Best Performance Smartphones Under 20,000 UAH

The smartphone is one of the best options in terms of price and quality: for a low cost you get original design, powerful hardware, decent cameras. While mid-rangers usually look identical and dull, Realme decided to play big and rethink traditional approaches to design and materials. For this, they enlisted the support of Matteo Menotto, former print designer for the Italian brand GUCCI. The experiment was successful. The back panel of the smartphone is made of vegan leather, with a seam running down the middle, resembling a zipper. The display is rounded at the edges, creating the feeling that text and images extend beyond the screen. And the large round main camera block is inspired by vintage style and resembles an old vinyl record. In addition, it comes in quite bright colors— beige and green. Such a gadget looks truly original and bold and is sure to appeal to users who love things that stand out from the crowd. But there is an option for those who prefer classic— a version in black with a traditional matte lid.

The front features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2412x1080 pixels, support for HDR10+, and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen not only brings vibrant, saturated colors, but also cares for the user's vision. The DC Dimming technology minimizes flickering, and artificial intelligence automatically adjusts brightness depending on the lighting and your preferences in settings. There are 20 thousand brightness levels available for any usage scenarios. It's also worth noting the Always on Display feature and the under-screen fingerprint scanner, which works precisely and quickly. A protective film is applied to the display immediately from the factory, which is a big plus considering the difficulty of applying it to a curved panel. Additionally, buyers will receive a basic silicone case, although if we talk about the leather version—it's a shame to hide such beauty in a case. But that's a matter of taste.

Despite the sizable camera block, it only has two modules. These are a 100-megapixel sensor with an f/1.75 aperture and SuperOIS optical image stabilization, and an additional 2 MP macro lens for close-up shooting. The camera doesn't perform miracles, but it's fully on par with a mid-level phone. In good lighting, the shots are clear and detailed, but as light decreases, more noise and distortion emerge. It has a special night mode, though the smartphone seems to "think" for a while before producing the final photo. The camera can also capture video in 4K, but the stabilization is hardly noticeable. The 16 MP front camera, however, performs well, making lovely selfies for social media and personal photo collections. Overall, the camera's capabilities are fully aligned with the device's price tag.

At the heart of the model is the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, which also fully matches the mid-range level. Its abilities are sufficient for daily tasks and gaming, but not at the highest settings. The body doesn't heat up. The system optimizes memory allocation for smoother and more stable operation. Realme ensures that up to 26 apps can run in the background with reduced delays. There's no memory card slot, so it's better to choose a sufficient storage volume right away—the options range from 128 GB to 512 GB.

Additionally, the smartphone is equipped with stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and all necessary communications (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC chip). A 5000 mAh battery provides autonomy, lasting a day to a day and a half depending on user activity. Fast 67 W charging charges the battery to 50% in just 18 minutes, while a full charge takes about 40 to 50 minutes.

By the way, Realme also offers the 11 Pro Plus model, which is identical in design and many features, but has higher-class cameras, 100 W charging, and costs slightly more.

The smartphone represents the Redmi Note 13 series, where even Xiaomi itself might get confused due to the high number of models with long and similar names. The Note 13 Pro 5G occupies a sort of golden middle in this lineup, offering buyers an optimal balance of price and quality. Externally, this is not a particularly massive device, weighing just under 190 g with a glass back panel and impact- and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the screen. It has IP54 certification, which confirms protection against minor water splashes. The main camera block is quite bulky, with lenses protruding above the surface, which has become common in modern smartphones. Overall, the device looks nice, although the back panel quickly picks up fingerprints and dust. Fortunately, the manufacturer includes a case, so you'll likely find that useful right away.

The smartphone's pride is its camera, as Xiaomi is not shy with megapixels. The main sensor (with optical image stabilization, f/1.65 aperture) features a 200 MP resolution, though you get images with much lower resolution—12.5 MP—due to pixel combination. It's complemented by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 2 MP macro module. The camera is quite decent for the mid-price segment: high detail, natural colors, loads of effects for active social network users. However, in poorly lit conditions, shooting quality suffers, and the difference from flagship models is evident to the naked eye.

Almost the entire front of the smartphone is occupied by a flat 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, rivaling more expensive competitors: there's a high refresh rate of 120 Hz, Dolby Vision support, Always On Display function, and TÜV Rheinland certification confirming low blue light and screen flicker levels, thereby reducing eye strain. The screen has a built-in fingerprint scanner, not only identifying the user but also measuring pulse—just touch the screen with your finger. People tracking their health without a nearby fitness tracker or smartwatch will find this feature helpful.

Inside is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, showing decent results in AnTuTu benchmark tests—almost 600,000 points. Simply put, there's enough performance for everyday use and gaming. Several memory configurations are available, but due to the lack of a memory card slot, we advise getting a "reserve" capacity, especially if you're used to storing a lot of photos, videos, and other files in an archive. A capacious 5100 mAh battery provides 16 hours of continuous video playback, 11 hours of gaming, or 136 hours of music listening. On average, one charge lasts 1.5 – 2 days. Fast 67 W charging fully charges the battery in 44 minutes. The adapter is included, and the smartphone doesn't heat up much during charging.

Users will appreciate some small extras often lacking in many gadgets. First and foremost, a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired headphones. For wireless headphones, there's Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. There's also the traditional IR port for Xiaomi. Other features include speakers with Dolby Atmos and NFC (depending on the market). As its name indicates, the smartphone supports 5G, although in some countries this is irrelevant due to the lack of fifth-generation networks. It might seem logical to save money and buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G? But consider, these models differ not only in 5G availability but also in processors, cameras, and other features.

Google's annual lineup of new products cannot be called extensive, and at some point, the company decided to release more economical models, apart from the flagships, with an "a" suffix in their names: they resemble top devices, having similar features, but omit some more modest functions to cut down on costs. The Pixel 7a is a simplified version of the 2022 flagships Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Externally, it is almost indistinguishable from the standard "seven": flat screen, neat cutout in the display for the front camera, and a separate compact insert for the rear camera block, visually dividing the back panel into two parts. Certainly, tastes vary, but the smartphone looks refreshing and distinct from most uniform, similar-looking competitors.

The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, the gadget has metallic frames, and the back is plastic. Nonetheless, this doesn't spoil the impression, as the plastic is well-made and imitates glass capably—they’re almost indistinguishable visually. The only thing slightly marring the overall picture is the thick bezels around the screen. It seems like Google was trying to draw a bold line between the Pixel 7a and the flagship models. Large bezels also affected the overall size: with a screen diagonal of 6.1 inches, the smartphone should be fairly compact, but, for example, the iPhone 15 with the same screen diagonal is noticeably smaller. Nevertheless, the Pixel boasts IP67 waterproofing, surviving brief submersions in water at small depths (up to 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes).

Google devices are often chosen due to stable software and long-term support. The smartphone will receive major Android updates until 2026, and security patches until 2028, which is not bad at all. If you want more, with the release of Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Google substantially increased the support period—to 2030 for new Android versions and security system updates. The Pixel 7a boasts "pure" Android, meaning without loads of pre-installed unnecessary programs, incessant ads, and system overlays that other manufacturers love. Additionally, Google smartphones are among the first to receive fresh OS versions.

Another distinguishing factor is the proprietary Tensor G2 processor. Thanks to it, the device operates quickly, the interface is smooth, and many games can be enjoyed on medium and high graphics settings. The downside is the single version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB ROM. While the RAM is ample, storage capacity may not be enough for active users, and unfortunately, there's no memory card slot.

A 4385 mAh battery ensures autonomy, and one charge typically lasts a day. There's wireless charging, albeit slow at 7.5 W. Wired charging is not much faster—18 W, so full energy recovery takes about 2 hours.

Buyers often opt for Google devices due to good cameras. This is because the company doesn't chase a large number of modules and megapixels but simply does its job well. The model comes with a 13-megapixel front camera and a dual rear camera including a 64 MP sensor with optical image stabilization and a 13 MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view. This yields commendable photos and videos. In tests by the authoritative source DxOMark, the main camera received 133 points. For comparison, the same scores as flagships Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and iPhone 14 Plus.

Otherwise, the model has a decent array of features: an OLED display with 90 Hz refresh rate, 5G and eSIM support, NFC chip for contactless payments, an under-screen fingerprint scanner, and stereo sound.

OPPO markets the smartphone as an expert in portrait photography. And for the mid-price segment, its cameras are indeed good. It boasts a 32 MP front camera for selfies, while the main camera consists of three sensors: a main 64 MP (f/1.7), a 32 MP telephoto lens (f/2.0), and an 8 MP ultra-wide lens with a 112-degree field of view. The camera can shoot video in 4K resolution at 30 fps and supports 2x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom. The Portrait Expert Engine improves portrait shots by optimizing facial images, skin, and background, using bokeh to blur the background, among other effects. Overall, photos are commendable, noise-free, with great detail and vibrant colors. They’re ideal for personal archives or social media.

