Last year, many were surprised by the pace that Samsung and Xiaomi set in the development of mid-budget phones. Compared to them, many leading manufacturers began to look less respectable in the specified price category. And now another serious competitor appears - Oppo with their sub-brand Realme, which has “raised the bar” even higher. In our ranking of the best smartphones under 20,000 rubles in 2022, you can see this.
It’s worth saying right away that for the indicated amount of financial resources you cannot find a competitive smartphone from Apple; LG, Motorola and Meizu look less attractive. In fact, the championship was redistributed among the Chinese companies mentioned above, as well as Samsung. At the same time, we should not forget that the latest developments from Honor and Huawei do not support Google services, therefore, despite the “good hardware,” they are significantly inferior in terms of functions. However, we’ll talk about manufacturers in more detail at the end of this publication.
The best smartphones under 20,000 rubles in price and quality
It's probably no secret that today you can get a camera phone for that price. All models collected by the PriceQuality editors in this part of the publication have advanced quad cameras. Including large matrices of 48 and 64 megapixels. This indicates serious progress in the development of lenses for top smartphones, but you need to understand that each company’s segment has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. This is something to consider when comparing phones with high-quality cameras. Including such characteristics as stabilization, zoom, software, etc.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
The top 10 smartphones under 20,000 rubles are revealed by the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro model. Actually, the Max version is not very different from this device, although it costs more. At the same time, the “ninth” generation is not much modified in relation to its predecessor, previously described in our list. However, the Chinese company has a very high dynamics in the development of phones, and it would be stupid not to talk about new products. The device received an even larger 6.67-inch screen based on the same IPS matrix with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels. The selfie camera has a larger 13-megapixel sensor. The quad camera has the same 64 MP main lens. The additional module has changed - instead of 2 MP it is now 5 MP. The power has also increased thanks to the presence of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, paired with Adreno 618. However, of course, you have to count on 8 GB of RAM.
Pros:
- fast charging at 30 W;
- improved quad camera;
- powerful processor;
- enlarged screen;
- graphics chip.
Minuses:
- Same screen as 8 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy A51
This mid-budget smartphone is definitely newer than the A60, but in theory, a generation lower. However, in practice we see a more advanced camera with four lenses, the main one of which has a 48 megapixel matrix. The camera allows you to record 4K video at 60 frames per second. This once again confirms that in the A-class, everything is not so clear for the South Korean company. At the same time, this model has an excellent 32 megapixel front camera, stylish design and a chic 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen. The picture is comparable to the premium segment. The proprietary flagship processor Exynos 9611, operating in a pair of Mali-G72 MP3, is responsible for the hardware component. Another nice bonus could be support for 15W fast charging.
Pros:
- excellent display;
- shooting at 240 frames;
- 4K support at 60 fps;
- photo with bokeh effect;
- there is NFC.
Minuses:
- Not ideal battery life.
HUAWEI P40 Lite
The fact that there are no Google services is a serious drawback. However, the HUAWEI P40 Lite is a good smartphone with one of the best cameras at a price of 20 thousand rubles. Therefore, it is at least difficult not to mention him. The main camera includes 4 modules of 48, 8 and 2 of 2 megapixels. At the same time, the main matrix is very large, and allows you to create pictures no worse than leading mid-budget phones from the Oppo (Realmy) and Xiaomi sub-brand. The front camera also received a large matrix with a resolution of 16 megapixels. A huge advantage of the device is its support for fast charging at 40 W, which is rare in this class. The chip is one of the most energy efficient - Kirin 810 on a 7 nm process technology. It is difficult to find flaws in the screen with a resolution of 2310 by 1080 pixels, although the IPS matrix, as already mentioned, is weaker than that of its South Korean competitors.
Pros:
- balanced model;
- powerful fast charging;
- large matrices;
- excellent stabilization;
- video at night.
Minuses:
- no Google.
REALME 8
Realme today is a full-fledged competitor to all leading brands in the production of good smartphones, including in this price category. The “sixth” generation of this line of the named brand represents the high quality of cameras with balanced characteristics of the chip, screen and battery life. Even the regular version looks on par with the premium version of the Note 10 from Xiaomi. The main feature of this series is the presence of a 108-megapixel sensor, which is an incredible figure for the middle class. The new product is powered by a powerful Snapdragon 720G chip with an Adreno 618 accelerator. Super AMOLED technology is used as a display. It is also worth noting the really powerful fast charging, the power of which reaches 50 W.
