Top 5 Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500 – November 2021

Looking for a new flagship phone but you aren't willing to spend over $500? Then stick around as today we're going to check out the top 5 best Chinese smartphones currently on sale for under $500!

Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500

1. Redmi K40 Pro

Just like every month since its first reveal, the Redmi K40 Pro gets to be on the list due to the presence of its flagship Snapdragon 888 CPU; along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

The K40 Pro also brings a high quality 6.67-inch AMOLED E4 display with Full HD+ resolution, a refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 360Hz.

For photos, the handset sports a main 64MP sensor, paired with an 8MP ultra wide lens and a 5MP macro camera on the back. While in the punch-hole at the front we find a single 20MP selfie snapper.

Finally, the Redmi phone packs a 4520mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging; along with NFC and an IR emitter.

2. POCO F3

Next we have what's basically the global version of the Chinese Redmi K40 (non Pro) - the POCO F3. This affordable high-end phones comes with the powerful Snapdragon 870; along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

Just like the Redmi K40 Pro, we also find a quite large 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 360Hz.

On the photography side, the POCO phone brings a 48MP sensor; along with an 8MP ultra wide lens and a 5MP macro camera. At the front, we find a 20MP snapper for selfies.

The POCO F3 comes with an integrated 4520mAh capacity battery with support for 33W fast charging; it has NFC and an IR emitter.

Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500

3. Realme GT Neo 2

If you don't fancy the design of the POCO F3, the Realme GT Neo 2T is a similar alternative as it boasts the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 870; along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The handset then packs a slightly smaller 6.62-inch Samsung AMOLED E4 display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a whopping 600Hz touch sampling rate; thus making it great for gaming.

As for photos, the smartphone features a main rear camera with a resolution of 64MP, an 8MP ultra wide-angle lens and 2MP macro lens. In the front we find a 16MP camera.

Finally, the Realme GT Neo 2 is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery, along with 65W fast charging and it features NFC.

4. Oppo K9 Pro

Coming from Realme's mother company - OPPO - we have the recently launched OPPO K9 Pro. The handset sports the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1200 CPU; paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The K9 Pro then features a more compact 6.43-inch AMOLED Samsung E3 display with Full HD+ resolution, a quite high 120Hz refresh rate and 1100 nit peak brightness.

In the camera department, the OPPO phone comes with three cameras including a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra wide angle lens and 2MP macro sensor. Meanwhile at the front we have a 16MP selfie snapper.

Finally, the OPPO K9 Pro is fueled by a 4500mAh capacity battery with support for 60W fast charging. It also features NFC and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Best Chinese Smartphones for Under $500

5. Black Shark 4

Last but not least, for the gamers out there, the Black Shark 4 from the past month gets replaced by its new variant - the Black Shark 4S. The latest gaming phone from Black Shark now features a more efficient cooling system; along with a new design that really makes it standout.

Specs wise, we still find the high-end Snapdragon 870; coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This hardware fuels a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 panel with a massive refresh rate of 144Hz and a touch sampling rate of 720Hz.

As for photos, the Black Shark 4S brings a 48MP primary sensor, paired an 8MP ultra wide and a 5MP macro lens on the back; along with a 20MP selfie snapper at the front.

Finally, we find a large 4500mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging. There'sNFC functionality and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Check out our sub $300 list if you're on a tighter budget!