In the rapidly transforming world of smartphones, finding a feature-packed device without breaking the bank is a challenge. Under ₹20,000, today’s smartphones offer impressive displays, powerful processors, long-lasting batteries, and fast charging capabilities, making premium technology accessible to all. Whether you’re looking for good visuals, robust performance, or exceptional value, this phone segment has something to cater to every need.

Lets dive into the best phones under ₹20,000 that deliver top-notch experiences without compromising on quality.

iQOO Z9

PRICE: ₹18500

The vivo iQOO Z9 is IP54 rated, making it dust and splash-resistant, ensuring durability in various environments. The device features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing an immersive visual experience. The Dragontrail Star 2 Plus protection and Always-on display add to its robustness and usability. Running on Android 14 with Funtouch 14, the phone is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 chipset, an octa-core CPU, and Mali-G610 MC4 GPU, ensuring smooth performance and efficient multitasking.

The dual main camera setup includes a 50 MP wide lens with PDAF and OIS, and a 2 MP depth sensor, capable of capturing 4K videos with gyro-EIS. The 16 MP front camera ensures clear selfies and 1080p video recording. With stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio, the sound quality is top-notch. The device supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and various positioning systems for seamless connectivity. The 5000 mAh battery supports 44W wired charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes.

Pros:

1. Display: High-quality AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR.
2. Performance: Efficient Mediatek Dimensity 7200 chipset.
3. Battery: Long-lasting 5000 mAh with fast 44W charging.

Cons:

1. No 3.5mm Jack: Lack of a headphone jack might be inconvenient for some users.
2. Limited Camera Setup: Only a dual-camera system, which may appeal to something other than photography enthusiasts.
3. No NFC & Radio: Absence of NFC and FM radio features.

Realme Narzo 70 Pro

PRICE: ₹17998

Realme Narzo 70 Pro stands out with its premium features and sleek design, perfect for tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. With an IP54 rating, it is dust and splash-resistant, ensuring durability. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display delivers vibrant visuals with a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. Running on Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0, the device is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset and Mali-G68 MC4 GPU.

The triple-camera setup includes a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP macro sensor, providing versatile photography options. The 16 MP front camera ensures high-quality selfies and video calls. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and various positioning systems. The 5000 mAh battery supports 67W wired charging, reaching 50% in just 19 minutes. Available in Green and Gold, the Narzo 70 Pro combines aesthetics with advanced technology.

Pros:

1. Display: Superior AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+.
2. Fast Charging: 67W charging, reaching 50% in 19 minutes.
3. Audio: Includes a 3.5mm jack and Hi-Res audio.

Cons:

1. No Expandable Storage: Lack of a microSD card slot.
2. NFC: Absence of NFC.
3. Camera Video: Limited to 1080p@30fps video recording.

Poco X6

PRICE: ₹16500

The Poco X6 comes with an IP54 rating, making it dust and splash-resistant. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display supports, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision, ensuring vibrant and smooth visuals. The display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, reaches a peak brightness of 1800 nits, perfect for outdoor use. The device runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14 and is planned for an upgrade to Android 14, offering a seamless user interface powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. The octa-core CPU and Adreno 710 GPU ensure efficient multitasking and gaming performance.

The triple-camera setup includes a 64 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP macro sensor, capable of 4K video recording. The 16 MP front camera supports HDR and 1080p video recording, ensuring clear selfies and video calls. It features dual speakers, a 3.5mm jack, and Hi-Res audio for an immersive sound experience. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and an infrared port. The 5100 mAh battery supports 67W wired charging, fully charging in just 44 minutes.

Pros:

1. Display: Exceptional AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision.
2. Battery Life: Large 5100 mAh battery with fast 67W charging.
3. Performance: Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset with planned OS upgrade.

Cons:

1. No Expandable Storage: Lack of a microSD card slot.
2. NFC Availability: NFC is market/region dependent.
3. Radio: No FM radio support.

Samsung Galaxy M35

PRICE: ₹19999

Samsung Galaxy M35 offers an impressive blend of performance and features, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a robust mid-range smartphone. Its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits peak brightness ensures vivid and smooth visuals, ideal for multimedia and gaming. Running on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, the Galaxy M35 is powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset and Mali-G68 MP5 GPU.

The triple-camera system includes a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5 MP macro sensor, allowing users to capture high-quality photos and 4K videos. The 13 MP front camera supports 4K video recording, ensuring detailed selfies and video calls. The device has stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a large 6000 mAh battery with 25W wired charging, ensuring long-lasting use. With storage options up to 256GB and microSDXC support, it offers ample space for all your needs. 

Pros:

1. Display: High-quality Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.
2. Battery Life: Large 6000 mAh battery for extended use.
3. Performance: Efficient Exynos 1380 chipset with ample RAM options.

Cons:

1. No 3.5mm Jack: The absence of a headphone jack may be inconvenient for some users.
2. NFC Availability: NFC is market/region dependent.

Nothing CMF Phone 1

PRICE: ₹16775

The CMF Phone 1 is a sleek and reliable smartphone designed to deliver excellent performance at an affordable price. Featuring a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2000 nits, it offers vibrant and smooth visuals. Running on Android 14, the device is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset and Mali-G615 MC2 GPU.

The dual-camera system includes a 50 MP main camera and a 2 MP depth sensor, capable of capturing 4K videos. The 16 MP front camera supports 1080p video recording, ensuring high-quality selfies and video calls. With a 5000 mAh battery, 33W wired charging, and 5W reverse wired charging, the CMF Phone 1 offers long-lasting battery life and quick recharging. 

Pros:

1. Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness.
2. Battery: Robust 5000 mAh battery with fast 33W charging.
3. Performance: Efficient Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset.

Cons:

1. No 3.5mm Jack: Absence of a headphone jack may be inconvenient for some users.
2. NFC: Lack of NFC capability.
3. Basic Camera Setup: Dual-camera system may not appeal to advanced photography enthusiasts.

Each phone offers a unique set of strengths. The Poco X6 and Realme Narzo 70 Pro stand out for their display and charging capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy M35 offers the best battery life, making it ideal for heavy users. The iQOO Z9 provides excellent value for budget-conscious consumers, while the CMF Phone 1 balances performance and price effectively.

The post Best Phones under ₹20000 – August 2024 appeared first on Gizmochina.

2019 was a fabulous year for smartphones. Companies were bolder and aggressive with their devices this year, so much so, that we have four to five different types of front camera solutions in the market right now. Smartphones, in general, offer more value for money than ever before and we have brands like Xiaomi and Realme almost always exceeding our expectations in the budget price segment.

After hours of discussions and elimination rounds, we have finally compiled the list of the Best Budget Smartphones of 2019. Believe me, picking the best phones in this highly competitive segment wasn’t easy at all, but the smartphones that have finally made it to this list offer exceptional value to its buyers.

So here are the Top 5 Budget Smartphones of 2019.

Overall BEST: Redmi Note 8

A Xiaomi phone dominating the budget segment? Not all surprising, right?

Xiaomi knows how to give you the best value for your money and competitors have a hard time matching Redmi’s budget offerings. The Redmi Note 8 comes with Snapdragon 665, a large 4000mAh battery with an 18W charger out of the box, GG5 protected 6.3-inch 1080p display and a beautiful design that’s as good as any premium device. Plus, it comes with a camera setup that features a 48MP primary, 8MP wide-angle sensor, and 2MP depth and macro cameras, giving users a wide variety of camera options at a budget price tag.

Starting at Rs. 9999 and 179.90 Euros for the 4GB + 64GB RAM variant in India and Europe respectively, the Redmi Note 8 offers value like no other device in this segment. You simply can’t go wrong with this well-packaged best seller.

Vivo U20

Vivo smartphones are good, but they have never really been famous for offering incredible value for money. Xiaomi and Realme have traditionally dominated that club. But with the new Vivo U20, the brand is giving the Redmi Note 8 a run for its money. And in some ways, the U20 is even better than the Redmi Note 8!

For example, the Vivo U20 offers up to 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage at Rs. 11,990. In comparison, the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant of the Note 8 costs Rs. 13,000 in India. And did I mention the U20 features UFS 2.1 instead of the slower eMMC storage standard used in the RN8? It also features the Snapdragon 675 processor with a large 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging.

However, U20’s cameras aren’t as strong as the Redmi Note 8. It comes with a 16MP(f/1.78)+8MP(f/2.2)+2MP(f/2.4) setup that’s decent in real life but nothing to boast about. Also, for some reason, Vivo is still using MicroUSB on the U20. But if you are okay with MicroUSB and with the brand’s bloated FunTouch OS, the Vivo U20 offers incredible value for your money in 2019!

