The world of technology is constantly evolving, and our needs change - all this is reflected in research. Experts are modernizing test methods, improving categories, changing their weight in the overall rating system. Based on consumer preferences, in 2019 the categories of indicators and their weight in the rating were changed. In these changes, the experts were guided by exactly what is preferable to users. So, the group of parameters "Camera and video" now has the largest weight. The experts singled out the scores for display, battery, durability and usability as separate categories. The latter group includes, for example, the convenience of typing text messages, which used to be singled out as a separate category. Also added a group of parameters "Performance" and "Functionality" and gone, or rather modified, "Phone capabilities", "Internet" and "Ergonomics". The weight of the call evaluation has decreased by 5%. The least changes occurred in the categories "Music" and "Navigation". Thus, smartphones are now evaluated according to the following parameters:
With the advent of new functions in smartphones, new tests have also appeared. For example, concerning unlocking the device. Experts are now testing face recognition and an iris scanner. In particular, they try to deceive them and test their performance in non-standard conditions (in the dark, against the sun, when a person is wearing glasses, etc.).
SMARTPHONE CAMERA: AN ALTERNATIVE TO CAMERA?
Smartphone cameras made a real revolution at one time, practically displacing small digital cameras from the market. Moreover, a whole segment of smartphones began to be positioned as “camera phones”, the quality of the pictures of which surpassed the cameras of the middle price segment. Precisely because many users choose a smartphone for camera quality, experts assigned the highest weight to this category of indicators - 25%.
- I often take pictures on my phone, because then I post photos on social networks, - the photographer told Roskachestvo Evgeny Bibichev, the great-grandson of the famous Yevgeny Khaldei, the author of the legendary photograph "The Banner of Victory over the Reichstag." “But professional photography, of course, requires professional equipment. And the differences here are not only in the quality and resolution of the cameras themselves, but also in the fact that in the case of a camera it is possible to set more flexible settings, to use some tools that are simply not available in phones. Phone cameras have certainly evolved a lot in recent times, though. Perhaps the breakthrough began with the release of the first iPhone. And although progress goes on and does not stop, I do not think that telephones will ever become the main tool of work of a professional photographer ... Even my great-grandfather, if he lived in our time, probably could take pictures with a smartphone, but in any case he would give preference to a camera ...
Read more about the battle for quality between a smartphone and a professional camera.
DISPLAY STRESS
The display in modern smartphones is a key functional element, therefore experts gave this category of parameters 20% in the rating. On the one hand, it should fully replace the computer monitor, on the other, it should not lose its mobility even under “stressful conditions”: in bright sun or cloudy weather.
The viewing angles of the display were evaluated under a variety of conditions: normal display settings and stable lighting conditions, low light conditions and bright sunlight. The experts also looked at how easy it is to perceive information on the screen if the smartphone is located at an angle to the user. Finally, the size, resolution and sensitivity of the display were evaluated.
SMARTPHONE BRAKES? OUT OF THE TOP!
The experts identified a group of performance parameters only in 2019 and gave it 15% at once. This clearly indicates that the "nimbleness" of smartphones comes to the fore. Comments like “the phone slows down and hangs” are already irrelevant. Smartphone brake will never get high points in the rating.
Basically, the performance of a smartphone is a combination of the processing power of the processor and the amount of random access memory (RAM).
By the way, page loading speed and download speed are all that remain from the evaluation of the web browser performance. Previously, it was studied according to the algorithm for working on the Internet (typing an address, adding to favorites or bookmarks, zooming, navigation, processing form, displaying maps, presenting large tables, etc.). Now this has all moved into the category of smartphone usability metrics and turned into one dimension - "Web Browser Usability."
SMARTPHONE AS A PLAYER
Assessing the "musical ability" of a smartphone is basically an assessment of its sound quality. The smartphone included the same audio tracks in MP3 format. Listening took place at two settings - "pop" and "classic", the devices reproduced the works of Handel, Bach and Pink Floyd. The experts listened to music through a speaker and through headphones, both through the supplied with the smartphone and through high-quality non-native headphones. In the course of the study, any sound imperfections were recorded, which influenced the rating points.
- I love to listen to music, moreover, different, not only classical, - the famous Russian pianist admitted to Roskachestvo Denis Matsuev... - And, of course, with my schedule, downloading and listening to music almost constantly happens on the road, which means through a smartphone. I have tried dozens of phones and hundreds of different headphones from different companies and I can say that the quality of the music you play directly depends on what kind of headphones you use. A few years ago, a Japanese company gave me their special "limited edition" headphones. With native headphones of the same iPhone - no comparison, I have never felt anything close to this sound. They convey even the oldest, mono-recordings in such a way that I have a complete feeling that I am attending that very concert. I hear the smallest details, the subtlest things between notes that interest me, even in non-studio listening conditions. But if we compare the playback quality of the phones themselves, then there is almost no difference between the sixth and the first iPhone. Perhaps some subtleties, but even for me, a professional musician, are insignificant.
A BATTERY THAT DOESN'T LET
Smartphones are becoming more powerful, displays are larger, applications are "more voracious", and some revolutionary processes in the production of batteries have not yet taken place. On the contrary, the battery began to drain faster, which, by the way, was the reason for the emergence of a new gadget - portable charging. Although it is worth giving credit to the manufacturers: they are working to ensure that the devices remain operational for as long as possible or charge very quickly.
Since 2016, in laboratory conditions, the quality of the batteries of devices has been studied in a wide variety of operating conditions: in the modes of "endless" telephone conversations, using the Internet or GPS navigation, standby. Experts downloaded data, watched cartoon and listened to music.
However, the battery quality test has now become more capacious. The actual time of full recharging of the smartphone battery through the device that came with the kit, as well as the operating time of the device after a 15-minute charge, is considered separately.
