High-Performance, Low-Cost: The Best Chinese Phones Under $400

Best Chinese Camera Phones | Phones with the Best Battery Life

Xiaomi 13T

1st place

Find Price

Technical details

CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra - 4 x 3.1GHz + 4 x 2.0GHz
RAM: 8 GB RAM
Display: 2712 x 1220, 6.7-inch 144Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 13
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 50 MP + 50MP (dual) + 12MP (triple)
Front camera: 20 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 66, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 256 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 197 g
Dimensions: 162.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm
Antutu: 877919

Advantages

one of the best displays on the market
excellent main, zoom and ultra-wide-angle camera.
good performance
up-to-date connectivity standards
long update promise (4+5)
IP68 certification

Disa

dvantages

no 4K 60FPS videos
plastic frame
much too high RRP price

Honor 90

2nd place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated - 1 x 2.5GHz ,3 x 2.36GHz + 4 x 1.8GHz
RAM: 12 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2664 x 1200, 6.7-inch 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 13
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 200 MP + 12MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front Camera: MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 256 GB or 512 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 183 g
Dimensions: 162 x 74.1 x 8 mm
Antutu: 490770

Advantages

impeccable workmanship
powerful main camera (day and night)
excellent video recordings (all cameras)
thin and light design
smooth and bright AMOLED display with 120Hz
good performance
good battery life

Disa

dvantages

no stereo speakers
no OIS
weak network reception

Poco F5

3rd place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 - 1 x 2.9GHz + 3 x 2.5GHz + 4 x 1.8GHz
RAM: 12 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, 6.7-inch 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 13
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 64 MP + 8MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 182 g
Dimensions: 161.1 x 75 x 8 mm
Antutu: 950925

Advantages

superior performance
excellent battery life
good main camera
powerful 120Hz OLED display
extensive connectivity

Disa

dvantages

plastic back scratches quickly
no full-fledged always-on display
no 4K/60FPS videos
weak macro camera

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+

4th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Mediatek Dimensity 1080 - 2 x 2.6 GHz + 6 x 2.0 GHz
RAM: 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, resolution 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating System: Android, Android 12
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 200 MP + 8MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 66, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 256 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 211 g
Dimensions: 162.9 x 76 x 8.98 mm
Antutu: 425162

Advantages

excellent 120 Hz AMOLED display
high-quality workmanship
impressive charging speed (120W)
excellent main camera (day & night)
3.5mm headphone jack
stereo Speakers

Disa

dvantages

Android 12
"Sometimes-On-Display" only
memory not expandable
UWW camera is only mediocre.

Nothing Phone 1

5th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 778G Plus - 1 x 2.5GHz + 3 x 2.4GHz + 4 x 1.8GHz
RAM: 12 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, 6.5 inch 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 12
Battery: 4500 mAh
Camera: 50 MP + 50MP (dual)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 193 g
Dimensions: 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm
Antutu: 577000

Advantages

wireless charging
chic design and high-quality materials
fast & efficient processor
good 120 Hertz AMOLED
camera: two good sensors
glyph: an XXL notification LED

Disa

dvantages

average battery life & long charging time
Nothing OS with few features
the camera still needs to be optimized
glyph doesn't have enough features yet
not a bargain

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G

6th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Mediatek Dimensity 1080 - 2 x 2.6 GHz + 6 x 2.0 GHz
RAM: 6 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, 6.7-inch 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 12
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 50 MP + 8MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB or 8 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 187 g
Dimensions: 163 x 76 x 8 mm
Antutu: 428488

Advantages

excellent 120Hz FHD AMOLED display
good stereo sound
good performance
strong battery life and charging speed
powerful main camera (videos and night)
perfect workmanship
strong reception (network, GPS, Wi-Fi)

Disa

dvantages

memory not expandable (micro-SD)
large and angular
4K video not stabilized (no EIS)

Poco X5 Pro 5G

7th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 778G - 4 x 2.4GHz + 4 x 1.8GHz
RAM: 6 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, 6.7-inch 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 12
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 108 MP + 8MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB
Memory expandable: No
Weight: 181 g
Dimensions: 163 x 76 x 8 mm
Antutu: 534250

Advantages

smooth (120Hz) and bright AMOLED display
good cameras (main cam and selfie cam)
NFC + headphone jack
good stereo speakers
very good performance (CPU + memory)
Strong battery life
good fingerprint scanner (in the power button)

Disa

dvantages

no memory expansion (micro-SD)
plastic housing

Redmi Note 12S

8th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: MediaTek Helio G96 - 2 x 2.05GHz + 6 x 2.0GHz
RAM: 6 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, 6.4-inch 90Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 13
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 108 MP + 8MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB
Memory expandable: Yes
Weight: 179 g
Dimensions: 160 x 74 x 8 mm
Antutu: 361222

Advantages

dual SIM + Micro SD
very good display
Strong battery life
good main and selfie camera
round connectivity
stereo speakers

Disa

dvantages

full-HD 30FPS video recording only
no changes to the predecessor

Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G

9th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 732G - 2 x 2.3GHz + 6 x 1.8Ghz
RAM: 6 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 11
Battery: 5000 mAh
Camera: 108 MP + 8MP (dual) + 2MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41
SIM: Dual - nano
Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB
Memory expandable: Hybrid
Weight: 202 g
Dimensions: 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm
Antutu: 343830

