• Budget smartphone with 8 core processor. Why eight smartphone processor cores are better than four

    10/06/2014, Mon, 14:10, Moscow time

    Various devices, which make the life of a modern person easier or ensure his constant connection with the outside world, are encountered by the consumer primarily “by their clothes”. An excellent addition to the beautiful appearance will be an eight-core processor, providing high performance and device performance.

    Design and ergonomics are important for gadgets, but at the same time, every user understands that the heart of any electronic device are the processor and other electronic components. Therefore, the characteristics of the processor are taken into account from the point of view of both the speed of applications and the image of the device and its owner.

    The consumer wants a smartphone or other device to have high technical performance and also affordable price. At first glance, this combination is not feasible in practice. However, MediaTek's developments show that what you want can become possible.

    MediaTek is one of the leading companies both in the processor market and in the production of semiconductor elements for multimedia digital devices And wireless communication. The company has practically become a leader in the development of systems for high-definition television, wireless communications, optical drives and other electronics. Analysts at Digitimes Research believe that by the end of 2014 MediaTek will increase its share of the processor market to 26%.

    Eight cores for a smartphone

    The new powerful and productive processor for MediaTek MT6592 smartphones has 8 full cores that can work simultaneously. One can continue to debate whether such a number of cores is necessary for a smartphone, but such a processor already exists and copes with all tasks very successfully, outperforming other “less nuclear” options in test results.

    The eight-core MediaTek processor represents a whole range of solutions, both architectural and software. MediaTek delivers not just a powerful chip, but a complete platform for creating a smartphone. Essentially, it includes everything that is needed for the device to function. The manufacturer only has to add the body, screen and other external elements.


    MT6592 is one of Mediatek's newest octa-core processors

    Interestingly, the MT6592 can be called the first processor in which all eight cores are truly present and properly used. But first things first.

    Architecture – important element platforms

    The MT6592 processor uses the architecture of the famous ARM company, which is exclusively engaged in the development of processors. The ARM Cortex-A7 architecture has been a hit in recent seasons, and it is used in their designs by both MediaTek and other famous chipmakers. For multi-core ARM processors developed a so-called heterogeneous architecture called big.LITTLE. Its essence is that for optimal use of processor cores in the system, the alternate use of so-called “heavy” and “light” cores can be used. For productive tasks, for example, resource-intensive games, “heavy” cores are included, and for more simple applications or background mode, when it is necessary to save energy, only “light” cores work.

    This architecture is used by Mediatek in processors such as the MT8135, where either all cores can be used at once, or as needed in at the moment a combination of “heavy” and “light” nuclei. Unlike, for example, the Samsung platform, which actually does not have 8 cores, but is built on two quad-core processors, and alternately turns on and off entire clusters of “heavy” and “light” cores.

    The new MT6592 processor has a slightly different architecture developed by Mediatek - it is built on eight absolutely identical cores that are connected, standby or disabled in any combination. That is, the Mediatek MT6592 platform with 8 cores central processor can use any combination of cores, which are connected and disconnected as needed, depending on the current load on the processor.

    MediaTek processors are used in their mobile devices ah, not only numerous Chinese manufacturers of the so-called second and third tier, but also manufacturers such as Asus, Lenovo, HTC, Sony. Also uses MediaTek processor platforms Fly company. Mobile devices of this brand can be found in almost any store that sells communication and communication devices. At the end of the first half of 2014, Fly took second place in smartphone sales on the Russian market. Availability of devices from this company at high technical capabilities is largely due to the use of chips and technologies provided by MediaTek.

    Fly developed new line premium smartphones called Fly Tornado. It will feature models distinguished by both exquisite design and high technical characteristics. The pioneer of this line is the elegant Fly Tornado One smartphone. This model uses an eight-core MT6592 TrueOctaCore processor with clock frequency 1.4 GHz. Theoretically, a processor for a smartphone can be made with more high frequency, however, it would drain the device’s battery quite quickly. Therefore, a processor from Mediatek was chosen, which provides solid computing power and at the same time economically consumes battery power. In addition, the MT6592 processor has a function of automatic frequency control depending on the load on the processor and the current temperature conditions.