Redmi 8

Even if your budget is extremely low, as low as Rs. 7,999 in India (4GB+64GB) or €149/ €179.90 (3GB+32GB/ 4GB+64GB) in Europe, the Redmi 8 will ensure you have a solid smartphone in your hands. The phone is powered by the octa-core Cortex A53 powered Snapdragon 439. There’s an HD 6.22inch IPS LCD display with Gorilla Glass 5 protection and a fingerprint sensor at the back. There are multiple color options available including a fancy green color shade like the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

In terms of features, the Redmi 8 beats almost all phones in its price segment. And with MIUI on board, you are promised timely updates. So, it’s no surprise the phone makes it to our Best Budget Phones of 2019 list!

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi plans to launch expensive models in India to shed budget brand image

Xiaomi Mi A3

Yet another Xiaomi phone makes it here! But it’s not exactly a pure Xiaomi smartphone since it comes with Android One instead of MIUI. And that’s why the A3 gets a unique status in the budget segment.

The Xiaomi Mi A3 comes with Snapdragon 665 with 4GB RAM as standard and 6GB as optional. The highlight of the device is its 6.09-inch Super AMOLED display, which despite its HD+ resolution, looks pretty good. The phone features the seventh-gen. screen fingerprint solution under its display and is the only device in this list with this technology. A 48 MP, f/1.8 primary camera with an 8 MP, f/2.2 ultrawide lens and a 2 MP depth sensor ensures you have a very capable camera unit on board. Plus, there’s a huge 32MP sensor up front for selfies.

And did you see the Mi A3 in More than White? It looks gorgeous! The Mi A3 is a global device starting at 4GB +64GB at Rs. 12,499 and going up to Rs. 15,499 for its 6GB + 128GB variant. In Europe, the phone starts at €219 for the 4+64GB variant.

Realme 5

Realme 5 was the first smartphone to bring a quad-camera setup in the budget segment. The phone featured a 12MP f/1.8 main camera, an 8MP ultra wide-angle sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. Before the Realme 5, nobody would have even imagined such a power-packed camera setup on a budget smartphone. So the phone definitely deserves a place on this list.

The cameras on the Realme 5 are capable, especially in daylight, and the wide-angle and portrait cameras are definitely usable. With Snapdragon 665 and a large 5000mAh battery, the Realme 5 offers incredible value to buyers in 2019. It does cut down on a couple of useful features to keep its price low, like display resolution (HD+) and charging speeds (10W). But if you can look past these minor drawbacks, the phone offers more value than most other devices in its price segment.

So that was it, the Best Budget Smartphones of 2019.

Do you think any other device deserves a mention in this list? Let us know in the comments below.

UP NEXT: The Most Underrated Smartphones of 2019

The post Best Budget Smartphones of 2019 appeared first on Gizmochina.

If you read Gizmochina chances are you love smartphones. However, not everyone can afford to buy flagships that can cost $1000. In this article, we are going to take a look at great budget phones that cost just about $200 or less but they bring a lot of value to the table. We honestly believe these are the best budget smartphones of 2018 yet.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suublw52PNk[/embedyt]

As usual to Xiaomi, you get great specifications for the price. I have a lower-end model but I suggest you pay $30 more for an extra gigabyte of RAM and 64GB of storage. I just love the new Snapdragon 636 chipset since it both power-efficient and it can handle 3D games very well.

As far as design goes, we have a typical Xiaomi phone that is made out of metal and the overall build quality is excellent.

For the price of about $200, you get a premium-looking phone with excellent display, great specs, very good overall performance, one of the best cameras, a fantastic battery and many extras like the IR blaster, a headset jack, very good loudspeaker and so on.

Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is yet another great budget smartphone. Despite a few minor flaws, I can easily recommend this as one of the best budget smartphones you can buy at the moment.

You can now get the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 for just $189.99.

Xiaomi Redmi 5

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpMV5Et_6aY[/embedyt]

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the cheapest budget phones you can buy but it offers a lot of value for the price. The phone is made of metal and plastic, it has great specs, modern 18:9 aspect ratio display and nice cameras.

The phone handles graphically intensive games really well and it does not get very hot while gaming either. Really impressive considering the Snapdragon 400-series processor.

You can now get the Xiaomi Redmi 5 for just $149.99 which is one of the best deals you can get.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjoKhlgeICc[/embedyt]

If you want a bigger and better version of the Redmi 5, the Plus model is worth checking out.

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus follows the trend of 18:9 displays by offering a large panel that is pretty sharp and vibrant for everyday use.

The highlight of the specs is the Snapdragon 625 chipset that has already proven to be a capable performer when it comes to gaming and especially when it comes to power efficiency.

