The best phones under 15,000 rubles. Huawei P10 Lite – light and sophisticated

In recent years, modernized smartphones have been appearing on the market, supplemented with various functions. If earlier manufacturers focused on mid- and premium-class phones, today their cheap analogues are in no way inferior to them. In addition, they are especially popular because they are available to many buyers. Below are the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles that you can buy in 2019.
Having paid attention to the recommendations of consultants and customer reviews, experts compiled a rating. When choosing, all functional features, modernization and characteristics, design solutions, ergonomic criteria and other important points were taken into account. All this information resulted in a list of the most purchased and top smartphones in terms of price-quality ratio.

Meizu Pro 6s

Chinese manufacturers positioned this option as a pre-flagship new product. On the front panel, the user sees a super Amoled display with a resolution of 1080x1920. The manufacturer has added a 10-core Mediatek MT6797T Helio X25 processor, which is optimal if you pay attention to models in the same price segment.

To store user data, there is an internal memory of 64 GB. But there is less RAM; the manufacturer installed only four gigabytes. Equipped with a twelve megapixel main camera and a good camera (front) of five megapixels.

Peculiarities:

• Runs on the Android 6.0 operating system;
• Two SIM card slots, a nano-SIM card is used;
• Processor frequency – 2.5 GHz;
• Number of processor cores – 10;
• Graphics processor – AWP Mali-T880 MP4.

Pros:

1. good shooting and budget solutions;
2. high-quality screen;
3. high level of autonomy.

Minuses:

1. heats up quickly;
2. works intermittently;
3. no headphones included.

HUAWEI P Smart 2019 3

Among the 10 best gadgets, this model also took pride of place. Device with EMUI 8.0 interface.
The display diagonal is 6.21 inches. Display resolution 2340/1080. The number of megapixels of the main camera is 13+2. Operation is ensured by a high-quality, powerful battery. Weight only 160 grams.

The design is made in the flagship style. The model was created according to time-tested traditions and modernized trends, combining only one plus. Rounded corners, designer profile and original shades in several variations.

Peculiarities:

• 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 710 with a frequency of 2.2 GHz + 1.7 GHz;
• Rear cameras are 13 and 2 MPa, front – 8 MPa;
• Non-removable lithium polymer battery 3400 mAh;
• There is a scanner that recognizes the user by face;
• Supports 2 Nano-sim.

Advantages:

1. charges quickly;
2. Beautiful design;
3. practical, perfect to the touch.

Flaws:

1. The camera does not turn on well, often distorts the photo, and does not focus;
2. minimum performance;
3. The body shades shown are difficult to find.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro 3

This model combines a number of unique technologies and improvements of companies. After purchase, the user will immediately appreciate the quality and performance, the powerful eight-core Snapdragon 636 processor. Can be unlocked by scanning the face.

Runs on Android system. The manufacturer has added slots for two Nano SIM cards to the model.
It has a 6.26-inch diagonal IPS capacitive touchscreen. Screen resolution – 2280×1080 pixels.
Positions itself perfectly for professional filming. Takes very high-quality photos during daytime and evening light. The operation of the gadget is supported by a non-removable battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh. Weight is 182 grams.

Peculiarities:

• Android operating system;
• Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor;
• RAM 3 GB, built-in 32 GB;
• Battery capacity 4000 mAh;
• Support 2 Nano-sim.

Main advantages:

1. well suited for high-quality amateur photographs;
2. excellent work of the scanner, which recognizes the user by face;
3. video stabilization;
4. high performance.

The disadvantages include:

1. the battery drains quickly;
2. No headphones included;
3. The price/quality ratio is inappropriate here; cheaper models can be found.

Samsung Galaxy J8

The quality of this device and its cost are considered the most optimal among many competitors from this and other manufacturers.
Runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo). The manufacturer equipped it with Qualcomm Snapdragon 450. Graphics are supported by Adreno 506.
Display – 6 inches. Its resolution is 1440/720 pixels. The weight of the device is 177 grams.

Powered by a non-removable Li-Po battery with a capacity of up to 3500 mAh. It guarantees long-lasting functionality even with constant use. Customer reviews of the flagship are mostly positive. Many buyers claim that if they had the opportunity to turn back time, they would still buy the Samsung Galaxy J8.

Characteristics:

• Android 8.1 (Oreo);
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 450;
• Li-Po battery 3500 mAh;
• Support for 2 nano SIM cards;
• RAM 3 GB. Built-in – 32 GB.

Pros:

1. bright and high-quality display;
2. good level of contrasts and colors;
3. high-quality sound;
4. The battery lasts a long time;
5. great price.

Minuses:

1. According to user reviews, no obvious disadvantages were found.

Honor 9 Lite

Honor 9 Lite runs on Android, the type of firmware depends on the modification. The manufacturer installed an 8-core system as a processor on the device, which is responsible for the fast operation of the device. The front and main cameras are the same in number of MP 13+2. The main camera has a flash and is also complemented by autofocus.

The diagonal of the touch capacitive display is 5.65 inches. Its resolution is 2180/1080 pixels. Equipped with a 3000mAh lithium-ion battery. The weight of the device is 149 grams.

Peculiarities:

• Number of cores – 8;
• Front and main camera – 13+2 MPa;
• Battery 3000 mAh;
• Shoots Full HD / 1920x1080;
• RAM 3 GB.

Advantages:

1. maximum performance with good battery;
2. double cameras;
3. organic design;
4. smart multimedia system.

Minuses:

1. sometimes it gets warm;
2. lack of an NFS block in a number of modifications;
3. Doesn't take good night photos and videos.

Huawei P 20 Lite

The manufacturer created this model so that the buyer experiences extraordinary feelings from viewing the selected content. Its resolution is 2280/1080 pixels. The display occupies almost 99 percent of the entire front panel and allows users to no longer live within the confines of classic and familiar capabilities. The screen is large – about 5.84 inches. It is rich in bright colors and high contrast. This will be a window into the vast world of entertainment. And the intuitive user interface EMUI 8.0 will provide easy navigation.

The manufacturer has provided an eight-core HiSilicon Kirin 659 processor. Cortex-A57 (64bit) is installed as the core.
It has a non-removable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. Weight – 145 grams. The main chamber is double – 16+2 MPa, front – 16 MPa. The device shoots excellent video and has a 3D retouching function. RAM – 4 GB.

Characteristics:

• Octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 659 processor;
• Runs on the Android operating system;
• Battery capacity 3000 mAh;
• Rear camera 16 and 2 MPa, front – 16 MPa;
• RAM – 4 GB. Built-in 64 GB.

Advantages:

1. unique display;
2. the display and all functions work properly and respond quickly to commands;
3. optimal optical device;
4. high quality sound;
5. Availability of image stabilization function.

Flaws:

1. during prolonged operation it begins to heat up;
2. After the firmware the battery runs out quickly.

HUAWEI Nova 3I 4

The phone is inexpensive but good. The body is created with elements of metal and glass. The main frame is aluminum, but the manufacturer made the panels glass. In the front area there is a large display, which is edged with minimal frames. In the upper area there is a compact “hemisphere”. There are no buttons in the front area, because the manufacturer decided to move away from the usual stereotypes and introduce something new. In this case, well-thought-out virtual navigation buttons that quickly respond to all commands.

The rear area is supplemented with a scanner that recognizes the user by facial features. A little higher, namely in the upper left corner, there is a convex area with a dual camera.
The latter is complemented by an LED flash. Hidden at the bottom of the screen is a microphone, a micro USB connector, a headphone slot and a speaker.
The processor is based on a very powerful HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor. It has the following overall dimensions: 157.6 x 75.2 x 7.5 mm. The main camera, surprisingly, has less MP than the front one. Probably the manufacturer decided to focus on the fact that the buyer loves to take selfies. The main camera is 16+2 MP, the front camera is 24+2 MP. Such a unit with ideal picture clarity stands out for its very affordable price and optimal characteristics.
The screen resolution is 2340x1080 pixels, density is 400 pixels per inch. Screen diagonal 6.3 inches and FullHD+ resolution, weight – 169 grams.

Peculiarities:

• HiSilicon Kirin 710;
• Battery capacity – 3340 mA Li-Pol;
• Android 8.1;
• Rear camera 16 and 2 MP, front camera 24 and 2 MP;
• Supports 2 nano SIM cards.

Pros:

1. attractive ergonomic design with better camera
2. large bright screen that occupies most of the panel;
3. maximum performance;
4. significant battery capacity, etc.

Minuses:

1. not the most modernized technical features, if you compare this model with others in the rating;
2. The glass case is fragile and there is a high risk of deformation.

Xiaomi Mi8 Lite 4

The manufacturer made the model stylish, bright, and modernized. The user can communicate with friends, take high-quality photos, blog and monitor social networks. A device with a powerful eight-core processor, a high-capacity battery with fast charging function.

The camera takes incredible quality photos. The screen is as thin as possible, with virtually no frames. Thanks to this, the boundaries of the display are erased, the picture becomes as vividly realistic as possible. The manufacturer has supplemented the system with an IPS matrix. It made it possible to double the viewing angle, improving contrast and color reproduction. The winning combination of metal and glass makes the smartphone elegant and expensive.
The device operates through a powerful processor and has excellent technical characteristics. The expansion is 2280/1080 pixels, and the diagonal of the working surface is 6.26 inches. Overall dimensions: 75.8/156.4/7.5 mm. Weight – 169 grams. RAM 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB.

Peculiarities:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 660;
• OS Android 8.1 Oreo;
• 12 MP + 5 MP, front – 24 MP;
• Support for 2 nano SIM cards;
• RAM 4 GB. Built-in – 64 GB.

Pros:

1. maximum performance;
2. capacitive battery;
3. owner recognition by face.

Minuses:

1. the image is sometimes distorted;
2. long battery charging;
3. It gets a little warm.

Asus ZenFone Max Pro Mi

If the buyer chooses this smartphone, he will become the owner of an innovative new generation model. The work is based on the Snapdragon 636 processor. It stands out for its maximum performance and incredibly long battery life. This is the most popular type among active users of social networks.

The screen is frameless. Format – 18:9 (2160/1080 pixels), a 5000 mAh battery and high-quality ZenFon Max Pro cameras will not easily keep up with the energetic user, but will also make his life as bright as possible!
Runs on Android 8.0 system. Supplemented with an equivalent focal length of up to thirty mm, a field of view of more than eighty degrees, an LED flash with diffused light, and a function that helps recognize faces.
The work is carried out via a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh. Weight is only 180 grams. The six-inch display is complemented by a unique function. The latter automatically adjusts the picture contrast and color rendition, which allows us to talk about maximum picture quality and clarity. The main camera consists of 2 blocks of 13 and 5 MP. Front – 8 MP.