    The Fly Tornado One smartphone is controlled by a Mediatek MT6592 processor

    The thin body of the smartphone has beveled edges, giving the shape an originality, and the optimal aspect ratio makes it easy to use. The screen and back surface of the smartphone are covered with durable glass. The device is pleasant to hold in your hand, and the wear-resistant coating protects the screen and the entire body from scratches and damage. Screen Fly smartphone Tornado with a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 1280x720 dpi is made using IPS technology, which creates a clear and rich image that is clearly visible even in bright sunlight. In addition, the screen of the new smartphone has increased viewing angles, which adds comfort when using the device.

    For fast image processing, more than just processor power is important. The MediaTek MT6592 platform contains the new Rogue Series 6 video accelerator, so the smartphone can handle graphics with ease modern games, as well as quickly launch heavy web pages.

    The device's 1 GB RAM helps the powerful processor work and processes requests instantly, and 8 GB of internal memory allows you to store multimedia content and the required number of functional widgets. If necessary, you can install a memory card up to 32 GB into your smartphone.

    Modern smartphones are usually equipped with cameras from 8 to 20 megapixels. Model Fly Tornado One has a 13-megapixel camera on board, equipped with special sensor, which reduces the amount of noise and increases the light sensitivity of the matrix. As a result, you can get high-quality footage even in low light conditions. The camera contains 5 physical lenses, which allows you to take undistorted, colorful photographs.

    Support for two SIM cards is a common feature among mobile devices, so with the Fly Tornado smartphone you can distinguish between work and personal contacts, or optimize communication costs by using a card with a specific tariff plan. The new smartphone is equipped with a gesture recognition function. For example, double tapping wakes the device, and launching various applications can be done with certain symbols on the screen.

    The Fly Tornado One smartphone uses an operating system Android system 4.4 KitKat. It is known that even in the background Android mode uses many different services, but despite the constant load, thanks to the ability of the MT6592 processor to include cores in various combinations, the operating system runs very smoothly. In addition, to properly distribute the load between processor cores, MediaTek replaced the task scheduler. Typically, Android uses the CFS scheduler, but here we introduced our own development - the HMP Scheduler and RT Schedule schedulers. As a result, tasks are correctly distributed among the cores, and priority tasks are serviced first.

    Observing the development of smartphones, one can assume that the future belongs to powerful multi-core processors, and the difference in quality and performance between very expensive flagship smartphones and mid-priced devices will no longer be noticeable. This is clearly shown by the new example of the Fly Tornado One smartphone with an eight-core MediaTek processor.


    Every year, smartphone developers delight consumers with ultra-technological new products that combine a variety of functions, thoughtful design and high performance. Demanding users who pay special attention to the power of their devices often prefer devices with multi-core processors, among which eight-core processors are especially popular. In our review below the TOP 5 best eight-core smartphones spring 2017.

    Octa-core Allview X4 Soul Style

    The Allview X4 Soul Style smartphone was presented by a Romanian company that sells rebranded equipment. The gadget is released in the form of a candy bar with touch screen. It runs on Android OS. In terms of design and set of specifications, the device resembles the Gionee A1. Let us note further its features:

    1. Appearance. The gadget has a body with an aluminum frame and is available in several colors. The dimensions are 154.5x76.5x8.5 mm and its weight is 181 g.
    2. Display. The phone is equipped with a 5.5-inch touch screen with a resolution of 1080x1920. The display of the device is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Compared to its sodium-calcium counterpart, it is three times stronger and has increased shock resistance.
    3. Camera. The smartphone has two cameras: a 16 MP main camera and a 13 MP front camera with flash.
    4. Performance. The device has an 8-core processor:
      ARM Cortex-A53 1.8 GHz and ARM Cortex-A53 1 GHz with 4 cores each. Built-in memory - 64 GB, RAM- 4 GB. The gadget is installed newest version OS Android 7.0 Nougat.
    5. Battery. The phone has non-removable battery Li-Ion 4010 mAh, providing fast charging. It does not require recharging for 14 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time.
    6. Additionally. Allview X4 Soul Style - device with active noise cancellation equipped with a fingerprint scanner, supports two SIM cards. The model has an accelerometer, compass, proximity and light sensor, and gyroscope.
    The price of Allview X4 Soul Style in Russia is 22,990 rubles.

