Which smartphone is better to choose and buy when your budget is 250-300 euros? This is a good amount, you can find a very good phone for it. You don’t even need to spend more money on flagships, because today in our TOP 7 rating there are really high-quality and worthy devices. They will outshine any iPhones and Samsungs that cost much more.

So, in our list there was only room for models no older than 2015, and the majority of smartphones from 2017 are new and modern.
We also limited entry into this TOP 7 to those smartphones whose battery capacity is below 2700 mAh, RAM is less than 2 GB, and the processor has less than 6 cores. It turned out to be quite a powerful company.
Let's take a look at these best phones of 2017.

OnePlus 2

Price: approximately 300 euros
How quickly time flies - this smartphone is almost a year old. When the phone went on sale it created a real sensation, because the device is quite modern. For three hundred European currency, the user gets everything he could dream of - powerful hardware, a high-quality screen, a long-lasting battery and much more. Among the shortcomings, we can immediately note the weight of the device, 175 grams, as well as the thickness of the case, which is 9.9 mm. Otherwise, this Chinese smartphone is simply gorgeous. Here are its main technical characteristics:
battery capacity 3300 mAh
main camera 13 MP with laser. autofocus and dual flash
front camera 5 MP
5.5-inch screen, LTPS IPS LCD technology (1080 by 1920 pixels)
OS Android 5.1 (Lollipop), firmware Oxygen 2.2.1 UI
Octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor with a frequency of 1.82 GHz
3 or 4 GB of RAM to choose from, 32/64 GB of internal memory
slot for two SIM cards, fingerprint sensor

New Year is coming, which means it's time for gifts. It's time to please yourself, relatives, children, wives and parents. Well, the best gift these days is a smartphone. That's why we decided to pick for you the best budget smartphones in 2017 under $300. These will be the 15 most interesting devices that are available for free sale in the indicated price range.

In this selection, we do not take into account those models that will be announced in the near future, that are not yet officially sold, that need to be ordered from China, the USA, Germany and other distant countries. Only what you can buy in stores in your city.

LG Q6 – $250

A good choice for those who are not looking for maximum filling and value appearance. The LG Q6 looks nice and feels great in the hand. The smartphone uses a fairly simple Snapdragon 435 processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. The Q6 has a 13 megapixel main camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 5 megapixel front camera. You shouldn’t expect miracles from the performance and camera, but the smartphone works quickly, and the main feature of the Q6 is the elongated 18:9 screen, which occupies almost the entire front surface. By the way, LG were the first to enter the mid-range and budget segment with such smartphones. We made one, which differs from the Q6 in the amount of RAM and built-in memory and costs a little less.

Xiaomi Redmi 4X – $135

Definitely the budget smartphone of the year! One of the most popular smartphones, and all thanks to the killer combination of price and features. The smartphone has a 5-inch screen with HD resolution. The main camera is 13 megapixels and a simply huge 4100 mAh battery. Xiaomi Redmi 4X will easily last a couple of days on a single charge. The Redmi 4X has a fairly simple Snapdragon 435 processor and 2 GB of RAM. Of course, this is far from the best indicator, but even in the minimum configuration, Redmi 4X demonstrates adequate performance. There are slowdowns, but not so often that it becomes annoying. But if you want a faster device, then you can take the version with 3 GB of RAM or even buy the large Redmi Note 4X with a 5.5-inch screen and a price of $150-$190. However, the beauty of the 4X is precisely in the most affordable configuration, which can be bought for $110 if you try, but the average market price of this smartphone is $135.

Xiaomi Mi A1 / Mi 5X – $270

Xiaomi Mi A1 is one of the best smartphones in the budget segment thanks to pure Android optimized for mid-range smartphones. The beauty of pure Android is the speed of operation and the absence of unnecessary frills, which is found in abundance in inexpensive Chinese smartphones. Technically, Mi A1 is almost completely the same as the company’s other smartphone, Xiaomi Mi 5X. It has a 5.5-inch screen, an eight-core Snapdragon 625 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. The dual camera, unlike most competitors in this price range, uses a second telephoto lens and allows you to zoom in without losing quality. If you have long wanted to try pure Android, but don’t want to spend money on a Pixel, then the Mi A1 is an excellent opportunity to evaluate the benefits of a bare system, without additional add-ons. You can buy Mi A1 for an average of $270. If you prefer MIUI, you can buy Xiaomi Mi 5X; the basic 32 GB version will cost $250.

Nokia 6 – $270

The revival of Nokia this year has caused serious interest among the public. Largely due to the fact that the new Nokia line includes budget smartphones. In March, at the 2017 exhibition, we had to stand in a long line to hold it in our hands. Externally, Nokia 6 does not have any special features. There are no expensive materials or perfect seams, but the design traces the heritage of the Finnish company, and the entire line of Nokia smartphones has signature angular features. Technically, Nokia 6 is far from the best smartphone on the market; it has a rather weak Snapdragon 430 processor and Adreno 505 graphics. You definitely can’t call a gaming smartphone. But at the same time, the “six” has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. It turns out there is a slight imbalance between power and memory. But everything else is in order. Good stereo speakers, a decent 5.5-inch IPS display, a decent camera and clean Android. A good choice for those who are looking for a smartphone for every day, but do not play heavy games.

Motorola Moto G5 – $250

Another representative with pure Android on board. The Moto G5 was at the beginning of the year at the MWC exhibition, but it officially started being sold not so long ago. Externally, this smartphone is made in the style of Motorola of recent years, although the design is quite controversial. Moto G line smartphones used to look much more interesting, but this is all a matter of taste, of course. Technically, the Moto G5 is also not amazing; the younger version is equipped with a Snapdragon 430 processor and 2 GB of RAM. By paying a little extra you can get a smartphone with 3 GB of RAM. But the screen here is excellent - a 5-inch IPS display with Full HD resolution and durable glass. The 13 megapixel main camera with a fast f/2.0 lens is also not bad. The battery here is 2800 mAh, a modest figure, but for a smartphone with a 5-inch display it gives a full day of work.

Meizu M6 – $160

Meizu has its own style. Even if it seems to some that all “Chinese” are alike, this is actually not the case. has signature recognizable features that other smartphones of the company have. For example, a round camera on a plastic back cover. Yes, the body here is plastic, but Meizu made a metal coating. The screen of this smartphone is 5.2-inch, with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The M6 ​​does not have the worst 13 megapixel camera, adequate battery life from a 3070 mAh battery and a hybrid slot for SIM cards and memory cards. The smartphone has several versions, the most affordable of which has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. It is possible to buy an M6 with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage.

Meizu M6 Note – $220

We have placed this version in a separate paragraph because it is very different from the original M6. There is a 5.5-inch display with Full HD resolution. But the main thing is that technically this is a more advanced device. The M6 ​​Note has an eight-core Snapdragon 625 processor, 3 or 4 GB of RAM and three storage options: 16, 32 and 64 GB. Although the appearance is reminiscent of the younger M6, there is honest metal and several interesting colors: black, blue, gold and silver. The main feature of this is the dual camera. Main 12 MP with f/1.9 aperture and additional 5 MP monochrome module. Together they allow you to take photos in portrait mode with background blur. The M6 ​​Note also has a decent 16 MP front camera. No miracles, but it takes decent pictures. Separately, it is worth mentioning the capacious 4000 mAh battery, and for $220 this is one of the most interesting smartphones on the market.

Samsung Galaxy J5 – $290

Samsung's J-series is one of the best-selling. These budget smartphones from the company are selling like hot cakes and not just because of the price. Although, as can be seen from our selection, at a price below $290 you can buy much more productive devices. However, Samsung means a lot of knowledge, experience and professionalism, so even budget devices are decently priced by Samsung standards. Well, the J5 justifies the money invested in its purchase. The smartphone looks very rich and holding this weighty baby in your hands you don’t want to call it budget. It has an excellent screen, like all Samsung smartphones. There is also a fingerprint scanner underneath. Screen diagonal 5.2 inches and 3000 mAh battery. A full charge is enough for a whole day of work, games, social networks, surfing the Internet and other tasks. You shouldn't expect high performance from it, but that's not what it was created for either. But it takes photographs well enough for its class. The 13 megapixel module with f/1.7 aperture has moved the smartphone far ahead compared to the 2016 model. Under good lighting conditions, photographs are of excellent quality. Well, you can also record good video in Full HD resolution at a speed of 30 frames per second. The only relics left in the smartphone are the microUSB connector. Otherwise, this is a decent device. And not from just anyone, but from Samsung, a company that in 2017 took the lead in the field of trend formation.

