Gizchina's Top 10 Chinese phones for $200 Ultimate Buyers Guide
PhonesFriday, 28 September 2012 at 06:14
It’s a fact that the phones available from China today a lightyears ahead of those from just 12 months ago! And the great news for us is as quality and performance increase, prices are decreasing! Here are Gizchina’s top 10 Chinese phones for $200.
What you should expect from a $200 Chinese phone
A $200 Chinese phone gets you a lot of phone for not much money. For this price you should expect at least a 4inch screen or bigger (although we do have a 3.5 inch retina display on the list), a dual-core CPU in the form of an MT6577 processor and rear camera of up to 8 mega-pixels.
Remember though that these bargain phones are very cheap and usually out spec foreign brands of the same cost, and to do this corners are sometimes cut (resolution or RAM) or they might not work on 3G networks in every country.
About this list
I’ll be writing these phones in no particular order, they are all great in their own right you should check the specs carefully and choose the one which suits you best.
Not all the phones here are $200 some are less and others a little bit more. If I have included a phone with a higher price it’s because I believe it is worth the extra, but don’t worry they are all around our $200 target price.
Gizchina’s Top 10 Chinese phone for $200
Contents:
- Xiaomi M1
- Xiaomi M1S
- Zopo ZP100 Pilot
- Zopo ZP500+ Libero
- Bluebo L100 HD
- UMi X1
- Newman N1
- Hero H2000+ iPhone 5 clone
- JiaYu Gu
- Freelander L10
So let's get started on our Top 10 Chinese phones for $200 ultimate list!
1. Xiaomi M1
The Xiaomi M1 was released over a year ago and back then this impressive phone cost $316, however today the price has been cut due to the release of newer more powerful phones and the Xiaomi M1 costs just $200 which is why the M1 is in my top 10 chinese phones.
Why the Xiaomi M1
The M1 might not be the slimmest, most attractive phone in the world but it is extremely well made and offers features phones double it’s price don’t offer which is why it's in my top 10 chinese phones.
The M1 boasts a dual-core 1.5Ghz CPU and 1GB RAM for starters so you know it’s going to be a powerful and low-cost device. The screen-size is a generous 4 inch and there is an 8 mega-pixel rear camera.
The M1 also boasts Xiaomi’s own MIUI ROM which has been updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean!
Anything bad?
Well it isn’t very attractive, but it’s not ugly either. There is also no front facing camera. Currently only available via online lottery! With a large waiting list!
Bottom line
You won’t find a phone with the Xiaomi M1’s specification running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at this price!
Where can I buy the Xiaomi M1?
You can order the Xiaomi M1S at any number of online stores, but check out the official website here first.
2. Xiaomi M1S
The Xiaomi M1s is the successor to the M1 (the S stands for speed) it is a little more expensive at $240, but I really think the extra cost is worth it so I've listed it here in my top 10 chinese phones.
Why the Xiaomi M1S?
Like the M1 the Xiaomi M1S has a dual core CPU but in this case a Qualcomm 1.7Ghz CPU so there is a great increase in speed.
There is also a rear 8 mega pixel camera but with a wider 28mm lens and an improved aperture which takes some great photos. The M1S also get’s a front 2 mega-pixel camera, and both are capable of recoding 1080 video!
MIUI also comes installed as standard and is available in the same Jelly Bean flavor as the M1.
Anything bad
See Xiaomi M1
Bottom line
The M1s is $40 more than are $200 budget but if you can afford the extra I really think the Xiaomi M1s is worth a look!
Where can I buy the Xiaomi M1S?
The M1S is on pre-sale and you can get more details of it on the official Xiaomi website here.
3. Zopo AP100 Pilot
The Zopo Pilot is a $190 smartphone from Zopo who actually make OEM phones for a rather larger international PC maker. The ZP100 Pilot might not have the same specs as other phones on this list, but for a lower cost phone it’s still a great buy.
Why the Zopo ZP100 Pilot?