    Smartphone 360 ​​N5


    360 N5 is a productive and functional eight-core device in the mid-price category, which successfully combines stylish design, high-quality build and high strength. Let's consider the main characteristics of the model.
    1. Design. The gadget is manufactured in an all-metal case. There is a fingerprint scanner on the back of the case, and on the front there is a Home button shaped like a circle LED. The dimensions of the device are 76x152x8.25 mm, the device weighs 156 g.
    2. Screen The device is created using IPS-OGS technology. It has 5.5 inches, has a rich picture and close to natural color rendition.
    3. Processor, memory, OS. Availability powerful processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 delivers flawless gaming performance. The amount of RAM is 6 GB, and the internal memory is 32 GB. The gadget is equipped with Android Marshmallow OS.
    4. Multimedia. The device has two photo modules of 13 and 8 megapixels, with the help of which photographs are taken good quality. The gadget owes its good sound to two high-quality speakers and a microphone.
    5. Slots, interface. The device is equipped with two slots: one for a micro-SIM card, the second slot is for a nano-SIM card or memory card. The smartphone has a Bluetooth connection and a Wi-Fi wireless Internet module.
    6. Battery. Power lithium polymer battery The phone's battery capacity is 3290 mAh, which ensures uninterrupted operation for 6–7 hours, including 4G surfing.
    The 360 ​​N5 smartphone has an impressive list of advantages, which ensures genuine interest from users. The device is different fast work, excellent performance and low cost.

    Price 360 ​​N5 in Russia - from 11,500 rubles.

    Eight-core BlackBerry KEYone


    BlackBerry KEYone has a classic shape. It is made in the form of a candy bar with a keyboard and is designed for the category of users who just need a working device. Most likely, the gadget was invented to satisfy the needs of brand lovers, and not to attract new users. What makes this smartphone model stand out?
    1. Design, body. Glass, metal and soft rubber were used to make the smartphone. The design is placed in an aluminum frame, which ensures reliability and durability. There are no plastic parts in the smartphone. The back of the gadget is made of textured plastic with a soft-touch coating reminiscent of rubber, so it does not collect fingerprints, debris and dust.
    2. Display The gadget is equipped with a diagonal of 4.5 inches with an aspect ratio of 2:3. It is protected by Gorilla Glass 4, which has curved edges. The screen is flat, has an extension of 1620x1080, under it there are touch keys and a keyboard.
    3. Keyboard The device is distinguished by its classic design and simplified shape of rounded keys. Its size and shape resemble the BlackBerry PRIV keyboard. The keys are very convenient to use. This is ensured by proper weight distribution. The shape follows the profile of the body. In its manufacture, translucent glass-like plastic was used. The symbols are painted with silver translucent paint, and the backing of the keys is made in black. The keyboard is soft to the touch and supports gestures. The fingerprint scanner is located on the space bar.
    4. Performance. The smartphone is equipped with an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 with a frequency of 2000 MHz - a processor with low power consumption, which is enough power to cope with work tasks. The amount of RAM is 3 GB, and the built-in memory is 32 GB, but it can be expanded up to 2 TB. operating system- Android 7.1 Nougat.
    5. Cameras. The main camera of the device is 12 megapixels and equipped with phase detection autofocus. It also has dual LED flash and comes with an f/2.0 aperture. Aperture f/2.2. installed in the front camera at 8 megapixels.
    6. Battery, charging. The BlackBerry KEY has a 3505 mAh battery. Thanks to the support fast charging The QC3.0 gadget can be charged to 56% in just over half an hour.
    7. Dimensions, weight. The device has dimensions of 149.3x72.5x9.4 mm and weighs 180 g.
    8. Additionally. BlackBerry KEY is a modern phablet with a huge selection of applications, on which it is quite possible to type text accurately while moving in a car or on the go. The presence of a physical keyboard in this model allows you to touch-type messages. Gadget equipment shortcut keys- one of its advantages. The owner of the smartphone can set each key to perform a specific action by making a long or short press. This could be the start certain applications, composing messages to specific recipients, launching settings, etc. The keyboard shortcut with Ctrl + provides faster and productive work on a smartphone. Using this combination allows you to perform the same actions as on a computer: undo actions, cut, copy, paste text, etc. In addition, passwords are easier to remember on a physical keyboard, since many people have more developed motor memory than visual memory. The device's keyboard was designed specifically for typing using the two thumbs of both hands. At the same time, the printing speed compared to touch devices doubles, which is important when working with large texts. BlackBerry KEY is ideal for older people who have problems with vision and fine motor skills. Thus, this model is a productive and safe gadget, made of high-quality materials and incredibly convenient for typing. The user's long nails are also not a hindrance to typing characters.
    The price of BlackBerry KEY in Russia is approximately 32,000 rubles. A video review of the gadget is presented below:

