The best smartphones of 2020 by all characteristics

When you want to choose a high-quality smartphone, what parameters are most important to you? Camera quality and the ability to record great 4K videos? High performance hardware that can handle any application? A rugged case that can withstand drops and immersion in water? Low cost or big battery? Our ranking of the best smartphone models for 2020 will offer you all of these devices and more. For our readers, we have compiled a huge review, which includes 21 excellent smartphones with different price tags.

Best Budget Smartphones 2020 (140–210 $)

The cheapness of equipment does not at all mean its poor quality or poor functionality. Many manufacturers today offer affordable solutions at a reasonable price that can bypass more expensive competitor devices in terms of capabilities and reliability. Speaking specifically about mobile phones, you can buy an excellent device for 98–210 $... This is the average cost for all four devices included in this category. At the same time, according to all characteristics, smartphones fully justify the established price tag, which is an important criterion for buyers with a limited budget.

1.Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T 4 / 64GB

Xiaomi smartphones have always been famous for their excellent price, quality and performance ratio. Among the current novelties of the manufacturer, the best phone by this criterion can be called Redmi Note 8T. This is a 2020 budget smartphone with a quad rear camera, a good 6.3-inch display, and an attractive design.

The hardware platform of the Xiaomi phone is not impressive by modern standards, but in most cases it will allow you to run demanding games at high settings. True, the Redmi Note 8T will not provide a margin for the future. But what pleased the smartphone is the presence of an NFC module, a headphone jack and a separate microSD slot.

Advantages:

• attractive cost;
• good performance;
• four main camera modules;
• excellent build;
• separate slot for memory cards.

Disadvantages:

• no notification LED.

2.Xiaomi Redmi 8 4 / 64GB

If you are not interested in contactless payment, or heavy games, or even mobile photography, then you should take a closer look at Redmi 8 from the same Xiaomi company. It uses a low-power "filling", as well as a 6.22-inch screen with HD + resolution and an aspect ratio of 19: 9. Together with a 5000mAh battery, this makes the cheap Xiaomi smartphone very autonomous.

The back panel of the phone is plastic, but there are no complaints about its appearance and tactile sensations. The RAM in Redmi 8 is as much as 4 gigabytes, which is enough for such a device even with a margin. Also an excellent smartphone in the price range up to 140 $ immediately got 64 GB of built-in storage. If for some reason this is not enough for you, then it can be expanded in the same way without sacrificing one of the SIM (cards up to 512 GB are read)

Advantages:

• excellent autonomy (battery 5000 mAh);
• not combined tray;
• USB-C port and 3.5 mm jack;
• high-quality assembly;
• fast fingerprint scanner.

Disadvantages:

• the body is rather slippery.

3.Samsung Galaxy A60 6 / 128GB

If we considered all the interesting models of the South Korean giant in the ranking of smartphones in 2020, then the review would consist exclusively of them. Indeed, in recent years, many worthy smartphones have appeared in the manufacturer's assortment, among which I would like to highlight the Galaxy A60 model.

The front-facing 16MP camera sits in a neat cutout in the left corner of the screen. Many people like this option more than drops and bangs.

The phone received 128 GB of internal memory, among which the system does not occupy a little more than 103 gigabytes. There is also plenty of RAM here - 6 GB, which ensures stable and fast operation of any applications. The company also took care of the screen (PLS), which is bright here and pleases with good color reproduction.

Advantages:

• original colors;
• silicone case included;
• good film on the screen;
• high-quality communication modules;
• calibration of the PLS matrix;
• high quality main camera.

Disadvantages:

• there are no official deliveries to Russia;
• there is no headphone jack.

4.realme 3 Pro 6 / 128GB

A worthy competitor to the king of the budget segment is realme. This brand has appeared recently, but it has already gained immense popularity. Especially the brand was liked by Russian buyers who want to get good characteristics for a reasonable price. And at a cost of 15 thousand or more, this smartphone can really surprise.

Against the background of the advantages of the monitored model, we will not write down the lack of NFC as a disadvantage. But it's hard to ignore the legacy Micro-USB in 2020.