Huawei P10 Lite – $240

P10 Lite is a lightweight version from Huawei. Owning the Lite version feels almost the same as owning a flagship, because they have almost the same names. Who is interested in this strange Lite console in naming? Actually, this was the company’s emphasis when creating this affordable device. If we talk about the P10 Lite as a smartphone that does not have a dual camera, a powerful processor and many gigabytes of memory, then it does not seem so attractive. But if we say that for $240 you get 12 megapixels with an f/2.2 aperture, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, 4 Kirin 658 cores, a 5.2-inch Full HD display and a 3000 mAh battery with fast charging function, then everything is becoming very rosy. Add to this a nice design with small details in the form of an iridescent back panel, metal and glass in the body and you will get a desirable budget phone with a loud flagship name. Oh, and don't forget that Huawei is the world's third-largest smartphone company, hot on Samsung's heels.

Alcatel Idol 5 – $190

The Idol line used to be the flagship, but now Alcatel has decided that Idol 5 will play in the middle field and here it looks interesting. Idol 5 is powered by an eight-core MediaTek MT6753 processor, it has 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. The performance of this device is at the level, it is quite fast, but playing heavy games is not for it. The screen of the smartphone is 5.2 inches, Full HD, the brightness is average, but the screen quality is not bad. And the average brightness is due to an attempt to save on energy consumption; the battery capacity here is a modest 2800 mAh and there is no fast charging, from call to call it takes 3.5 hours! But Idol 5 has a metal body and a very nice design that echoes the iPhone 7. There are two colors to choose from: black and silver. You shouldn’t expect miracles from the 16 megapixel main camera, but in good lighting the pictures come out pretty good. At the start of sales, the official price of Idol 5 was $240, but today you can buy it for a modest $190 and it’s definitely worth the money.

ASUS ZenFone 4 Max – $230

Despite its modest processor and less than stellar screen, the Asus Zenfon 4 Max is a great choice for those who value battery life. As much as 5000 mAh and the ability to watch movies for 18 hours straight or play games for 10 hours. And the most interesting thing is that Zenfon 4 Max can be used as an external battery for other devices. Technically, this is a simple but balanced device with a Snapdragon 425 processor and 2 GB of RAM in the lower version. There is also an option with 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent memory. The screen here is 5.5-inch with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, but this is due to maximum operating time and the desire to make the device accessible. Zenfone 4 Max has a dual main camera, where the main module is 13 megapixels with an f/2.0 aperture, and the secondary module is 2 megapixels with wide-angle optics. But of course you shouldn’t expect miracles from it, the resolution is too low. Overall, for the money, the Asus Zenfon 4 Max is a very good option.

Honor 7X – $300

This smartphone was presented back in October, but it is only now available. The Honor 7X has a large 5.93-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. The body of the new product is metal, on the back cover there is a fingerprint scanner and a dual camera. The camera has two modules of 16 and 2 megapixels, for selfies there is an 8 megapixel front camera. The smartphone is powered by its own Kirin 659 processor, it has 4 GB of RAM, and the weak point of this combination is in the graphics chip; the far from best Mali-T830 MP is installed here. Good autonomy of this smartphone is ensured by well-developed optimization, processor and 3,340 mAh battery. The Honor 7X can last 1.5-2 days on a single charge. The 7X currently costs just over $300, but the price will come down a bit soon. If you like to order from China, then prices there for this smartphone start at $220. But you will have to be careful not to get a version for China, where there are no necessary LTE frequencies and the firmware is replete with pre-installed garbage.

HTC U Play - $300

From bulky metal smartphones with a recognizable design, HTC switched to glass, and in order not to be like others, they came up with a new style - Liquid Surface. Smartphones with this design have a glass back cover, which, regardless of the main color, constantly shimmers, resembling a drop of gasoline on water. All this looks interesting, to say the least. In addition, the relatively affordable HTC U Play is very similar to the flagship. The smartphone screen is 5.2-inch with Full HD resolution, it is an IPS matrix with a good picture that fades only a little at angles. Technically, U Play is average, but with an adequate Helio P10 chip and 3 GB of RAM in the basic configuration. The 16 MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture is generally not bad, but not amazing. But the front one, also 16 megapixels with the same aperture, is very good and produces high-quality selfies even in poor lighting. The smartphone is equipped with good USB-C headphones, and there is a Type-C connector, which is not yet typical for the middle segment. This year, HTC is literally reborn thanks to the excellent flagship U11 and the very interesting and balanced mid-ranger U Play.

