Excellent Chinese smartphone. Rating of the best Chinese smartphones in terms of price-quality ratio

The whole half of 2016 has already passed, which means it’s time to take stock and name the best of this year. Galagram brings to your attention the top 10 best smartphones from China. In our rating, we looked at both flagships and mid-range smartphones and budget smartphones and chose the most successful models. Go!

1 LeEco Le 2 Max

Main characteristics

• display 5.7″ inches, 2K
• RAM 4/6 GB
• flash memory 64 GB
• battery 3100 mAh
• price $390

Le 2 Max is the most advanced flagship of the new line of smartphones Chinese company LeEco(). The phone is equipped with a large 5.7″ inch 2K display, as well as the flagship Snapdragon 820 processor from Qualcomm with a clock frequency of 2.15 GHz.

And in the AnTuTu benchmark, LeEco Le 2 Max scores a record 143,400 points, which is even more than Xiaomi Mi5. The main feature of this Chinese monster (and the entire Le 2 line) was the lack of a 3.5 mm audio output, but the manufacturer has released USB Type-C compatible headphones that can reproduce real FLAC audio format via a two-way connector.

2 Xiaomi Mi5

Main characteristics

• display 5.15″ inches, Full HD
• processor 4 cores, 64-bit Snapdragon 820
• RAM 3/4/6 GB
• flash memory 32/64/128 GB
• battery 3000 mAh
• OS version Android 6.0 Marshmallow + MIUI 9
• price $300

Xiaomi Mi5 is undoubtedly one of the best Chinese smartphones of 2016, because with top-end hardware it is also one of the most affordable Chinese flagships with a price tag of $300. The smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 820 chip and 3/4/6 GB of RAM to choose from, with 128 GB of flash memory available in the top version and 32/64 in the base and mid-range Mi5 models.

This smartphone has perhaps best camera on the market - 16 MP Sony IMX 298 with 4-axis image stabilization (OIS). Pictures on Mi5 are clear, and videos are free from shaky hands thanks to optical stabilization.

3 Meizu M3 Note

Main characteristics

• display 5.5″ inches, Full HD
• Helio P10 processor from MediaTek
• RAM 2/3 GB
• flash memory 16/32 GB
• battery 4100 mAh
• OS version Android 5.1 Lollipop + Flyme OS
• price $123/$155

Meizu M3 Note is not a super flagship, but it made it into our guide to the best Chinese smartphones due to the excellent ratio of design, price and filling. M3 Note was released in 2016 and has all the features similar smartphones paired with a cool design.

The smartphone has a metal body, a fingerprint scanner, a 5.5″ inch IPS Full HD display and a 4100 mAh battery. The Chinese runs on a powerful Helio P10 processor from MediaTek with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz. There are several body colors, and user interface(UI) is built on the Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system.

4 Bluboo Picasso

Main characteristics

• display 5.0″ inches, HD
• processor MT6580 from MTK
• RAM 2 GB
• flash memory 16 GB
• battery 2500 mAh
• OS version Android 5.1 + Launcher 3
• price $60-70

A bright representative of budget employees, the Bluboo Picasso is equipped with a weak MediaTek MT6580 process, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of flash memory. What's so special about it? This is perhaps the best Chinese budget phone that works well and costs only 60-70 dollars.

5 ZUK Z2

Main characteristics

• display 5.0″ inches, Full HD
• Snapdragon 820 processor
• RAM 4 GB
• flash memory 64 GB
• battery 3500 mAh
• price $310

ZUK Z2 main competitor Mi5 smartphone, it runs on the same hardware platform (Snapdragon 820 + 4 GB RAM) and costs about $310 in China. Its dimensions are even more compact than the Mi5, and the display has a diagonal of 5″ inches and Full HD resolution, respectively, the dots per inch density of the ZUK Z2 is also higher.

If the ZUK Z1 was not the company's most successful smartphone, then the ZUK Z2 can honestly be called one of the best Chinese smartphones released in 2016. This advanced phone has a two-way USB Type-C output for charging and syncing, as well as a 3.5mm audio output, unlike the LeEco Le Max 2.

6 UMi Super

Main characteristics

• display 5.5″ inches, Full HD, IPS, 2.5D, Sharp
• Helio P10 processor from MediaTek, 2.0 GHz per core
• RAM 4 GB
• flash memory 32 GB
• microSD yes, up to 256 GB
• cameras: main Panasonic 13 MP, front 5 MP
• battery 4000 mAh
• OS version Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• price about $210

UMi Super is the newest smartphone of all those listed, just recently. The device is equipped with a 5.5″ inch display with Full HD resolution from Shartp and is powered by a Helio P10 processor from MediaTek with a clock frequency of 2.0 GHz. RAM in UMi Super is 4 GB, and flash memory is 32 GB.

The flagship uses only branded components, including cameras made by Samsung and Panasonic. The UMi Super battery capacity is 4000 mAh. With a $210 price tag that will likely drop soon after the hype, this is one of the best Chinese smartphones on the market. Moreover, in terms of the totality of its characteristics, UMi Super can compete even with A-brands.

7 Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro

Main characteristics

• display 5″ inches, HD, IPS
• Snapdragon 616 processor
• RAM 3 GB
• flash memory 32 GB
• microSD yes, hybrid slot
• battery 4100 mAh
• OS version Android 5.1 Lollipop + MIUI 7
• price about $150

Redmi 3 Pro is the top version in the line of compact and budget smartphones from Xiaomi. Despite its budgetary focus, Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro is one of the most convenient and powerful Chinese phones. The smartphone runs on a Qualcomm processor and is equipped with 3 GB of RAM. The flash drive here is installed at 32 GB, there is also a hybrid slot for microSD cards memory or operator SIM.

All this power fits into a compact metal body; Redmi 3 Pro is also equipped with a fingerprint scanner for greater security of personal data. Redmi 3 Pro runs Xiaomi's own MIUI 7 OS, but the device will soon be updated to the latest version. A smartphone costs about $150-160 in China.

8 Doogee X5 Max

Main characteristics

• display 5″ inches, HD, IPS
• processor MTK6580
• RAM 1 GB
• flash memory 8 GB
• microSD yes
• cameras: main 13 MP, front 5 MP
• battery 4000 mAh
• OS version Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• price about $65

X5 Max from Doogee is a typical representative; with a fairly compact size, it is equipped with a 4000 mAh battery, a scanner and a 5″ inch HD display.

The smartphone has frankly little RAM and flash memory, namely 1 GB and 8 GB of memory, but it runs on the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow and costs Chinese stores only 65 dollars, almost 2.5 times less than Redmi 3 Pro.

9 Moto G4 Play

Main characteristics

• display 5″ inches, HD, IPS
• Snapdragon 410 processor
• RAM 2 GB
• flash memory 16 GB
• cameras: main 8 MP, front 5 MP
• battery 2800 mAh
• OS version Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
• price about $100

Since Lenovo bought Motorola, the company's devices can now be considered Chinese and added to our ranking of the best smartphones. Moto G4 Play is a budget phone that is built on the Snapdragon 410 platform from Qualcomm. It has 2/16 GB of RAM and flash memory, respectively, and also costs about $100-120.

This phone has support for 2 SIM cards, as well as a 4G module. There is a 2800 mAh battery installed inside, and the most interesting thing is the OS version, Moto G4 Play runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

10 Meizu Pro 6

Main characteristics

• display 5.2″ inches, SUPER AMOLED, Full HD
• Helio X25 processor
• RAM 4 GB LPDDR3
• flash memory 32/64 GB
• cameras: main 21.16 MP, front 5 MP
• battery 2560 mAh
• OS version Android 6.0 Marshmallow + Flyme 5.2
• price about $385/430

Meizu Pro 6 is perhaps the most anticipated flagship of 2016, the smartphone has an excellent design and a fly in the ointment in the form of a 2560 mAh battery. Despite this, Meizu Pro 6 is one of the most successful choices among Chinese smartphones in 2016.

Its display has 3D Press technology, which means that the Meizu Pro 6 screen is pressure sensitive, and another coordinate has been added to control the smartphone. The Chinese flagship is powered by the Helio X25 processor, while this is an exclusive chip created specifically for Meizu Pro 6. The smartphone’s camera has an LED flash with 10 LEDs.

Etc., however, the Celestial Empire is increasingly promoting its electronics on the world electronics market, and we must give it its due - it is doing it quite successfully. Gadgets Chinese manufacturers every year they become better and better, a little more and the existing stereotype regarding the disdainful attitude towards everything that is produced in China will remain far in the past. If previously “Made in China” smartphones attracted consumers due to their exceptionally flexible pricing policy, then today these are already full-fledged flagships, assembled using the most advanced technologies and possessing enviable characteristics; it is not for nothing that the best representatives of electronic telephony from the Middle Kingdom have been awarded top lines in various benchmarks.
So, which Chinese smartphones are the most successful today? We present a selection of the 5 best flagship models from the Middle Kingdom.

It was after the successful implementation of the Mate 7 phablet that the Huawei brand began to be perceived as a serious contender in terms of the number of handsets sold on the market. Without thinking twice, the developers set about improving the project and created new flagship“Mate 8”, which today deservedly takes first place in many synthetic tests and ratings. The innovative “Mate 8” has achieved success and recognition of millions of users thanks to its highest performance; AnTuTu benchmark tests gave it a record 92,746 points, although only a few can even come close to such indicators.

The phablet has an impressive 6-inch screen, occupying 83% of the front part of the device, which seems to be an advantage, but at the same time, due to such dimensions, it is a little uncomfortable to hold in your hand.

Huawei decided to save money on the display resolution, and instead of the well-deserved Quad HD, which many expensive rivals flaunt today, they gave their new favorite only Full HD resolution.

The device’s cameras, although good (16 and 8 megapixels), are not the best, especially considering the very inflated cost of the model; users could have been pleased with something better. However, for amateur photography and video shooting, the available characteristics will be more than enough.
Various modifications of the smartphone can have 32, 64 and 128 GB of internal memory, the amount of RAM for the lightest version is 3 GB, the other two “heavyweights” have 4 GB.

