15 Cool Budget Smartphones

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Convenient and functional gadgets for every taste.

1. ZTE Blade A51 Lite

• Display: IPS, 6.1 inches, 1,560 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: Octa-core UNISoC SC9863A.
• Memory: 2 GB RAM and 32 GB flash resources.
• Cameras: main - 13 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 3 200 mAh.
• System: Android 11 Go.

An ultra-budget smartphone that is suitable for undemanding users or is an excellent option for a spare device. Despite the modest characteristics, the gadget works quite smartly due to the simplified version of Android. The performance is quite enough for social networking, watching videos and playing simple games.

2. Nokia C20

• Display: IPS, 6.52 inches, 1600 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: Octa-core UNISoC SC9863A.
• Memory: 2 GB RAM and 32 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 5 megapixels; frontal - 5 megapixels.
• Battery: 3000 mAh.
• System: Android 11 Go.

This smartphone with a simple design with a large screen is positioned as a reliable workhorse. The gadget easily copes with everyday tasks like communicating in instant messengers and viewing social networks.

Features include a case included, as well as a removable back cover, which hides a replaceable battery and separate slots for two SIM cards and a memory card.

3. Xiaomi Redmi 9C

• Display: IPS, 6.53 inches, 1600 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core MediaTek Helio G35.
• Memory: 2 GB RAM and 32 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 13 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 5 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: MIUI 12 based on Android 10.

Stylish budget employee with a large display and NFC module. The model is equipped with a fingerprint scanner on the back, but it also supports face unlocking.

The performance of the smartphone is enough for basic tasks and simple games. But thanks to the capacious battery, autonomy easily reaches two days.

4. Realme C11 2021

• Display: IPS, 6.52 inches, 1600 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: Octa-core UNISoC SC9863.
• Memory: 2 GB RAM and 32 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 8 Mp; frontal - 5 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: Android 11.

Smart enough smartphone with an NFC-module for contactless payments and a nice structured plastic back. The gadget has a capacious battery, as well as a large and bright screen, on which it is convenient to flip through social networks and watch videos.

The performance here is at the standard level for state employees in the lower price segment: the interface, applications and the simplest games do not slow down, but you cannot count on more.

5. Oukitel C21

• Display: IPS, 6.4 inches, 2,310 x 1,080 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Mediatek Helio P60.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 16 + 2 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 20 megapixels.
• Battery: 4000 mAh.
• System: Android 10.

This balanced smartphone with a discreet design boasts an impressive high-resolution display and thin bezels. There is no NFC or wireless charging here, but there is a rather powerful processor and 4 GB of RAM that will cope with any task.

In the piggy bank of advantages there is a camera of four modules with a fingerprint scanner located next to it, as well as a USB-C port and a transparent case in the kit.

6. Oppo A15

• Display: 6.52 inches, 1600 x 720 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Mediatek Helio P35.
• Memory: 2 GB RAM and 32 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 13 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 5 megapixels.
• Battery: 4 230 mAh.
• System: ColorOS 7.2 based on Android 10.

Nice budget employee for those who need a large screen and do not need NFC. The display has a good margin of brightness. Cameras in normal lighting shoot very well, at dusk - worse, however, as with competitors.

The performance is sufficient for everyday tasks and 2D games. The set comes with a transparent case with sides around the perimeter to protect the screen from scratches.

7. Samsung Galaxy M12

• Display: PLS, 6.5 inches, 1600 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Samsung Exynos 850.
• Memory: 3 GB RAM and 32 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 5 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 6000 mAh.
• System: Android 11.

One of the most affordable models in the Galaxy lineup, the strengths of which are the large screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and high autonomy. The balanced hardware platform performs well with both applications and fairly demanding games.

The smartphone has a camera block of four modules, which allows, in addition to the usual ones, to take portrait and macro photos. For unlocking, there is a convenient fingerprint scanner built into the power button.

8. Nokia 5.4

• Display: IPS, 6, 39 inches, 1,560 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Qualcomm Snapdrapon 662.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 5 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 16 megapixels.
• Battery: 4000 mAh.
• System: Android 10.

A practical budget employee on pure Android, focused on users who value simplicity and reliability. The smartphone has an NFC-module, a fingerprint scanner, as well as good cameras and a capacious battery.