Nubia Z11 Mini – $300

This smartphone is already old by market standards. Nubia Z11 Mini was introduced more than a year and a half ago and yet it is still relevant. Judge for yourself, inside it has an eight-core Snapdragon 617 processor, 3 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. And externally, the Z11 Mini turned out to be successful due to its glass body with a metal edging. The Z11 Mini looks especially impressive in black with red accents. The smartphone has a good 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution. How often do you come across a good-quality compact smartphone with a good 16 megapixel camera that takes very good pictures? Infrequently. But it's worth noting that the camera can be murky in low light, but is otherwise very good. The weakest point of the Nubia Z11 Mini is its modest battery. 2800 mAh is quite adequate capacity for a 5-inch smartphone, but active users will have to charge it often.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini – $290

Another old man who is already older, but he still remains relevant -. Moreover, it has no equal in sound. Like this compact smartphone, it is equipped with a separate Asahi Kasei AK4962 audio chip, and it allows you to very finely tailor the sound to your needs. The sound is good from stereo speakers too. Volumetric, loud and very rich. The screen didn’t disappoint either; the Axon 7 Mini has a 5.2-inch Amoled display with Full HD resolution and an excellent oleophobic coating. The main 16 megapixel camera with a fast f/1.9 lens produces good pictures during the day, and in the right hands it will make it possible to shoot at night without noise or blur. As with the Nubia Z11 Mini, this smartphone suffers from a lack of battery capacity. 2700 mAh is clearly not enough for the Axon 7 Mini. In active mode, the smartphone will last until lunchtime, so you will have to carry an external battery with you. But if you're a fan of good sound, you'll love the Axon 7 Mini.

So, we continue to share with you the ratings of smartphones that are best to buy in November (the top will also be relevant for December, since the most popular solutions are quite firmly entrenched in their places). We recently talked about, and. Today we are moving to the category of 200-300 dollars (12,000-18,000 rubles), which is quite popular among users - it’s not too expensive, and you can pick up a cool smartphone. Naturally, we will go shopping to Chinese online stores - at official points of sale for this price it is more difficult to find something really worthwhile.

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The Chinese company manages to be the best in many market segments. In the budget class it rules, and in a slightly higher class the Mi A1 () holds the palm. The key feature of the smartphone is “pure” Android – the company’s first model that does not have MIUI “on board”. The remaining characteristics of the Xiaomi Mi A1 are fully consistent with the middle class.

The design of the smartphone is taken over from the iPhone 7 Plus; the body is made entirely of metal. The 5.5-inch screen with FullHD resolution is a classic. The dual main camera, as the manufacturer himself claimed, is close to the photo quality of the flagship Mi6. Of course, I embellished it a little, but the Xiaomi Mi A1 takes really good pictures. Both sensors are 12 megapixels, the front sensor is 5 megapixels. The smartphone is equipped with the most popular chipset of the past year – Snapdragon 625. Sufficient performance and good energy efficiency in one bottle. 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of ROM is what you need in 2017. The battery is 3080 mAh, which is enough for a long time without recharging.

An almost ideal smartphone under $300, which will suit all Xiaomi fans who prefer MIUI “pure” Android.

Do you know how we quickly search for offers at the lowest price? . We recommend that you try it too!

LeEco Le Pro 3 (X720)

Last year's flagship of the Chinese company, which dropped significantly in price in 2017, attracting the interest of a considerable number of users. We reviewed its younger brother, which has a similar design, but a little weaker “filling”. The model is also quite interesting, and it’s really cheap.

LeEco Le Pro 3 (X720) is housed in a stylish metal case and has a 5.5-inch screen (FullHD) covered with third-generation Corning glass. The main advantage is the Snapdragon 821 processor, which a year ago allowed Le Pro 3 (X720) to climb to the very top of the benchmark benchmarks. The smartphone comes in different memory options, but today it is most profitable to buy the 4 GB RAM + 32 GB internal storage version, but please note that the model does not support memory cards. A fairly capacious 4070 mAh battery will provide good battery life, and the main camera takes decent photos even today. In addition, Le Pro 3 (X720) has an interface that allows you to make contactless payments, and USB-C has become the key physical connector.

And again Xiaomi. We can say that the second most popular device for the Chinese company in the mid-range segment today is Mi Max 2 (). This is one of the largest smartphones on the market, which many will be crazy about, while others will immediately dismiss the idea of ​​​​purchase.

A 6.44-inch FullHD screen awaits us on the front side, showing a rich and clear picture. Despite such an impressive diagonal, the dimensions of the smartphone are acceptable. The body is made of metal, and at the head of the hardware sits the same Snapdragon 625. In order to ensure good multitasking, the manufacturer has endowed the smartphone with 4 GB of RAM, with 64 GB of permanent memory available, expandable. Xiaomi Mi Max 2 boasts excellent autonomy, which is provided by a 5300 mAh battery. Even the phablet’s 12+5 MP cameras won’t leave you without good photos.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 definitely deserves a place in the ranking of the best smartphones under $300, especially if you take into account the diagonal of its screen - there are few such solutions on the market.

At an attractive price, you can now grab this last year's flagship. ZTE Axon 7 has not gained the same popularity as smartphones from more popular brands, although in terms of technical equipment it can easily surpass its more famous competitors.

ZTE Axon 7 is housed in a metal case with an atypical design for the current market. It stands out for the presence of stereo speakers, becoming famous in its time as one of the loudest models. You will be pleasantly surprised by the screen - a 5.5-inch AMOLED panel with 2K resolution. This ratio provides incredibly clear images. The technical equipment, which is controlled by the Snapdragon 820, also looks good. It has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of ROM. Equipped with ZTE Axon 7 20-megapixel main and 8-megapixel front cameras. True, a 3250 mAh battery does not look promising with such specifications.

Be that as it may, the ZTE Axon 7 has earned a place in the ranking of the best smartphones for November, which we think many will agree with. But at the most attractive price it was only found on GearBest, where they are now asking for no more than $250. Don't forget to use the coupon when purchasing ZTEAXON7.

An interesting new product from Huawei, located in the price segment of 12,000-18,000 rubles. First of all, it offers high build quality at a relatively low price. It can offer a modern design based on a widescreen 18:9 screen.

The 5.93-inch display with FHD+ resolution will allow you to enjoy content, and the fairly powerful Kirin 659 processor will allow you to enjoy modern games. There are many Honor 7X options to choose from, which differ in memory capacity (4 GB of RAM and 32, 64 or 128 GB of storage). The smartphone has a dual main camera of 16+2 MP and an 8-megapixel front camera – not a photographer’s dream, but quite decent sensors. There is a fingerprint scanner and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Blackview BV8000 Pro

A secure model from Blackview is also in the top sales among smartphones under $300 today. The manufacturer tried to make the BV8000 Pro not just a huge brick that would not be affected by various external influences, but also equipped the model with very modern hardware.

The screen of the Blackview BV8000 Pro, so that it is not even larger, is 5 inches with FullHD resolution, which provides an excellent picture. The high performance of the smartphone is impressive. The BV8000 Pro is powered by a Helio P20 processor and 6GB of RAM, with 64GB of internal storage. The key feature of the smartphone is moisture protection according to the IP68 standard, which allows you to even swim with the device. Blackview BV8000 Pro has a good 16-megapixel camera from Samsung, an impressive battery capacity with support for fast charging, and an NFC interface.

Lenovo has released few decent flagships in recent years, but it has a couple of decent models in the mid-range segment. For example, today we would recommend taking a closer look at the Vibe P2, which boasts a balanced “filling” and a reasonable price.

Externally, Lenovo Vibe P2 hardly stands out from its competitors - a classic all-in-one made of metal. And its screen is a classic 5.5-inch with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The most interesting thing is hidden inside. The Vibe P2 is equipped with the Snapdragon 625 chipset, which we already mentioned several times in our ranking of the best smartphones under $300 in November. 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage will provide you with good multitasking and enough space for thousands of files. The cherry will be a 5100 mAh battery, which, given the energy-efficient processor, will not require charging for 2 days with active use.

And this is a frameless solution from a third-tier company. Elephone S8 () is the most successful smartphone in its segment, which has really thin frames, a huge high-resolution screen, and in general it tries in every possible way to resemble its more flagship competitors.

The screen is 6 inches with a resolution of 2K, which gives 490 dpi. A good matrix is ​​used, so it’s pleasant to work with the smartphone. Elephone S8 is equipped with a main camera from Sony, and the processor is Helio X25. There are no problems with memory either - 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent storage will be enough for most. I would like a more capacious battery, but there are no catastrophic problems with autonomy. All this is complemented by a stylish modern design; the smartphone body is made of glass that shimmers in the light and a reliable metal frame.

One of the improved versions of last year's flagship from the famous Chinese company. Despite its age and a bunch of new flagships, it remains relevant. The cost of the smartphone is largely affected, making it one of the most affordable on the Snapdragon 821 chipset - Qualcomm's penultimate flagship.

In Mi 5S, Xiaomi abandoned glass in favor of more reliable metal. The same 5.15-inch compact screen with FullHD resolution remains. Photography lovers will appreciate the smartphone's high-quality 12-megapixel camera, and mobile gamers will appreciate the hardware, led by a specified processor and 3 or 4 GB of RAM. The Xiaomi Mi 5S has a 3200 mAh battery with support for fast charging technology. Additional features include an NFC interface, a USB-C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

With the advent of refurbished smartphones on AliExpress, iPhones have become available to everyone. With about $250 in hand now, you can buy an iPhone 6. The model is already 3 years old, but even today it copes with absolutely any tasks, games, takes good photographs, and also receives operating system updates.

Apple iPhone 6 is equipped with a compact 4.7-inch Retina display. The body is metal, with the exception of thin plastic inserts for the antennas. The smartphone runs on a proprietary dual-core processor, supported by 1 GB of RAM, with 16, 32 or 64 GB of permanent storage available. The battery capacity is disappointing: it is only 1810 mAh, which will not be enough for the whole day with intensive use. The main 8-megapixel camera still takes better photos than most competitors for the same money.

Statistics show that the most active sales in the smartphone market are in the budget segment and among devices in the mid-price category. The first one is clear - many people need simple, inexpensive models with basic smart functionality. But phones costing from $300 to $400 attract good balance: for this money you can buy a decent device with characteristics that are not much different from top models.

There is, however, a problem. Since manufacturers are constantly trying to catch up with each other and are afraid to experiment, almost all smartphones in the $300-400 category are similar and in the vast majority of cases do not differ from their counterparts in any unusual capabilities. However, we will try to find suitable instances for different user preferences.

The most reliable

Surprisingly, unlike the budget segment, there are no ultra-protected devices in the category we are considering today. There are only a few models available that only boast guaranteed light protection against dust and splashing water. Huawei Honor 3 looks preferable compared to its competitors.

In terms of hardware, the model is very similar to the Huawei Ascend P6 smartphone. Only she doesn’t try to seem stylish, but focuses on security and, in addition, is equipped with a 13-megapixel camera instead of an 8-megapixel one. The device is noticeably thicker than its brother (10 mm versus 6.2) and overall larger, but the excellent display and mediocre processor were inherited from the Ascend P6.

Externally, Honor 3 does not represent anything interesting - an ordinary nondescript brick, just like its predecessors in this series. But the model has a quite strong plastic case, and some kind of protection from moisture will allow you not to worry too much if you have to talk directly in the pouring rain.

The most “long-lasting”

Not everyone likes Microsoft's mobile OS. We also note that despite the wonderful display, fast platform and good camera, the device has one drawback - the lack of a memory card slot. The built-in 16 GB may soon simply not be enough for all user content. This is the price for style in Nokia's understanding.

Best camera phone

Yes, yes, for $350 you can buy a completely decent camera phone. The Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom model can hardly be called a convenient phone, but it can compete on an equal footing with digital point-and-shoot cameras costing up to $300. At the same time, you get the opportunity not only to take pictures, but also to make calls. In addition, do not forget that we are talking about the Android operating system, and not about a simple phone on a proprietary platform. Oh yes, the Galaxy S4 zoom can even replace the TV remote control - the built-in IR port allows you to control home appliances.

The device is equipped with a 16-megapixel camera, the matrix size is 1/2.3″, BSI support is declared, the focal length is from 4.3 to 43 mm, there is a xenon flash. The unique feature of the device is the 10x optical zoom. What other phone will you see this on? In terms of versatility and advanced photography capabilities, you won’t find anything better, even for $400.

