers on cool chips. But Redmi 4 Prime is an outstanding mobile phone even by such standards. Because among the clumsy powerful “shovels” this is the fastest compact smartphone- it combines exactly 5 inches of Full HD display and a processor that is now equipped in twice as expensive models.

Nobody talks about this, but performance budget smartphones has been growing by the teaspoon, if at all, in recent years. While for flagships hardware manufacturers are trying to “shoe the flea” and release an even faster, even more economical processor, with new cores and “full stuffing”, in state-priced devices manufacturers are more often fooling around, sticking new names on old processors or symbolically overclocking (“ an overheated smartphone becomes a little faster, but heats up more and consumes more energy).

MediaTek has been especially successful in this, which... worsens cheap processors every year instead of introducing faster options for the same money. MediaTek MT6752 degenerated into a slightly less fast MT6753, and then it was subjected to “secondary castration” and turned into an even weaker MT6750. Qualcomm killed the power-hungry but fast Snapdragon 650/652 and instead rolled out the very economical and fast in applications, but dead in games, Snapdragon 625.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Therefore, when the Motorola Z Play was born, in which they asked for 35 thousand rubles for the Snapdragon 625, it, to put it mildly, “didn’t take off.” But Redmi 4 Prime with the same “heart” became a mega-popular and, for some time, scarce smartphone.

And it’s clear why - the brutal performance for just 11 thousand rubles in a smartphone with a metal body, a clear screen, an impressive storage device (32 or 64 GB), and even with a capacious battery (4100 mAh) “blowed the roof off” all enthusiasts. Yes, all Redmi had and still have cheap cameras, the body is also far from premium in appearance and touch, and the charging speed is far from Quick Charge and similar “bells and whistles”.

But Redmi 4 Prime is a unique racing projectile among budget smartphones, for which there has not been, is not and, apparently, will not be replaced (Xiaomi discontinued Redmi 4 Prime and left the less fast Redmi 4X to replace it). It hasn’t fallen in price even 9 months after its release, but it’s worth hunting for if you want to get a powerful, compact and budget smartphone at the same time.

Huawei nova - not very cheap, but good in everything

You see, what is the tragedy of fast budget smartphones - they are fast, but at the expense of anything else. In the Moto G5, for example, the battery capacity was shredded, in the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime the quality of the cameras is “lame”, Alcatel is simply famous for the “curvature” of the firmware and rapid wear. There is no middle ground. In rare cases, it appears, but immediately goes beyond the boundaries of what we understand by the phrase “budget smartphone.”

Wake me up in the middle of the night and ask me what kind of smartphones these are in 2016, “not budget phones, but not flagships, but just good at everything,” and I will answer you - ASUS ZenFone 3, Huawei nova, Meizu MX6. Reference mobile phones for those who have not decided what is more important to them - camera, games, autonomy or something else.

Of all this trinity, Huawei has become the cheapest and still quite widespread - partly because ASUS is still dragging its feet on releasing “just ZenFone 4” and is not lowering prices for old model, partly due to its Chinese origin and the recent release of nova 2. But the fact remains - the smartphone has fallen in price from 23 to 18 thousand in all federal networks, and you can order it from China for even 12 thousand (albeit, already in short supply, so don’t rely too much on “freebies”).

There’s nothing to tell about this smartphone, it’s like a taciturn “good guy” classmate - a normal guy, but not memorable. It takes good photographs (for 12 thousand, one might say, it’s cool), the autonomy was measured exactly for a day, the body is small, the display is bright and clear, the performance is the same as that of Redmi 4 Prime, but for 18 thousand this fact no longer excites the mind.

And it shouldn’t worry, because Huawei nova is just a slightly more civilized Redmi. If the main thing for Xiaomi buyers is that they “pump up the performance, but it’s cheap!”, then Huawei is more expensive, because the creators, in addition to this, stuff the smartphone with smart cameras (nova especially for taking selfies) and a body that is not as “consumer-grade” as Xiaomi. I am well aware that “listen, there you can Meizu Pro 6 10-core buy for the same money!”, but 10 cores in a compact case will not work at full capacity, but the nova with its “cold” Snapdragon 625 will, and it will, unlike the half-forgotten old flagship Meizu and Redmi 4 Prime, still full in stores.

