Which phone to buy in February 2023: rating of the best models for any budget

Manufacturer marketers and in-store consultants always target people who aren’t too tech-savvy. On the eve of the New Year holidays, everything is aggravated, because companies are also luring with loud discounts with impressive promotions – choosing a suitable and really good, but inexpensive phone is even more difficult. In this article, I decided to collect about the three best models in each of the price segments, any of them can be considered for purchase by the average user. Smartphones were selected with an emphasis on the balance of characteristics, taking into account the reviews of reviewers and with an eye to the realities of the modern market.

The best cheap smartphones under 14,000 rubles

Phones of this price category will be able to satisfy only the most undemanding people who use a mobile device exclusively for calls, chatting in instant messengers and occasional surfing the Internet. You should not count on good cameras or comfortable passage of games.

Xiaomi LITTLE M5 (6/128 GB)

The price of this version: from 13,390 rubles.
Other modifications: 4/128 GB (from 14,270 rubles) and 6/128 (from 16,690 rubles).

Even in 2023, smartphones with 6 GB of RAM are rare, so every model with this amount of RAM has a good chance of getting into the top rankings. But POCO M5 stands out not only with RAM, but also with a 6-nanometer Helio G99 processor (the best among competitors), as well as good cameras for its segment.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 NFC (4/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 13,470 rubles.
Other modifications: 4/64 GB (from 12,900 rubles).

For a long time, Redmi Note 11 could not fit into the most budget category, but now it has fallen in price and easily established itself in a high place. For the price, it has an excellent AMOLED screen, excellent autonomy with fast charging, and a very decent camera. Otherwise, the filling is similar to that of competitors, but Xiaomi did not forget about the little things and equipped Redmi Note 11 with basic protection against dust and water IP53, which is not found in all models at this price.

Tecno POVA Neo 2 (6/128 GB)

The price of this version: from 10,990 rubles.
Other modifications: 4/64 GB (from 8,490 rubles).

Tecno is a relatively young brand on the Russian market, but it has already made a good name for itself. Like the youth-oriented POVA series. In Tecno POVA Neo 2, accents are clearly visible: as many as 6 GB of RAM and a huge 7000 mAh battery. Nevertheless, for the sake of such features, the manufacturer made tangible compromises: a screen with a low resolution (HD instead of Full HD) and a mediocre camera. When thinking about this smartphone, it is worth considering priorities: it is ideal for those who primarily need only stable operation and good battery life.

The best cheap smartphones under 20,000 rubles

Representatives of this price category, of course, are far from flagships, but still able to satisfy the needs of most average users. Models for this price have a decent processor and good cameras, but manufacturers practically do not rely on the display and other secondary characteristics for many.

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G (6/128 GB)

The price of this version: from 19,790 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/128 GB (from 20,950 rubles).

The strength of all Samsung smartphones is long-term support for updates and security patches, and the Galaxy A33 5G is no exception. But it also has other advantages: a modern 5nm Exynos 1280 processor, full protection against dust and water according to the IP67 standard, and an excellent camera with optical stabilization of the main matrix. If the maximum screen speed and charging do not play a big role, as well as autonomy, then the Galaxy A33 5G can be safely considered as the main contender for the new smartphone.

OPPO Reno7 4G (8/128GB)

The price of this version: from 18,990 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 20,800 rubles).

OPPO has always made good budget models, but they often lacked something. In the case of the cheaper Reno7 4G, everything turned out well, and the infrequent volume of 8 GB is an attractive highlight (against the background of 6 GB for most competitors). In general, this model turned out to be successful, it just does not hold up to the winner in a detailed comparison (albeit in small things). But in itself it can be safely considered for purchase.

Infinix ZERO X Pro (8/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 18,990 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 20,800 rubles).

Infinix is a young but already well-known brand in Russia. ZERO X Pro has become a landmark model for him, because the manufacturer clearly tried to make it stand out from the background of the gray mass of other devices. It has something to surprise inside too: 8 GB of RAM is now a rarity in this price segment, as is the main camera with 108 megapixels with a periscope for five times zoom. However, in practice, everything is not so good: the same cameras absolutely do not stand out in any way and shoot mediocre, and the processor loses to chipsets from competitors. Nevertheless, in itself this is a worthy model, which is definitely worth paying attention to (especially considering the RAM with a margin for years to come).

The best inexpensive smartphones under 28,000 rubles

Phones in this segment can be called optimal, because manufacturers focus not only on features, but also on design: many models show off elegance or some kind of design zest, thanks to which they effectively stand out from cheaper options.

Xiaomi 12 Lite (8/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 27,350 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 28,580 rubles) or 12/256 GB (from 34,100 rubles).

