Many of the phones with the best value for money of the year speak Chinese and the reality is that although Xiaomi is probably the most popular brand (and the one that sells the most phones globally, according to Counterpoint), it is not the only one. If you are looking for the best Chinese mobiles of 2023, you will find a complete guide with the main Chinese manufacturers and their most competitive devices for this year: They are not all that are, but they are all that are.
Best mobile phones of the moment “Made in China”
Coming from this Asian country, you will find everything: from extremely affordable terminals to ambitious high-end terminals that implement the best of the best.
However, Chinese phones are powerful among the bands of the best mobiles for less than 200 euros, they are very present among the best mobiles for less than 300 euros and among the best mobiles for less than 400 euros. Be clear about one thing: regardless of your budget, there is a perfect candidate for you from China.
Although it is difficult to establish similarities with such diverse proposals, it is common for Chinese phones to have software that is quite loaded with options and customization. Furthermore, although the majority are compatible with Google services, remember that Huawei continues with the veto that leaves it without Google Play ( not so to what was once its subsidiary, Honor)
So what are you going to find on this list? The most exciting phones from the most essential Android manufacturers: their most ambitious phones, flagship killers, and bestseller candidates for their extremely high value for money. Come on, the best of each house is chosen by the specialized editors of Xataka.
We have listed these models by brand, although in no specific order.
Little X4 GT
If you are looking for a powerful phone at a reasonable price compared to competitors with similar hardware, the Poco X4 GT ( 379 euros ) is a winning horse.
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The best: attractive design, great autonomy, fast charging, overall performance, and technical sheet
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The worst: only a solvent camera, the adaptive refresh rate of its screen is irregular, and without an AMOLED panel
LITTLE F4 GT
It is the successor to one of last year’s bestsellers and promises to give a lot of war this 2023: the new POCO F4 GT ( 599 euros ) seems like a flagship killer with assets such as a 120W load, particular retractable triggers for gaming, stereo speakers signed by JBL and compatible with Dolby Atmos or its processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Of course, the first is the forehead: its price is significantly higher than its predecessor.
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The best: very well-finished design, the success of the physical triggers, and the power of that dizzying charge.
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The worst: some cameras that are not up to their price, a battery that can fly if we play intensively and the room for improvement of MIUI13
Xiaomi 12
Keep an eye on this Xiaomi 12 ( 799 euros ) because it has arrived with two very interesting features to conquer the most demanding users: it is relatively compact and has a top-of-the-line photography section. Of course, without giving up the performance typical of a flagship.
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The best: its compactness, its camera is a joy and it has a lower price than direct competitors.
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The worst: MIUI continues to carry bugs, autonomy can be a problem for intensive users, and the absence of Material You in MIUI 12
Xiaomi 12 Pro
With the Xiaomi 12 Pro ( 999 euros ) the Chinese firm hits the table in a subject still pending among its flagships: photography. This phone worth more than a thousand euros also has Xiaomi with the best processor and the fastest charging system of the moment (in a mobile phone for sale in Europe).
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The best: superlative design, the cameras perform outstandingly, a screen with practically no room for improvement.
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The worst: the battery does not last a day of use if we give it a hard time, MIUI with quite a few bugs, and the proximity sensor with room for improvement.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
Within the different Xiaomi lines are the Redmi, one of the most successful families in the mid-range and this Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G ( 369 euros ) is its most ambitious model. Specially designed to enjoy multimedia, it has assets such as a 108-megapixel main sensor and high-end fast charging (at 120W).
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The best: a very reliable screen, the latest in connectivity, very fast charging
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The worst: somewhat tight hardware in terms of power for its price range.
POCO X4 Pro 5G
If there is a phone that was talked about last year, it was the POCO X3 Pro ( 279 euros ). Well, Xiaomi has given it a twist with this POCO X4 Pro, with steps forward and some steps back. To its credit, the latest in connectivity, a very attractive redesign, and a large AMOLED screen. One of the most attractive for 2023 is from China.
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The best: sensational screen, the battery is simply and simply a joy and the camera behaves adequately if the light accompanies it
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The worst: Less powerful than the previous generation, it comes with Android 11 and the night makes its cameras suffer.