Advantages:

• gorgeous build. The metal body of the gadget is available in four colors: gray, gold, silver and chocolate. Strained glass, which protects the display of the model, is extremely durable and reliable;
• the most powerful chipset (octa-core Kirin 950) that the company had ever implemented at the time of the smartphone’s release;
• error-free and instant operation of the fingerprint scanner;
• the widest range of networks + the presence of A-GPS and GLONASS;
• excellent autonomy. The 4000 mAh battery is very durable, fast charging is available;
• proprietary interface Emotion UI 4.0, which has something to surprise.

Flaws:

• non-removable battery;
• hybrid slot for memory card and SIM;
• high cost for a “Chinese” person.

You can buy Huawei Mate 8.

In 2016, the best Chinese smartphones are extremely popular. This is not surprising, because they are much cheaper than their European and American counterparts (although almost all smartphones today are made in China or nearby countries, but only representatives of certain brands are considered purely “Chinese”).

But the characteristics are the same. Users think very simply - why overpay if there is a phone with the same characteristics, but half the price? And this makes sense.

Today we will look at the TOP 10 best Chinese smartphones as of November 2016. This TOP includes those models that users themselves talk about most.

Some third-party sites and their reviews have no meaning here. Before we begin, let's say that this rating was not compiled according to price and technical specifications, and by popularity among users.

It took into account how much people talk about a particular model on different forums, how many users mention a certain smartphone in their posts and comments, as well as user ratings of various devices on market sites (like market.yandex.ua, hotline.ua and the like) .

So, let's begin!

№10 HOMTOM HT17 Pro

Our review begins with HOMTOM HT17 Pro, which was recently released. But this model immediately gained recognition in the world of modern technology lovers.

An excellent modern smartphone with a diagonal of 5.5 inches, a 13 MP camera, powerful processor and a 3000 mAh battery.

The battery is removable (most Chinese smartphones have a problem in the form of a non-removable battery and if it breaks, it is very difficult to replace the battery yourself).

The quad-core MediaTek MT6737 processor at 1.1 GHz will ensure the entire device runs without any lag.

Other characteristics of this smartphone such:

• 16 GB random access memory and 2 GB of its own (there is an expansion slot up to 128 GB);
• 2 SIM cards;
• price – 92 dollars.

№9 DOOGEE X5 Max Pro

This smartphone is slightly inferior to the HOMTOM HT17 Pro in many characteristics (the difference is very small), but it has a more powerful battery - 4000 mAh.

This beauty will last for several days without recharging. In addition, it has a more powerful processor – MediaTek MT6737. It also has 4 cores, but 1.3 GHz. This means that the device will work faster.

In our TOP 10 best Chinese smartphones of 2016, you definitely can’t do without the DOOGEE X5 Max Pro. True, many may be put off by the slightly outdated design. HOMTOM still looks a little better.

Other features:

• screen diagonal – 5 inches;
• 5 MP camera;
• 16 GB of RAM (only 6 GB available to the user) and 2 GB of its own (expansion slot only up to 32 GB);
• IPS screen with a resolution of 1280x720;
• pre-installed Android 6.0 OS;
• 2 SIM cards;
• price – 80 dollars.

№8 Elephone S3

More powerful, brighter, more memorable, more stylish than DOOGEE and HOMTOM, which opened our TOP. But the Elephone S3 has a weaker battery - only 2100 mAh.

If you are willing to sacrifice this, be sure to pay attention to this model. It has an excellent 13 MP camera, a 5 MP front camera, at least twice as powerful a processor (MediaTek MT6753 – 8 cores and 1.3 GHz) and more RAM (3 GB).

In addition, 16 GB is also available here own memory, but all 16 GB of them are available to the user. For system files We have our own reserve. And the expansion slot is designed for 128 GB. In general, an excellent powerful thing for every day.

Other features:

• screen diagonal – 5.2 inches (resolution 1920x1080), the same IPS screen;
• metal case;
• price – 163 dollars.

№7 Meizu MX5

Then, in the summer of 2015, Meizu MX5 became a real killer of all state employees. The reason for this is that it had much better specifications than other phones at the same price.

Only then all kinds of Xiaomi, OnePlus3 (which we will talk about today) and the like began to come out. Nowadays there is not much talk about Meizu.

It’s interesting that people began to pay attention to those models that came out at the same time as the MX5, but at that time were in the shadow of the glory of the famous Meizu.

We can safely say that the peak of popularity of the MX5 has already passed, even a few months ago.

In any case, a very bright AMOLED (a proprietary development of SAMSUNG, thanks to which this company can outshine everyone else), a 5.5-inch diagonal, a 20.7 MP camera (!), an eight-core processor and other features of this smartphone simply shocked the world.

All this works perfectly for a whole day or more without any recharging thanks to the 3150 mAh battery.

