I must say right away that it is becoming more and more difficult to collect collections of devices of an initial or middle premium class, because there are no clear leaders in these lines. In our ranking of the best smartphones under 15,000 rubles in 2021, both budget solutions and representatives of the middle class of past generations are presented. This is necessary as it is often better to wait for a discount from Chinese or South Korean manufacturers to get a better camera or screen. On the other hand, this approach implies that you will not be able to take advantage of the new communication standards. And do not forget that the previous line of smartphones will eventually cease to be updated. We took into account all these factors and collected models for different buyers.
Smartphones under 15k with the best camera
Even before the trend for the use of quad cameras, leadership in the niche of budget camera phones was shared by Chinese companies. Only Xiaomi could compete with HUAWEI. Subsequently, the latter closed the Redmi department, and HUAWEI had to fight US sanctions and lose its former popularity due to the lack of support for Google services. True, this did not affect all lines of the brand. In our selection there are models that managed to bypass the fines. At the same time, we would like to clarify that the South Korean brand (Samsung) wasted no time in improving its A-series sector by equipping many devices with excellent photographic modules.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
The top 10 smartphones under 15,000 rubles with a good camera are opened by the eighth-generation Xiaomi budget model Redmi Note 8 Pro. Many began to write off this phone from the accounts, after the appearance of “nines”, but we have a different opinion. The main camera includes a large 64-megapixel sensor with f / 1.9 aperture, good stabilization and a physical sensor size of 1 / 1.7. 1/4-inch ultra wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture and 8 megapixels. This package comes with a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. In addition to a good main camera, the excellent quality of the selfie camera (20 MP) and a wide range of shooting modes should be noted. The model has NFC, a decent Helio G90T processor and a bright 6.5-inch screen.
Advantages:
- the model is updated;
- good power;
- 6 GB of RAM;
- front camera;
- shooting mode.
Flaws:
- is the ninth generation.
HUAWEI P smart 2021
This smartphone is one of the most productive in the segment up to 15 thousand, which is explained by the use of the proprietary Hisilicon Kirin 710A processor. A pleasant novelty for many fans of the brand will be the presence of Android 10, which indicates the ability to download and install various applications through Google Play. Another benefit is 22.5W fast charging with SuperCharge. The screen measures 6.67 inches with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. On the front there is a small cutout for a selfie camera, the resolution of which is 8 megapixels. Perhaps this is not the most competitive solution given the size of competitors’ sensors. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh, which is enough for 16 hours of battery life. The main camera has four sensors, including the main lens with a resolution of 48 megapixels.
Advantages:
- main camera;
- access to Google services;
- big screen;
- powerful charging;
- good power.
Flaws:
- front camera.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
We are talking about a phone with a camera up to 15 thousand, which is equipped with a Samsung S5KGM1 sensor (physical size 1/2 ″). At the same time, the main lens of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is complemented by a working ultra-wide-angle sensor and an effective depth sensor. We will not say anything about the macro camera, because the vast majority of state employees use it only “for show”. Unfortunately, this line supports NFC only in the M2003J15SG modification. It is important that the M2003J15SS series cannot make contactless payments, so be careful when shopping. The screen has an IPS-matrix, which has good color reproduction. Full HD+ resolution. Good performance is due to the use of MediaTek Helio G85. In addition to a powerful chip, 4 gigabytes of RAM are available (at this price), as well as a powerful 5020 mAh battery.
Advantages:
- good camera;
- fast charging 18W;
- large battery;
- main sensor;
- working depth sensor.
Flaws:
- Not all series have NFC.
HONOR 10X Lite
Haven’t decided yet what to buy a smartphone for 15 thousand with a good camera this year? Check out the HONOR 10X Lite lineup with an impressive 48MP lens. Great shots are also achieved thanks to the support of a good ultra-wide-angle sensor (8 megapixels), a macro camera and a depth sensor. This camera allows you to take clear photos even in the absence of bright lighting. In addition, the Chinese manufacturer (currently part of Huawei) has implemented a large front camera that surpasses many counterparts in shooting modes and stabilization. Mid-range performance is provided by the proprietary Kirin 710A chip. The screen has a FullHD+ resolution and measures 6.67 inches.
Advantages:
- clear display;
- front camera;
- good power;
- charge 22.5 W;
- battery 5000 mAh.
Flaws:
Samsung Galaxy A32
The smartphone with the best camera up to 15 thousand in 2021, according to the “CC”, is the Samsung Galaxy A32, whose technical characteristics are clearly superior to its competitors. This is primarily due to the fact that the novelty has a Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. The main camera is also equipped with an almost flagship 64-megapixel sensor with an f / 1.8 aperture. There is an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 123-degree field of view. Complements the package with an additional 5-megapixel sensor. The screen, which occupies 85% of the body space, has a pixel density of 411 PPI. As a hardware component, a Mediatek Helio G80 chip is used, supplemented by 4 gigabytes of RAM.
Advantages:
- update frequency;
- main sensor;
- good processor;
- screen quality.
Flaws:
The best smartphones under 15000 for price and quality
In this category, balanced models with a good price / quality ratio are presented. It is worth noting that in the previous section with more advanced cameras, there were contenders for the title of the best gadget in the starting category, and they could compete in all respects. However, we have put together various new articles so that you can compare different features and choose the best one for you.
Honor 20e
Haven’t decided yet what to buy a smartphone for 15 thousand with a good camera this year? The rather popular Honor 20e series gadget, powered by a Kirin 710F processor coupled with 4 gigabytes of RAM, is worth paying attention to if, of course, you want to enter the indicated financial budget. The smartphone boasts a large 6.21-inch display with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels. On the front is a rather modest 8MP selfie camera. The main camera has three modules, including a 24 MP lens, an 8 MP lens, and an additional sensor for blurring the background (does an excellent job with portraits). The modest 3400 mAh battery is confusing, but 10 W fast charging compensates for this nuance.
Advantages:
- big screen;
- portraits;
- fast charging;
- good processor.
Flaws:
- battery capacity.
Samsung Galaxy A21s
Not the last model in the entry-level collection of the South Korean company, but still worthy of attention. The balanced smartphone has a good 5000 mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging. All information is displayed on a large 6.5-inch screen using PLS technology. The display resolution, unfortunately, is lower than many analogues – only 1600 x 720 pixels. In this display you can find a beautiful front camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels. The Exynos 850 chip is responsible for power, supplemented by 3 gigabytes of RAM. The main camera has four sensors, including a 48-megapixel lens.
Advantages:
- main camera;
- good power;
- fast charging;
- elegant design.
Flaws:
- 3 GB of RAM;
- screen resolution.
Vivo Y31
In terms of price / quality ratio, the Vivo Y31 looks decent, adding to the list of good smartphones thanks to a clear display and a powerful processor. The screen size is 6.58 inches and the resolution is 2408 by 1080 pixels. The display of this Chinese smartphone is built on an IPS matrix. On the front is an 8MP selfie camera. The main camera received a fairly large matrix. The resolution of the header module is 48 megapixels. The Snapdragon 662 processor, integrated with 4 gigabytes of RAM, is responsible for the technical part. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh. Powerful 18W charging is provided. The operating system is Android 11.
Advantages:
- new operating system;
- good power;
- main camera;
- average power.
Flaws:
- screen settings are low.
Samsung Galaxy M12
If you are interested in a good smartphone up to 15 thousand with a powerful battery, we recommend that you pay attention to the Samsung Galaxy M12 model with a very pleasant price compared to analogues. The battery capacity in this range is 5000 mAh, fast charging up to 15 watts is provided. The Exynos 850 processor is responsible for the performance of this line, supplemented by 4 gigabytes of RAM. The downside is that the 6.5-inch display has a modest 1600 x 720 pixel resolution. The amount of memory in this model can be up to 1 terabyte. We also note the presence of 4 sensors, of which 48 MP, 5 MP, 2 MP and 2 MP. The design has a fingerprint scanner located next to the power button.
Advantages:
- main camera;
- battery capacity;
- good feature;
- fast charging.
Flaws:
- screen resolution.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
The best smartphone under 15,000 rubles in 2021 in terms of price and quality is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S model, which differs from the “Pro Max” version mainly in the main camera and fast charging. Technically, these gadgets are practically the same. The Snapdragon 720G processor easily solves complex tasks, which is easily explained by the support of 4 gigabytes of RAM. The main camera has four modules, including a 48-megapixel lens. The front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels. Note the presence of an NFC processor and a powerful 5020 mAh battery. Fast charging is available at 18W.
Advantages:
- large battery;
- sharp IPS display;
- main camera;
- fast charging;
- Snapdragon 720G processor.
Flaws:
Comparative table of smartphones up to 15,000 rubles
| Model | Screen | CPU | Memory size | Battery | Video |
| Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro | 6.53 IPS | MediaTek Helio G90T | 6/128 GB | 4500 mAh | Ultra HD (4K) at 30fps |
| HUAWEI P smart 2021 | 6.67 IPS | HiSilicon Kirin 710A | 4/128 GB | 5000 mAh | Full HD at 30 fps |
| Xiaomi RedmiNote 9 | 6.53 IPS | MediaTek Helio G85 | 6/128 GB | 5020 mAh | Full HD at 30 fps |
| HONOR 10X Lite | 6.67 IPS | Hisilicon Kirin 710A | 6/128 GB | 5000 mAh | Full HD at 30 fps |
| Samsung Galaxy A32 | 6.4 Super AMOLED | Mediatek Helio G80 | 4/64 GB | 5000 mAh | Full HD at 30 fps |
| Honor 20e | 6.21, IPS | Hisilicon Kirin 710F | 4/64 GB | 3400 mAh | Full HD at 60 fps |
| Samsung Galaxy A21s | 6.5, IPS | Samsung Exynos 850 | 3/32 GB | 5000 mAh | Full HD |
| Vivo Y31 | 6.58 IPS | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 | 4/128 GB | 5000 mAh | Full HD |
| Samsung Galaxy M12 | 6.5 please | Exynos 850 | 4/64 GB | 5000 mAh | Full HD at 30 fps |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S |
6.67 IPS | Snapdragon 720 g | 4/64 GB | 5020 mAh | Ultra HD (4K) at 30fps |
Which smartphone is better to buy under 15 thousand in 2022?
In our opinion, today customers are offered a wide range of almost identical devices to choose from. If you do not know which smartphone to buy for less than 15,000 rubles, then try to decide which parameters are your priority. Our conclusion:
- Powerful model with a good selfie camera: Honor 20e;
- Smartphone with the best camera under 15,000 rubles – Samsung Galaxy A32;
- Model with a good camera and a powerful battery: Samsung Galaxy A31;
- The best balanced smartphone under 15 thousand is Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S.
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