The best Chinese smartphones of 2021: our top rating

realme 7 Pro 8/128GB

realme has already become very popular in the Russian market. And here is an interesting smartphone - realme 7 Pro.

In general, in technical terms, the smartphone is very similar to the previous generation model. For example, it uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of main memory. The screen diagonal has decreased slightly, but the display is AMOLED, and not IPS, as it was before. The case design is completely new.

The camera also has 4 modules, but there is no longer a telephoto camera among them. However, the device still removes well. Battery capacity - 4500 mAh.

• Screen diagonal: 6.4 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 182 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 4500 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 64/8/2/2 MP

• Front camera: 32 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 6/128GB

Launched at the end of October, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 has increased in size compared to previous models: the diagonal is almost 6.4 inches with an aspect ratio of 19.5 to 9.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 received an improved front camera with an additional lens

The phone also has a new dual 24 + 2 MP front camera, the second lens contributes to improved and faster focus for selfie photos. It's not so simple with the main camera either. Both lenses are 12 megapixels from Sony, but the first has a focal length of 27 mm at f/1.8, and the second has 56 mm at f/2.4, plus an optical zoom without loss of image quality.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 camera is capable of taking bright photos even in the dark

Otherwise, the smartphone remains the same, albeit much heavier than its predecessors - 218 grams can already be felt.

Main characteristics of the smartphone:

• memory - 8/128 GB;
• processor – Snapdragon 845 (4 x 1.8 GHz + 4 x 2.8 GHz), Adreno 630;
• cameras - front 24 + 2 MP, main 12 + 12 MP;
• battery capacity - 3200 mAh;
• Dimensions: 218 grams, 157.89 x 74.69 x 8.46 mm.

Short review and camera test of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 smartphone - video

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC 6/128GB

The device is from one of the Xiaomi brands - Poco.

At its price point, the Poco X3 NFC may surprise. So, it received stereo speakers and even splash protection (IP53). The design of the back cover, including the camera module, is very unusual. The camera itself has 4 sensors: main, ultra-wide-angle, macro and depth sensor. It takes pictures very well.

The smartphone is equipped with a 6.67-inch diagonal IPS matrix and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G chip, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. A powerful 5160 mAh battery with fast charging is installed.

• Screen diagonal: 6.67 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 215 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 5160 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 64/13/2/2 MP

• Front camera: 20 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Rating of the TOP 15 best Chinese smartphones for 2021

This rating includes the best Chinese smartphones today according to experts and ordinary users.

Huawei P40 Pro

Huawei has a lot of great smartphones in its lineup. P40 Pro is one of the flagships.

Like previous models like the P30 Pro, it has a superb camera that puts it on par with the best camera phones in the world. The camera has 4 modules: main, wide, telephoto and depth sensor. The front camera is dual and takes very good pictures too.

Since this is a flagship, you will find fast and wireless charging, a gorgeous OLED screen, a powerful platform based on the HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G chipset and 8 GB of RAM, and there is even water protection.

• Screen diagonal: 6.58 inches

• Screen resolution: 2640×1200

• Weight: 209 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G

• Memory capacity: 256 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 4200 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 50/40/12 MP + 3D Depth

• Front camera: 32 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Vivo

This company introduced its first product in 2009. Vivo products have taken root in South Asian countries, but later the company announced plans to enter the Russian market. Now Vivo smartphones are gaining more and more popularity among Russians. They are sold primarily online, so they are not as easy to find in regular electronics stores.

Vivo has some pretty good models. They are provided below.

• Vivo X50 Pro+

  The 2021 flagship is characterized by many advantages: cute design, fast charging, trendy Snapdragon processor, bright display. High-quality materials were used during assembly. In different lighting conditions, high-quality images are obtained: colors are contrasting and deep. The disadvantages include the lack of slots for headphones, memory cards, stereo speakers and wireless charging. The gadget's body is not protected from dust and moisture.

  Vivo X50 Pro+ officially presented

• Vivo iQoo Neo 3

  Positioned as the cheapest device with a Snapdragon 865 chip. The battery capacity is 4500 mAh. Received a 144 Hz IPS display, similar to the Nubia Red Magic, 12 GB of RAM and a 256 GB drive. The battery capacity becomes 4500 mAh. There is also an installed cooling system. Considered an excellent gaming option.

  Vivo iQoo Neo 3 5G - gaming smartphone with 144 Hz screen

• Vivo S6 5G

  Another representative of 5G gadgets. The manufacturer has improved the model with the best technologies: Multi-Turbo against overheating, a capacious battery for long-term operation, a universal camera with 4 modules, fast charging, a 32 MP selfie camera.

  Vivo S6 5G Official Introduction

• Vivo iQOO

  Released in 2019, this is a solid smartphone for a serious person. Check out this smartphone with three cameras, a capacious battery and a 2K display for yourself by ordering it at a price of 24 thousand Russian rubles on AliExpress.

  Vivo iQOO review

BUY Vivo iQOO Neo SMARTPHONE

• Vivo NEX

  – a good device with average characteristics, having two cameras and a clear display with a resolution of 1080 by 2316 pixels. There is NFC, but there is no slot for a memory card.

  10 Chinese Smartphone Manufacturers: Vivo Nex Review

  Read also:  How to repair an LCD or CRT TV yourself

BUY XIAOMI MI 10 PRO SMARTPHONE

• Redmi Note 9 Pro 6/64GB

  In terms of its characteristics, it does not lag behind those mentioned above. You can highly appreciate the 5020 mAh battery and the quad camera with a 64 MP sensor, macro photography and wide-angle optics. A special merit is the permanent memory of 64 GB.

  Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

• Mi Note 10 Lite 6/128GB

  A smartphone with a non-removable 5260 mAh battery, a good rear camera (minimum aperture 1.89 and maximum video resolution 3840 by 2160) and a modest Snapdragon 730G processor.

  Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite review

• Xiaomi CC9 Pro

  Perhaps it is worth highlighting the CC9 Pro model, which many critics call “one of the best camera phones in the world.” Judge for yourself - this smartphone is the very first “owner” of a camera with a resolution of, attention, 108 megapixels! In addition to the ability to take sharp photos and videos, the product stands out from others due to its interesting design (the display has curved edges that light up when you receive a notification or an incoming call) and the presence of shock-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides.

  Xiaomi CC9 Pro(Mi Note 10) Review

  BUY Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro SMARTPHONE

Honor 30 Pro+ 8/256GB

Honor is a brand owned by Huawei that produces excellent smartphones. And 30 Pro+ is the brand’s flagship.

Honor 30 Pro+ is in many ways reminiscent of the Huawei P40 Pro: HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G processor, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of ROM, almost the same OLED screen, although the cameras are a little simpler and resemble those in the Huawei P40 (not the Pro version). All you need to know about the camera is that it takes great pictures, this is a real flagship level.

Splash protection IP54 is declared, there are stereo speakers, fast and wireless charging.

• Screen diagonal: 6.57 inches

• Screen resolution: 2340×1080

• Weight: 190 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G

• Memory capacity: 256 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 50/16/8 MP

• Front camera: 32 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Huawei P20 Pro

Huawei's flagship, codenamed P20 Pro, is the epitome of a camera phone in the modern world. In terms of hardware, there is not much in common with other smartphones in the P20 line, except perhaps the processor, front camera and battery. As for the rest, everything varies.

Huawei P20 Pro has a triple main camera

The Pro's diagonal extends to 6.1 inches, which is significantly larger than the average model. Also noteworthy is the smartphone’s triple lens, with a total size of 68 megapixels (40+20+8). This camera is considered one of the best in the world. Shooting is carried out mainly with a 40 megapixel lens, but truly high-quality photos are obtained thanks to the integrated actions of all three lenses. The 20 MP lens is more light-sensitive with a 1/2.7″ matrix, and its bright aperture is f/1.6. All this improves the detail of the pictures and makes them brighter.

Huawei P20 Pro camera is considered one of the best for smartphones

Main characteristics of the smartphone:

• memory - 6/128 GB;
• processor - HUAWEI Kirin 970 (8 x 2.3 GHz), Mali-G72 MP12;
• cameras - front 24 MP, main 40 + 20 + 8 MP;
• battery capacity - 4000 mAh;
• Dimensions - 180 grams, 155.0 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm.

Huawei P20 Pro smartphone camera test - video

OPPO A53 4/64GB

OPPO A53 will be remembered as one of the first low-cost smartphones to support 90Hz refresh rate in the low-cost segment.

Overall, this is a good smartphone: it has a good 6.5-inch matrix, a good platform based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chip, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of ROM, as well as a powerful 5000 mAh battery and 18 W charging.

At the back there is a scanner and a triple main camera. It shoots normally for its segment.

• Screen diagonal: 6.5 inches

• Screen resolution: 1600×720

• Weight: 186 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 460

• Memory capacity: 64 GB

• RAM capacity: 4 GB

• Battery capacity: 5000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 64/13/5 MP

• Front camera: 20 MP

• Memory card support: no

OnePlus 6 6/64GB

OnePlus is new to the smartphone market, having only released its first device in 2014.

OnePlus 6 6/64GB - a powerful smartphone from a market newcomer

OnePlus 6 is a model with an updated camera and an enhanced Snapdragon 845 processor from Qualcomm. The smartphone is very large, with a screen diagonal of almost 6.3 inches, which is not comfortable for every hand. However, the enlarged display helps you choose the angle of the photo, so the photos turn out more successful and colorful. The main camera has two lenses of 16 and 20 megapixels. The first has optical optimization, F/1.7 aperture and focusing at a distance of 25 mm. The second differs from the first only in the number of megapixels and the lack of optimization. However, such a tandem is great for both macro photography and landscape photos.

The video camera is also at its best: the maximum expansion when shooting 60 frames per second is 3840 × 2160 pixels. The smartphone received all three lenses from Sony

Main characteristics of the smartphone:

• memory - 6/64 GB;
• processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (4 x 2.8 GHz + 4 x 1.8 GHz), Adreno 630;
• cameras - front 16 MP, main 16 + 20 MP;
• battery capacity - 3300 mAh;
• Dimensions: 177 grams, 155.7 x 75.4 x 7.75 mm.

OnePlus 6 smartphone camera test - video

OnePlus 8 Pro 8/128GB

OnePlus 8 Pro is one of the most powerful smartphones in the world. However, like smartphones of previous generations.

The super-powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset is responsible for the performance here; the memory capacity in this version is 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. There are stereo speakers, fast and wireless charging, a powerful battery, and an on-screen scanner.

OnePlus 8 Pro stands out for its chic AMOLED screen with very high maximum brightness, as well as support for 120 Hz. The camera shoots at the level of other top flagships.

• Screen diagonal: 6.78 inches

• Screen resolution: 3168×1440

• Weight: 199 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 4510 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 48/48/8/5 MP

• Front camera: 16 MP

• Memory card support: no

TOP 3 best Chinese smartphones with a good camera

In 2021, having a high-quality camera is not so much a whim as a necessity, because many people travel, create content for the general public and need the camera to have, if not a professional level of shooting, then something close to it.

The TOP 3 included flagships from Chinese brands that distinguished themselves with the best cameras.