Xiaomi models with the Lite prefix are of genuine interest, because they combine the design of flagships and some of their features, but at the same time they are much cheaper. Xiaomi 12 Lite turned out just like that: excellent cameras, fast charging at 67 W, an excellent display and a sub-flagship processor in the face of the Snapdragon 778G. It is worth considering that with a small surcharge, you can purchase a modification for 12 GB of RAM.

Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro 5G (8/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 27,350 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 28,580 rubles) or 12/256 GB (from 34,100 rubles).

In smartphones POCO, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, almost always traces a shifted balance of characteristics in favor of gaming needs – a bet on the processor, screen and battery. But in the case of the X4 Pro 5G, the POCO formula is not fully followed – the Snapdragon 695 chipset is sufficient, but far from the most productive one. At the same time, the cameras are very mediocre (like most other POCOs). Nevertheless, even with such shortcomings, this smartphone is ahead of many competitors.

Google Pixel 6a (6/128 GB)

The price of this version: from 24,980 rubles.

Google has never tried to make the sale of smartphones its main income, so its models often turned out to be overly compromised. The budget Pixel 6a, however, has proven to be virtually without flaws, at least after the price drops – it has excellent cameras (which can beat the more expensive models), excellent performance, and, not least, better support for Android (with Google-exclusive features) and security patches. There are only a couple of significant drawbacks: a 60Hz screen and only 6GB of RAM, although competitors often offer 90/120Hz and 8GB. However, the advantages outweigh these disadvantages.

Rating of smartphones up to 35,000 rubles

Representatives of this category are included in the upper half of the price rating, which can be seen both in terms of design characteristics and capabilities. In this segment, manufacturers are mainly trying to make budget flagships – models with outstanding parameters and compromises at the same time.

Xiaomi 12T (8/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 28,820 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 31,140 rubles).

Xiaomi 12T is both an improved and degraded version of the flagship Xiaomi 12. It has an alternative chipset in the form of MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra, which, although weaker, is more stable. The quality of the cameras and display is just as good, and the charging power is twice as high at 120W. Although this model is sold in Russia quite recently, even now its price is more than successful – the smartphone easily outperforms many competitors in its price segment.

OnePlus 9 (12/256 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 34,870 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 38,490 rubles).

The OnePlus 9 series marked the beginning of a new phase for the manufacturer, as it moved away from betting so obviously on the low cost of its flagships, and focused on real competition with devices from A-brands. It turned out in two ways: the characteristics are good, but in a direct comparison of the capabilities, OnePlus smartphones fell short of eminent rivals. Nevertheless, such shortcomings are almost not reflected in the cheaper “oldies” that compete with the initially cheaper models – OnePlus 9 was a great example.

Xiaomi Poco F4 GT (8/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 31,190 rubles.
Other modifications: 12/256 GB (from 36,350 rubles).

Poco F4 GT is almost the first gaming smartphone to make the list of the best for ordinary people. It has special retractable trigger buttons on the side that come in handy in games, and even LED strips in the camera block. However, this is not another gaming smartphone, which, apart from the processor, does not attract anything. Surprisingly, the Poco F4 GT turned out to be quite balanced, even the cameras did not let us down – they are quite good (but, of course, not the best in the segment). If you are not confused by the game design (in fairness, it is not very catchy), then this model is definitely worth considering for purchase. Moreover, the same triggers can be used with benefit outside of games (by programming them for quick actions), or simply not pulled out of the case.

Rating of smartphones up to 45,000 rubles

For this price, models are sold that are devoid of any significant compromises. As a rule, these are either the flagships of past years from A-brands, or the advanced phones of promising Chinese corporations that are trying to grab a share of more famous companies at the expense of “delicious” price tags for their gadgets.

Samsung Galaxy S21 (8/128 GB)

The price of this version: from 43,480 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 44,990 rubles).

Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphones have always been regarded as a benchmark in the Android world, providing uncompromising hardware with an outstanding screen and excellent cameras. Galaxy S21 lives up to this title, even though competitors breathe into its back cover. The only caveat is that the version on the proprietary Exynos processor is noticeably inferior to the modification on Snapdragon (less productive and autonomous), so it’s worth looking for the American model in the vast gray market.

Xiaomi 12T Pro (8/128 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 44,490 rubles.
Other modifications: 12/256 GB (from 49,120 rubles).

Xiaomi’s best T-series smartphone at the moment, as expected, took pride of place in the ranking, because it does not have too obvious disadvantages. Display, cameras, autonomy – everything is on top. But there are nuances: minimal protection against dust and water and a large size (6.67-inch screen) can scare away. In terms of specs, the Xiaomi 12T Pro might impress with a 200MP camera, but don’t fall for the marketing – it shoots well, but no better than more modest alternatives. But 12 GB of RAM may well come in handy if you do not plan to change your smartphone in 2 years.