Today, the Chinese market is able to provide users with various smartphone options, from top-end flagships to budget solutions. Today I would like to highlight the best Chinese smartphones, which at a price do not exceed $160, but at the same time have a decent performance reserve.

Without a doubt, THL is not new to the mobile industry and their THL T6 Pro smartphone with a price of $117 is impressive. The device uses an 8-core MediaTek MT6592M chipset, which runs on clock frequency 1.4 GHz. Its power is enough for comfortable work, and the low frequency has a positive effect on battery life.

The 5-inch screen has a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, and there is a good camera with a resolution of 8 MP. The device runs out of the box on Android 4.4 KitKat with the store installed Google applications Play.

The Elephone company has also gained significant momentum and has quite a lot of good devices in its arsenal. Elephone P3000 for $159 has something to surprise you with, including support mobile standard LTE, a 3150 mAh battery and a fingerprint scanner.

The device runs on the MediaTek MT6582 chipset - 4 cores 1.3 GHz, with 1 GB of RAM. The main camera is one of the best of smartphones this list, its 14 MP resolution is enough for comfortable shooting.

The company also has cheaper alternatives, so for $100 you can buy an Elephone G4. For this kind of money you will get a 5-inch screen with HD resolution, which is not typical for this price.

Among other things, it is worth noting: MediaTek MT6582 chipset, 1 GB of RAM, 8 MP main camera, Android 4.4 KitKat, support for 2 SIM cards and a 2050 mAh battery. In addition, the smartphone received a design very much reminiscent of the legendary OnePlus One.

ECOO is the youngest smartphone manufacturer on this list, but it immediately stood out with its $146 ECOO Focus E01 smartphone, which is head and shoulders above all the listed devices in terms of parameters.

ECOO Focus E01 received a 5.2-inch screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, a MediaTek MT6592 -1.7 GHz chipset, support for 2 SIM cards, an 8 MP main camera and a 2450 mAh battery. As you can see, the statement is very loud, and the design is borrowed from Samsung.

No.1 Mi4

It’s probably not difficult to guess which smartphone the No.1 Mi4 is a clone of, of course the Xiaomi MI4. The body of the device is made of alloy, it has a slot for installing memory cards. The uniqueness of the device is that it has an infrared port.

For $130, No.1 Mi4 offers the buyer a MediaTek MT6582 chipset, 1 GB of RAM, a 5-inch HD screen, 13 MP main and 8 MP front cameras. If needed stylish smartphone, then of course it makes sense to pay attention to this device.

Cubot S308, unlike previous models, at a price of $130, offers the user 2 GB of RAM. This will be enough for comfortable operation of several applications.

The device is also built on a 4-core chipset from MediaTek, has 16 GB of internal memory, a 5-inch HD screen and a 13 MP main camera. The smartphone has unique design and a rather thin body, which negatively affected the battery capacity - 2000 mAh.

For $115 you can purchase another OnePlus One clone - the Doogee DG580. This unit received a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 960x540 pixels, which will be enough for comfortable work.

It has MediaTek MT6582, Android 4.4 KitKat operating system, support for 2 SIM cards, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory and a 2500 mAh battery. The resolution is not HD, but as a result this will have a positive effect on battery life.

The list would not be without the legendary company Jiayu, which has the Jiayu G4c smartphone in stock. The device has settled on a price of $150, although there are options for purchasing it at a lower price.

The characteristics are not much inferior to the Jiayu G4: MediaTek MT6582, 1 GB of RAM, 4.7-inch screen - 1280x720 pixels, 13 MP main camera, Gorilla Glass on the front panel, 3000 or 2000 mAh battery.

Huawei Honor Play 4X

The most famous in the company Huawei smartphone Honor Play 4X, which is right in the $160 range and, unlike other devices, uses a 64-bit chipset from Qualcomm.

