We have identified 8 main parameters that fully characterize the phone. If there were no questions on the parameter, we set the maximum score - 10. We removed one point for small flaws, 2 points for “average” ones, and 3 points for significant ones. To make the rating of smartphones compact and convenient, we saved it from descriptions, but indicated what the points were for.
The most popular devices of this and last years were selected for evaluation. Sometimes last year's models are the best value for money.
Best budget smartphones
The top budget smartphones are not the same as the top phones in the flagship segment. The best smartphones under $ 350 can't compete with premium devices, so the top score in the phone rankings reflects different expectations for their quality. Among state employees there are unique ones who surprise with solutions at the level of flagships, but in general we were guided by what is adequate for the middle price segment.
XIAOMI REDMI 7A
- Design: 7
The body is made of easily soiled plastic, which is easily scratched. Great thickness.
- Performance: 6
Despite the stripped-down Snapdragon 439 processor and only 2GB of RAM, it is fast with standard applications.
- Display: 6
HD + (290 PPI). Wide frames. Insufficient brightness.
- Sound: 7
The sound quality in headphones is below average. Medium quality multimedia speaker.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 5
The quality of the pictures in good lighting is average, in low light it is poor.
- Autonomy: 10
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
No NFC module.
Final mark: 58 points.
Overall impression: an affordable work phone without a hint of image.
Watch the video review of the XIAOMI REDMI 7A
XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 7
- Design: 9
Plastic frame.
- Performance: 9
Games run smoothly only at medium settings. In other applications, it is very fast.
- Display: 10
- Sound: 10
A very good multimedia speaker for this price segment.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 9
The quality of pictures and videos is confidently good.
- Autonomy: 10
4000 mA, holds very well.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 5
Very slippery. No NFC module. Combo slot. There is fast charging and a USB Type-C connector.
Final mark: 72 points.
Overall impression: a very good inexpensive smartphone.
Watch the video about XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 7
SAMSUNG GALAXY A50
- Design: 9
The body is made entirely of easily soiled fiberglass.
- Performance: 9
Heavy games run smoothly only on medium settings. In other applications, it is very fast.
- Display: 10
- Sound: 8
Speaker is limitedly loud, sound quality is average.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 9
Wide-angle camera, the quality of daytime shots is high, the video quality is not very good.
- Autonomy: 10
- Ergonomics and functionality: 10
There is an NFC module, a USB Type-C connector, a triple slot, an on-screen finger scanner.
Final mark: 78 points.
Overall impression: a great phone with flagship features in a cheap package.
SAMSUNG GALAXY А30
- Design: 9
The body is made of easily soiled plastic, which is easily scratched.
- Performance: 8
Slows down in normal applications. Heavy games can be played at medium settings.
- Display: 10
- Sound: 7
The multimedia speaker is a cheap buzzer.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 8
The quality of daytime images is high, and nighttime images are poor.
- Autonomy: 10
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
Very slippery. Extremely slow finger scanner and face unlock.
There is a triple slot, a USB Type-C connector, an NFC module.
Final mark: 71 points.
Overall impression: the coolest display for the money and excellent battery life.
Watch the video review of comparisons between SAMSUNG GALAXY A50 and GALAXY A30
NOKIA 6.1 PLUS
- Design: 8
The antenna leads look very cheap.
- Performance: 9
Most heavy games (except PUBG) run smoothly on high settings.
- Display: 8
There is a monobrow.
- Sound: 9
The speaker is one, the sound is good. The sound in the headphones is good.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 9
Photo quality is good, video is average.
- Autonomy: 6
Extremely low. Continuous video viewing - only 6 hours.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
No NFC module.
Final mark: 66 points.
Overall impression: the most compact smart of such power and quality to date.
See the review of NOKIA 6.1 PLUS
HUAWEI P SMART Z
- Design: 8
The whole body is easily soiled glossy plastic, which is very easily scratched.
- Performance: 8
Good in everyday tasks, medium-low in heavy games.
- Display: 10.
- Sound: 7
Speaker: volume is not enough, sound quality is average.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 7
The picture quality of the front camera is poor. Basic in daylight - medium. In low light, it is bad.
- Autonomy: 10
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
Large and heavy (200 g). The pop-up camera is very thin and can break if dropped. No fast charging. There is an NFC module.
Final mark: 67 points.
Overall impression: a heavy block with no outstanding features.
See HUAWEI P SMART Z Review
HONOR 10
- Design: 9
The camera block protrudes so much that a frame of dust and dirt "forms" around it.
- Performance: 9
The hardest games don't run at maximum speed. Decently heats up and "trolls".
- Display: 8
There is a monobrow. Not bright enough.
- Sound: 9
No stereo.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 8
Post-processing makes the colors look a little unnatural. Portrait mode is unfinished.
- Autonomy: 9
Battery 3400 mA.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
Slippery. Slow and awkward finger scanner. No combo slot.
There is fast charging.
Final mark: 69 points.
Overall impression: the former flagship, which moved into an adequate "popular" segment for it.
Watch the video review of HONOR 10
VIVO Z5X
- Design: 9
The body is completely made of easily soiled glossy plastic.
- Performance: 10
Heavy games run at high settings without any problems.
- Display: 10
- Sound: 10
- Sheath: 9
In its own firmware, there are a lot of unnecessary applications and it looks somewhat "childish".
- Camera: 9
Lack of detail on the front camera.
- Autonomy: 10
5000 mAh battery.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 8
No NFC module. There is fast charging.
Final mark: 75 points.
Overall impression: big, very powerful and super fast smart with a great screen, great multimedia speaker and impressive battery life.
See the VIVO Z5X review
Top flagship smartphones
SAMSUNG GALAXY S10
- Design: 10
- Performance: 10
- Display: 9
Slight flickering is noticeable at low screen brightness.
- Sound: 10
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 9
The front camera does not cope with low light.
- Autonomy: 9
Battery 3400 mA.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 10
Final mark: 77 points.
Overall impression: a pleasant and light phone of a comfortable size.
Watch the video review SAMSUNG GALAXY S10
ASUS ZENFONE 6
- Design: 10
- Performance: 10
- Display: 10
- Sound: 10
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 10
- Autonomy: 8
The 5000 mA battery holds a charge noticeably worse than you might expect from such a volume.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
No water resistance. Small particles entering the camera interfere with its movement. Sometimes the camera protrudes a little and dangles (does not enter completely).
Final mark: 75 points.
Overall impression: an excellent phone for its price.
Watch the ASUS ZENFONE 6 video
XIAOMI MI 9
- Design: 9
Large bezels around the screen.
- Performance: 10
- Display: 10
- Sound: 8
No stereo sound. No headphone jack.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 9
Poor picture quality in low light. No optical stabilization.
- Autonomy: 8
Battery 3300 mA.
- Ergonomics and functionality: 8
- No memory card slot. No water resistance.
Final mark: 72 points.
Overall impression: the price / quality ratio is off the charts.
Watch the video review of XIAOMI MI 9
HUAWEI P30
- Design: 10
- Performance: 10
- Display: 10
- Sound: 9
No stereo.
- Sheath: 10
- Camera: 10
- Autonomy: 10
- Ergonomics and functionality: 7
No memory card slot. Swinging on the camera module. Protected against splash and dust only.
Final mark: 76 points.
Overall impression: a beautiful phone with an excellent camera and minor flaws.
Useful article: "What is NFC, and how to use it"
See HUAWEI P30 Review
