We’re in mid December, so just in time to plan what you’re getting yourself or somebody dear to you for Christmas (if you celebrate it). A new smartphone is almost always a good gift idea so, if you still don’t know which one to buy, check out the options below, all costing less than $200!
Top 5 Chinese Smartphones for Under $200
1. Xiaomi Redmi 6
With its price tag of just over $100, the Xiaomi Redmi 6 is the most affordable phone on this list. Xiaomi’s entry-level device comes with a compact 5.45-inch display of HD+ resolution and is powered by a MediaTek Helio P22 CPU, which should provide more than enough power for most use scenarios, coupled with 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of storage.
Albeit being super affordable, the handset still manages to pack a dual camera setup composed of a main 12MP shooter and a secondary 5MP sensor for depth data, meanwhile at the front we find a 5MP selfie snapper.
The Xiaomi Redmi 6 is fueled by a 3000mAh capacity battery, runs MIUI based on Android 8 Oreo and is available in a Global variant with 4G support for various countries.
2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro
Our second device on the list also comes from Xiaomi, it’s the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro. The handset packs a much larger 6.26-inch screen with 1080 x 2246px resolution, it’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 CPU paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage.
Also in the camera department we find the exact same setup, at least on the back with a main 12MP shooter and a secondary 5MP. Meanwhile at the front we now have an extra sharp 20MP selfie snapper accompanied by a 2MP sensor to add a nice bokeh effect.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro is fueled by a 4000mAh battery and supports a good variety of 4G LTE networks around the globe (except for NA).
3. Lenovo Z5
Lenovo’s best alternative to the Redmi Note 6 Pro is the Lenovo Z5. Coming with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 but coupled with a whopping 6GB of RAM, the Z5 also earns a spot on the list. The massive amount of RAM – for a mid-ranger – is then paired with 64GB of storage that is also expandable.
The display on the Z5 is 6.2-inch with an 19:9 aspect ratio, FHD+ resolution and a notch in which we find an 8MP selfie snapper. Meanwhile on the back we have a main 16MP shooter paired with a 8MP secondary to snap photos with a shallow depth of field effect.
Finally, the Lenovo Z5 comes with a 3300mAh capacity battery with support for 15W fast charge and runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.
4. Lenovo K5 Pro
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Staying with the Lenovo brand, we also find the more entry-level Lenovo K5 Pro. The handset comes with a smaller 5.99-inch FHD+ display but is also powered by a Snapdragon 636 paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (for less than $200!).
Cameras on the K5 Pro include a primary 16MP shooter and a secondary 5MP sensor on the back, with the same setup doubled at the front, meaning we also have a 16MP+5MP combo to snap selfies.
Finally, the Lenovo K5 Pro packs a large 4050mAh battery just like the Xiaomi Note 6 Pro, but here we have an USB Type-C charging port which some may prefer.
5. Nokia X5
Finally, if you want to help bringing back the Nokia brand to its former glory, check out one of their latest budget phones for under $200, the Nokia X5. The handset boasts a powerful MediaTek Helio P60 CPU along with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
Cameras include a main 13MP sensor with F/2.0 aperture and a secondary 5MP to create photos with bokeh effect. On the front we instead find an 8MP snapper with F/2.2 aperture.
The Nokia X5 comes with a 3050mAh capacity battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.
Honorable Mentions
Xiaomi Mi A2
If you don’t like any of the options above, the slightly older but yet powerful Xiaomi Mi A2 is definitely still something worth considering. Xiaomi’s Android One phone comes with a great Snapdragon 660 CPU, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (sadly not expandable).
It packs an averagely sized 5.99-inch display sporting FHD+ resolution along with an 18:9 aspect ratio.
Cameras on this mid-ranger killer include a main 12MP on the back with f/1.75 aperture and a secondary 20MP shooter with the same large lens; on the front we instead have a 20MP selfie snapper.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 packs a 3010mAh capacity battery and as we previously mentioned, runs stock Android 8.0 Oreo.
Top 5 Chinese Smartphones for Under $200
With the smartphone above we conclude our monthly rendezvous for the month of December If you’ve found your next mid-ranger comment below, otherwise let us know which smartphone under $200 you’d have liked to see on the list.