    HTC U Play smartphone


    New HTC smartphone U Play was introduced to a wide audience in January of this year. The gadget differs from the manufacturer’s previously released devices in appearance and technical parameters, which we will consider further in more detail.
    1. Design. The device is available in several color options. It has a stylish glossy body. The front side of the gadget is reserved for the display, camera and Home key. The back of the case is occupied by a flash and the brand logo. There are no more inscriptions or elements on it.
    2. Display. HTC U Play has a 5.2-inch screen protected by Gorilla Glass.
    3. Performance apparatus is provided eight nuclear processor MediaTek Helio P10, built on 64-bit architecture. The smartphone is available in two trim levels: with RAM and built-in memory of 3 and 32 GB, respectively, as well as with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of built-in memory. The device comes with a memory card slot that allows you to expand it up to 2 TB. Control is carried out via Android 6.0 OS.
    4. Camera and autonomy. The resolution of the main camera is 16 megapixels. It is equipped with a dual-tone LED flash. It also has phase detection autofocus and an optical stabilization system. The front camera resolution is 16 megapixels, which makes the gadget a real selfie phone. Autonomous operation is provided by a 2500 mAh battery.
    5. Dimensions, weight. Device dimensions - 145.99x72.9x3.5 mm. The device weighs 145 g.
    The smartphone of this model will be available in black, white, blue and pink colors. The cost of HTC U Play in Russia is 25,600 rubles.

    Huawei Nova smartphone


    Huawei Nova- compact stylish smartphone, which is a pleasure to use. The device has an elegant metal body and capacious battery, and there are narrow frames on both sides of its screen. What other characteristics and arsenal of capabilities does this gadget have?
    1. Design. The Nova case is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy, which was sandblasted at one of the manufacturing stages, making its coating pleasant to the touch. The smartphone display is surrounded by frames whose width is 1.8 mm. The gadget comes in three basic colors: gray, gold and silver.
    2. Screen treated with an oleophobic coating, the reliability of which has been tested in practice by numerous users of other devices. Under the glass there is a 5-inch IPS matrix, the brightness of which is quite sufficient even for reading content in sunlight.
    3. Processor, memory, OS. The model is equipped Snapdragon processor 625 with eight cores, has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. It runs Android 6.0 OS with EMUI 4.1 shell installed.
    4. Camera and sound. The smartphone has a 12 megapixel camera, the pictures from which are of good quality even at dusk. Good selfies even in the evening are ensured thanks to the 8 MP front camera. Surround sound The gadget is provided with built-in DTS software, and the built-in player plays Flac files, which makes it possible not to be limited when choosing a format.
    5. Wireless modules and offline mode. The phone is available with support for wireless Internet, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC. The battery capacity of the device is 3020 mAh.
    6. Dimensions, weight. The dimensions of the gadget are 141.2x69.1 mm. The device weighs 146 g.
    Huawei Nova smartphone placed in slim body, featuring a cute design. It will certainly please users who don't like phablets, but who appreciate good displays and cameras.