Firstly, a fairly productive hardware platform is installed here (a combination of the Snapdragon 710 processor and Adreno 616 graphics). Secondly, the smartphone received a spacious storage of 128 GB and a triple SIM + microSD slot. A good phone also has support for fast charging, thanks to which the 4045 mAh battery is charged by 50% in half an hour from the supplied power supply.

Advantages:

• gaming opportunities;
• first-class screen;
• proprietary shell;
• good sound;
• a decent amount of memory;
• autonomous work.

Disadvantages:

• old type of charging port;
• Not everyone will like the lack of NFC.

Best Chinese smartphones 2025

Most of the goods sold in the world today are manufactured in Chinese factories. Even well-known brands choose China for the production of their products, because this country can boast of a developed infrastructure, hardworking workers and not very high wages. It is not surprising that such conditions were ideal for the Chinese to create their own brands, which today compete on equal terms with popular global brands. The most famous among them are HUAWEI and Honor, which we will talk about in the category of the best Chinese mobile phones.

1.vivo V17

The vivo brand belongs to the popular Chinese group of companies BBK. She is also engaged in the release of smartphones brands OPPO, OnePlus and the above-mentioned realme. A characteristic feature of all these brands is a stylish design, excellent assembly and very interesting characteristics for their price. Actually, the combination of price and quality, the vivo V17 smartphone also turned out to be extremely good.

The smartphone is available in two colors called "neon blue" and "pink pearl". Both options look great, and the square unit of the main camera, located in the center of the rear panel and rotated 45 degrees, brings its own flavor to the device's appearance.

The front panel has nothing to brag about. Here is an AMOLED screen with a teardrop-shaped "notch", under which a fingerprint scanner is located (very good, for a cost from 266 $). In the settings, the user can change various display parameters to suit the individual display requirements.

The phone is built on the basis of an 8-core Snapdragon 665 processor and an Adreno 610 graphics chip. They cope with most games, even in such heavy games as PUBG or Call of Duty, to get comfortable fps and you will have to reduce the settings to a minimum. The vivo V17 has 8 gigabytes of RAM.Built-in storage is 128 GB, but if it is not enough for you, then there is a separate slot for installing a memory card up to 256 GB.

Advantages:

• battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh;
• good performance;
• the presence of the NFC module;
• main camera capabilities;
• good delivery set;
• separate slot for microSD.

Disadvantages:

• three additional modules are not very useful;
• the sound of the external speaker is not impressive.

2. Honor 20 6 / 128GB

The rating continues with one of the best smartphones according to customer reviews - Honor 20. It is based on the proprietary Kirin 980 processor, supplemented with Mali-G76 graphics. RAM and internal memory in the device are 6 and 128 GB, respectively. There is no memory card slot, but the user is unlikely to have a problem with insufficient storage.

The fingerprint scanner in the Honor 20 is combined with the power button. It works very quickly, bypassing the newfangled optical sensors under the screen. At the same time, the design of the phone turns out to be quite modern, and the screen can be set to IPS.

The front panel of the smartphone is a 6.26-inch screen with a resolution of 2340 × 1080 pixels. In its upper left corner, in a small rounded notch, there is a 32 megapixel camera. Also among the characteristics of the smartphone can be noted a 3750 mAh battery that supports fast charging, and an NFC module for payments.

Advantages:

• front camera placement;
• durable metal frame;
• tray for two SIM cards;
• premium build;
• color rendition and screen brightness;
• system performance.

Disadvantages:

• there is no headphone jack;
• no support for memory cards.

3. HUAWEI Nova 5T

In fact, the Nova 5T is the same Honor 20, but with a few minor changes. First of all, let's note the colors, which look very stylish and fresh. However, this is not so important, because those who decide to buy a Huawei smartphone will almost certainly immediately hide it in a case. This will help protect your smartphone from fingerprints and accidental drops.

The hardware platform of the device does not differ from the smartphone described above. The placement of the fingerprint scanner remains the same, which may not be to the liking of lefties. The main camera of the Nova 5T contains the same four modules with resolutions of 48, 16, 2 and 2 MP. They shoot excellently, but the quality of the photo decreases slightly with a lack of light.