Another nice feature is the special NXP TFA9890 music chip, which makes the sound more rich and natural. In general, a real monster!

Other characteristics:

• screen resolution 1920x1080;
• metal case;
• preset Android system 5.0;
• CPU MediaTek Helio X10 Turbo at 2.2 MHz;
• 16 GB of own and 3 GB of RAM;
• price – 230 dollars.

№6 LeEco Le Max 2

One of the modern giants continues our review. Diagonal LeEco Le Max 2 – 5.7 inches. The screen resolution is 2560x1440, which is higher than almost all smartphones on this list.

At the same time, this phone a really powerful camera - 21 MP and F/2 aperture (the smaller the better). Very few modern models can boast of such an indicator. The front camera here is 8 megapixels.

Among its additional functions, it is worth paying attention to optical stabilization and autofocus - you can take photographs even in a moving car.

The processor is a little disappointing - 4 cores (2 at 2.15 GHz, 2 at 1.5 GHz) in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996. There could be more.

But good battery 3100 mAh will ensure the device operates for several days. In general, if you really like it large smartphones, be sure to pay attention to LeEco Le Max 2.

Other features:

• the screen occupies almost the entire front panel - it looks very impressive;
• 32 GB of internal memory (!);
• 4 GB of RAM;
• 2K Retina screen;
• the body contains a combination of metal and plastic;
• price – 305 dollars.

#5 Huawei Nexus 6P

Another wonderful, strong smartphone (we can say this because it has a metal body), which is also large in size and, accordingly, has a higher resolution.

The screen diagonal is 5.7 inches and the resolution is 2560x1440. Here, by the way, there is also a very bright AMOLED (!) screen - on it the picture looks completely different, it is more beautiful, natural and bright.

True, the main camera is lame. It has only 12.3 megapixels (it’s not particularly clear why exactly this number) and, judging by user testimonies, it shoots not nearly as well as we would like.

But the Huawei Nexus 6P has a more powerful processor - the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 has 8 cores at 2 GHz each. The battery is also very good - 3450 mAh.

Features of Huawei Nexus 6P:

• Huawei signature design;
• 32 GB of internal memory;
• 3 GB RAM;
• Corning glass Gorilla Glass 4 (shockproof);
• pre-installed Android 6.0 system;
• price – 425 dollars.

#4 ZTE Nubia Z11 Mini

Surely, the popularity of the ZTE Nubia Z11 Mini is due to the simple fact that despite its relatively small size (5-inch screen diagonal), this device has a very powerful processor.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 MSM8952 with 8 cores will be able to run the most demanding applications today.

In addition, there is as much as 64 GB of its own memory (many people don’t even understand how they can fill all this space). There is an expansion slot up to 200 GB (!).

All this is backed up by 3GB of RAM. Indeed, very powerful!

The phone also looks very impressive - the matte metal body will look beautiful in any circumstances.

Other characteristics:

• there is a fingerprint scanner;
• pre-installed Android 5.1 OS;
• IPS screen with a resolution of 1920x1080;
• main camera 16 MP and front camera 8 MP;
• price – 232 dollars.

#3 OnePlus3

Here already we're talking about about a true classic in the world modern smartphones– 5.5 inches screen diagonal, 16 MP main camera, quad-core processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 – 2 cores at 2.2 GHz and 2 at 1.6 GHz).

But there are many nuances that make OnePlus3 special and, therefore, so popular. For example, corporate design and aluminum body.

The camera here is from Sony (model IMX 298), and it takes really good pictures.

Also here AMOLED screen(taken, of course, from SAMSUNG). There is as much as 6 GB of RAM (!), so the 4 processor cores are more than compensated for - the device will work very quickly.

Other OnePlus3 specifications:

• built-in memory – 64 GB;
• 3000 mAh battery;
• special protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 4;
• screen resolution – 1920x1080;
• OS Android 6.0;
• price – 500 dollars.

#2 Lenovo Vibe X3

Very unusual for Lenovo phone. It is unusual, first of all, for its design. There is something from HTC, something from OnePlus, a little from Meizu, in general, a very interesting combination.

The body is made of durable aluminum and plastic. The camera, in the best traditions of Chinese smartphones, is 21 megapixels. At the same time, it takes pictures worse than the 8 MP camera of any SAMSUNG phone.

But there are many purely unique features. For example, a proprietary three-microphone Lenovo system, thanks to which the sound is cleaner and more natural.

There is also a 3xTIOPA1612 amplifier, also from Lenovo. By the way, there is also a fingerprint scanner from Meizu. In general, in Lenovo Vibe X3 brings together all the best from other smartphones.

Thanks to this, it is becoming increasingly popular.

Other characteristics:

• Wolfson WM8281 audio codec;
• 3500 mAh battery;
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992 processor with as many as 6 cores;
• 32 GB of internal memory (there is an expansion slot up to 128 GB);
• 3 GB RAM;
• IPS screen with a resolution of 1920x1080;
• screen diagonal – 5.5 inches;
• price – 421 dollars.

