2020 has started and many people are taking this opportunity for renew your smartphone. One of the most “targeted” bands is the one under 200 euros, which offers devices capable of discreetly performing all the activities that the average user needs during the day.
The weeks that led us to the beginning of the new decade did not actually bring big news regarding the devices on our list, however there were some price changes and Huawei pulled the first smartphone from the cylinder out of the cylinder. 2020. Let’s go, then, to see what is the situation of the mobile device market with regard to the band under 200 euros. We remind you that the prices taken into consideration are only those present on Amazon Italy or on the official websites of the manufacturers.
Realme 5 Pro
Arrived in Italy in November 2019, Realme 5 Pro is a smartphone that immediately convinced critics and audiences.
In fact, we are talking about a solid device in almost all its components. In particular, the smartphone gives its best in above-average performance, in granite autonomy, in good constructive solidity and in the photographic sector. The screen is all in all average. For more information on the technical specifications, we invite you to consult our news dedicated to Realme 5 Pro.
The main flaws are instead those that essentially characterize every device of the Chinese company: the ColorOS operating system, which has a graphic interface perhaps to be reviewed, and the design, which may not appeal to everyone (even if it is a matter of taste here) . For the rest, the connectivity sector has Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 5, 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones and USB Type-C port. However, NFC is missing, which could make a certain type of user turn up their noses. In any case, very few smartphones that can stand up to Realme 5 Pro, a device that is sold at a price of 199 euros on the company’s official website (model 4 / 128GB).
Redmi 8A
For those who have a particularly limited budget and use the smartphone only for basic activities, Redmi 8A could be a good solution. Launched in November 2019, the smartphone of the Xiaomi sub-brand can be purchased for just 109 euros on Amazon Italy through retailers (2 / 32GB model, often it is also found below 100 euros online). So let’s talk about a rather low cost, which could appeal to a certain type of user.
In particular, Redmi 8A relies heavily on autonomy, given that mounts a 5000 mAh battery. This is certainly the peculiar feature of the device, but the smartphone also has other strengths, from the triple slot (Dual nanoSIM + microSD up to 512GB) to the connectivity compartment, all in all complete (headphone jack, USB Type-C, 4G LTE , however, the NFC is missing), passing through the dual camera capable of making shots of higher quality than the average price range. The main flaws are to be found in the non-optimal performance and in the display with HD + resolution, but those with such a budget will probably have already taken these “inconveniences” into account. For more details on the smartphone, we refer you to our news dedicated to Redmi 8A.
Huawei P Smart Z
If you are looking for a smartphone with an all-screen display, your choice in this price range can only fall on Huawei P Smart Z. In fact, this device, sold at 189 euros on Amazon Italy through retailers (4 / 64GB variant), is essentially the only device to focus on this feature with regard to smartphones with such a low price. We are not exactly talking about the most performing device on the market, but a certain type of user could appreciate Huawei’s proposal.
In addition to all-screen design with pop-up camera, the strengths of the smartphone are to be found in the granite autonomy, in the complete connectivity sector (there are also USB Type-C, NFC and 3.5 mm audio jack), in the good constructive solidity and in the usual software experience to which the Chinese company has accustomed users for some time now.
For all the details of the case, we advise you to consult our review of Huawei P Smart Z. The smartphone is not, of course, perfect: the performances are not exactly exciting, the photographic sector is not the best and the dimensions are more phablet that from smartphone (the screen is 6.59 inches). In any case, it is certainly an interesting device, especially after the price drop (the original cost was 279.90 euros).
Redmi Note 7
If you want to be safe, Redmi Note 7 is a smartphone that has convinced essentially anyone bought it. Not surprisingly, we are talking about a device that has been at the top of the sales charts for a long time, considered by enthusiasts as the “smartphone to beat”. On the other hand, the Chinese company has managed to perfectly understand the needs of the public, “cutting” on the less sought-after features and focusing everything on those requested loudly by users. For more details, we invite you to read our review of Redmi Note 7.
The smartphone gives its best in good constructive solidity and in the excellent photographic sector. As for the connectivity sector, we find a USB Type-C port and the audio jack for headphones, but the NFC is missing. The latter lack is, along with some flaws on the software side, among the few pain points of the device.
Redmi Note 7 is sold at 165 euros on Amazon Italy through resellers (4 / 64GB variant, online it can also be found at lower prices). Despite the recent launch of Redmi Note 8T, which we will discuss later, Redmi Note 7 is still very popular in our country and certainly remains one of the best smartphones in this price range.
Market choice: Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 / Redmi Note 8T
Although only Redmi Note 8 Pro and Redmi Note 8T arrived through the official channels in our country, the Italians still chose to invest their savings in the Global version of Redmi Note 8. In fact, as you can see in the Amazon Bestseller smartphone ranking , people particularly like this model. On the other hand, there is support for band 20 and therefore there is no problem with regards to everyday use. These days the smartphone is found at 155 euros on Amazon Italy through resellers (4 / 64GB variant, the non-discounted price would be 175.99 euros).
Redmi Note 8 is a valid device from many points of view: essentially it takes the good things done by the predecessor and takes it to a next level. The main strengths are to be found in the good constructive solidity, in the exceptional screen, in the good camera and in the granite autonomy.
The main flaws are found in some software burrs and in the lack of NFC. There is no lack of the 3.5 mm audio jack and the USB Type-C port. In short, Redmi Note 8 is definitely a good choice. However, if you want a smartphone designed for Europe, in our opinion it is worth spending the 165 euros required for Redmi Note 8T (4 / 64GB model). We are in fact talking about two almost mirror devices, if not for the fact that Redmi Note 8T has NFC and has some other small difference. For all the details of the case, we invite you to consult our review of Redmi Note 8T.
Next arrival: Huawei Y6s
The first smartphone to arrive in Italy in 2020 is from Huawei. We are talking about the Y6s model, which will be sold at a price of 149.90 euros (3 / 32GB) starting next week.
The device supports Google services, so the Play Store and all other applications are in place. Huawei Y6s is clearly designed for those who cannot do without the excellent user experience that the Chinese company has accustomed us to. Counting the reduced price, surely the device could tempt someone, even if, reading our news dedicated to Huawei Y6s, the most careful among you will have noticed several similarities in terms of data sheet with the Honor 8A smartphone.