The Zopo ZP100 Pilot offers a single core MT6575 CPU running at 1GHZ with 512MB RAM, which most of you are going to consider too little in this day and age, but what the ZP100 lacks in power it will make up in battery life and quality.
Highlight’s of the Zopo Zp100 Pilot include it’s 4.3 inch screen which has a resolution of 960 x 540 and is manufactured by Japanese electronics giant Sharp and the Sony manufactured 5 mega-pixel rear camera.
Anything bad?
The price is a little high and it’s not that stylish.
Bottom line
If your first priority is quality and customer service go for the Zopo ZP100, if performance is king then look elsewhere.
Where can I buy the Zopo ZP100 Pilot?
The Zopo ZP100 pilot is on sale now over at the ZopoMobile shope.
4. Zopo ZP500+ Libero
The Zopo ZP500+ is updated dual-core brother of the ZP500 meaning you get better performance. It’s priced at $210 but for that you get a stylish and slim phone and for this it gets in to my top 10 chinese phones.
Why the Zopo ZP500+ Libero?
The Zopo ZP500+ boasts a dual-core MT6577 CPU running at 1GHZ with 512MB RAM, and as I’ve seen from my personal tests (review on the way) even with this little RAM the little Zopo has surprising performance!
The design is really great it looks a lot like the Xiaomi M2 and Meizu MX phones which means a slim and stylish phone which is very comfortable in your hand.
A 4 inch screen, rear 5 mega-pixel camera and Android ICS make up the rest of the spec.
Anything Bad?
Like the ZP100 the ZP500+ is more expensive than other phones of a similar specification.
Bottom line
One of the most stylish and lightweight phones in this price range and available for sale now with now pre-ordering.
Where can I buy the Zopo ZP500+ libero?
You can buy the Zopo ZP500+ Libero from the Zopomobile show here.
5. Bluebo L100 HD
The Bluebo L100 is available in both premium HD and low cost FW models but luckily for us the top of the range HD costs below our $200 target and can be found for just $188!
Why the Bluebo L100 HD
The Bluebo L100 HD is the first phone on my Top 10 Chinese phone for $200 list which offers a larger screen than average and what’s more it boasts great resolution too! The display on the Bluebo L100 HD is a 4.7inch model with an impressive resolution of 1280 x 720!
Under the large and attractive exterior is a dual-core MT6577 CPU running at 1.2GHz with 1GB RAM and 4GB of built in memory. There is also an 8 mega-pixel rear camera and a rather large 2000mAh battery on board.
Anything bad?
The only bad point about this phone is that it is very hard to find available!
More info?
Get more Bluebo L100 HD news and specification here.
6. UMi X1
The UMi X1 might still only be available as a pre-order phone but with this amazing specification and low price of just $190 this slim phone might be worth waiting for.
Why the UMi X1?
If you have been holding out for the JiaYu G3 due to the great specs and low price but are disappointed due to the long delays then try and switch your order to the UMi X1 as the hardware is identical except for the battery.
Under the attractive body the UMi X1 boasts a dual-core MT6577 CPU, 1GB RAM, 4GB of on-board storage and a 1750mAh battery.
Like the infamous JiaYu G3 the Umi X1 has a 4.5 inch screen with a HD resolution of 1280 x 720 but unlike the JiaYu G3 has already received it’s network license is being delivered to customer as we speak. The UMi X1 is a true top 10 chinese phones list contender.
Anything Bad
Like the lesser known Chinese phones on this list the UMi X1 is hard to find.
Where can I buy the UMi X1?
You can pre-order a UMi X1 over on their official website?
7. Newman N1
Newman are a very large Chinese electronics manufacturer who until this year specialized in great looking MP3 and MP4 players. Now they have turned their attention to the Android phone market and the N1 flagship model has made it on our top 10 chinese phones list.
Why the Newman N1?
The Newman N1 is the cheapest phone our list of top 10 Chinese phones for $200 yet it still manages to deliver a high specification and great performance!
