In the world of electronics, where prices are constantly climbing, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a quality smartphone at an affordable price. However, this does not mean that there are no interesting devices. Even with a budget of up to 500 USD, you can find interesting models with balanced characteristics. We have researched the Ukrainian market and compiled the TOP 5 best smartphones available in 2024.
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Overall performance and speed of work The performance of a smartphone is determined by the power of its processor, the amount of RAM, and the optimization of the operating system. The more powerful the processor, the faster the smartphone can perform tasks, run applications, and multitask. Processors such as Qualcomm Snapdragon, Apple A-series, or MediaTek Dimensity provide high-speed and smooth operation. RAM also plays an important role: 6-8 GB is the minimum for comfortable work in modern conditions, while 12-16 GB will ensure smooth operation even under maximum load. Optimization of the operating system also affects performance: well-tuned Android or iOS will be able to fully unleash the potential of the hardware.
Camera and display quality The camera is one of the key features that people pay attention to when choosing a smartphone. High resolution, high-quality optics, optical stabilization, and artificial intelligence for image processing determine how well you can take photos and videos. It is important to pay attention to the pixel size, sensor quality, and camera softwareThe display affects the overall experience of using a smartphone. A high-quality AMOLED or OLED screen with high resolution (Full HD+, QHD) and high refresh rate (90 Hz, 120 Hz) will provide bright and rich colors, sharp details, and smooth images.
Autonomy The battery life of a smartphone is determined by the capacity of the battery and optimized power consumption. Smartphones with a battery capacity of 4000 mAh or more can provide a full day of active use without the need for recharging. In addition, it is important to consider the efficiency of the processor and display, as well as the possibility of software energy management. The availability of fast charging, as well as support for wireless and reverse wireless charging, may be important features for some users.
Availability of additional functions Smartphones offer a wide range of features that make them multifunctional devices. These include 5G support for fast mobile internet, IP67/IP68 water and dust protection, biometric authentication methods (fingerprint scanners or face recognition), NFC for contactless payments, improved integration with other devices through the manufacturer’s ecosystem, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory expansion, stereo speakers, and others.
Value for money Different price categories of smartphones offer different levels of performance, build quality, and functionality. In our price category (up to 20 thousand hryvnias), you can’t get everything at once. Therefore, when choosing a smartphone, it is important to determine which features are critical and whether you are willing to overpay for additional features that you may not need. In the mid-range segment of the market, you can find devices that offer a balance between price and quality, providing decent performance, a good camera, and sufficient battery life without having to spend large sums of money.
The smartphone boasts a triple main camera: 200 MP (main sensor with optical stabilization), 8 MP (ultra-wide lens), 2 MP (macro camera), and the ability to record 4K video with stabilizationThe battery has a capacity of 5100 mAh and supports 67W fast charging.Among the features Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G also has a dust- and splash-proof case (IP54), an IR port, NFC, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner.Pros:
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The price of the smartphone ranges from UAH 11,199 to UAH 20,085.
The camera system includes a triple main camera: 64 MP, 8 MP (ultra-wide), 2 MP (macro), with optical image stabilization, and a 16 MP front camera. The battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh and supports fast charging of 67 W (45 minutes to 100%). Other features include Android 14 with HyperOS shell, stereo speakers, and no 3.5 mm headphone jack.Pros:
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Buy Poco X6 Pro 256 GB / 8 GB is available for UAH 11,537 – 17,120.
The camera system includes a 50MP main camera + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro) and a 32MP selfie camera. The 5000 mAh battery supports 25W fast charging. The smartphone also has IP67 dust and water protection and Samsung’s proprietary Knox Vault security technology.Pros:
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Buy Samsung Galaxy A55 5G 128 GB / 8 GB is available at a price of UAH 13,390 to 19,770.
The camera system includes a 50 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The front camera is 10.5 MP. Pixel 8 supports a variety of artificial intelligence features to enhance photos and videos. The battery has a capacity of 4575 mAh with support for fast and wireless charging.The smartphone runs on «clean» Android 14 with regular security updates. It supports 5G, NFC, and has IP68 water and dust protection.
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Find Google Pixel 8 128 GB is available in stores at a price of UAH 19,799-40,500.
The main camera includes a 50 MP Sony IMX980 main sensor with optical stabilization. The front camera is built into the screen. The battery has a capacity of 5500 mAh with support for 100W fast charging (0 to 100% in 27 minutes).The smartphone runs on Android 14 with ColorOS 14. It supports Wi-Fi 7 and has a proprietary Alert Slider sound profile switcher.Pros:
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You can buy OnePlus Ace 3 256 GB / 12 GB for a price of 16,525 to 22,900 UAH.