10 good inexpensive smartphones of 2020

In pursuit of the consumer, smartphone manufacturers are trying to release more good cheap smartphones. Most of them have the same features as the top models - fast charging, large battery, bright screen with good viewing angles. But at the same time, they are deprived of water protection of the case, wireless charging and optical stabilization of the camera.

If you want quality without unnecessary bells and whistles, here are the top 10 good inexpensive smartphones of 2020. These are models in the price range from 5000 to 25 thousand rubles, which have a high rating on Yandex.Market.

10.ZTE Blade 20 Smart

• smartphone with Android 9.0
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.49 ″, resolution 1560 × 720
• three cameras 16 MP / 8 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 128 GB, slot for memory card
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 4 GB
• battery 5000 mAh

This model can be safely called the anti-crisis smartphone of 2020. Indeed, for a price of less than 12,000 rubles, you will receive a powerful battery, and contactless payments, and fast charging, and good performance. The cherry on this mobile cake is the presence of an LED event indicator, which is neglected by many manufacturers even in the case of expensive models.

The screen resolution is standard for inexpensive models - HD +, but there are no problems with brightness and viewing angles. But with the color temperature, ZTE went too far, which is why the display is slightly "blue".

The processor MediaTek Helio P60, installed "under the hood" of the ZTE Blade 20 Smart, will cope with most demanding games at 30 fps with rare frame drops.

The rear camera will also be pleasant, as it shoots well even at night or in low light conditions. In this case, there are digital noises in the photo, but there are not so many of them to spoil the photo. Autofocus is very nimble and you can still record FullHD video at 30fps.

pros: the presence of a 3.5 mm mini-jack, heats up a little under load, the fingerprint scanner can serve as an additional button.

Minuses: easily soiled, no wireless charging, combined tray for sim cards and memory cards.

9. BQ 6042L Magic E

• smartphone with Android 9.0
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.09 ″, resolution 1280 × 600
• dual camera 13 MP / 0.30 MP, autofocus
• memory 32 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 2 GB
• battery 2950 mAh

Thinking about how to choose an inexpensive but good smartphone in 2020, many people first of all pay attention to the promoted foreign brands. Nevertheless, Russian companies have something to please us.

And one of the good models is the BQ 6042L Magic E, which at a price of less than 6,000 rubles offers both an NFC chip, a fingerprint scanner, and even a removable battery - a great rarity today.

The rest of the smartphone looks like a solid state employee - starting from the Unisoc SC9863A chipset and ending with a small amount of RAM and a low-power battery. The screen, although with a low resolution, is bright enough to be seen from the sun.

But with the speaker located on the back, the manufacturer put a pig on users, albeit a small one. When the device is on the table, the sound is muted accordingly.

The front and rear cameras will not please you with high-quality shooting, but photos taken in normal lighting are notable for good detail.

pros: there is an event indicator, nice design, fits comfortably in the hand.

Minuses: it takes a long time to connect to a Wi-Fi access point, the fingerprint scanner does not always work the first time, there is no fast charging.

8. Nokia 5.3

• smartphone with Android 10
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.55 ″, resolution 1600 × 720
• four cameras 13 MP / 2 MP / 5 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 64 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• RAM 4 GB
• battery 4000 mAh

This smartphone is very good for several reasons.

1. Solid build.
2. High-capacity battery with fast charging.
3. Independent memory card slot.
4. A nimble Snapdragon 665 processor. Not a top-end option, but for games at medium and high settings - quite enough.
5. Excellent quad camera. It consists of a 13MP main camera as well as an ultra-wide 5MP camera, 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro. All of them are placed in a round module, like one of the best models with 5G - Nokia 8.3.
6. The presence of the NFC module, which means the ability to make contactless payments

The fact that the smartphone is still budget is evidenced by the low screen resolution. However, if you do not look at it too closely, then the slight graininess is almost invisible.

pros: branded headset, 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Minuses: No wireless charging, no case included.

7. Realme C3

• smartphone with Android 10
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.52 ″, resolution 1600 × 720
• three cameras 12 MP / 2 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 64 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 3 GB
• battery 5000 mAh

Realme C3 is the first Realme smartphone with Realme UI operating system. It has several useful features, including a customizable sidebar and customizable icon style.

Another feature of this device is the MediaTek Helio G70 processor, which is paired with the Mali-G52 MC2 graphics accelerator to achieve high frame rates in modern games. However, during a long gaming session, the smartphone heats up noticeably.