Advantages:

• convenient location of the fingerprint scanner;
• several stylish colors;
• good speaker;
• well matched iron;
• convenience and speed of the system;
• the quality of the main camera;
• fast charging, good battery life.

Disadvantages:

• no slot for memory cards;
• the screen does not have an oleophobic coating;
• the backdrop is quite easily soiled and slippery.

Best smartphones with a good camera of 2025

Over the past 10 years, the quality of cameras in mobile devices has increased significantly. Of course, they still cannot match the level of full-fledged cameras, the cost of which is at the level of flagship smartphones. But for amateur photography, such solutions are perfect, not to mention filling a personal collection. At the same time, more and more often, new devices are equipped with two main modules at once, which provide access to useful additional functions, such as two-fold optical zoom or background blur. But for these options to work, both cameras must be of good quality and not installed just for the sake of following trends.

1. Apple iPhone 11 64GB

In the updated line of smartphones, Apple has offered users a large selection of new body colors. In addition to the usual black and white, stylish ones such as yellow or green are available in the line. Moreover, the color of not only the back panel changes, but also the frame, which in the iPhone 11 is made of aluminum (the steel frame for the Pro versions).

The glass in the younger version of the smartphone is glossy versus matte in the older ones. It makes prints better on the case, but the iPhone 11 isn't too slippery.

The matrix in this model is IPS, and its resolution is not the highest. But in everyday use, it is difficult to notice any disadvantages.If you prefer OLED, but don't want to spend more money, then the iPhone XS is better. Yes, there is a previous generation A12 Bionic processor installed, but still there is not a single task that can fully load it. And this is unlikely to appear in the next 2-3 years.

Advantages:

• cool design and build;
• great camera;
• easy to customize the interface for yourself;
• the cameras are just super;
• night mode operation;
• Face ID speed and accuracy;
• cool stereo speakers.

Disadvantages:

• no PSU for fast charging included;
• 64GB of storage isn't enough for everyone.

2. Xiaomi Mi Note 10 6 / 128GB

The next line is occupied by an excellent smartphone in all characteristics - Xiaomi Mi Note 10. It received a symmetrical design curved at the front and back, which feels and looks very nice, but some buyers may not like it because of not the best ergonomics (owners of Samsung flagships will understand).

The smartphone screen is made using AMOLED technology, its diagonal is 6.47 inches, and the nominal and peak brightness are 430 and 600 nits. The latter is quite enough for a sunny day. The display also boasts DCI-P3 coverage, HDR10 support and the ability to flexibly configure the Always On Display function.

A new generation fingerprint scanner is located under the screen. The manufacturer claims its lightning-fast work, and in the reviews the smartphone really gets very high marks for unlocking. And, of course, they praise the main camera, which received 5 modules at once (the main one with a resolution of 108 MP).

Advantages:

• opportunities in mobile photography;
• very good performance;
• elaborate shell;
• the perfect screen for its value;
• fast and accurate GPS;
• charging speed and big battery.

Disadvantages:

• a flagship processor can be supplied for this price;
• slippery body, it is better to buy a cover right away.

3. HUAWEI P30 6 / 128GB

A smartphone with the best camera is offered to users by the Chinese company Huawei. In the P30 model, the manufacturer used a triple module (48 + 16 + 8 MP). Its capabilities will be enough for almost any mobile photographer: laser autofocus, optical stabilization, 3x image magnification without loss of quality, 4K video recording.

Unlike the older version, which we will consider below, Huawei P30 received a 3.5 mm jack, so you won't have to part with your favorite wired headphones after purchasing this model. However, because of this, the manufacturer had to sacrifice dust and moisture protection (this smartphone has only IP53 certification).

Advantages:

• excellent AI camera;
• excellent ergonomics and design;
• consumes charge slowly;
• excellent balance of performance and price;
• quickly charges the battery;
• there is a headphone jack;
• excellent OLED display.

Disadvantages:

• incomplete protection against water and dust;
• the fingerprint scanner is not perfect;
• just one external speaker.

