Every year the cost of flagship smartphones only increases. Today, the price of 80–100 thousand rubles per phone is not the limit. Of course, not every person can or wants to spend that kind of money on buying a mobile phone. For this reason, today we will talk about the best budget smartphones of 2022 and find out how to choose them correctly.
How to choose an inexpensive but good smartphone in 2022
The choice of a budget smartphone should be taken responsibly, since there is a high risk of running into a second-rate model. Next, let’s find out what criteria you need to use to choose inexpensive gadgets:
- Screen. Here you need to pay attention to the type of matrix (best - IPS or AMOLED), diagonal and resolution. The larger the display, the more comfortable the experience when watching movies, playing games or simply surfing the web. In turn, a compact phone is much more convenient to hold in one hand or carry in a trouser pocket.
- Battery capacity. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the phone will last without connecting to the network. For smartphones with a diagonal of 6 inches or more, this figure should be at least 3500 mAh; for compact models, a smaller parameter is acceptable.
- Camera. You should choose a camera based on several indicators: number of megapixels, matrix size and aperture. The number of sensors also deserves attention. Even among budget employees there are models with three or four rear cameras. True, the quality of shooting in them is not always good.
- Memory size. It can be operational (RAM) or built-in. The first is responsible for the stability of the smartphone under increased loads or in multitasking mode. For basic tasks, 2 GB of RAM will be enough, for stable operation of modern applications and games - from 4 GB. It is up to the user to decide how much internal memory to choose. For some, 32 GB is enough, while others need much more. The optimal setting is 64 GB.
- Supported SIM cards. It is convenient when the smartphone supports the simultaneous operation of two SIM cards. In this way, users can differentiate between personal life and work. In addition, this is a suitable option for travel enthusiasts and those who frequently travel on business (some providers may offer better roaming rates, for example).
- Extra options. This includes the presence of a 3.5 mm jack for wired headphones, a fingerprint sensor or face unlock function, as well as an NFC chip. The latter allows you to buy goods in stores and online using a bank card using a smartphone.
DOOGEE S40
- Display: 5.5 inches, 940*480
- Processor: MediaTek MT6739
- Memory: 2/16 GB
- Battery capacity: 4650 mAh
- Operating system: Android 9.0
Price: from 6,730 rub.
Those users who are looking for not just something affordable with good battery life, but a smartphone that is reliable in any conditions can turn their attention to the Doogee S40. The model fully meets these requirements. It has full protection according to all standards: IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810G. It won’t break, won’t drown, and even in cold or hot weather it will work without any problems. In addition, there is a capacious battery - according to the manufacturer, it will last for 18 hours in games, and you can surf for more than a day.
The device has a good set of wireless interfaces, including LTE, NFC and Bluetooth 5.0. The main camera is dual – 8+5 megapixels, the front one – 5 megapixels and can unlock the screen by face. For those for whom this protection is not enough, a fingerprint scanner is provided. A 2/16 GB version is available in Russian retail; on Aliexpress you can buy a 3/32 GB version, which is more relevant given the combined slot for SIM and memory.
Advantages:
- Complete protection from any external influences.
- Excellent autonomy.
- Not bad cameras.
- There are LTE and NFC.
- Fingerprint and face protection.
Flaws:
- Old processor.
- Combined slot.
- Low resolution, however, for a small diagonal, the purpose of the device and in order to save battery, this is justified.
Rating of budget smartphone brands
The manufacturer plays a significant role when choosing a smartphone. There are dozens of reliable brands on the mobile device market that produce high-quality, durable equipment. To help the reader with the choice, we have compiled the TOP 10 best manufacturers of inexpensive phones:
- Samsung.
- Xiaomi.
- Huawei.
- Honor.
- Vivo.
- Tecno.
- ZTE.
- Nokia.
- Lenovo.
- Blackview.
Each manufacturer has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, Samsung phones are famous for their good build quality and advanced cameras. Whereas Xiaomi and Honor offer the best prices.
ZTE Blade L210
This is one of the most inexpensive smartphones on the market, so don’t expect anything unusual from it.
What can you say about the ZTE Blade L210? Perhaps the fact that it received all the essentials, namely: a plastic case with a textured pattern, a 6-inch screen with a resolution of 960×480 pixels, two cameras (rear + front), a platform based on the Unisoc SC7731E chipset, only 1 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. Firmware - Go Edition based on Android 10.
Let's note an important detail - maximum 3G networks are supported.
- Screen diagonal: 6 inches
- Screen resolution: 960×480
- Weight: 189 g
- Number of SIM cards: 2
- Processor: Unisoc SC7731E
- Memory capacity: 32 GB
- RAM capacity: 1 GB
- Battery capacity: 2600 mAh
- Rear camera: 5 MP
- Front camera: 2 MP
- Memory card support: yes
Conclusion: which budget phone to buy in 2021
We have reviewed the best inexpensive smartphones in 2021-2022. The selection includes models no more expensive than 20 thousand rubles. Which phone to choose depends on the user's preferences.
If you need a very cheap model with which you can watch videos and hang out on social networks, we can recommend choosing Huawei Y5p .
If autonomy is a priority for the user, then the best option would be the Doogee S86 Pro with an 8500 mAh battery.
Do you need everything at once? We recommend considering the Samsung Galaxy A22 4G . The smartphone offers balanced characteristics at a low price.
Tecno Camon 17P 128/6GB - the best smartphone under 16 thousand rubles
The average price in Russia is 15,000 rubles.
The model went on sale in August 2022.
Technical characteristics: IPS screen (with a hole for the camera) with a diagonal of 6.8 inches with a resolution of 2460 × 1080, Android 11 OS, 128 GB of internal and 6 GB of RAM, slot for a memory card up to 256 GB. Two SIM cards. Fingerprint scanner on the side. NFC. Battery capacity 5000 mAh. 8-core MediaTek Helio G85 processor. The result of the AnTuTu performance test is 200 thousand points.
Quad camera: 64 MP + 2 MP macro lens + 2 MP bokeh lens + AI module. Front camera 16 MP.
see The best smartphones under 16,000 rubles
Comparison table of all presented models
To make it easier for readers to compare the characteristics of the smartphones presented in the selection, we have compiled a comparative table of all models:
| Model | Screen diagonal, inch | Permission | Camera, MP | Battery, mAh | Number of SIM cards | Price, from (rub.) |
| Samsung Galaxy A22 4G | 6.4 | 1600x720 | 48+8+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 16 100 |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | 6.5 | 2400x1080 | 50+8+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 12 990 |
| Xiaomi Redmi 9A | 6.53 | 1600x720 | 13 | 5000 | 2 | 7 400 |
| Poco M3 | 6.53 | 2340x1080 | 48+2+2 | 6000 | 2 | 12 900 |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 | 6.5 | 1560x720 | 48+5+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 10 390 |
| Honor 30i | 6.3 | 2400x1080 | 48+8+2 | 4000 | 2 | 15 300 |
| Samsung Galaxy M12 | 6.5 | 1600x720 | 48+5+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 10 250 |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 | 6.3 | 2340x1080 | 48+8+2+2 | 4000 | 2 | 12 790 |
| Vivo Y31 | 6.58 | 2400x1080 | 48+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 13 990 |
| Realme C21Y | 6.5 | 1600x720 | 13+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 9 800 |
| Tecno Camon 17P | 6.8 | 2460x1080 | 64+2+2+0.8 | 5000 | 2 | 14 500 |
| Nokia 800 Tough | 2.4 | 320x240 | 2 | 2100 | 2 | 8 900 |
| Vivo Y20 | 6.51 | 1600x720 | 13+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 12 000 |
| Huawei Y5p | 5.45 | 1440x720 | 8 | 3020 | 2 | 6 400 |
| ZTE Blade A31 | 5.45 | 1440x720 | 8 | 3000 | 2 | 6 500 |
| Huawei P smart 2021 | 6.67 | 2400x1080 | 48+8+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 15 900 |
| Vsmart Joy 4 | 6.53 | 2340x1080 | 16+8+2+2 | 5000 | 2 | 9 050 |
| Vivo Y1s | 6.22 | 1520x720 | 13 | 4030 | 2 | 8 000 |
| Nokia G20 | 6.5 | 1600x720 | 48+2+2 | 5050 | 2 | 12 200 |
| Lenovo K12 Pro | 6.8 | 1600x720 | 64+2+2 | 6000 | 2 | 14 990 |
| Doogee S86 Pro | 6.1 | 1560x720 | 16+8+2 | 8500 | 2 | 15 900 |
| Tecno Spark 7 | 6.5 | 1600x720 | 16+2 | 5000 | 2 | 7 990 |
Editor's Choice
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 4/64GB
Xiaomi Redmi Note.
Photo: market.yandex.ru According to our expert, the best choice among budget smartphones will be Xiaomi note 10 4/64, since this phone has a good 5000 mAh battery, which is important in the modern world. In addition, the smartphone is equipped with a good 60 Hz Amoled matrix, an excellent 48 MP main camera and a processor with a large power reserve Qualcomm Snapdragon 678, which will be more than enough in the future. Additional convenience of using this smartphone is a slot for 2 SIM cards and a slot for an additional memory card.
Main characteristics:
| Screen | 6.43 inches, AMOLED, resolution – 2400×1080, pixel density – 409 PPI |
| operating system | Android 11 |
| CPU | 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 678, maximum frequency – 2.2 GHz |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Solid State Drive | 64 GB (there is a memory card slot) |
| Camera | 48 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide, 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth sensor |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 74.5×160.46×8.29 mm |
| Weight | 179 |
Advantages and disadvantages
Nice design, fits comfortably in the hand and great camera
Lack of NFC (possibility of payment for purchases)
show more
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 12/256GB (flagship)
It is impossible not to mention the flagship Samsung. Moreover, the main feature of this device is not the camera, but the presence of a stylus that is hidden inside the case.
Camera - consists of 4 modules: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, telephoto lens, 3D depth camera. The wide-angle sensor has a variable aperture (this solution has already been used on other flagships of the company). To say that it shoots great is to say nothing.
The front camera is also noted, which some experts call a reference camera.
Xiaomi Redmi 6
Too often on the Internet you can find discussions on the topic of the most reliable and best brands of smartphones, but not a single such rating or review is complete without Xiaomi. It is a fact.
The Chinese company, which over the 9 years of its existence has reached 6th place in global smartphone turnover per year, deserves attention. Especially considering that the manufacturer’s target orientation is aimed at the budget sector.
Yandex market and other popular resources are full of reviews about the reliability and quality of Xiaomi.
The positive aspects of the Redmi 6 smartphone include:
- high-quality assembly;
- oleophobic coating;
- Fingerprint's scanner;
- low heating under load;
- facial identification;
- colored plastic (unpainted), which significantly reduces the visibility of scratches;
- dual Sony camera, which guarantees high-quality photos and videos even in poor lighting (reviews confirm this).
Negative sides:
- glare in sunny weather;
- dim brightness;
- there is no protective glass;
- plastic case, unsuccessfully imitating metal;
- lack of an infrared module, unlike the previous model of the same generation (Redmi 5);
- flat but loud sound from the multimedia speaker;
- autonomy is lower than the earlier model, which was replaced by Redmi 6 (the battery charge lasts a day).
HUAWEI Y5 Prime
the top every year , putting pressure on serious international competitors, such as Samsung and Apple. Thus, over the past 5 years, the company has shown success in the production of flagships and the development of its own technologies that do not repeat the ideas of its competitors.
The smartphone in question is framed by small frames and a rough plastic body that prevents it from slipping out of your hands.
The manufacturer states that plastic is used because the material is practical, not cheap.
Reviews on the Yandex market indicate that the build quality of the phone is at an average level, there are creaks at the buttons.
Positive sides:
- metal stiffening frame;
- protective glass (2.5D);
- Full View matrix;
- Eye Comfort mode, which protects your eyes from blue light from the screen;
- rich color rendering;
- no overheating during active work and surfing;
- battery life is above average (8+ hours with Wi-Fi on);
- face recognition scanner;
- Clear speaker sound.
Negative sides:
- screen dimness;
- no oleophobic coating;
- flat sound of video and music due to the combination of conversational and multimedia speakers in 1;
- processor performance (simultaneous launch of 3-4 applications leads to slowness of the device);
- The shooting quality is average - low lighting leads to blurry, dim frames;
- lack of a fingerprint scanner and NFC.
