The best smartphones from Aliexpress 2020: rating of purchased Chinese phones with a good camera and battery

Which company's smartphone is better to choose on Aliexpress?

AliExpress sells a lot of phones from little-known brands in Russia, but this does not mean their quality is low. We analyzed the offers of manufacturers on the trading platform, and this is how a list of the best companies was formed:

Xgody is a little-known Chinese brand in Russia, whose products sell well on AliExpress. It has digital technology and smart devices; in 2019 alone, the release of 19 new models was announced. The company captivates with its low prices and quite decent product characteristics for such a price. Under it, medium-sized gadgets are created, with a screen of about 5.5 inches, which fit comfortably in the hand. They do not weigh much (less than 200 g), have good performance and high-quality color rendition.
Doogee is a Chinese smartphone manufacturing company founded in 2013. The company's main office is located in Shenzhen. The geography of distribution of its products is not very wide, but on Aliexpress it is one of the leaders in terms of sales. Such a buzz around it is associated with the use of modern processors with 4 and 8 cores, long battery life (from 12 hours), fast charging, and a universal design suitable for both women and men.
Ulefone is a company that has been producing smartphones since 2006, but only started operating under its own brand in 2014. It has a full cycle production, from development to assembly. All gadgets undergo multi-stage testing using automated devices. Its products have a fairly wide range of prices, and most of the models available in the range are sold in several colors. Basically, we are talking about devices with a powerful 8-core processor that gives good performance.
Leagoo is a newcomer to the Chinese phone market, introduced in 2014. This brand is owned by Shenzhen OTEDA Technology Co., Ltd, which has extensive experience in producing smartphones. The company tries to maintain a good price-quality ratio. Its most common screen size is 5-6 inches. Their feature is the addition of gift megapixels to the main camera to improve the quality of shooting.
Huawei - this brand is on everyone’s lips, as it is actively conquering the Russian market and has been working in the telephone production sector since 1987. Its founder is Chinese engineer Ren Zhengfei. Most of the assortment in the company’s catalog is offers in the mid-price range and premium segment; there are practically no good inexpensive smartphones on Aliexpress. Her models demonstrate a new level of photographic skill and bring more color to the output of images. However, the manufacturer prioritizes the comfort and safety of the product for users.
Oukitel is a fresh brand that has not yet become familiar to Russian buyers. But the demand for his phones is growing every day due to the optimal price-quality ratio. Despite the low-cost product, reviews continue to write about the bright screen, image clarity, lack of “glitches,” a normal camera and easy-to-read text. The brand's gadgets are fast and productive enough to operate stably under high load conditions, for example, when opening several applications at once.
Umidigi is a Chinese supplier of inexpensive smartphones, which are especially often purchased by children and the elderly. They quickly found their admirers due to a good main camera of 12 + 5 megapixels or more, the ability to install microSD up to 128 GB (hybrid slot), and a battery capacity of over 3000 mAh, which can withstand a considerable load during the day without recharging. They are also distinguished by a responsive sensor and a fast-acting fingerprint scanner.
AGM – not much is known about this brand and its range of phones is relatively small compared to its competitors. However, some models can boast of belonging to the shockproof type of gadgets, reliably protected from mechanical influences. They are equipped with sensitive touch buttons and a good processor that accurately and quickly executes user commands. The brand’s devices provide good data reception speeds via Wi-Fi (up to 100 Mb/s) and are practical for accessing the Internet.

Best Xiaomi phones

LeEco (LeTV) Le 2 32Gb

A real flagship smartphone LeEco (LeTV) Le 2 can be purchased from the Aliexpress store for only 12,000-15,000 rubles. It is unlikely that any other trading platform is able to offer this Chinese phone for such a low price. However, the cost of the device does not mean that the quality will be poor. A magnificent Full HD display, a large 5.5-inch diagonal protected by glass, touch buttons and a metal body - how can such a design be called unattractive? Moreover, this powerful smartphone has a fairly fast 8-core chip with a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz and an excellent 3 GB of RAM, which provides excellent speed for launching games and applications.

