Buying a low-cost smartphone no longer means losing all the latest features and performance.
And if you are looking to buy an inexpensive but good smartphone based on value for money, choose from our selection of the best budget smartphones of 2019. In it, we will look at the characteristics and tell you about the main pros and cons of the most popular models that you can buy for up to 10,000 rubles right now. And user reviews and ratings on Yandex.Market will help with this.
Read updated rating of the best budget smartphones of 2020.
10. ASUS Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL 3 / 32GB
The average price is 9,970 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.3 ″, resolution 1520 × 720
- dual camera 13 MP, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 3 GB
- battery 4000 mAh
- weight 160 g, WxHxT 76x158x7.70 mm
Judging by the screen size, this is perhaps the best budget smartphone of 2019. Only Vivo Y91c 4.0 and Huawei Y6 can compete with him in our top ten.
Despite the 4,000mAh battery, the handset weighs just 160g and is very comfortable to hold if you don't mind big screen phones.
At the rear, we find a 13MP + 2MP dual camera and LED flash, as well as a fingerprint sensor. On the front of the device is an 8MP selfie camera. According to the owners, both the main and front cameras take excellent pictures, which is a rarity for phones in this price category.
There are no stereo speakers, but there is one NXP SmartAMP speaker, which is loud enough and reproduces sound without distortion.
One of the highlights of the ZenFone Max (M2) is its 4,000mAh battery. Combined with the energy-efficient Snapdragon 632 processor and the near-standard Android interface, a charge will last for a couple of days of intensive use in most cases.
Pros: "naked" Android, a separate slot for a memory card, there is a possibility of face recognition.
Cons: Unlike its slightly more expensive cousin, the ZenFone Max Pro (M2), the Max (M2) doesn't offer Corning Gorilla Glass display protection. The display has only 260 ppi.
9. Vivo Y91c 4.0
The average price is 8 989 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.1
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.22 ″, resolution 1520 × 720
- 13 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 2 GB
- 4030 mAh battery
- weight 164 g, WxHxT 75.09 × 155.11 × 8.28 mm
Another "shovel" in the top of the best inexpensive smartphones of 2019. Separately, it is worth mentioning the aspect ratio of the screen - 19: 9, which makes the smartphone look even longer.
Otherwise, Vivo Y91c 4.0 is a solid middling. Like most models in the ranking of budget smartphones, it does not have a fingerprint sensor, but it has face recognition.
However, having saved on a fingerprint scanner, the manufacturer did not skimp on a protective case and a protective film (already applied to every new phone). Also included is a microUSB – USB cable and a USB power adapter.
The battery lasts for 2-3 days in medium intensity mode (without video and games).
The AI Selfie Camera automatically refreshes complexions and enhances facial features so you don't have to manually retouch your photos.
Pros: there is a slot for expanding memory, very loud and clear sound, no "garbage" applications.
Cons: there is no indicator of incoming notifications; instead, a flash alert is provided.
8. Honor 9 Lite 32GB
The average price is 9,960 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5.65 ″, resolution 2160 × 1080
- dual camera 13 MP / 2 MP, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 3 GB
- battery 3000 mAh
- weight 149 g, WxHxT 71.90x151x7.60 mm
This is one of the best budget smartphones of 2019 for price and quality. Its attractive design and dual main camera immediately grab attention. In general, Honor is famous for beautiful phones, to see this take a look at the Honor View 20 - one of the best smartphones for price and quality.
And the positive impression is only amplified when you find out that this model also has a 3.5 mm jack and even support for contactless payments via NFC. Not bad for a budget smartphone, right?
The main dual camera takes good pictures even in low light. The front camera shoots well, but it loves red very much, and in the photo it is a little more than necessary.
Pros: Premium design, large high-resolution display, fast fingerprint reader, great sound.
Cons: very slippery body, no separate slot for a memory card.
7. ASUS Zenfone Lite (L1) G553KL 2 / 32GB 5.0
The average price is 8 490 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5.5 ″
- 13 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 2 GB
- battery 3000 mAh
- weight 140 g, WxHxT 71.77 × 147.26 × 8.15 mm
ASUS has long established itself as a company that produces budget smartphones with a good camera. In 2019, the Zenfone Lite L1 (G553KL) smartphone, modest in appearance, appeared on the Russian market. This is the twin brother of L1 (ZA551KL), only there will be more memory.
The main 13-megapixel camera has eight built-in filters and a five-element lens, as well as an LED flash. There is also a portrait mode as well as an HDR mode. The front camera with a resolution of 5 MP takes average quality pictures.
The model comes in four colors - from pale pink and gold to blue and black.
Pros: there are no unnecessary applications, it works quickly, on a single charge it can work up to two days.
Cons: No fingerprint reader. Instead, there is face unlock.
6. Samsung Galaxy A10
The average price is 9,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Android smartphone
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.2 ″, resolution 1520 × 720
- 13 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 2 GB
- battery 3400 mAh
- weight 168 g, WxHxT 75.60 × 155.60 × 7.90 mm
The only representative of Samsung in the ranking of budget smartphones in 2019 appeared on the market quite recently. However, it quickly gained popularity thanks to its huge screen with an unusual aspect ratio of 19: 9, the presence of a rare 3.5 mm headphone jack, and an excellent 13-megapixel camera with an aperture of f / 1.9.
The main camera supports the usual Panorama and Video modes in addition to the special Low Light mode for night shooting. The Galaxy A10 also features a 5MP selfie camera.
The Exynos 7884 octa-core processor is comparable to the Snapdragon 450 in terms of performance.
Finally, the Galaxy A10 comes with Android 9 Pie and Samsung's One UI right out of the box.
Pros: Excellent Infinity-V display, capacious battery, and a hybrid memory card slot up to 512GB.
Cons: outdated micro-USB port, no fingerprint sensor, instead, users are offered a 2D face recognition system.
5.Xiaomi Redmi 6 3 / 32GB
The average price is 7,040 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.1
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5.45 ″, resolution 1440 × 720
- dual camera 12 MP / 5 MP, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 3 GB
- battery 3000 mAh
- weight 145 g, WxHxT 71.50 × 147.50 × 8.30 mm
The Chinese company Xiaomi (Xiaomi, Xiaomi, aka Shaomi - as you like) is confidently leading the top budget smartphones. And the point is not only in the low price, but also in the good characteristics of the devices.
So Redmi 6 has everything that most users need: a large and bright screen, a camera that allows you to take good pictures in normal lighting, not a top-end processor, but a fairly smart processor, a battery that holds a charge for at least a day with the most active use. There is also a fingerprint scanner, it works quickly and practically without interruptions.
Pros: solid assembly, separate slots for a SIM card and memory card, fits comfortably in the hand, does not lag if you do not play very "heavy" games.
Cons: easily soiled body, and there is no cover or bumper included, sometimes you have to increase the brightness of the screen indoors.
4.Xiaomi Redmi Go 1 / 8GB
The average price is 4 327 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.1
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5 ″, resolution 1280 × 720
- 8 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 8 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- the amount of RAM 1 GB
- battery 3000 mAh
- weight 137 g, WxHxT 70.10 × 140.40 × 8.35 mm
This is the cheapest smartphone among the budget novelties of 2019. Ideal as a gift for a child of school or college age - and looks beautiful and not so sorry if it gets broken or lost.
Despite the small size of the internal storage, this model has the ability to expand the memory up to 128 GB. Although the screen has an outdated aspect ratio (16: 9), it has natural color reproduction and a decent margin of brightness. In the mode of reading social networks and periodic calls, Redmi Go 1 / 8GB can easily last 2 days.
Pros: fits comfortably in the hand, works smartly out of the box.
Cons: no fingerprint scanner.
3.Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus 4 / 64GB
The average price is 9 850 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Android smartphone
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5.99 ″, resolution 2160 × 1080
- 12 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 64 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 4 GB
- battery 4000 mAh
- weight 180 g, WxHxT 75.45 × 158.50 × 8.05 mm
Another, and not the last model of Xiaomi in the ranking of high-quality and inexpensive smartphones in 2019. Like many other models of this company, it differs from a budget-friendly build quality, a large battery capacity and a memory card slot, albeit combined with a SIM-card.
That being said, the Redmi 5 Plus has something that many of the best budget smartphones lack - a huge 5.99-inch FHD + screen with an 18: 9 aspect ratio! Of course, no one wants an old-fashioned 16: 9 display in 2019.
In general, the 5 Plus is a very competent all-rounder, which can easily pull many games and provide you with beautiful photos and easily last all day when used "in the tail and in the mane".
Pros: a screen with good color reproduction, beautiful appearance, fast application performance, a good main camera, and a fingerprint sensor.
Cons: micro-USB charging connector.
2.Xiaomi Redmi 6A 2 / 16GB
The average price is 5 692 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Android smartphone
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5.45 ″, resolution 1440 × 720
- 13 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 16 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 2 GB
- battery 3000 mAh
- weight 145 g, WxHxT 71.50 × 147.50 × 8.30 mm
Both version 2/16 and its “older sister” (2 / 32GB) are loved by Russian users for a low price and great features. Redmi 6A is a budget smartphone with a good camera, lacking a fingerprint scanner, but equipped with a face recognition function.
The Redmi 6A comes with a 5.45-inch HD + display. This means you get 295 ppi. And while that may not sound good, remember that there are many phones on the market that cost more but have the same or slightly worse screen quality.
This phone has a 13MP rear camera with f / 2.2 aperture, which may not take the perfect picture for your Instagram, but is quite respectable compared to other cameras in inexpensive but good smartphones.
For selfies, it has a basic 5MP front-facing camera with the same aperture as the rear.
Pros: nice design, good quality rear camera shooting, battery power is enough for a day of active surfing.
Cons: face recognition does not always work reliably, microUSB connector, SIM card slot is combined with a memory card slot.
1. Huawei Y6 (2019)
The average price is 9 490 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.09 ″, resolution 1560 × 720
- 13 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 32 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 2 GB
- battery 3020 mAh
- weight 150 g, WxHxT 73.50 × 156.28 × 8 mm
Last year, the profitability of low-cost mobile phones was deemed too low, but the success of the Y-series convinced Huawei to launch another budget phone. He topped the top budget smartphones in 2019.
For less than 10 thousand rubles you will get a phone with a loud speaker (without wheezing and with a minimum of background noise during a conversation), a large screen and a fingerprint sensor. On a single charge, the device will last 2 days with moderate use and a whole day with intensive use.
The 2019 Y6 still has a 13-megapixel rear camera with f / 1.80 aperture, but the front-facing camera has grown from 5 to 8 megapixels. These are good specs for a smartphone in this price range.
The front camera takes pictures that are well lit in dark areas and overexposed in bright areas, thanks in part to the LED flash.
Pros: bright display, stylish and modern look due to narrower display bezels and leather-styled back cover, expandable memory up to 512 GB, comes with a screen protector.
Cons: outdated micro-USB connector, there are jams, selfie camera shots are not very detailed, but this should be expected from such a cheap smartphone.