No. 1 Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Undoubtedly, this is the most popular Chinese smartphone today! Perhaps not only Chinese, but in principle, especially considering that the Pro version with 32 GB was recently released.

Let's say right away that it costs only $165 (you will be surprised by this fact more than once when reading the characteristics of this phone further).

So, this beauty came out in the winter of 2016. Its screen diagonal is 5.5 inches, resolution 1920x1080. So far everything is standard, although at $165 it’s not bad at all.

The camera here is 13 MP (with an F/2 matrix – it takes good pictures). There is also a 5 MP front camera.

The processor here is Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 MSM8956 - six-core at 1.8 GHz! RAM – 3 GB. And (attention!) a 4050 mAh battery. These are simply amazing features.

Moreover, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is constantly falling in price - at the beginning of sales it cost about $250. It is not surprising that this is the most popular Chinese.

Other features:

• the body is made of a combination of metal and plastic;
• there is a fingerprint scanner;
• IPS screen;
• pre-installed Android 5.1 OS.

Below you can see the opinion of one of the users regarding what the TOP 10 Chinese smartphones look like in 2016.

Modern budget models of Chinese phones are confidently winning back the top positions from other manufacturers. Inexpensive gadgets delight their owners with solid capabilities inherent only in premium devices. Logical and clear interface also plays a huge role, as does high performance and thoughtful design. We offer an overview of the top five smartphones from China that conquered the market in 2016.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Third Xiaomi model Redmi, compared to its predecessor, has received several significant additions, which its users have already appreciated. The device is made in a beautiful and practical metal case, has a high-capacity battery, and contains a fingerprint scanner. In terms of technical parameters, it is not inferior to devices from first-tier companies; let’s take a closer look at them:

1. Design. In appearance, the gadget resembles the previous Note 2 model. It has the same dimensions, shape and rounded edges, and the display glass is absolutely flat, with a mirror-smooth surface. Much of the case is metal, but the top and bottom of the back panel have plastic inserts that protect it from shock when dropped. It is in the plastic segments of the case that the openings for microphones and connectors are located. Housing in new version The gadget has become more durable and slippery at the same time. The smartphone is available in gray, gold or silver casing. Has dimensions 150x75x7.6 mm.
2. Screen. The display is 5.5 inches with physical dimensions of 68x121 mm, runs on an IPS matrix. The screen resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. It features maximum viewing angles, excellent color rendering and contrast. In the smartphone, the display brightness is adjusted automatically, and the use of multi-touch technology allows you to process ten simultaneous touches. The absence of glare on the screen is one of the advantages of the gadget thanks to the oleophobic coating.
3. Interface. The device runs on Android 5.0 OS on the manufacturer's MIUI 7 shell. The shell is convenient and concise, with a convenient distribution of settings into sections. Application icons are distributed across desktops, and it is possible to create widgets and folders. The working area of ​​the screen can be reduced to make it more convenient to operate with one hand. Shell gesture control is not supported.
4. Performance. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is an eight-core gadget with a clock frequency of 2.0 GHz. The amount of RAM and internal memory of the device depends on the modification, amounting to 2/3 GB and 16/32 GB. With high performance, the gadget quickly copes with all tasks. Games launch instantly and animations run very smoothly. The smartphone performed well when playing such demanding games as World of Tanks and Relic Run.
5. Sound. The main speaker of the device produces clear and loud sound without distortion. But the maximum sound could be louder. The acoustics in high-quality headphones are richer, louder, with low frequencies. For its class, the smartphone has quite decent sound.
6. Camera. Device with front camera 5 MP. It also has a 13 megapixel main camera, equipped with autofocus and flash.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is a high-performance dual-SIM smartphone. The device attracts buyers with many functions, a practical body, good sound and a high-quality display. The device weighs 164 g. The cost of the device is approximately 14,000 rubles.

For an overview of the smartphone, watch the video below:

Meizu MX5

According to their own Meizu characteristics MX5 will compete with the iPhone 6 Plus. The device is a premium product, but is distinguished by an affordable price and good performance. The device occupies a top position on the market mobile technology, and in comparison with previously released versions it is of higher quality and more advanced:

1. Design. The gadget is produced in an aluminum case, and contains plastic elements on the top and bottom. Thanks to the matte surface of the case with roughness, it does not slip in your hands and does not become covered with fingerprints. The device is distinguished by its miniature size. Its weight is 149 g. Rear end The housing is black, and the front panel is available in black and white.
2. Screen. The display size is 5.5 inches diagonally, width is 68 mm, length is 121 mm. The device has a resolution of 1920x1080 mm. The smartphone is placed in a narrow frame, the width of which is less than 3 mm from the sides from the edge, and less than 15 mm from the bottom and top. But this does not cause discomfort during use, since the shape of the case is thought out very well. You can adjust the screen brightness manually or by using automatic adjustment. The screen can be unlocked by double tapping it or by swiping.
3. Sound. Meizu MX5 features excellent sound transmission through the speaker and headphones. The sound in the smartphone is quite loud, clear and moderately rich in frequencies. The device can record telephone conversations by pressing the appropriate button during a call. FM radio is not supported by the device.
4. Camera. The device has two cameras: a five-megapixel front camera and a 20.7-megapixel main one. The maximum video recording resolution on the main camera is 1920x1080 pixels. The camera provides good quality shooting.
5. Software. The gadget operates on the Google platform Android versions 5.0.1. It does not have any programs provided, but is equipped with memory cleaning utilities that simultaneously scan the system for viruses and also monitor for updates. If necessary, the energy saving mode can be activated.