OnePlus 8 Pro 12/256GB

A gadget with a large, rich screen with excellent performance: QHD+, HDR10+, 120 Hz, 800 cd/m2, resolution

3168x1440 pixels. Photos and videos are bright and clear, with good color reproduction, absence of color noise and high detail.

The gadget responsibly holds a charge throughout the day, charges quickly, and provides good responsiveness and sensitivity of tactile sensors. The smartphone also picks up the signal perfectly, has good communication capabilities and processor potential.

To summarize, we can say that the smartphone is worth its price and is a flagship, at least within the OnePlus framework.

Specifications:

• screen resolution: 3168×1440;
• RAM: 12 GB;
• built-in memory: 256 GB;
• processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865;
• battery capacity: 4510 mAh.

pros

• availability of 5G chipset X55;
• support 4G LTE, 5G, LTE-A Cat. 18;
• moisture and dust protection IP68;
• capacious battery;
• comfortable, reliable case with a large screen.

Minuses

• the camera sometimes turns yellow;
• slips in your hand.

HUAWEI P40 Pro

A smartphone with a laconic design, good cameras with a wide range of settings, flash and

additional features, rich display.
In some conditions, the picture may seem dull, but by adjusting a number of parameters, saturation and color rendition improve.
The device produces good performance indicators, is fast, and does not slow down. In addition, the manufacturer has provided IP68 protection from moisture and dust, a tray for 2 SIM cards, a memory card slot, and wireless and fast charging functions.

Specifications:

• screen resolution: 2640×1200;
• RAM: 8 GB;
• built-in memory: 256 GB;
• processor: HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G;
• battery capacity: 4200 mAh.

pros

• wireless and fast charging functions;
• Supports 2 SIM cards and eSIM cards;
• support 4G LTE, 5G;
• high-quality camera zoom;
• many display settings.

Minuses

• no 3.5 mm jack;
• high price.

Xiaomi Mi 10 8/256GB

One of the best Chinese-made smartphones, deserving the title of flagship. Its advantages are the flagship Snapdragon 865 processor, a high-quality linear vibration motor, high-quality stereo speakers and a 108 MP camera.

The body consists of Gorilla Glass 5 and metal. The user will appreciate the presence of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, cameras with excellent capabilities and a good set of settings, a capacious battery, wireless charging, a bright and rich display with a frequency of 90 Hz and good PWM, and no heating during operation.

Specifications:

• screen resolution: 2340×1080;
• RAM: 8 GB;
• built-in memory: 256 GB;
• processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865;
• battery capacity: 4780 mAh.

pros

• wireless and fast charging functions;
• large screen with AMOLED display;
• convenient location of the fingerprint scanner;
• large memory reserve;
• good sound from stereo speakers.

Minuses

• no moisture protection;
• high price.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 8/256GB

Xiaomi is expanding its Mi 10 lineup, recently introducing a new T Pro model at the end. What is she like?

Mi 10T Pro is a little simpler than the flagship Mi 10. For example, the processor is the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, the amount of memory in this version is the same - 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of main memory. The camera is not that good, and there is no wireless charging at all. But the Mi 10T Pro has a much lower cost, a very interesting back cover design, and an IPS matrix that supports a screen refresh rate of 144 Hz! But it is worth noting that the Mi 10 uses an OLED screen.

The battery capacity of the Mi 10T Pro is higher and is 5000 mAh.

• Screen diagonal: 6.67 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 218 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

• Memory capacity: 256 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 5000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 108/13/5 MP

• Front camera: 20 MP

• Memory card support: no

Vivo X50 Pro

• Display: 6.56 inches, FHD+, AMOLED
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G
• Memory (RAM/ROM): 8 GB and 128/256 GB
• Camera (main/front): 48+13+8+8 MP / 32 MP
• Battery: 4315 mAh
• OS: Android 10
• Features: mechanical stabilization system for the main camera, which allows you to get clear, high-quality pictures and smooth video without shaking.

Price: from 58,990 rubles.

Vivo X50 Pro comes with a nice design and a body that is pleasant to the touch. The latter consists of metal side frames, two types of glass - protective at the front and satin at the back, a large block of cameras with four modules and a screen with curved corners. It is convenient to use such a device - it lies confidently and does not slip in the hand.

The phone's screen is large and bright, and images are displayed in a fairly balanced gamma and with good saturation. In general, watching your favorite series or movie, as well as video chatting with friends on such a display is a pleasure.

The Vivo X50 Pro is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G processor. This is not the top-end chipset, but in real-world use the gadget feels responsive and fast, and works without noticeable lags.

The main camera of the smartphone contains four modules with laser autofocus. They provide high-quality photographs – especially if you take pictures during the day in sunny weather.

The flagship uses a 4315 mAh battery. This is enough for the user to go without recharging the phone for one and a half to two days under moderate load.

Advantages:

• Excellent build quality, ergonomic design.
• Large, high-quality screen.
• Availability of NFC.
• Fast charging support.
• Excellent main camera.

Flaws:

• Not the most productive platform.
• High price.
• No wireless charging.
• No protection against dust and water.

vivo V20

vivo V20 will appeal primarily to those users who like to take selfies, because this is a real selfie phone.

The front camera is single, but it is a very good 44 MP module with autofocus, which allows you to take excellent pictures. The main module of the main camera also takes good pictures.

We note a powerful 33 W power adapter, a 6.44-inch OELD display, a powerful platform based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chip and 8 GB of RAM.

• Screen diagonal: 6.44 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 171 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 64/8/2 MP

• Front camera: 44 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Huawei Mate 10

Huawei is one of the most famous companies on the market. Partly due to its innovations, partly due to the trade war that the United States unleashed against the company.

Huawei Mate 10 is a smartphone with one of the highest ppi parameters ever created

As for the Mate 10 smartphone, it was introduced at the end of 2021, but even in 2021, device sales remain stable compared to competitors. Several factors contribute to this: firstly, the excellent dual camera 20+12 megapixels. With more than clear pictures and great opportunities for image enlargement. Optics in the main lenses are from Leica Summilux-H, f/1.6 aperture, optical optimization on each. The camera has hybrid autofocus, which consists of four different types.

Example photo of Huawei Mate 10 smartphone

Secondly, a new, at that time, screen of 5.9 inches and an extension of 2560 x 1440. Simple calculations show a pixel density of 499 ppi, and this is the envy of some devices even now.

Main characteristics of the smartphone:

• memory - 4/64 GB;
• processor – Kirin 970 (4 x 1.8 GHz + 4 x 2.3 GHz), MPI Mali-G72 MP12;
• cameras - front 8 MP, main 20 +12 MP;
• battery capacity - 4000 mAh;
• Dimensions - 186 grams, 150.5 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm.

Honor 30i

A fresh and relatively inexpensive model in the Honor range.

The main feature is the OLED screen, which is not yet so common on inexpensive devices. By the way, the resolution of the 6.3-inch screen is 2400×1080 pixels.

The device is powered by the well-known HiSilicon Kirin 710F chipset, the memory capacity is 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. The battery capacity is 4000 mAh, there is fast charging. On-screen fingerprint scanner.

The main camera is triple, it takes good pictures.

• Screen diagonal: 6.3 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 172 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 710

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 4 GB

• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 48/8/2 MP

• Front camera: 16 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Huawei

This company was founded in the 80s and has been on the Russian market for a long time. Below is information about its products.

Honor 9X 4/128GB

Do you remember how recently manufacturers began to immediately release a lot of models with a retractable front camera? Apparently, those days are behind us - today there are few such smartphones on sale. Honor 9X is one of them. Thanks to the absence of a camera and sensors on the screen, there are no notches.

The smartphone itself turned out to be very stylish – especially in blue. Screen diagonal is 6.59 inches, high resolution. Honor 9X is powered by a HiSilicon Kirin 710F processor, memory capacity is 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. The battery capacity is 4000 mAh; as far as we know, there is no support for fast charging.

As for the camera, it is double and takes pictures usually.

• Screen diagonal: 6.59 inches

• Screen resolution: 2340×1080

• Weight: 197 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 710

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 4 GB

• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

• Rear camera: dual 48/2 MP

• Front camera: 16 MP

• Memory card support: yes

TOP 3 best Chinese smartphones with NFC

NFC is a special type of communication that allows you to make, for example, contactless payments. In 2021, this function can safely be called necessary for modern mobile phones.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 6/128GB

A light, thin phone with a large screen, a quad camera and a capacious battery is suitable not only for

solving standard problems, but also for running games.

Note 8 Pro is a device with a 64-megapixel Samsung camera with its own pixel binning technology. This feature ensures high-quality images even in the dark or poor light.

The design of the model is good, the side panels are made of plastic, and the body itself is made of glass. There is a 3.5 mm audio jack at the bottom, and there is also support for USB Power Delivery fast charging. The processor is very powerful, and the camera allows you to create high-quality photos and videos.

Specifications:

• screen resolution: 2340×1080;
• RAM: 6 GB;
• built-in memory: 128 GB;
• processor: MediaTek Helio G90T;
• battery capacity: 4500 mAh.

pros

• large screen with good color rendering;
• smooth interface;
• camera quality;
• reliable tempered glass body.

Minuses

• There are many pre-installed applications that cannot be removed.

HUAWEI Nova 5T

The distinctive features of this smartphone are a bright, juicy body, a large display, long work without

recharging and a high-quality screen with an IPS matrix.

The model demonstrates excellent signal quality, high speed without errors or slowdowns even when running “heavy” applications, and top color rendition when taking pictures from both the main and front cameras.

The manufacturer has provided many personal settings, including sound, graphics, camera settings and others.

Specifications:

• screen resolution: 2340×1080;
• RAM: 6 GB;
• built-in memory: 128 GB;
• processor: HiSilicon Kirin 980;
• battery capacity: 3750 mAh.

pros

• reliable metal case;
• protective case included;
• capacious battery;
• high quality camera;
• affordable price.

Minuses

• no memory card slot.

HONOR 9X 4/128GB

A good option for those who value, first of all, a large screen with thin bezels in a smartphone.

with adequate color rendition for little money.

Honor 9X contains all the necessary functions and capabilities for its price segment: 2 cameras and one front camera, good power and speed in multitasking mode, a good processor with a graphics accelerator.

You can insert 2 SIM cards or 1 SIM card and a memory card into the device. There is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, sufficient memory and battery capacity, which will be enough for the whole day.

Specifications:

• screen resolution: 2340×1080;
• RAM: 4 GB;
• built-in memory: 128 GB;
• processor: HiSilicon Kirin 710F, 2200 MHz;
• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh.

pros

• large, rich screen with highly detailed multimedia;
• fast response of the unlock scanner and sensor;
• high speed;
• does not heat up;
• charges quickly.

Minuses

• Insufficient speaker volume.

ZTE Blade 20 Smart

ZTE has produced an excellent device - with good characteristics and low cost.

The Blade 20 Smart has a cool design, several colors to choose from, a solid 6.49-inch screen, and a fairly powerful platform for such an inexpensive device: MediaTek Helio P60 chip, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM.

There is a scanner, NFC and a good triple camera. Interestingly, experts singled out the wide-angle module - it takes better pictures than many more expensive models.