Characteristics:

• OS Google Android 8.0;
• Battery capacity 5000 mAh;
• Rear camera – 13 and 5 MP, front – 8 MP;
• Support for 2 nano SIM cards;
• RAM 4 GB. Built-in – 64 GB.

Pros:

1. beautiful ergonomic design;
2. perfect assembly;
3. presence of an additional slot for a memory card;
4. good quality of pictures;
5. high-capacity battery, which allows you to always be in touch;

Minuses:

1. poor sound, sometimes, during prolonged operation of the system, it is distorted;
2. photos at dusk or in the evening are of poor quality;
3. When you hold it in your hand, you get the impression that its design has not been fully thought through.

Honor 8X 4

The best phone rating. The ergonomic design of the system is distinguished by thin, minimal lines. It fits comfortably in the hand, all control parts are located correctly. Supplemented with 2 SIM cards, an 8-core processor with maximum power, a 20 MP camera and a capacious battery, it will cope with any calls and guarantees long-term operation.

Honor 8X 4 works for every buyer, it adapts to his needs and meets the main requests. Characterized by excellent graphics.
Diagonal – 6.5 inches. Screen resolution 2340/1080 pixels.
Main camera – 20+2 MP, front camera 16 MP. Features include flash, autofocus and optical stabilization.
Equipped with a 3.5mm headphone area. The battery capacity of the device is only 3750 mAh. If you need a model with a good battery, you need to choose other gadgets, but according to other characteristics, this is an ideal option that has already positioned itself from the best side.

Peculiarities:

• Android 8.0 Oreo;
• 8-core HiSiliconKirin 710;
• Rear camera 20 and 2 MP, front camera – 16 MP;
• Battery capacity – 3750 mAh;
• Supports 2 nano SIM cards.

Advantages:

1. good build quality;
2. beautiful shades of color and contrast;
3. organic design;
4. fast charging function;
5. full correspondence between price and quality.

Flaws:

1. The battery drains quickly.
2. sometimes the sound is distorted.

Conclusion

Summing up the results of our rating, we note that the choice will entirely depend not on the quality and functionality of a particular model, but on the individual needs of the consumer. Guys and girls look at things completely differently and set their own selection criteria. Also, a lot depends on the choice of the preferred brand, design and configuration. We have prepared a rating of the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles in 2019, which will help you learn a lot about the models you are interested in and, perhaps, make your choice.

Having gone through the budget class smartphones, we smoothly switch to the middle segment along with the rating of the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles in 2017. This class is considered to be the most popular and vibrant. Manufacturers often present mid-level models, and users for the most part prefer affordable solutions that can satisfy absolutely any request. Since the segment is really wide, we decided to set a range from 10,000 to 15,000 rubles when choosing smartphones for rating.

Basically, preference was given to the best-selling models of this class, which were already loved by users. They also did not shy away from new smartphones under 15,000 rubles, which already declared their superiority at the start of sales. It was decided not to include some rare models that can surprise with their characteristics, since we have a separate one. In general, today on our agenda will be the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles, which sell well, have many positive reviews and are really worth the money that the manufacturer demands for them.

Xiaomi Mi A1

A new product from Xiaomi, which has taken a place next to smartphones under 15,000 rubles. The key feature was “pure” Android (the company’s other solutions come out of the box with the proprietary MIUI shell). Mi A1 is an exact copy of the model that the manufacturer showed a little earlier. What is the difference? In the already specified “pure” Android, which the Mi 5X solution does not have.

As for the characteristics, it is a classic smartphone in the price range up to 15,000 rubles. It is quite beautiful, well assembled and ergonomic. Externally it resembles the latest OnePlus or iPhone 7. The standard screen is 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. But the cameras, as the manufacturer claims, were migrated from the latest Xiaomi flagship – Mi6. In fact, this is not true, as we have seen in . The “heart” is the popular Snapdragon 625 chipset, which is capable of running games confidently and doesn’t drain the battery like crazy.

We bring to your attention.

The smartphone has an impressive 4 gigs of RAM, with 64 GB available for user needs. A non-removable 3080 mAh battery is installed, which is enough for a day of active work. One of the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles supports 4G LTE and is equipped with a USB-C connector. The cherry will be the “naked” version of Android Nougat.

Xiaomi Mi A1, considering the price of the smartphone at about 15,000 rubles, can be a good option for many users. It is quite beautiful, well assembled, and has decent performance. The key disadvantages of the model include the lack of an NFC interface (but there is an infrared port).

Meizu M6 Note

A real find for fans of smartphones Meizu, which has just... The company reconsidered its attitude towards hardware, once again purchasing processors from Qualcomm, which managed to please users who love to play. The design has remained virtually unchanged compared to previous inexpensive but good Meizu smartphones. A dual camera (12+5 MP), a 4-LED flash has appeared, and fast charging technology has been announced.

The 5.5-inch IPS display was inherited from its predecessors. The Snapdragon 625 chip is used - quite powerful and efficient. You are free to choose the amount of memory yourself – the M6 ​​Note has no problems with it. Finally, the best Meizu smartphone under 15,000 rubles in 2017 received a good 4000 mAh battery. You won’t be able to go without an outlet for weeks, but for a day or two for sure.

The M6 ​​Note is relatively new to the market. There are problems with a smartphone with firmware that is good in all respects - the manufacturer is working on a stable version. Not everything is smooth with the second camera. All in all, .

DOOGEE MIX

No matter how you feel about frameless smartphones, you have to admit that they are in great demand among modern buyers. For example, DOOGEE MIX (), introduced in the summer of 2017 in the price segment up to 15,000 rubles, has today become one of the best-selling solutions in many online stores.

We have before us a beautiful device, devoid of frames around the screen on three sides. The body is made of glass and metal and has a premium look. The AMOLED display with HD resolution is equipped with a fairly fast Helio P25 chip for the segment - not a flagship, but it shows decent performance results. A significant amount of RAM (4 GB) will provide good multitasking, and 64 GB of ROM will be enough for most users and their files.

Do you like frameless smartphones? Then you definitely need it.

A good smartphone under 15,000 rubles from DOOGEE received a dual main camera (16+8 MP), as well as a fairly powerful 3380 mAh battery. MIX supports fast charging and has a fingerprint scanner.

DOOGEE MIX is an inexpensive but good smartphone that can be considered the best among frameless solutions from third-tier companies. There are nuances that may put you off buying, so we recommend starting with.

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

Price: in Russian stores about 18,000 rubles, on Ali – 15,000 rubles. Today Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) can be ordered on AliExpress, which is good news - very fast delivery in Russia ( seller with 2000+ orders)

From the best Chinese smartphones under 15,000 rubles, we move on to Korean ones. This year, Samsung showed off not only a couple of flagships, including the recent one, but also updated its mid-range and budget-class lines. Most of all, users have fallen in love with the relatively inexpensive but good Galaxy J5 (2017) - there are not enough stars, but it will satisfy the needs of most.

In the ranking of the best smartphones under 10,000 rubles, I would like to award the Galaxy J5 the title of the most balanced solution in terms of price/quality. The model has received an updated design, which allows it to claim a higher class. The plastic that was used in last year's line of smartphones has been replaced with metal. An AMOLED matrix with HD resolution and an optimal diagonal of 5.2 inches is used. A smartphone with a really good 13 MP camera (f/1.7 aperture), and the front module is also supplemented with a flash. The processor, so to speak, is budget (branded Exynos), 2+16 GB of memory and a 3000 mAh battery - these are the main characteristics.

What’s more interesting is that the Galaxy J5 received an NFC interface, which makes it an even more interesting smartphone under 15,000 rubles. Out of the box, the model runs on the current version of Android, using the new shell from Samsung.

If you haven't yet developed a trust in inexpensive Chinese smartphones, the Galaxy J5 could be a great replacement. It has no serious shortcomings, but...

Huawei Honor 6X

In recent years, Huawei has managed to become one of the three most successful global smartphone manufacturers. The Chinese company regularly expands its model range and, as a rule, presents very, very interesting solutions. Honor 6X is the manufacturer's best smartphone under 15,000 rubles. Its key feature was a good dual camera (12+2 MP) located on the back side. The case, by the way, is entirely made of metal.

The screen is large – 5.5 inches with FullHD resolution, which provides an excellent picture. The hardware of the smartphone is based on the proprietary 8-core Kirin 655 chip, which can be supported by 3 or 4 GB of RAM (depending on the version). In addition, you can choose the amount of internal storage. The 3340 mAh non-removable battery supports fast charging. Huawei Honor 6X has NFC.

Of course, the model deserves a place in the top of the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles in 2017. This is a reliable device with a large screen and good cameras, which, moreover, has some flagship features.

Oukitel K10000 Pro

When producing its smartphones, Oukitel adheres to the rule of low cost and acceptable characteristics. The company is particularly interested in solutions with huge batteries. The most powerful batteries are available in smartphones of the K10000 line, which are located in the price segment up to 15,000 rubles. As the name implies, their battery capacity reaches 10,000 mAh - few other manufacturers are ready to boast of such autonomous devices.

Oukitel K10000 Pro is ready to please not only with its huge battery. The smartphone also has a large 5.5″ display covered with scratch-resistant glass, decent cameras (13+5), and a fast 8-core MT6750 chip and 3 GB of RAM provide good performance. A really good smartphone under 15,000 rubles, if you don’t mind the weight of 300 grams.

Oukitel K10000 Pro will appeal primarily to those who are tired of frequently charging their device. The main disadvantages are related to the dimensions of the smartphone, which will not allow it to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket.

Ulefone T1

In the summer of 2017, a number of third-tier companies released some rather interesting flagship new products. Ulefone with its T1 was among them. The smartphone, first of all, stands out for its RAM capacity – 6 GB is still a rarity in this price segment. The model came out quite thin, adopted the main design elements from the key new products of the summer, and also received a modern MediaTek Helio P25 chipset and 64 GB of internal memory.

Ulefone T1 was not left without a dual camera (where would we be without it in 2017), and one of the sensors was provided by Samsung. The smartphone is equipped with a good display, quite autonomous and stylish. It only remains to note that among the top phones under 15,000 rubles, it is the only one that can boast of 6 GB of RAM.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Another recent Xiaomi smartphone that is not going to pass by the best ratings. Here we have a huge 6.44-inch phablet, beautiful and high quality. The body is made of metal, the smartphone is well assembled, quite thin for such an impressive diagonal, the screen is made using IPS technology, and the resolution is the classic 1920x1080 pixels.

The manufacturer abandoned the flagship hardware in the smartphone, so you will have to be content with a mid-range Snapdragon 625 and 4 gigs of RAM. Meanwhile, there are no problems with the launch speed of applications or games. There is only one main camera, but the image quality is quite high. The good news is the smartphone’s powerful 5300 mAh battery, which will not leave the user without communication at the most inopportune moment, as well as support for 2 SIM cards and 4G. If Xiaomi Mi Max 2 does not deserve the title of the best smartphone under 15,000 rubles, then it certainly deserves the “position” of the best phablet.

Nokia 5

Price: most stores offer a smartphone at a price of 12,990 rubles.

There's no point in ordering from China if you don't want to bother with reflashing.

Many of us have witnessed another revival of the Nokia brand. This year the company showed several smartphones at once. Up to 15,000 rubles, the most interesting model was the Nokia 5. The smartphone adopted the classic design of the company, is well assembled, but does not shine with characteristics. The screen of the device, despite the price, only has HD resolution with a diagonal of 5.2 inches. The “stuffing” is the budget Snapdragon 430 chipset, which is installed in (costs less than 7,000 rubles).

But the inexperienced user should be pleased with the cameras, fast fingerprint scanner and good battery life. It is worth mentioning that the smartphone supports the NFC interface, which allows you to make contactless payments. “RAM” is only 2 gigabytes, permanent memory is 16 gigabytes.

Despite the fact that it is narrower, the model remains relevant. The compact 4.7-inch smartphone is housed in a reliable metal case and has good cameras for 15,000 rubles, which even many 2017 devices offer. Powerful hardware coupled with an optimized system will allow you to enjoy a smooth interface in any task.

15,000 rubles is already the amount for which you can buy a really good smartphone. If, of course, you know what to buy and where to buy... And for most users, a properly selected smartphone for this amount will be enough (for the majority, but not for all).

What qualities should the best smartphone from 10,000 to 15,000 rubles have?

• Screen with Full HD+ resolution (for example, 2340x1080 or 2280x1080). The matrix can be either IPS (most often found in this budget) or AMOLED (less common in this budget). There is no definite answer to which smartphone with which matrix is ​​better, since some users prefer IPS for more natural and natural colors, as well as for the absence of PWM (the screen does not flicker as much as AMOLED with PWM, so the eyes do not get tired so quickly). Other users prefer AMOLED for a richer (oversaturated) picture, low power consumption and deep black color. It’s also worth adding about AMOLED that such matrices tend to burn out, and even on top smartphones, for example, from Samsung, screen burnout can be observed after a year of use. But manufacturers have recently begun to actively fight against PWM on AMOLED, and the DC Dimming function is beginning to appear in many smartphones, which significantly reduces the PWM effect, which is why the eyes don’t get tired so quickly.
• Powerful processor, scoring at least 130,000 points or more in the AnTuTu test (for example, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 / 675 / 710, etc.). It is clear that based on the results of this test it is impossible to say for sure which smartphone is faster in a particular task, since the points are summed up for the speed of the processor, graphics core, RAM, permanent memory, etc. But you can still get a general picture of the smartphone’s performance.
• Battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh or more (or at least 3300 mAh with good optimization of energy consumption and an AMOLED display).
• Good camera at least 12 MP. Don’t chase the modern trend - 48 MP; in fact, the photos are the same in quality as with a normal 12 MP camera (and in general, the number of megapixels is the maximum possible size of a picture, not its quality). It is also advisable to pay attention to the pixel size of the photomodule; it should be at least 1.2 microns, and preferably larger - 1.4-1.6 microns (the larger the pixel, the more light it can capture, this is good in low light conditions). And also pay attention to the aperture, it should be at least f/1.9, or better yet even larger: f/1.8 – f/1.6 (the lower the value, the larger the aperture, this also has a good effect in low light, these values ​​are relevant for the main camera , and not for the front). The best sensors for mobile cameras are produced by Sony and Samsung, but as practice shows, Sony cameras often take slightly better photographs (this is also confirmed by the fact that Samsung quite often installs cameras not of its own design, but from Sony, in its smartphones).
• It is advisable to check the possibility of installing an unofficial application on your smartphone Google Camera– this will allow you to further improve the quality of the images (with a good photo module, optics and a correctly working Google Camera, you can get image quality close to flagships). For this application to work properly, the Camera2 API must be activated on your phone. In some phones, this function is activated by default, and in others you will have to activate it manually (and this is not entirely easy; as a rule, unlocking the bootloader is required). In general, the Google Camera application does not work correctly on all smartphones (even with an active Camera2 API); most often it works correctly on phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
• Memory. In this budget, you need to look for smartphones with at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. Pay attention to the type of permanent memory: UFS 2.1 is faster than eMMC 5.1. With faster permanent memory, applications and games will be installed faster, information will be copied faster, etc.
• NFC. It is desirable to have an NFC module for contactless payment, then you will not have to constantly carry a bank card with you (although not everyone uses this function even if there is NFC in their smartphone, considering it unsafe, for example, in case of loss or theft of the smartphone).
• Housing material. As a rule, phones in this budget have side frames made of plastic, and the back cover is either glass or plastic (less often metal). The best option is metal, this material is less susceptible to scratches than others, it is not very afraid of falls and shocks, and also removes heat well from the heating elements inside the smartphone. But recently, manufacturers have begun to move away from metal to plastic and glass (most likely in order to save money). On the one hand, glass is a more premium material than plastic, it resists scratches a little better and a phone with a glass back cover feels more solid and more expensive. On the other hand, glass is very resistant to shock, and if a plastic cover can forgive you for falling onto a hard surface from a height of 1-2 meters, then glass most likely cannot. In addition, if you need to disassemble the phone for repair purposes, it is more difficult to disassemble a phone with a glass back cover than with a plastic one (as a rule, it is glued and needs to be heated so that it comes off more easily and is not damaged during disassembly). This can cause inconvenience both when disassembling it yourself, and in the service center you may slightly increase the price for repairing such a phone.

So, let's start getting acquainted with the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles in 2019. It is worth clarifying that you can purchase the smartphones listed below for up to 15 thousand rubles on AliExpress or in other Chinese online stores. In Russia, at official retailers that provide at least a one-year warranty, prices for some models can be higher than 15 thousand rubles.

Redmi Note 7 Pro – “Pro” version of the bestseller with one nuance...

Specifications:

• Release date: March 2019.
• Screen:
• CPU:
• Video accelerator: Adreno 612.
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (eMMC 5.1).
• Main camera: dual, Sony IMX586 (48 MP, f/1.8, 1.6 µm) + Samsung S5K5E8 (5 MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm).
• Front-camera: 13 MP, f/2.0.
• Battery: 4000 mAh, fast charging Quick Charge 4.0.
• SIM Tray:
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm.
• Weight: 186 gr.
• Additionally: IR port, USB Type-C, mini-jack, apt-X HD.

Redmi Note 7 Pro is an improved version of Note 7 that many have been waiting for, but unfortunately it never appeared in the global version. There are quite a few improvements here, but they are all noticeable only in direct comparison: pictures taken with the main camera are a little better, battery life is a little higher (about 1 hour), the processor is more powerful (applications open 0.5-1 seconds faster, performance is a little higher in games). As for the case materials, there are no changes here, the back cover is made of glass, the side frame is made of plastic.

Anyone who wants to purchase this smartphone will have to buy the Chinese version and reflash it to get the Russian language or the Indian version, which already has Russian. In any case, one minus remains - the lack of LTE band 20 (for many users this will not be critical, since bands 3, 7 and 38 are supported, it all depends on your operator and region).

Pros of Redmi Note 7 Pro:

1. Not a bad processor for this budget - Snapdragon 675 with Adreno 612 video accelerator (slightly weaker than Snapdragon 710 and 712 with Adreno 616).
2. The main camera is one of the best in a budget under 15,000 rubles (slightly better than in Redmi Note 7). In addition, support for the Camera2 API is activated, that is, Google Camera is installed as a regular third-party application, there is no need to unlock the bootloader or perform other manipulations.

Cons of Redmi Note 7 Pro:

1. There is no global version, you will have to buy the version for the Chinese market and reflash it to get the Russian language or look for the version for India, which adds Russian. But in any case, you will not have support for band 20 LTE.
2. No NFC.

Below in the video you can learn more about the differences between Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro.

If you don’t want to flash your smartphone, but want it to come immediately with support for Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian languages, when ordering, select the Global Rom version (not CN Version or Chinese ROM). As a rule, the Global Rom version is about 1000 rubles more expensive.

Redmi Note 8 – an updated version of the bestseller

Specifications:

• Release date: August 2019.
• Screen: IPS, 6.3″, Full HD+ (2340×1080).
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11 nm, 4×2.0 GHz Cortex A73 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex A53).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 610.
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (eMMC 5.1).
• Main camera: 4 modules – 48 MP main (Samsung Bright GM1, 0.8 µm, f/1.8) + 8 MP wide-angle (1.12 µm, f/2.2) + 2 MP for macro photography (1.75 µm, F/2.4) + 2 MP for bokeh (F /2.4).
• Front-camera: 13 MP.
• Battery: 4000 mAh, fast charging 18W (included).
• SIM Tray: triple – 2 SIM + 1 memory card.
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.35 mm.
• Weight: 190 gr.
• Additionally: IR port, USB Type-C, mini-jack, apt-X.

Redmi Note 8 is qualitatively not very different from the previous model in this line – Redmi Note 7. Most of the improvements are either marketing or they are not very significant.

1. We installed a slightly newer processor (with approximately the same performance). The cores of the Snapdragon 665 processor themselves turned out to be even slightly weaker than the cores in its predecessor, the Snapdragon 660. But the power of the graphics accelerator has increased slightly, so in some games the Redmi Note 8 performs a little better than the Redmi Note 7 (the difference is not significant). In addition, the updated Snapdragon 665 processor is made using a new process technology - 11 nm (Snapdragon 660 - 14 nm), which indicates slightly lower power consumption.
2. Added 2 camera modules. Now there are only 4 camera modules instead of 2 in Note 7. But the real benefit is noticeable only from 2 out of 4 modules - the main one, which takes pretty good, high-quality pictures (exactly the same one was in Note 7) and the new wide-angle, which is inferior in quality to the main one, but still expands the capabilities of the camera - it allows you to capture significantly more objects in the frame than the main module. The other two modules - for macro photography and for portrait mode - are pure marketing, you could do without them.
3. The sound of the multimedia speaker has been slightly improved, the sound has become a little louder.
4. Added fast charging to the kit.
5. We replaced the hybrid SIM card tray with a full triple one.

Pros of Redmi Note 8:

1. Not a bad processor and video accelerator - Snapdragon 665 and Adreno 610. The smartphone is good for games and works quickly.
2. The main camera is one of the best in a budget up to 15,000 rubles. The progress in the quality of pictures taken with the stock camera app, compared to Redmi Note 7, is noticeable (although the main module remains the same, these are software improvements) + a wide-angle lens has appeared. True, the quality of the wide-angle camera does not shine; normal pictures are taken only in good lighting.
3. Excellent autonomy due to a 4000 mAh battery.
4. Infrared port, with which you can control equipment - TV, air conditioner, etc.
5. Full triple tray for simultaneous installation of a memory card and 2 SIM cards.
6. Fast charging included.

Cons of Redmi Note 8:

1. No NFC.

Below in the video you can learn more about the differences between Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 7.

It is important to know:

Chinese versions of Redmi Note 8 (CN Version - Chinese version with Chinese firmware or Global Rom - Chinese version with Russian firmware) do not support 4G frequencies important for Russia - band 7 and band 20. Therefore, 4G in Russia will not work everywhere, please note this attention. Therefore, we have presented prices only for the global version of the smartphone, which supports all 4G frequencies.

realme 3 Pro – Redmi killer?

Specifications:

• Release date: April 2019.
• Screen: IPS, 6.3″, Full HD+ (2340×1080), 19.5:9, 2.5D.
• CPU:
• Video accelerator: Adreno 616.
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB.
• Main camera: two modules – 16 MP main (Sony IMX519, f/1.7, 1.22 µm) + 5 MP for bokeh (f/2.4).
• Front-camera: 25 MP, f/2.0, 1.8 µm.
• Battery: 4045 mAh, fast charging included VOOC 3.0.
• SIM Tray:
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 156.8 x 74.2 x 8.3 mm.
• Weight: 172 gr.
• Additionally: mini-jack.

The realme brand is a sub-brand of the Chinese company OPPO, which in turn has its roots in the huge company BBK. It seems that realme is a new, rather serious competitor for the Redmi brand.

So realme 3 Pro turned out to be more interesting in terms of characteristics than the bestseller in this price segment - Redmi Note 7. True, it costs a little more than Note 7.

Well, the materials of the case are also different, the back cover here is made of plastic and this, to some extent, will even be a plus for some, because if it falls, such a cover will not break, the maximum that will threaten you is scratches. True, there is also a disadvantage compared to glass - scratches will appear much faster, therefore, it is advisable to hide the phone in a case, fortunately it is included in the package.

Pros of realme 3 Pro:

1. A good processor and video accelerator in this budget are Snapdragon 710 and Adreno 616. The smartphone is great for games and works quickly.
2. The main camera is one of the best in quality in a budget up to 15,000 rubles. It is possible to record video in Slow Motion 960 FPS (although some resources claim that this frame rate is achieved in software; in fact, the hardware of the device records video at a lower frequency). It is also possible to take pictures in 64 MP (the camera takes several pictures and stitches them together), judging by the reviews, the detail is higher than that of Redmi Note 7 in 48 MP mode.
3. Excellent autonomy due to a capacious 4045 mAh battery and an energy-efficient processor.
4. Fast charging included. 50% charge in the first half hour.
5. Full tray for simultaneous installation of two SIM cards and a memory card.

Cons of realme 3 Pro:

1. There is no USB Type-C, a regular micro USB is installed.

It is important to know:

The version for the Chinese market is called Realme X lite. There is no Russian language, no support for LTE bands 7 and 20 (but there is band 3), charging for Chinese sockets (Chinese sellers usually include an adapter for our sockets in the kit).

realme 5 Pro is an updated version of a successful smartphone

Specifications:

• Release date: September 2019.
• Screen: IPS, 6.3″, Full HD+ (2340×1080), 19.5:9, 2.5D.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10 nm, 2×2.3 GHz + 6×1.7 GHz).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 616.
• RAM: 4 / 6 / 8 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (UFS 2.1).
• Main camera: four modules – 48 MP main (Sony IMX586, f/1.8, 0.8 µm) + 8 MP wide-angle (f/2.2, 1.12 µm) + 2 MP for macro (f/2.4, 1.75 µm) + 2 MP for bokeh (f/ 2.4, 1.75 µm).
• Front-camera: 16 MP, f/2.0, 1.0 µm.
• Battery: 4035 mAh, fast charging included VOOC 3.0 20W.
• SIM Tray: full-fledged (triple) – for simultaneous operation of 2 SIM cards and a memory card.
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 157 × 74.2 × 8.9 mm.
• Weight: 184 gr.
• Additionally: mini-jack, USB Type-C, FM radio, apt-X HD.

realme 5 Pro is an updated version of realme 3 Pro. There are not very many improvements, but they are still noticeable: the processor was updated, instead of the Snapdragon 710, the Snapdragon 712 was installed here (according to Qualcomm, it is 10% faster). We added 2 more camera modules – wide-angle and for macro photography. The charging connector was replaced with a modern USB Type-C.

The case materials remain the same - the back cover and frame are made of plastic. The back cover is easily scratched, it is better to put on a case immediately after purchase, fortunately it is included in the package.

Pros of realme 5 Pro:

1. An excellent processor for this budget is the Snapdragon 712 with an Adreno 616 video accelerator. The smartphone is great for games and works quickly.
2. Good quality main camera + additional wide-angle camera.
3. Excellent autonomy due to a capacious 4035 mAh battery and an energy-efficient processor.
4. Fast charging included.

Cons of realme 5 Pro:

1. No NFC for contactless payment.

Watch the video review below and see that this is a very interesting smartphone for the money.

Check prices on Tmall, coupons for several thousand rubles are often available there, and promotions are often held.

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite – try to find flaws

Specifications:

• Release date: July 2019.
• Screen: AMOLED, 6.39″, Full HD+ (2340×1080), 19.5:9, 2.5D.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10 nm, 2×2.2 GHz Cortex A75 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 616.
• RAM: 6 / 8 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 / 256 GB (UFS 2.1).
• Main camera: three modules – main 48 MP (Sony IMX 586, f/1.79, 1.6 µm) + wide-angle 8 MP (f/2.4, 1.12 µm) + for bokeh 2 MP (f/2.4, 1.12 µm).
• Front-camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, 1.6 µm.
• Battery: 4030 mAh, support for fast charging Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0, 18W.
• SIM Tray: Hybrid – either 2 SIM or 1 SIM + 1 memory card.
• NFC: There is.
• Dimensions: 156.8 x 74.5 x 8.67 mm.
• Weight: 179 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, mini-jack, apt-X HD, IR port, fingerprint scanner under the display.

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite is a stripped-down version of the flagship Mi 9, and it turned out to be quite successful. There are practically no shortcomings for which one could criticize the smartphone, given its cost. Even the case materials are at a decent level - the frame is made of metal, the back cover is made of glass.

At the start of sales, Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite costs a little more than 15,000 rubles, but as soon as the price drops below 15 thousand (and it will definitely fall), the smartphone will become one of the most profitable purchases among phones under 15,000 rubles.

Pros of Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite:

1. Fast permanent memory of the UFS 2.1 standard.
2. Good quality main camera + additional wide-angle camera. The front camera takes selfies even a little better than the flagship Mi 9 (confirmation in the video below).
3. Excellent autonomy due to a capacious 4030 mAh battery and AMOLED screen.
4. NFC available.

Cons of Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite:

No objective disadvantages were found.

Samsung Galaxy A50 – balanced, balanced, but not balanced...

Specifications:

• Release date: February 2019.
• Screen: Super AMOLED, 6.4″, Full HD+ (2340×1080), 19.5:9.
• CPU: Exynos Octa 7 9610 (10 nm, 4×2.3 GHz Cortex A73 + 4×1.7 GHz Cortex A53).
• Video accelerator: Mali-G72 MP3 (650 MHz).
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB (LPDDR4X, 1333 MHz).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (eMMC 5.1).
• Main camera: three modules – 25 MP main (Sony IMX576, f/1.7) + 8 MP wide-angle 123° (f/2.2) + 5 MP for bokeh (f/2.2).
• Front-camera: 25 MP, f/2.0.
• Battery: 4000 mAh, fast charging Quick Charge 2.0.
• SIM Tray: full-fledged (triple) – for simultaneous operation of 2 SIM cards and a memory card.
• NFC: There is.
• Dimensions: 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.7 mm.
• Weight: 166 gr.
• Additionally: fingerprint scanner under the screen, USB Type-C, mini-jack.

It’s worth immediately clarifying that the Samsung Galaxy A50 in official retail costs more than 15,000 rubles. But on sales days you can buy it for 15 thousand or even a little less. In theory, this review should have included the Samsung Galaxy A30 and Samsung Galaxy A40, because... It’s much easier to find them on sale for up to 15,000 rubles. But considering that in the range from 10 to 15 tr. only the A50 can withstand competitors from Chinese companies (and even then with difficulty), we did not add the A30 and A40 to this top, but limited ourselves to only the A50, and even then with the condition that you will be able to find it for around 15 thousand rubles ., otherwise, in our opinion, such a purchase does not make sense against the background of worthy Chinese competitors.

Pros of Samsung Galaxy A50:

1. The processor and video accelerator are not bad - Exynos Octa 7 9610 and Mali-G72 MP3, which is approximately equal in performance to the old Snapdragon 660 (Adreno 512), but does not reach the level of Snapdragon 710 / 712 (Adreno 616). In most games, the Exynos 9610 also performs at about the level of the Snapdragon 660, and only in a few (for example, World of Tanks Blitz) it performs slightly worse. In general, it is suitable for games, but the interface is not always smooth.
2. NFC available.
3. Super AMOLED display. More saturated color rendition and wider viewing angles than competitors with IPS matrices. This display is also slightly more visible in direct sunlight than IPS displays. But it is worth remembering that AMOLED matrices also have disadvantages - PWM, from which some people quickly get tired of their eyes (although here the PWM is not very large), and display burn-in, which can become noticeable by the end of the first year of use (but not for everyone and not always, it depends on the scenario and intensity of use of the display, as well as on how successful the matrix instance was).
4. Full triple tray for simultaneous installation of two SIM cards and a memory card.

Cons of Samsung Galaxy A50:

1. The quality of pictures taken with the main camera module is worse than that of Chinese competitors (for example, Redmi Note 7 or Meizu Note 9). Autofocus is very slow. The front camera is also a little behind in photo quality compared to some competitors.
2. The speed and recognition percentage of the fingerprint scanner under the screen leave much to be desired. Although many consider the technology of the scanner under the screen a plus, it is believed that it is more convenient than a scanner on the back of the device, but the implementation of this scanner in the Galaxy A50 is mediocre (perhaps some kind of cheap sensor was used, or it has not yet been developed mind programmatically).
3. There is no support for aptX HD (wireless audio transmission in high quality).
4. The sound quality through the external (multimedia) speaker is worse than that of competitors (for example, Redmi Note 7 or Meizu Note 9).
5. Periodically there are slowdowns in the operation of the interface, even on a completely new device (a long-known problem with most Samsung smartphones).

You will find a high-quality and truthful video review below. In other video reviews, the shortcomings are also repeated.

Check prices on Tmall, coupons for several thousand rubles are often available there, and promotions are often held.

Samsung Galaxy A60 is an interesting option for Samsung fans

Specifications:

• Release date: April 2019.
• Screen: IPS, 6.3″, Full HD+ (2340×1080), 19.5:9.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11 nm, 2×2.0 GHz Cortex A76 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 612.
• RAM: 6 / 8 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (UFS 2.1).
• Main camera: three modules – 32 MP main (f/1.7) + 8 MP wide-angle 123° (f/2.2) + 5 MP for bokeh (f/2.2).
• Front-camera: 16 MP, f/2.0.
• Battery: 3500 mAh, fast charging.
• SIM Tray: combined (dual) - either 2 SIM, or 1 SIM + 1 memory card.
• NFC: There is.
• Dimensions: 155.2 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm.
• Weight: 162 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, instead of the usual speaker, the sound during a conversation is transmitted through the screen.

The Samsung Galaxy A60 is primarily interesting for its fairly powerful Snapdragon 675 processor, which is noticeably more powerful than the Exynos Octa 7 9610 installed in the Galaxy A50. At the same time, the Galaxy A60 can often be found in Chinese online stores at a lower price than the Galaxy A50.

In terms of other characteristics, the main differences between the Galaxy A60 and the Galaxy A50 are: IPS screen instead of Super AMOLED, a smaller battery (3500 mAh versus 4000 mAh in the A50), higher photo quality on the main camera, a combined (double) SIM tray versus a full one triple in the A50, lack of a speaker (in the A60 the sound of the interlocutor is transmitted through the screen, and in the A50 through the speaker), lack of a headphone jack (in the A50 it is present). As you can see, not all characteristics of the A60 are better than the A50, so the final choice should be based on the user’s priorities.

As in the case of the Samsung Galaxy A50, we recommend buying the Galaxy A60 only if you manage to find it for around 15,000 rubles; such prices pop up on AliExpress, Gearbest and, possibly, in some other Chinese online stores . Also, when the smartphone goes into official retail, such prices may be available through promotions. Otherwise, if the price of the Galaxy A60 is around 20 tr. – we recommend taking a closer look at other devices from this top.

Pros of Samsung Galaxy A60:

1. Good main camera for photos (it takes better photos than the Samsung Galaxy A50, about the same as the Redmi Note 7 Pro).
2. NFC available.
3. Availability of a 123° wide-angle module for photos and videos.
4. The Chinese version of the device does not have to be reflashed; it already has: Russian language, Google services, correctly working NFC, and over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Cons of Samsung Galaxy A60:

1. There is no speaker; the sound during a conversation is transmitted through the screen. Apparently, this technology has not yet been brought to fruition, since the interlocutor’s voice seems muffled, as if coming from a barrel.
2. Battery life is less than competitors (for example, Samsung Galaxy A50 and Redmi Note 7 Pro).
3. The sound quality through the external (multimedia) speaker is worse than that of competitors (for example, Redmi Note 7 or Meizu Note 9) and comparable to the Samsung Galaxy A50.
4. There is no headphone jack (mini-jack).
5. The Chinese version of the device does not support 20 band LTE (but there is support for 3 and 7 bands).

You can learn more about the Samsung Galaxy A60 in the video review below.

Meizu Note 9 is another worthy competitor to Redmi

Specifications:

• Release date: March 2019.
• Screen: IPS, 6.2″, Full HD+ (2244 x 1080), 18.7:9, 2.5D.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11 nm, 2×2.0 GHz Cortex A76 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 612.
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB (LPDDR4X, 1866 MHz).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (eMMC 5.1).
• Main camera: two modules – 48 MP main (Samsung S5KGM1, f/1.7, 1.6 µm) + 5 MP for bokeh.
• Front-camera: 20 MP, f/2.0.
• Battery: 4000 mAh, fast charging mCharge 4.0.
• SIM Tray:
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 153.1 x 74.4 x 8.7 mm.
• Weight: 170 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, mini-jack, apt-X HD.

Meizu Note 9 is based on a good Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chip, which in terms of performance is approximately between the Snapdragon 660 and Snapdragon 710. This hardware copes with games very well, most games run at maximum or high graphics settings. The interface also works quickly.

The back cover and side frame of Meizu Note 9 are made of plastic. Plastic will scratch easier and faster than glass or metal, but if you plan to use the phone in a case, then this is not critical. But this material also has advantages compared to glass - it is clearly more resistant to falls than glass, and the device’s maintainability is higher (phones with a glass back cover are difficult to disassemble, since glass covers are usually glued to double-sided tape and cannot be removed without damage, the phone has to be heated).

Pros of Meizu Note 9:

1. Not a bad processor for this budget - Snapdragon 675 with Adreno 612 video accelerator (slightly weaker than Snapdragon 710 with Adreno 616).
2. A good main camera, which in the stock application produces pictures at the level of Redmi Note 7, and in some scenarios even a little better. Google Camera is installed as a regular application; no additional manipulations are required for this.
3. Excellent autonomy due to a capacious 4000 mAh battery.

Cons of Meizu Note 9:

1. The stock camera does not have stabilization when shooting video (neither optical nor electronic).
2. No NFC.
3. The memory card cannot be installed.
4. The display in bright sunlight is slightly less visible than that of competitors (for example, Redmi Note 7 and Samsung Galaxy A50).
5. The front camera is slightly behind its competitors in quality (for example, Redmi Note 7 and Samsung Galaxy A50).

If you want to take a closer look at Meizu Note 9, watch the video review below.

When ordering a phone from China, be careful, the Chinese version does not support 7 and 20 band LTE (only band 3). Also, the Chinese firmware does not have the Russian language and the charger is included for Chinese sockets (usually the seller includes an adapter for our sockets in the kit).
The global version supports all necessary LTE frequencies, has a Russian language, and the charger is suitable for our sockets.

Meizu 16X – a smartphone with a good camera under 15,000 rubles

Specifications:

• Release date: September 2018.
• Screen: Super AMOLED, 6″, Full HD+ (2160×1080), 18:9.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10 nm, 2×2.2 GHz Cortex A75 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 616.
• RAM: 6 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (UFS 2.1).
• Main camera: two modules – 12 MP main (Sony IMX 380, f/1.8, 1.55 µm) + 20 MP for bokeh and zoom (Sony IMX 350, f/2.6, 1 µm).
• Front-camera: Sony IMX 376 (20 MP, f/2.0, 1 µm).
• Battery: 3100 mAh, fast charging mCharge 4.0.
• SIM Tray:
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 151 x 73.5 x 7.5 mm.
• Weight: 154 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, mini-jack, fingerprint scanner in the display.

Meizu 16X is a sub-flagship with a good design; the frames at the top and bottom are made very narrow, just like in Samsung flagships. The body is made of metal. Fast charging is included in the kit. The fingerprint scanner is located under the screen, which, according to most users, is more convenient than when the scanner is on the back of the device. But the operating speed of this scanner is slightly inferior to scanners on the back, and your finger needs to be pressed a little harder.

In terms of photo quality, the Meizu 16X surpasses even the PocoPhone F1 with Google Camera. You can verify this by watching the comparison of these phones in the video at the end of the article.

Pros of Meizu 16X:

1. A good processor for this budget is the Snapdragon 710 with Adreno 616 video accelerator.
2. 6 GB of RAM in the minimum configuration.
3. A good main camera in a budget of up to 15 thousand rubles.
4. Fast permanent memory of the UFS 2.1 standard.
5. Not bad autonomy. Although the battery here is of small capacity, the energy-efficient processor and Super AMOLED screen do their job.

Cons of Meizu 16X:

1. No NFC.
2. There is no slot for a memory card.
3. Meizu rarely releases updates for its smartphones and takes a long time to eliminate defects and glitches in the firmware. But sooner or later it does it, unlike third-tier brands.

If you want to take a closer look at the Meizu 16X, watch the video review below.

Meizu 16Xs – not bad, but more likely for fans

Specifications:

• Release date: May 2018.
• Screen: Super AMOLED, 6.2″, Full HD+ (2232×1080), 18.5:9.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11 nm, 2×2.0 GHz Cortex A76 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 612.
• RAM: 6 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (eMMC 5.1).
• Main camera: three modules – main 48 MP (Samsung S5KGM1, f/1.7, 1.6 µm) + wide-angle 8 MP (f/2.2) + bokeh module 5 MP (f/1.9).
• Front-camera: 16 MP, f/2.2.
• Battery: 4000 mAh, support for fast charging mCharge 18W.
• SIM Tray: 2 SIM, memory card cannot be inserted.
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 152 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm.
• Weight: 165 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, mini-jack, apt-X HD, in-display fingerprint scanner.

Meizu 16Xs is a slightly simplified version of the flagship Meizu 16s. The backrest here is made of plastic, there is no stereo (the earpiece does not play along with the multimedia speaker), and a regular vibration motor is installed. The smartphone is built on the basis of an average performance Snapdragon 675 chip. By the way, the same chip is installed in Meizu Note 9, but for some reason the Meizu 16Xs works a little faster, most likely this is due to deliberate software optimization.

Pros of Meizu 16Xs:

1. Not a bad processor for this budget - Snapdragon 675 with Adreno 612 video accelerator (slightly weaker than Snapdragon 710 with Adreno 616).
2. 6 GB of RAM in the minimum configuration.
3. A good main camera in a budget of up to 15 thousand rubles + a good wide-angle camera with autofocus.
4. Quite compact (relative to competitors), good ergonomics.
5. Excellent autonomy due to a capacious 4000 mAh battery and Super AMOLED screen.

Cons of Meizu 16Xs:

1. No NFC.
2. There is no slot for a memory card.
3. Meizu rarely releases updates for its smartphones and takes a long time to eliminate defects and glitches in the firmware. But sooner or later it does it, unlike third-tier brands.

Read more about Meizu 16Xs in the video review below.

Xiaomi Mi 8 SE is a good price-quality ratio, but...

Specifications:

• Release date: May 2018.
• Screen: AMOLED, 5.88″, Full HD+ (2244 x 1080), 18.7:9, 2.5D.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10 nm, 2×2.2 GHz Cortex A75 + 6×1.7 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Adreno 616, 500 MHz.
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 GB (eMMC 5.1).
• Main camera: dual – Sony IMX 363 (12 MP, f/1.9, 1.4 µm) + Samsung S5K5E8 (5 MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm).
• Front-camera: Samsung S5K2T7 (20 MP, 2 microns).
• Battery: 3120 mAh, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3 fast charging.
• SIM Tray: 2 SIM without space for a memory card.
• NFC: No.
• Dimensions: 147.28 x 73.09 x 7.5 mm.
• Weight: 164 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, IR port.

Xiaomi Mi 8 SE does not have a global version. When you order this smartphone, you will receive a Chinese version of the device with English-Chinese firmware without Russian language, or with Russified custom (unofficial) firmware. This point needs to be clarified with the seller before ordering a smartphone.

The lack of a global version is a significant disadvantage of the smartphone:

1. If you receive a smartphone without the Russian language, you will have to unlock the bootloader (waiting for unlocking is 2-3 weeks) and then reflash the smartphone.
2. The manufacturer constantly releases firmware updates for its smartphones with security patches, which, unfortunately, you will not receive (but, perhaps, you will receive updates to the custom firmware that you install).
3. The smartphone does not support band 20 among the 4G frequencies required for Russia.

Pros of Xiaomi Mi 8 SE:

1. A good processor for this budget is the Snapdragon 710 with Adreno 616 video accelerator.
2. IR port for controlling equipment.
3. Quite compact (relative to competitors).
4. Installing Google Camera without unnecessary manipulations (just install the application). With Google Camera, in low light conditions, the smartphone begins to take noticeably better photographs. Overall, with the Google Camera app, the smartphone's camera can be called good.

Cons of Xiaomi Mi 8 SE:

1. Lack of a global version of the smartphone (there is no Russian language in the official Chinese firmware, and the smartphone does not support band 20 LTE).
2. No NFC.
3. There is no headphone jack – mini-jack.
4. There is no slot for a memory card.

For more information about the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE smartphone, see the video below.

Honor 8X, like Honor 10 Lite, and Huawei P smart 2019, is built on the HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor, so they will have approximately the same problems with games.

But according to other criteria, Honor 8X wins: it has more premium body materials - the side frame is made of metal, the back is made of glass. It also has a full (triple) tray for SIM cards and memory cards, the main camera takes slightly better pictures than the Honor 10 Lite and Huawei P smart 2019, the battery is 350 mAh larger. The kit includes a case.

Pros of Honor 8X:

1. The HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor, which is quite powerful and energy efficient, is neck and neck with the Snapdragon 660 in terms of application launch speed. But as for the Mali-G51 MP4 video accelerator built into this processor, it is noticeably weaker than the Adreno 512 video accelerator built into the Snapdragon 660 , and we will write this down as a minus below. In general, for everyday use of the phone, this processor should be sufficient for most users.
2. Good autonomy due to a 3750 mAh battery (in terms of battery life it is quite a bit inferior to Redmi note 7 with a 4000 mAh battery).
3. Triple tray for simultaneous installation of 2 SIM cards and a memory card.
4. NFC available.

Cons of Honor 8X:

1. The Mali-G51 MP4 video accelerator is quite average in terms of power, which is even slightly behind the Adreno 512 (built into the Snapdragon 660). The situation is slightly saved by GPU Turbo technology, developed for HiSilicon Kirin processors, which facilitates the work of the video accelerator, allowing you to avoid rendering static objects in games once again. Currently, about 27 games support GPU Turbo (including PUBG MOBILE), but in other games the HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor is noticeably behind the Snapdragon 660 (for example, in World of Tanks Blitz). But the best competitors in the budget of up to 15,000 rubles already offer smartphones with much more powerful processors, for example, Snapdragon 675 and Snapdragon 710. And here the video accelerator power is even slightly worse than that of the old Snapdragon 660.
2. In low light, the main camera lags behind the best competitors, and there is a little more noise and blur in the pictures. In the daytime, in good lighting, the camera takes photographs at the level of its competitors.
3. There is no USB Type-C, a regular micro USB connector is installed.
4. The sound quality from the multimedia speaker is mediocre compared to competitors, the volume is average.
5. There is no video stabilization of any kind (neither optical nor electronic).

Many users consider the Honor 8X to be a very balanced device, almost the best in its class, which is confirmed by fairly good sales statistics. We don’t think so and recommend looking at a comparison of popular smartphones to understand how the Honor 8X compares to some of its competitors.

Specifications:

• Release date: July 2019.
• Screen: IPS, 6.59″, Full HD+ (2340×1080), 19.5:9, 2.5D.
• CPU: HiSilicon Kirin 810 (7 nm, 2×2.27 GHz Cortex A76 + 6×1.88 GHz Cortex A55).
• Video accelerator: Mali-G52.
• RAM: 4 / 6 / 8 GB (LPDDR4X).
• Permanent memory: 64 / 128 / 256 GB (UFS 2.1).
• Main camera: two modules – main 48 MP (f/1.8) + module for bokeh 2 MP (f/2.4).
• Front-camera: 16 MP, f/2.2.
• Battery: 4000 mAh.
• SIM Tray: combined - either 2 SIM or 1 SIM + 1 memory card.
• NFC: not in the Chinese version, but should be in the global one.
• Dimensions: 163.1 × 77.2 × 8.8 mm.
• Weight: 206 gr.
• Additionally: USB Type-C, mini-jack.

Honor 9X is an update to last year's Honor 8X and, I must say, the update is successful. Little by little we upgraded all the most important things - the processor, the camera, the battery. The back of the smartphone (back), as in the previous model, is made of glass, the side edges are made of plastic.

The fingerprint scanner is now located on the side, which, according to many users, is very convenient. Works quickly and accurately.

The front camera has now become retractable, but the mechanism is rather slow, so the manufacturer decided not to implement the face unlock function here.

Pros of Honor 9X:

1. An excellent processor for this budget is the HiSilicon Kirin 810. In terms of performance, it can be compared with the Snapdragon 730. The shell runs smoothly, almost all games run at high graphics settings without any brakes. But this processor is present only in the Chinese version of the smartphone; the global version has an older and weaker processor – Kirin 710.
2. Excellent autonomy due to a capacious 4000 mAh battery and an energy-efficient Kirin 810 processor.
3. Convenient fingerprint scanner at the end of the smartphone.

Cons of Honor 9X:

1. The sound quality of the multimedia speaker is slightly worse than that of its competitors, but the volume is okay.
2. No fast charging support.
3. The Chinese version does not support important 4G frequencies - B7 and B20, and also does not have NFC. The global version was released on a weaker Kirin 710 processor, so it is not so interesting to purchase.

More details about Honor 9X in the video below.

It is important to know:

The Chinese version of the smartphone lacks an NFC module, as well as support for 4G frequencies important for Russia – B7 and B20. And in the global version, the manufacturer decided to install an older and weaker processor - Kirin 710, so it is not so interesting to purchase. It turns out to be a double-edged sword: either take the Chinese version with a powerful processor, but without support for some 4G frequencies (B7 and B20) and without NFC, or take the global version with all 4G frequencies and with NFC, but with a weaker Kirin 710 processor (like for Honor 8X).

Rating of smartphones 2019 up to 15,000 rubles

We will not rank absolutely all the phones from this top by priority for purchase, since there are quite a few of them presented in the review. We will highlight only the 5 best models in our opinion and prioritize them for purchase.

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Nowadays, smartphones are used for more than just making calls. Owners can play games on their gadget, communicate on social networks, watch videos, listen to music. The possibilities of mobile devices are truly endless. However, what should a buyer do if his budget is limited? How to choose a functional but inexpensive gadget? This review of smartphones under 15,000 rubles will help you find the answer to this question.

Finding an inexpensive device is not an easy task. There are many different models in this niche. Most of them are produced by companies from the Middle Kingdom. They equip their devices with modern hardware and use different features. Those buyers who want to have a smartphone from a famous brand should not despair either. This segment includes devices from Samsung, LG, Asus and other well-known companies. The only thing is that they are inferior to the “Chinese” in terms of equipment. Below we present this category.

How to choose a smartphone under 15,000 rubles? This question is asked by a large number of buyers. Of course, selection criteria are an individual matter, but some of them can be identified.

There are people who pay attention only to the design, trying to choose a device that looks very similar, for example, to Apple flagships. And this is the main mistake. It is recommended to pay special attention to the characteristics. It is the “filling” that will allow you to enjoy interacting with the gadget. Let's look at what criteria you should use to select a smartphone:

• Screen. The diagonal directly affects the size of the phone. Resolution is also important. Currently, preference should be given to either Full HD or HD. The first one is, of course, better.
• CPU. Performance specifications will vary depending on the chipset model. The best in this category are Helio X20/X25/X27/P20 (MediaTek), Snapdragon 820/821/650/652/653/625 (Qualcomm), Kirin 950/960/655 and Surge S1.
• Memory. Here you need to pay special attention to the amount of RAM. Most gadgets in this segment offer the user 2 GB, but there are also models that have 3 and even 4 GB installed. Let's just say: the more the merrier.
• Optics. A smartphone with a good camera under 15,000 rubles is popular among buyers. When purchasing, you should pay attention not only to the resolution, but also to other options, such as stabilization, autofocus, flash, aperture, number of lenses, etc.
• OS. As a rule, inexpensive devices run Android. The presence of a proprietary shell and software optimization play an important role.
• Autonomy. One trend can be noticed in this segment: manufacturers install powerful “filling”, but save on battery capacity. It is recommended to purchase devices that are as balanced as possible.

