Smartphones under 3,000 rubles 2021: top rating of the best

Updated: 08/13/2020 A smartphone has long become a necessity - making do with just calls is becoming increasingly difficult, both in terms of work and private life. But most of the functions of expensive models are not needed by the average user, therefore, guided by practicality, people are increasingly paying attention to simple phones. They are cheap, but can solve all the necessary tasks - calls, SMS, access to the Internet, checking email, the ability to communicate via messenger, photos and videos.

When choosing even the simplest smartphone, you should pay attention to the basic parameters.

• Operating system.
  The basis of the functionality and capabilities of any smartphone. It is she who is responsible for the performance of the gadget. Inexpensive smartphone models usually run on the Android operating system. This is a convenient, understandable and simple system that has long gained popularity among consumers. The peculiarity of the OS is that, with the appropriate skills, any user can customize it for themselves. Also, a huge number of applications have been developed for Android, including free ones.
• CPU.
  Here you should pay attention to the number of cores and clock speed. Modern gadgets have at least 2 cores. The more cores, the higher the power and performance. The same applies to the frequency - the higher it is, the faster the phone works and the more programs you can install without risking overloading the device. Remember: the more powerful the processor, the more expensive the phone.
• RAM.
  Its size directly affects performance. A modern OS cannot work correctly if the RAM is below 1 GB. But budget models equipped with not very demanding software can work perfectly with less than 1 GB of memory. The smartphone, which has a memory of 2 GB, allows you to easily access the Internet, watch movies online and play games.

Most budget models are products of Russian brands. They are cheap, of sufficient quality and are designed to perform the tasks necessary for a modern phone - calls, messages, checking email, social networks, accessing the Internet.

We present the rating of smartphones under 3,000 rubles 2021. The best 11 models that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

Which smartphone to buy under 3000 rubles

Inexpensive phones are bought for practical reasons - they are simple, convenient, and not “stuffed” with unnecessary functions and capabilities. And in case of breakdown or loss, you can simply buy a new one - such phones are a godsend for people who work in conditions where sensitive equipment quickly breaks down. But even in this case, you should pay attention to your needs and capabilities of smartphones.

For simple tasks (calls, SMS, checking mail), a smartphone with a memory of up to 1 GB, 2 cores (you can’t have less anyway), and a clock frequency of 1200 MHz is enough.

For average tasks (Internet surfing, watching movies online, playing games), you need a more powerful device, with RAM of 1 GB or more, a number of cores from 2 to 4 and a frequency of 1300 MHz.

Enjoy the shopping!
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Nokia 1

A good model from a once famous brand. The phone works on 4G networks, which is a rare skill among cheap phones. At the moment, Nokia 1 has dropped in price to 2990 rubles. The device picks up the signal well. Splash protection is implemented according to the IP52 standard. The owner can talk on the phone in light drizzling rain without fear of damaging the phone. The smartphone has a 5 MP rear camera. There is no autofocus, the photos are of good quality in sufficient lighting. Enabling HDR mode helps avoid overexposure on a brightly lit street. The selfie camera is 2 megapixels, reproduces colors correctly, and is suitable for making video calls.

MediaTek MT6737M processor (four cores), with Mali-T720 MP2 accelerator and a clock frequency of 1100 MHz. It’s difficult to find the best solution for an ultra-budget traveler. There is no talk of any PUBG, but tanks can be launched on minimum graphics. There is one memory card slot that accommodates a 128 GB drive. The phone has the best Sd slot capacity in the ranking of phones under 3000 rubles in 2020. Initially, the smartphone was offered with Android 8.1 Oreo, and then Android 9 Pie was released for it. The firmware is unstable, there are a lot of reviews about bugs, and it is quite difficult to roll back. I recommend waiting to install it.

Rate the smartphone:

Alcatel 1C 5003D (2019)

A compact and cheap smartphone from Alcatel, which can be purchased in black or blue (current at the time of writing). The case is plastic.

It uses a small 4.95-inch display with a resolution of 960x480 pixels, a Spreadtrum SC7731E processor, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of main memory, there is support for two SIM cards and a memory card.

Battery capacity - 2000 mAh. This, one might say, is the norm for this class of devices.