Pros:
- shooting in 4K;
- main camera sensor;
- fast charging power;
- good power;
- stylish appearance.
Minuses:
- not at this price.
Poco X3 NFC
According to our resource, the best smartphone under 20 thousand is the Poxo X3 NFC model. This mid-range device boasts a number of features. In particular, the sharp display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz is noteworthy. This is a record in the price category up to 20 thousand. The screen has a wide viewing angle, good levels of brightness and pixel density. The camera features four sensors, including a 64-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.89 aperture. Users managed to appreciate the chic macro mode, capable of creating excellent pictures at a distance of 4 centimeters. High performance is due to the presence of the Snapdragon 732G chip. In terms of battery life, everything is also at a high level, since the battery capacity is 5160 mAh.
Pros:
- powerful processor;
- capacious battery;
- update frequency;
- balanced camera.
Minuses:
- No.
#14 – Samsung Galaxy A12
Price: 12,000 rubles
Another inexpensive smartphone with a good camera. The gadget from the Korean manufacturer has an attractive design with a neat teardrop-shaped cutout and a square main camera block where all four lenses are located. True, like many inexpensive devices, only the main 48 MP is usable. The pictures it takes are bright, contrasty and without any loss of detail. But the ultra-wide lens greatly distorts the geometry, and the detail in the photo leaves much to be desired. We are silent about 2-megapixel plugs.
The 6.5-inch screen is comfortable in everyday use, and a powerful 5000 mAh battery provides up to two days of battery life. The main disadvantage is the scarce iron. The Helio P35 is an archaic entry-level processor, so the Galaxy A12 can only handle the most basic tasks. We are not talking about modern games.
Samsung Galaxy A12
Smartphones up to 20 thousand with a good camera
If in the previous category we focused more on the parameters for shooting video and photos, now we’ll talk about a set of characteristics, including power, appearance, battery life, and others. As you understand, good camera phones are not always encouraging in a number of other aspects. Considering this circumstance, the editors decided to include in a separate section of the publication the most worthy stabilized phones in this price category (in our subjective opinion).
Samsung Galaxy M22
The Samsung Galaxy M22 model joins the rating of smartphones up to 20,000 rubles due to fairly solid parameters “on all fronts”. This is a truly stylish device that has a relatively new proprietary screen based on AMOLED technology. The downside is that the resolution of the 6.4-inch model is 1600 by 720 pixels. The performance in this device is ensured by the Helio G80 chip from Mediatek, supplemented by 4 gigabytes of RAM. The battery capacity reaches 5000 mAh, which in the stated parameters is enough for 2-3 days of battery life. It is also worth noting the presence of a good camera, which includes a 48 megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture.
Pros:
- good camera;
- fast charging;
- bright design;
- good sound.
Minuses:
- display resolution.
POCO M3 Pro
Definitely worthy of attention this year is a phone under 20 thousand from Poco (we are talking about a sub-brand of Xiaomi). We are talking about the M3 Pro, which boasts a powerful 5000 mAh battery and a good camera. The main sensor is a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/1.79 aperture. Good performance is supported by the support of the Dimensity 700 processor from MediaTek. The IPS technology display attracts with a refresh rate of 90 Hz with a resolution of 2400 by 1080 pixels. The amount of RAM in the declared budget version is 6 gigabytes, which is quite enough for a high level of performance in games and other modern applications.
Pros:
- excellent sound;
- bright appearance;
- good camera;
- reverse charging;
- Game Mode.
Minuses:
- class below X3.
Samsung Galaxy A32
Definitely a worthy gadget that has a Super Amoled screen with a size of 6.4 inches. The display resolution is 2400 by 1080 pixels, and the refresh rate reaches 90 Hz. Accordingly, the gadget boasts a good, smooth picture. Indeed, the picture is juicy, bright and quite contrasting. The processor corresponds to the segment, as does the equipment. This model uses the Helio G80 processor. It is also worth noting the quad camera, which includes a lens with a resolution of 64 megapixels. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh, which is enough to support a fairly powerful hardware base and a clear display. Fast charging power is not the highest for this class, but it’s nice to have at least 15 W.
Pros:
- gorgeous screen;
- decent camera;
- smooth picture;
- capacious battery.