The time it takes for the phone to fully discharge is measured by a robot. Well, the robot repeats a certain algorithm of actions. This algorithm is a typical user interaction with a favorite gadget. So, what it looks like from the experts' point of view:
- The smartphone spends 47 minutes in standby mode.
- 7.5 minutes is the activity on the Internet (watching videos on YouTube).
- Now it's time for a photo: 5 shots at 3-second intervals.
- 1.15 minutes - navigator.
- 2.5 minutes - telephone conversation (incoming and outgoing calls alternate).
- Then two notifications arrive on the phone.
The screen brightness on the robot's smartphone is set to 100%. And the algorithm of actions is repeated every hour.
“I was probably one of the first among Russians, back in the early 90s, to have a mobile phone,” a well-known hockey player, longtime captain of the Russian national team, who has played over a dozen seasons in the NHL, told Roskachestvo. Alexey Yashin... - Since then, I regularly use this invention: first, an ordinary cell phone, now a smartphone. And although I talk often and in large quantities, I hardly come across the problem of quickly discharging the battery. In this sense, I am happy with all the phones that I had. From experience I can say that when choosing a smartphone, I first of all pay attention to the brand - then I don't have to worry about the battery capacity, because almost all high-quality phones have a good battery.
NEW TREND: SMARTPHONE IS NOT FOR CALLS AND SMS
Back in 2016, in the course of studying a smartphone, experts evaluated its ability to receive a call, the convenience of dialing a number manually, from the phone book and speed dialing. The main features in the study of SMS functions were the possibilities of archiving, sorting, deleting an SMS group. In addition, the experts assessed the correctness and scale of the SMS display on the display immediately after receiving the message, the convenience of entering the message text and the addressee's name.
A 2017 study showed a new trend: manufacturers have begun to pay less attention to calls and messages, which were once the main functions of a mobile phone. So, during the tests in 2018, the call quality was assessed for the quality of the connection and voice transmission (without extraneous noise). And in the SMS testing program, only the convenience of entering the text of the message remained. In turn, in 2019, the weight of the call assessment decreased by 5%, and now it is an assessment of the sound quality (with and without extraneous noise) and the convenience of calls. The rating of a set of text messages is completely gone as a separate category. This parameter is now included in the usability assessment.
- I myself notice that I use my mobile phone for calls and SMS less and less, - the famous science fiction writer told Roskachestvo Sergey Lukyanenko, member of the Supervisory Board of Roskachestvo. - This is understandable: modern telephones are sinking deeper and deeper into the Internet. That is, new ways of communication - Skype, WhatsApp, Viber - are becoming an alternative to both SMS and standard phone calls. This is not only cheaper - especially if friends live somewhere in another country and it is completely unreasonable to communicate via regular telephone communication - but it is also more convenient: for example, you can immediately find out if the interlocutor is ready to talk or is busy. But as they used to say that television would kill the theater, but this did not happen, calls will remain with us for a long time as one of the options. In the end, a lot depends on the availability of good Internet reception at a particular point, and with this, not everything is so good.
DROP, FLOOD, FILL - STRENGTH TESTS
No matter how neat a person is, most likely, sooner or later, he will drop his smartphone or flood it with something. In this case, the strength characteristics of the case will determine whether a barely noticeable scratch remains on it or an impressive hole forms in the budget due to the need to replace the display. The strength test consisted of three main stages.
STAGE 1. Mechanical durability of smartphones, i.e. scratch test. The display and body of the smartphone had to pass the so-called "pencil" test. This device is equipped with a coil spring and a 1 mm diameter carbide ball tip. With such a "pencil" the surfaces were scratched vigorously. Smartphones with no scratches or cracks on their displays and cases for as long as possible received the highest score. The 2017 study also added a parameter for the strength of the rear camera, which was scratched with a special fiberglass stick. The build quality of smartphones was also assessed.
STEP 2. Drum test. The strength of the devices was studied under powerful mechanical influences - impacts and falls. To do this, each of the presented smartphones was placed in a special drum tube, which ensured a fall height of the device of 80 cm. The smartphone was turned on, a call was made from it, and in this mode the pipe began to unwind. The test took place in two stages: the specialists watched how badly the screen and the back panel were damaged after 50 rotations, and then started the pipe for another 50 rotations. That is, the smartphone during this time had to survive 100 falls in a row from almost a meter height.
STAGE 3. Testing the resistance of smartphones to moisture penetration, because "drowned" smartphones are one of the most frequent "customers" of service centers. To do this, each test participant was placed in a special stand, in which the rain effect was created using ordinary water and a system of diffusers. Each smartphone was under this stream for exactly five minutes. Then the experts evaluated the performance of the devices one, two and three days after the test.
For smartphones that claimed to be waterproof, another "wet" test was carried out. During this test, smartphones were immersed in a large flask of water 1 meter deep. There they lay for 30 minutes. Then the experts evaluated how well the smartphone works.
Read more about which smartphones you can safely forget in the rain, and with which ones - to swim in the lake and not kill, -.
- Phones, as they were dropped before, are dropped to this day, but now manufacturers are paying more attention to these problems, - explained Roskachestvo Eldar Murtazin, Lead Analyst at Mobile Research Group. - Almost all models of modern smartphones are prepared for falls. This is the merit of the material from which the body is made: high-strength aircraft aluminum (the so-called six- and seven-thousandth series, 6xxx and 7xxx), as well as a monolithic chassis in which the impact load is evenly distributed. Glass has also evolved. Gorilla Glass, which is not only "scratch-resistant" but also has increased resistance to impact, "survives" in most situations today. And of course, there was a powerful protection against water in the form of Gore-tex membranes on the speakers and microphones. All these materials came to the world of mobile devices relatively recently, so evolution is obvious.