The N1 is on sale in China for just $142, $100 less than the Xiaomi M1s, so you would expect a lot less for your money, thankfully you would be wrong as the Newman get’s a dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 4.3inch display and a rear 8 mega-pixel camera.
Anything bad?
So popular they have become near endangered! If you can find one snap it up but don’t pay more than $160, as it isn’t the best quality phone in the world!
More info
More Newman N1 details available here.
8. Hero H2000+ iPhone 5 clone
What list of top 10 Chinese phones would be complete without at least one clone of a famous brand’s model? The Hero H2000+ is our only iPhone 5 clone on the list, and if you can look past the knock-off exterior this $189 phone is a bargain in it’s own right!
Why the Hero H2000+ iPhone 5 clone?
We’ll if you like the design of the new 4 inch iPhone 5 but don’t want to pay iPhone money and prefer Android then this is the phone for you.
Like most of the lower cost Chinese phones on this list the Hero H2000+ boasts a MediaTek MT6577 dual-core CPU, 512MB Ram and a rear 8 mega-pixel camera!
The 4 inch display has a resolution of 845 x 480 and the Hero features dual-sim card support and will run on the following frequencies GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz & WCDMA 850/2100MHz.
Anything bad?
As it’s a clone I’m not sure how happy customs will be if you order one.
Where can I buy the Hero H2000+ iPhone 5 clone?
For more details and where to buy the Hero H2000+ iPhone 5 clone take a look here.
9. JiaYu G3
The JiaYu G3 very nearly didn’t make the cut but thanks to today’s great news that the much anticipated 4.5 inch Chinese phone could be going on sale very soon I have decided to give JiaYu the benefit of the doubt.
Why the JiaYu G3?
The JiaYu G3 was the first phone which really proved just how advanced the new breed of low-cost Chinese Android phones actually are! Costing just $140 the JiaYu G3 is one of the most stacked phones on this list!
First up it boasts a 4.5inch 1280 x 720 CPU, then there is a dual-core MT6577 CPU, 1GB RAM and 4GB of onboard storage!
The brushed alloy body is expected to do a good job of keeping the JiaYu G3 looking good while a Gorilla glass display should keep your screen scratch free.
Other awesome features of the JiaYu G3 are the 2750mAh battery, 8 mega-pixel rear camera and the accessories which will be available at the time of shipping!
Anything bad?
We’ll we have been waiting for the JiaYu G3 to launch for about 4 months now but it seems to have been cursed by delays and problems. However if the network license is approved today we will be a little closer to getting our G3’s
More details
There are so many JiaYu G3 articles on Gizchina take a look at the archives!
10. Freelander L10
This if the first time the Freelander L10 has appeared on Gizchina, and I’m really surprised as to why I haven’t written about this $185 phone before as it looks every bit as good as the JiaYu G3 only it’s already on sale!
Why the Freelander L10?
Like so many of these phones the Freelander L10 has a dual-core MT6577 CPU, 1GB RAM and 4GB ROM which offers plenty of performance and the is an SD card reader if you need to add some extra storage.
The screen on the Freelander L10 is a 4.3inch IPS model with a resolution of 960 x 540, and sitting above that is a front 0.3 MP camera.
The screen on the Freelander L10 is a 4.3inch IPS model with a resolution of 960 x 540, and sitting above that is a front 0.3 MP camera.
Around the back is a rear 8 mega-pixel camera with auto-focus and LED Flash.
As you would expect from any Android phone regardless of the brand the L10 also has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and sports Android 4.0 ICS OS.
Anything bad?
The Freelander L10 looks like a great phone on paper but it’s not exactly the most ‘wow’ phone in the world (I prefer the UMi and JiaYu).
Gizchina's top 10 Chinese phones for $200.
So that’s my list some of you are going to agree while other will have wanted to see other phones included, if you have any suggestions as to what phones you would have included in your top 10 Chinese phones let us know in the comments below!
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