Knowing which mobile phones have reliability issues can be critical when deciding which model to use. And so that you can purchase the longest-lived, well-built and tamper-resistant device, we have compiled a rating of the most reliable smartphones in 2019.
It is based on data from tests conducted by reputable publications such as WIRED, Telegraph and Tomsguide.
10. Apple iPhone XS Max
The average price is 98,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with iOS 12
- support for two SIM-cards (nano SIM + eSIM)
- screen 6.5 ″, resolution 2688 × 1242
- dual camera 12 MP / 12 MP, autofocus
- memory 256 GB, without slot for memory cards
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- weight 208 g, WxHxT 77.40 × 157.50 × 7.70 mm
One of the fastest and most powerful smartphones in the world is equipped with a 6-core Apple A12 processor, manufactured using 7nm technology. It works with 2x2.5 GHz Vortex cores and 4x1.6 GHz Tempest cores.
The XS Max has a completely bezel-less display (excluding the monobrow at the top) with an oleophobic, scratch-resistant coating.
Probably the most impressive feature of this iPhone model is the dual camera, which can shoot in slow motion and record 4K video. In terms of photo quality, it is included in top ten camera phones by DxOMark rating.
iPhone XS Max is IP68 certified, which means it is fully dustproof and can withstand submersion in water up to 2 meters for 30 minutes.
The XS is secured by facial recognition, which Apple claims has been tested on millions of faces and proven to work. The device also has excellent security support, as Apple encouraged many hackers to try to hack the device and find vulnerabilities that were then “patched”.
pros: Great sound from stereo speakers, large screen with vivid and vivid colors, cameras excel in low light conditions.
Minuses: Fast charging requires additional accessories.
9. Galaxy S10 Plus
The average price is 124,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.4 ″
- three cameras 16 MP / 12 MP / 12 MP, autofocus
- memory 1024 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 12 GB
- battery 4100 mAh
- weight 175 g, WxHxT 74.10 × 157.60 × 7.80 mm
One of best smartphones with a good camera and a powerful battery is similar to the XS in that it is more of an iteration of the previous Galaxy S9 than a completely new device.
The huge screen with Infinity-O design is great for those looking to watch movies or play games on their mobile phone. It has curved edges that have become standard on Samsung flagship models. You can click on them to bring up the most recently opened applications.
The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor sits underneath the 6.4-inch display of the Galaxy S10 Plus for quick device unlocking, while Wireless PowerShare lets you charge other devices wirelessly.
The Snapdragon 855 or Samsung Exynos 9820 chipset (depending on the region) delivers the best performance you'll ever see on an Android smartphone.
The imaging software turns any photo taken by the S10 Plus into a masterpiece of mobile photography. In a word, for a lot of money you get a mobile phone that is good in everything. And it will not require replacement for at least a couple of years.
pros: IP68 waterproof housing, great cameras, excellent battery life, headphone port.
Minuses: expensive.
8. Sony Xperia XZ3
The average price is 47,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6 ″, resolution 2880 × 1440
- 19 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 64 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 6 GB
- battery 3330 mAh
- weight 193 g, WxHxT 73x158x9.90 mm
Perhaps the best part of this phone is the OLED screen without the monobrow. It features perfect color reproduction, high maximum brightness and supports HDR content. And it also has an interesting feature called Dynamic Vibration. This is a system that makes the phone vibrate along with sounds, creating an immersive experience on the screen.
The processor in this model is last year's flagship Snapdragon 845, and while it is not as good as the Snapdragon 855, you will not notice any performance issues when launching applications or games.
The rear camera takes photos with natural tones, without overexposing at night, and has a macro mode that makes landscape shots look great. And a little about the sad thing: in macro mode, the camera cannot focus on a closely spaced small object.
A useful interface option is the ability to call up a quick application launch menu using a double tap on the rounded sides of the display.
pros: IP65 / 68 waterproof and dustproof housing, Qi wireless charging, fast charging.
Minuses: no face recognition, only an inconveniently located fingerprint scanner.
7. Google Pixel 3 XL
The average price is 56,790 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- screen 6.3 ″, resolution 2960 × 1440
- 12.20 MP camera, autofocus
- memory 128 GB, without slot for memory cards
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 4 GB
- battery 3430 mAh
- weight 184 g, WxHxT 76.70x158x7.90 mm
It may surprise you that this device is part of the list of the safest smartphones of 2019, but it is worth considering that it is backed by the corporation that created Android.
In terms of privacy and security, the Pixel 3 XL is one of the best devices on the mobile market. Users have complete control over any type of permissions requested by various programs.
In addition to this, the company has focused on reducing the amount of data the device sends to applications. This feature is very useful as there have been many reports of malicious apps getting the proper permissions and therefore being able to track various confidential information.
In terms of specs, the Pixel 3 XL has almost nothing to surprise us with. On board is the ex-flagship Snapdragon 845 processor and 4 GB of RAM, which is quite enough for comfortable everyday work and games. The battery can be charged using fast and wireless charging - this is already the standard for expensive smartphones.
But not every smartphone can boast of the same good front and rear cameras. Whether it's portraits, friendly photos taken for Instagram, or photos taken in night mode, the Pixel 3 XL makes it hard to ruin a shot.
pros: Good sound from stereo speakers, IP68 dust and water resistance, very bright OLED screen.
Minuses: no headphone jack, not too large battery.
6. Honor View 20
The average price is 34,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.4 ″, resolution 2310 × 1080
- dual camera 48 MP, autofocus
- memory 256 GB, without slot for memory cards
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 8 GB
- battery 4000 mAh
- weight 180 g, WxHxT 75.40 × 156.90 × 8.10 mm
This smartphone has three significant advantages.
The first is an affordable price, given the excellent performance.
The second is the original design, which immediately distinguishes this smartphone from other models. Thanks to the Aurora nano-coating, light is refracted in the form of a V-shaped lens flare.
And the third is an incredible main camera, with hundreds of different built-in filters, and support for AI functions. As an auxiliary assistant to the main 48 MP sensor, a 3D ToF camera is used, which allows you to work with three-dimensional objects in real time.
The large frameless display with a neat hole for the selfie camera is very comfortable to watch videos and read texts. You can manually adjust the brightness and color temperature if necessary.
The powerful HiSilicon Kirin 980 mobile platform allows the View 20 to handle heavy-duty gaming and multiple open mobile apps at the same time without freezing or stuttering. And the liquid cooling system provides efficient heat dissipation.
pros: there is a 3.5 mm audio connector, long autonomy, support for fast charging, there is a face unlock.
Minuses: The case is not protected against water and dust.
5. OnePlus 7 Pro
The average price is 51,200 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.67 ″, resolution 3120 × 1440
- three cameras 48 MP / 8 MP / 16 MP, autofocus
- memory 256 GB, without slot for memory cards
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 8 GB
- battery 4000 mAh
- weight 206 g, WxHxT 75.90 × 162.60 × 8.80 mm
OnePlus doesn't make many mobile phones, but each of the newly released models is becoming quite popular. The explanation is simple: the manufacturer manages to combine flagship features with a relatively low cost.
So OnePlus 7 Pro pleases with the latest Snapdragon 855 processor, plenty of RAM, a huge AMOLED screen with a small teardrop notch and a refresh rate of 90 Hz.
The three rear cameras take the best shots we've ever seen on a OnePlus model, and the selfie camera only pops up when you need it, freeing up more screen space.
pros: Face unlock, pop-up camera doesn't look useless, great low light photos, fast charging.
Minuses: no waterproof.
4. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
The average price is 17,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.3 ″, resolution 2340 × 1080
- dual camera 48 MP / 5 MP, autofocus
- memory 128 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 4 GB
- battery 4000 mAh
- weight 186 g, WxHxT 75.21 × 159.21 × 8.10 mm
Xiaomi is one of the leaders in the mobile market. And she has enough inexpensive and high-quality models of smartphones. However, Redmi Note 7 is especially loved by users for its almost impeccable value for money. Almost - because some cheaper models have an NFC chip. In this one, no.
However, this is perhaps all that Redmi Note 7 can be criticized for. After all, in other respects it is very good.
- Looking for a large screen with high contrast ratio (1460: 1) and plenty of brightness (500 cd / m2)? You are welcome. Lovers of customization can play around with adjusting the color temperature and contrast.
- Need your smartphone to work all day and support fast charging? And this is about Redmi Note 7.
- Do you need the power of the processor and video processor to ensure that games on medium and high settings do not slow down? Done.
- Do you need the camera to take pictures that you will not be ashamed to post on a social network? The Redmi Note 7 has an excellent camera (only it shoots at 12MP by default, not 48MP) with artificial intelligence mode and good noise reduction. To activate shooting at 48 MP, you need to go to Pro-mode and select the desired option.
To summarize the above: Redmi Note 7 is a great budget smartphone, suitable for work, games and photography.
pros: 3.5mm audio jack, face unlock, capacious battery.
Minuses: no NFC, no waterproof, although the combo SIM / microSD slot has a rubber cap.
3. Nokia 9 PureView
The average price is 49,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 5.99 ″, resolution 2960 × 1440
- five cameras 12 MP, autofocus
- memory 128 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 6 GB
- battery 3320 mAh
- weight 172 g, WxHxT 75x155x8 mm
The Nokia brand has long been a symbol of quality in the mobile phone market. However, in order to keep on an equal footing with the fiercely conquering the world of the Chinese, the pretentious iPhones and the handsome South Korean Samsungs, Nokia had to offer users something more than just a good smartphone.