By the way, almost every manufacturer conducts its own strength tests of its products. But the advantage of Roskachestvo's research is that devices of different brands undergo the same tests for the first time in the same laboratory conditions, and therefore can be objectively compared with each other.
THE CONVENIENCE OF USE
Well, this category of parameters, highlighted in 2019, includes everything related to the usability of a smartphone. This is the convenience of the initial setup of the device, menu, web browser, camera, typing text messages (SMS and e-mail), buttons and turning off data download (for example, when switching to airplane mode). In addition, here the experts included the convenience and security of unlocking: how it works and how easy it is to trick it.
HOW NOT TO LOSE: GPS NAVIGATION IN A SMARTPHONE
When evaluating the geolocation functions, experts tried to use the same software on each smartphone (with the same OS), since the basic capabilities of the devices differed quite strongly from each other in quality, which did not allow correctly assessing the possibility of receiving a signal from a satellite. The most convenient in this case was the Google Maps program.
With the help of specialized applications, the following assessment of the algorithms for the operation of the GPS receiver was carried out:
1) The programs showed the number of available satellites inside the office with closed windows.
2) "Clean" signals were recorded while the expert was cycling with the smartphone turned on. To do this, the testers covered the same 4 km route with the phone.
In laboratories, the information obtained at these two stages of the test was brought together, taking into account the accuracy of the recorded points, the correct display of the current location of the phone, the “smoothness” of signal reception, especially in areas with a large number of trees. Also, navigation was assessed without and with voice commands, both with and without an Internet connection.
- Generally speaking, I rarely use GPS, I am perfectly oriented without it, - a famous traveler, TV presenter told Roskachestvo Timofey Bazhenov... - But judging by what I still see, recently navigation in smartphones has degraded rather than evolved. Many areas either do not provide normal coordination, or have become completely inaccessible. And the point, in my opinion, is not that other functions of the phone come to the fore, but that GPS is the navigation system of our potential opponents, who deliberately change our geo-positioning and knock down the coordinates in their, as they say, benefit. That is why I can’t wait until our Russian GLONASS is fully operational.
WI-FI, BLUETOOTH & NFC- FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT
A smartphone, unlike a telephone, is a device "sharpened" to work on the Internet. The experts studied two priority applications in smartphones - their pre-installed web browser and mail capabilities, as well as the capabilities of Wi-Fi and other interfaces (Bluetooth, NFC). In addition, connectivity (LTE) has been studied.
Should you trust NFC technology? Read on.
Read about what to do if your mobile operator has connected a paid service to you without your knowledge.
Our experts have tested the most important characteristics of popular smartphones in a laboratory environment. We will help you determine the most important parameters when choosing a phone and tell you which smartphones are the best at the beginning of 2019.
The site's experts have tested more than a hundred popular phones, checking them for key characteristics: performance, battery, memory, screen, dimensions and weight, work with multimedia, photo and video quality, and much more. We have placed the obtained results in our constantly updated one, where you can compare smartphones according to the most important criteria for you in one click. There you can also familiarize yourself with smartphone reviews from experts, reviews of ordinary users' phones and, as a result, choose the best smartphone for yourself. All this is possible due to the fact that for the first time all phone models were tested using a single method for the greatest objectivity and ease of comparison. We also wrote for you, which will help you understand the meaning of the most important parameters of the device and choose a good phone.
Smartphone test results
Based on the results of mobile phone tests, we got interesting results:
- The performance of a smartphone does not directly depend on the number of processor cores or the amount of RAM. A device with good optimization and modest performance can turn out to be faster in operation than a device with parameters twice as good. For example, the old one is not at all impressive with its characteristics (only two cores at a not very high operating frequency (1.8 GHz) and 2 GB of RAM), but this does not prevent it from working quickly and overtaking many eight-core new products.
- A large battery capacity is not a guarantee of high autonomy of the device. In this matter, the energy efficiency of the filling and the system, the type and resolution of the display are also important. So, the popular one with a 4100 mAh battery loses for several hours in a video test to a small one with a battery of only 2350 mAh.
- The metal case gives status, but is not at all a guarantee of quality and durability. It has long been used not only in Apple and HTC, but also in a huge number of budget models. So, available and, as well as top-end and many others, are made of metal. Metal raises the price and usually means a non-separable body. Like plastic, it also scratches over time. As for the strength, it turned out that, moreover, the metal will not prevent the glass from breaking when the smartphone is dropped.
- Ultra-high resolutions are almost useless for a smartphone screen. The difference between a 4K display (3840 × 2160 pixels) and a Full HD display (1920 × 1080) can only be seen with a magnifying glass. In both cases, the screens are crisp enough to keep the pixels out of the way. The only area of application for this ultra-sharpness is. But we noticed that such a resolution has a bad effect on the battery life, which happened with, as well as with the same XZ Premium - in our tests of autonomy they are noticeably inferior to their competitors.
- The water resistance of many modern phones isn't just a marketing ploy. During the tests, we actively bought such models (for example, or), and they actually showed that this is a really working option. By the way, if your smartphone is not protected from water, and you dropped it into water or spilled liquid on it, then all is not lost. For such cases, we have compiled.
- The quality of photos does not always directly depend on the number of megapixels. Trust the eyes, not the numbers in the characteristics. For example, a 13 MP camera or 16 MP on the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro shoots worse than 8 MP or 12 MP.
- Low cost does not mean poor quality. So, the optimal budget smartphones in terms of price and quality can be called, or. These are inexpensive phones with decent characteristics and a modest price tag (from 8 to 13 thousand rubles).
- An inexpensive and high-quality smartphone with top-end features is not a fantasy. To verify this, pay attention to or. Do you only trust well-known brands? You can buy one of the flagships of 2016 or 2015: for example, or. They are still relevant and in many respects surpass newer mid-range phone models, and sometimes they can cost less.