Advantages

good build quality
terrific display
powerful cameras
usable battery life
high loading speed

Disa

dvantages

misleading product name
few new features for the Redmi Note 10 Pro
Android 11 and support up to Android 13?
weak price/performance compared to dem Note 12 Pro 5G.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

10th place

Price

Technical details

CPU: Snapdragon 732G - 2 x 2.3GHz + 6 x 1.8Ghz
RAM: 6 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM
Display: 2400 x 1080, 6.7 inch 120Hz (AMOLED)
Operating system: Android 11, MIUI
Battery: 5020 mAh
Camera: 108 MP + 8MP (dual) + 5MP (triple)
Front camera: 16 MP
LTE: Yes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32
SIM: Dual - nano
Memory: 128 GB or 64 GB
Memory expandable: Yes
Weight: 193 g
Dimensions: 164 x 76.5 x 8.4 mm
Antutu: 336460

Advantages

chic design (thinner and lighter)
excellent 120Hz FHD AMOLED display
good stereo sound rock-solid
performance
high-quality workmanship
good cameras (main and selfie)
NFC, dual SIM & memory expansion

Disa

dvantages

4K videos not stabilized
faster processor would be the icing on the cake

The best (upper) middle class smartphones: What the best Chinese phones under $400 ?

Here you will find the top 10 Chinese cell phones in the price range 200-400 USD, arranged in a ranking list. Here you will find mid-range smartphones, such as the Redmi Note series, as well as the upper mid-range, which makes a flagship smartphone superfluous for many users.

The price between 200-400 USD is very competitive between the Chinese mobile phone manufacturers, which means that you can find a very good price / performance ratio here.

The mobile phones listed here have fast octa-core processors, mostly from Qualcomm Snapdragon, a large memory with at least 4GB RAM, good cameras, usually with more than one sensor, and a Full HD display, some with an AMOLED panel.

A lot has happened with the camera, especially in the middle class. The Sony flagship sensor is also often used here, so the daylight recordings can compete with the high-end smartphones. The trend towards several sensors is also continuing: in addition to the bokeh sensor for portraits, an ultra-wide-angle camera, telephoto or macro sensor is also often used.

The processing quality of the cell phones is also very high and there is no visual difference to much more expensive cell phones. So if you are looking for a smartphone with very good performance for less money, this is the right place for you.

On the devices listed here, all apps and applications run at a very high speed and without noticeable waiting times. A large number of applications can be used at the same time without slowing down. When using the basic functions, there is hardly any great difference to the latest high-end smartphones with twice the price. The smartphones on this list of the best are also suitable for games and are therefore also suitable for smartphone gamers.

All prices quoted are final prices, including customs duties (import sales tax 19%) and express shipping. Furthermore, all China mobile phone shops integrated in the price comparison are reputable, trustworthy providers with mostly positive reviews on the internet. You can find all information and buying tips for the shops in our shop list [ China mobile phone shops in comparison ]

The best Chinese smartphones under 400 Q & A

What is the best smartphone for under 400?

The top 5 smartphones for under £400

128GB OnePlus Nord 2. The updated version of the well-liked OnePlus Nord, the OnePlus Nord 2, is a speedy, dependable phone that provides excellent quality at an affordable price, just like its predecessor.

Xiaomi 11 Lite 256GB 5G NE.

Galaxy S20 FE 128GB. Motorola Moto G62. iPhone SE 64GB.

Are Androids better than iphones?

The iPhone might be a better option if consistency and dependability are important to you. Android might be the best option if you're searching for more personalization and a larger selection of software selections. All things considered, choose between an Android or iPhone is a matter of personal preference when it comes to app quality and selection.

Is Xiaomi and redmi same?

Xiaomi formally declared in January 2019 that Redmi is a different sub-brand from Xiaomi. The Redmi Note 7 and Note 7 Pro, the first smartphones in the Redmi series featuring a 48-megapixel rear camera, were launched by Redmi on January 10, 2019.

Are Xiaomi better than Redmi?

Redmi or Mi: which series is superior? The Redmi series offers the lowest pricing, but the Mi phone series boasts more creativity and design. While the hardware specifications of Redmi and Mi phones are occasionally the same, Mi phones are superior in terms of build quality and aesthetics. However, the hardware used by the Mi Phoneseries is generally better.

Is redmi as good as Samsung?

I'm going to provide some points based on reviews of Redmi and Samsung phones here. Samsung excels at producing flagship phones, which function flawlessly, but its low-cost phones fall short. Redmi produces high-quality smartphones at an affordable price point with all the functionality we need for daily use.

Is redmi a safe phone?

Yes, the business is reliable. I have been using this phone for a few months now, and I have not yet encountered any hardware or software issues. These companies' phones are available for purchase.

Which lasts longer Samsung or Xiaomi?

AnswerAlthough lifespan can vary significantly depending on usage, Samsung phones are known for having a slightly longer lifespan because to their superior build quality and software support. Both brands normally give a one-year manufacturer's guarantee, while specific regions and models may have longer warranties.