The performance of the device is more than enough to smoothly practice everyday tasks. Modern games run, but, of course, not at maximum graphics settings.

9. Xiaomi POCO M3

• Display: IPS, 6, 53 inches, 2,340 x 1,080 pixels.
• CPU: 8-core Qualcomm Snapdrapon 662.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 6000 mAh.
• System: Android 10.

A popular model with a memorable design, which is equipped with an impressive battery capacity. Other advantages of the smartphone include a powerful processor that can easily cope with the launch of heavy games, as well as stereo speakers and support for Hi-Res sound.

The main camera is supplemented with modules for macro photography and depth-of-field measurement. The power button has a built-in fingerprint scanner. There is an infrared port for controlling household appliances and a USB-C connector that supports fast charging at 18W.

10. Motorola Moto G9 Play

• Display: IPS, 6.5 inches, 1600 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Qualcomm Snapdrapon 662.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: Android 10.

A solid smartphone with well-thought-out ergonomics, a decent camera and pure Android. The speed of the hardware is more than enough for comfortable work and running any modern games. There is even a special game mode that starts automatically and helps you not to be distracted by notifications.

Both face and fingerprint unlocking is supported (the sensor is embedded in the corporate logo on the back panel). Provides an NFC chip, a USB-C connector and 15W fast battery charging. The charge lasts for 2-3 days, depending on the intensity of use of the gadget.

11. Xiaomi Redmi 9T

• Display: IPS, 6, 53 inches, 2,340 x 1,080 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Qualcomm Snapdrapon 662.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 6000 mAh.
• System: MIUI 12 based on Android 10.

An interesting model from Xiaomi, which boasts a large high-resolution display, a powerful (by the standards of state employees) processor and a long-lasting battery. A smartphone has everything you need - from an NFC module and a USB-C connector to a microSD slot and Hi-Res Audio support.

With such a capacious battery, the gadget will need to be charged once every two days, or even less often. At the same time, the manufacturer implemented the fast power-up technology and added a 22.5 W adapter to the kit.

12. Xiaomi POCO M3 Pro

• Display: IPS, 6.5 inches, 2,400 x 1,080 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core MediaTek Dimensity 700.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: MIUI 12 based on Android 11.

An updated version of the popular POCO M3 with many improvements. The smartphone is equipped with a high-resolution screen, which has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a large margin of brightness. The processor is energy efficient and fast in any task.

You can count on good shots with both the main and the front camera. There is also NFC, 5G and an 18W fast charge option.

13. Samsung Galaxy A22

• Display: Super AMOLED, 6.4 inches, 1600 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core MediaTek Helio G80.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 64 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 2 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 13 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: Android 11.

Sleek smartphone with a multi-layered plastic back that looks like glass. Equipped with a display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a brightness of 600 nits. The hardware filling allows you to comfortably work with several applications in multitasking mode and run even heavy games.

Responsible for the quality of images is a 48-megapixel camera, which has optical stabilization. There is also an NFC-module, a modern USB-C connector and support for fast power-up at a power of 15 watts. Even with active use, the charge lasts for two days.

14. Realme NARZO 30

• Display: IPS, 6.5 inches, 2,400 x 1,080 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core MediaTek Dimensity 700.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 128 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 16 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: Android 11.

Stylish smartphone with a large 90-Hz screen and a round cutout for the front camera. The performance of the gadget is sufficient for solving any tasks, including launching modern games with high settings. The camera produces an excellent picture, there are different shooting modes, including night.

A fingerprint scanner on the side is used for unlocking. There is USB-C and support for fast power-up: from the included adapter in a little less than half an hour, the battery restores the energy reserve by half.

15. Huawei P Smart 2021

• Display: IPS, 6.67 inches, 2,400 x 1,080 pixels.
• CPU: eight-core Huawei Kirin 710A.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM and 128 GB flash resources.
• Camera: main - 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 Mp; frontal - 8 megapixels.
• Battery: 5000 mAh.
• System: Android 10.

A balanced model with an impressive high-resolution display and a decent camera with a wide range of shooting modes. And although in terms of performance the gadget is inferior to competitors, it is more than enough for smooth operation and running modern games.

Thanks to the proprietary fast charging technology, just 10 minutes of recharge is enough for 2 hours of operation.

The smartphone does not have Google services, but this is unlikely to be a problem if you do not need some rare and specific applications.