    The price of Huawei Nova in Russia is 23,300 rubles. A video review will help you get even more information about this smartphone.


    We hope that our review of the TOP 5 best eight-core smartphones of spring 2017 will help you choose the optimal model. Each of the devices has its own characteristics, but all of them are undoubtedly productive and functional.

    The smartphone market can be roughly divided between brands and by price. The brands themselves are divided into groups:

    • A-brands are top manufacturers such as Nokia, Apple, Samsung.
    • B-brands are already less well-known, mainly from China.
    • C-brands are already little-known manufacturers in China and India.

    Today, the price division can also be divided into three groups: up to $250, up to $350, over $350.

    Gone are the days of low-quality products from China; today, companies that are conquering world markets are located there. Smartphone manufacturers from China also deserve attention. After all, B-brands can offer a technically advanced device at a low price, something that leading companies cannot offer. And although the percentage of defects is still higher for unknown manufacturers, it is already so low that you can quite risk taking their device. According to selling companies, A-brands have a defect rate of 1.5 - 3%, while B-brands have defects ranging from 6%.

    Let's consider which smartphones are offered in each price range, and with what technical characteristics, so that the user knows what to focus on in the fall of 2014.

    Smartphones up to $250

    Such smartphones are classified as budget ones.

    With an 8-core processor and a price of about $230. Moreover, the smartphone comes with a 5-inch screen on an IPS matrix and a resolution of 960x540 pixels. There is support for two SIM cards, 8 megapixel camera, 8 GB built-in memory. Media Tek MT 6592 processor (used in almost all 8-core smartphones) with Mali-450 MP graphics coprocessor. Battery 1800 mAh.

    With Media Tek MT 6592 processor with 8 cores. Price about $185. Screen with a diagonal of 5 inches and an IPS matrix, HD resolution. Built-in memory 4 GB, battery capacity 1800 mAh. 8 megapixel camera.

    With a price of about 200 $. With the same parameters as previous models, but the battery is already 2200 mAh.

    In the segment budget models There are no representatives from A-brands.

    Smartphones priced at $250 – $350

    Let's present three models in this price category, which are already higher in their parameters than the previous ones.

    Which can be found for around $300. You can immediately distinguish the design in comparison with the previous category. Screen on an IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5 inches and Full HD resolution. RAM 2 GB, built-in 16 GB. Supports 2 SIM cards, 13 MP camera. Processor Media Tek MT 6592. To improve the design, the cover is made non-removable, which does not allow changing the battery and there is no way to use a memory card.

    Priced at about $250. The parameters are the same as in the previous model, only there is 1 GB of RAM and a screen with HD resolution. But here it is possible to use a memory card and remove the cover to get to the battery.

    Sells for around $350 5.5 inch screen with HD resolution. RAM 2 GB, internal memory 8 GB. Large battery capacity 3000 mAh. Camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels, cards can be used microSD memory. The processor is the same as in previous models. There is a branded one GUI Emotion UI 2.0.

    Among the A-brands in this price category there is a representative of HTC and this is the HTC Desire 616 model Dual SIM. This smartphone retails for around $250. It uses the same MediaTek MT6592 chipset. The screen has HD resolution and a diagonal of 5 inches. RAM 1 GB, built-in 4 GB. It is possible to use microSD. 8 MP camera. The characteristics are not the most advanced in this price category, which only speaks in favor of B-brands, which can provide the best for the money technical parameters smartphone.

    Smartphones priced above $350

    At an average price of $365. Screen on an IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5 inches and Full HD resolution. RAM 2 GB, built-in 16 GB. microSD memory card. 13 MP camera, MediaTek MT6592 processor. 2000 mAh battery.