- The main trends since 2016, relevant in 2018, are the widespread use of fingerprint scanners and 3D / 2.5D glass (curved at the edges). Scanners can be called useful, they have gradually come into fashion since the days of and. The curved screen is more of a design element and became popular after its success. Now both chips are found in almost every smartphone, for example, in budget or. Although only glass can be called curved in them, and then only at the very edges.
Dozens of new models enter the mobile phone market every year. Each of them occupies a certain niche in its segment. Also, phones are distributed by price, technical characteristics, features, etc. But at the end of the year, summing up, it's still worth finding out what the quality rating of phones looks like.
Classification
To make such a list, you need to immediately clarify what is meant by quality and what assessment criteria. The most important judge in this distribution is always the buyer. The technical characteristics indicated by the manufacturer do not always correspond to the real indicators. Therefore, everything the user talks about is the main reason to place the model at one stage or another.
In addition, when rating cell phones by quality, you need to pay attention to a few basic metrics that buyers often look at. Among them, of course, the appearance, as well as technical specifications, screen, camera and OS. The rest of all the points are just either a nice addition or an unnecessary element.
2016 year
I must say that 2016 was very fruitful. Many manufacturers have released their flagships, thereby reminding themselves or strengthening their position. As usual, the most notorious race was between Samsung and Apple. The developers tried to get ahead of each other once again and release smartphones faster.
As a result, we got a very high-quality and cool Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, also a brand new Apple iPhone 7, and a burned-out Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It's difficult to judge who won whom. Everyone has their own subjective opinion, therefore, when compiling a rating of phones by the quality of 2016, these models should be put one notch. At the moment, the main disadvantage of these flagships is the huge price.
Chinese breakthrough
It is worth mentioning separately about Chinese smartphones. In the past year, they became a real "explosion" that shook everyone and everything. People really abandoned their branded phones to buy, albeit cheap, but a very high-quality and reliable device from China.
In general, the history of Chinese gadgets has long been controversial. There are still those in the world who believe that if a thing is written Made in China, then it is unusable and will live for a couple of weeks. In fact, it turned out that the Chinese are very creative in creating new models. Gadgets became unusual, each one stood out even among his fellows. This is probably why some Chinese models even topped the rating of cell phones in terms of quality (2016 release).
Rating
Going directly to the list, I must say that it will not work to create an objective rating. There are such models that could be placed on one line at once. There are also smartphones that are very good in quality, but due to the high price they also cannot take the first places.
Therefore, you immediately need to tune in to the fact that this is a subjective rating of phones in terms of quality, which, of course, everyone has their own. This is due to the build quality and affordability, because someone can afford a smartphone for 60 thousand rubles, but for someone it is a salary for a year.
Popular Phones
It is no secret that for the average user who is not chasing a dual camera, 4K-resolution screens and the latest processors, the average price for a smartphone is up to 15 thousand rubles. In the category, you can find good models that became popular among buyers in 2016. For this money, you can buy a phone with a Full HD display, 1-2 GB of RAM, 5-8 MP main camera, etc.
As mentioned earlier, it is difficult to make an objective rating of cell phones in terms of quality. Therefore, the following list of smartphones is conditional.
Russian hope
Highscreen Power Ice from the Russian manufacturer has become an interesting model and quite popular. Although it was assembled in China, there are no complaints about the case and materials. This is a mid-range phone. The best feature this phone has got is price / quality. It is no coincidence that he takes the rating. It has an average display of 5 inches. Not a bad resolution of 1280x720. By the way, it even has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. It is very convenient that there is support for two SIM cards, as well as a capacious battery, which Highscreen is always famous for.
Chinese state employees
In this budget segment, there are two Huawei Honor: 5A and 5X. Although their price differs by almost two times, still both belong to cheap models. They got into the rating of mobile phones in terms of quality due to their reliability. In general, Huawei has long been positioning itself as a brand. Therefore, the Honor lineup came as a pleasant surprise for those watching this company.
The Honor 5A model turned out to be almost the same as the previously mentioned Russian Highscreen Power Ice. The only difference is the weak battery of the Chinese - only 2200 mAh, and its powerful main camera of 13 megapixels. Also, the difference in price is almost 4 thousand rubles.
But the second model Honor 5X is a more powerful device. It has a 5.5-inch screen, which is already becoming a "shovel". Naturally, such a display also has a good resolution - 1920x1080. With memory and cameras, everything is the same here as with the younger brother. Increased its battery up to 3000 mAh.
Series from Meizu
Next in the ranking are two very cool Chinese phones - Meizu M2 Note and Meizu M3 Note. Very similar smartphones that are loved by many. Moreover, sympathy for them began precisely with the younger model. The M2 Note has a 5.5-inch display and a 1920x1080 resolution, and its specs are average. Has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. There is support for two SIM cards. The main camera received 13 megapixels, and the front one 5 megapixels.
But Meizu M3 Note has the best characteristics that any phone should have - "price + quality". He received a high rating due to these advantages. Its main difference from the previous model is the improved technical characteristics, which made the smartphone more powerful. And, of course, the emergence of a fingerprint scanner. In addition, there is a version with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. Also a hybrid slot and a powerful 4100 mAh battery.
Winners
Completing this budget-friendly rating of phones in terms of quality, it is worth mentioning the undisputed winners. These are Xiaomi Redmi 3S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro. The price of the first is about 9 thousand rubles, the second - up to 13 thousand rubles. In general, Xiaomi has been delighting us with their phones for several years. Their devices turn out to be very cool. It's also nice that everyone can find a model in a comfortable price segment.
Redmi 3S came out this summer. Has a five-inch display with a small resolution of 1280x720. It was one of the first phones to be powered by the new Android 6.0. The memory here is 2 / 16GB. Good 13MP main camera. A capacious 4100 mAh battery, especially considering the size of the display. A newfangled fingerprint scanner immediately appeared.