Minuses:
- fast charging at only 15 W.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
If you are interested in a smartphone under 20 thousand with a good battery, we recommend paying attention to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 model, which has a 5000 mAh battery with support for 33 W fast charging. The new product has a large 6.43-inch screen using AMOLED technology with full support for HDR10 technology. The display refresh rate is 90 Hz, and the picture clarity level corresponds to 409 PPI. The hardware base here is the Snapdragon 680 processor from Qualcomm with 8 cores and a frequency of 2.4 GHz. The budget modification of this mid-budget smartphone includes 4 gigabytes of RAM. The main camera has 4 sensors, the main one of which boasts a resolution of 50 megapixels with an aperture of f/1.8.
Pros:
- fast charging;
- good power;
- new product of the company;
- excellent main camera;
- clear screen with HDR10.
Minuses:
- front-camera.
Realme 9i
The best smartphone under 20,000 rubles in 2022 in terms of price and quality is the Realme 9i series model, equipped with a 6.6-inch screen with a resolution of 2412 by 1080 pixels and a pixel density of 400 PPI. This IPS display not only has a sharp image, but also a good 90Hz refresh rate. This device is powered by the Snapdragon 680 processor released by Qualcomm. As you understand, the new product has a new version of the Android 12.0 series OS. Good autonomy is due to the use of a 5000 mAh battery. Moreover, even a simplified version of the famous flagship boasts 33 W fast charging. The main camera has 3 lenses, including a 50 MP matrix with f/1.8 aperture. In turn, the front camera has a 16 megapixel lens with an f/2.1 aperture.
Pros:
- fast charging;
- autonomous work;
- good processor;
- excellent display;
- main camera sensor.
Minuses:
- not found.
#15 – realme C3
Price: 9,990 rubles
One of the most popular models in the budget segment in Russia. Its main feature is the powerful Helio G70 processor, which allows Realme C3 to score about 180 thousand points in AnTuTu, which is more than any other device at a similar cost. So, this is one of the best budget gaming devices on the market. Another feature of the device is a powerful 5000 mAh battery, which is enough for two days of battery life.
At the same time, the HD+ screen, according to customer reviews, produces a fairly clear, grain-free image from a working distance, and the main lens with a resolution of 12 MP takes sharp and detailed pictures. By editing them in the editor, you can achieve very good quality. The main disadvantage of the model is the use of a microUSB connector.
realme C3
How to choose the right smartphone under 20,000 rubles?
It is a mistake to believe that someone can help you choose the right smartphone for you (a consultant in a store, some resource or a YouTube channel), because everyone has their own favorites. I remember my trip to several stores, the purpose of which was to purchase just a mid-budget phone. In one of them, the consultant proved to me that Samsung phones have better battery life and better quality cameras, in another they intrusively offered me something from the Xiaomi line, saying that their battery life is better, since the chips are more energy efficient. I had to take a more thorough approach to choosing a device and compare (DxOMark, Antutu) according to individual parameters. It turned out that the ideal smartphone does not exist: they differ in each of the parameters, all lines are designed for a specific target audience. The only thing that is important is to understand what maximum you can get for a given amount, and which brands are leaders in a given period of time in each segment. Let's try to figure this out:
- Cameras . For a smartphone under 20 thousand rubles, the presence of a quad camera with a main sensor from 32 to 64 megapixels is already considered standard. At the same time, Chinese camera manufacturers allow you to create heavier and clearer images; they have excellent portrait modes and stabilization. Samsung, in turn, attracts with its video quality, zoom, and flexible settings.
- Screens . The undisputed leader here is the South Korean brand, offering a wide range of Infiniti displays based on Amoled and Super Amoled technologies. Oppo and Vivo use similar matrices. Xiaomi and Huawei, in turn, are based on IPS, which also have good color reproduction and viewing angle, but they are still worse.
- Battery . The M-class from Samsung in this price category really has the longest battery life, which is explained by the presence of batteries up to 6000 mAh. Much depends on power consumption, processor power and screen size.
As for processors and the amount of RAM, not everything is clear. Obviously, the “snaps” of the 600 and 700 series are much better than branded Samsung chips and solutions used in most mid-budget Xiaomi (Mediatech), but sometimes it makes sense to opt for a less powerful phone, having a limited budget, in order to get the best camera. In this class, there is no particular superiority from the “dragons”.