• Dimensions (WxHxD): 65.3×136.6×9.95 mm

• Screen diagonal: 4.95 inches

• Screen resolution: 960×480

• Weight: 148 g

• Number of SIM cards: 2

• Processor: Spreadtrum SC7731E

• Memory capacity: 8 GB

• RAM capacity: 1 GB

• Battery capacity: 2000 mAh

• Rear camera: 5 MP

• Front camera: 2 MP

• Memory card support: yes

Alcatel 1

The screen diagonal is 5 inches, which is not bad for a cheap model. The design is not elaborate, just a rectangular block. The device is offered in black, gold and blue plastic; Fly View seemed more interesting in this regard. I was more pleased with the aspect ratio of the screen, it is 18:9. All modern phones are elongated, making them convenient to watch movies and TV series on. True, the low screen resolution of 960x480 pixels and the TN matrix spoiled the impressions of the device test. The touchscreen is of good quality, does not slow down when typing, but it only recognizes two simultaneous touches.

The Android GO 8.1 operating system is installed with simplified versions of standard applications. Thanks to this, there is no shortage of memory when running browsers and instant messengers. The MT6739 processor is still more productive than the boring MT6737, and I would also consider PowerVR to be one of the advantages of the gadget. The front camera is only 2 megapixels, it can’t take good selfies, and the 5 megapixel module often gets dirty. But for 2,990 rubles you shouldn’t expect anything better. The phone supports the installation of two SIM and a 32 GB SD card. This phone supports GSM and 3G, and even LTE 4G. Owners criticize the phone for the quality of the speaker: there is only one, and it wheezes at maximum.

Rate the smartphone:

DOOGEE X50

• screen 5 inches, resolution 960*480;
• 4-core Mediatek MT6580 processor, frequency 1.3 GHz;
• RAM 1 GB, main memory – 8 GB;
• main camera 5+0.3 MP, front camera – 5 MP;
• battery 2000 mAh;
• dimensions 139*67.4*9 mm, weight 142 g;
• price 2700 rubles.

This is a 2021 model, but don't be too quick to get upset. Firstly, it is still on sale, and you can buy it in a regular store - you don’t have to wait for it from China. Secondly, it uses a dual main camera , so the device looks solid, and if you take into account the rounded corners, it’s absolutely beautiful. The smartphone case is collapsible, the battery is removable, the slot for the second SIM card and memory card is separate .

It’s good that the manufacturer thought of using Android Go , which makes the most of the capabilities of a weak processor. The screen corresponds to the price, the battery too, it will last for a day or two of work. You shouldn't expect miracles from the camera, but it takes passable photographs, even very passable. Surprisingly, the selfie camera here is not as terrible as in many competitive devices, and in some scenarios it behaves even better than the main one. It’s a pity that there is no 4G support, but given the relatively high speed of the device, its appearance and price, this shortcoming can be forgiven.

OUKITEL C9

This device is of excellent quality at a low cost - only 3,000 rubles. For this amount, the buyer receives an assembly without backlash, a new operating system and ease of use of the Internet. The display diagonal is 5 inches - a standard figure for smartphones - with HD resolution.

The user will be pleased with the good color reproduction and picture clarity. The device's power is not enough for heavy games, but it is capable of performing basic tasks. Has 4G support.

Basic properties

Smartphone users note the following advantages in terms of advantages:

• price
• complete set
• good looks

However, we are dissatisfied with the battery, or rather its capacity, and the quality of the headphones supplied in the kit.

The average rating of Oukitel C9 on the Yandex.Market service is 4 points.

DIGMA HIT Q500 3G

The phone has a small 5-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9. A TN matrix with small viewing angles is installed. On a large display by the standards of its class, you can quite comfortably view photos and videos. The smartphone runs on the Spreadtrum SC7731 chipset and has 1 GB of RAM. For simple tasks this is more than enough. The chip has enough resources to run applications and non-hardware-demanding casual games. There is a GPS module, it is thoughtful, but it confidently finds satellite coordinates.

The specifications indicate 5 MP and 2 MP cameras, but essentially the resolution is interpolated, the picture is mediocre. For posting on social networks, if you add beauty filters, I think they will do. The phone is offered from 2800 rubles and this is expensive considering that there is no power supply and charging cable included. The phone is dual-SIM, but 3G will be available only on one of the cards. As for the battery life, it does not differ from the numbers in the rating, it is about a day. Average result for a 2100 mAh battery.

