Rating of the best frameless smartphones

New trends emerge in the mobile industry every year. Some of them do not stay long and quickly leave the market. Others are so popular with users that almost all popular and little-known brands start to copy them. Among the second type of trends is the bezel-less design of modern smartphones. Of course, this name does not hide devices with a screen on the entire front panel. But their bezels have indeed become smaller, making the phones more modern in design. We decided to collect the best models of frameless smartphones in one rating. Immediately, we note that the division into places in the TOP is extremely formal, because all devices are equally interesting here.

The best frameless smartphones - TOP 9

Users want to see screens with ever larger diagonal in smartphones. But, at the same time, all the same people can complain about the huge assortment of "shovels" and the almost complete absence of compact devices. It would seem that it is very difficult to satisfy such ambiguous needs. But manufacturers have found a neat solution by simply reducing the bezels around the display. True, this gave rise to a trend with a notch in the screen, which did not appeal to all users. Fortunately, not all companies followed it, and smartphones from them are also presented in our review. We tried to take into account the wishes of a wide range of buyers by adding smartphones costing from 140–1400 $.

Read also:

• The best music smartphones
• The best smartphones with a big and bright screen
• Best smartphones with shockproof screens

1. ASUS ZenFone Max (M2) ZB633KL 3 / 32GB

We decided to start with a frameless smartphone, which was presented in Russia at the end of 2018 and immediately gained a large number of sales. Such attention from ASUS to Russian consumers is explained by the high popularity of the last generation of the monitored device in the Russian Federation.

The smartphone also has an older version of Max Pro M2. It will cost one and a half times more. However, for this amount, the user will receive the best hardware, display resolution and quality of the main camera. Also in the older version there is NFC.

The device is equipped with a 6.3-inch screen with HD-resolution (aspect ratio 19: 9), made using IPS technology. The ASUS phone has 3 GB of RAM, which is enough for most tasks. The built-in memory of 32 gigabytes may not be enough for everyone, but this is compensated by the possibility of installing micro SD drives up to 2 TB in size. Moreover, a memory card is installed in a slot separate from two SIM cards.

Advantages:

• modern appearance;
• durable metal body;
• video stabilization (only for FHD);
• the ability to shoot in 4K;
• excellent hardware;
• excellent battery life, up to 35 hours of talk time;
• affordable price;
• pure Android.

2. OnePlus 6T 8 / 128GB

If you are not interested in the middle price segment, then you can take a closer look at the flagships. Among them, one of the most interesting options is the 6T model from OnePlus. This high-quality frameless smartphone contains all the equipment a modern user needs:

1. AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels and a diagonal of 6.41 inches;
2. Snapdragon 845 processor with Adreno 630 graphics accelerator;
3. 8 gigabytes of RAM and 128 GB of permanent memory;
4. battery with a capacity of 3700 mAh;
5. dual main camera;
6. NFC module.

Unfortunately, the smartphone without frames was left without the 3.5 mm jack, which was present in the OnePlus 6. Now you can connect standard headphones only through an adapter (included in the kit). A slot for memory cards in 6T is also not provided, as well as protection IP67 / 68. But if not many will need to install microSD in the presence of capacious storage, then fans have been asking for full protection from water and dust for a very long time.

Advantages:

• great sound;
• one of the best cameras on the market;
• very powerful processor;
• design and build quality;
• elaborate shell;
• good autonomy;
• the amount of RAM and built-in storage.

Disadvantages:

• there is no full protection against water and dust;
• there is no 3.5 mm jack.

3. Huawei Nova 3i 4 / 64GB

Huawei was one of the first to pick up the bezel-less design trend. At the same time, the manufacturer made sure that all categories of consumers had the opportunity to buy a beautiful smartphone. In the middle price segment, the company offers the Nova 3i, whose design is clearly borrowed from the latest generations of Apple smartphones.

However, such copying cannot be called something bad. For just 16 thousand, the user receives not only a high-quality, but also an attractive device, the design of which will be relevant for many years to come. In addition, the frameless Chinese smartphone from Huawei boasts a beautiful gradient color - the brand's signature feature.

For its price, a mobile phone can boast not only an excellent appearance, but also very interesting characteristics. The processor is proprietary - the Kirin 710. It works in tandem with the Mali-G51 graphics. RAM and ROM in the device 4 and 64 GB. The storage can be expanded with micro-SD cards up to 256 GB (combined with SIM). The battery in the Nova 3i is 3340 mAh.