Huawei Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro
Huawei’s most powerful mobile phones arrive with a satellite connection and a juicy camera and, as is “tradition”, the United States blockade. The most ambitious of the two is the Pro, a terminal with a personal design that is committed to minimalism, a large 6.74-inch OLED panel with FullHD+ resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate that reproduces 1,070 million colors (DCI-P3 ), and is protected by Kunlun Glass, with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 66W fast charging, 50W wireless fast charging and reverse wireless charging. Be careful with its photographic proposal, because it implements XMAGE technology, which consists of a 50-megapixel main sensor whose aperture can vary depending on the scene.
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The best: high performance, a screen that is a spectacle, ambitious in photography, very fast charging.
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The worst: without Google services, without 5G, they are expensive
Huawei P50 Pro
The Huawei P50 Pro is Huawei’s best mobile, an ambitious terminal that shines despite having everything against it. With excellent construction, a superb screen in both resolution and fluidity as well as color reproduction, great sound, versatile and high-quality cameras, good performance, and excellent fast charging
- The best: high-quality screen and fluidity, outstanding photography, and loading in half an hour
- The worst: no Google services, no 5G, and a 2021 processor at a 2022 price
Huawei P50 Pocket
Huawei continues to experiment with folding with different formats, as is the case with this Huawei P50 Pocket ( 1,599 euros ), which, thanks to the fact that it folds vertically, fits perfectly in the pocket, as its last name promises. With a design that attracts attention with its finishes, 6.9-inch folding OLED interior screen at 120Hz, Snapdragon 888, and a more modest photographic proposal than the previous one.
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The best: quality screen, excellent performance, differential design for better and worse.
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The worst: No Google services, not very solid hinge, high price.
Huawei Nova 10 and Nova 10 Pro
Careful design with personality that points to premium, a good photographic proposal, and an exceptional technical sheet for its price range with assets such as a double front camera of up to 60 megapixels and 100 W fast charging, the Huawei Nova 10 and Nova 10 Pro are strongly postulated in the mid-range.
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The best: design, photographic proposal, and balanced hardware.
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The worst: No Google services, only presented in China
Huawei Nova 9
Presented by the hand of the Nova 9 Pro ( 449 euros ), we are left precisely with the Nova 9 to dry because it is the one that arrives in Spain. We are looking at a mid-range with an impressive fast charge of up to 100W, 120Hz OLED screen, Snapdragon 778G 4G, and a quad rear camera with a 50MP main sensor
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The best: Balanced and solvent hardware, good design, very fast charging.
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The worst: No Google services, no 5G.
Realme GT Neo 3 (150W)
Five minutes to charge half of its battery and more power than ever are the calling cards of this Realme GT Neo 3 ( 689 euros ), the firm’s new upper mid-range has seen the light with an abysmal 150W charge, MediaTek Dimensity 8100, Dolby Atmos stereo sound, triple rear camera with 50MP main sensor and a 6.7″ AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution at 120W. If you opt for the version with a charge at “only” 80W, the quality price at except in China it is very attractive.
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The best: the fastest charging of the moment in a phone on sale, lots of power, and the latest in connectivity.
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The worst: increasing fast charging to blazing speeds has a cost that may discourage many, it will probably reach Spain, but it is not confirmed.
Realme 9 Pro+
Realme’s renewed mid-range promises to repeat successes with the Realme 9 Pro+ ( 369 euros ), an ambitious phone in photography and outstanding in autonomy. They are not 150W, but 60W is not bad for fast charging and the MediaTek Dimensity 920 with 8GB of RAM ensures smooth performance for the average user.
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The best: fireproof battery, very fast charging, and an exquisite ROM
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The worst: necessary improvements in the photographic processor, non-premium finishes, and an unambitious processor for its price range.
Realme GT 2 Pro
After testing it, we are clear: it is the firm candidate for flagship killer of the moment. The Realme GT 2 Pro ( 749 euros ) is a beast with a 2K screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Dolby Atmos sound, and vapor chamber cooling.
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The best: spectacular performance, compelling design, and a great combination of battery and fast charging.
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The worstis: is that the sound could be improved and the camera cries out for more zoom.
OPPO Reno 8 Pro
This premium mid-range is a high-quality phone that exudes distinction in every millimeter, includes high-level hardware and, as is almost mandatory in the category to which this Reno 8 Pro is directed, it also promises very good photos.
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The best: The design is unique, excellent fast charging, and the sound and screen are at a very good level.
