“What smartphone up to PLN 1,000 do you recommend?” – I have heard this question many times in recent weeks. Although manufacturers want us to choose devices costing three, four or even six thousand zlotys, most customers are looking for models at much lower prices.
Can we find a phone today for about PLN 1,000 that will serve us for the next few years? Definitely yes. Before deciding to purchase, however, we must pay attention to several important components and functions, and at the same time accept some compromises – such as the lack of support for the 5G network (it is still available in a very limited area of Poland) or the lack of wireless charging.
Smartphone up to PLN 1,000. What to look for?
Screen – until recently, when looking for a phone priced up to PLN 1,000, we were forced to choose a screen with an IPS/LCD matrix. Fortunately, this is now a thing of the past. Today, many manufacturers offer AMOLED displays at this budget, which are characterized by excellent black and contrast. The issue of screen refreshment is similar (this factor affects the smooth operation of the device). Although the cheapest models still provide us with a standard 60 Hz, for less than PLN 1,000 we can easily find smartphones with a refresh rate of 90 or even 120 Hz – and they are definitely worth paying attention to.
Processor – we are looking for a mid-range system with eight cores that will provide us with more than decent performance. It is worth paying attention to Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 or 700 series processors, as well as MediaTek Helio G8x and G9x. One of the most popular systems in smartphones in this price range is the Snapdragon 695 5G.
RAM – When it comes to working memory, the rule is quite simple: the more, the better. In the case of Android smartphones, 6 GB is the absolute minimum, but it is worth aiming for 8 GB. We will pay attention to the RAM speed and the amount of internal memory (256 GB seems to be the optimal solution).
The camera – Manufacturers are increasingly bombarding us with cameras with three or even four lenses. Remember that the number of “eyes” does not necessarily translate into the quality of the photos. The main lens and the matrix used in it play a key role. However, there is also a trap here, as a 15-megapixel camera can take better photos than a rival with a 60-megapixel matrix. Therefore, it is worth taking a look at the reviews of a given model and checking whether the photos taken with it will suit us.
Battery – We are looking for a model with a 4000-5000 mAh battery. However, it is worth noting that the battery capacity is uneven. Reviews and synthetic tests can also be invaluable here. Let’s also pay attention to the fast charging and wireless charging functions – these are very useful additions.
A good mid-range smartphone should also have an NFC module, a Dual SIM connector, and – at least partial – water resistance. Support for 5G will be a nice addition, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. 5G adaptation in Poland is still progressing quite slowly.
Which smartphone costs around PLN 1,000? Our propositions
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Xiaomi
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 – PLN 649 (4 GB + 128 GB) or PLN 849 (8 GB + 256 GB)
Although more than a year has passed since the premiere of this device, it still stands out from the competition, and its price has dropped well below PLN 1,000 in that time. The Xiaomi smartphone is equipped with an excellent 120 Hz AMOLED screen with a resolution of 6.67, the maximum brightness of which is as much as 1200 nits.
We have a very solid eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 system, which was made using a 6-nanometer technological process. Variants with 4 and 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of user data memory are available on the Polish market. The battery with a capacity of up to 5000 mAh is impressive, and can be charged to 50 percent in about 30 minutes (with a power of up to 33 W).
The smartphone has a camera with three lenses, only the main one (48 Mpix) is worth attention, and the others offer quite poor photo quality. A disadvantage for some may also be the lack of support for the 5G network and the lack of wireless charging.
Motorola edge 30 neo Motorola
Motorola edge 30 neo – PLN 999
This is currently one of the best smartphones priced up to PLN 1,000. The minimalist and elegant design itself is impressive, which would rather indicate that we are dealing with a slightly higher-end device. In terms of screen quality and performance, the Motorola edge 30 neo also has something to boast about. Here you will find a 120 Hz AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.28 inches, a solid Snapdragon 695 processor, 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of data memory, stereo speakers, support for the 5G network and a 4020 mAh battery and fast charging technology with a power of up to 68W. There is also a wireless charging function, although very slow (5W).
The smartphone has a camera with two lenses. The main one (64 Mpix) takes good photos (in good lighting conditions), and when it comes to the ultra-wide-angle lens (13 Mpix), well, it is there, because it is there. Among the disadvantages of the device, I would also point out the inability to record in 4K.
OPPO A78 OPPO
OPPO A78 – PLN 999
Another very interesting proposition that – like the Motorola edge 30 neo – stands out for its elegant and minimalist design. OPPO A78 has an almost frameless AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.43 inches (2412 x 1080), which provides a refresh rate of 90 Hz.
The Snapdragon 680 4G processor (6nm) gives us very solid performance. We also have 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of data memory. The OPPO smartphone – compared to rivals in this price range – boasts a long battery life. There is also a fast charging function with a power of up to 67W. However, we cannot charge the device wirelessly.
The main camera with a resolution of 50 Mpix takes quite good photos, although we can rather forget about night photography. Also disappointing are the video functions and – a little less – mediocre speakers and lack of 5G network support.
Infinix Note 30 Infinix
Infinix Note 30 – PLN 799
The Infinix smartphone is the cheapest device in this list. Therefore, it is not surprising that, unlike other models, we do not find an AMOLED display here, but a standard IPS LCD screen (6.78 inches), although offering a higher refresh rate (120 Hz)
The smartphone is powered by the efficient MediaTek Helio G99 system (2x 2.2 GHz, Cortex A76 + 6x 2.0 GHz), which receives very good reviews, and we also have 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of data memory. It is worth noting the presence of stereo speakers (work with JBL) and a 5000 mAh battery that supports fast charging with a power of up to 45W.
You should not expect miracles from the main 64 Mpix camera, although photos taken during the day are not inferior to smartphones that are PLN 300-400 more expensive. For some people, the disadvantage may be the lack of 5G network support and the lack of wireless battery charging technology.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Samsung
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G – PLN 999
We end our list with the Samsung model. Koreans usually don’t target this price range, but every now and then they manage to release a budget “gem”. This is undoubtedly the Galaxy M33 5G model. The design of this device is eye-catching. In fact, in my humble opinion, it is simply the prettiest smartphone among all the ones I described in this guide.
Yes, there is no AMOLED display, but it is difficult to have any major reservations about the 6.6-inch TFT LCD screen. Especially since it offers a high refresh rate (120 Hz) and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Samsung used a solid proprietary Exynos 1280 chip (5 nm) with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB of memory for user data. Galaxy M33 5G also has a 5000 mAh battery, which can be charged with a power of up to 25 W.
Also noteworthy is the above-average good main camera with a 50 Mpix matrix (compared to other models in this price range), the ability to record video in 4K and support for the 5G network. The biggest disadvantages are the lack of wireless charging and the not very convincing quality of photos from the other lenses of the quad camera.
Source: Gazeta
Mabel is a talented author and journalist with a passion for all things technology. As an experienced writer for the 247 News Agency, she has established a reputation for her in-depth reporting and expert analysis on the latest developments in the tech industry.