Advantages:

• branded gradient colors;
• flagship design;
• good performance for your money;
• beautiful modern design;
• dual front camera (24 + 2 MP);
• good autonomy.

Disadvantages:

• very slippery body;
• outdated micro USB connector.

4. OUKITEL C11 Pro

The budget allocated by you does not even reach 140 $? In this case, we recommend the best of the inexpensive frameless smartphones - OUKITEL C11 Pro. In online stores, it is offered from 88 $that for a well-built device with a 5.5-inch HD (2: 1 ratio) display is an excellent deal. The mobile phone looks stylish and its bezel is a bit like Samsung.

But you should understand that high-quality photos are not about OUKITEL C11 Pro. The main camera of the device contains two simple modules for 8 and 2 MP. Moreover, the second sensor is definitely not needed here, since it does not fulfill its task. The front camera here is 2-megapixel without additional modules. The fact that she shoots badly is clear from the characteristics.

The hardware platform is also modest here. But she, at least, copes well with everyday tasks, like watching videos, surfing the Internet, and so on. Games will not work here (unless, of course, we talk about the simplest projects like "three in a row"). But the device works out its cost by 100%. It can be chosen by a schoolchild or a student on a budget, a taxi driver as a navigator or as a second phone.

Advantages:

• very low cost;
• fast work of the OS in everyday tasks;
• 3 gigabytes of RAM;
• bright and rich screen;
• attractive appearance;
• the battery holds one and a half to two days.

Disadvantages:

• just awful cameras;
• small amount of built-in storage.

5.Xiaomi Mi8 Lite 4 / 64GB

For 2018, Xiaomi has released so many modifications of the Mi 8 that users who are not interested in the mobile market can easily get confused in them. So, at the end of September 2018, the manufacturer announced a smartphone with the Lite prefix. As the name implies, this device is a simplified version of the regular Mi 8.

This good frameless smartphone Xiaomi Mi8 Lite is equipped with a simpler main camera with 12 and 5 MP modules. But the front camera in the device is represented by the Sony IMX576 module, so you can make great selfies for social networks on the Mi 8 Lite.
The simplification also affected the hardware platform of the smartphone, but it still remained powerful enough to enjoy modern games:

1. Snapdragon 660 processor;
2. Adreno 512 graphics;
3. 6 gigabytes of RAM.

The built-in storage in the monitored model is 64 GB and cannot be expanded. It will also not work to connect headphones with a 3.5 mm plug to the phone (at least directly). And in the younger version of the smartphone, the manufacturer abandoned NFC. The truth and the cost of the phone eventually fell to a very modest 16-18 thousand.

Advantages:

• modern design;
• The "filling" is good for games;
• large and clear display;
• convenience of MIUI 10;
• excellent value for money;
• excellent front camera;
• face unlock function.

Disadvantages:

• no NFC;
• no 3.5mm output;
• low autonomy (battery 3350 mAh).

6. Honor 8X 4 / 128GB

The review of popular frameless smartphones continues with another solution from the Huawei brand, but released as part of the youth sub-brand Honor. Beautiful appearance, 3 body colors to choose from (red, blue and black), a large 6.5-inch screen (2340 x 1080 pixels) and a good "stuffing" will cost users 252–280 $.

The back panel of the Honor 8X is made of glass, most of which is glossy. Because of this, the smartphone turned out to be slippery and easily soiled. You can fix the problem with a cover. For convenience, the manufacturer put one in the kit, but its quality is poor and you should immediately get something else.

The dual main camera with 20 and 2 MP sensors is able to take excellent portrait shots and does a good job in low light conditions. The photos taken with the front 16-megapixel module look quite worthy. It's also nice that the phone has NFC and a decent 3750 mAh battery at the declared price.

Advantages:

• uncombined slot for two SIM and microSD;
• good main camera;
• gorgeous performance;
• built-in NFC module;
• good film on the screen included;
• attractive youthful design;
• nice price tag;
• good calibration and display brightness.

Disadvantages:

• dim event indicator;
• easily soiled and slippery body.