The smartphone has a 5.5-inch HD screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset - 1.2 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, LTE support, a 13 MP main camera and a 3000 mAh battery. As you can see, this is one of the most powerful smartphones of this company.

Read the review about how to buy inexpensively good phone with a good camera and screen. We have selected the best inexpensive smartphones of 2017. If suddenly you are not satisfied with those carefully selected 15 models of worthy phones, then read our advice. We have described in detail what to look for in order to choose the truly best model.

Inexpensive smartphones - we refuse to be tied to an operator

Based on our experience, it is best to take a smartphone without connection to mobile operator, and then just buy an operator SIM card separately at a favorable price tariff plan. This way, you won’t have to pay an extra 3-5 thousand every month, which you can spend on your needs.

The price of any phone in our selection does not exceed 15,000 rubles, which is a third of the cost of flagship smartphones like the Galaxy S 8, HTC 10 and LG G 6.

Those who want to choose an inexpensive device will sooner or later come across a lucrative offer. But it is important to ensure that the phone is sold without being tied to a mobile operator.

Inexpensive smartphones made in China and of good quality

Another option can be purchased. Chinese gadgets of some brands are little known and are not sold in Russia, but they are famous for their good technical characteristics and low price, which is why they beat their European competitors. For the most part, these are devices with average characteristics and affordable prices.

Of course, there are pitfalls here: for example, what to do if a phone from China turns out to be defective?

The smartphones presented in our selection are inexpensive devices with the best price offers available today. The following factors were taken into account:

• such as lack of binding to the operator,
• specifications,
• good camera,
• decent screen
• performance.

What to expect from a smartphone at a low price?

For those who are looking for cheap smartphone, you will have to put up with limited functionality, because the manufacturer is forced to cut some features for the sake of a low price. So you shouldn’t expect the same performance, feature set and display quality as from a smartphone with a price two or even three times higher than the cost of a budget model.

There was a time when cheap phones were characterized by low-resolution displays, low memory, rough plastic bodies, and so on. But over the years, everything changes, and this also applies to the mobile gadget market. Nowadays, for 15,000 rubles it is quite possible to buy a smartphone with a Full HD display and an 8mm metal body.

Also, most budget smartphones have 4G support, but not all of them are equipped with near-field communication technology () (on Chinese phones HotKnot is often included as a compensation for the lack of such support in MediaTek processors). Below we look at some of the key technical characteristics of budget smartphones.

Functions and characteristics of inexpensive models

CPU

Today, a strange situation has arisen where cheap smartphones have the same processor power as more expensive devices.

The main role here is played not by the results of performance measurements, but by the response speed in everyday use.

Battery life

Battery life also affects performance. Typically, there is a huge difference between the best and the worst budget smartphone in this aspect. Inexpensive smartphones have batteries of approximately equal capacity, which can last a whole day (or a little more) with moderate use. Although there are exceptions here, such as the Lenovo P 2, which can work for three whole days without recharging.

Of course, if you continuously surf the web, turn on the GPS, play games or watch videos, the battery will not last even a day. Even energy saving modes in this case they will not help, since the only way to extend the operating time of a smartphone is to reduce its use to a minimum and limit it only to calls and SMS messages.

A plus for battery life on budget phones is the display, which on most models comes with a low resolution. Therefore, it does not put much strain on the battery charge.

Display resolution

With displays ever increasing in size, low resolution can make text or icons appear overly large but still unclear.

A 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280x720 is the minimum for inexpensive smartphones, but the higher the resolution, the better, naturally. And, as already mentioned, you can choose inexpensive smartphone with -display (although you shouldn’t count on -display).

On a compact device, say, with a 4.5-inch display, you can get by with a resolution of 960x 540, or look for a more suitable option.

Display quality and brightness probably don't play a special role here. Although a low brightness display will have adequate readability in sunlight.

Good camera

The main cameras on smartphones are constantly being improved, so when choosing an inexpensive gadget, you should focus on a camera that would take the highest quality pictures and videos.

Typically, inexpensive smartphones always have limited camera capabilities and the resulting images are of low resolution and quality.