Redmi Note 3 Pro is a cut above. It first appeared earlier this year. More than 110 million devices have already been sold to date. The phone has a 5.5-inch screen with FullHD resolution. There is also a 4050 mAh battery, which, in principle, is enough for two days. Here, as ordered, two SIM cards, the availability of which has already become a standard. Especially nice is the 3 GB "RAM".
The best of the best
Now it's worth talking about the more expensive models that users liked the most. Again, I must say about the subjectivity of the following list. Indeed, the whole world considers some models to be the best, but there are also those who got here due to their peculiarities.
Opening
LeEco was previously unknown to few people. This company became popular in Russia in September 2016 after it showed the world Le Max2. The cost of this phone is around 20 thousand rubles. Its main feature is the lack of audio output. Perhaps you can tell right away about the seventh iPhone. But it was in this Chinese smartphone that the analog audio output was removed for the first time. The American manufacturer later adopted this idea and implemented it in its new flagship.
Otherwise, Le Max2 is also not inferior to many branded models. It has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The screen turned out to be almost frameless and has 5.7 inches. The display resolution is high - 2560x1440. I was also surprised by the presence of a 21 megapixel camera. There is, of course, a fingerprint scanner and many other surprises.
Two fighters
It just so happened that the rating of phones in terms of quality for this year is not topped by anyone from Apple or Samsung. The new "seventh" models occupy a common step to avoid controversy and conflict. Although objectively, many believe that the Americans have lost a little to the Koreans.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus costs about 65 thousand rubles. In addition to the 32 GB version, there are also 128 and 256 GB versions. The phone itself has become a novelty in many ways. He received the new OS iOS 10. Its screen is 5.5 inches, which for many will seem standard. There is 3 GB of internal memory. The battery is too small for such dimensions - 2900 mAh. The main feature of the new model is the dual main camera, which is really impressive. Although, in fact, the lens is only the third in quality among all (the first place is taken by the main competitor - Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, the second place is taken by HTC 10). But the front one is perhaps the best - at 7 megapixels.
It costs a little less - 50 thousand rubles. The screen, both in the curved model and the standard one, is 5.5 inches. The resolution is 2560x1440. I was pleased with the 3600 mAh battery, although sometimes I want even more powerful. Also, the main feature was the camera, which not only received a bunch of gadgets, but has its own special technologies. Smartphone photos look very interesting. By the way, there is more RAM here than the "apple" - 4 GB. There is also a slot for a memory card. Fans were also glad that they returned support for two SIM cards.
Irreproachable
If there was a beauty rating, then unconditionally the first place would be taken by Huawei Honor 8. It is difficult to convey in words how beautiful this model is. Although, again, the concept of beauty is a subjective thing. Nevertheless, the Chinese have worked hard to release such a magnificent device into the world. In addition to its external advantages, it turned out to be quite powerful.
Its display is 5.2 inches at a resolution of 1920x1080. There are 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The battery, although it has only 3000 mAh, is paired with a special energy saving mode. There is a fingerprint scanner that can be configured for other commands. Cameras received 12 and 8 megapixels.
Rest
In general, this expensive rating can be continued for a very long time. There really were a huge number of flagships this year, and each of them is worthy of attention. Therefore, it is worth mentioning the LG G5, which was the very first to receive additional modules. The smartphone has become one of the leaders in camera quality. Its technical characteristics did not yield either.
It's also important to mention the powerful Chinese leader OnePlus3. The smartphone has become a real boom. He came out this summer and immediately won the honorary high-profile title of "flagship killer". In fact, at the moment, this is the most powerful model. Its main trump card was the emphasis on technical characteristics. He quickly bypassed the famous branded devices in tests at Antutu. This is due to the presence of 6 GB of RAM, as well as the latest version of the processor and video chipset.
And ASUS Zenfone 3 became another winner in the race for the championship. The stylish and attractive smartphone fell in love with many buyers. The manufacturer positions the model as a camera phone. But besides the advantages of the lens, the phone has excellent technical indicators.
Buttons in fashion
It would be foolish to think that push-button phones will cease to exist with the advent of touch screens. In fact, there are those people who do not want to learn or get used to the touchscreen. Some people find it much more convenient to have a phone with buttons. Therefore, such models still exist on the market and will exist as long as there is demand for them.
The quality rating is as subjective as the list of the best touchscreen flagships. But still there are a couple of models that stood out from the crowd and were recognized by buyers. Among them there are very expensive ones, there are also budget ones.
By the way, if we make a rating of phones by the quality of communication, then, most likely, it is the push-button ones that would take the first place. Nevertheless, among them there are not only those who are distinguished by an excellent communication module, there are also long-livers, owners of excellent displays, "clamshells" and two-SIM models.
As this year has shown, BQ BQM was able to lead the rating of push-button cell phones in terms of quality. The company has created a range of very high quality devices. For example, BQ BQM-2000 Baden - Baden is a cute compact "clamshell" that has a stylish design, comfortable keys, useful modes and clear notifications. Such a phone costs about 2.5 thousand rubles.
The BQ BQM-3200 Berlin boasts an excellent screen. Its size is 3.2 inches, which is quite a lot for models in this segment. Most of all, this device is suitable for men, as it has a rough appearance and large size. Its cost is about 2.5 thousand rubles. The company also has a good model that supports several BQ BQM-2408 Mexico SIM cards. And this is not as usual - two, but as many as four "sim cards". That is, the phone is a real monster of mobile communications. It costs about 2 thousand rubles.
In addition to the BQ BQM, push-button phones continue to be produced by Samsung, which stood out this year with its robust Metro B350E model. The popular BlackBerry with the Q10 model also works in this segment. A special feature is the presence of a QWERTY keyboard. But the disadvantage is a very high price - 12 thousand rubles. Continues to produce push-button phones and Fly.