7.Samsung Galaxy S9 64GB

Soon, Samsung plans to unveil its new flagship Galaxy S10, where the bezels around the display will practically disappear. True, instead of them, an extremely controversial solution will appear with a cutout for the front camera and a cost up to $ 1,800. For S9, in turn, sellers ask for an average 700 $, but the gray version of the device can be found already from 38,000. Moreover, this smartphone without frames around the edges can boast of powerful hardware, and one of the best cameras on the market, and an excellent design.

The multimedia capabilities of the device are also pleasing. For the first time in the Galaxy S9 lineup, it received not one, but two external speakers used for video and music playback. For this, the company decided to use a conversational speaker. But according to reviews about the smartphone, we can conclude that the device has no problems with the sound quality. The same applies to playback in headphones, which, by the way, are included in the kit (AKG). Do not forget about the best display among all smartphones today. Its diagonal is 5.8 inches, and the resolution is 2960x1440 pixels.

Advantages:

• reasoned cost;
• very powerful hardware platform;
• high pixel density (568 ppi);
• optimal display diagonal;
• many useful functions and applications;
• high-quality and comfortable body;
• excellent stereo speakers;
• decent complete headphones;
• increased aperture of cameras compared to the previous series of phones.

Disadvantages:

• the case is very easily soiled;
• the battery runs out quickly;
• Bixby key is not reassignable.

8. Meizu 16 6 / 64GB

If you care about design, build quality and hardware platform performance, and the lack of NFC does not bother you at all, then it is better to buy Meiza 16. This is a stunning smartphone, whose 6-inch screen will delight even the most demanding buyer. Under it is a fingerprint scanner, which is not yet found even in the flagships of more eminent companies.By the way, the manufacturer orders the displays from the South Korean brand Samsung, so their quality is the same as on the Galaxy S9 described above.

Note that there are also 16X and 16th versions available on the market. The first is formally analogous to the observed model. But the 16th is the current flagship, featuring more productive hardware and a higher cost. However, the display, design and cameras are similar across all three smartphones.

The smartphone is not equipped with top-end "filling", but the Snapdragon 710 processor and Adreno 616 graphics will be enough for users for all modern games. The same applies to the RAM, which in this model is equal to an impressive 6 GB. Selfie lovers will also appreciate the 20MP front camera, which can be used for face unlocking. For the rear modules, Meizu uses some of Sony's best 20 and 12 MP sensors.

Advantages:

• stable operation of communication modules;
• high quality screen;
• availability of fast charging;
• excellent price-performance ratio;
• stylish and distinctive appearance;
• excellent main cameras;
• the quality of shooting on the front camera.

Disadvantages:

• I would like to see a battery with a higher capacity;
• no NFC.

9. Apple iPhone Xs Max 64GB

Rounding out the review is the most expensive phone with thin bezels, the iPhone Xs Max. The average cost of this device is 90 thousand rubles, so it cannot be recommended to a wide range of buyers. But if you have the appropriate amount and you want to get the most advanced device, then there are simply no other options on the market.

The smartphone from the "apple" brand runs on the proprietary A12 Bionic processor, which is much faster than any "stone" installed by Android phones. The Xs Max has other significant benefits, including:

• first-class stereo speakers;
• design that competitors look up to;
• reliability and speed of work;
• perfect work of iOS 12;
• splash, water and dust proof;
• one of the best dual cameras on the market;
• ability to record UHD video at 60 fps;
• the fastest processor on the market;
• large 6.5-inch screen (2688x1242);
• Self-learning technology Face ID.

Also in the reviews, the smartphone is praised for other advantages, such as fast and wireless charging, protection from water and dust, perfect calibration of the display and the ability to install two SIM cards in the smartphone (both physical only in the Chinese version; in the international one of the SIM is electronic, which is not relevant For Russia).

Among the shortcomings, buyers note:

1. no 3.5 mm adapter included;
2. PSU for fast charging is purchased separately;
3. for the price, the headphones could be better.

Which frameless smartphone to choose

As noted earlier, this rating of frameless smartphones does not have a clear division into places. To choose the right device, decide on the budget that you are willing to spend on it. With a modest amount below 140 $ we recommend buying OUKITEL C11 Pro. In the range from 15 to 20 thousand, the best frameless options will be smartphones from ASUS and Honor, which have a good "filling" and an NFC module. Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite and Meizu 16 can compete with them, but contactless payment is not available on them. Among the flagship smartphones, the clear leader is the iPhone Xs Max, and if you are looking for an Android device, buy the Galaxy S9 or OnePlus 6T.