The Realme C3 has a triple camera setup that consists of a 12MP main camera, a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. Yes, the manufacturer saved on wide-angle optics, but what can you do, there are fewer functions, but the price is lower. At night, the camera noticeably "lathers", but in the light of day the pictures are highly detailed, contrasting and clear.

Overall, the Realme C3 is an entry-level smartphone, but Realme's generosity lies in the fact that this unit is built into the MediaTek Helio G70 chip, which makes it a very affordable workhorse for everyday tasks and games.

pros: separate slot for memory card, 3.5 mm audio jack, capacious battery.

Minuses: no case included, slightly grainy HD + screen, no fast charging.

6. Vivo Y30

• smartphone with Android 10
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.47 ″, resolution 1560 × 720
• four cameras 13 MP / 8 MP / 2 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 64 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 4 GB
• battery 5000 mAh

The large, solid smartphone looks like a premium model thanks to its screen with a neat punch hole that houses the selfie camera. No tear-like neckline or "bangs" disfiguring the screen, everything is grown-up.

Another significant (in the literal sense of the word) advantage of this model is a powerful battery with which Vivo Y30 will work for 2 days even with active use. There is the possibility of reverse charging, that is, this smartphone can be used as a Power Bank.

The MediaTek Helio P35 processor will handle the demanding PUBG Mobile only at the minimum, but many other modern games will comfortably run at medium and even high settings.

Despite the fact that this smartphone is a budget solution, the manufacturer has equipped it with a quad camera with a main 13 MP sensor, an 8 MP wide-angle 120-degree camera, a 2 MP macro lens (more for show) and a 2 MP lens for creating a bokeh effect.

Surely get closer to opportunities best camera phones of 2020 according to the DXOMARK rating, Vivo Y30 will not succeed, but it is quite capable of taking a picture with natural color rendition, good detail and without overexposure.

pros: there is a separate slot for a memory card, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a case is included.

Minuses: very easily soiled plastic case, no wireless charging, low screen resolution.

5. HONOR 9S

• smartphone with Android 10
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 5.45 ″, resolution 1440 × 720
• 8 MP camera, autofocus
• memory 32 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• RAM 2 GB
• battery 3020 mAh

If you don't want your child to “hang out” in mobile games all day, buy him the HONOR 9S. It is not powerful enough to drive modern toys without brakes, but beautiful enough to win the approval of classmates and good enough to be heard without interference when calling the interlocutor.

Overall, the HONOR 9S is a classic workhorse designed for those who need three things from a smartphone:

1. good connection
2. high-quality assembly
3. small size.

Moreover, this model also shoots well, the main thing is to choose good lighting conditions. And there is a headphone jack, so that the child can listen to music or an audio book in his free time.

pros: fits comfortably in the hand, has a radio, the screen is bright enough and comfortable to read, there is a separate slot for a memory card.

Minuses: no fast charging, no Google services.

4. HONOR 20 Lite

• smartphone with Android 9.0
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.15 ″, resolution 2312 × 1080
• three cameras 48 MP / 8 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 128 GB, slot for memory card
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 4 GB
• battery 3340 mAh

Device included in Top 10 Honor smartphones of 2020, has access to Google services, which the models released later cannot boast of.

The HONOR 20 Lite has a 2.5D beautiful glass back with a gradient shade of Phantom Blue, Phantom Red or Midnight Black and an FHD + curved display with a small selfie camera cutout and TÜV Rheinland eye protection certification.

Inside the phone is a 12nm 2.2GHz Kirin 710 processor paired with a Mali-G51 MP4 with Turbo 2.0 technology to boost gaming performance.

The selfies camera with an impressive 24MP resolution has an AI-powered night mode and an on-screen flash, thanks to which you can take impressive photos even in low light.

The main camera has a variety of customization modes to enhance photo and video quality, such as Night Mode and Pro Mode. At dusk, she shoots excellently, but in daylight, overexposure is often visible in the pictures.

pros: there is fast charging, good ergonomics, clear and loud sound, there is a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Minuses: the battery capacity is not impressive, there is no wireless charging, the cameras stick out strongly, there is no case in the kit.

3.Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

• Android smartphone
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.67 ″, resolution 2400 × 1080
• four cameras 64 MP / 8 MP / 5 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 64 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 6 GB
• battery 5020 mAh

With its glossy metal finish, curved edges and Gorilla Glass 5 protection, one of the Best Xiaomi smartphones of 2020 certainly one step ahead of other entry-level devices. It's also nice to note that it comes with a silicone case, so you don't have to worry about screen scratches for the first few months.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro is equipped with a 6.67-inch Full HD + IPS display with 395 PPI. Nothing is record-breaking here, but the viewing angles are good and the color reproduction is excellent for an entry-level device. We also get a maximum screen brightness of about 450 nits, which makes it hassle-free to use this unit in high light conditions.

Speaking of the four-sensor main camera, we note that it shoots excellently. Block consists of:

1. 64 MP main sensor,
2. 8 MP wide-angle sensor,
3. 5 MP macro cameras,
4. 2 MP for depth determination.

Pictures even in the default mode are very detailed, although they tend to be a little oversaturated, especially when shooting in bright conditions. In low light, the colors in the photo become less vivid, but turning on the night mode returns brightness.

The performance of the Redmi Note 9 Pro has no problem thanks to the Snapdragon 720G chipset. You will not encounter the "stuttering" of the device in Call of Duty, Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, Asphalt and other heavy games.Setting the graphics to a high setting does keep the phone warm though, which is relatively normal.

pros: there is a 3.5 mm audio jack, a separate slot for installing a memory card, fast charging.

Minuses: no wireless charging, although the case is waterproof, it is only splash-proof.

2.Samsung Galaxy M21

• Android smartphone
• support for two SIM-cards
• 6.4 ″ screen, resolution 2340 × 1080
• three cameras 48 MP / 8 MP / 5 MP, autofocus
• memory 64 GB, memory card slot
• 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 4 GB
• battery 6000 mAh

Nice and cheap smartphone with surprisingly powerful battery for its price. It would take a long time to charge such a monster with ordinary charging, so the manufacturer has provided the possibility of fast 15 W charging. But even with it, the device charges for about 2 and a half hours.

Combine that with a SuperAMOLED display, NFC and 3.5mm headphone jack, all at a reasonable price, and you've got a smartphone that is definitely worth checking out.

The maximum brightness of the screen is not the highest possible (405 cd / m²), but it is quite sufficient to comfortably read text from the screen outdoors, under the rays of the sun.

The Galaxy M21 is powered by the Samsung Exynos 9611 chipset, which pulls modern games such as Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile on medium settings without slowdowns and fps drops.

The main camera has a Pro mode for manual settings, and does an excellent job of taking photos and videos. Colors come out natural and detail is hard to complain about if you shoot in normal lighting. There is also the possibility of blurring the background. The maximum resolution for video shooting is 4K. However, stabilization issues can occur when using this mode, camera shake is visible and detail is lost.

pros: separate slot for a memory card, beautiful design, juicy and bright screen.

Minuses: no wireless charging, users complain that apps cannot be transferred to the memory card.

1. HONOR 30S

• smartphone with Android 10
• support for two SIM-cards
• screen 6.5 ″, resolution 2400 × 1080
• four cameras 64 MP / 8 MP / 2 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
• memory 128 GB, slot for memory card
• 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• RAM 6 GB
• battery 4000 mAh

Take away wireless charging, optical zoom and water resistance from a top smartphone, but keep all other useful features like fast charging, contactless payments, a memory card slot and an excellent main camera. And get the HONOR 30S.

The back of the device, made of glossy plastic, looks very bright and stylish, which makes it an ideal choice for a present for a young man or girl, or anyone who pays special attention to the design of a smartphone.

The screen with an IPS-matrix and an oleophobic coating has impressive brightness and many customization options.

The Kirin 820 processor, coupled with 6 GB of RAM, is enough for fast switching between multiple applications and smooth gaming at maximum settings. Is that such "gluttonous monsters" as PUBG is better to run at medium settings in order to avoid a strong drop in fps.

The main thing in the camera block is a 64 MP sensor, which by default shoots with a resolution of 16 MP. He is "assisted" by a wide-angle 120-degree 8 MP camera, and two modules for creating portraits and macro photography. Effective Night Mode allows the HONOR 30S to capture high-quality images even in low light. Also, the user can record 4K video at 30 fps.

pros: The fingerprint scanner built into the power button works very quickly, there is a 5G module.

Minuses: no google services, no optical stabilization. To activate the maximum resolution of the main camera, you need to go deep into the settings.