The 2020 edition of the CES (Consumer Electronic Show) in Las Vegas took place during the course of this week but expect big news: the range between 200 and 300 euros of the smartphone market has not seen high-caliber announcements. However, between promotions / price drops of already known devices and the arrival of detailed analysis of the criticism regarding Samsung Galaxy M30s, we have however made some interesting changes in our "ranking". So let's see together which are the Android devices worthy of note in January 2020, reminding you that the prices taken into consideration are only those of Amazon Italy and the official sites of the manufacturers.
Realme X2
Landed in Italy at the end of 2019, Realme X2 is a smartphone that has convinced critics and audiences mainly because of its excellent quality / price ratio. Described as a kind of anti-Xiaomi Mi 9TRealme X2 is a device that has proven solid in essentially all of its components. The main strengths of the smartphone are to be found in the excellent screen, in the good constructive solidity, in the above-average performance, in the photographic sector that meets expectations, in the complete connectivity sector (NFC, audio jack, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type- C included), in 30W fast charging and in good autonomy. For more information on the device, we recommend that you take a look at our review of Realme X2.
However, the solution proposed by the Chinese company is not perfect: the software, the usual ColorOS, is still a bit immature and some other small flaw is not missing, such as the unlocking speed offered by the in-display fingerprint sensor, which is not exactly the fastest. However, Realme X2 is sold at a price of 299 euros on Amazon Italy (8 / 128GB model) and therefore you can also "go further" to the mentioned imperfections. At the time of writing, Amazon Italy also offers a 10% discount on the purchase of the smartphone using the promotional code JPTHXBYB at the time of payment. In this way, you can take Realme X2 home for 269 euros instead of 299 euros.
Redmi Note 8 Pro
Speaking of another smartphone arrived in the last months of 2019, Redmi Note 8 Pro is definitely a device to keep an eye on in this price range. The Xiaomi sub-brand, known for its low cost devices, has managed to create a smartphone that gives its best ingranite autonomy (4500 mAh battery), in the complete connectivity sector and in good constructive solidity. There is no shortage of weaknesses, such as the photographic sector only in the medium, the performance not exactly at the top (SoC MediaTek Helio G90T) and the not exceptional display, but the smartphone remains a good exponent of the Redmi Note range. For more details on the data sheet, we refer you to this news dedicated to Redmi Note 8 Pro.
As for the connectivity department, everything is in place: from NFC to the 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones, via the USB Type-C port, for dual-band Wi-Fi ac and for Bluetooth 5.0. Redmi Note 8 Pro is currently sold at a price of around 230 euros on Amazon Italy through resellers (6 / 64GB variant).
Samsung Galaxy M30s
Recently arrived in our country, Samsung Galaxy M30s is a smartphone that can be purchased exclusively on Amazon Italy at a price of 259 euros (model 4 / 64GB). Its peculiar characteristic is certainly theexceptional autonomy guaranteed by the 6000 mAh battery. Most users manage to get to two full days with this smartphone. A rather important advantage, capable of making the device interesting for a certain type of user. For more information on the technical characteristics, we refer you to our news dedicated to Samsung Galaxy M30s.
For the rest, the main strengths of the smartphone are the good display, the camera that does not disappoint expectations and the complete software sector offered by Samsung. The device, however, has some drawbacks not to be underestimated, such as the construction quality not exactly the best, the performance only in the average and some video side smudging. As for the connectivity sector, NFC, audio jack for headphones, USB Type-C port and Bluetooth 5.0 are in place.
Xiaomi Mi 9T
Considered by many as one of the most iconic smartphones of 2019 thanks to his all-screen design with pop-up camera, Xiaomi Mi 9T has now fallen below the 300 euro threshold for several months (the launch price was 329.90 euro). It is currently sold at a price of about 280 euros on Amazon Italy through resellers (6 / 64GB model).
We are talking about a device that has managed to break through the hearts of Italians right away, making a sold out in our country already on the debut night, something that has not been seen for a long time.
On the other hand, it is a solid device that gives its best in the screen, in granite autonomy, in above-average performance and in excellent constructive solidity. For all the details of the case regarding the smartphone, we invite you to consult our review of Xiaomi Mi 9T.
Everything is in place regarding connectivity: NFC, USB Type-C port and 3.5mm audio jack for headphones are present. The only flaws that made us a little twisted are the weight not exactly "feather" and the memory is not expandable.
Market choice: Samsung Galaxy A50
Landed in our country in the first half of 2019, Galaxy A50 is at the top of the ranking of Bestseller devices on Amazon Italy in this price range in January 2020. Samsung has decided to adapt to modern trends and this choice has been fully repaid. For all the information about the device, we refer you to our review of Samsung Galaxy A50.
The smartphone gives its best in excellent autonomy, in the good photographic sector, in the complete connectivity department (audio jack for headphones, USB Type-C and NFC port included) and in the excellent display.
We are not, however, talking about a perfect device: the performances are only average and there is some small burr in the videos, but the Italians have shown that they can go beyond these not exactly positive aspects. Samsung Galaxy A50 is currently sold at a price of around 245 euros on Amazon Italy through resellers (model 4 / 128GB).
Next arrival: Cat S32
The Las Vegas CES ended on January 10, 2020 and brought several smartphone-side announcements. However, we must admit that the event did not bring much news at the level of mobile devices (the most important announcement is certainly that of the four Samsung smartphones, but the OnePlus concept is also quite interesting). As for the range between 200 and 300 euros, there was the announcement of the Rugged Cat S32 smartphone. It is a smartphone designed for those who are used to working in extreme conditions.
Technical features include a quad-core MediaTek MT6761D Helio A20 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory and a 4200mAh battery. The connectivity department includes NFC, audio jack for headphones and Bluetooth 5.0. The specifications that interest those who buy this type of smartphone are the IP68 certification, the MIL SPEC 810G certification, the water resistance up to 1.5 meters for 35 minutes and the 5.5-inch DragonTrail Pro display with HD + resolution that can also be used with wet gloves or fingers.
Obviously the body is a sort of protective case, as per tradition of rugged devices. Cat S32 will hit the market over the next few months at a price of 299 euros.