The best smartphone manufacturers under 20 thousand
The leaders in each price and category are constantly changing. Until recently, Huawei was one of the top three manufacturers of mid-budget smartphones, but after US sanctions, everything changed. Now the gadgets of this company do not support Google services, and in some respects they are inferior to their analogues. However, the Oppo company appeared with its subsidiary and offered such a favorable price/quality ratio that it supplanted Samsung, which also only recently removed its J-segment, and finally released a decent line of decent budget smartphones. Their M-class with excellent autonomy and A-class up to 20,000 rubles with chic screens and good cameras deserve special attention. Following on the heels of these leaders are brands such as Vivo (excellent displays, balanced and beautiful phones) and Motorola (mid-power, stylish and original devices). As for other branded companies, it is still difficult for them to compete with these companies due to incredibly fast dynamics and increasing influence in the markets of different countries.
No. 11 – Xiaomi Poco M3
Price: 13,000 rubles
Top best smartphones 2022 price quality moves on. Xiaomi Poco M3 is an excellent gadget from the Chinese brand without serious disadvantages. It has a large 6.63-inch IPS screen with FHD+ resolution, a solid Snapdragon 662 under the hood that runs pubg and similar games, as well as a powerful 6000 mAh battery. This battery will last without recharging for two days of active use. There is also 18-watt fast charging.
As for the camera, the 48MP primary sensor takes clear pictures with natural color reproduction. Other features include stereo speakers, as well as an unusual back design with a leather-like texture and an original main camera unit. The main disadvantage is the lack of ultra-wide.
Xiaomi Poco M3
Which smartphone under 20 thousand is better to buy in 2022?
We tried to give an objective rating, although partly subjective. We also have our own favorites and views on the pricing policies of different companies. It's no secret that Xiaomi and Samsung products quickly fall in price with the advent of newer lines, initially often more expensive than they should be. However, if you don’t know which smartphone to buy under 20,000, then most likely you should first look in their direction. The OPPO brand is still trusted by a certain percentage of users who are not afraid to trust new companies. As for our opinion, we can sum it up as follows:
- good smartphone with a powerful battery – Xiaomi 11;
- smartphone up to 20 thousand with the best camera – Realme 9i;
- balanced smartphone of the previous generation – HUAWEI P40 Lite;
- The best smartphone under 20,000 in all respects is Poxo X3 NFC.
Actually, I would like to hear your opinion. We are waiting for your comments, friends.
No. 12 - Huawei P smart 2022
Price: 14,990 rubles
The first smartphone from the Chinese company Huawei in our top. The inexpensive P Smart 2022 has a trendy design with an island front camera, which will not interfere with the use of a large 6.67-inch display with FHD+ resolution. The heart of the smart phone is the time-tested Kirin 710A processor. Its combination with 4 GB of RAM is quite enough for the correct operation of the interface, Internet applications and simple games. There is 128 GB of built-in memory, so many will be able to do without a flash drive.
The main camera with a resolution of 48 MP takes detailed and contrasting images, which can be uploaded online without post-processing. The only drawback of the gadget is the lack of Google services. So, if you don’t know which budget smartphone is better to buy, be sure to pay attention to Huawei P Smart 2021.
Huawei P smart 2021
#6 – Nokia 7.2
Price: from 15,580 rubles online, 17,990 in retail.
- Screen: 6.3 inches, IPS, FullHD+;
- Processor: Snapdragon 660;
- Memory: 4/64 GB + microSD up to 512 GB (separate slot);
- Camera: main 48+8+5 MP, front 20 MP;
- Battery: 3500 mAh, 10 W, Type-C;
- Features: NFC, HDR display.
Nokia 7.2 is a slightly overpriced smartphone from the iconic Finnish brand. In terms of characteristics, it loses comparison to most of its direct competitors: the Snapdragon 660 is usually used in cheap devices, the 3500 mAh battery lacks fast charging, and the camera, although it has a resolution of 48 MP, takes rather mediocre photographs at night. But for many, these points are not critical; moreover, they are covered by a number of advantages of the Nokia 6.2, for which this phone is loved.
Firstly, it is a premium design. The phone is made of glass, it looks cool and feels just as good in your hands. It has a cool HDR screen, on which any content looks great, and the whole thing runs on pure Android 10, which guarantees system stability and long-term support for updates. If you're not looking for performance, the 7.2 could be a great buy for a few years to come.
No. 8 - vivo Y31
Price: 14,990 rubles
One of the latest additions to the company's lineup. The phone has a good front camera with a resolution of 16 MP. Selfies come out with natural skin tones and high sharpness. The 48 MP main lens is also not bad here - pictures taken in ideal lighting can be easily posted on Instagram without post-processing.