When choosing an inexpensive smartphone, it would be a good idea to look at the characteristics of the camera and test it in action right there in the store, because indicators, as a rule, cannot judge the quality of the camera itself.

One smartphone may have a 13-megapixel camera, while another may have only 5. In any case, you need to make sure in practice that the camera is really 13-megapixel and not 8-megapixel, which, using software interpolation, creates the impression of a higher resolution.

It is also worth paying attention to the front camera. Today, almost every smartphone with a price above 4,000 rubles has it, but the quality varies depending on the model.

We recommend skipping models with a VGA camera and a very low resolution (640x 480); you should aim for at least 1.2 or 2 megapixels. Most modern budget options have 5-megapixel cameras.

Resolution plays a role in this case, since manufacturers often neglect the quality of the front camera. So for those who are used to frequently taking selfies or receiving video calls, it is better to choose an inexpensive smartphone with a good front camera.

operating system

Android is the best OS according to many people, but you need to keep in mind that manufacturers often build their firmware on top of Android. For example, Nexus smartphones from Google run on “pure” Android, smartphones from Motorola adhere to the same policy, and as for other manufacturers, there are both successful and unsuccessful attempts to merge the main system with a proprietary shell.

Some firmwares actually have useful features or applications that are better than those installed on Android by default. But there are also slow and glitchy shells.

For Android, updates tend to come out faster, especially when they appear a new version Android itself. But updates for branded firmware can be released once a week, a month, six months, or not at all.

The best inexpensive smartphones

There are plenty of great deals on the market for inexpensive Android smartphones, but the Moto G 5 is the best option available today. The build quality is comparable to more expensive models, and navigation through a fingerprint scanner adds its own flavor when working with the device. The performance of the gadget and battery capacity, of course, are not the best high level, but considering the price it is quite acceptable. Moreover, the price is almost purely symbolic - 11-12,000 rubles.

Lenovo P 2 is positioned as a device with a powerful battery and, to the company's credit, it must be said that the advertising hype around the device is justified. The battery can withstand several days of continuous use and is portable Charger just in case.

In addition, let's not forget about the first-class design, high build quality and here you go - a very profitable deal is ready. This inexpensive smartphone may not have enough stars in the sky in terms of performance, but once it lasts about three days without recharging, this issue will disappear by itself.

UMI Z

UMI Z is a good Android smartphone with a very reasonable price, a capacious battery, a high-quality display, a powerful MediaTek processor and an excellent front camera. Unfortunately, the main camera leaves much to be desired, and as for other functions, there are no complaints about them. Taking into account 4G support, purchasing this gadget is a very profitable undertaking.

Elephone S 7 is a nice-looking and affordable smartphone, with decent performance and a hefty portion internal memory. However, the whole impression is spoiled by mediocre cameras and plastic back panel. Even at such a low price, it is not recommended for purchase.

Motorola Moto G 4

The new Moto G 4 costs more than its predecessor - and for good reason. Motorola has equipped its creation with a Full HD display, an improved processor, and increased the amount of RAM and permanent memory. Not everyone will like the sudden transition to a 5.5 display or the lack of full water resistance, but still, for the price range of less than 15,000 rubles, this is an outstanding smartphone.

Motorola Moto G4 Plus (2016)

Moto G 4 Plus – wonderful phone, but very similar to its regular version. Since we were disappointed with the camera (in that it is no different from the camera on the regular version), we think it’s not worth overpaying for one fingerprint scanner. Moreover, it is not used in Android application Pay, since NFC technology is not supported here. If it is worth taking Moto G 4 Plus, it is only because of the larger amount of ROM and RAM; although the presence of a slot for a microSD card negates the attempt to somehow justify the purchase of a premium version of the gadget.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X

The device doesn't offer any significant changes over the Redmi Note 3 or Note 4, but the Note 4X Global is a decent budget smartphone available to UK buyers.

We were pleasantly surprised by the Elephone P 9000 - a wonderful and feature-rich Android smartphone at an incredibly low price of less than £200. A fast, multifunctional gadget with a long battery life, which runs on Android Marshmallow. And support for wireless and fast charging, NFC technology, USB-C, two SIM and microSD cards - as an additional bonus. We recommend.

Ulefone tried to create a fundamentally new type of device by adding a frameless display and a USB-C connector to its gadget. For a mid-range smartphone, Ulefone Future has good performance, although it is relatively heavy. We can't turn a blind eye to the mediocre camera, however, software updates should patch up the bugs that we encountered during use.

UMIDIGI C Note

UMIDIGI C Note is a budget gadget with a thoughtful and premium design. Performance isn't great, but it's decent, and the camera produces decent photos in good lighting. Favorable and inexpensive offer.

Xiaomi Redmi 3S

At the moment, the Redmi 3S Pro costs just £5 more than the 3S, but we'd say it's hard to find better value for money than what Xiaomi's Redmi 3S offers.

This is an inexpensive, multifunctional and decent Android smartphone with a fingerprint scanner. More advantageous offer for 8680 rubles simply not. Just keep in mind that Google Play is not included in the list of pre-installed applications.

Meizu M 3 Note is a wonderful device with a powerful battery and a nice metal body. However, it should not be considered as an improved Xiaomi versions Redmi Note 3, because the second one has higher performance, better camera, newer software, and last but not least, lower price.

And we wouldn't recommend the Meizu M 3 Note to UK buyers (especially inexperienced ones) as a replacement for other inexpensive ones Chinese smartphones. In the sense that he is no better. In addition, do not forget about the lack of Google Play and the lack of adaptation of the Chinese gadget to the global market.

After using the Sony Xperia XA, we had pleasant impressions of the device, and the smartphone is more justifiable for its price than the flagship Xperia X, which is overpriced. It is recommended for purchase by those who are interested in a stylish, nimble mid-class phone, all of whose indicators are at a decent level. It's a solid device, but we're still, oddly enough, still waiting for something more ambitious from Sony. Although lately we have been visited by vague doubts - will we wait?

A review of phones that will delight you not only with their characteristics, but also with a temptingly low price.

Mobile phones have had a short but rather turbulent journey, evolving from a device for calls and text messages to a multifunctional hybrid.

Today, a smartphone is not only a means of communication, but also an important image accessory. Many will try to argue this, but the demand and hype around the Samsung Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 or iPhone 6 serve as further proof of importance mobile devices for the majority of people.

New phone models with additional features are constantly appearing on the market. functionality and improved design. Unfortunately, expensive new products are not available to everyone. If you are in search of a decent and inexpensive smartphone, read this collection.

1. Motorola Moto G (2014) – the best inexpensive smartphone

Weight: 149 g | Dimensions: 141.5 x 70.7 x 11 mm | OS: Android 4.4.4 | Screen size: 5 inches Permission: 720 x 1280 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz RAM: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,070 mAh | Main camera: 8MP| Front-camera: 2MP

Advantages:

• acceptable price;
• improved camera;

Flaws:

• poor sharpness compared to Motorola Moto G (2013);
• rather weak battery.

As surprising as it may be, it is Motorola that tops our rating. It looks like this brand is making a triumphant return to the market.

To date Motorola Moto G (2014) – one of the best inexpensive mobile phones , and this is justified: a 5-inch screen of excellent quality, a fairly powerful quad-core processor will cope with most tasks, and can be upgraded to latest version Android.

This model does not have NFC and (unlike the 2013 model) – 4G. But despite these shortcomings, the Moto G (2014) remains one of the best cheap smartphones.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 4,225 to 5,424 UAH

2. Sony Xperia M2 Aqua – dust-proof, waterproof smartphone in the mid-price category

Weight: 149 g | Dimensions: 140 x 72 x 8.6 mm | OS: Android 4.4.2 | Screen size: 4.8 inches Permission |: 540 x 960 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,300 mAh | Main camera: 8MP | Front-camera: VGA

Advantages:

• highest degree of dust and water resistance (IP65/68);
• good battery;

Flaws:

• low screen resolution;
• heating of the case during prolonged operation.