    Priced from $400. This company from India is very popular in its homeland. Distinctive parameters are a 16 megapixel camera, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, a 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution. Other characteristics are similar to competitors.

    Priced at about $400. This model can already be classified as a phablet, because the screen diagonal is 6 inches. IPS matrix with Full HD resolution. Built-in memory 16 GB, RAM – 2 GB. 13 MP camera, you can use a memory card. The processor is still the same - MediaTek MT6592.

    From A-brands in this price category you can only imagine last year's Samsung GALAXY S4.

    This rating shows that in the production of smartphones there is a rapid development of companies that are not as well-known to customers as well-known and famous throughout the world. But these B, C-brands present models that are technically very competitive, and at a price accessible to many buyers. At these prices they have no competitors from well-promoted A-brands. If in 2013 smartphone models from B-brands accounted for about 30 percent, then in the first half of 2014 they already occupied 45 percent of the market.

    Leading companies that can be classified as A-brands (Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony) will always remain ahead. After all, they are the ones who set the direction in technical development and innovation in the production of smartphones. These technical solutions then they use the same B-brands in their production. So there will always be a difference between manufacturers. Fashionable models will always be popular, and there will always be a buyer for them.

    2014 became very rich in latest developments mobile phones with extraordinary power. The 8-core smartphone has now been presented by several major companies, among which it is especially necessary to consider:

    • Samsung. This company presented to its fans new phones with extraordinary performance. Their only drawback is that the processor nominally has 8 cores, but in fact they are divided into two separate clusters. This technique can surprise with its reliability, has capacious battery and a high-quality camera with automatic focusing function. At the same time, it is possible to perform several jobs simultaneously, since this device will not be able to slow down.
    • LG. This technology is still new for this company, but has already been adopted. Thus, some models of this company can already boast of the above characteristics and are suitable for absolutely all consumers. They have a thoughtful design that not only reduces the weight of the device, but can also become an undoubted basis for creating the desired style and image of any person. Choosing an 8-core smartphone from this company means buying a truly high-quality product. This device is also equipped with a powerful camera that guarantees clear images, regardless of environmental conditions. The special coating of the case cannot get excessively dirty and protects the device from possible deformations or unexpected defects.
    • Huawei. This company pleases every year the latest modifications already commercially available models of equipment, increasing their power and facilitating direct operation. Their unique communication devices can be very surprising, since the price for this 8-core smartphone remains stable accessible level. A high-quality case can withstand relatively very heavy loads without becoming deformed or causing problems. The touch console will demonstrate an optimal level of reliability and can function for a long period of time. Absence additional keyboard significantly reduces the existing weight of the device.

    The acquisition of such masterpieces of technology is currently available to absolutely everyone. Now you can simply order a device without leaving your home, and it will be transported directly to the consumer.

    How quickly technology develops. A few years ago 4 cores in mobile phone was something incredible, and in 2017 every smartphone manufacturer is trying to install an eight-core chip. In addition to the obvious increase in performance, such processors are superior to their weaker brothers in some other indicators. First of all, 8-core chips are less energy-consuming due to the efficient separation of cores (4 of them perform undemanding tasks at lower frequencies). We invite you to familiarize yourself with the rating of the best eight-core smartphones in 2017 so that you can find quality smartphone suitable for your requirements.

    DOOGEE Y6

    Inexpensive but good smartphone with a large tap from Doogee. The rich and responsive screen responds to even the lightest touch (even with a pre-applied protective film) and recognizes up to 5 touches while touching the screen at the same time. To completely shrink part of the 5.5-inch display, Doogee chose physical buttons in the lower half of the device. These buttons are very responsive and operate with quick tactile feedback. At first impressions, the smartphone seems quite heavy, in general it is, because it weighs 199 grams, but the manufacturer claims that they built the body from lightweight aluminum. Available colors of the smartphone in stores: black, gold, blue and silver.