Another feature of the smartphone is its design. Even though the back panel is made of plastic, it doesn't look cheap. The body has a streamlined shape: the front and back curve toward each other, merging into a thin frame. Curved-edge displays have their fans and critics, so consider this nuance before purchasing: many find this design stylish and elegant, but some consider it impractical. Nonetheless, the smartphone visually leaves a pleasant impression and is comfortable to use. The body thickness is just under 8 mm, and it weighs only 185 g, making the gadget not too bulky. An attractive perk is the included transparent silicone case that doesn't mask the beautiful colors or ruin the device's appearance.

For the rest, the features fully match the mid-range segment. A 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support offers crisp, vibrant colors, smooth animations, and lets users enjoy video content of great quality. The brightness is not record-breaking—maxing out at 800 nits—but suffice for both outdoor and indoor use. There's an under-screen fingerprint scanner, 5G support, stereo speakers, NFC, and an IR port for remote control of home appliances. The 5000 mAh battery promises a full day of autonomy or more, depending on usage. And fast 67 W charging refills 31% of power in just 10 minutes. A full charge takes about 45 minutes. OPPO focused on the device's longevity and ensures that in 4 years the smartphone will retain swift performance and stability, with the battery capacity remaining at 80% after 1600 cycles (approximately 4 years of use). It's impossible to verify this yet as the model debuted in 2023, so trust in the manufacturer is all we have.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor powers the device, though at this price point, something more powerful would be welcome. The phone faces no issues with relatively simple games, the interface, and programs, nor does it suffer from overheating, but demanding games won't run comfortably. AnTuTu benchmark results in 566,000 points, though many competitors with the same price range score higher. For instance, the Realme 11 Pro has the same processor but is more reasonably priced. The model is available in one version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. This can be expanded with a microSD card, which replaces the second SIM card.

In conclusion: the OPPO Reno10 5G seems a bit overpriced if judging by performance, though these nuances are offset by the cameras and design. Therefore, the model suits users primarily seeking a beautiful camera phone for shooting photos and videos.

Both pricing-wise and feature-wise, the smartphone is a step closer to flagship-level models, taking much from its "bigger brothers" OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 11R. In terms of design, it's a minimalist, sleek, and not too bulky device, comfortable to hold in hand. The back panel is made of glass, and the screen's bezels are minimal, giving the device a high-class feel. The manufacturer also didn’t skimp on the package: the gadget comes with a protective film applied to the display and a charging adapter.

The most important aspect is the "innards." The OnePlus Nord 3 features the flagship-level Mediatek Dimensity 9000 processor. Therefore, it’s no surprise the smartphone’s performance is high: it operates quickly, smoothly, easily handles multitasking, and allows for a comfortable gaming experience even in demanding games like Genshin Impact. The cooling system ensures safe and uninterrupted operation and prevents overheating. Additionally, it comes with fast LPDDR5X RAM, the proprietary OxygenOS interface based on Android, and a capacious 5000 mAh battery supporting fast 80 W charging. For typical use, one charge should last a day, while a full charge takes roughly half an hour. OnePlus states that their battery health management system allows charging cycles to be increased to 1600. Simply put, after 4 years of daily charging, the battery will retain more than 80% of its capacity.

The display is fairly large—6.74 inches, although in today's world compact devices are becoming rare relics. It features a Fluid AMOLED panel with high resolution (2772x1240 pixels), HDR10+ support, and an adaptive refresh rate from 40 to 120 Hz for smooth scrolling. The screen looks good not only on paper but in reality—offering pleasant color reproduction, multiple settings, and sufficient brightness for outdoor use on sunny days. The in-display fingerprint scanner quickly recognizes fingerprints, and the stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support deliver rich, spacious sound during gaming, music listening, and movie watching. There's also 5G support, a slot for two SIM cards (though without space for a memory card), an IR port, and NFC for contactless payments and connectivity with other devices.

While not positioned as a camera phone, it captures well. For this, it has a 16-megapixel front camera for decent selfies and a rear camera with three modules. These include a 50 MP Sony IMX890 sensor with optical stabilization (same as OnePlus 11), an 8 MP ultra-wide lens with a 112-degree viewing angle, and an additional 2 MP macro lens. Shots are detailed, without visible artifacts or distortions. Additionally, the camera performs well not only in good lighting but also at night. The TurboRAW algorithm and artificial intelligence help reduce noise, decrease blur, and maintain vivid colors. It can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, though stabilization is weak.