The best smartphones 2021 under 8,000 rubles with good characteristics, cameras and battery

Every year, smartphones are becoming more affordable, and even on a budget of 8 thousand rubles you can find a good, but inexpensive option for everyday use. You won't find top-end cameras or performance for this price, but the best models offer balanced specs, a powerful battery, and a large screen that's great for work and play.

We have prepared a rating of budget smartphones under 8,000 rubles, which includes only the best phones in this segment. They will be a good option for buying a child, an elderly person or undemanding users who need a mobile phone for communication, surfing the Internet and other undemanding tasks.

The best smartphones under 8,000 rubles with a good camera and battery

Doogee X95

A smartphone up to 8 thousand with a good camera and battery can withstand up to two days of active use due to a 4350 mAh battery.
True, you will charge it via an outdated MicroUSB from the 10 W included unit. The budget phone stands out from its competitors with a triple camera of 13, 2 and 2 megapixels, which takes good photographs in daylight. The technical characteristics are modest - the simplest MediaTek MT6737T processor is supplemented with 2/16 GB of memory. You shouldn’t count on top-end performance, and in AnTuTu the smart only scores 35,055 points, but this is enough for everyday tasks. On the front side, the user is greeted by a 6.52-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1200x540 pixels - one of the worst indicators in our TOP. The same applies to the area it occupies - only 79%, which is due to the thick frames around it. A 5 MP selfie camera is installed at its top.

Pros:

Beautiful embossed cover and design of the block with cameras;
Takes good photographs for its price;
The charge lasts for a long time;
Sound.

Minuses:

Very low screen resolution;
It slows down.

Samsung Galaxy A01 Core

The top phones up to 8 thousand in price and quality are replenished by the cheapest Samsung smartphone today. It is suitable for undemanding users, because it has only 1 GB of RAM combined with 16 GB of internal memory. The three-year-old MediaTek MT6739 processor also does not claim to be the king of performance, but the lightweight Android 10.0 Go Edition OS pleases with its performance even with such modest parameters.

The 6.3-inch screen is made using PLS technology and displays images with a modest resolution of 1480x720 pixels. There are no cutouts; space for the 5 MP front camera is allocated on top. There is a single 8 megapixel camera installed at the back. There is no fingerprint scanner, no NFS, and the 3000 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy.

Pros:

Compact and lightweight;
Bright screen;
Dedicated slot for MicroSD up to 512 GB;
Decent sound;
If you don't load it with games, the charge lasts for a long time.

Minuses:

Slow;
It takes a long time to charge.

ZTE Blade A5

ZTE Blade A5 will be the best choice for those who do not need record-breaking performance, but an inexpensive work phone with a large 6.09-inch screen. The image is transmitted to it with a resolution of 1560x720 pixels, and in the upper part there is a teardrop-shaped cutout for the needs of an 8 megapixel front camera. It not only makes bright selfies, but also provides quick identification of the user by face.

In terms of characteristics, nothing outstanding - the outdated Unisoc SC9863A chipset is combined with 2/32 GB of memory. MicroSD is supported, but to install it you will have to give up the card of the second mobile operator. The main camera is dual - 13 and 2 megapixels. For its price, it takes excellent photographs. A 3200 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy. The body is made of glossy plastic and is available in three colors - black, blue and green.

Pros:

Bright body colors;
Quick face unlock;
Lightweight and easy to use;
There is an LED event indicator;
Unlock by double tap;
Good camera for selfies.

Minuses:

There is no fingerprint scanner;
Combination tray;
Weak processor.

Itel Vision 1 Pro

An inexpensive but good smartphone under 8 thousand makes it to the list of the best as one of the most affordable options with a triple camera and a fingerprint scanner. The area for it is located at the back, not far from the 8 MP lens. It is complemented by two 0.3 MP sensors, which are of little use. Memory - 2/32 GB, which is combined with a simple mobile processor Unisoc SC9832E. It includes 4 cores and the frequency is limited to 1.4 GHz.

On the front side we are greeted by a 6.52-inch display covered with protective Asahi Glass. The resolution of 1600x720 gives decent picture detail, and a 5 MP front camera is built into the drop-shaped cutout on top. The Smart is very beautiful, especially at the back, where it is decorated with bright gradient colors. The battery has a capacity of 4000 mAh, which on average lasts for 1-2 days without recharging.

Pros:

Beautiful and practical case;
Maintains up to two days without recharging;
Loud and clear sound;
It doesn't dull.

Minuses:

No light sensor;
Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2.