Obviously, you get a nice metal design, great build quality, very good cameras and a lot of extra features for the price of just $189.99.

Xiaomi Redmi S2

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGCV-r_V5kM[/embedyt]

Even though the Xiaomi Redmi S2 is not our top recommendation when it comes to budget phones as we usually suggest taking a look at other Xiaomi phones, the device still has plenty to offer for the price. Same as other Xiaomi phones, the S2 offers a Snapdragon 625 chipset. It also has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Moreover, the phone has a pretty good camera on the back and on the front. You can now get the Xiaomi Redmi S2 for just $159.99.

Nubia M2

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIoFWm_YP4Y[/embedyt]

Nubia is the ZTE’s spinoff company that has been making phones for quite some time.

We don’t have a full-screen design but the Nubia M2 is just gorgeous. It’s all metal, it has nice a really nice combination of black color with gold accents and nicely chamfered edges. The display is easily one of the best in this price range. The AMOLED panel has deep blacks, punchy colors and good contrast.  Snapdragon 625 is known not only for its superb power efficiency but also for great overall performance. You also get 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM.

Overall, the Nubia M2 is a great budget phone. I love its design and excellent build quality, great overall performance, solid cameras and a very good battery life. The only thing that may disappoint you is outdated Android 6 but at least the phone is very snappy. To be honest, I didn’t expect much from this phone but after using it for a couple of weeks, I can easily recommend it as one of the best phones in this price range as it offers a lot of value for the price of just about $160.

Nubia Z17 Mini

Nubia Z17 Mini is yet another great budget option. The phone costs about $235 but it offers quite a powerful Snapdragon 652 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, a 5.2″ display and all of that is packed into a compact all-metal body.

Nubia Z17 Lite

We do not want to look like we are promoting Nubia brand but they have quite a few phones that were released some time ago but now they offer a lot of value for the price. The Z17 Lite is a great example. It is similar to the Z17 mini in a lot of ways but key differences include a larger 5.5″ display and a bit more powerful Snapdragon 653 CPU. In addition, you get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The phone now costs just $169.99 which is just a steal.

Meizu Pro 6 Plus

Meizu Pro 6 Plus was released quite some time ago as a budget flagship phone but you can now get it for just $198.90

You may ask why you would want to buy an older phone but for less $200 you get a 5.7″ 2K resolution Amoled display, all-metal build, Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa Core processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Finally, you get an excellent 12MP Sony camera and a huge 3400mAh battery.

Meizu M6 Note

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmq8aLUg4z8[/embedyt]

The Meizu M6 Note has a classic all-metal design, a huge battery, decent specs and more for less than $200.

The M6 Note does not follow the trend of the full-screen budget phones. Instead, it sports a more traditional design with a 5.5” 1080p LCD display that has reasonably small side bezels. Moreover, the phone has a rather compelling dual camera setup that consists of one 12MP shooter with bright f/1.9 aperture lens and another 5MP snapper. Other specs include  a Snapdragon 625 chipset, 3/4GB RAM and 32/64GB of storage.

Buy Meizu M6 Note from Banggood

Buy Meizu M6 Note from Gearbest

Lenovo S5

Lenovo is known for making laptops and other electronics but they are certainly capable of producing high-quality phones. The Lenovo S5 looks very similar to the budget phones made by Xiaomi, Meizu or Nubia but the company has their own take on the UI and other aspects of the device.

The S5 rocks a 5.7″ full-screen display, a Snapdragon 625 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Also, the phone is made of metal and the build quality is nothing short of a flagship. Other key features: the phone has a dual-camera setup that consists of two 12MP shooters. Also, there is a beefy 16MP snapper on the front. Finally, a 3000mAh battery keeps the lights on. You can now get the Lenovo S5 for just $199.99 which is a great value.

Buy Lenovo S5 from Banggood

Buy Lenovo S5 from Gearbest

Asus ZenFone Max (M1)

Asus Zenfone Max (M1) may not be the phone you’ve heard about but it actually offers a lot of value for the price of $199.99. The highlights of this device include a huge 4000mAh battery, a 5.5″ display that has 18:9 aspect ratio, Snapdragon 425 chipset, a dual camera setup and much more that is packed into a beautiful metal body. We think Asus Zenfone Max (M1) has a lot of value for the price and we definitely suggest you checking this phone out.

Buy Asus Zenfone Max (M1)

HUAWEI Honor 9 Lite

HUAWEI Honor 9 Lite is a solid budget phone made by Honor – the Huawei’s subsidiary brand.