Rating

In order to rank smartphones under 15,000 rubles, it was necessary to study a large number of gadgets. In 2016-2017, many inexpensive models went on sale. The demand for them has grown significantly, so manufacturers regularly update their product range. Surprisingly, the list of the best gadgets includes devices from the Middle Kingdom. Currently, they can compete with famous brands. The Chinese company Xiaomi has emerged as the undisputed leader. Users appreciated the quality of the products and the top-end equipment that the developers install on the new models. However, there is fierce competition in this segment, so other brands are trying to keep up.

After studying the characteristics and reviews of the owners, we came up with the following rating:

1. The first place undoubtedly went to an excellent model from Xiaomi - Redmi Note 4X with four gigabytes of RAM. The phone meets all the requirements of a modern user.
2. The P2 model of the Blackview brand took second place. In it, the manufacturer focused on a long battery life, but did not skimp on other elements.
3. Thanks to its chic optics, the Nubia Z17 mini gadget from ZTE took third place. It has certain shortcomings, but the high resolution of the cameras and screen completely eclipsed them.
4. OUKITEL K10000 Pro is an undisputed “long-liver” that can rightfully bear the title of the best.
5. Nomu S30 is a good protected device that is not afraid of getting wet. Ideal for people leading an active lifestyle.
6. Meizu MX6 is a direct competitor to gadgets from Xiaomi. The company regularly updates its devices. Distinctive features are attractive design, top-end equipment and good quality.
7. Doogee Mix is ​​a worthy model for those who prefer large phones. The quality of the screen let us down a little, but the rest of the characteristics are excellent.
8. Asus Pegasus 3S is a smartphone from a famous brand with excellent cameras, display and a powerful battery.

Every buyer should pay attention when choosing a smartphone not only to the design, but also to the technical characteristics. Therefore, we will begin the presentation of the gadget from Xiaomi with their description.

• Cost: about 9800 rubles.
• Screen: image quality - Full HD, size - 5.5', density - 403 ppi.
• Battery: 4100 mAh.
• Hardware: Snapdragon 625 (10 cores), frequency - 2500 MHz.
• Memory: built-in - 64 GB, RAM - 4 GB.
• Device weight: 165 g.
• Optics: 13 and 5 megapixel cameras.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X 4GB was presented in 2017. Some users have noticed that the new model is a kind of work on bugs. The developers have corrected all the shortcomings that were in the Redmi Note 4 device. The device has occupied a niche in the middle segment. Currently considered the best in terms of price/quality ratio.

The advantages of the gadget include:

• Powerful hardware platform.
• High level of productivity.
• Large amount of memory.
• Excellent screen.
• Decent battery life.

An indisputable advantage is the metal body. The presence of 2.5D glass adds originality to the appearance. Thanks to the oleophobic coating, fingerprints and dirt are virtually eliminated. The scanner works great. The cameras will satisfy even the most demanding photographers.

If you look for shortcomings in this model, you can only pay attention to the absence of the “Fast charging” option.

• Average price: 9200 rubles.
• Performance: (8 cores, 1500 MHz).
• Display: resolution - 1920 × 1080 px, diagonal - 5.5'.
• Optics: main - 13 MP, selfie camera - 8 MP.
• Weight: 207 g
• Memory: RAM - 4 GB, ROM - 64 GB.
• Battery: 6000 mAh.

Buyers for whom the most important criterion is battery life should pay attention to the Blackview P2. Surprisingly, the manufacturer sacrificed virtually nothing. Now the “long-liver” has a beautiful stylish design and decent hardware. The case material is reliable. The system works great. The phone is able to quickly launch even the most “heavy” applications. There will be no problems with graphics, since the Mali-T860 MP2 chipset is responsible for it.

The main advantages include:

• The presence of a magnetic compass.
• Long battery life.
• Optics modules from Samsung.
• Fingerprint scanner.
• Energy saving mode.
• Attractive design.

ZTE Nubia Z17 mini

Main characteristics:

• Average price: 13,800 rubles.
• Battery: 2650 mAh.
• Device weight: 155 g.
• Hardware: Octa-core with 8 cores, clock frequency - 1800 MHz.
• Memory parameters: 4/64 GB.
• Display: size - 5.2', Full HD.
• Cameras: rear 13 + 13 MP, front - 16 MP.

Undoubtedly, the mini smartphone stands out from a large range of devices with excellent sound and a good camera. As for the latter, the developers used modules from the famous Sony brand. Some photos can easily compete with flagship gadgets. The selfie camera, unfortunately, does not have autofocus, but good quality images are obtained thanks to the wide-angle lens. Although the phone has a weak battery, thanks to the optimized platform, the smartphone will work for at least a day under high load. Most of the comments were made about the proprietary shell. Users believe that it is “raw”, so the manufacturer has something to work on.

OUKITEL K10000 Pro

The best smartphones under 15,000 rubles can satisfy buyers with any requirements. There are models in this category that, in some respects, outshine flagship devices. In fourth position in the rating is OUKITEL K10000 Pro. Definitely, this smartphone is a “long-liver”. It installed a battery of as much as 10,000 mAh. What do the developers offer besides a powerful battery?

• Standard screen characteristics are Full HD, 5.5'.
• The camera resolution typical for this segment is 13 + 5 megapixels.
• Hardware: RAM - 3 GB, (8 cores / 1500 MHz), built-in storage - 32 GB.
• The weight of the device is quite large - 209 g.
• The average cost of a “long-liver” is 9,800 rubles.

This is not the first time that this brand provides the buyer with an interesting gadget with a certain twist. The K10000 Pro model is a smartphone with a good battery (up to 15,000 rubles), which can last up to 4 days without recharging under average load. The device is also suitable for charging other gadgets with a smaller battery. Users consider the unusual design to be an advantage. In this device, the back panel is decorated with leather. The only thing that can be considered a weakness is the heavy weight. But this is due to the presence of a capacious battery.

Nomu S30

Chinese smartphones under 15,000 rubles are represented on the market in a wide range. Among them we can highlight the Nomu S30. What's interesting about this gadget? First of all, the protection standard is IP68. The smartphone body is protected not only from dust, but also from water. According to international standards, the device can be submerged to a depth of more than one meter. Many users have already become accustomed to the fact that the category of protected devices does not have powerful hardware. However, progress does not stand still. The Chinese manufacturer presented customers with a completely new solution, which implements all the necessary functions.

The Nomu S30 has an excellent screen in every way. It is protected by glass 4. The pixel density is high - 401 ppi. The same can be said about resolution. In this model, information on the screen is displayed in Full HD quality. The Helio P10 chipset with eight cores, which operate at a frequency of 2000 MHz, is responsible for performance. It is paired with a good Mali T860 MP2 video card. The characteristics of 4 GB of RAM are complemented. Built-in storage has a capacity of 64 GB. Decent autonomy is provided by a 5 thousand mAh battery. The cameras also have good resolution: the front one is equipped with a 5-megapixel sensor, and for the main one we chose a 13-megapixel matrix.

For all this in the store you will have to pay an average of 9,800 rubles. The disadvantages include the rather large weight, which is 260 g, and the weak sound reproduced through the speaker.

Meizu MX6

The category “Best smartphones under 15,000 rubles”, of course, included a device from the Chinese company Meizu. The average price tag for the MX6 model is 12,600 rubles. For this money, the developers offer decent characteristics. Let's highlight the main ones:

• Autonomy - 3060 mAh.
• 5.5-inch screen with Full HD quality.
• 12 and 5 megapixel cameras.
• CPU - Helio X20 (MT6797), 10 cores, 2300 MHz.
• Memory: 4/32 GB.

Meizu MX6 is the best smartphone with a good camera under 15,000 rubles. The device is equipped with top-end hardware. It can be used for any purpose: working with office applications or playing games. Moreover, the latter run even at the highest settings. As for optics, the device has modules from Sony. The camera lens is six-element. Phase autofocus. Videos are recorded in high quality (4K). Loud speakers, stylish design, metal body - all these are the indisputable advantages of the gadget.

Doogee Mix

The “Best Smartphones Under 15,000 Rubles” rating includes many Chinese gadgets. It was manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom who filled the niche of inexpensive devices. It is worth noting that they use modern technologies and decent content. Doogee Mix is ​​deservedly called the best smartphone in this category. Let's look at its characteristics.

• Optics: main camera - dual (16 + 8 MP), selfie - 8 MP.
• Battery - 3380 mAh.
• 5.5-inch display (HD).
• Memory - 6/64 GB.
• Processor - 8-core Helio P25 MT6757T (2500 MHz).
• The cost varies between 13,000 rubles.

This phone looks quite bulky. The reason for this was the clear rectangular shape. The developers abandoned the rounded edges, so the design definitely has aggressive notes. For some this is a disadvantage. But that category of buyers who put characteristics first, rather than external design, will be delighted with the hardware “filling”. Just imagine that for just 13 thousand rubles you can buy a gadget with 6 GB of RAM, even if you have to sacrifice some characteristics (screen resolution, battery capacity).

Asus Pegasus 3S

The list of “Best smartphones under 15,000 rubles” was also supplemented by a model from the famous brand - Asus. We are talking about Pegasus 3S. It runs on the famous MediaTek MT6750 chipset, which is based on eight Cortex-A53 cores. The maximum capabilities of the chipset are limited to a frequency of 1500 MHz. The amount of RAM in this device did not disappoint either. The developers installed three gigabytes. There are two versions on sale, which differ in the size of the built-in storage (32/64 GB). The screen characteristics cannot be called outstanding, but the picture is displayed clearly and richly. There will be no problems with color rendering and viewing angles. The 5.2-inch smartphone is equipped with good cameras. The rear one uses a dual module of 13 and 8 megapixels. For selfies, the developers offered an 8-megapixel sensor. The manufacturer in this model focused on autonomy by installing a 5000 mAh battery. Asus Pegasus 3S can be purchased for an average of 11 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

So, smartphones up to 15,000 rubles were discussed above. Which company is better to choose is a personal matter for everyone. All models have their advantages and disadvantages. However, we can definitely say about the presented gadgets that they all fully comply with modern requirements. Some of them will be able to surprise the user with high camera resolution, others with battery life. Of course, there are no flagships among them, but the installed hardware will be quite enough to not experience any inconveniences or limitations. And the rating of smartphones under 15,000 rubles presented above will help you make your choice.

Have you decided to step into the new year with a new smartphone? The right decision, and most importantly - not at all expensive. It turns out that for a modest amount you can get a universal “workhorse”, and an “Unsinkable cruiser”, and a device that will make your friends salivate at the sight of it.