Tecno Spark 6 Go

Good budget smartphones up to 8000 are produced by Tecno, which managed to fully unlock the potential of weak hardware by switching to the lightweight Android 10 Go Edition operating system. The characteristics are based on 2/32 GB of memory in combination with a MediaTek Helio A20 processor (4 cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz). You can only play simple games, but the cell phone can handle everything else.

The display stretches to 6.52 inches and has HD+ resolution. An 8 MP selfie camera was integrated into the drop-shaped cutout in its upper part. The main one was made double - the leading 13 megapixel lens is complemented by a second one to neatly blur the background in portrait photos. There is a fingerprint scanner at the back, and a capacious 5000 mAh battery is hidden under the plastic cover. With it, you can forget about recharging for a couple of days.

Pros:

Speed of work;
Withstands several days without recharging;
Bumper and headphones included;
The protective glass is already glued on from the factory;
Bright and large screen;
Price quality;
Separate slot for flash drive;
Removable battery.

Minuses:

The second 0.08 MP camera was added more for show;
Single-band Wi-Fi;
Few accessories.

Tecno Spark 5 Air

The best budget smartphones within 8,000 rubles are offered by Techno, which focuses its efforts on this segment. The new product is easy to recognize by its gradient back cover, and in front the happy owner is greeted by a large 6.95-inch IPS screen with HD+ resolution. The phablet was given an aspect ratio of 20:9, and thin frames allowed it to occupy 84% of the area.

Out of the box, the cell phone runs on Android 10 Go, which makes the most of the hardware capabilities - 2/32 GB of memory and MediaTek Helio A22 chipset. The pride of the Tecno Spark 5 Air is its 5000 mAh battery, which lasts for a couple of days without recharging. The delivery package, which includes headphones and a protective case, is also impressive. At the back there is a 13 and 2 megapixel camera. The front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels was built into a drop-shaped cutout above the screen. There is face and fingerprint unlocking, and the memory capacity is easily expandable with a MicroSD memory card. A separate slot is allocated for it.

Pros:

A real phablet, but it fits well in the hand;
Capacious 5000 mAh battery;
Fast fingerprint scanner on the back;
Sound quality;
Great cameras for the price;
Headphones and case included;
In most games it produces 50-55 fps on low-medium settings;
Warranty 13 months;
Record screen and calls.

Minuses:

The comfortable brightness level is close to the maximum level.

Nokia 1.4

A normal phone for 8,000 rubles offers 2/32 GB of memory, a strong and reliable case made of matte plastic. The picture is displayed on a 6.52-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1600x720 pixels, which, due to the lower chin, occupies only 80% of the usable area. But the image is bright and detailed. At the top there was a drop-shaped cutout for the 5 MP front camera.

The device is equipped with a dual main camera of 8 and 2 megapixels, and is powered by a 4000 mAh battery. It is quite durable, but is recharged via an outdated MicroUSB. Out of the box, Nokia 1.4 runs on Android 10, which is not very fast due to the outdated Snapdragon 215 chipset. It includes 4 cores with a frequency of around 1.3 GHz. There is a fingerprint scanner at the back. Alternatively, you can use face unlock.

Pros:

Unusual and eye-catching appearance;
Excellent build quality;
Large and rich screen with maximum viewing angles;
Fast rear fingerprint scanner and FaceID function;
Capacious battery.

Minuses:

Poor selection of cases on sale;
Weak and outdated processor.

Xiaomi Redmi 9A

The best smartphones 2021 under 8,000 rubles are offered by Xiaomi, which has always been successful in the budget segment. Redmi 9A received 2/32 GB of memory, but the volume is easily expandable with MicroSD up to 256 GB. There is a separate space allocated for it in the triple tray, which means that when expanding the memory capacity you do not have to sacrifice the card of a second mobile operator. A distinctive feature is the IR port, which turns your mobile phone into a remote control for all equipment in the house.

The phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G25 processor with 8 cores and a frequency of up to 2 GHz - the most powerful solution in this segment, which means you can play most games on medium graphics. The autonomy will not let you down either, because the 5000 mAh battery is very durable. In combination with a 6.53-inch HD+ display, the device can withstand a confident two days without recharging. Tempered Gorilla Glass 5 is responsible for protecting it from scratches. You will take photos with a single 13 MP main camera or a 5 MP front camera.

Pros:

Up to two days of autonomy with active use;
IR port for controlling all equipment in the house;
Triple tray for 2 SIM cards and MicroSD;
Bright colors and non-slip back with grooved coating;
Screen size and quality;
Best performance for your money;
Good microphone and speakers.