Best smartphones with powerful battery of 2025

A productive filling in smartphones is needed mainly by those buyers who are fond of mobile gaming. A great camera, in turn, is essential for amateur photography. But a capacious battery is the parameter that almost all users of today's smartphones pay attention to. And this is perfectly reasonable, because no one wants to recharge a mobile phone every day, or, even more so, to save a few percent of the charge remaining by the evening. Fortunately, manufacturers have taken into account the needs of all users, releasing wonderful devices with an affordable price, moderate functionality and a huge battery.

1. Highscreen Max 3 4 / 64GB

If, when choosing a smartphone with a powerful battery, the question of price plays an important role for you, then we recommend that you take a closer look at the Max 3 model from the Highscreen brand. This phone is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery and a rather nimble "stuffing". Of the significant advantages of the phone, it is worth noting the back cover, which has a rough surface providing a good, tenacious grip.

It's nice that for 168 $ the manufacturer offers not only fast, but also wireless battery charging technology.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer decided to follow the trends, abandoning the 3.5 mm jack, so to use wired headphones you will have to connect the included adapter to the Max 3. But for the NFC module, we can express our gratitude to the company. The same applies to the protective glass and silicone case included in the kit. And the smartphone also received a separate slot for microSD and SIM.

Advantages:

• good autonomy;
• separate slot for a flash drive;
• wireless charger;
• contactless payment function;
• system performance.

Disadvantages:

• no headphone jack;
• mediocre cameras;
• the quality of the main speaker.

2.Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 6 / 128GB

Gradually, the Redmi Note line in quality is approaching the premium products of Xiaomi. Taking the Model 8 Pro in hand, the user is unlikely to say that the cost of this smartphone starts from 210 $... The same applies to the performance of the smartphone: the shell works with lightning speed, applications launch quickly, and Helio G90T with Mali-G76 graphics can cope with any game at maximum settings.

The phone has one of the most powerful batteries - 4500 mAh. It supports fast charging via USB-C port. The smartphone is offered in several colorful colors, so the user can choose the appropriate option for his style. Traditionally, for the Redmi Note 8 Pro line, it will receive an infrared port. The headphone jack has not disappeared either. But what appeared here for the first time in the series is the NFC module.

Advantages:

• impressive performance;
• there is a slot for memory cards;
• high-quality conversational speaker;
• infrared port, 3.5 mm, NFC;
• fast charging, battery life;
• high-quality large display.

Disadvantages:

• not the best performance of the light sensor.

3. OPPO A9 (2020) 4 / 128GB

The Chinese company OPPO is systematically conquering the market with its smartphones. Among the latest smartphones in 2020 offered by the brand from China, the A9 model stands out. Cool appearance, good performance and a main camera of 4 modules are the main advantages of this device. The A9 battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh, but unfortunately it will have to be charged via Micro-USB. But, unlike many competitors, there are high-quality stereo speakers here.

Advantages:

• high-quality display;
• wireless payment (nfs);
• gaming performance;
• decent sounding of the main speaker;
• operation of wireless modules;
• large battery with fast charging.

Disadvantages:

• poor quality wide-angle camera;
• Micro-USB port instead of USB-C.

4. Samsung Galaxy A70

The leader in the category is a smartphone with good parameters from Samsung - Galaxy A70. This smartphone is the largest in the manufacturer's updated lineup. The resolution of its 6.7-inch display is 2400 × 1080 pixels, and it is made using AMOLED technology, which allows you to activate the Always On function.

The phone is running Android 9.0 with a proprietary shell One UI. At the end 2025 year it was updated to version 2.0, becoming even more functional and more convenient. Specifically for the A70, the stable version will be available in April this year. The reviewed smartphone differs from the previously described A60, among other things, in a fingerprint scanner. Here it is integrated into the display. However, this solution has not only advantages but also disadvantages.

Advantages:

• Always On Display function;
• modern fingerprint scanner;
• great communication opportunities;
• triple main camera;
• performance, One UI shell;
• first-class large screen.

Disadvantages:

• the back panel is scratched quickly;
• the fingerprint scanner is sometimes wrong.

Best Rugged Smartphones 2025

The disadvantage of modern mobile phones is that not many smartphones can withstand serious falls. Some devices are even "decorated" with chips on the case and cracks on the protective glass after a minor blow.And if you do not want to blow off dust particles from your mobile phone, and even more so to take it with you on hikes or travel, then you should initially give preference to protected models. There are not many decent devices of this class on the market today. In some smartphones, protection is even present only in words, and not in practice. We have selected three devices that will exactly withstand the harsh operating conditions.