As for the looks, We have a classic design as the phone uses a sheet of glass on the front and rear, a metal frame and buttons that are easy to press. It’s really comfortable to hold the phone in one hand due to that 18:9 aspect ratio display.

In terms of hardware, the phone ships with the Kirin 659 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.

We like this phone for its beautiful design and great build quality, solid all-around performance, great cameras, good battery life and the fact that the device still has a headset jack.

You can now get the Honor 9 Lite for just $187.99.

Buy Honor 9 Lite from Gearbest

Buy Honor 9 Lite from Banggood

Honor 7X

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw5xhti_P9Y[/embedyt]

Honor 7x was released at the end of 2017 but it is still a pretty solid phone. The device sports a trendy 18:9 aspect ratio display with a good amount of brightness, punchiness, and sharpness. I love the all-metal design, excellent display, pretty good daily performance, good cameras and great battery life. Just like the Honor 9 Lite, this phone ships with Kirin 659 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. At the moment, this phone costs $219.99. It may not be the only budget option out there but it’s definitely worth checking out.

Buy Honor 7X from Banggood

Buy Honor 7X from Gearbest

Keep in mind that we will update this article when the new devices come out so make sure to bookmark this page and check it out from time to time! Keep in mind that I have used and reviewed most of these phones and I can personally recommend them if you are looking for a great budget device. In this article, I state my genuine opinion and I do not have any intentions to promote any brand or model. 

Epic Mid-Year Gadgets Sale at Gearbest

The post Best Budget Smartphones of 2018 (Buyer’s Guide) appeared first on Gizmochina.

If you follow the trend of the budget Chinese phones, you know that manufacturers just love that full-screen design. Honestly, I don’t mind that because phones just look great. The Elephone S8 is one of the most powerful full-screen phones for less than $240. Learn more in the full Elephone S8 review.

VIDEO REVIEW

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ByrtQkuPMs[/embedyt]

UNBOXING

The phone ships with all the usual stuff, no extras included.

DESIGN and DISPLAY

The 6” 2k resolution display is just gorgeous and probably the best I’ve seen on a budget all-screen design phone. It’s really sharp and it’s a great panel overall. Obviously, the tradeoff is that the phone is quite huge.

A nice glass back, a sturdy aluminum frame and precise buttons add quite a lot of a premium look and feel, and it’s just nice to hold the phone in the hand despite its huge footprint. One thing that bothers me is a hybrid SIM card tray that rattles just a bit.

There is a beefy 21MP camera and 8MP shooter for selfies that is implemented on the bottom right corner.

Now a few features as quickly as possible: there is no headset jack, which is a shame for a budget phone. The device uses USB C port, there is no LED notification light, the fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable but the display could light up a bit faster.

The loudspeaker quality is not the best but it’s significantly better than on other budget full-screen phones I’ve tested.

HARDWARE and PERFORMANCE

The Elephone S8 stands out from the crowd of budget full-screen phones because it’s a more powerful phone. The device has a deca-core  Helio X25 chipset with the max. clock speeds of 2.5GHz, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which is not expandable for some reason.

Even though all the specs sound impressive, I found that the phone stutters in some 3D games on the highest graphics settings. I can’t say that the phone lags but there are quite a few skipped frames. The phone gets quite warm but it does not overheat.

BENCHMARKS

USER INTERFACE

Where the phone does not stutter or lag, is the user interface that is based on Android 7.1. Well, there are some weird translations like a whitelist. Also, the blue light filter is called a night light and you cannot adjust the intensity of it.

Other features like gesture controls work just fine if you plan to use them. My most favorite part is that Elephone preserved that stock Android look and feel and the phone is really fast, no matter what you do with it.

CAMERAS

The camera department is where the Elephone is also better than other full display budget phones I’ve reviewed. Obviously, the pictures are not perfect as some of them lack sharpness, the colors look washed out and so on but in general, the daylight image quality is decent considering the price of the phone.

The night images are not that good but again, the quality is a bit better than I expected.

Selfies could look sharper but I think that will look pretty good on social media.

What is frustrating with all these full-screen phones is that they can shoot videos only in 480p. Still, the videos come out quite usable for social media or video chats. Obviously, you need to hold the phone upside down both when shooting videos or taking selfies.

Another con is that the phone uses HEVC format for videos, meaning that you need to convert it before you can use it. I know that’s easy to do but it is an extra step for a budget phone owner.

The quality of the video is pretty good but the footage could look sharper and have more detail. The sound recording quality is actually pretty good for a budget phone.