Minuses:

Short charging cable;
Lots of unnecessary pre-installed programs.

Realme C11

A cheap smartphone with a good camera and a battery of up to 8,000 rubles can last 1.5-2 days without recharging thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery. True, you will have to charge it through an outdated MicroUSB port and from a 10 W charger. Reverse charging technology is supported using an OTG cable.

In its segment, Realme stands out with its large and bright IPS screen. It has a 6.5-inch diagonal with a resolution of 1560x720 pixels. A 5 MP front camera is integrated into the drop-shaped cutout on top. The display is protected from scratches by tempered Gorilla Glass v3. The hardware is unremarkable - 2/32 GB of memory are combined with an 8-core MediaTek Helio G35 processor. The camera was made double - 13 and 2 megapixels. The second module is necessary to accurately blur the background.

Pros:

Price quality;
Powerful battery;
Design and bright colors of the case;
Camera;
Comfortable and functional shell;
Good screen;
Triple tray for 2 SIM cards and a flash drive up to 256 GB.

Minuses:

Wi-Fi 4;
Outdated MicroUSB;
Not enough memory.

Samsung Galaxy A02

The eight thousand phone is equipped with a capacious 5000 mAh battery, but autonomy is far from the only advantage of the hero of our review. It has a large IPS screen with a diagonal of 6.5 inches with a resolution of 1600x720 pixels. In its upper part there is a drop-shaped cutout for the needs of a 5 MP front camera that records video in FHD.

The heart of the budget device is the Mediatek MT6739W with 8 cores and a frequency of 1.5 GHz. Memory - 2/32 GB with the ability to put up to 1024 GB in a free MicroSD slot. For photography, there is a 13 and 2 megapixel camera. There is no fingerprint scanner and NFC, but there is sound in Dolby Atmos format, which none of the competitors can boast of.

Pros:

Build quality;
Lightweight and easy to use;
Excellent matrix;
Slot for flash drive up to 1 TB;
Capacious battery;
Current version of Android;
Macro lens;
Dolby Atmos sound.

Minuses:

Slows down when working with multiple applications;
No face unlock.

Control processor

Nowadays, making a comparison in terms of clock frequency (number of gigahertz) and the number of cores between the chipsets used is, to put it mildly, a meaningless idea. These hardware performance indicators can be increased programmatically, through special command algorithms, an expanded cache and other means. Without going deeply into the technical component, the easiest way is to test the selected model on the synthetic performance indicator (benchmark) “AnTuTu”; the current version of this software package for 2021 is No. 8. However, you should make sure that the same methodology was chosen for all models.

Typical results might be:

250,000 points – very good hardware that can cope with any tasks (obviously not economy class);
150,000 points – the device will be able to edit video and sound;
100,000 points – mobile gaming is possible on such a smartphone, but the game will only be played at minimum quality settings;
75,000 points is the minimum for visiting the Internet and verbal communications.

Which phone to choose in a budget up to 8,000 rubles?

Each smartphone from our rating is good in its own way, but all budget phones have compromises. If you need NFC, then the only option is the Samsung Galaxy A02. You will find the most capacious battery in Realme C11, Redmi 9A, Samsung Galaxy A02, Tecno Spark 6 Go and Air. Samsung Galaxy A02 has stereo sound. In it you will find some of the best cameras under 8,000 rubles.

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Criteria for choosing a smartphone

Before making an actual purchase, you need to decide for what purpose you are purchasing a smartphone:

Simple verbal communication;
For viewing multimedia or mobile gaming;
For Internet surfing;
For taking photos or videos.

Based on the future purpose, it is possible to begin selecting the appropriate parameters - sound system, battery capacity, number of cameras, screen size and processor power. With the development of the smartphone market, today it is quite possible to find a budget device that will not lag far behind expensive flagship models. However, some problems cannot be completely eliminated - premium samples will always win in terms of the quality and quantity of cameras and the power of the control chipset. At the same time, budget models, as a rule, consume less resources, so their battery charge can be almost twice that of expensive smartphones.

Huawei Y5p

Judging by the characteristics, Huawei Y5p is a complete copy of Honor 9S: they have the same body size, weight, chipset, camera, memory capacity and even battery. The price tag, by the way, is also the same, but there are periodically discounts on some of the models.

Is there any difference? There are different shades of the body. And here we like the Y5p more: thanks to the “shimmer” colors, the smartphone looks more interesting.

Screen diagonal: 5.45 inches

Screen resolution: 1440×720

Weight: 144 g

Number of SIM cards: 2

Processor: Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762V)

Memory capacity: 32 GB

RAM capacity: 2 GB

Battery capacity: 3020 mAh

Rear camera: 8 MP

Front camera: 5 MP

Memory card support: yes

OS

In 2021, the operating system from Android version 9 remains relevant. It is compatible with many modern applications, and constantly receives security updates. The operating system based on Android 10 version is characterized by advanced interface settings, consumes battery power more efficiently, and is capable of playing and recording videos in high resolution. Android 11 version has an increased security threshold, can process video faster, has lower latency when connecting to the Internet, and the processor under its control can produce increased performance indicators.

In fairness, it is worth mentioning the fact that some manufacturers are developing their own user interface based on Android:

Realme – has advanced security settings, implements an advanced battery saving mode, has integrated DVR and car computer modes;
Oppo Color OS - characterized by a bright design of the user interface, its menu is quite simple, there is a voice assistant with the ability to set working scripts (scenarios);
Huawei EMUI and Honor MagicUI – these interfaces can clone applications and are equipped with convenient functions for monitoring performance and energy consumption;
Xiaomi MIUI – automatic change of desktop wallpaper, comfortable and simple control center, extended access rights for an authorized user;
Samsung OneUI is a minimalistic and lightweight interface that has the ability to quickly search for the desired applications, contacts and specified sites on the Internet.

IMPORTANT! The iOS operating system is not considered in this article, because its older versions are much inferior to existing versions of Android, and new ones simply do not exist in economy class.

Samsung Galaxy A10

Need an inexpensive smartphone from Samsung? Here's the Galaxy A10. It has a so-called frameless body, a large 6.2-inch display, a design made in the style of the older models of the A line, a proprietary Exynos 7884 chip, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of main memory. Good battery capacity - 3400 mAh.

Users note good battery life, decent system speed, a good main camera, separate slots for a memory card and two SIM cards, and a relatively light weight of the case.

Screen diagonal: 6.2 inches

Screen resolution: 1520×720

Weight: 168 g

Number of SIM cards: 2

Processor: Exynos 7884

Memory capacity: 32 GB

RAM capacity: 2 GB

Battery capacity: 3400 mAh

Rear camera: 13 MP

Front camera: 5 MP

Memory card support: yes

Nokia 1.4 – compact, inexpensive

An entry-level functional phone that replaced the best-selling Nokia 1.3 in the lineup. The phone is a compromise between the C1 Plus and 5.4. A full-fledged Android 11 is installed here, which allows you to fully use the capabilities of the operating system. The 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor, despite its modest performance, copes well with daily tasks without visible slowdowns.

The image is displayed on a 6.52-inch screen that supports HD+ resolution. You shouldn’t expect bright colors from the panel, and the picture doesn’t look cheap.

The advantage of Nokia 1.4 is the built-in fingerprint scanner located on the rear panel. The solution is not often found in ultra-budget models. The round photo module (the design is typical for the latest Nokia models) contains two sensors: an 8 MP main sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. There is a 5-megapixel front camera integrated into a compact teardrop-shaped display cutout. The phone cannot be classified as a camera phone; the photos are quite mediocre.

Advantages:

wired headphone jack;
tray for two SIM cards;
reliable signal reception;
good assembly, selection of materials;
price;
classic location of the fingerprint scanner.

Flaws:

processor, entry-level cameras;
insufficient RAM or internal memory;
controversial design;
the presence of massive near-screen frames.

Wireless connections

Quite interesting is the fact that in 2021, economy-class smartphone models capable of supporting 5G networks have already appeared. The pioneer here is the affordable MediaTek Dimensity platform. Its closest competitor, Qualcomm, costs almost twice as much in production, which is why it is installed in a mid-price segment model. However, specifically for the Russian expanses, support for 5G networks is not so important, because their support only works in some metropolitan areas, and does not yet function anywhere else in the Russian Federation. The expected widespread adoption of next-generation networks will begin only at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022. But support for 4G LTE networks is available even for ultra-budget models.

The optimal set of wireless connections in 2021 should look like this:

Wi-Fi a/c - single-band Wi-Fi is already outdated and this technology will be an ideal option, because it is fast enough and less sensitive to interference;
Bluetooth 5.0 – this system can keep two gadgets connected simultaneously on one device. The previous version of “blue tooth” 4.4 can no longer even connect most models of TWS headphones;
NFC chip – provides accelerated synchronization with payment terminals (but not only with them) for wireless payment. Previously, this technology was the province of only premium models, but today it can easily be found in economy smartphones.
Navigation - the smartphone must at least support the GLONASS or GPS system in the single range. Dual-band systems are able to establish communications with satellites faster and also work more stably in areas with high-rise buildings.