1. Blackview BV9600 Pro

A reliable smartphone with a powerful 5580 mAh battery that supports both fast and wireless charging. According to the manufacturer, the BV9600 Pro battery is charged from the included power supply in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. The hardware platform of this smartphone is not top-end, but in most tasks its power is sufficient. The exception is some games where you have to omit graphical settings.

The display here is made using AMOLED technology, its diagonal is 6.21 inches. A very strange solution with not the smallest frames is "bangs". But if this nuance does not bother you, then the rest of the phone in a shock-resistant case can be called quite nice. And he also pleases with an excellent bundle, where, in addition to the power supply, documents, cable and paper clip, there is also a film and a set of adapters.

Advantages:

• modern "filling";
• high-quality display;
• powerful battery;
• high level of protection;
• wireless charger;
• good cameras.

Disadvantages:

• weak cameras;
• non-standard power connector.

2. OUKITEL WP2

The review continues with a real monster, which may well be attributed to the previous category. The battery with a capacity of 10000 mAh installed in OUKITEL WP2 is enough for a stable 2 days of operation even under high load. Using a smartphone in normal mode, you can count on about 4-5 days of autonomy.

All smartphones in this category lack a 3.5 mm jack. But given the positioning of the devices, it is impossible to call refusal from it a disadvantage.

The gaming capabilities here are very modest, but if you do not need a smartphone for such tasks, then its performance will be quite enough. There is also an NFC module that allows you to pay for purchases and trips with your own phone. Other pluses include a cool 6-inch Full HD screen with an aspect ratio of 18: 9. The downside is a lot of weight, but considering the WP2 parameters, it is quite justified.

Advantages:

• excellent autonomy;
• excellent protection against water;
• reliability in work;
• powerful flash / flashlight;
• simple and convenient interface;
• operation of wireless modules.

Disadvantages:

• mediocre camera;
• dimensions and weight not for a woman's hand.

3. DOOGEE S70

Let's finish the list of protected devices with an inexpensive smartphone from DOOGEE. It is reliably protected from water, dust and shock, and its 5500 mAh battery is enough for confident 1-2 days of battery life. The performance of Helio P23 and the Mali-G71 graphics accelerator is also enough for most tasks, and this applies even to modern games.

Built-in memory in one of the best secure smartphones for 2 SIM cards is available 64 GB (about 10 of them are occupied by the system). If the user wants to expand it by means of micro SD cards, he will have to give up the second SIM card. But it is difficult to face a lack of RAM, because 6 GB is enough for such a smartphone even with a margin.

Advantages:

• good performance;
• decent security;
• optimization and autonomy;
• holds a charge for a long time;
• the presence of an NFC chip;
• attractive price tag.

Disadvantages:

• not always correct software operation;
• the main camera is so-so.

The best flagship smartphones

The capabilities of modern top-level mobile phones can surprise anyone. In portable devices, there is a productive "filling" that can provide excellent graphics in games, as well as quality cameras that take impressive pictures. Flagships and music lovers will not disappoint, since their sound is comparable to good compact premium players. Of course, excellent functionality, reliable build and stylish design cost a lot of money.However, if you really want to get the most out of a compact device, this is a worthwhile purchase.

1. Apple iPhone 11 Pro 64GB

The iPhone 11 Pro is a masterpiece of art from the world of technology. Excellent design, extremely convenient and well thought-out system, the most powerful "filling" for today, represented by the proprietary Apple A13 Bionic processor, and perhaps the best battery life on the market with a far from the most capacious battery. And the iPhone 11 Pro also features water and dust resistance, fast and wireless charging, stereo speakers with the reference sound of mobile phones, and of course the perfect main camera. I would like to tell you more about the latter.

One of the main problems with Apple smartphones is the lack of a memory card slot. And, unfortunately, the basic versions of the American brand's phones are not enough for everyone. It might be worth the investment for a mod with a lot of built-in storage for your use case.