Which smartphone should you choose if you are willing to spend no more than 300 euros? We have selected productive smartphones, interesting new products, and will also show you the monsters of autonomy in our next review!

We continue our series of reviews of smartphones by price segment. We have already talked about and also shown. The higher the budget bar rises, the more difficult and interesting the choice becomes. Expectations and requirements for such gadgets are rising, the functionality and performance of smartphones is growing. But that’s the whole point of the intrigue! Go.

The best smartphones under 300 euros

Samsung A3 2017

Samsung A3 2017 is the best choice for those who prefer compact smartphones. Display diagonal - 4.7 inches, thin body, almost frameless design. The AMOLED matrix provides bright, rich colors and high contrast in the sun. Thanks to the energy-efficient Exynos 7870 processor, the autonomy of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 increases to 93 hours in standby mode, despite a very sad battery with a capacity of only 2350 mAh. The smartphone is protected from dust and water (protection class - IP68).

The main disadvantages of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 are:

• HD display
• camera with inaccurate autofocus and lack of optical stabilization
• built-in memory capacity
• low autonomy

But there is one thing! The price tag of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 rests on the upper limit of the given budget (and in some stores it exceeds).

This smartphone has a rational alternative in the form of Samsung Galaxy A5 2016.

If you are not chasing new products, but are choosing a reliable smartphone with good characteristics, then we recommend considering the A5 2016. Its price tag is now about 230 euros.

Another brand alternative in a given price segment is Samsung J7 2017.

This smartphone, like the A3 2017, barely fits within the budget. The gadget offers a metal body, a fingerprint scanner, and a FullHD AMOLED display.

The main disadvantages of the J7 2017 are:

• weak graphics processor
• lack of fast charging support
• camera

One common drawback of Samsung smartphones is software updates. It will be a long wait. The lower the class of the series, the longer the developer rolls out updates. So, the 2017 A series came out with Android Marshmallow, although new 2017 smartphones from other brands received Android Nougat in their boxes. The 2016 A-series was released running Android Lollipop 5, and received updates only in May-July 2016. The 2016 J-series still hasn't received Andoird Nougat.

Nokia 6

Nokia 6 can be called a breakthrough for the brand in the smartphone industry. This is the first smartphone in many years that I want to buy and recommend. This gadget combines excellent design, bare Android. We have a full Nokia 6 review in two parts (,)

The main disadvantages of Nokia 6 are:

• outdated processor with low performance
• camera - in particular in matters of sharpness, contrast and color reproduction

Huawei Nova

This is already a more interesting gadget in the specified price segment. Powered by Snapdragon 625, supports 4K video shooting, and also offers high battery life. More about . Here we will focus on the main disadvantages:

• unprotected glass subject to mechanical damage
• low screen contrast in the sun
• Average quality sound from speakers and headphones
• quality of shooting in low light conditions, sound quality when recording video

Lenovo P2

Another representative of the mid-price segment, worthy of attention as the most autonomous smartphone. The Lenovo P2 lacks the premium features of the Smasung A-series. The smart looks very simple, but what is much more important is what Lenovo P2 hides under the hood. The main advantage of the smartphone is its 5100mAh battery and the highest battery life in its class.

Main disadvantages of Lenovo P2:

• non-expandable built-in memory
• camera - lack of video stabilization, photos from the front camera

Xiaomi Mi MAX 2

Xiaomi Mi MAX 2 is the main competitor of Lenovo P2. Experts called the second MAX a monster of autonomy. The energy-efficient SD625 processor and 5300mAh battery provide unrealistic power endurance for the smartphone. Battery tests show that Xiaomi Mi MAX 2 has a talk time (3G) of 51 hours and 7 minutes.

Read our short review for more details on technical specifications and benchmark results. Here we indicate only the main characteristics and disadvantages.

Main disadvantages of Xiaomi Mi MAX 2:

• size
• inconvenient location of the fingerprint scanner

Let's show the most autonomous smartphones in comparison:

Comparison of autonomy of Lenovo P2 and Xiaomi Mi Max 2:

Huawei Honor 8

This is one of the few smartphones to offer a dual camera module in this price segment. The Kirin 950 provides ample power. The review includes benchmarks involving Honor 8. This smart device is undoubtedly one of the top three in terms of performance in the mid-price segment.

Main disadvantages of Huawei Honor 8:

• case glass
• unprotected screen glass
• does not support 4K video recording