The Meizu MX5 smartphone is a pretty good solution. It is distinguished by a modified and practical body, an improved camera, wonderful sound, and high quality components and assembly. The device is designed for two SIM cards, but does not have a slot for memory cards, nor does it have optical camera stabilization. The cost of the gadget is approximately 20,000 rubles.

Check out the video review of the gadget below:

ONEPLUS X

ONEPLUS is a young company that has currently released only three smartphones. ONEPLUS X is the latest of them. He's different low price, medium size and light weight. Manufacturers placed the main emphasis on the appearance of the device. Let's take a look at the innovations inherent in this device:

1. Design, dimensions, weight. The device is available in black and white. It is placed in a metal case, which is covered on both sides with Gorilla Glass 3. In the second version, it has golden metal inserts. In the limited version, the device is equipped with a ceramic rear panel. The gadget's glass is curved on each side. The screen is framed by a thin frame, which gives the smartphone an elegant and rich look. The dimensions of the device body are 140x69x6.9 mm. Device weight - 138g.
2. Screen. ONEPLUS X is equipped with a five-inch display with good viewing angles. The display backlight is of good quality, although not ideal. The screen is made using airless gluing technology and has high contrast. The sensor provides support for ten simultaneous clicks.
3. Hardware platform and memory. A device with powerful hardware, running on the quad-core Snapdragon 801 platform. stable work without braking or freezing. The RAM of the device is 3GB, and the built-in memory is 16/32 GB. The smartphone supports installation of memory expansion cards up to 128 GB.
4. Sound. The device is equipped with built-in speakers and microphone. Device with high quality sound that can compete with flagship characteristics.

The ONEPLUS X smartphone is a high-quality device designed to support two SIM cards and a memory card. It features advanced OS capabilities, good performance, and is equipped with a mode slider and volume switch. The disadvantages of the gadget include low autonomy. The phone discharges quickly during active use. Powerful games are especially draining on the battery. But with more powerful battery the thickness of its body would increase and the design would change. The cost of the gadget is approximately 16,000 rubles.

Video review of ONEPLUS X:

Xiaomi MI4C

The Xiaomi MI4C smartphone captivates with its attractive appearance. Unlike its predecessors, the Xiaomi MI4i hardware has been completely redesigned by the manufacturer. Inside the device, he placed a more powerful processor, improved the camera, installed an infrared port and USB Type-C, which supports fast charging. The gadget is distinguished by its compact shape and minimalist design:

1. Design and sizes. The device has a five-inch matrix, which provides relative convenience when using it with one hand. Block touch buttons with backlight. It is located at a distance from the display so as not to touch the buttons when typing. The smartphone is made in a practical and pleasant to the touch plastic case. The dimensions of the gadget are 138.1x69.6x7.8 mm.
2. Display. The screen of the Xiaomi MI4C smartphone is made using OGS technology, has five inches, a pixel density of 441. The image is highly saturated, without distortion or dimming. Adjusting the brightness of the gadget works correctly, the backlight provides comfort when used on a sunny day. You can adjust the color tone and increase the contrast. The colors in the pictures are rich and bright.
3. operating system. The gadget works on Android platform 5.1 MIUI, featuring the most customizable interface. The developer offers hundreds of wallpapers, themes and features, the use of which allows you to personalize the device as much as possible.
4. Performance and memory. The gadget has high power, runs on 4 cores with a frequency of 1.4 GHz and 2 dual cores with a frequency of 1.82 GHz. A device with the Snapdragon 808 platform installed. It is offered with 2 and 16 GB of internal and RAM, and that with 3 and 32 GB, respectively. Has OTG and does not support microSD. In addition, the smart phone does not slow down and handles games well, but due to its high performance, its body gets very hot. Although during normal use there is no significant heating.
5. Sound. The device is distinguished by high-quality sound transmission through the speaker and headphones without extraneous background noise. The multimedia speaker has good volume.
6. Camera. The main camera of the device is 13 megapixels, and the front one is 5 megapixels. Video is recorded by cameras in FullHD resolution. The camera settings have many options, among which, in addition to the usual panorama, night mode and timer, there is also voice control, fisheye, shutter speed, etc. It can also record fast and slow video.

Using the example of Xiaomi MI4C, the manufacturer proved that it is quite possible to produce smartphones with great capabilities even on a limited budget. Having the above technical parameters, the gadget is in the same row as the flagships. The cost of the smart phone is approximately 18,700 rubles.