• Screen diagonal: 6.49 inches

• Screen resolution: 1560×720

• Weight: 190 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: MediaTek Helio P60

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 4 GB

• Battery capacity: 5000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 16/8/2 MP

• Front camera: 8 MP

• Memory card support: yes

HUAWEI P40 - photo flagship of 2021

Price:

35 679

The model of the Chinese brand is made in a beautiful thin case made of metal and glass with gradient colors. On the front it is decorated with a 6.1-inch OLED display

With a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels, the picture on it is bright and detailed.
In addition to two Nano SIM cards, you can install MicroSD, although 128 GB of internal memory will be plenty. The phone received top-end hardware, advanced wireless communications and top-end cameras (3 main ones of 50, 16, 8 megapixels
and one
selfie of 32 megapixels
).
They can produce photos and videos of the highest quality under any conditions. System performance is guaranteed by an 8-core processor combined with 8 GB of
RAM.
The 3800 mAh battery
supports fast charging.

This is interesting: A rating of the best Realme models has appeared

Pros:

• Best video and photo quality;
• A decent selfie camera that can record 4K video;
• Slow motion at 7680 fps;
• Fast, reverse and wireless charging;
• Well-calibrated OLED display;
• Moisture protection.

Minuses:

• No Google services.

Blackview BV9500 Plus

A smartphone with one of the most capacious batteries on the market - 10,000 mAh! Both fast and wireless charging are supported, despite the low cost of the smartphone.

As you can see in the image below, this device comes in a shockproof case and is also waterproof. Considering the large battery, you should not be surprised at the weight - more than 350 g.

The BV9500 Plus received a 5.7-inch high-resolution display, a scanner, a good platform based on the MediaTek Helio P70 chipset and 4 GB of RAM, there is even an NFC sensor.

• Screen diagonal: 5.7 inches

• Screen resolution: 2160×1080

• Weight: 365 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: MediaTek Helio P70

• Memory capacity: 64 GB

• RAM capacity: 4 GB

• Battery capacity: 10000 mAh

• Rear camera: dual 16/0.3 MP

• Front camera: 13 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Smartphones: Guide to Chinese brands

Whenever we talk about smartphones, three giants immediately come to mind: Apple, Samsung and Nokia. Of course, the last brand is just a joke; in fact, Huawei can safely be called the third giant in the world. These three companies make some of the most fan-favorite smartphones, and the Chinese brand has also become famous for its commitment to maintaining competitive prices. But we know that the Chinese market is filled with interesting offers, and in its home country Huawei is not even considered the coolest. Today we will look at Chinese companies that constantly delight us with new releases.

Source: Nikkei Asian Review

Huawei

Let's start with the obvious, of course; this brand needs no introduction. Today it is the world's second largest smartphone manufacturer, which not only consistently introduces new models, but also fights for its reputation and place in the market, defending the right to use software from Google and stuffing from other American manufacturers.

All this can be attributed to various theories, but the fact remains that the company’s product speaks for itself, and smartphones from Huawei are distinguished by high-quality assembly and high performance. Cameras also play an important role in their popularity. Huawei uses lenses from Leica, a premium camera manufacturer, for its flagships. Thanks to this, the quality of their cameras not only competes, but often surpasses Apple, Samsung and Google Pixel.

Huawei's latest release, the Mate 30, became the first smartphone to be launched with its own system, without Google apps. Despite this, the device is incredibly popular and is selling out at a phenomenal rate.

However, already in May, a new round of sanctions led to Huawei losing the ability to use chips from key suppliers such as TSMC, so now the company's future is truly at risk.

We are confident that the Chinese brand will find a way to cope with difficulties and perhaps reach a new, completely independent level of activity.

Source: 9to5Google

ZTE

After ZTE became the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer, the company faced the same difficulties as Huawei. The only difference is that ZTE managed to escape with few casualties, just pay a fine and take a hit to its reputation.

The main thing we know about ZTE is that the company has been around for 35 years. It seems surprising, but it is true. It was ZTE that paved the way that others are now following. However, the company does not become a leader, and there are reasons for this.

ZTE smartphones are always good, but rarely bring anything innovative. This is a convenient niche for budget devices and mid-range products, which allows the company to move forward confidently, albeit slowly. It should be noted that in Russia ZTE has acquired its own circle of fans, but for those. The giants' main task is to capture the West.

So last year, ZTE returned to the American market after a temporary ban, introducing the Axon 10 Pro. Despite the fact that the smartphone was very successful and did not go unnoticed, many analysts believe that it will be very difficult for ZTE to get rid of the consequences of the scandal. Mainly because partners will think twice before entering into contracts with ZTE. However, the forecasts may not come true if the company sticks to the pattern that has worked throughout its long history.

Source: ApparelGeek

Lenovo

Everyone knows the name Lenovo, and not only because of smartphones. Moreover, smartphones produced under the Lenovo logo are much less popular than laptops and tablets. But don’t rush to dismiss the brand just for this. After all, it turns out that Lenovo is the owner of one of the most famous smartphone manufacturers in the world - Motorola. In 2015, Lenovo acquired the company from Google and since then has been focused on restoring its former reputation, because Moto flip phones were once a crowd favorite.

The acquisition of Motorola had a positive impact on Lenovo, as last year the company made its first, albeit small (by industry standards), profit from smartphones. This is all thanks to the fact that the company, according to its representatives, clearly understands its target audience and market segment, and also realistically estimates production costs.

In the same year, Lenovo produced several devices under the Motorola brand, including the Razr. In addition, Lenovo is ready to introduce Legion Phone Duel. Despite the limited release, this smartphone has already attracted attention with its design and characteristics.

This will allow Lenovo to join the gaming device manufacturers and get comfortable in a segment that is still just emerging.