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The worst: The wide-angle leaves to be desired, without OIS in the main camera and it slips excessively.
OPPO Find X5 Lite
The proposal follows the line of its predecessor: giving a high-end experience with mid-range electronics. The OPPO Find box.
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The best: the experience of the screen and the stereo, a competitive main camera in its range.
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The worst: occasional lag, the wide angle that can be improved, and gets very dirty.
OPPO Find X5 Pro
OPPO has put all the meat on the grill to aspire to have the phone with the best camera with this OPPO Find X5 Pro ( 1299 euros ). With a spectacular design with a lot of personalities, a screen that remains among the top on the market, hardware that flies, and a camera that delivers what it promises.
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The best: excellent performance, very good results with your camera, the ColorOS experience
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The worst: Zoom and video recording could be improved, sound is not outstanding.
OPPO Find X5
The OPPO Find is compact with a 6.55-inch FHD+, 10-bit, 120 Hz AMOLED LTPS panel, as well as powerful hardware one step below, with a Snapdragon 888 processor.
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The best: design with personality and care, high performance, very fast loading, very good results with your camera, the ColorOS experience
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The worst: Zoom and video recording could be improved.
OnePlus Nord 2T
The firm seems to have returned to its origins with this OnePlus Nord 2T ( 409 euros ), a balanced mid-range with careful design and a fluid and clean experience.
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The best: Attractive design and comfortable in hand, good autonomy and excellent fast charging, balanced screen and technical sheet
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The worst: Only the main camera remains at the expected level, only two years of future Android updates
OnePlus 10 Pro
This generation no longer comes as a couple, but the OnePlus 10 Pro ( 909 euros ) is the only one to apply for best mobile of the year with assets such as its AMOLED 2K panel at 120Hz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 80W fast charging or reader of fingerprints on the screen. Does it? Well, it reaches a scraped 9 in our analysis, with many lights and some shadows.
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The best: superlative raw performance, excellent fast loading, great video quality
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The worst: step back in photography, OxygenOS 12 gives many problems, and a feeling of fragility in the construction.
Vivo X80 Pro and X80
Punch on the photographic table and the most anticipated processor of the year for the Vivo X80 Pro and X80, which land with two of the best processors of the moment, their own ISP (image processor) and top-of-the-line hardware. Very similar to each other, apart from the fact that the Pro goes up to Quad HD + resolution, the best main lens, and that it has the option of a Qualcomm processor alternative to the MediaTek Dimensity 9000, a clue to its possible arrival in more markets.
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The best: power and ambitious photographic proposal.
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The worst: we do not know if they will arrive in Spain and a strident design.
Vivo V23 5G
This is a mobile phone that makes people talk. The Vivo V23 5G ( 499 euros ) is a phone that changes color and hides other surprises such as a 6.44-inch AMOLED at 90Hz, MediaTek Dimensity 920, triple camera with 64MP main sensor, and a respectable fast charge of 44W to round out a balanced proposal in the mid-range.
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The best: The experience with the screen is quite good, the construction gives confidence, the color change is original and playful, and the commitment to the main front is noticeable in the result.
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The worst: heavy software, lack of general detail in the photo, no stereo.
Honor 70
The Honor 70 ( 549 euros ) is a mid-range flagship that redefines the future of the brand. With the design of the Huawei P50, that is, with a curvature on the screen and the double ring of cameras, we are facing a complete and competent mobile.
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The best: light and comfortable for its size, good autonomy, and adequate performance.
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The worst: The photography was below expectations, it gets dirty easily, and the software still has aspects to polish.
Honor X8
The Honor X8 ( 219 euros ) is a worthy competitor among the best phones for less than 300 euros, with a Qualcomm heart and the return of Google services, a quad camera with a 64MP main sensor.
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The best: balanced hardware, the return of Google services, and successful design.
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The worst: no 5G, IPS panel with FHD+ resolution when many competitors offer higher resolution and AMOLED
Honor Magic4 Pro
Honor is asking for a place in the league of mobile phones over 1,000 euros with this ambitious all-screen phone with a very particular back, It is great in terms of performance and has a 100W fast charge. The Honor Magic4 Pro ( 1099 euros ) takes a step forward in photography to position itself as one of the best high-end on the market.
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The best: excellent design, large screen, incorporates the latest from Qualcomm and its good performance in night photography
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The worst: a peculiar design for its back, it is not a cheap mobile
ASUS ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate
The house’s new high-end smartphones focused on gamers are the ASUS ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate (from 969 euros ), two devices armed to the teeth that incorporate one of the best processors of the moment, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM. and an AMOLED screen at nothing more and nothing less than 165 Hz.
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The best: beasts of power and customization, large batteries, power in abundance
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The worst: The camera lowers the phone’s average, and with the most ambitious configuration the autonomy is drastically reduced, they are heavy.
ASUS Rog Phone 5s and 5s Pro
Watch out for the ASUS Rog Phone 5s and 5s Pro gaming phones ( 1199 euros ) because they probably have more RAM than your PC. Some beasts go back to the previous generation mainly with the inclusion of the new SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ and with an option that brings the maximum RAM to 18 GB. Yes, they are from 2021, but at the end of last year, their arrival in Spain was confirmed starting at 999 euros ( not available on the web ).
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The best: Real beasts to play in terms of hardware and screen without forgetting a generous battery.
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The worst: Heavy mobile phones
Motorbike G22
If you are looking for a mobile phone with clean software with the latest version of Android, a quite striking design for its price range, a good battery, and four rear cameras at a reasonable price, the Motorola Moto G22 ( 169 euros ) may be yours.
We are facing an entry range with a price of less than two hundred euros, a generous 5,000 mAh battery, and four rear cameras. This is all it offers.
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The best: clean software, versatile photography proposal.
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The worst: quite modest HD resolution, basic hardware.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
The first mobile phone with a 200-megapixel camera is much more than that: with a 125W fast charge, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, a large 6.7 OLED panel with a 144 Hz refresh rate, and a low-speed reader, it is a strong candidate for the high range, as we could see in the first impressions.
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The best: with quality finishes and materials, powerful, versatile, and quality photography.
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The worst: is it’s big.
Moto Edge 30 Pro
Motorola is re-emerging to become strong again also among the best on the market. Their proposal to do so is this Moto Edge 30 Pro ( 799 euros ), a phone with the latest from Qualcomm, a design with personality, and clean software for a fluid and refined experience to achieve it. Of course, according to our analysis, there is still some way to go.
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The best: The 144 Hz gives a pleasant extra fluidity, especially in gaming, solid stereo sound, and a truly all-terrain main camera.
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The worst is: the location of the buttons, the wide angle is very much in the shadow of the main one and the autonomy is less than expected.
Nubia Red Magic 7S and 7S Pro
Nubia’s latest delivery for gamers are these Red Magic 7S and 7S Pro, with up to 16 GB of RAM, an AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 165 Hz, and the incorporation of the latest Qualcomm processor, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
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The best: spectacular hardware, with physical triggers, and very fast loading.
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The worst: they are heavy mobile phones, the autonomy seems tight for their performance, and they have not arrived in Spain.
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
The Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro ( 799 euros ) aspires to dominate the gaming mobile market with top-of-the-line hardware, extravagant design, a front camera under the screen, 960 Hz touch response, and the latest from Qualcomm are some of its main assets.
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The best: huge hardware, with physical triggers, a quality screen very well used.
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The worst: the design is not suitable for all tastes, it is a heavy mobile.
Nubia RedMagic 7
The Nubia RedMagic 7 ( 629 euros ) is the “little” brother (to say something, since it exceeds 200 grams) of the previous one, but in some sections it surpasses it, for example in its 165Hz refresh rate compared to the 120Hz of the Pro. With identical hardware and physical triggers, there is one step below in battery and fast charging, with “only” 120W.
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The best: a beast of hardware, quality screen, and good use of it, physical triggers.
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The worst: extravagant design, It is a heavy mobile, we will have to see the bill that transfers its benefits to a 4,500 mAh battery.
Black Shark 5, 5 Pro and 5RS
Not one or two, but three are the new beasts from Black Shark: Black Shark 5, 5 Pro, and 5 RS with the best of the best on the market for gamers. With identical 144Hz OLED panels, although the Pro with HDR+ and a much higher color range. In addition, it is also the Pro that integrates the best of Qualcomm to date, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a 108MP main sensor. All three have an impressive 120W fast charge for their 4,650 mAh battery
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The best: lots of power, good screen, very fast charging, and double stereo speakers
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The worst: they are heavy mobile phones, and we do not know if they will reach Spain
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