More information about the smartphone in the video review:

Lenovo ZUK Z1

The Lenovo ZUK Z1 smartphone was created by a subsidiary of the manufacturer Lenovo. This is the first gadget in a line of flagship models whose level is above average. Although the device does not have the latest SoC, in other respects it is not inferior to high-end devices. Let's look at the characteristics of this device below:

1. Design, weight and dimensions. In appearance, the ZUK Z1 does not resemble any of the products in the Lenovo smart line. The gadget has a rather presentable design. It is equipped with a wide metal rim, characterized by streamlined shapes and smoothed corners. However glossy finish the back panel makes it easily soiled and slippery. In addition, the device has a large weight - 175 g, dimensions 156x77x8.9 mm and a massive body, which not every user will like. The device comes in a monolithic case and is equipped with a card slot on the side. There is no memory card compartment in the gadget.
2. Screen. The gadget's 5.5-inch touchscreen display measures 68x121 mm. The screen is framed, and its resolution is 1920x1080 mm. The light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness, and the use of multi-touch technology allows the processing of 5 simultaneous touches. The display is mirror-smooth with anti-glare properties.
3. Sound. A gadget with a large volume reserve provides clear and rich sound. The voices of the interlocutors during a telephone conversation are not distorted, and the intonation is easily recognized.
4. Camera. Lenovo ZUK Z1 has two digital cameras: main and front at 13 and 8 megapixels, respectively. Recording from the video camera is carried out at a speed of 60 frames/sec. Accelerated and slow motion shooting is done in Full HD format.
   Operating system and software. The smart device runs on the proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 platform, which has not lost its relevance today. The Cyanogen OS 12.1 operating system is installed in the gadget on top of Android 5.1.1.
5. Memory. The amount of RAM is 3GB and 64GB permanent. Although the device does not support microSD cards, 55 GB of permanent memory is available to the user, which is not bad at all.

The Lenovo ZUK Z1 has a decent level of performance, although it has an outdated platform. The device has sufficient power, which allows you to play games on it and cope with any tasks. It is housed in a durable case, equipped with a large screen, has excellent sound and good battery life. Considering these advantages of the device, its cost is quite reasonable, ranging from 18,400 rubles.

Watch the Lenovo ZUK Z1 video review:

The models described above are the most prominent representatives of the best smartphones from China. They are worthy competitors to the flagships of well-known companies. The affordable price of these gadgets, confirmed by their high quality, ensures their growing popularity.

“All these years we sold Nexus at a low price, like fools, by God. But Apple is cutting money - we need to join the premium too,” the guys from Google decided and released smartphones of the Pixel family. To ensure that the new “super-prestigious” Google Phone is not confused with its cheap predecessors, the developers at all presentations persistently emphasized that this is an “all-new” (“completely new”) smartphone, which was not developed by subsidiary brands (LG/Samsung/Huawei/HTC/ Motorola), and Google itself! However, it’s no secret that HTC, respected by Google, still assembles smartphones.

But we are less interested in politics and marketing; let’s talk about the technical component. In this regard, the new Google Phone is encouraging great camera(the best among smartphones in general, according to some experts), good AMOLED display and a very powerful Snapdragon 821 processor with perfect system optimization.

By the way, about the system - now it has been added exclusivity and the latest “empty” Android Nougat has been given a new design, and English-speaking users can already talk to a smartphone like a person. That is, no more “inexpensive pickled cucumbers in Moscow” - you can immediately address them with the phrase “Pixel, where can you buy a good snack nearby?” Pleasant innovations? Yes, simply excellent! The Pixel design is a little strange, but the smartphones cannot be confused with anything else.

Another question is that the 8.5 mm thick model (like the Xiaomi Redmi 3S with 4100 mAh) houses a 2770 mAh battery with a ridiculous capacity. However, thanks to the perfectly optimized Android and AMOLED matrix, the Pixel will still last the day. But almost any flagship smartphone is more compact than the new Google phones, which don’t even bother to implement optical stabilization in the camera.

And the main thing is that such pleasure costs from 50 to 65 thousand rubles, even just in terms of European prices (Russians are so rich that smartphones in the Russian Federation usually cost more than in Europe). Would you like to shell out a thousand dollars for a “prestigious” Google nameplate? Yes, everyone already understands that you don’t want to, and that’s why Pixels are not sold in Russia. And for 65 thousand in Russia, smart guys buy an iPhone 7 Plus with 128 GB of memory from gray suppliers or is it still cool Samsung Galaxy S7 edge for 40 thousand. And they do it right.

Pixel is a great model in its own right and best alternative the great and terrible iPhone (for this reason the smartphone was included in the list). But for record-breaking performance at a high price, we already have Samsung, and Google’s “unique” software can even be made to work on cheap smartphones. That is, no matter what Google creates, it turns out to be Nexus. Only this time, an expensive, slightly strange Nexus that does not encourage reflashing, which did not manage to jump higher than its glass “head”.

4. Honor 8

In contrast to Google, Huawei knows a lot about “color differentiation” and has been successfully selling almost identical smartphones under different nameplates. For image-conscious citizens, mobile phones under the name Huawei are coming out. And for everyone who doesn’t care about Scarlett Johansson and the nameplate of partner brands, the Chinese offer Honor models.