In the upper left corner is a wide-angle camera with a focal length of 26 mm and an aperture of f / 1.8. This module received a new 12 MP matrix that supports Focus Pixels throughout the entire area. The telephoto camera is located in the lower left corner. It has a 52mm focal length, it also has optical stabilization, and can also offer 2x optical zoom. To the right of them is a super-wide 12 MP with a viewing angle of 120 degrees. All iPhone 11 Pro modules shoot excellently day and night. Therefore, for users choosing the TOP smartphone of 2020 for mobile photography, we can safely recommend Apple's flagship.

Advantages:

• best performance on the market;
• the quality of photos and videos;
• luxurious design and flawless build;
• thoughtful, smartly working OS;
• high quality screen;
• quick charger included.

Disadvantages:

• the base version may run out of memory.

2.Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 12 / 256GB

The systematic increase in diagonals in smartphones has gradually destroyed both the concept of a phablet and one of the unique features of the Galaxy Note line. Today hardly anyone will be surprised by the 6.8-inch 10 Plus. If we take the usual modification, then there are completely "tiny" 6.3 inches, found in every second Chinese.

Nevertheless, public interest in the flagship smartphone of the South Korean giant has not diminished from this. Yet Samsung attracts attention by other factors as well. For example, the proprietary S Pen stylus, which with each version gets more and more functions, becoming, in fact, a full-fledged gadget, and not an addition to the phone.

As before, the pen can be used for notes, sketching, and similar tasks. The functionality of the previous version is preserved, including switching tracks or controlling presentations. And you can also remotely control the camera, and due to the presence of a position sensor in the updated S Pen, the list of available actions has increased.

Advantages:

• battery with a capacity of 4300 mAh;
• 12 RAM and 256 permanent memory;
• display with a resolution of 3040 × 1440 pixels;
• loud and clear sound of stereo speakers;
• the quality of the main camera;
• the capabilities of the corporate stylus.

Disadvantages:

• there is no 3.5 mm headphone jack;
• set against the background of Note 9.

3. HUAWEI P30 Pro

Despite the recent trade wars between the US and China, Huawei has steadily continued to increase shipments of its own smartphones. And this is completely logical, because in terms of the quality of photo and video shooting, smartphones of this brand bypass, if not all, then most of the competitors, which is confirmed by DxOMark experts.

Speaking specifically about the P30 Pro, this is one of the best phones in Huawei's range. In fact, only the Mate 30 Pro is better now, but due to problems with Google services, it is difficult to recommend it to the average user. In addition, the reviewed phone has everything that customers may need: powerful hardware, a first-class main camera with 4 modules, a lot of RAM and ROM, a huge battery, and an infrared port.

Advantages:

• camera (especially at night);
• battery and fast charging;
• analog of Samsung's DeX mode;
• stability of wireless modules;
• nimble work of the proprietary shell.

Disadvantages:

• only one external speaker;
• only supports branded memory cards;
• no audio jack and adapter included.

4.Google Pixel 4 6 / 64GB

Of course, the best Android smartphone for 2020 is offered by the developer of this system, Google. The Pixel 4 features a 5.7-inch OLED display. The flagship smartphone from Google has received a productive "filling", but not too capacious battery at 2800 mAh.

However, good optimization somewhat smoothes this defect. And much more importantly, this smartphone has the best camera. And this despite the fact that the module is double. But for Google, this is not a problem, because even one camera was enough for Pixel phones to beat the competition. Here, too, portraits, daytime and nighttime shots are simply gorgeous. The Pixel 4, on the other hand, does not do as well with video.

Advantages:

• excellent build;
• great camera;
• excellent 90Hz screen;
• face unlocking;
• wonderful design;
• performance.

Disadvantages:

• no wide-angle camera;
• Battery capacity;
• Motion Sense does not work in RF.

Which smartphone to buy in 2025

The presented rating of the best smartphones of the year is aimed at different categories of users. If you want to save money and get a high-quality device, then pay attention to budget and Chinese models. For fans of maximum possibilities, we suggest choosing among the models made by Apple, Samsung and OnePlus. A protected case and a capacious battery, in turn, are also offered by popular smartphone manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom.