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A smartphone from manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Umidigi, OnePlus or Cubot is often casually referred to as a "China cell phone" - this term still unfairly implies that quality and technical progress could leave something to be desired, but this is far from being the case as demonstrated by the worldwide sales success of the Huawei company.
Even among the big mobile phone innovations from 2019, there are many Chinese products.
The cheap cell phones can also keep up with high-end products from Silicon Valley or Seoul.
With some smartphones, you can actually get a real bargain if you want to opt for a Chinese cell phone.
Cell phones from China: What are the models really good for?
Good “China cell phones” are now everywhere on the Internet, because Chinese cell phone brands are increasingly catching up with top sellers such as Apple or Samsung.
In the case of Xiaomi, this is mainly due to the particularly low price of the smartphones, which the company can afford because it also offers mobile software and paid services, among other things.
These can be used together with the smartphones and thus increase sales.
The low price does not necessarily translate into poor quality, rather it is based on a sophisticated corporate strategy.
There are numerous cell phones for less than 300 euros and even less than 200 euros.
Oneplus: Mobile phone with great brand potential
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Thanks to their low prices and high-quality features in terms of cameras, processor and battery power, new “China cell phones” are now selling extremely well worldwide.
The OnePlus 7 Pro * offers, among other things, an elegant 6.67-inch full display with brilliant resolution and a powerful triple camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens and triple optical zoom.
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But the previous model, OnePlus 6 *, with its dual camera, quick charge function and eight gigabytes of RAM still provides enough good arguments to give the Chinese smartphone model a chance.
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OnePlus described itself as a flagship killer in 2014 and the Chinese manufacturer, which works under the umbrella organization BBK Electronics, did not understate: the models have since been able to impress with their sophisticated technology and low prices.
The company with headquarters in Shenzhen, which initially distinguished itself as a start-up, has established itself alongside competitors such as Samsung, HTC and Co.
In the meantime, smartphone prices have doubled compared to when the company was launched, but the products can always keep up with cell phone models from well-known high-end manufacturers.
Xiaomi mobile phone: Android-based user interface
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OnePlus' strategy is now being copied with pleasure - the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi (pronounced “scho-o-mi”) also relies on cheap cell phones with high-performance technology.
In addition to smartphones, Xiaomi also invests in numerous services such as smart home products and in the further development of its own user interface called MIUI, which is compatible with Android.
The Xiaomi Mi 9 * is an outstanding "China mobile phone" with a good camera: on a display size of almost 6.4 inches, pictures and videos recorded with a triple camera and Sony IMX586 sensor come into their own.
The in-screen fingerprint sensor also provides more security for the user.
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The Xiaomi Mi A2 * with its long-life 4000 mAh battery is even cheaper - the inexpensive mobile phone from China is therefore ideally suited as an entry-level model.
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Cubot-Handy: Inexpensive smartphone for price-conscious buyers
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In the reviews of the Cubot X20 *, one Amazon buyer sums it up: “Why should I pay 700 euros when I get this very good cell phone at a lower price?” Even facial recognition is integrated here - at a fraction of the price for a similarly sized Samsung phone.
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The Cubot X30 * offers a little more battery power and a much better camera at a slightly higher price.
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The manufacturer is also based in Shenzhen and has been producing inexpensive cell phones since 2012, as well as smartwatches and activity trackers, which are sold in Europe, Africa, South America and Russia, among others.
Umidigi mobile phone: This cheap “China mobile phone” can also keep up
Umidigi is also based in the Chinese tech metropolis of Shenzhen - the company has also been producing inexpensive smartphones since 2012, which can definitely compete with Apple or Samsung.
With the 6.53 inch Umidigi Power 3 *, the company is hardly inferior to the phablets (combination of tablet and smartphone) iPhone 11 Max * and Samsung Galaxy S20 + * with its brilliant display, good processor performance and a particularly long-lasting battery.
For those who prefer to invest their money in sophisticated technology instead of paying for marketing strategies and an attractive corporate identity, many mobile phones from China are definitely a worthwhile bargain alternative.
Our conclusion: It's worth comparing!
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* If you complete a purchase using the links marked with an asterisk, WELT receives a small commission. You can find our standards of transparency and journalistic independence at axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.
This article was first published on 08/08/2019.