Source: TechRadar

OnePlus

The history of the OnePlus brand is interesting and unexpected. The company emerged as an online supplier of premium smartphones at an affordable price and instantly became famous. One of the noticeable distinguishing features of OnePlus was its capacious battery, which allowed it to confidently compete with other brands, because many of them were simply not ready to offer a device that could withstand the load and work for one and a half, or even two days. So OnePlus quickly found their niche.

In 2021, with the release of OnePlus 6T, the company finally captured the Western market, receiving support from the T-Mobile operator, but in Russia they were already talking about it. Since the time of OnePlus 3, it has become clear that these smartphones are ready to compete with others. High-quality assembly, impressive design and a set of characteristics that users strive for. All this stood on the side of OnePlus, allowing the brand to confidently gain a foothold in the market.

OnePlus is one of the fastest growing companies in 2021. In 2021, device sales almost tripled. The only area where OnePlus hasn't nailed it so far is camera quality. If the company can attract fans of mobile photography, its success will be one hundred percent.

In April 2021, OnePlus launched the 8th generation of smartphones, which was supported by Verizon in the US. Also, in July we were promised another device from the Nord series, which would be more compact in size. We can say that OnePlus is doing well.

Source: Pandaily

Xiaomi

Everyone has definitely heard about the Xiaomi brand. Almost everyone has held a smartphone from this company in their hands, and many of us are satisfied owners.

The company appeared in 2010 and at first was engaged in copying Apple products, for which it received barbs from experts and critics. But firstly, a copy is the highest form of recognition, and secondly, even artists learn by copying the works of masters. So, over time, having accumulated experience and knowledge, Xiaomi emerged from the shadow of its idol with its head held high and began to present unique releases. At the same time, while borrowing numerous technologies from Apple, Xiaomi did not ignore the giant’s main drawback - high prices for the product.

Xiaomi's specialty has been the production of devices packed with numerous functions, but at a price that does not scare away the average buyer. This led to the success of the company.

Today, the Mi brand creates several devices a year, without ignoring any market segment - from the cheapest smartphones to premium models and even limited editions. Even despite the current market situation, Xiaomi manages to continue its success story.

One of the latest notable releases is the Mi Note 10. It is considered the best in its lineup at the moment and offers a fantastic 108MP camera.

The company not only knows its customers, but also pays attention to the growing needs of its audience.

By the way, Xiaomi is known in the world not only for its smartphones - under numerous subsidiary brands, the company creates literally everything: smart homes, kitchen appliances, household appliances, backpacks, clothes and much more. So today it is a real market giant, and Xiaomi has no plans to stop there.

Source: Pandaily

Oppo and Vivo

The Vivo and Oppo brands are not as well known outside of China as, for example, Xiaomi. But despite this, they are successful smartphone manufacturers and their products have even appeared in Disney blockbusters.

Companies follow the same pattern as Xiaomi, trying to win fans with a wide selection, high power and affordable price. In addition, they use all possible marketing technologies in order to establish themselves in the market.

Despite the difficulties in the American market, these brands quickly gained the attention of the Indian audience and became very popular in Europe. In Russia, their success cannot yet be called large-scale, but gradually, more and more products under these brands appear in stores.

By the way, it is not without reason that we have separated both companies into one section. Despite the fact that they are competitors, they belong to the same conglomerate - BBK, known to us from consumer electronics in the early 2000s. He now owns OnePlus and RealMe.

Source: Smartprix

RealMe

This company is only two years old, but you've probably already heard about it. It was created by a former Oppo executive and also focuses on inexpensive smartphones loaded to the brim with the latest features.

Realme claims to have sold 25 million units last year, and expects that figure to double by the end of 2021.

Realme X2 Pro is the company's latest flagship that packs a punch with its specs.

TCL

Another newcomer who made his mark at exhibitions last year. In fact, the history of TCL is much longer; the company once produced smartphones for the Alcatel and Blackberry brands. But now, having escaped the control of big names, she focused on her own achievements.

TCL's main activity is the production of televisions, but now the company is carefully planning its entry into the market, and the reason for this is the emergence of foldable smartphones. The first TCL device has already been presented, but it is difficult to say whether it will gain popularity.

Meizu

This company once produced MP3 players, but as soon as they began to become a thing of the past, they quickly retrained to produce smartphones. They managed to gain popularity quite quickly, and the company even stays afloat in its native China. However, the global market values ​​not only accessibility, but also innovation. But in this regard, Meizu failed to present anything interesting.

Therefore, for now the company is limiting itself to modest indicators and its smartphones have practically disappeared from the shelves. Sometimes even a proven strategy does not work.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 6/128GB

Definitely one of the best smartphones of the year. Yes, the device has become more expensive, but it has become much better.

Redmi Note 9 Pro has: an excellent camera with 4 modules (and it’s not so important that it doesn’t have a telephoto camera; the quality of shooting on the main sensor is excellent for its class), a powerful 5020 mAh battery with fast charging, an awesome body design and several colors to choose from, a large supply of power due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor and 6 GB of RAM.

We also note the excellent 6.67-inch display, created using IPS technology.

• Screen diagonal: 6.67 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 209 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G

• Memory capacity: 64 GB

• RAM capacity: 6 GB

• Battery capacity: 5020 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 64/8/5/2 MP

• Front camera: 16 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Xiaomi Mi Note 3 64Gb

Xiaomi has always “boasted” that the company’s products are of very high quality and moderately budget-friendly. Therefore, Mi Note 3 is considered an excellent camera phone for a wide audience.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3 64Gb is a budget and miniature smartphone

An enhanced Snapdragon 660 processor and an increased amount of RAM made it possible to install improved cameras on the device. The result is excellent pictures from both the front camera and the main dual camera. One of the rear lenses has an f/1.8 aperture and was developed by Sony. Other bonuses include a 27mm focal length and optical stabilization. The second lens is from Samsung, the same 12 megapixels as Sony, but the aperture is f/2.6, the focus is at a distance of 52 mm, and there is no talk of stabilization.

Example photo of Xiaomi Mi Note 3 64Gb smartphone

Main characteristics of the smartphone:

• memory - 4/64 GB;
• processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (8 x 2.2 GHz), Adreno 512;
• cameras - front 16 MP, main 12 + 12 MP;
• battery capacity - 3500 mAh;
• Dimensions - 163 grams 152.6 x 73.95 x 7.6.

realme C3 3/64GB

At first glance, the realme C3 is unremarkable - just another good smartphone in the inexpensive segment. In fact, he has something very interesting.

Namely, the MediaTek Helio G70 chipset. This is a very powerful processor that is very well suited for games, and the system speed is good, despite the not very large amount of RAM - 3 GB.

There is also a powerful battery (5000 mAh), a decent 6.52-inch display, NFC, and a fingerprint sensor. The rear camera is triple, it takes pictures normally.

• Screen diagonal: 6.52 inches

• Screen resolution: 1600×720

• Weight: 195 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: MediaTek Helio G70

• Memory capacity: 64 GB

• RAM capacity: 3 GB

• Battery capacity: 5000 mAh

• Rear camera: triple 12/2/2 MP

• Front camera: 5 MP

• Memory card support: yes

ZTE Blade A3 2020 NFC

• screen: 5.45″ (1440×720)
• RAM: 1 GB
• memory: 32 GB, memory card slot
• camera: 8 MP
• battery: 2600 mAh

The cheapest Chinese smartphone with NFC and a removable battery. Thanks to the small screen and energy-efficient Unisoc SC9832E processor, the device holds a charge for up to 2 days. And it also catches the LTE network.

This smartphone will not run games like PUBG or Call Of Duty: Mobile on medium or even low settings. However, for casual games and simple tasks: running banking applications, reading email, surfing the web, etc. its capabilities are enough.

Both the main 8MP and front 5MP cameras, according to user reviews, take mediocre pictures: they can’t concentrate for a long time when reading a QR code. One of the users suggested an original solution to the problem: take a photo of the code with another device and open the photo on the computer. And the Blade A3 2020 reads a QR code from a computer screen much faster than from paper.

Plus : event indicator, compact size, no debris in the shell, you can install a memory card up to 128 GB, durable case made of thick plastic, FM radio.

Cons : low power, weak cameras, no fast charging.

Honor 30 8/128GB

If you need a high-quality smartphone with an excellent camera and plenty of power, pay attention to the Honor 30.

This is a junior version of the flagship 30 Pro+, but you won't find stereo speakers or wireless charging here. Nevertheless, this is one of the best offers in its category, including due to the camera of 4 modules: main, wide, periscope and macro. The shooting quality is very high: the model from Honor may not be as good as the Huawei P40, but it is very close to it.

The hardware platform is also decent: Hisilicon Kirin 985 5G chip, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. The 6.53-inch OLED screen is also good.

• Screen diagonal: 6.53 inches

• Screen resolution: 2400×1080

• Weight: 185 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Hisilicon Kirin 985 5G

• Memory capacity: 128 GB

• RAM capacity: 8 GB

• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 40/8/8/2 MP

• Front camera: 32 MP

• Memory card support: no

Honor

• Honor 20 Pro

  It is considered the best telephone from the manufacturer in 2021 in terms of cost and quality. A powerful device equipped with a HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor that can handle any task. Disadvantages include the lack of wireless charging, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and an IP rating for dust and water resistance.

  Honor 20 Pro - first review of the flagship

• Honor 30 Pro+

  The 2021 photo flagship is assembled from high-quality materials. The body is water-repellent and consists of two glass panels connected by a metal frame. It has many advantages: stylish appearance, memory card slot, high sound quality and excellent pictures. Disadvantages include the lack of Google services and a headphone slot.

  Honor 30 Pro Plus - Full review

• Honor X10

  Presented as the brand's cheapest 5G smartphone. A glass body, a side fingerprint scanner, and a front camera hidden in the surface are not all the advantages of a budget phone. There is a headphone jack, which is rare in 2020. A powerful processor and battery will provide 8-9 hours of uninterrupted gaming. The downside is the lack of NFS and AptX.

  Honor X10 review

• Honor 30 pro

  This new product will surprise you with its size and matte ocean-colored body. Despite its size, it fits comfortably in your hand. Its advantages: two front cameras, 256 GB of internal memory, fast wired and wireless charging. Does not support 3.5 mm, but a special adapter is included in the kit.

  Honor View 30 Pro review

• Honor Magic 2

  The Honor line of phones is produced under the control of Huawei, whose devices are also discussed in this review. In 2019, Honor Magic 2 was released, with pre-installed Android 9 OS, 256 gigabytes of memory and light weight, only 206 grams.

10 Chinese smartphone manufacturers: Honor Magic 2 review

Click on the banner to buy Honor Magic 2

Xiaomi Redmi 9 3/32GB (NFC)

Redmi 9 turned out to be very cool - much more interesting than the previous generation model.

It uses an excellent 6.53-inch high-resolution screen, a platform with a very decent power reserve based on the MediaTek Helio G80 processor and 3 GB of RAM in this version, and a powerful 5020 mAh battery is installed. And there is an NFC module.

As for the camera, it received 4 modules. Surprisingly, it shoots very well for its segment.

• Screen diagonal: 6.53 inches

• Screen resolution: 2340×1080

• Weight: 198 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: MediaTek Helio G80

• Memory capacity: 32 GB

• RAM capacity: 3 GB

• Battery capacity: 5020 mAh

• Rear camera: four modules 13/8/5/2 MP

• Front camera: 8 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Xiaomi Poco M3

• screen: 6.53″ (2340×1080) 60 Hz
• RAM: 4 GB
• memory: 128 GB, memory card slot
• 3 cameras: 48 MP, 2 MP, 2 MP
• battery: 6000 mAh

The best budget Chinese smartphone of 2021, if you take into account not only the “filling”, but also the brightness of the design. If you want to attract the attention of others, I recommend the Poco M3 in a cheerful banana color.

The device's screen has high contrast, is responsive to touch and is not grainy. And the protective film is already pasted on it.

Inside the Poco M3 there is a Snapdragon 662 mobile platform with an Adreno 610 video accelerator. In combination with 4 GB of RAM, it will run any game at medium and high settings.

The fingerprint scanner of this model is not located on the rear panel, like many budget phones, but is built into the power button, like in solid, expensive smartphones.

The main camera of Poco M3 shoots at 12 MP by default. And it does it well if you shoot in the light or under bright artificial lighting. The night mode is present and “extends” the quality of pictures at dusk. There are also automatic functions such as HDR and scene recognition.

The 8 MP selfie camera does not have autofocus, and you shouldn’t count on high quality images.

Pros : you can use 2 SIM cards and a memory card at the same time, you can connect wired headphones, an infrared port, stereo speakers, Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging.

Cons : no NFC, no event indicator, advertising in the shell, mediocre macro module.

Redmi Note 8 Pro

• Processor: 8-core Helio G90T, clock frequency 2.05 GHz
• Screen: 6.53 inches, resolution 2340 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 64 + 8+ 2 + 2 MP / 20 MP
• Memory (RAM/built-in): 6/8, 64/128/256 GB
• Battery capacity: 4500 mAh

Price: from 16,700 rub.

Xiaomi offers excellent solutions in all price segments and not only under its own name. In 2021, the company launched the new Pocofone Poco F2. Of course, this is not the legendary Pocofone F1, but the new product has aroused interest. In addition, Xiaomi made Redmi an independent brand, although it stubbornly continues to be associated with the parent company. Redmi Note 8 Pro was released in 2021. A year later, it is selling well and has a huge number of positive reviews. The model received the Helio G90T gaming chipset and actually paved the way for gaming devices with a price tag of up to 20 thousand rubles. There are several memory modifications, NFC, a powerful battery with fast charging, Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, a camera with good photography and a large high-resolution screen.

Advantages:

• Powerful processor.
• Large selection of memory modifications.
• NFC.
• Capacious battery with fast charging.
• High quality camera.
• Bright high resolution screen.

Flaws:

• It gets noticeably warm when playing games.

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

• screen: 6.49″ (2400×1080) 90 Hz
• RAM: 6 GB
• memory: 128 GB, memory card slot
• 4 cameras: 64 MP, 8 MP, 2 MP, 2 MP
• battery: 4300 mAh

The best priced Chinese 5G smartphone of 2021. Its 6.44-inch IPS panel offers a 90Hz refresh rate, which is usually found in more expensive models.

With a maximum level of 97 dB, the N10's stereo speakers impress with volume, but not with bass. Fortunately for music lovers, the smartphone has a headphone jack.

The OnePlus Nord N10 comes with 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage, of which around 104GB is available out of the box. There's also a microSD card slot if you need more storage space.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 chipset and 6 GB of RAM allow you to play games at medium settings without lag and with high fps. However, in the most resource-intensive games such as Genshin Impact, users may experience long loading times and fps drops.

The rear camera's main and ultra-wide-angle lenses offer excellent depth of field and color accuracy.

The 4300 mAh battery is enough for the smartphone to work for a whole day without recharging. A 30W fast charging adapter is included. Wireless charging is not supported.

Pros : 5G support, almost “naked” Android, lightweight, large amount of RAM, NFC.

Cons : Hybrid memory card slot, no water resistance rating, no notification light.

Blackview BV9600 Pro

• Processor: 8-core Helio P60, 2 GHz
• Screen: 6.21 inches, resolution 2248 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 16 + 8 MP / 8 MP
• Memory (RAM / built-in): 6/128 GB
• Battery capacity: 5580 mAh

Price: from 25,000 rub.

A remarkable rugged smartphone with good protection and a shockproof metal casing. If you like massive and heavy devices or need good protection due to your profession, then take a closer look at this option.

Optimal performance for any task in 2021, powerful battery and decent cameras. The BV9600 Plus version has a slightly thinner body and a fingerprint scanner built into the screen.

Advantages:

• High-quality Amoled display.
• Good performance.
• Powerful battery with fast and wireless charging.
• IP68 and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
• NFC function.

Flaws:

• High price.
• Case thickness 12 mm, weight 270 grams.
• Outdated Android 8.1 OS.

Vivo V17

• Processor: 8-core Snapdragon 665, 2.0 GHz
• Screen: 6.38 inches, resolution 2340 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP / 32 MP
• Memory (RAM / built-in): 8/128 GB
• Battery capacity: 4500 mAh

Price: from 19,000 rub.

Vivo V17 is a mid-price smartphone, and judging by the number of positive reviews, it is a really good device. The attractive appearance catches the eye; the model looks especially good in the “cloud azure” design. The second positive point is a huge supply of RAM and a good processor. There is also fast charging, NFC, and a good camera. All this is complemented by a high-quality AMOLED screen with a fingerprint sensor underneath.

Advantages:

• Lots of memory.
• Pleasant appearance.
• Fast charging.
• High quality AMOLED display.

Flaws:

• Combination slot.
• Weak wide-angle lens.