Best smartphones under 3000 rubles

2022-10-20

Buying cheap smartphones under 3000 rubles, you need to clearly understand that they are not designed for games, multitasking, cool photos. Such phones are needed for those who pursue the main goal - to make calls and communicate in messengers. They are bought for older people to get acquainted with touch screen devices after the button cell phone, for children in school, so that it was not sorry to break or lose, and it is the choice of those, whose work carries a risk of damaging the expensive gadget.

At the moment in the range of 3 thousand rubles it is almost impossible to find an original smartphone, even from manufacturers that "specialize" in low-cost devices. For the amount indicated, you can buy Chinese copies of models from famous brands. Of course, good quality in such a case is out of the question.

But even with such inputs, we managed to make a selection of the 6 best smartphones costing 3-4 thousand rubles. You can find more budget-friendly devices by visiting our "Best smartphones under 5000 rubles" rating.

Best smartphones without LTE

BQ 4030G Nice Mini

Display: 3.97 inches, IPS, 800 x 480
Processor: Unisoc SC7731E
Camera (main / front): 2/0.3 MP
Memory (RAM / built-in): 1/16GB
Battery: 1550 mAh

Price: from 3 850 rubles

The most inexpensive and compact model in the selection was the 4030G Nice Mini from BQ. It will be suitable not only for the undemanding user, but also for people who are used to miniature smartphones. The device stands out with a small IPS-diagonal 3.97-inch display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and runs the still current OS Android 10 Go.

Aheading ahead, it is worth noting that the cameras here - as weak as the battery. The main 2-megapixel sensor on the back of the body can distinguish itself only by a flash and a minimal number of functions (various filters, etc.). Autofocus is absent, so to take a clear picture will have to try. The front camera and at all 0.3 MP, which may be enough only for face unlocking.

The device runs on a 4-core SC7731E single-core system. Combined with 1 GB of RAM and a lighter version of Android 10 Go this allows the smartphone to cope with the basic load like Internet surfing, messengers, calls, navigation and more. You can even play something undemanding like Subway Surfers. More than that the hardware and the rather "squishy" battery will not allow.

Advantages:

Ergonomics: light and compact.
There is an LED event indicator.
IPS display with good viewing angle.
Easy to use and configure.
Powered by Android 10 Go.
Full 2 SIM card slots (nanoSIM + microSIM) and microSD.

Disadvantages:

Battery life.
Long charging time + heating.

BQ 5031G Fun

Display: 5 inches, IPS, 1280 x 720
Processor: Unisoc SC7731E
Camera (primary / front): 2/2 MP
Memory (RAM / built-in): 1/8GB
Battery: 2000 mAh

Price: from 3,990 rubles

5031G Fun is another ultra-budget smartphone from the manufacturer BQ. In comparison with the previous model Nice Mini, the device has received a battery with increased capacity and IPS-screen diagonal of 5 inches with HD resolution. The model particularly stands out among the crowd of ultra budgetary with its original design: a back cover with embossing and gradient coloring. It is available in 4 colors: "sea wave", "graphite", "cherry red" and "night blue".

The main camera as well as the front camera got 2 MP resolution. The rear module has secured an LED flash, which, it must be admitted, does little to help the smartphone take good photos in low light, let alone at night. Overall, you wouldn't expect anything more from any device in this price range. Suitable in a case where there is an urgent need to capture something, but no more than that.

The performance in the BQ 5031G Fun responsible 4-core processor entry-level SC7731E, which is found in most of the similar smartphones. RAM is provided for 1 GB, which is not a surprise, but the built-in storage is only 8 GB. Even for the storage of media /files and the installation of applications this may not be enough, so when buying a smartphone will have to think about the purchase of a memory card as well.

Dignities:

Interesting and practical design.
Feels well in the hand, not slippable.
High resolution IPS matrix.
Supports 2 SIM cards (microSIM).
Separate microSD slot (up to 128 GB).

Deficiencies:

Low battery life (in active use).
Built-in memory capacity.

Itel A17

Display: 5 inches, TN, 854 x 480
Processor: Unisoc SC7731E
Camera (primary / front): 5/2 MP
Memory (RAM / built-in): 1/16 GB
Battery: 2400 mAh

Price: from 3,990 rubles

Itel A17 is an inexpensive smartphone with an attractive set of features, as for a budget phone from this price range, but without 4G support. The device is equipped with a 2400 mAh battery, runs Android 10 Go OS, supports face unlock function. It is sold in two color options: "dark blue" and "light blue".

Although it is impossible to talk about any high-quality photo and video in smartphones costing less than 8-12 thousand rubles, Itel A17 looks already much more attractive than some other models of our selection. The main sensor here is a 5-megapixel module with flash and autofocus support. In principle, in good light conditions it is already possible to get more or less good photos or, for example, to capture readable text.

In terms of performance in Itel A17 standard picture for most similar smartphones. Despite the weak stuffing, the system works without serious "brakes" in dialing and communication - actually, for which the device is intended. The battery capacity is not the highest but it is enough to operate for 24 hours without recharging.

Advantages:

Defensive film and "bumper" included.
Comfortable design: glossy laminated cover.
Face unlock function.
Battery life.
Auto focus camera.
Price/performance ratio.

Disadvantages:

TN-matrix with not good viewing angles.
Up to 32GB only.

Archos 40 Neon

Display: 4 inches, TN, 854 x 480
Processor: Spreadtrum SC7731
Camera (primary / front): 5/2 MP
Memory (RAM / built-in): 05/8 GB
Battery: 1300 mAh

Price: from 4 390 rubles

Additionally, one of the most expensive smartphones in the ranking becomes Archos 40 Neon model with not the most attractive characteristics. The smartphone has a fairly weak hardware, but is noted for its small size and weight of just 101 grams. The device has a miniature 4-inch display and IPS-matrix. It is important to note that the model runs the already outdated Android 5.1 OS, however, given the shortage of ultra-budget in this price range, the choice is small.

Expect good photo and video capabilities is simply pointless, as the device offers us a 5-megapixel main camera and a front sensor for 2 MP with minimal functionality. There is a flash on the back, there is no autofocus. The maximum video recording resolution is 1280×720.

In terms of chipset, the manufacturer has chosen the 4-core SC7731 from Spreadtrum. This is a processor that provides the minimum level of performance you need for normal operation of the device. If with calls and messengers the smartphone should still cope, for more 512 MB of RAM is already too little. The built-in storage can be expanded to 32 GB via microSD and the battery here will be enough for a maximum of 24 hours of use.

Dignities:

Small, light and compact.
Supports 2 SIM cards (mini + micro).
Durable housing.

Disadvantages:

Works on old Android 5.1.
Low memory.

Best smartphones with LTE

Alcatel 1 (5033D)

Display: 5 inches, TFT, 960 x 480
Processor: MediaTek MT6739
Camera (primary / front): 5/2 MP
Memory (RAM / built-in): 1/8GB
Battery: 2000 mAh

Price: from 4,210 rubles

Inexpensive and reliable smartphone with LTE, FullView matrix and dedicated memory card slot offered by Alcatel. The device has a modern appearance, a few colors, 2 and 5 megapixel cameras. Powered device on Android 8.1 Go, which at modest parameters provides good performance for basic tasks. The main drawback is the screen, as viewing angles and brightness are lacking.

Dignities:

Size and form factor: fits comfortably in the hand.
Easy and easy to use.
There is 4G LTE support.
Robust body.
Separate SIM and microSD slot.

Disadvantages:

TN-matrix: horrible viewing angles.
Not the best battery life and long charging time.

Buy

Jinga Goal Plus

Display: 5.45 inches, IPS, 1440 x 720
Processor: MediaTek MT6739
Camera (primary / front): 8+0.3 / 2 MP
Memory (RAM / built-in): 1/8 GB
Battery: 2450 mAh

Price: from 4 490 rubles

Jinga Goal Plus is not the latest smartphone powered by Android 8.1 operating system, but a budget-friendly one that can surprise. At least it has a dual main camera, has support for 4G networks, and a fairly large IPS display with HD+ resolution. The only thing that might make the same strong opposite impression is the small amount of built-in memory.

Photo and video shooting in the device is entrusted to the main camera, consisting of two sensors: a standard 8 MP and an additional one with a resolution of 0.3 MP. The presence of the second lens does not have a special effect, although in theory it should be used for portrait photography. There is autofocus and flash. Of other multimedia features: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, FM tuner.

The Jinga Goal Plus is powered by a quad-core MT6739 processor, aimed at low-cost smartphones with 4G support. As noted earlier, the permanent memory is very small by modern standards - only 8 GB. However, this amount can be expanded with microSD for another 32 GB. The RAM is not that much, but no one will offer more than 1 GB in a smartphone for 4 thousand rubles.

Dignities: