Expensive Chinese smartphones of the year. Chinese smartphones: will they help you save money? Chinese smartphones with good cameras

In conditions of a permanent crisis, buying a smartphone or tablet from China seems like a good way to save money and get a device with flagship characteristics for a third of the price of the same one, but made by “first-tier” manufacturers. But where do these fabulous savings come from and why are Chinese devices so cheap in general? Let’s try to find out, and at the same time talk about how to choose the right Chinese smartphone and whether it’s worth doing it when last year’s flagships from famous manufacturers are on sale.

If you don’t take into account the very cheap nonames and take a closer look at devices in the price range of $150–200, then you can find a lot of really good models at first glance. Good build quality, modern components, bright screens with excellent color reproduction - the Chinese have learned to make good products, saving on labor, design (which is simply copied), advertising and direct distribution without intermediaries. However, if you dig deeper, it turns out that everything is not so rosy and sometimes the great Chinese thought goes too far in the desire to cut the price of the device a little more.

Everyone lies

It cannot be said that absolutely all Chinese manufacturers tend to inflate the characteristics of their devices or present information in a cunning way so as to create the desired impression and keep silent about something. However, deception cannot be completely ruled out. Trust but check!

I will give a few examples from my own practice. Ulefone Be Touch 2. The manufacturer lied twice: by falsifying the version of Android that the device runs on, and by indicating an overestimated battery capacity (in reality, it remained exactly the same as in the first model, changing only the number printed on the wrapper).

How can you fake the Android version? It’s very simple: write version 5.1 in the system build.prop file. A quick, dirty and cheap way to "upgrade" from the actual 5.0 version. Ulefone Be Touch 2 is far from the only device that comes with a “fake” version of the system. Read, look at reviews - independent reviewers rarely miss such things.

Do you think that not everyone lies, but only “basement” manufacturers? No matter how it is! Lenovo, a well-known and large concern, does not hesitate to mislead the buyer. Take the Lenovo K3 Note, for example. In most foreign reviews we see the standard “the screen is good, bright, the colors are rich, everything is fine.” But reviewers from the iXBT website are not so gullible. Having taken the time to take a photo of the smartphone screen, experts discovered that instead of the stated resolution of 1920x1080, the device has a cheaper matrix with a resolution of 1920x720. Admire it.

Do you think it's an isolated incident? No! Take, for example, the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 (8″) in the Android version. On the official American website of the company, the device characteristics indicate support for memory cards up to 64 GB (quote from the site: Supporting Micro SD card up to 64GB).

And everything would be fine, but there is a subtlety. After purchasing a 64 GB card and inserting it into the tablet, you will see a prompt to format it. What is it, why? But the fact is that according to the officially accepted standard, memory cards with a capacity of 64 GB or more must (must, damn it!) comply with the SDXC specification. And it clearly and clearly, in plain English, prescribes the type of file system required for use on such cards: exFAT.

And again, everything would be fine, but using exFAT requires purchasing a license from its developer, Microsoft. But I don’t want to pay money. This is how devices appear that are hardware compatible with cards in the SDXC format, but do not support the standard file system for them. First-tier manufacturers honestly indicate compliance with the SDHC standard (memory cards up to 32 GB), and the fact that the user, at his own peril and risk, can format it in FAT32 and successfully use it in such devices is like a free bonus. But you can hardly upload a movie in HD to this card; File size in FAT32 is limited to 4 GB.

And there are also fakes

Creative presentation of specifications is one thing. What about outright fakes? iPhone clones - of course, it is usually not difficult to distinguish them, although Chinese craftsmen managed to assemble at least one device that runs on real iOS. But counterfeits from “basement” manufacturers for other Chinese brands - for example, Xiaomi or Lenovo - are another matter, much more unpleasant.

And even without backdoors

Even if the phone arrived without built-in dubious “add-ons”, it is not at all a fact that it has the original firmware installed. Take, for example, devices produced by Xiaomi. Good hardware, high-quality original firmware, good price/quality ratio. But not all of the company’s models are intended for sale outside of China. Not intended, but sold.

For devices intended for distribution exclusively in China, the company produces the corresponding firmware - Chinese. Sometimes without any translation into other languages, even into English, but certainly without Russian and without Google services.

But this fact does not stop cunning sellers from flashing into such devices... and who knows what they are flashing. Someone and somehow modified firmware with partial translation of hieroglyphs and somehow installed Google services. These firmwares, in addition to their general dubiousness, have one global drawback: over-the-air updates will either not arrive at all (this is the best case scenario), or, once they arrive, they will turn the device into a “brick.” So again, fastboot, custom recovery and other delights are in your hands (by the way, it may not help, since international firmware authored by the manufacturer, I repeat, is not available for all Chinese devices).

And then there is such a thing as SalesTrack. A very recent example: Micromax Bolt D303. Fresh, clean, factory firmware of a Micromax phone intended for sales in India sends SMS to an Indian short number immediately after turning on the phone. This is how the device is activated, but for a Russian-speaking user it will cost a pretty penny.

Optimization. Or lack thereof

In order for the operating system to work more or less smoothly, you need specific drivers, unique for each device, and the correct configuration of all firmware components - from the kernel to the shell. Unfortunately, optimization is an infrequent guest in Chinese devices. Yes, some manufacturers with a small model range (nod to Xiaomi, Meizu, Oppo and OnePlus) can afford to optimize the firmware. As for the semi-basement and basement offices churning out handicrafts and forgetting about them six months after their release, there will be a lottery. If you're lucky, everything will work more or less smoothly and stably. If you're unlucky (as in the case of the Ulefone Be Touch 2 described above), it will be a nightmare.

Of course, everyone has problems with optimization. The Nexus 9 tablet, released with the then new version of Android 5.0, worked extremely poorly. The situation was partially corrected only with the release of update 5.1.1, but the tablet revealed its full potential only with the release of Android 6.0. Or the flagship LG G Flex 2, which became the first device on the Snapdragon 810 platform. There were lags and slowdowns. And they disappeared with the release of firmware on version Android 5.1.1. How are things going with firmware updates from Chinese manufacturers?

And there are also updates. Or they don't exist

After-sales support for devices using firmware updates is an established standard practice accepted among first- and second-tier manufacturers. But basement crafts, as a rule, are doomed to work with the firmware that the manufacturer installed on them. In the best case, you will receive one or two minor updates that correct bugs found within the pre-installed Android branch. Simply put, if your device came with Android 4.4 KitKat, you probably won't be able to upgrade to 5.0 Lollipop.

What is the reason? Developing new firmware based on the latest version of Android, of course, costs money. You can save a lot of money on after-sales service, which is what the Chinese are famous for.

But is that the only thing? Unfortunately no. Very, very many Chinese devices are equipped with chips produced by the Chinese concern MediaTek (MTK). Integrated solutions produced by MTK differ from analogues, for example, from the American Qualcomm, in that the manufacturing company may release drivers for a certain set of system logic with support for the latest version of Android - or may not release them. It may provide source codes to smartphone manufacturers - or it may not. Guess in three tries whether MTK is famous for supporting its chips with drivers?

For manufacturers like Allwinner and Rockchip, you can usually forget about any support as soon as you receive the device. No, the manufacturer can try to do something with updates and without the latest driver versions, but...

Not long ago, the author of this text tested a tablet based on the RK3188 chip. Four Cortex A9 cores are a good option! But the tablet worked not just poorly, but extremely poorly. Even scrolling a simple web page experienced severe delays and jerks. Obtaining superuser rights and carefully optimizing everything possible did not help. The explanation turned out to be very simple: Rockchip provided the tablet manufacturer with drivers for Android 4.2, and the manufacturer wanted to release the device running Android 4.4 KitKat. Released. It didn't make it any better. Need I say that there have been no firmware updates since then?

And everything would look logical if it weren’t for the fact that some manufacturers (Meizu for example) successfully produce devices based on MTK chips and just as successfully support them for a long time. Here, however, we need to look deeper. A closer look at the FlyMe OS firmware shows that active firmware development is taking place within the framework of a specific Android branch. The global transition from Android 4 to version 5 within FlyMe OS happened not so long ago and with a delay of almost a year since the release of Android Lollipop.

No, what should I take?

If we’re going to order something from an online store anyway, let’s turn 180 degrees and look west instead of east. At least on trading platforms such as eBay and Amazon. And we will be surprised to discover that the flagships of last season are sold for half, or even a third of the price compared to the moment of announcement. What can you look for for your money - and not from China?

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In 2018-2019, Asian mobile phone manufacturers, through their collective efforts, were able to sell more than 50% of all smartphones on the market - this is another confirmation that the “Chinese” have long had not only a low price in their list of advantages. Such monsters of the mobile industry as Huawei and Xiaomi are already storming the segment, which until recently seemed forever divided between gadgets from Samsung and Apple.

Smartphones from the Middle Kingdom have been trending for a long time, and therefore it’s time to rank the best Chinese smartphones of 2018-2019! Our traditional “TOP 10” format has undergone slight changes, so today our reader will be presented with as many as 12 phones, divided into four categories depending on the price of the device, and therefore everyone will be able to find a device to their liking and wallet.

The best Chinese smartphones under 5000

#3 - Motorola Moto C

Price: from 4000 rubles

This year, Motorola pleased fans of the brand with an ultra-budget gadget aimed at those who do not want to overpay for excessive functionality, but are looking for the most basic gadget with Internet access. Moto C comes in both a 3G version and a version with LTE support, and therefore the connection is in perfect order. Otherwise, this smart looks, although cheap, but cheerful - a five-inch screen with a resolution of 854x480, a 5-megapixel camera, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, respectively.

Yes, the gadget is not suitable for fans of resource-intensive games or those who like to open more tabs in the browser, but with careful use of modest hardware resources, the Moto C can cope with web surfing and watching videos.

No. 2 - Huawei Y3

Price: from 4800 rubles

The next nominee for the title of best Chinese smartphone in the category up to 5,000 rubles also has versions with and without LTE support. The hardware here is a little more solid than that of the Moto C; the Mali-400 MP1 video accelerator has been added to the time-tested MediaTek MT6850M chipset, so Y3 owners will be able to while away their leisure time with simple toys.

Otherwise, the smart is also entirely consistent with its price segment - there is nothing to surprise it, but the absence of unpleasant surprises is already a good result for such an affordable mobile phone.

No. 1 – Leagoo M8

Price: from 5000 rubles

But the winner in the category of the best Chinese smartphones in the ultra-budget category is a pleasant surprise. The large and juicy display with a diagonal of 5.7 inches and a resolution of 1280x720 immediately catches your eye - competitors have nothing like it for this money. The next surprise is a quite mature 13 megapixel camera. The Leagoo M8 takes really good photos, which is not at all what you would expect for less than a hundred dollars.

The hardware of the Leagoo M8 is similar to its predecessors in terms of rating, but it already has 2 gigabytes of RAM, and therefore several tabs open in the browser will no longer have such a destructive effect on performance. If you are looking for a new smartphone under strict budget constraints, this smartphone in 2018 is beyond the reach of competitors.

The best Chinese smartphones under 10000

#3 - Maze Alpha

Price: from 10,000 rubles

The product is not such a famous Chinese brand, but after the release of this model, the company’s recognition rapidly increased. And this is not surprising - how many times have you seen state employees with 6 GB of RAM on board? And that’s not all, in one version the smart has 128 GB of internal memory, has a good dual main camera module made by Samsung, and a powerful 4000 mAh battery is enough to service a six-inch FHD screen with phenomenal picture quality!

If you are not afraid to try new things, and ordering a smartphone directly from China does not seem like an impossible task for you, go ahead, it’s almost impossible to be disappointed with the device, and if you remember that it fits into the price category of up to 10,000 rubles, all doubts should disappear instantly.

No. 2 - Doogee BL7000

Price: from 10,000 rubles

The name says it all about the mobile phone - BL7000, where the numbers indicate the battery capacity. With such autonomy, you will completely forget about the times when you had to frantically rummage in your bag in search of a charger.