An affordable smartphone, the design of which is in no way inferior to one of the best flagship devices - the Xperia Z3.

The advantages of this model include an interesting interface, long battery life and a price of around $200.

But there are certain nuances that budget models always have. The Xperia M2 Aqua's camera is unlikely to allow you to make photo masterpieces, and the low-resolution screen is not conducive to watching movies.

The advantages of this model include a 4.8-inch screen, a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM, which provides real space for your applications and games.

The best option for those who want a device with dust and water resistance like the Xperia Z3, but are confused by its cost.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 4,399 to 5,099 UAH

3. Microsoft Lumia 640 – a find from Microsoft

Weight: 145 g | Dimensions: 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm | Operating system: Windows Phone 8.1 | Screen size: 5 inches | Permission: 720 x 1280 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,500 mAh | Main camera: 8MP | Front-camera: 1MP

Advantages:

• outstanding display;
• good battery;

Flaws:

• uninteresting design;
• outdated processor.

Microsoft Lumia 640 is the founder of a new “breed” of Windows Phone with a large screen, increased RAM and a good design.

The previous budget Windows Phone had too many shortcomings to make it to the top, but after Microsoft took over Nokia, a lot has changed for the better.

The Lumia 640 has a great display, a good camera, and the best performance among other competitors on our list. If you're looking for a reliable budget phone, look no further than the Lumia 640.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 3,757 to 4,999 UAH

4. Huawei Ascend G7 – good, whatever one may say

Weight: 165 g | Dimensions: 153.5 x 77.3 x 7.6 mm| OS: Android 4.4.2 | Screen size: 5.5 inches | Permission: 720 x 1280 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 2GB | Built-in memory: 16GB | Battery: 3,000 mAh | Main camera: 13MP | Front-camera: 5MP

Advantages:

• premium design;
• correspondence between price and quality;

Flaws:

• 720-pixel screen;
• price.

If you thought budget phones rarely looked good, Huawei's Ascend G7 will convince you. The aesthetic design of this model gives every reason to compare it even with Apple products.

Besides appearance, the Ascend G7 still has many advantages and an impressive set of specifications.

If you're looking for a budget phone that's easy to take out of your pocket, the Ascend G won't disappoint. Also this model is capable of working with the most “demanding” applications, which is good news.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 2,999 to 7,972 UAH

5. EE Kestrel – 4G phone at a really low price

Weight: 145 g | Dimensions: 131 x 65.3 x 7.9 mm | OS: Android 4.3 | Screen size : 4.5 inches | Permission: 540 x 960 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,000 mAh | Main camera: 5MP | Front-camera: 1MP

Advantages:

• low price for 4G;
• powerful processor;

Flaws:

• poor build quality;
• weak Emotion interface.

If you want to receive the fastest 4G internet at the lowest price– EE Kestre will suit you.

Its design won't be to everyone's taste, but the rest of its features won't disappoint even skeptics.

The model does not have premium frills, but it does have many useful features (for example, super-fast mobile data transfer).

Online prices range from $150 to $186

6. HTC Desire 510 – budget 4G smartphone

Weight: 158 g | Dimensions: 139.9 x 69.8 x 10mm | OS: Android 4.4.2 | Size screen: 4.7 inches | Permission: 480 x 854 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | Operational memory: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,100 mAh | Main camera: 5MP | Frontal camera: VGA

Advantages:

• fast operating system;
• cheap device for 4G communication;

Flaws:

• limited built-in memory;
• not a very good screen.

HTC Desire 510 is a quite decent, budget smartphone with wide functionality. However, it has a number of shortcomings, due to which it did not make it to the leading position on our list.

The obvious advantages of this model include a quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor operating at 1.2GHz and 1GB of RAM. Android KitKat works quickly and efficiently. And in benchmark tests, the Desire 510 showed the best performance among competing models.

Desire 510 has a removable battery with a capacity of 2100mAh battery lasts longer than other budget smartphones, and 4G support ensures super-fast Mobile Internet.