So in 2016, engineers “re-shoeed” the expensive Huawei P9 into a glass case, dismantled the Leica logo and began selling this model 40% cheaper than the flagship. Even by Russian standards, Honor 8, worth 28 thousand rubles, looks very cool - of similar quality models, only the “gray” versions of Xiaomi and Meizu are cheaper.

And you can’t say that Huawei saved money on customers in any way: a good fast processor (although not as cool as your Snapdragon 820), two cool rear cameras with which you can “blur” the background in photographs, a high-quality display. Honor 8 is not a flagship of the “nowhere better” format - it is rather a middle ground between expensive “top models” and middle-class smartphones. Such smartphones have become an endangered species - Chinese brands nowadays they are arrogant and strive to compete in price with Samsung, so it was impossible not to mention the “anti-crisis” Honor in a special way.

3. Apple iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone just got better. Better by N percent, because it is not proper for noble dons to focus on the characteristics of mobile phones. Parasite designers, apparently, are still having unbridled fun with uninhibited girls and “washing powder” (iPhone 6 with almost the same appearance appeared in September 2014). But the revolution, comrades, begins from the grassroots, and iPhone buyers are still satisfied with the case design. Moreover, lovers of innovation still received the standard “glossy black” color - an important detail for those who want it new iPhone immediately distinguished from the old one.

Generally improved iPhone versions with the previous body design they usually receive an additional index S, but the name iPhone 6SS would sound provocative, and, frankly speaking, technical innovations have accumulated enough to change generations.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Judge for yourself: new sensory Home key With imitation pressing, “identical to natural”. Water protection, which is not very useful in everyday use, but reduces the risk of “killing” a smartphone with liquid. Stereo speakers in a very compact body and a processor that, with four cores at a mediocre frequency, outshines all Qualcomm and MediaTek brands of any degree. 2x optical zoom (a small thing, it doesn’t always work, but it’s still useful). And this despite the fact that the iPhone, as we know, has never competed with rivals for show on the principle of “who has it longer”!

The iPhone 7 Plus still has a lot of shortcomings: ridiculous strap-worthiness, no support for fast charging, rather dismal shooting quality compared to Android flagships, a headphone jack amputated “for fun” or out of Apple’s greed.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

But in order to criticize, you need to offer something in return. Google Pixel is not sold in Russia, and it can no longer boast of the slogan “Android smartphones are always cooler for the same price.” The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge has reached “retirement” age on the assembly line, but is still too expensive, has a modest 32 gigabytes of internal memory (a little more than 20 GB is available for games and applications), and is easily soiled and fragile. It is, of course, very technological in itself, but has changed little since the time of the “breakthrough” S6 edge. And high-quality and cheaper flagships on Android based enough without that.

With such a preamble, the iPhone award sounds like glorifying the best of worst smartphone, But Apple flagship nevertheless, “raises the bar” with each new generation by a sufficient amount to iPhone users did not migrate to Android phones and did not envy Samsung Galaxy users.

2. Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

They did not expect? But I think that the budget Xiaomi fully deserves such honors. Because Redmi has become a symbol and the most desirable budget smartphone during the crisis period not only in Russia, but also in other post-Soviet republics. To be honest, in 2016 Xiaomi made two “revolutions” at once - first, in January, Redmi 3 was born, which brought an unprecedented 8-core processor (not cheap, from Kvalkom bottling!) and a metal case to the budget ranks. And at the end of the year, when Huawei and Meizu released response smartphones, Xiaomi “finished off” all competitors with the release of Redmi 4 Prime.

A bright Full HD display in a smartphone for 8-9 thousand rubles! The coolest Snapdragon 625 - before this it was found in models at least 3 times more expensive! AND capacious battery, which pulls all this stuffing into slim body long time.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Why not Xiaomi Mi Mix? Because now it is a very expensive and not very practical prototype smartphone with a flagship processor, but a mediocre camera. Why not Redmi Note 3? Because there is nothing breakthrough in it - Note 3 became a “restyling” of Redmi Note 2, and Note 3 Pro just received a slightly faster and more intelligent processor. Xiaomi Mi5, after a while, also looks like “just” another inexpensive one Chinese flagship, but the “compact” Redmi are developing much more sharply.

And I understand those who believe that such portions of praise for a budget smartphone are unnecessary. Still, you will have to polish it and Russify it yourself, the cameras in Redmi 4 are still mediocre, fast charging again is not supported due to savings on components.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

But there hasn’t been anything cooler in the budget class, no, and there won’t be in the foreseeable future - in exchange for 8-10 thousand you can “taste” quad-core models from slightly more arrogant vendors that are disgusting in terms of speed and quality, or, at best, buy a plastic Meiza at based on the “deformed” old MediaTek processor. Moreover, if there have never been problems in choosing good and expensive smartphones, then Redmi almost single-handedly defends the honor of the truly cool budget models, for which it receives “silver” in our rating today.