We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best smartphones under $250 that offer great features without compromising on quality. From top brands to lesser-known gems, there’s something for everyone on this list. Let’s dive in and find the perfect budget-friendly device for you!
Like other high-tech gadgets, smartphones evolve, so now for reasonable money you can buy a budget smartphone that will delight you with its camera, display, and performance.
best smartphones under 250$
Smartphone HONOR 90 LITE 8/256GB Light Blue
pros
- 100 megapixel camera
- Large display
- Lots of memory
Minuses
- Mediocre front camera
- Display is not 120Hz
Opens a selection of the best smartphones under 20,000 rubles HONOR 90 LITE. It has a 6.7-inch display, which, due to its minimal bezels, looks larger visually. The screen is made using IPS technology – ideal for people sensitive to flickering of OLED or AMOLED matrices. The smartphone is equipped with a fresh mid-level Dimensity 6020 chipset, which is paired with 8 GB of RAM. For everyday tasks and most games, the smartphone’s power is sufficient. The device also takes excellent photos thanks to the 100-megapixel main camera, but video recording is limited to 1080p/30 fps.
New for the first half of 2024
Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 8/128GB Midnight Black
pros
- Cool 108 MP camera
- IP54 dust and splash protection
- AMOLED screen
Minuses
- Not the most powerful processor in its class
Are you looking for a good phone under 20,000 rubles with balanced characteristics? Pay attention to the new Redmi Note 13. The model offers an AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a high peak brightness of 1800 nits, a cool 108-megapixel camera, a 5000 mAh battery with support for 33 W fast charging, 8 GB of RAM and relatively a good Snapdragon 685 processor. In everyday use, the device will not disappoint, but it will be difficult to cope with heavy games.
Budget smartphone with flagship design
Smartphone Infinix ZERO 30 8/256GB Misty Green
pros
- Interesting design
- Bright 120Hz AMOLED screen
- 50-megapixel front camera
- 256 GB of memory in the minimum configuration
Minuses
- No support for 4K video recording
- No Wi-Fi 6E support
Infinix ZERO 30 both looks and feels much more expensive than the money for which the manufacturer offers it. The back cover of the smartphone is made of artificial leather, and the screen is rounded – just like flagships. In terms of characteristics, everything is also excellent: a high-quality AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a peak brightness of 950 nits, a powerful mid-level Helio G99 chip, 8 GB of RAM and a 108 MP camera. At the same time, there is support for recording smooth videos with a frame rate of 60 fps, but only in Full HD. The smartphone also charges quickly using the included 45 W unit – from 0 to 100% in an hour.
Inexpensive smartphone with very fast charging
Smartphone OPPO A78 8/256GB black
pros
- AMOLED screen
- Fast charging at 67 W
Minuses
- Mediocre front camera
- Weak processor
If you want a 20k phone with super fast charging, then the OPPO A78 might be for you. This is a relatively compact smartphone with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display. The hardware basis of the model is the Snapdragon 680 chip. In everyday tasks, the device shows excellent performance, but this gadget is definitely not about games. The camera in OPPO A78 is represented by a 50-megapixel sensor. It takes photos well, but video recording is limited to 1080/30 fps. The main feature of the smartphone is very fast charging at 67 W: in 30 minutes the gadget will be charged by 76%.
Smartphone HUAWEI nova Y91 8/256GB Starry Black (STG-LX1)
pros
- Huge screen
- High quality camera
- 7000 mAh battery
Minuses
- Old processor
- No support for the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards
One of the best smartphones under 20,000 rubles with a good camera and battery is the HUAWEI nova Y91. The smartphone looks impressive due to its 6.95-inch IPS display. It may not be very comfortable to hold it with a small palm, but it is convenient to watch videos on such a screen. To prevent the device from quickly discharging due to the huge screen, HUAWEI installed a battery with a record capacity of 7000 mAh. This is definitely enough for a day of continuous use. And HUAWEI nova Y91 offers a proprietary 50-megapixel camera with excellent optimization, which is inherent in gadgets of the Chinese brand.
Smartphone Infinix HOT 40 8/256GB Black
pros
- Bright IPS display
- 32-megapixel front camera
- Supports 2K video recording
Minuses
- Weak processor
- Charging is limited to 33W
An extremely affordable option with all the necessary functionality. The smartphone offers a 6.78-inch IPS screen with a high refresh rate of 90 Hz, a 50-megapixel main camera, a 32-megapixel front camera, a 5000 mAh battery and a lot of memory with the ability to install a microSD card. The chipset here is quite weak by today’s standards – Helio G88, but this is partly compensated by 8 GB of RAM. So the smartphone will not slow down in normal applications and undemanding games.
Budget camera phone
Smartphone HONOR X7b 8/128GB Black
pros
- Large display
- 108 megapixel camera
- High capacity battery
Minuses
- Old processor
- Mediocre front camera
- Does not support the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards
One of the best offers in the category of phones with a good camera under 20,000 rubles. The HONOR X7b has a 108-megapixel main camera with a 1/1.67-inch sensor. Large sensor pixels capture more light, resulting in cool photos. True, video recording is limited to 1080p/30 fps mode due to the weak Snapdragon 680 processor. The smartphone screen has a 6.8-inch IPS matrix with support for an increased refresh rate of 90 Hz. Although it’s IPS, the brightness is decent at 850 nits peak. The smartphone will also offer good battery life thanks to a 6000 mAh battery.
Smartphone HUAWEI nova 11i 8/128GB Starry Black (MAO-LX9N)
pros
- Almost frameless display
- High quality photo camera
- Not a bad front camera
Minuses
- Old processor
- Does not support video recording at 60 fps
One of the coolest phones under 20,000 rubles from a design point of view is the HUAWEI nova 11i. Thanks to straight edges, an almost frameless display, a neat main camera and neutral colors, the smartphone is suitable for those who love rigor and minimalism. At the same time, the nova 11i will not disappoint in use. Yes, it has a weak Snapdragon 680 processor, but the proprietary OS system is perfectly optimized, so its power is enough for everyday tasks. Nova 11i will also delight you with the quality of photos from the main 48-megapixel camera.
Stylish model with a cool display
Smartphone Tecno SPARK 20 Pro+ 8/256GB Black
pros
- Great design
- Bright AMOLED screen
- Decent filling
Minuses
- Does not support video recording at 2K/60 fps
- Does not support Wi-Fi 6E
Perhaps one of the most powerful phones under 20,000 rubles. It has everything you need in a modern smartphone: a high-quality AMOLED screen with rounded edges, excellent hardware, a 108-megapixel camera for cool photos + a 32-megapixel front camera, a 5000 mAh battery and an eye-catching design. But if you like to record video, pass by, as here you can only shoot at 30 fps.