Today I prepared an unusual review. It contains the best smartphones of early 2017 priced up to 15,000 rubles. The five most worthy, according to users and experts, models that were released in the second half of 2016.

5th place: ZTE Blade A910 16Gb – weightless as a feather

The hardware of the smartphone is a solid four. It confidently handles average daily loads (Internet, music, video calls, applications) and not too demanding games, but with very intensive use it can overheat and slow down.

The cameras of the ZTE Blade A910 are typical for a mid-budget smartphone; they allow you to get good, clear pictures. However, their quality is highly dependent on the lighting - in bright light the photos look better.

You may be confused by the small, at first glance, battery capacity of this device. Well, what is 2540 mAH in our time? This is really not much, but thanks to the reduced power consumption of the AMOLED display and good optimization of the proprietary firmware, the charge is more than enough for the whole day.

Technical characteristics of ZTE Blade A910 16Gb

• Screen: 5.5” diagonal, resolution 1280×720 (HD), 267 ppi, 16.78 million colors, AMOLED matrix, touchscreen supports up to 10 simultaneous touch points.
• Processor: MediaTek MT6735, 4 cores, 1300 MHz.
• Video adapter: Mali-T720.
• RAM (random access memory): 2 Gb.
• ROM (read-only memory): 16 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE (bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20).
• SIM card support: 2 SIM (operating mode – alternating).
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.1, micro-USB, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot (combined with the second SIM card slot).
• Sensors: light, proximity, fingerprint scanner.
• Cameras: 13+8 MPixel, LED flash, autofocus.
• Battery: 2540 mAH, non-removable.
• Additional functions: voice control, flashlight, FM radio.
• Case materials – plastic and aluminum (frame).
• Dimensions: 152.0x75.0x6.9 mm.
• Weight: 135 g.
• Operating system: Android 6.0 plus proprietary ZTE MiFavor shell.

The strengths of the ZTE Blade A910 16Gb include the screen, loud sound, LTE support, and a universal fingerprint scanner, which is designed not only to unlock the phone, but also to protect applications, take screenshots, turn on the flashlight and other tasks.

Users named the most significant drawback as problems with servicing the device, or more precisely, the manufacturer’s slowness in supplying spare parts to our country. If you manage to get it repaired under warranty, you will have to wait a long time.

The price of ZTE Blade A910 16Gb in Russian stores is from 11,400 rubles.

4th place: Highscreen Power Rage Evo – German quality

Highscreen smartphones are mostly inexpensive, technologically advanced devices, the production of which uses high-quality, wear-resistant materials. Thanks to this, they maintain a decent appearance for years.

New at the end of 2016, Power Rage Evo is a device with a colorful 5-inch display, not a top-end, but productive platform (by the way, with three gigabytes of RAM) and a capacious battery with fast charging function. It is suitable for both routine tasks and entertainment. Most popular games can be played on it without lags or overheating. The battery charge lasts for almost 2 days during intensive use.

Fans of photography should also pay attention to this smartphone. Both cameras allow you to get very good pictures, not only in bright light, but also in the dark (the selfie camera has a flash simulation function). The only serious drawback is the lack of optical stabilization, which is compensated by the wealth of functions and camera settings. A variety of photo filters and shooting modes open up a lot of scope for creativity.

Technical characteristics of Highscreen Power Rage Evo

• Screen: 5.0” diagonal, resolution 1280×720 (HD), 294 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix.
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737, 4 cores, 1300 MHz.
• Video adapter: Mali-T720 MP2.
• RAM: 3 Gb.
• ROM: 16 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE (bands 1, 3, 7, 20).
• Satellite communication: GPS/GLONASS.
• SIM card support: 2 micro SIM (operating mode – alternating). The SIM slots are separate from the memory card slot.
• Sensors: light, proximity.
• Battery: 4000 mAH, removable.
• Additional functions: voice control, flashlight, fast charging, A2DP profile (support for stereo audio transmission via Bluetooth), front camera flash modeling (maximum screen glow at the time of shooting).
• Case material: plastic with metal insert.
• Dimensions: 144.0x71.0x9.95 mm.
• Weight: 168 g.

The main advantages of the Highscreen Power Rage Evo include excellent autonomy (calls + SMS mode lasts up to 7 days without recharging), HD screen, LTE, good cameras and A2DP support (allows you to listen to music through wireless stereo headphones). The disadvantages were the lack of a fingerprint scanner and difficulties in purchasing accessories. In particular, there is a limited selection of cases and the lack of protective glass on sale that fits the rounded display of this phone.

At the beginning of 2017, Highscreen Power Rage Evo can be purchased at a price of 10,800 rubles.

3rd place: SENSEIT R450 – ready for swimming!

The SENSEIT R450 screen is relatively small - 4.5 inches, the resolution and color rendition are also not great, but are sufficient for normal picture perception. The brightness level is average.

The first glance at the characteristics of the hardware makes you wonder: wasn’t this smartphone lying in a warehouse for a couple of years before it went on sale? No, this is really a new product for December 2016. It’s just that its platform is designed exactly for the load for which it is intended. Resource-intensive games are not included.

By the way, the storage space of the SENSEIT R450 (8 GB) can be increased using micro SD. The manufacturer claims support for memory cards with a capacity of up to 1 TB.

Technical characteristics of SENSEIT R450

• Screen: 4.5” diagonal, resolution 854×480, 218 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix, covered with protective glass.
• Processor: MediaTek MT6735M, 4 cores, 1000 MHz.
• Video adapter: Mali-T720.
• RAM: 1 Gb.
• ROM: 8 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE (bands 3, 7, 20), Wi-Fi Direct.
• Satellite connection: GPS/A-GPS.
• SIM card support: 1 micro
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, micro-USB, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot.
• Sensors: light, proximity, accelerometer.
• Cameras: 8+2 MPixel, LED flash, autofocus.
• Battery: 3000 mAH, non-removable.
• Additional functions: voice control, flashlight, FM radio, A2DP profile, mono speaker, IP67 dust and moisture protection (withstands short-term immersion to a depth of 1 meter).
• Case materials – plastic, mechanical buttons.
• Dimensions: 139.5x73.5x12.5 mm.
• Weight: 186 g
• Operating system: Android 6.0.

The main advantage of the SENSEIT R450, according to the owners, is reliability and reliability again (apparently, this is why they buy it). Other advantages are LTE support, good battery life, high performance under light and medium loads. Cons: mediocre camera (you can’t take artistic photos like this) and low screen resolution.

The cost of SENSEIT R450 in Russian stores is from 12,200 rubles.

2nd place: Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro – all the best at once

The best budget mid-range Xiaomi at the beginning of 2017 was Redmi 4 Pro - fast, functional and inexpensive. Although, judging by the characteristics, it can only be classified among the middle peasants based on price. Otherwise, this is a very advanced device with a magnificent Full HD screen, an 8-core processor and three gigabytes of RAM. Almost the flagship of yesteryear.

The amazingly rich set of features of this smartphone is also pleasing: an instantly triggered fingerprint scanner, an IR transmitter (allows you to use the gadget as a remote control), support for LTE Advanced, a built-in compass, 7 days of battery life (with minimal load), a 13-megapixel camera, excellent well-developed proprietary MiUI 8 shell. And all this - for the same amount as devices of a much lower level.

Technical specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro

• Screen: 5.0” diagonal, resolution 1920×1080 (Full HD), 441 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953, 8 cores.
• Video adapter: Adreno 506.
• RAM: 3 Gb.
• ROM: 32 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A Cat. 4.
• SIM card support: 1 nano SIM + 1 micro SIM (alternating operating mode).
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.1, micro-USB, IrDA, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot combined with nano SIM.
• Sensors: light, proximity, fingerprint scanner, compass, gyroscope.
• Cameras: 13+5 MPixel, LED flash, autofocus, optical stabilization.
• Battery: 4100 mAH.
• Case material – metal.
• Dimensions: 141.3 x 69.6 x 8.9 mm.
• Weight: 156 g.
• Operating system: Android 6.0 with proprietary MiUI 8 shell.

The owners considered almost everything that it has to be the advantages of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro, but the most pleasant thing, in their opinion, is the price for which it is sold in Russia.

Many users considered the disadvantages to be the multi-format SIM card trays (nano + micro) and the fact that one of them is combined with a memory card slot. You have to choose what to use.

The minimum price of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro in domestic stores is 9,900 rubles. There are a lot of offers.

1st place: Meizu U20 32Gb – frozen in glass

The smartphone is suitable for both games (except, perhaps, 3D) and for work. There are no freezes or sag in most games at medium and high settings. Its autonomy is average by modern standards - the battery holds a charge for up to 2.5 days with moderate-intensive use. By the way, Flyme OS contains a built-in utility for optimizing and adjusting power settings.

The most attractive thing about Meizu U20 is its design. The device is covered with 2.5D glass on all sides except the end. It not only improves the appearance of the phone, but also creates a visual effect of bending, or rather, a slight flow of the display onto the side edges. Today only custom, expensive flagships are equipped with such screens.

Technical characteristics of Meizu U20 32Gb

• Screen: 5.5” diagonal, resolution 1920×1080 (Full HD), 401 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix.
• Processor: x64 MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755), 8 cores, 1810 MHz.
• Video adapter: Mali-T860 MP2.
• RAM: 3 Gb.
• ROM: 32 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE.
• Satellite communication: GPS/A-GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou.
• SIM card support: 2 nano SIM (alternating operating mode).
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, micro-USB, IRDA, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot combined with nano SIM.
• Sensors: light, proximity, fingerprint scanner combined with the “Home” button, compass, gyroscope, Hall sensor (magnetic field).
• Cameras: 13+5 MPixel, LED flash, autofocus.
• Battery: 3260 mAH.
• Additional functions: voice control, flashlight.
• Case materials – 2.5D glass and metal (frame).
• Dimensions: 153.0x75.4x7.7 mm.
• Weight: 158 g
• Operating system: Android 6.0 and proprietary Flyme OS 5 shell.

The strengths of Meizu U20 32Gb are its magnificent appearance, Full HD screen, overall quality-to-price ratio. Disadvantages - a slippery surface (a natural consequence of the main advantage), a slightly hoarse telephone speaker and the touchscreen supports only five points of simultaneous touch.

As of January 2017, the minimum price of Meizu U20 32Gb in our stores was 10,000 rubles.

Happy choosing!