    Key Features:

    • Processor: MediaTek Helio P10 and Mali-T860 MP2 video accelerator;
    • Android 6.0;
    • Camera: main 13 MP, front 8 MP;
    • Battery: 3200 mAh;

    Pros:

    1. Excellent sensor response;
    2. Copes with all applications;

    Cons:

    1. Heavyweight;

    LG X power 2 M320

    An excellent smartphone from the popular company LG, offering for a long time battery life, good sound And attractive design. There's an interesting metallic effect on the back of the smartphone that makes it feel weird to the touch, but it reflects when you hold it up to the light. You can buy the smartphone in four colors: black, silver, gold and dark blue. Battery is the key point of the cell phone - it has a capacity of 4500 mAh, which, according to the manufacturer, will work without recharging for a whole weekend. A smartphone can be purchased for around 11 thousand rubles - quite good price for such a stylish device.

    Key Features:

    • Screen: 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels;
    • Memory: 16 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM;
    • Android 6.0;
    • Battery: 4500 mAh;

    Pros:

    1. Large battery;
    2. Interesting design;

    Cons:

    1. No Full HD screen;
    2. Limited Storers;

    Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

    This reliable smartphone looks good, the screen gets big due to the slightly growing edges around it. Users like the fact that the camera protrudes from the body, but is even slightly recessed, which protects the glass from scratches. Samsung doesn't say anything about the glass on the front, but you can clearly see how it blends into the metal design. Connectors and antennas fit perfectly into the smartphone body. Although the material changes are blatantly obvious, they are cleanly constructed and the gaps are small and even. The small card tray accepts a Nano-SIM card and a wider second SIM card, as well as microSD card. The smartphone with two SIM cards is available to users in black, gold and blue colors.

    Key Features:

    • Processor: Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7870 and Mali-T830 MP2 video accelerator;
    • Memory: 16 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM;
    • Android 7.0;
    • Camera: main 13 MP, front 13 MP;
    • Battery: 3000 mAh;

    Pros:

    1. New metal case;
    2. Clear screen;

    Cons:

    1. Hybrid SIM slot;

    Meizu M5

    Meizu recently announced another powerful phone budget level, which was included in our rating of the best eight-core smartphones in 2017. The M5 is a quality smartphone with a small 5.2-inch 720p screen that has more features compared to the M3 model released earlier this year. Like the M3, the M5 is powered by a MediaTek MT6750 processor with 2 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The smartphone has a 13-megapixel camera on the back, which the firm says focuses in just 0.2 seconds thanks to fast phase detection AF and has an aperture of 2.2.

    Key Features:

    • Screen: 5.2 inches with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels;
    • Processor: MediaTek MT6750 and Mali-T860 MP2 video accelerator;
    • Memory: 16 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM;
    • Android 6.0;
    • Camera: main 13 MP, front 5 MP;
    • Battery: 3070 mAh;

    Pros:

    1. Improved screen;
    2. Excellent performance;
    3. Attractive design;

    Cons:

    1. Not the best screen resolution;

    Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X

    If you are familiar with Redmi Note 4, it will be easier for you to notice changes in the new Note smartphone 4X. Two small screws on either side of the MicroUSB charging port have been removed for a cleaner appearance, and the antenna stripes are kept to a minimum and replaced with shiny strips rather than just cheap white plastic. It doesn't seem like anything major, but enough to make the Note 4X a modern and sleek looking smartphone. A beautiful and juicy screen will make your time with your smartphone unforgettable, because it has good resolution screen today, despite its budget price. The smartphone will also certainly please you with a large 4100 mAh battery.

    Key Features:

    • Screen: 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1080×1920 pixels;
    • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 and Adreno 506 video accelerator;
    • Memory: 32 GB of internal memory and 3 GB of RAM;
    • Android 6.0;
    • Camera: main 13 MP, front 5 MP;
    • Battery: 4100 mAh;

    Pros:

    1. Good display properties;
    2. Excellent battery;

    Cons:

    1. Average memory;