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DIGMA LINX ARGO 3G

The cheapest model in the ranking of phones under 3,000 rubles. They are asking only 1,790 rubles for it. The body of the device is collapsible, the rough surface does not allow the phone to slip in the hand. Inside there is a 1700 mAh battery. With active use, the charge runs out in a couple of hours; in standby mode, with rare calls, the phone will work for 2-3 days. The main 2 MP lens will allow you to take a receipt in a store or scan a barcode. But the 0.3 MP selfie camera produces noisy shots even during the day. The relatively recent OS Android 8.1 Go Edition was selected. There are microlags, but they are not critical.

The user can install a card up to 32 GB in a separate slot. The main chipset is MediaTek MT6580, but the RAM is less: only 512 MB. But this is quite enough for a notepad, alarm clock and 2D games. The gadget, like other devices on the MT6580 platform, does not work in 4G networks. The speaker has a low volume, does not hiss, and the voice of the interlocutor is distinguishable. A protective film is glued to the screen out of the box.

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VERTEX Impress Luck

Unfortunately, you won’t find a better phone for 2,150 rubles. There is no NFC module or fingerprint sensor, if these functions are important, see the mini review of the improved model given here. The RAM capacity is only 1 GB, and the MT6580 4-core mobile chipset is responsible for the operation. The case with soft touch coating does not slip in your hands and does not collect fingerprints. Among the advantages, it is also worth noting the large touch buttons for navigation under the screen.

There is a front camera on the smartphone, but its quality is only suitable for video communication, since the resolution is only 2 megapixels. The main 5 MP sensor does not have autofocus. Owners complain about the poor quality of the speaker. Perhaps these are isolated cases of defects, but I advise you to purchase the gadget after checking it in the store. The phone has a very juicy 5-inch IPS screen. Good viewing angles, your eyes won’t get tired of watching videos on this even after a couple of hours. The 2200 mAh battery does not set any records, but it does not turn off abruptly at the last percent. Android 6.0 is installed out of the box, but if you know how to work with a flash drive, you can install custom ones, including version 9.

Rate the smartphone:

HomTom S12

• screen 5 inches, resolution 960*480;
• 4-core Mediatek MT6580 processor, frequency 1.3 GHz;
• RAM 1 GB, main memory – 8 GB;
• main camera 8+5 MP, front camera – 5 MP;
• battery 2750 mAh;
• dimensions 138*65*8.9 mm, weight 143 g;
• price 2980 rubles.

The model was released in 2021, but let us remind you that we don’t have much to choose from. So let's start with the strengths. Besides the price, it has a dual main camera that takes decent photos when compared to other devices in this price category. A pleasant surprise! Also an advantage is the battery, the capacity of which, with an undemanding processor and low-resolution screen, is definitely enough for 1-1.5 days of work. Unlike many more expensive gadgets, cheap smartphones (and this model is no exception) have a removable battery, so if something happens, it can be replaced, and there will be no problems with a shock reboot: when the phone freezes hard, you just need to pull out the battery. Everyone knows this recipe for reviving a dead smartphone.

Among the advantages, we also note a slot for two SIM cards , the presence of an event indicator , the compact size of the device and the interesting design of the rear panel. In addition, textured plastic makes the smartphone less slippery, which means it reduces the risk of falls. Plus, the material is difficult to get dirty. The screen has an aspect ratio of 18:9. There are also many disadvantages. This is the lack of 4G, low display resolution, weak processor, small amount of memory (the main memory can be expanded with a memory card), but again we look at the price tag. And what we have is quite enough for an undemanding user. It seems that we have found almost the best cheap smartphone under 3,000 rubles.

INOI 2 Lite 2021

The company recently updated its ultra-budget phone INOI 2 Lite. The new smartphone has changed only externally in the location of the camera module and the OS version, it has grown to 8.

INOI 2 Lite 2021 phones come in four colors, two of which have a smooth gradient. The latter are rather intimidating with their coloring; dark purple, in my opinion, does not go well with green. Although I note that with such a smartphone you will definitely stand out in the crowd. The gadget is sold with a 4GB drive for 2990 rubles, and for the 8GB version you will have to pay 3490 rubles. The RAM capacity is 1 GB, and the main processor is MT6580. Accordingly, the set of communication modules is similar to those in LINX ARGO 3G.

The phone has a 2250 mAh battery; according to reviews, it lasts for 3 days in airplane mode. The phone's screen is frustrating, don't look at the promo in the advertisement, because of the resolution of 854x480 pixels at 5 inches, the picture simply falls apart. On the positive side, I would like to note the availability of instructions online for obtaining root rights on the phone: the gadget will be an excellent object of study for a young programmer.

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