Vivo Y31 also has a cool 6.58-inch display with FHD+ resolution, a 5000 mAh battery with 18-watt fast charging (from 0 to 100% in an hour and a half) and a fast Snapdragon 662 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM under the hood. Unfortunately, the manufacturer decided to save money on the ultra-wide and it is simply missing from the model.
vivo Y31
#10 – Redmi Note 8T
Price: 12,500 rubles
A good option for those users whose budget is very limited. In reviews, buyers report that the gadget has no equal in terms of photo capabilities for the money. The pictures are of high quality in terms of color reproduction and detail, plus there are no problems with dynamic range and sharpness, which are often found in devices at this price. In addition, the presence of width is pleasing. But the performance of the depth sensor and macro module with a resolution of 2 MP each is only disappointing.
The advantages of the device include the presence of fast charging. True, its power is far from flagship - only 18 W, but this is enough to complete the full cycle of replenishing resources in 90 minutes. In addition, the smartphone has NFC. Considering how rarely Xiaomi equips its budget devices with this module, you understand that this should be appreciated.
Redmi Note 8T
#3 – Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Price: 18,990 rubles
The most reliable smartphone according to customer reviews in the entire Motorola line. The device has a cool 6.81-inch screen suitable for any purpose, a Snapdragon 730G processor that provides flagship-level performance and a 5000 mAh bank with 30-watt fast charging. As for photo capabilities, the 64 MP main module takes some of the best photos in the class. They have realistic colors, minimal noise and excellent contrast. Experts and users agree that the Achilles heel of the model is its size. There is no talk of any one-handed operation with dimensions of 170x78.1x9.7 mm.
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Expert advice
The opinion of an expert from the YouTube channel DEWITEYOU on choosing a budget smartphone is as follows: “For work, and to always be in touch in instant messengers, when choosing a smartphone you need to pay attention to the screen, processor, RAM and battery capacity. If the smartphone will be used for games, then in this case the processor is also important, as well as the graphics component. For minimal use (surfing the Internet, watching videos and listening to music), a small amount of RAM with a high-performance processor is enough.”
Expert Advice:
Expert of YouTube channel DEWITEYOU
Ask a Question
“To work, and to be always in touch in instant messengers, when choosing a smartphone you need to pay attention to the screen, processor, RAM and battery capacity. If the smartphone will be used for games, then in this case the processor is also important, as well as the graphics component. For minimal use (surfing the Internet, watching videos and listening to music), a small amount of RAM with a high-performance processor is enough.”
No. 5 - OPPO A72
Price: 16,830 rubles
For anyone who is tired of thinking about the question of which inexpensive and high-quality smartphone to choose, we recommend paying attention to the OPPO A72. Like other gadgets of the brand, it has a cool, trendy design that is pleasing to the eye. In addition, the device is equipped with 8 GB of RAM, so applications will definitely not be unloaded from memory when minimized. As for the photography capabilities, the 48+8+2+2 MP quad camera takes cool pictures while maintaining vibrant colors and capturing plenty of details.
The battery capacity is 5000 mAh. If you believe the reviews, such a battery needs to be recharged every two days. Other nice features include: a 6.5-inch screen with FHD+ resolution, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC and a Type-C port. The controversial point is that the Snapdragon 665 processor is not the most powerful for such a price.
OPPO A72
HONOR 9X Premium
The visual part of the smartphone is quite attractive. On the front side, HONOR lacks a unibrow and a teardrop cutout. The back is made of polycarbonate. The phone could be called ergonomic, but the size of the device does not allow this.
The speed of the interface indicates performance. And the HONOR 9X Premium is at its best. However, in this rating HONOR distinguished itself with its photographic capabilities. Let's take a closer look at them.
Bright, detailed images are obtained thanks to the main 48-megapixel module. The second lens is used to determine depth of field, its resolution is 2 MP. The 8 MP wide-angle sensor does not have autofocus, and the viewing angle is about 120 degrees.
You can purchase this model from 16,000 rubles.
| Characteristic | Parameter |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Diagonal | 6.59″ |
| Permission | 2340×1080 |
| The meaning of nuclei | 8 |
| RAM value | 6 GB |
| Built-in memory value | 128 GB |
| Number of MP | 48+8+2MP |
| Front-camera | 16MP |
| Weight | 197 g |
Advantages and disadvantages
Performance
Lack of FNC module
Weight
Battery capacity