In other aspects, the gadget also did not disappoint - 4/64 GB of memory, a serious chipset and graphics that allow you to get into modern 3D games, a wonderful camera and all this luxury in a stylish metal case. Definitely worthy of the money and a place at the top of our ranking of the best Chinese smartphones.

No. 1 - Xiaomi Redmi 4X

Price: from 7500 rubles

This model is rightfully considered a cult model, the number of its sales breaks all imaginable records, and it is thanks to it that Xiaomi is considered the hegemon of the budget smartphone market in 2018-2019. Looking at the technical characteristics of Redmi 4X, one might be surprised by such success, because the smart device does not offer anything unusual - an average processor, 2 GB of RAM, a standard screen.

But the balance of specifications, combined with excellent assembly from Xiaomi and low cost, make this mobile device an all-time favorite in any rating in terms of price-quality ratio.

The best Chinese smartphones under 15000

No. 3 – Oukitel K10000 Pro

Price: from 10,750 rubles

Yes, again there is a large number in the model name - and again we have a smartphone with an incredible battery, in the case of Oukitel - the most capacious on the market.

The Smart has an extremely unusual design, and weighs twice as much as devices of similar dimensions, but remembering that you can enjoy such delights as a 5.5-inch FHD display and modern hardware, ready to handle demanding products from the gaming industry, for up to several days without charging - minor quibbles disappear immediately. The most autonomous smartphone simply could not pass by our rating of Chinese smartphones of 2018-2019 under 15,000 rubles.

Oukitel K10000 Pro

No. 2 - Meizu M6 Note

Price: from 12,000 rubles

This Chinese manufacturer simply flooded the domestic market with its smartphones this year, but the M6 ​​Note became the real pearl. It combines a stylish but discreet design with excellent performance provided by the eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 in tandem with the Adreno 506 video accelerator, and 3 gigabytes of RAM supports them when solving difficult tasks.

A capacious battery, a full range of wireless interfaces, a cool modern screen - the Meizu M6 Note has it all, so take a closer look if you are looking for a Chinese smartphone with a good camera at an affordable price.

No. 1 - Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Price: from 14,500 rubles

After the success of the original Mi Max, Xiaomi engineers did not rest on their laurels, but added a little in every aspect and turned a good phablet into the best when it comes to the price category up to 15,000 rubles. More RAM and internal memory, a slightly better camera, a slightly more capacious battery, slightly updated hardware - now we have before us the best “tablet phone” in terms of price/quality ratio.

If this giant with a screen diagonal of 6.44 inches fits into your palm, why look towards other smartphones? Just enjoy watching videos, games and comfortable web surfing; on five-inch “kids” all this is much less fun.

The best Chinese smartphones under 25000

No. 3 – Meizu Pro 7

Price: from 22,000 rubles

Okay, we were in a hurry to choose a real pearl from Meizu - there are at least two of them. Meizu Pro 7 is a smartphone that comes much closer to the flagship segment than many Chinese “iPhone killers”. If you think that the use of AMOLED technology is the most serious thing that has happened to the Pro 7 display, then you are very mistaken - the developers have added a second screen on the back panel! Absolutely everything is great here, from the design and contents to the camera and sound.

The smartphone is a great pleasure to use, copes with any task effortlessly, is not afraid of a lot of open applications or power-hungry games, takes photos and videos in any lighting conditions and always does it with high quality. The price of this smartphone is clearly less than what it actually costs.

No. 2 – Xiaomi Mi6

Price: from 25,000 rubles

This smart phone went on sale in the spring, but has not lost its relevance to this day. While Xiaomi is experimenting with new lines of mobile devices, the representative of the basic series has slowly and quietly climbed almost to the top of our improvised Olympus. The Mi6 case, made of glass and metal, is, without exaggeration, one of the most aesthetically pleasing and tactilely pleasing of all currently existing.

Modern hardware and the highest quality dual camera module will allow the owners of the gadget not to feel deprived against the backdrop of arrogance with flagships from iPhone and Samsung. However, why are we telling all this - those who have already tried Xiaomi once do not need extra praises to make the right decision.

No. 1 – Huawei Honor 9

Price: from 22,500 rubles

Our ranking of the best Chinese smartphones of 2018-2019 has come to an end. The winner can hardly be called unexpected; the Honor line this year managed to outshine the main series of smartphones from its manufacturer Huawei, and for such results it was necessary to work hard. And the engineers did a great job - we have a fantastically stylish smartphone with a good camera and battery that simply doesn’t know the word “I can’t.”

The elegant case contains everything that can interest a smartphone buyer today - high performance, high-quality display, excellent sound and endless entertainment potential. If your eyes widen as soon as you cross the threshold of a mobile device store, take a closer look at Honor 9, after which the choice will be a foregone conclusion.

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The rapid development of the Chinese mobile device market contributes not only to excellent quantitative indicators of production development, but also to their qualitative growth. An analysis of smartphones released in 2018-2019 showed that the number of gadgets with decent technical characteristics far exceeded the number of frankly weak devices. Very successful solutions have also appeared that can compete with famous brands.

It’s easy to get confused among the abundance of gadgets, given the fact that even in certain price or target niches there are dozens, if not hundreds of models. The study of technical parameters, popularity, owner reviews and price components made it possible to compile the TOP 10 most successful models of 2018-2019, as well as a rating of the best smartphones according to the most important indicators.

TOP 10 most popular Chinese smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

Redmi 4X is one of the best-selling smartphones of the past year, continuing Xiaomi’s victorious march in the Russian market, begun by the legendary Redmi Note 3 Pro. Considering its reasonable price, you won’t be able to get your hands on this gadget even if you want to – it has balanced characteristics, high-quality assembly, and regular updates with the ability to install many third-party firmware. There are simply no worthy alternatives to Redmi 4X in the price segment up to 10 thousand rubles. And if you want, you can buy it even cheaper - for 7/8 thousand

Meizu M6 Note

We consider the Meizu M6 Note to be the closest competitor to Redmi 4X. Moreover, Meizu’s first smartphone with a Snapdragon processor is superior to 4X in some characteristics - it has fast charging and a dual camera, and in general the photos on the M6 ​​Note are much better. But it costs more, about 3-4 thousand rubles. Among the major differences between smartphones, we note the location of the fingerprint scanner - in Meiza it is built into a mechanical key located under the screen, while in Xiaomi the scanner is located on the back cover, and the firmware is Flyme and MIUI. In all other respects, these smartphones are approximately equivalent.