Download full resolution camera samples

CONNECTIVITY

The call quality is not bad but it could be better. I didn’t have issues with other connectivity options like wifi, Bluetooth or GPS. The phone has 13 sensors including a gyroscope, so you are all set if you want to use the device with VR headsets.

BATTERY LIFE

The phone rocks a huge 4000mAh battery that allows you to use the phone for an entire day or more. I could get about 6 or even 7 hours of screen on time even with quite a few apps installed and social media accounts that usually sync in the background.

It takes just over 1.5 hours to fully charge the phone with the supplied charger.

CONCLUSIONS

The Elephone S8 is the best budget full-screen phone I’ve tested so far. I just love its sharp 6” display, the overall build quality, the speed and fluidity, a great battery life and surprisingly decent cameras.

Obviously, you should consider the fact that the phone lacks a headset jack, there is no LED notification light, no NFC, no microSD card slot and the front camera shoots video only at 480p resolution.

If you can live with these shortcomings, the Elephone S8 is definitely one of the best full-screen phones on a budget.

The post The Best Budget Bezel Less Smartphone 2017? Elephone S8 Review! appeared first on Gizmochina.

Cubot is one of the Chinese phone makers that usually produces phones that offer a lot of value for the price. Magic is their latest budget model that offers dual cameras and nice design for less than $100. Learn more in the full Cubot Magic review.

VIDEO REVIEW

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCmTbcnIFwQ[/embedyt]

UNBOXING

The phone ships with all the usual stuff and some extras include a soft TPU case

DESIGN and DISPLAY

Let’s be clear, Cubot Magic imitates the design of the Honor Magic but it uses cheaper materials to reduce the cost of the device.

The phone is made entirely of plastic and it does lack premium materials but the build quality is good. The design highlight is that this phone is curved on each side, which really looks nice in practice.

We have a 5” 720p display, which may not be the sharpest out there but I think it is really good for a cheap phone. The capacitive buttons are not backlit but we have a pulsing notification light and LED flash for night selfies that can be taken with a 5MP front facing camera.

The backplate is a fingerprint magnet as it is made of glossy plastic. Another highlight of this cheap phone is a dual camera setup.

We have one 13MP shooter and another 2MP sensor.

The loudspeaker is not the best but it is okay for such a cheap phone.

HARDWARE and PERFORMANCE

When it comes to hardware, Cubot Magic is yet another budget phone with decent specs for the price. The phone ships with the MTK6737 chip, 16GB of expandable storage and 3GB  of RAM.

The gaming performance is okay but you should expect for some skipped frames even if you play games like Asphalt 8 on medium graphics settings.

BENCHMARKS

USER INTERFACE

I love when manufacturers keep stock Android UI on these cheap phones and the Cubot Magic is no exception as it runs on Android 7 out of the box. Some extra features include a few gesture controls that I didn’t really use because, for some weird reason, they are in Spanish. Anyway, the phone is fast and fluid on the daily basis and that is the most important thing to me when it comes to budget phones.

IMAGE QUALITY

As for image quality, that dual-camera setup can take some decent-looking photos with the shallow depth of field effect. Obviously, you can’t compare the quality with some more expensive handsets but I’m quite impressed with the results from the $90 phone.

As for regular photos, you can’t expect much from any super cheap phones but you can still take some pretty good-looking pictures that are usable for social media.

However, the quality decreases quite dramatically in lower-lit situations.

The selfie image quality is not so great and the front-firing flash does not really help in low-light.

The 1080p video quality does not impress like on most of the cheap phones. The 1080p selfie video does not look impressive either but it is usable for social media or video chats.

CONNECTIVITY

When it comes to connectivity, the phone does everything quite well. The GPS lock speeds are fast and it is surprisingly accurate when used for navigation. The phone has only a few sensors and there is no gyroscope.

On a positive note, I like the fact that you don’t need to remove the battery to access two SIM cards slots and the microSD card slot.

BATTERY LIFE

The 2600mAh battery performs quite well considering its size but you should not expect any stellar results. I was able to achieve just about 4.5h of screen-on time but your mileage may vary.

CONCLUSIONS

Cubot Magic is yet cheap another phone from China that offers quite a lot of value for the price. Its main selling point is design as the phone is curved on each side.

In general, it is a decent option for such a low amount of money but it would have been great if it had some premium materials used in the construction. Well, all of these budget phones have some tradeoffs and this is what you have to expect when you spend less than $100 for a phone.

The post Cubot Magic Review appeared first on Gizmochina.