Top 5 Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500 – September 2021


Best Chinese Smartphones

If you’re looking for a flagship phone but you aren’t willing to spend more than $500, you’re in the right place. In this article we’ll indeed be listing the best Chinese smartphones now on sale for under $500; keep reading!

Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500

1. Redmi K40 Pro

Redmi K40 Pro

Let’s kick off with the Redmi K40 Pro which can now be easily found for less than $500 even for the most expensive variant. The K40 Pro is the most powerful device in the list with its Snapdragon 888 chipset; along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The smartphone also features a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz and touch sampling rate of 360Hz.

As for photography, the Redmi K40 Pro comes with a main 64MP sensor, an 8MP ultra wide lens and a 5MP macro camera. Meanwhile for selfies we have a single 20MP snapper.

Finally, the smartphone encases a 4520mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging; along with NFC and an IR emitter.

2. OnePlus Nord 2

Next, we have the OnePlus Nord 2 coming with the great performing MediaTek Dimensity 1200 CPU; paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This hardware powers a 6.43-inch AMOLED Samsung E3 display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 1080x2400px resolution and HDR10+ support.

Photography wise, the handset brings three rear cameras including a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra wide angle lens and 2MP black and white sensor. Meanwhile at the front we have a whopping 32MP selfie snapper.

Finally, the OnePlus Nord 2 is fueled by a 4500mAh capacity battery with support for 65W fast charging 65W, it has NFC and runs OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11.

Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500

3. Realme GT Neo

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Also featuring the most powerful MediaTek chipset on the market, the Dimensity 1200, we find the GT Neo by Realme. The handset comes with a relatively compact 6.43-inch Samsung AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate.

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In the camera department the smartphone features a main rear camera with a resolution of 64MP, the other two lenses are respectively an 8MP ultra wide-angle lens and a 4 cm super macro lens. While in front we find a 16MP ultra-clear wide-angle camera.

In terms of battery, the Realme GT Neo is equipped with a large 4500 mAh battery, along with a 50W smart flash charging. We also find NFC and a 3.5mm audio jack.

4. POCO F3

Another great option in this price range is the very cost-effective POCO F3 sporting with the powerful Snapdragon 870; along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The handset then features a large 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 360Hz.

As far as photography is concerned, the POCO F3 packs a main 48MP sensor, an 8MP ultra wide lens and a 5MP macro camera. At the front, we find a 20MP snapper for selfies.

The F3 by POCO is fueled by a 4520mAh capacity battery with support for 33W fast charging; it has NFC and an IR emitter.

Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500

5. Black Shark 4

Black Shark 4

Last but not least, for the gamers out there, the Black Shark 4 by Xiaomi’s sub brand is the smartphone to go for. The gaming phone is powered by a Snapdragon 870; coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

As for photos, the smartphone packs a 48MP primary sensor, paired an 8MP ultra wide and a 5MP macro lens on the back; along with a 20MP selfie snapper at the front.

Finally, the handset features a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 panel with a massive refresh rate of 144Hz and a touch sampling rate of 720Hz. We also find a large 4500mAh battery with support for 120Hz fast charging; there’s NFC and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Check out our sub $300 list if you’re on a tighter budget!

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2 Comments

  1. Christ Lover
    September 19, 2021

    Come on smartphone designers. 6.67 inch screen with 4500mah battery?! Really?! That's a one day battery life phone. I need a 2 day battery life phone to buy. Keep the 4500 mah battery and make the screen smaller so that battery life increases. It's time to up the game! I want a top spec phone with 2 day batterylife on mobile data and as compact as possible.

  2. Geoff Morris
    September 23, 2021

    Xiaomi now have new cutting edge battery technology, that will easily give two days normal use – or more.