As a result, the PureView model was born, equipped with five cameras on the back. It consists of three monochrome sensors and two color sensors. Thanks to all this richness, photographs have a very wide dynamic range, and a low level of noise even in low light.
An interesting feature of the main camera software is the ability to adjust the level of background blur (bokeh) both in intensity and location.
However, due to the large number of cameras, the processing time for images has increased significantly, and takes about 5-10 seconds.
Apparently, for the sake of the price, Nokia put last year's Snapdragon 845 chipset into PureView, and not the current top-end Snapdragon 855. But even taking this into account, the smartphone has enough power for a couple of years at least.
The P-OLED display has good viewing angles, a huge margin of brightness (600 cd / m2) and excellent color reproduction.
pros: protection of the case according to the IP67 standard, a minimum of pre-installed applications, there is a wireless and fast charging.
Minuses: no analog audio jack, sub-screen scanner is slow and not always the first time.
2.Ulefone Armor 6
The average price is 22,490 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 8.1
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.2 ″, resolution 2246 × 1080
- dual camera 16 MP / 8 MP, autofocus
- memory 128 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 6 GB
- battery 5000 mAh
- weight 267.50 g, WxHxT 83x166x13.30 mm
If by reliability you mean a shock-resistant and water-resistant case, then there is no better smartphone than Ulefone Armor 6. It is IP68 waterproof and dustproof, MIL-STD-810 certified (withstands strong vibrations and even nearby explosions), and IP69K rated for high pressure and high temperature.
The Ulefone Armor 6 display is protected by bulging protectors that will absorb most of the impact when dropped. And the protective glass will withstand even impact on the corner of the table.
And even if you are not going to expose your mobile phone to extreme tests, but want to quietly and peacefully play "Tanks" or another popular game - no problem. The MediaTek Helio P60 processor does not promise performance miracles, but it does an excellent job with games at medium settings.
As befits a modern device, Ulefone Armor 6 supports contactless payments, and also has a pretty decent camera with optical stabilization. It can record 720p video at 30 fps.
In addition to a capacious (and removable!) Battery, this model is equipped with a built-in radio and, of course, a flashlight. Moreover, Ulefone Armor 6 has not only fast, but also wireless charging, which not all smartphones can boast of.
pros: powerful sound from the speakers, convenient and intuitive control with mechanical buttons, bright screen, face unlock.
Minuses: there is no mini-jack, you will have to use a USB Type-C adapter (included in the kit).
1. Huawei P30 Pro
The average price is 69,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- smartphone with Android 9.0
- support for two SIM-cards
- screen 6.47 ″, resolution 2340 × 1080
- three cameras 40 MP / 20 MP / 8 MP, autofocus
- memory 256 GB, memory card slot
- 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
- RAM 8 GB
- battery 4200 mAh
- weight 192 g, WxHxT 73.40x158x8.41 mm
Here is the most reliable smartphone of 2019, both in terms of build quality, photo and video quality, and battery. And its luxurious aluminum and glass design with a full bezel-less display looks luxurious and expensive.
The P30 Pro offers four rear lenses - a 40MP camera, an ultra wide-angle camera and a telephoto lens, as well as a time-of-flight sensor.
Particularly impressive is the telephoto lens, which has a 5x optical zoom for capturing images from afar.You can also use 10x or even 50x magnification (although we don't recommend going beyond 10x).
The battery life is at least one day of intensive use.
The in-display fingerprint sensor is faster than Samsung. And the performance is flawless thanks to Huawei's current flagship, the Kirin 980 processor.
Although this model is certified according to the IP68 standard, Huawei explained that the device will withstand immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes (everything is standard here), and the difference in temperature and water should not exceed 5 degrees. But this is already non-standard, since this is not in the requirements of tests for compliance with IP68. This is likely a loophole that will allow the Chinese manufacturer to dodge claims from users who drown their smartphones.
pros: face unlock, long-lasting battery, OLED display with plenty of brightness and good viewing angles.
Minuses: you will have to do without a 3.5 mm audio jack.
What problems most often arise with smartphones
The which.co.uk smartphone reliability survey shows that if you have a problem with your mobile phone, it is most likely battery-related. Batteries that refuse to charge (or lose power quickly) account for 18% of reported bugs in a survey of handset owners such as Apple, Samsung, Huawei and Motorola.
Unfortunately, there are many other issues that can affect smartphone performance.
- About 13% of survey participants noted the problem with the phone freezing and inability to use it.
- Another 7% of those surveyed mentioned problems with specific applications such as email client, music player, and web browser.
Unfortunately, even the most reliable smartphones can fail. However, exactly what they can, and not necessarily will be, like noun-name devices made "on the knee of Uncle Liao." Therefore, do not regret that you overpaid a couple of thousand rubles for a well-known and respected brand. It will come out in the end cheaper than paying for repairs or buying a new device.