South Koreans
This year has been a tough one for Samsung. Here is the story of the closure of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Although objectively the phone would become a leader in quality. But the income was able to bring the updated and improved Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.
In general, it is easy to make a rating of Samsung phones in terms of quality this year. Phones appeared as if the price increased and the technical characteristics improved. First came the budget one. It has a 4.5-inch screen, low resolution, average camera quality. In general, it is a good branded "dialer". It costs about 7 thousand rubles.
After it, the older model appeared. It has increased in size, and the technical characteristics have become many times better. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 continues its excellent series. Has become very stylish, attractive, powerful. The screen turned out to be 5.7 inches with a high resolution of 2560x1440. There is even 4 GB of RAM and a choice of 32 or 64 GB of built-in memory. An excellent camera, a capacious battery and an efficient stylus.
Outcome
The top smartphones of 2016 turned out to be very impressive. Thanks to them, you can even make a rating of phone companies in terms of quality. Thus, it turns out that in the first / second place we have two leaders - Samsung and Apple. Again, we won't bump their heads together, so let's just assume that we have two winners.
Next, we have Huawei, which this year took an even greater percentage of the world market - 9.3. For comparison: back in 2012, it occupied only 3%. Next comes Lenovo. A company that is always in the top five. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower, but always stable afloat. Well, Xiaomi and LG conclude this rating, which this year also showed their competitive flagships. Moreover, if the Koreans have been on the market for a long time, then the Chinese have taken a leading position in just a few years.
The variety of mobile phones offered on the domestic market today can confuse almost any user. The consumer is offered devices of all sizes, colors and designs, and most importantly - with a different set of functionalities.
Naturally, each of them "knows" how to call and does it perfectly, but today almost all manufacturers build into their devices a lot of not only useful, but also demanded functions, such as a notebook, a calendar organizer, an alarm clock, a calculator and much more. ... In addition, some modern phones are equipped with voice functions, Internet access and even games. This article is intended to help you understand the abundance of models and their functional content. In addition, the expert group assessed the convenience of implementing certain functions.
Testing technique
Each device has passed user testing by each of the experts. What does this mean? In order to assess the convenience, functionality and viability of this or that phone, it is not enough just to look or touch the device - it is necessary to use it, moreover, in ordinary everyday situations. To achieve this goal, each device “lived” with the expert for two days, during which the expert felt “on his own skin” how convenient it is to use the telephone and what nuances arise during its operation. Having passed this "survival" test, each device received an assessment for each tested parameter. Naturally, in order to compare any two phones with each other, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of the same functions. Depending on how well this function is implemented and how convenient it is to use it, the parameter was rated on a five-point scale (if the phone did not have any of the parameters under consideration, it was assigned 0 points). Further, each cell phone model received a short review from an expert on the topic: "Would I choose this phone for myself or not and why?" In addition, each of the tested parameters was supplied with an average statistical indicator of the importance of a particular function - weight. Further, the results of testing each model were summarized in a table, where the score obtained for the convenience of implementing a particular function was multiplied by its weight. The works obtained in this way were summed up and, as a result, gave a figure that can be considered an indicator of the quality of this model. If you further divide this indicator by the cost of a specific model, then the resulting ratio "price / quality" will allow you to understand whether you are overpaying for a specific phone, and ultimately play a decisive role in choosing a device.
Separately, one should dwell on a rather important characteristic of any cell phone model - design. Our testing was carried out in order to evaluate the functionality of this or that device, as well as the usability of numerous functions. The concept of design is intended to emphasize the individuality of the happy owner of a cell phone and, by and large, cannot be tested in any way.
The testing was by no means intended to investigate the quality of communication provided by Moscow operators MTS and Bee Line, which kindly provided phone numbers and airtime for testing. All the devices that participated in the testing were provided by the official representatives of the manufacturing companies.
I wish you successful choice!
Test participants
Ericsson R320s
- Standard: GSM 900/1800
- up to 65 h / 270 min
- Dimensions: 130 * 51 * 15mm
- The weight: 95g (with thin battery)
Despite the fact that the phone was announced a long time ago, the company announced the sale of Ericsson R320s only on June 14th. It is the first Ericsson phone to support WAP, which provides the user with access to Internet information and services on the screen of a mobile phone.
The phone is small, although the antenna spoils the whole thing. The Russian translation is done well, there are many built-in tips. It took some time to get used to the menu, although it is organized quite simply and clearly. The phone itself seems to be quite solid and reliable, although the antenna mount raises some concerns. The design is pretty. The display is excellent: all the necessary information is always on it. The reception quality is also very good. Ergonomic miscalculation - scrolling is located on the wrong side: you either have to jerk your left hand or bend your fingers strongly, although the scroll keys are duplicated on the front panel and you can not use the side ones at all. But for the "hot" key for calling the voice dialing function, this slider is located somewhat inconveniently.
One of the most unusual phones on the market. While the manufacturer usually strives to make expensive devices smaller and smaller, Ericsson in this case “went the other way”, trying to satisfy the fans and enthusiasts of using WAP as much as possible, on the basis of which this device was created. In terms of length and width, it is, perhaps, not inferior to other earlier inexpensive devices, but at the same time it is very thin and very convenient to keep in a shirt pocket.
In terms of technological functions and richness of the menu, this phone, in my opinion, has everything. Menu navigation is very convenient. If you dwell on any setting, the device immediately begins to explain any action: what it means and how it works. In my opinion, until now, a more convenient menu on a cell phone has simply not been created.
Another very, in my opinion, useful function was discovered: when you press the side volume keys while the phone is in standby mode, information about the state of the phone and the exact time that the phone has left to "live" with the battery in both standby and talk mode is displayed ... Thus, it is easy to calculate when is the best time to recharge the battery on the phone.