Realme GT2 Pro (12/256 GB)

The price of this version: from 43,360 rubles.

At the time of its release, the GT2 Pro became one of the most (if not the most) expensive Realme smartphones, and for good reason: the manufacturer tried to make it a full-fledged competitor for the flagships of A-brands. He succeeded, but partially: with a really good stuffing, he lost the standard flagship attributes in the face of wireless charging and protection from dust and water. Nevertheless, now it has fallen in price, so many will obviously turn a blind eye to such disadvantages – otherwise the smartphone is excellent, although it was not lucky enough to compete with very strong competitors.

Rating of smartphones up to 60,000 rubles

Smartphones in this category will satisfy the needs of any average buyer for many years. At this price, really outstanding models are sold, which did not become the most expensive only because of the absence of any geeky features or unnecessary “bells and whistles”.

Samsung Galaxy S22 (128GB)

The price of this version: from 59,115 rubles.
Other modifications: 256 GB (from 69,000 rubles) and 512 GB (from 76,780 rubles).

The Galaxy S23 is now available, but it differs so little from its predecessor that many undemanding users will not even notice the differences. This only says one thing – the cheaper S22 is a great contender even today. It still has great cameras, a great screen, benchmark support for updates and everything. The only catch is that you should choose the version on the Snapdragon processor, since the branded Exynos is more gluttonous and less productive.

Google Pixel 7 Pro (12/128 GB)

The price of this version: from 47,730 rubles.

The Pixel 7 series became the best-selling in the history of Google smartphones for a reason – the manufacturer improved its strengths and got rid of its weaknesses. The strengths continue to include photo capabilities, exclusive firmware features, and artificial intelligence. Of course, the same processor (the proprietary Tensor G2) is still noticeably inferior to its competitors, and the battery life is mediocre, but many turn a blind eye to this for the sake of good photos and the opportunity to be the first to receive Android updates, and clean ones.

Xiaomi 12 Pro (12/256 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 55,400 rubles.
Other modifications: 8/256 GB (from 51,220 rubles).

There is a big gap in price between Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro, and it was done for a reason: the older model has all three rear cameras (and not just the main one) at 50 megapixels, a slightly larger battery and twice as fast charging, but one of the key differences was the display completely different level. It comes with 1440p resolution, an incredible 1,500 nits of peak brightness, and a dynamic frequency of 1 to 120 Hz, with a layer of microlenses above the pixels to increase brightness. All these nuances made Xiaomi 12 Pro a very strong flagship, pulling out victory over most competitors.

Rating of smartphones over 60,000 rubles

These are exclusively premium models that offer customers the best of the best – absolutely no compromises and savings on anything. Only advanced technologies, premium materials and elegant design, as well as the fastest and longest support for updates.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (12/256 ГБ)

The price of this version: from 65,980 rubles.
Other modifications: 12/512 GB (from 75,980 rubles).

At the time of this writing, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has not yet begun to be sold in Russia, but this will happen very soon, and the Internet already has the first reviews and comparisons with its predecessor. There are really few changes, and they can hardly be seen with the naked eye. But there are innovations: now all modifications have a Snapdragon processor installed (the manufacturer has refused to use a proprietary counterpart), the memory has become faster, and the camera has received a higher resolution (better detail). These improvements cannot be called significant, so you should safely consider buying last year’s S22 Ultra as well. But if you want the best of the best, then the S23 Ultra is your choice.

Huawei Mate 50 Pro (8/256)

The price of this version: from 70,000 rubles.

Before the US sanctions, Huawei was a thorn in the neck of Apple, Samsung, Google, and anyone else – its flagships were in no way inferior, and even surpassed competitors in cameras. Now it has a bunch of limits, the largest of which are related to Google services and Qualcomm modems, but the corporation still manages to make very strong flagships. The Mate 50 Pro is the best smartphone from Huawei at the moment, which bypasses rivals in the same cameras. In terms of other characteristics, everything is also at the highest level, but it is worth considering the lack of Google services.

iPhone 14 Pro (121221 GB)

The price of this version: from 65,980 rubles.
Other modifications: 12/512 GB (from 75,980 rubles).

In the current realities, it is rather risky to recommend any iPhone for purchase: due to a large number of restrictions (Apple Pay not working and the inability to download the necessary applications removed from the App Store), a smartphone can, without exaggeration, disappoint. But there is no other worthy candidate for third place in this category, so it was the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) that took it. Limitations aside, this is an excellent smartphone: in terms of cameras, processor, screen, sound, vibration feedback – everything. But in the current environment, the limitations of iOS are pulling it hard to the bottom, especially given the high cost.

Source: Trash Box