Android 6.0
fast fingerprint scanner
built-in storage – 32 GB
2 SIM (nano), 4G LTE
fast charging capability

The LeEco model fits perfectly into the category of Chinese smartphones with a good battery. Le 2 hid a 3000 mAh battery under the back cover of the case, due to which the device can work up to 8 hours under heavy load but with average screen brightness. The company also offers luxurious 16 and 8 megapixel cameras, thanks to which you can easily capture all the best moments in the best quality.

Rating of the best smartphones from Aliexpress

When preparing the TOP, we relied on customer reviews and expert advice. We took into account many technical characteristics and features of each model under consideration. Based on this, they were all compared with each other, and as a result, only the best options were included in the rating.

Here are the parameters taken as a basis:

Cost – budget option, model in the mid-price range or premium segment;
Design and color;
Weight and screen diagonal;
Case materials – plastic and/or metal;
Battery capacity and battery life;
Amount of RAM and internal memory;
Type of operating system installed;
User-friendly interface;
Number of megapixels for the main and front cameras;
Sound quality;
Battery type – removable or non-removable;
Display Density;
Screen resolution and aspect ratio;
Charger cord length;
Matrix type;
Number of cores and type of processor;
Availability and type of connectors on the case;
Number of SIM cards;
Charging speed;
Multimedia capabilities.

During the analysis, we also took into account the performance of Chinese smartphones on Aliexpress, their functionality, stability under high load, ease of grip and simplicity of the menu. An equally important selection parameter was the ratio of cost and quality of devices.

Rating of the best phones by quality

The best budget smartphones from Aliexpress

Chinese phones are initially considered quite cheap, but models cost up to 5,000 rubles. There's not much on Aliexpress. Such gadgets have average technical parameters - a modest battery life (up to 3000-3500 mAh) and not the most powerful camera (about 8 megapixels). We tried to select the most functional options at an affordable price.

Xgody P30

This is a fairly popular model on Aliexpress, which can be easily explained by its low price and average technical characteristics. The gadget is adapted for Russia and has a Russian-language interface. The body is made of plastic and has reduced weight, but at the same time it is quite durable. The device with a 2800 mAh battery holds a charge well throughout the day under medium load conditions, but on a long trip you will have to take a power bank.

The Xgody P30 has a 6-inch qHD display, so you can’t count on very high resolution. However, the 2:1 aspect ratio and IPS matrix allow you to forget about this nuance and provide normal image quality. The phone comes with the new Android 9.0 Pie OS, which supports updates. Compared to most models, the number of megapixels is more evenly distributed between the front and main cameras - 5 megapixels each. These indicators are enough for video communication and recording important moments.

Advantages

Built-in memory – 16 GB;
Loud noise;
Sold as a set with two covers of different colors;
Slim body – 8 mm;
RAM – 2 GB.

Flaws

The fingerprint works “every time”;
The cord length is short – 1 m.

Delivery orders from China, France and Spain are available on the site, but phones are usually delivered to Russia only from China.

Doogee Y8C

In terms of its characteristics, this smartphone is practically no different from the previous one, the difference lies in a more powerful 3400 mAh battery. This resource allows it to work without recharging for 12-20 hours with average intensity of use, but the Internet quickly “eats” it. Also striking is the main 8 MP camera with an additional 2 MP, which is not much, but gives higher quality photography.

Doogee Y8C is a suitable model for video communication due to its 5 MP front camera, which provides a fairly clear image. The device has a facial recognition function for the safety of the owner. The screen has a medium diagonal, optimal for both men and women – 6.1 inches. Along with the thin plastic body, this allows it to fit confidently in your hand and not slip.

Advantages

Good color rendering;
Almost does not heat up during long-term operation;
Weighs only 150 g;
Sold in 3 colors.

Flaws

The battery is not removable;
The second SIM card has a common slot with a memory card.

The budget smartphone Doogee Y8C from Aliexpress runs on Android 8.1 OS, is equipped with a modern Mediatek MT6580M processor with 4 cores and has 1 GB of RAM, which all together means stable operation and the ability to install various applications on the phone without consequences.

Ulefone S10 Pro

The worthy female model Ulefone S10 Pro is included in the rating due to its combination of affordable price and acceptable quality. This is one of the few options that reliably supports both 3G and 4G. The screen resolution is quite high – 1498×720, which, along with a pixel density of 292 ppi and the number of colors of 16 million, provides a clear picture. Of particular note is the good viewing angle and talk time of up to 9 hours with a 3350 mAh battery.

Ulefone S10 Pro has 2 GB of RAM, which allows the system to work stably, but the internal memory of 16 GB may not be enough to store files. In such a case, there is a slot for a storage card with a capacity of up to 128 GB. The video is recorded in Full HD format (1920×1080) and is of quite high quality. You can also take photos thanks to the 13 MP main camera with flash. He didn’t lose face in terms of video communication either - the resolution of the front camera is 5 megapixels.

Advantages

“Nimble”, does not fail;
Bumper and glass as a gift;
Usually arrives 100% charged;
The optimal screen size is 5.7 inches;
Fresh model – 2020 release.

Flaws

The fingerprint is triggered with a slight delay;
There is no event sensor.

Music lovers will have to be content with only downloaded music, since there is no FM tuner here.

With a great camera

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Price from 11112 rubles.

Advantages:

main camera 48 MP, front 13 MP;
bright, large screen 6.53 inches;
high performance;
there is fast charging;
camera viewing angle 118 degrees;
glass resistant to mechanical damage.

Flaws:

RAM 4 GB;
dimensions.

A smartphone from one of the leaders among Chinese manufacturers from AliExpress, a powerful processor, works quickly. 4 GB of RAM, if you install and constantly use many applications, it may begin to slow down. Suitable for games, responsive, bright screen, rich colors, excellent sound. The main camera is 48 MP, wide viewing angle, there are several shooting modes, professional quality. Front 13 MP, portrait mode, built-in memory 64 GB, supports micro SD card.

Honor 9X

Price from 11873 rubles.

Advantages:

dual main camera 48+2 MP;
pop-up front camera, 16 MP;
widescreen, bright screen;
processor 8 cores;
Beautiful design;
light, thin.

Flaws:

sound is average;
dimensions.

The model is presented in two versions: with three main cameras and without NFC and with two cameras + NFC. A front camera is mounted inside the upper part of the body, which moves out in 1.3 seconds upon command. The photo quality from both cameras is excellent, the screen resolution is FullHD+, high-quality, there are almost no frames.

Xiaomi POCO F2 Pro

Price from 30,020 rubles.

Advantages:

6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of internal memory;
front camera 20 MP;
there is NFC;
4-core main camera 64 MP;
display 6.67 inches, Amoled;
powerful Qualcomm Snapdracon processor.

Flaws:

not detected.

This member of the family of smart phones from Xiaomi is called the “flagship killer”. Repeated tests have proven that its processor outperforms similar models from leading brands such as OnePlus and Samsung. It copes well with complex games, works quickly (even super fast) on the Internet, and supports high-quality shooting.

The best smartphones with a good camera from Aliexpress

These models include gadgets with a camera of at least 8-10 megapixels, which are equipped with a flash and numerous photo effects. They give a clear picture, without blurring or color distortion. 3 devices described in this rating category cope with these tasks adequately.

Leagoo S11

...The test showed that the information about the battery is a little embellished, and in fact it holds a charge for less time, at the level of models with 2000-3000 mAh - up to 10-15 hours with an average load...

Expert opinion

The smartphone is popular due to the presence of the most powerful main camera in this rating – 15.93 MP. The photographs he took are sometimes superior to point-and-shoot photographs. It is also suitable for shooting good video - 720p, but the 3300 mAh battery will drain faster in this case. By the way, it is non-removable, so you won’t be able to replace the battery yourself. The gadget has a 6.26-inch screen and fits less confidently in a woman’s hand than in a man’s. However, the smoothed edges make the grip more comfortable.

This is one of the few smartphones in the TOP from Aliexpress with a metal-plastic body, due to which it is resistant to mechanical stress, but a protective case would not hurt. The device runs on the Android 9.0 Pie operating system, which has proven to be trouble-free. A large number of cores in the processor (8 pcs.) add to its performance and make it more durable. The RAM capacity of 4 GB also ensures stable operation, which is several times more than that of standard models.

Advantages

Stable connection;
Supports multiple applications at once;
A camera with many useful features;
Works quickly;
Durable housing;
Doesn't heat up.

Flaws

Screen grain is noticeable;
At night, pictures are less clear than during the day.

Huawei Honor 9 Lite

This is a good productive model at an affordable price, like for Huawei. The device impresses with its high speed of operation and the ability to keep several applications open at once without “glitches” thanks to a powerful 8-core processor. Therefore, it is not strange that the gadget practically does not heat up under intense load, but the battery resources in this case melt before our eyes. Their reserve here is slightly more than the minimum - 3000 mAh, however, energy saving technology has slightly improved this situation, and you can safely count on 20 hours of talk time.

Great news for selfie lovers - the main camera with 13 MP base + 2 MP additional produces more than acceptable photos. The technology for recognizing human facial features has been optimized here, thanks to which the gadget automatically offers certain effects. The main camera has similar performance and performs well in low-light conditions thanks to a high-quality flash. The manufacturer fits everything you need into a 5.65-inch screen, and the elimination of the frame made it possible to expand it.

Advantages

Headphones and adapter come as a gift;
Responsive sensor, even in the cold;
Fast operating system;
Works quickly;
High resolution – 2160x1080;
Thoughtful interface;
The kit includes glass and a bumper.

Flaws

Wide range of prices on Aliexpress;
Your original charger;
No USB.

It’s convenient that you can buy this smartphone on Aliexpress with the menu immediately in Russian. Also, according to reviews, his camera takes excellent pictures of a static object, but in motion the picture turns out a little blurry - the sharpness is lost.

Oukitel C11 Pro

Introducing a stylish and inexpensive smartphone designed primarily for women. Firstly, the model is available in black and white, and secondly, the screen diagonal does not exceed 5.5 inches. Thanks to its size, smooth corners and non-slip plastic body, the device fits securely in your hand. The stability of the phone is not questioned due to the 4-core processor combined with 3 GB of RAM. Performance is excellent, but it still won’t handle very heavy games.

The Oukitel C11 Pro can store information up to 16 GB, and when this amount is exhausted, you can insert a microSD card. But its size cannot exceed 32 GB, which is several times less than that of other participants in the rating. The gadget consistently supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for exchanging files and accessing the Internet. Selfie lovers will appreciate the main camera with a resolution of 8 + 2 megapixels. It does not have optical stabilization, so photos in motion will be slightly worse than static ones.

Advantages

Sold with silicone case;
Bright screen;
The sound is great;
Pixel density – 295 ppi;
Operating system – Android 8.1;
Universal design - suitable for both women and men.

Flaws

The firmware is a little damp – sometimes call recording doesn’t work right away.

The SIM card is buried in the slot; if you need to get it out, you have to use something sharp to do it.

UMIDIGI A7 Pro

Our rating of the best smartphones from Aliexpress continues – UMIDIGI A7 Pro. It is equipped with a large 6.3-inch screen with FullHD+ resolution. The screen is quite bright, with a high contrast ratio and wide viewing angles. On the back of the device there are the main and ultra-wide-angle modules of 16 megapixels each, as well as a 5-megapixel depth sensor and macro camera. A very decent set for a budget smartphone. Of course, you won’t be able to get decent shots when shooting at night, but during the day the cameras cope well with their duties. The front camera of the smartphone is also 16 megapixels, so you can take good selfies with it. In terms of performance, the 4GB RAM and octa-core Mediatek Helio P23 processor handle everyday tasks and simple games well. Well, a battery with a capacity of 4150 mAh will allow you to actively use the smartphone for a couple of days without the need to recharge. Among the additional advantages, I will note pure Android, and among the disadvantages, the lack of NFC. I would recommend UMIDIGI A7 Pro to those who spend a lot of time on the Internet. With its screen you will be very comfortable communicating on social networks, watching videos and reading.