Brief summary: one of the best phones on the market in this price group, with an amazingly user-friendly and informative menu, with a very clear and high-contrast display that shows everything, even when the sun is shining mercilessly on it, and with all the functions available. generally inherent in modern cell phones.
The phone left a pretty good impression. I especially liked the automatic synchronization of data from the built-in organizer with a personal computer - you just need to put the phone in direct line of sight from the laptop's infrared port. It is worth noting that the large and clear display makes it easy to operate the phone's many functions. But the overall dimensions of the phone, despite the minimal thickness (15 mm), are a little too big. The phone has an automatic key lock - the R320s goes into protection mode on its own, you should leave it unattended for a few seconds. In the keypad lock mode, the phone cannot be turned off, which is quite convenient, since the possibility of accidental shutdown is excluded.
Ericsson R320s has a built-in vibration alert, which is powerful enough to notify of an incoming call even from a jacket pocket. The battery life is practically not reduced by using the vibrating alert. In addition, in addition to the constant indicator on the screen, you can get a detailed report on the status of the battery by briefly sliding the side button. If you hold it for a long time, the phone will switch to voice dialing mode, making it much easier to call the subscriber.
Pros: has in the standard equipment almost all functions implemented on mobile phones, including WAP. Very convenient menu.
Minuses: the size is larger than average.
Siemens C35
- Standard: GSM 900/1800
- Standby / Talk Time: up to 180/5 h
- Dimensions: 118 * 46 * 21mm
- The weight: 110 g
It is safe to say that this device, like its older brother S35, is one of the most anticipated devices on the GSM market. C-series devices, according to Siemens terminology, belong to the so-called middle-end class (currently, the most popular models of this class include Ericsson T10, Motorola CD930, Nokia 3210, and, of course, the progenitor of the tested device - Siemens C25) , therefore, the high price of this device at the present time (about $ 280) can only be explained by its novelty and the excitement associated with the appearance of the new item on the market.
Outwardly, the device is very nice and ergonomic, it fits comfortably both in the hand and in the pocket, without pulling it off (although it could be easier for a modern and not the cheapest phone).
Personally, I liked the animation that accompanies turning on / off the phone and performing some actions. This "twist" did not affect the speed of decision making, and the reaction of this device to pressing the keys was lightning fast.
The device, like most modern models, is equipped with a clock, calendar, alarm clock and calculator - all this becomes the attributes of any, even the most inexpensive phone (like, for example, Alcatel OT EASY DB). But games are still not found in any device, even an expensive one; here, three games will help pass the time while waiting for a girl (a young man) who is late for a date, unless, of course, it’s a pity to put the battery down, which will be quite useful in the future for more natural functions of the phone.
I was pleased with the ease of setting up WAP. This service works well, it is easy to set up and use. However, navigation around the rest of the menu does not cause any strain of thought and allows any person who sees a cell phone for the first time, to set up the device for himself without resorting to instructions.
The sensitivity of this phone turned out to be at the same high level as in previous models, but the speaker volume seemed much higher than in the C25 model: it was possible to speak and hear the interlocutor even in a rather noisy room and on the street.
So, Siemens C35 is a well-equipped modern telephone with Internet access, made with traditional German quality and accuracy, looks very good and fits comfortably in the hand. Of the shortcomings, perhaps only a very high price can be called, but here everyone has to decide for himself.
Despite the fact that the Siemens C35 test sample communicated with us in English, there were no problems with use and configuration. Here it is worth to pay tribute to the thoughtfulness of the control keys, prompts and "hot" keys. Directly under the display, which, despite its modest size, accommodates six lines of information, there are two "swing" keys, the functionality of which is constantly changing depending on the mode the device is in. For example, in standby mode, this is access to the menu and to the "favorite" function, in particular, to the Internet.
The phone fits very comfortably in the hand, and only one finger is enough to control it. Like some other phones, Siemens C35 automatically enters the keypad lock mode, but to remove it, you just need to hold down the # key for two seconds. This solution is fraught with accidental clicks and, as a result, unwanted calls.
Speaking of calls: the phone allows you to set up several different groups of callers. For example, in the case of business calls, he will play Oginsky's Polonaise, and when a friend calls, Hava-Nagila.
The phone is very rich in functionality. Siemens C35 has almost everything from a watch to a set of toys.
Brief summary: a good phone with good quality of reception and transmission of the interlocutor's voice, despite the fact that during a conversation the microphone is located quite far from the speaker's mouth.
Motorola Talkabout T.2288 and V.2288
- Standard: GSM 900/1800
- up to 135 h / 210 min
- Dimensions: 150 * 45 * 28mm
- The weight: 140 g
The Motorola phone models provided to us for testing are the latest innovations from the company, as well as pre-sale test samples (engineering samples). That is why we were unable to check some of the functions declared by the manufacturer. But, as practice shows, by the time the sales start, Motorola phones completely get rid of all "childhood diseases".
Motorola V.2288 stands out even against the background of traditionally unusual devices from the French company Alcatel - it cannot be confused with devices from other manufacturers. An unusual addition to the device itself are bright replaceable soft rubber pads (according to the manufacturer's terminology), as if framing the phone's body along the edges. The manufacturer promises such linings, both soft and hard, in 12 bright colors, which will certainly add recognition and individuality to this model.
Unfortunately, we failed to see this device with hard pads, but with soft ones it looks good only from afar. When the device is in the hand, the cover bulges along the edges (as is typical for rubber), which does not make the most favorable impression.
As regards the logic for controlling the functions of the device, it is similar to the earlier models of this manufacturer and will not bring any surprises to an experienced user of Motorola phones. However, if the user was not familiar with Motorola products before, then using only the menu, he will definitely not be able to fully master all the functions of the phone - for this, you need to study the instructions. This circumstance may scare some users away.
The speech quality, speaker volume and sensitivity of this model are traditional for this manufacturer and caused only positive emotions. The setting of the signal strength indicator of the operator's network is such that even with one division, you can talk tolerably. In the case when there is not a single division on the indicator, but the device “sees” the network, you can receive calls, which allows you to clearly determine when you are available for communication, and when it is impossible.
As in all models of this manufacturer, it is very convenient to have two sound signals of the talk timer: one beep can be configured to give a single signal after a certain time (for example, 4 seconds), and the second - to sound a signal at a certain interval (for example, every minute ).
The set of melodies for calling has not changed at all over the past few years, as well as the sound quality. But the call volume allows you to safely do without the vibration alert function, which is convenient in itself and would not be superfluous in this model.
It is worth noting the built-in FM stereo receiver, for which there are stereo headphones in the kit, which are both an antenna for receiving radio signals and a wearable hands free. This, of course, is convenient for an inexpensive device and is a serious plus when choosing a model.
T.2288 is almost completely identical to the V.2288 model, except for the absence of an FM receiver, a hands free headset and hard and soft pads. The only difference is in the design, which, for my taste, compared to V.2288, turned out to be much more successful and suits absolutely everyone - from students to white collars. At the same time, the sale will be cheaper than the "big brother".
This phone is very ergonomic and due to the sloped wide speaker it fits very comfortably to your ear. The phone's weight of 140 grams is comparable to the weight of inexpensive modern phones from other manufacturers. All this together makes a very favorable impression and allows us to hope for a long pipeline life of this phone.
The two new products from Motorola are very similar - their differences are only in the design and in the presence of an FM-receiver in the V.2288 model. They are equally robust and reliable (like all Motorola products, by the way). These models have a small set of required functionalities. By the way, due to the large number of shortcut keys, communication with the phone is quite fast. But an uninitiated person will have to spend some time studying them - the term "intuitively" does not work here.
Menu items on the display are displayed in large print, which is easy to read even from arm's length. Directly above the "Ok" button, a hint question about the action being performed is displayed.
It should be noted the rechargeable battery, more precisely, the batteries (there are three of them). Instead of the usual batteries, the T.2288 and V.2288 models use three AA batteries. In the event of a complete discharge of standard batteries, the phone can be "powered" from conventional batteries.
As a result, we can say that this device is designed primarily for the role of the first cell phone, since it offers only the necessary functions and is positioned as the most affordable Motorola model on the market, replacing the hit of sales - Motorola m-series. The presence of the WAP protocol will allow you to keep abreast of world events and get to know this service, previously available only in expensive devices.
Pros: WAP support, the ability to use AA batteries.
Minuses: the keyboard shortcut system is difficult to understand.
Alcatel One Touch Easy DB and One Touch Club DB
- Standard: GSM 900/1800
- Standby / Talk Time: up to 130 h / 285 min
- Dimensions: 122 * 48 * 25mm
- The weight: 150 g
Outwardly, both devices are very nice. In fact, both phones are quite large and have quite a decent weight, but they fit very comfortably in the hand during a call.
The sensitivity of the device and the loudness of the loudspeaker did not cause any complaints, having received a “solid four” in all parameters. The call ringer starts to work at a low volume, increasing it with each step, which is very convenient: you can answer the call before the call is overwhelmed by everyone in the area, and at the same time, the call is easy to hear even in a room with a high noise level.
The menu is quite simple: navigation through it is not difficult even for a person who has not yet studied the instructions and does not know English perfectly (the phone is not yet Russified).
We should also talk about the hands free system, which in this device works as a speaker phone (loudspeaker) on home phones and allows you to have a conversation without picking up the phone. It should be noted that the speaker volume allows this easily: even on the move in the car, if you turn off the music, you can hear the subscriber very well, but the speaker's sensitivity is a little "lame": in order for the interlocutor to hear you in this mode, you need to strain your vocal cords.
A feature that is unusual even for phones of a class (and even several) class is the presence of a portable charger in the form of a "glass" as standard, which, of course, is much more convenient to use than ordinary travel charges with comparable dimensions.
The phones can be powered by three standard AA batteries. However, the standard battery is difficult to remove from the battery cover.
Alcatel phones attract to themselves not only with a variety of colors (9 options for Easy and 4 options for Club), but also because they fit very comfortably in the hand. In this case, all buttons, including the scroll buttons on the side panel, fall within the reach of your fingers. The functional content of Club and Easy is the same. According to Alcatel, the phone's easy configuration must include a calculator, currency converter and, more importantly, a clock, calendar and alarm clock. Continuing the theme of sound signals, we note that Alcatel phones have the most pleasant sounding tone of the built-in speaker, and besides, 15 pretty nice melodies.
A short summary: an almost ideal choice for that kind of money (by the time the magazine is published, both devices should appear in MTS sales outlets at a price of $ 75 (excluding taxes), subject to connection) with very useful functions and with almost the only drawback - the absence of the choice of the Russian language ...
The active flip cover hides the keyboard securely. At the same time, those who like to tear off various parts from the phone can be calm - in addition to the fact that with excessive effort it simply pops out of the grooves and is simply put back, the microphone is located on the body of the device itself, which means that breaking off the cover will not entail any unpleasant consequences !
Traditionally, the access to the dictaphone is organized inconveniently: in order to record something, you need to enter the menu, since there is no hotkey. In addition, the recorder does not work at all during a call.
The battery is not very capacious - it lasts for a maximum of two days, but with a more capacious phone it will weigh more. The loudspeaker is not loud, but at full volume it is heard quite well.
The retractable antenna is a great help in case of unstable signal reception.
A very simple and logical menu that can be mastered without any instructions, taking into account the Russification of the phone.
So, this is an excellent business-class device with all the necessary functions and a good price / quality ratio (in Moscow it is offered for about $ 280-300).
Pros: rich functionality.
Minuses: no.
ComputerPress 7 "2000