Huawei Y6 (2019)

This smartphone from Huawei is sold in two colors + a version with a leather-like back. It looks very interesting, although this solution has been used before on some smartphones.

There is a fairly large 6.09-inch display with a resolution of 1560×720 pixels, a fingerprint sensor, and a good single main camera. The platform consists of a MediaTek Helio A22 chipset, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM.

Users note good battery life, firmware speed, and high-quality display.

Screen diagonal: 6.09 inches

Screen resolution: 1560×720

Weight: 150 g

Number of SIM cards: 2

Processor: MediaTek Helio A22

Memory capacity: 32 GB

RAM capacity: 2 GB

Battery capacity: 3020 mAh

Rear camera: 13 MP

Front camera: 8 MP

Memory card support: yes

Display

It is the size of the display that does not play a big technical role and this issue will depend solely on the taste preferences of the future owner. However, the larger its inch diagonal, the more convenient it will be to play and watch videos, read websites and e-books, but the larger the smartphone itself will be. If we turn directly to the issue of technology, modern displays support two technologies. The first - IPS - is capable of producing more natural colors and does not put much strain on the eyes. This technology is very economical to produce, but puts a lot of strain on the battery. AMOLED technology produces rich colors coupled with increased contrast levels, but these displays are not cheap to produce, although they drain less battery.

Honor 9S

Like all the latest generation Honor smartphones, the 9S did not receive Google services, which, however, users have already gotten used to. And the smartphone itself is very good for its segment.

It received Android 10, a 5.45-inch display, a cool body design and several colors, a platform based on the Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762V) chip, 2 GB of RAM, and a 3020 mAh battery.

The large block of the main camera beckons: it seems that there are at least 3 modules in it, but in reality there is only one. Nevertheless, the camera is very good by the standards of its class.

Screen diagonal: 5.45 inches

Screen resolution: 1440×720

Weight: 144 g

Number of SIM cards: 2

Processor: Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762V)

Memory capacity: 32 GB

RAM capacity: 2 GB

Battery capacity: 3020 mAh

Rear camera: 8 MP

Front camera: 5 MP

Memory card support: yes

Memory is operational and permanent

Applications and open documents launched by the user are loaded into the random access memory (RAM) of the smartphone. If you plan to work only with browsers and instant messengers, then you can get by with 512 Megabytes. The required minimum for office programs and running the game is set at 2 Gigabytes. Editing and shooting high-quality video will require at least 4 Gigabytes or more.

Permanent (built-in) ROM memory is responsible for storing downloaded programs, games and documents in the smartphone. If the user only needs office use and Internet surfing, 8 GB will be enough. If you need to host a large collection of audio and video files, or games, a 32 GB model is suitable. In cases where video editing or storing photos in high resolution (16 Megapixels) is expected, even 64 Gigabytes may not be enough.

ZTE Blade A5 (2020) 2/32GB

ZTE came up with an interesting budget solution for its price.

The design of the case can be called classic, the screen diagonal is as much as 6.09 inches, the resolution is traditional - 1560x720 pixels. The platform runs on the budget Unisoc SC9863A chipset, the memory capacity is 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM, which is not bad considering the cost. Battery capacity - 3200 mAh.

Pay attention to the dual camera module: main + for background blur. The camera takes pictures exactly as you would expect from a device for that kind of money.

Screen diagonal: 6.09 inches

Screen resolution: 1560×720

Weight: 155 g

Number of SIM cards: 2

Processor: Unisoc SC9863A

Memory capacity: 32 GB

RAM capacity: 2 GB

Battery capacity: 3200 mAh

Rear camera: dual 13/2 MP

Front camera: 8 MP

Memory card support: yes

Case ergonomics

Due to the fact that most of the smartphone body is occupied by the display, the size of the device itself is often determined by the size of the screen. Today, devices with a diagonal of 5 and 5.5 inches with an aspect ratio of 18 to 9 are very popular. However, such samples are difficult to fit into a pocket, but their large display produces a high-quality picture, and they themselves are comfortably held in the palm of your hand. For the budget segment, 4-inch models are more common, which, although ergonomic in their behavior in the hand, are not very convenient to work with office applications. Thus, before purchasing, you should decide what will be more important – ease of holding and carrying or ease of use.