Why didn't HTC's Desire 510 make it to the TOP? The reason is the camera, which does not work properly, and the screen resolution is only 480 x 854, which is clearly not enough for modern users.

If the main thing for you is to have fast mobile Internet, and the above shortcomings do not cause any complaints, you can safely buy the Desire 510.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 4,380 to 5,366 UAH

7. Nokia Lumia 735 – cheap, fun and perfect for selfies

Weight: 134 g | Dimensions: 134.7 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | OS: Windows Phone 8.1 | Screen size: 4.7 inches | Permission: 720 x 1280 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery : 2,200 mAh | Main camera: 6.7MP | Front-camera: 5MP

Advantages:

• good front-camera;
• HD screen;

Flaws:

• slow to react;
• uncomfortable keyboard.

Even if you don't intend to fill social media with all sorts of pictures of yourself, the Lumia 735 has a lot of other advantages.

The 4.7-inch, 720-pixel screen is good in all respects, but the quad-core, 1.2 GHz processor and 1GB of RAM sometimes work with obvious “overvoltage,” which affects performance and makes the Lumia 735 inferior to other budget models on our list .

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 3,757 to 4,692 UAH

8. Motorola Moto E (2015) – Some great updates

Weight: 145 g | Dimensions: 129.9 x 66.8 x 12.3 mm | OS: Android 5.0 | Screen size: 4.5 inches | Permission: 540 x 960 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,390 mAh | Main camera: 5MP | Front-camera: VGA

Advantages:

• solid design;
• low price;

Flaws:

• some problems with the display;
• Insufficient built-in memory.

The second-generation Moto E is just as good as its predecessor and clearly shows that Motorola isn't wasting its time.

Among the range of new features added to the Moto E (2015) are 4G LTE connectivity and a decent (though not premium) design.

In addition, Moto E (2015) runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop, making it the cheapest smartphone on Google's latest OS.

The Moto E (2015) isn't as good as the more expensive Motorola Moto G (2014), which took first place on our list, but the fact remains that you won't find best smartphone for such a price.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 2,880 to 4,284 UAH

9. Nokia Lumia 530 – a small smartphone for a small price

Weight: 129 g | Dimensions: 119.7 x 62.3 x 11.7 mm| OS: Windows Phone 8.1 | Screen size: 4.0 inches | Permission: 480 x 854 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | RAM: 512MB| Built-in memory: 4GB | Battery: 1,430 mAh | Main camera: 5MP | Front-camera: No

Advantages:

• very affordable;
• MicroSD card support;

Flaws:

• no front camera;
• no flash.

The Nokia Lumia 530's quad-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 processor and 512MB RAM ensure smooth and reliable performance. The situation is worsened by the small amount of internal memory (4GB), but you can increase it using a microSD card.

The Lumia 530 has proven to be great for gaming and on par with other, more expensive Windows Phone phones, especially when it comes to graphic games. However, the device lacks the performance of its Android contemporaries.

If you are looking for a cheap and good smartphone with an optimal set of functions, opt for the Lumia 530.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 1,999 to 2,500 UAH

10. LG G2 Mini - LG G2's younger brother

Weight: 121 g | Dimensions: 129.6 x 66 x 9.8 mm | OS: Android 4.4.2 | Screen size: 4.7 inches | Permission: 540 x 960 | CPU: quad-core, 1.2 GHz | Operational memory: 1GB | Built-in memory: 8GB | Battery: 2,440 mAh | Main camera: 8MP | Front-camera: 1.3MP

Advantages:

• powerful battery;
• excellent build quality;

Flaws:

• low screen resolution;
• Software with tricks.

By launching the LG G2 Mini, LG offered potential buyers a smaller and cheaper version of the LG G2. The main goal of the new specifications was to balance size and cost, resulting in an excellent budget smartphone.

Although the LG G2 Mini is at the bottom of our list, it is a decent smartphone at a reasonable price. This is certainly not best device for watching movies and videos, but the G2 Mini will please you with its battery life.

In Ukrainian retail the price range is from 2,799 to 3,766 UAH