Huawei Nova 2

In the “above average” price segment, smartphones from Huawei traditionally rule the roost; the first model included in our rating is Nova 2. This is a smartphone in a compact metal case with a dual main camera, a large amount of memory (64/4 GB) and a powerful processor. If you want to purchase a hassle-free smartphone that will perform well in any use scenario, buy Nova 2 and you won’t regret it. Among the pitfalls, it is worth taking into account the not very outstanding battery life (2950 mAh battery, fast charging is present) and a somewhat inflated, in our opinion, price tag of around 20 thousand rubles.

Xiaomi Mi6

The flagship Mi6 concentrates all the strengths of Xiaomi smartphones. It is head and shoulders above other competitors in terms of price/quality ratio, since there is not a single other smartphone on the market that for 26 thousand rubles will give you a top-end Snapdragon 835 processor, a ton of memory, stereo speakers and excellent battery life. Let's blame the Mi6 for the lack of a 3.5 mm jack (included is an adapter for USB-C) and the camera is not as cool as other flagships. But this is nitpicking. This smartphone will please anyone, even the most demanding user.

One Plus 5

One Plus 5 is a good smartphone, but controversial. It copies Apple's design, does not provide the user with water resistance, stereo speakers, and does not have memory card support. Compared to the flagship from Xiaomi, these disadvantages can become critical, but there are advantages. In particular, pure Android version 7.1.1, the best camera among Chinese flagships, which pleases not only with high-quality pictures, but also with lightning-fast operating speed, as well as an AMOLED display, which has a positive effect on the autonomy of the gadget. One of the advantages of One Plus 5 is the presence of a traditional 3.5 headphone jack.

Motorola Moto Z2 Play

After the American brand Motorola was bought by Lenovo, the once iconic company can safely be included in the camp of Chinese manufacturers - all Lenovo smartphones are now released under the name Moto. One of the most successful results of such cooperation is the Moto Z2 Play - a smartphone that supports replaceable modules, has good battery life, a camera, excellent sound quality in headphones and an AMOLED display. Disadvantages - mediocre performance for a price of 25 thousand (Z2 Play is equipped with a Snapdragon 626 processor), and not the most powerful main speaker.

Motorola Moto Z2 Play

ZTE Nubia Z17

Smartphones from the Nubia line from ZTE have always been good flagships that, even without aggressive marketing from the manufacturer, found their loyal users. The Z17 is a continuation of the very successful Nubia Z11 model, in which nothing has changed dramatically, and everything that was good has become even a little better. There is a powerful Snapdragon 835, 128/8 GB of memory, a dual camera and an excellent frameless design. But there is no 3.5 mm headphone jack, which looks somewhat strange in the absence of moisture protection as such.

Huawei Honor 9

Honor 9 is a very cool smartphone. It looks cool and stylish, has an excellent camera (20+12 MP), good performance (chipset – Kirin 960), sufficient memory (64/4 GB) and fast charging.

In fact, this is an ideal choice for everyone who does not want to pay exorbitant amounts of money for flagship models, overpaying for an overly powerful processor and numbers of unnecessary characteristics, but at the same time wants to get almost all the advantages inherent in them.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Mi Max 2 is the best shovel phone of 2017 on the market. Xiaomi gave customers everything they could want from a similar smartphone with a price tag of less than 20 thousand rubles. Judge for yourself - 6.4 inch screen, Snapdragon 625, 64/4 GB of memory with expandability, 5300 mAh battery with fast charging, stereo speakers. We recommend Mi Max 2 to everyone who is looking for the optimal device for consuming multimedia content. The only complaint we can make is the lack of an NFC module.

Chinese smartphones with powerful batteries

The trend towards larger screens and increased productivity of mobile devices leads to the fact that some smartphone models barely survive from morning to evening. For users who don't like to sit near a power outlet, our rating of the 5 best models with the most capacious batteries will certainly help.

Oukitel K10000 Pro

Oukitel K10000 Pro is the record holder for battery capacity among all long-lasting smartphones on the market. Its survivability is ensured by a 10,000 mAh battery, which in a standard scenario of using a smartphone is enough for 4-5 days of operation without recharging. And the characteristics here are quite decent - 5.5’’ FHD IPS screen, 8-core MT6750T processor, 32/3 GB of memory with a MicroSD slot, 13 and 5 MP cameras, a fingerprint scanner and the latest Android 7.0. The price of the smartphone is 12 thousand rubles, and it is definitely worth the money.

Oukitel K10000 Pro

Doogee BL7000

The BL7000 differs from Oukitele in its more modest design and smaller battery, 7000 mAh. With active use of the smartphone, it lasts for 3 days, which can be considered an excellent result. In terms of characteristics, the Doogee BL7000 is even better, it has more memory - 64/4 GB, and a dual camera of 13 + 13 MP, the front camera resolution is also 13 MP. The smartphone just went on sale at a price of $200, and the first owners speak about it exclusively on the positive side.

Moto E Gen.4 Plus

The Moto E4 Plus is an excellent workhorse from a trusted brand that costs the right amount of money and has everything to satisfy the needs of the average user. The smartphone is based on the MediaTek MT6737 processor, equipped with a 5.5-inch HD screen, 16/3 GB of memory, 13/5 MP cameras, an NFC chip and, most importantly, a 5000 mAh battery. Among the shortcomings of the E4 Plus, we highlight the solid body weight of 200 grams, as a result of which it cannot be recommended for purchase by fragile girls.

Moto E Gen.4 Plus

Ulefone Power 2

The smartphone has a stylish design, whose front panel is reminiscent of devices from Meizu (the multifunctional Home key is also present here), and the back side is the flagship HTC 10. The 6050 mAh battery is the main trump card of the Ulefone Power 2, it is enough for 3 days of active use of the gadget. The performance and display are typical for inexpensive Chinese phones, but the cameras are terrible, so lovers of mobile photography should avoid this smartphone.