IPS screen, 6.3”, 2340 x 1080.
8-core Mediatek Helio P23.
Android.
4/64 GB.
Memory card slot.
Main camera: 16 MP + 16 + 5 + 5.
Front camera: 16 MP.
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n.
Bluetooth 4.0.
2 Nano-SIM.
Fingerprint scanner on the back.
Battery: 4150 mAh.
USB Type-C.
Dimensions: 158.7 x 74.9 x 8.5 mm.
Weight: 212 g.

The best smartphones with a powerful battery from Aliexpress

We can say that a battery is powerful only if it can withstand at least 12-20 hours in medium load mode and has a resource of at least 4000 mAh, and even better – over 6000 mAh. We analyzed 5 popular options on Aliexpress and selected one of the best models based on functionality.

Umidigi A5 PRO

This is another eight-core processor in our TOP, featuring good performance. It is equipped with modern Android 9.0 OS and 4 GB of RAM. This tandem allows us to guarantee stability under high loads and a calm response to long-term operation. The highlight of this model is a triple camera, which is still extremely rare on the market - 16 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP. This reserve makes it possible to improve the quality of photographs to the level of budget DSLRs.

The manufacturer also focused on the front camera, bringing it to 16 megapixels. With such indicators, you don’t have to worry about the appearance of “cubes” on the phone screen. Everything here points to the premium nature of the model, including the body with metal elements, so it has a good safety margin in case of a fall. The battery has not gone far either, with a decent resource of 4150 mAh, which is enough for more than 20 hours of operation in medium load mode. If necessary, charging can be quickly replenished using a special function.

Advantages

Screen resolution – 2280 x 1080 (FHD+);
Built-in memory – 32 GB;
Pixel density 400 ppi;
There is a facial recognition function;
Fast fingerprint scanner;
Supports 4G LTE.

Flaws

In poor light, the shooting quality deteriorates somewhat.

The front side of this Chinese smartphone from Aliexpress has no frame and pleases with a large screen with a “monobrow”. Functional buttons are located in a convenient place - on the left side.

Category up to $100

In this price category, phones can already be safely used. Dialer, social networks, instant messengers, YouTube, play. It won't fly like lightning, but it will be easy to perform everyday tasks. Perfect for children, grandparents or picky parents.

Cubot X19

The case is very dirty. It’s better to immediately take a normal case. Equipped with an HD+ screen with fairly correct color reproduction. There are two cameras, but in fact only one works normally. The photo quality is quite good. But the video is not very good. There is no stabilization. The microphone records very weakly.

The main speaker sounds quieter than average. But through headphones it’s quite normal. The fingerprint scanner is slow. Check social media You can network, communicate, watch videos and play. Enough for a child or an elderly parent.

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Xiaomi Redmi 9A

The most budget phone from the Redmi line at the moment. According to annual tradition, the screen size is again larger than that of the previous 8A model - 6.53″ versus 6.2″.

A fingerprint scanner was not delivered. And this is not surprising, the model is still a budget one. Some may be pleased that there is a Jack 3.5 slot for headphones. Just like in the previous model, the battery is 5,000 mAh, which means the charge will last for a long time. The screen is IPS, the viewing angles are not very good, but for that kind of money it’s not worth putting this as a minus. It takes good photos during the day. It is better not to take photographs at night.

Who can buy it? Definitely not for demanding parents or children. It definitely doesn’t look like a modern youth phone. But it can easily fight for the title of the best phone under $100.

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Lenovo K5 Pro

Yes Yes. The phone is a year and a half old. However, now this is a bestseller on Aliexpress in this price category: 4GB/64GB, Snapdragon 636, 4050 mAh, loud stereo speaker and not a bad camera. And all this for just under $100. But once it was put on the same line as the legendary Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, which is still quite a relevant model.

If you don't mind the late 2020 production, this is the best for the money so far. This phone will give some models a head start in the next category up to $150.

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The best waterproof smartphones from Aliexpress

The advantage of waterproof gadgets is obvious - they can easily withstand exposure to high humidity, rain and snow. Manufacturers even assure that they can be immersed in water to a shallow depth, but this is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. We present one of the best models in this category in terms of performance and functionality.

AGM A9 JBL

First of all, this smartphone was included in this rating due to its protection from moisture, so you can safely use it in rain and snow. It differs from other Chinese models in appearance - the back cover is made of matte plastic, but it feels smooth to the touch and does not slip in the hand. All corners are covered with hard rubber to eliminate user discomfort. The main connectors are located in an accessible place - below.

AGM A9 JBL is sold with a 5.99″ diagonal screen and internal memory capacity of 32 and 64 GB. Both versions have a 4-core processor, which is sufficient for smooth operation of heavy applications and heavy games. This is convenient to do on the road, since the 5400 mAh battery resource is more than enough for several hours of active loading. The OS used is bare Android 8.1, but you can install many applications on it.

Advantages

High resolution: 2160 x 1080 (FHD+);
Fast charging possible;
The body is partly metal;
Supports 4G LTE;
Excellent color rendering;
Does not give glare in the light.

Flaws

Combination of slots for microSD and Nano-SIM;
Weighs more than average - 251 g.

A rare exception is when the number of megapixels of the front camera is greater than that of the main one - 16 megapixels versus 12 megapixels.

Which smartphone is better to buy on Aliexpress?

The most important selection criterion is the battery capacity, for example, for a conversation it will be quite enough in the range from 1500 to 2500 mAh. But those who plan to play and listen to music on their phone should purchase more powerful options. A gadget with a metal body is considered the most durable, but it weighs more than a plastic model. If you choose the latter, then it is important that it be impact-resistant.

Here's what smartphone with Aliexpress is good for and for what purposes:

To communicate with older people, you can choose the completely understandable and easy-to-use Xgody P30.
It would be right for children to buy an inexpensive Doogee Y8C model.
Those who care about 3G and 4G should pay attention to the Ulefone S10 Pro option.
Selfie lovers are advised to take a closer look at the Leagoo S11 with a good camera.
If you need to take high-quality pictures in low light, then the Huawei Honor 9 Lite will be just right.
To use various effects when taking photographs, the Oukitel C11 Pro will be useful.
Gamers and people who actively use the Internet can choose Umidigi A5 PRO.
For simultaneous work with heavy applications, the AGM A9 JBL is suitable.

A wide selection of pretty good smartphones on Aliexpress is a clear confirmation that Chinese-made goods have long gotten rid of the status of “consumer goods”. As the large number of sales on the trading platform shows, they are bought with enviable frequency.

Xiaomi Redmi 4

The rating continued with a high-quality Chinese phone with a good camera from the most popular manufacturer Xiaomi. The device has long received excellent reviews on thousands of different forums around the world. The device is certainly among the top sales of smartphones on the Aliexpress website, and this says a lot about Redmi 4. For 7,000 rubles, the manufacturer offers a neat metal case, a 5-inch display, clear HD resolution and a 4,100 mAh battery. In addition, Xiaomi developers worked on performance, equipping the device with an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chip with a maximum frequency of 1200 MHz and 2 GB of RAM.

memory – 16 GB
2 SIM cards, 4G LTE-A Cat. 4
fingerprint scanner
Android 6.0

If you want to buy yourself a smartphone with a cool camera, then Redmi 4 will be one of the first candidates here: an excellent set of optics from 13 and 5 megapixel cameras on both sides of the body, respectively, will allow you to easily take premium quality photos and shoot videos in Full HD format. The new product appeared at the end of November last year and since then has not left the top of smartphone reviews from Aliexpress, which indicates the excellent quality and reliability of the device.