Fly FS554 Power Plus

While most of the smartphones in our rating will have to be ordered somewhere and waited, the Fly FS554 Power Plus can be purchased at almost any local cellular phone store. At the same time, for a price of 10 thousand rubles, this is a very decent smartphone with a 5.5” FullHD display, MediaTek MT6737T chipset, 16/2 GB of expandable memory, 13/5 MP cameras and a 5000 mAh battery. You can take it with confidence.

Fly FS554 Power Plus

Frameless Chinese smartphones

Chinese manufacturers have never forgotten that a modern smartphone is not only powerful hardware and a capacious battery, but also an image accessory. The last factor is directly related to the design of the device, so we present to your attention a rating of frameless new Chinese smartphones for the 2017 model year.

Leagoo KIICAA Mix

KIICAA Mix is ​​a representative of a countless group of smartphones that copy the design of the flagship Xiaomi Mi Mix. At a price several times lower than the original, it can offer an almost identical design and relatively good hardware (5.5’’ FHD display from Sharp, MT6750T chipset, 32/3 GB of memory, 13+2 and 13 MP cameras, 2930 mAh battery). The pitfalls are the location of the main speaker, which causes poor audibility of the interlocutor, and the absence of brightness/proximity sensors and a 3.5 mm jack, while the adapter required to connect headphones is not included. However, taking into account the low price of 6 tr. it's not critical.

Leagoo KIICAA Mix

Doogee Mix

Doogee Mix is ​​a smartphone from the same opera. It outperforms its Leagoo counterpart due to rich equipment (there is a case and a film for the screen), more memory - 64/4 GB, and a slightly more capacious 3380 mAh battery. However, in terms of software, everything is not so rosy here - the crude Doogee Mix firmware, with numerous bugs, can cause quite a few headaches for the owner of the device, so before buying a device you should weigh the pros and cons.

UMIDIGI Crystal

UMIDIGI Crystal stands out from its analogues with its interface - it runs on an almost pure Android 7.0 shell, as a result of which using this smartphone is much more pleasant than other Chinese ones with trashy OS. The characteristics are also not bad - MT6750T, 64/4 GB of memory, IZGO screen from Sharp and dual camera. For a price of 100 dollars - not bad.

Bluboo S1

Bluboo S1 is positioned as a more expensive device, which is evident in the build quality and materials - the smartphone body is covered with glass not only on the front, but also on the back. The heart of the smart phone is the powerful Helio P25 processor, memory – 64/4 GB. Owners of the Bluboo S1 attribute weak cameras and quiet sound from the main speaker to its disadvantages, while its advantages include a cool display and stylish appearance.

Maze Alpha

Maze Alpha is the best frameless Chinese smartphone that can be bought in the price segment of about 10 thousand rubles. This is a well-built device with a high-quality 6-inch screen and good performance.

It also outperforms its analogues due to its autonomy; the 4000 mAh battery lasts for an average of two days of using a smartphone. When purchasing, you should take into account the considerable weight of the smartphone, as much as 225 grams.

Chinese phablets

We consider the best smartphones with a large screen diagonal in 2017 to be:

Xiaomi Mi Note 3

The third generation of Mi Note from Xiaomi has evolved from an uncompromising flagship, which was Mi Note 2, into an affordable smartphone with a large screen (5.5’’ FHD) and average specifications. The phablet is equipped with a Snapdragon 660 processor, 6 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB storage. The camera resolution is 12+12 MP and 16 MP (front camera), battery capacity is 3500 mAh. This is a good choice if the Mi Max 2 seems like a huge shovel to you, but you don’t want to overpay for the flagship bells and whistles of the Mi6.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3

Honor 8 Pro

Another smartphone from Huawei in our rating, which is hard to find fault with even if you wanted to. The characteristics are excellent for the price - 5.7'' 2K display, top-end Kirin 960 processor, 64/6 GB of memory with a slot for a flash drive, dual 12+12 MP camera, 4000 mAh battery with fast charging, NFC, IR sensor, USB -C. With a price of just over 30 thousand rubles, this is an excellent smart device that can become an alternative to any flagship.

Meizu M3 Max

M3 Max is not the latest model from Meizu, which has been successfully selling for a year now and will remain relevant for a long time. The smartphone is equipped with a 6-inch screen and a Helio P10 processor with 64/3 GB of memory. This is a gadget without any special complaints, which is simply a pleasure to use due to its excellent build and perfectly polished Flyme OS, which in terms of speed and smoothness of operation will give odds to the operating system of any Chinese smartphone.

Leagoo M8 Pro

An ultra-budget phablet with a 5.7-inch display and modest specifications (MT6737, 16/2 GB of memory, 13/8 MP cameras, 3500 mAh battery). When buying an M8 Pro in China, you can buy it for 5 thousand rubles, and you won’t find anything better for that money. The smartphone works quite quickly and stably, supports LTE, recognizes external devices in USB OTG mode, and has a fairly loud multimedia speaker. Thanks to the massive metal frame, the M8 Pro is extremely durable, it confidently survives falls from great heights, and in general is perfect for the role of a child’s first smartphone or a gadget for heavy-duty use.

LeEco Le Max 2

After the LeEco fiasco on the Russian market, you can only buy their smartphones on AlieExpress, and if this doesn’t scare you, then Le Max 2, in terms of price/performance ratio, will be an ideal choice. For less than 15 thousand, you can get a smartphone with a 5.7-inch 2K display, a Snapdragon 820 processor, 64/6 GB of memory, 21 and 8 MP cameras, and a 3100 mAh battery. Le Max 2 runs any game at maximum graphics settings, takes good photographs, records 4K video, but does not have a 3.5mm jack or NFC chip.

The most expensive Chinese smartphones

The top most expensive Chinese smartphones traditionally include products from the most famous brands from the Middle Kingdom. Their technical characteristics are truly impressive, so these popular phablets are able to compete with devices from famous world manufacturers. We present to our readers a rating of the most expensive smartphones from China.

Mi Mix 2

Mi Mix 2 is a continuation of the cult smartphone from Xiaomi, which became the reason for the appearance on the market of all the frameless crafts we are considering above. The second generation Mi Mix increased autonomy, received an adequate earpiece, and retained top-end technical characteristics. This is an excellent fashion smartphone that evokes the same “wow” effect that can be bought for 30-35 thousand rubles.

Meizu Pro 7

The flagship from Meizu does not sport the now fashionable frameless design, but takes a different approach - an additional screen on the rear panel, which displays notifications and other useful information, including images when using the main camera for selfies.

The smartphone is great in terms of photo capabilities, sound quality and software, but loses to other flagships in screen quality and lack of NFC. The latter is a serious setback for a top-end smartphone, but it’s worth considering that Meizu Pro 7 is cheaper than its analogues – 20-25 thousand rubles.

Axon M

Another unusual smartphone is a transformer from ZTE, which consists of two panels with 5.2-inch FHD screens, which when folded out forms a kind of tablet. The Axon M is equipped with a not-so-top-end Snapdragon 820 processor, but it does have a dedicated AKM4962 DAC, which makes the smartphone sound amazing in headphones. Only the battery raises serious questions; its capacity is a modest 3180 mAh, which is frankly not enough for the active use of a gadget with two screens. Price: $725.

Razer Phone

The parade of unusual Chinese continues with the Razer Phone - the first “gaming” smartphone on the market, which is aimed at an audience of gamers. The gadget is equipped with a powerful Snapdragon 835 processor, 64/8 GB of memory, stereo speakers, a dedicated 24-bit DAC and an amplifier for each speaker. But the main feature of this smart device is the 5.7-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which provides an extremely smooth picture when playing any content. The Razer Phone costs $700.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Let's move on from unusual models to real premium ones. Huawei Mate 10 Pro is the most expensive Chinese flagship of 2017. The smartphone, priced at 800 euros, is crammed with everything possible - more powerful hardware, a 6-inch 2K OLED display, dust and moisture protection, stereo speakers, cameras from Leica and, what the manufacturer himself highlights, a separate processor for implementing artificial intelligence, which gives Huawei's business phablet many additional functions, such as the ability to recognize objects in the frame, speed up the launch of applications and allows the smartphone to adapt to the habits of its owner

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Inexpensive Chinese smartphones

For those users who do not need the “wow effect”, as well as people who do not believe that “a good show off is more expensive than money”, budget models from many manufacturers are aimed. Despite their low cost, many of them are well equipped and functional. So, a rating of inexpensive, but productive and high-quality devices.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A

Chinese manufacturers know a lot about budget smartphones, and Xiaomi has succeeded in this niche almost better than all other brands. Redmi Note 5A is a balanced smartphone with the best camera in the price segment under $100. It does not shine with performance (Snapdragon 425 percent), but it does not have any obvious weaknesses that could spoil the experience of owning this device. Among the advantages are separate slots for 2 SIM cards and a flash drive, the presence of an infrared port, and the absence of throttling, which is typical of most cheap smart phones, under load. We recommend for purchase.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A

Meizu M6

Many will say that budget smartphones from Meizu have not changed for a couple of years, and they will be right in their own way. However, are these changes necessary if the company has found that golden mean in terms of quality and economy, making its smartphones always a pleasure to use? Meizu M6 is made in a metal case, has a good 5.2-inch display, a good camera and normal battery life. With an issue price of $100, this is a very good choice, which will be head and shoulders above any basement China.

ZTE Blade A6

Inexpensive smartphones from ZTE are widely represented in domestic cellular equipment stores, so you can most likely buy the Blade A6 at your place of residence. It will stand out from its neighbors in the showcase due to its good performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 435 processor and 32/3 GB of memory, good battery life (5000 mAh battery) and a high-quality metal case. But the smart phone itself is not without its drawbacks - almost all of its owners complain about the device heating up under load, and in terms of cameras it is noticeably inferior to the same Xiaomi and Meizu.

Huawei Honor 6C Pro

Huawei is also sold at most retailers, and when buying a smartphone offline, Honor 6C Pro can be a priority choice. The gadget has standard characteristics for its price - MT6750 processor, 32/3 GB of memory, 13 and 8 MP cameras, 3000 mAh battery, metal case with a fingerprint scanner. The smartphone is made very well both in terms of build quality and software, and therefore no problems should arise during its use.

Huawei Honor 6C Pro

Leagoo M8

If you need something “cheap and cheerful”, take the Leagoo M8. On Aliexpress, a smartphone costs 4,000 rubles, and this is the best you can get for that price. The only thing that limits this device is the lack of support for LTE networks. But it handles 3G well, and you simply don’t expect to see such a decent screen and cameras, along with a somewhat rough but reliable build, and a loud multimedia speaker in a smartphone for $75.

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China has long proven that it can create technology, successfully competing with European and American manufacturers. Its quality is almost as good as theirs, and the price is often lower. But only a few companies have been producing some of the best Chinese smartphones in the world for more than 10 years. Brands from the Middle Kingdom are regularly included in the TOP 10 leaders in the development and creation of such gadgets. Therefore, it will definitely not be a mistake to buy them, but let us remind you that China is different from China, and our rating will make it easier to choose in favor of convenient, reliable and affordable devices.

The list includes 5 well-known companies, the most popular in the CIS market. Among them, users identify the following Chinese smartphone manufacturers:

• Huawei– produces mobile phones with a touch screen under the brand of the same name and the Honor trademark, the demand for which is due to high-quality assembly and an average price level.
• Blackview– the company is one of the TOP 10 companies selling mobile phones in the CIS market. It is interesting because it regularly releases a new product every month, starting from the end of May. Thus, the company is one of the fastest growing in its field. At the same time, prices for its products are still quite high; for example, the cheapest model as of December 2017 costs 4,200 rubles.
• LENOVO– the company needs no introduction; it initially became famous for its computers, and later established itself as a reliable manufacturer of “smart phones”. Among them there are 2, 4, 8-core devices of both budget and mid-price range and premium class. The manufacturer focuses on ease of use of products, in particular, creating them with low weight (on average 150 g) and a thickness of about 10 mm.
• Xiaomi is the main competitor of such giants as Apple and Samsung, but at the same time the price of its products is 30-50% lower. The company was registered in Beijing in 2010. The first “smart” was released by her a year after the founding of the company. This is one of the few manufacturers that has its own interface.
• Meizu– the company began its work with the production of MP3 players in 2003. It is often called the Asian Apple, although it entered the smart phone market only 6 years after its opening. The company almost always creates gadgets with different amounts of built-in memory (16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB) and varying in power. This variety attracts both wealthy buyers and those who want to save money.
• ASUS– this best Chinese smartphone brand is one of the oldest, the company was founded in 1989. Among competitors in the Asian market, it is the most profitable and is not inferior in popularity to LENOVO and Xiaomi. But it’s difficult to call this company budget; for 2017, its cheapest model costs 5,500 rubles.

Rating of the best Chinese smartphones

Chinese-made “smarts,” as various reviews show, rarely combine laconic design, functionality, and an adequate price; they usually have to sacrifice something. But in the case of this rating, we tried to include only those models that are easy to use, have high-quality assembly and good battery power parameters (from 2000 mAh). We also took into account the following characteristics:

• Memory functions (built-in and RAM capacity, card capacity);
• Number of megapixels of front and main cameras;
• Battery capacity and duration of its operation during calls, games, etc.;
• Internet access capabilities (2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi);
• Case material (plastic and/or metal);
• Sound quality;
• Weight, shape and dimensions, screen diagonal;
• Key indicators (type and number of processor cores, display resolution, etc.);
• Additional features (radio, navigation, etc.);
• Freshness of the operating system.

A huge role in the selection of the best Chinese smartphones was played by the frequency and content of user complaints about breakdowns, availability of service, as well as the price-quality ratio of gadgets.

In Russia there are models at different prices. Inexpensive devices attract with their stylish design, build quality, and good software. Devices priced from 10 to 15 thousand rubles. You will be pleased with a larger screen diagonal, an increased amount of built-in and RAM, and better processor and camera characteristics. The rating of Chinese smartphones, which was compiled taking into account the results of comparative tests of the technical characteristics of all nominees, includes 7 models.

Lenovo K5 Play 3/32GB

The gadget with the Android 8 operating system and a 5.7-inch screen diagonal attracts with an 8-core processor and a stylish design, which should be noted for the presence of a textured back cover with wavy curves. The model is produced in 3 glossy colors - blue, black, gold. The volume rocker and power button are located on the right side of the plastic case. The ribbed surface of the latter makes it easy to find. The smartphone supports alternating operation of 2 nano SIM cards. Multi-touch perceives 10 simultaneous touches, which ensures a quick response of the device to user actions in dynamic games. RAM – 3 GB, built-in – 32 GB. If desired, the latter can be increased to 128 GB.

Advantages:

• Compact;
• Easy;
• The IPS matrix provides a wide viewing angle;
• Comfortable video viewing;
• Automatic screen brightness adjustment;
• A-GPS system, satellite navigation;
• The kit includes a silicone bumper;
• Autonomous operation in video viewing mode up to 9 hours.

Flaws:

• Stainless body;
• Inability to use 2 SIM cards and a memory card at the same time;
• Case heating at high graphic settings of mobile games.

The smartphone has a built-in proximity sensor, which helps to avoid accidentally pressing buttons during a telephone conversation. Another sensor reacts to changes in the position of the gadget and turns on the horizontal or vertical screen orientation, respectively. Additional features include voice control, fingerprint reading, and Face ID technology. Users note the mono speaker as a downside; for music lovers, they recommend purchasing headphones.

ASUS Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL 4/64GB

The smartphone also runs on Android 8 and supports alternating operation of 2 nano SIM cards. At the same time, its processor works 30% faster than that of the previous nominee, and the battery capacity provides greater autonomy. The absence of frames in the display increases the screen diagonal to 6.3 inches. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, built-in memory is 64 GB. In the device unlocking system, the manufacturer also used a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition function. The model is available in black, blue and steel.

Advantages:

• Low power consumption;
• Autonomous operation in video mode up to 12 hours;
• Durable and thin metal body;
• High clarity images;
• Clear and rich sound;
• 3 slots for SIM cards and flash drive;
• Fast charging function.

Flaws:

• Slippery;
• Fragile glass;
• Plastic edges of the case.

Users rate the appearance, build quality and characteristics of the gadget highly. The disadvantages include insufficient color saturation in the photo and the problem of purchasing accessories. More than 90% of respondents, when asked which Chinese smartphone to buy in the price range of 10-15 thousand rubles, recommend this model.

The model belongs to Chinese smartphones of 2019. It is produced in a reinforced black case made of rubber and plastic with protection from moisture, dust and mechanical damage. The low price is due to the use of an outdated 4-core MediaTek MT6580 processor with a clock frequency of 1300 MHz, a small screen diagonal of 5.5 inches, and lack of 4G support. At the same time, the manufacturer equipped the gadget with an improved version of the OS - Android 8.1, impact-resistant glass, and a more powerful battery. The device also supports Glonass satellite.

Advantages:

• Proximity and light sensor;
• The kit includes a headset;
• The charging connector is covered with a plug;
• IPS matrix with a good viewing angle;
• Alternate operating mode of 2 nano SIM cards;

Flaws:

• Small amount of RAM and built-in memory;
• Poor camera resolution;
• Thick.

According to user reviews, the device can withstand high loads well, can work in extreme cold conditions, is easy to use, and the sensor works flawlessly. The disadvantages include a weak battery, the inability to download large games, and poor shooting quality.

Meizu Note 8 4/64GB

The smartphone, popular among users, is produced in a metal case in blue, pink or black. The gadget is equipped with a 6-inch frameless screen with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The IPS matrix gives clarity, good detail and rich colors to the image. A resolution of 402 PPI guarantees no graininess in the picture. A high level of communication quality is ensured by support for 4G frequency bands.

Advantages:

• 8 core processor;
• Good amount of built-in and RAM memory;
• Built-in GPS and Glonass modules, compass, gyroscope;
• Fast charging function;
• Unlock with fingerprint.

Flaws:

• Low battery capacity;
• It is better to adjust the brightness manually;
• Slippery.

90% of respondents recommend buying a good Chinese Meizu smartphone. Its price does not exceed 10 thousand rubles, durable body, good performance, convenient controls, photo quality is pleasing. Buyers believe that minor flaws can be ignored when evaluating a model.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 6/128GB

A powerful Chinese smartphone at an average price. An 8-core processor, Android 9.0 OS, integrated graphics and 6 GB of RAM provide good performance in games and other everyday tasks. The 6.53-inch screen occupies 91.4% of the front panel and delivers clear, bright and rich images. The 64-megapixel camera with technology allows you to capture detailed images regardless of lighting conditions. A battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh ensures active operation of the device for more than 12 hours. For convenience, a fast charging function is provided.

Advantages:

• The cooling system controls the processor temperature;
• Holographic color effect on the back;
• The screen is made of tempered glass;
• Dual-band Wi-Fi maintains connection when signal reception is poor;
• Built-in GPS, NFC, GLONASS modules.

Flaws:

• Big sizes;
• It is not possible to change the color of the event indicator;
• Stainless back panel

The manufacturer of the Chinese smartphone Xiaomi did not ignore selfie lovers. The model has a front camera with a resolution of 20 MP, many pre-installed filters and an artificial intelligence support system that will make every shot unique.

Honor 8X 4/64GB

The review nominee is released in a metal case with a glass backing. This gives it a stylish and expensive appearance. It is equipped with a 6-inch screen that allows you to get clear images measuring 2340x1080. In terms of OS, rear and front camera characteristics, it is inferior to Xiaomi. The processor is also 8-core, but the memory capacity is an order of magnitude lower. Supports simultaneous operation of flash drive and SIM cards.

Advantages:

• Light indication of events;
• Supports GPS, GLONASS, BeiDuo;
• Function of transmitting stereo sound via Bluetooth to a wireless device;
• Face unlocking by reading a fingerprint;
• The kit includes a protective case;
• Average price.

Flaws:

• There is no protection of the case from dust and moisture;
• Slippery;
• Dependence of image quality on illumination.

According to experts, the model’s screen has high brightness, contrast, good color balance and uniform black background. Anti-glare properties allow you to use the device outdoors even on a sunny summer day. The video quality in terms of detail and sharpness is average.

HUAWEI P Smart (2019) 3/32GB

The model was announced by the brand after 3 months. after the previous nominee. It has an improved version of the OS - Android 9.0, but the screen diagonal is reduced to 6.21 inches, although this does not affect the image size. A high PPI level provides better picture clarity. At the same time, in terms of battery capacity, memory and camera characteristics, it is inferior to Honor 8X. The gadget also does not provide protection from external influences. Functionality includes voice control, A2DP profile, fingerprint reading.

Advantages:

• NFC interface;
• Average price;
• Good performance;
• Sound quality;
• Long work without recharging;
• Anti-glare glass.

Flaws:

• Rear panel made of plastic;
• Average photo and video quality;
• Slippery.

Users claim that the gadget is not inferior to top-end analogues in terms of performance, reliability and ease of use. Its functionality corresponds to the stated price.

ASUS ZenFone 3

Our rating opens with a proven model with a high rating on Yandex.Market ASUS ZenFone 3 ZE552KL 64GB. This is not the cheapest option, but it also has decent hardware: a 16 MP rear camera and an 8 million pixel front camera, which ensures high-quality communication via Skype and other similar applications. A powerful speaker and speakerphone make communication and listening to music comfortable, and the built-in memory capacity of 64 GB allows you to store a large number of photos, music and other files.

They tried to impress buyers with fast charging in 2 hours and high performance, and this was not prevented by the not so high battery power of 3000 mAh. It is convenient to use the Internet, play and type messages on this model, which is facilitated by the 5.5-inch diagonal. But it is precisely this fact that prevents you from working with it with one hand. The model is also interesting from the point of view of communication capabilities; both 3G and 4G modules are present.

Advantages:

• Fast;
• Original;
• Bright colors;
• Large screen;
• High-quality glass at the screen;
• Stable work;
• Doesn't heat up.

Flaws:

• Play of side buttons;
• Unclear pictures when the camera is in automatic mode;
• The battery lasts for a maximum of a day with active use;
• Slipping out of hands;
• Stained body.

The leader in this category was Meizu Pro 6 32GB with the latest version of Android 6.0 OS. The manufacturer equipped it with a metal-plastic body, but the weight did not suffer much from this, staying at 160 g. Conflicting opinions, based on user reviews, are caused by the alternating operation of two SIM cards and the mediocre battery power of 2560 mAh. In terms of performance with a 10-core processor, everything is just fine. Another plus is the fast charging option.

Compared to the same ZenFone 3 ZE552KL 64GB, the amount of internal memory here is modest - 32 GB, which can become critical if the camera is used frequently. Music lovers are more fortunate; music is played in two formats - the classic MP3 and the more flexible AAC. There is no point in focusing on the standard options - the usual speakerphone, flight mode, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will not surprise anyone, they just exist. But the rear camera is 21.16 MP and the front camera is 5 million pixels. will definitely please you with photo and video shooting, carried out with an impressive resolution of 3840×2160.

Advantages:

• "Nimble";
• Several applications work simultaneously without freezing;
• Excellent sound in headphones;
• Fast charging;
• Quality of overall execution;
• Nice screen.

Flaws:

• No NFC;
• Few accessories;
• It gets very hot when playing games.

Which Chinese smartphone is better to choose?

There are models from different brands on the market, each of which has its own pros and cons. Which Chinese smartphone to buy, what to consider when choosing, is described in our rating. You can take the price of the device as the main purchase criterion:

• The Lenovo K5 Play 3/32GB is considered the best inexpensive model;
• If you are looking for something in the region of 10-15 thousand, choose ASUS Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL 4/64GB or Honor 8X 4/64GB;
• With a budget of more than 15,000 rubles. It's worth paying attention to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 6/128GB.

Naturally, it would be a mistake to choose a gadget for 2000-4000 rubles. and hope that this will be the best Chinese smartphone. To buy something more or less decent, you need to count on an amount of at least 6,000 rubles.