They regard Russian electronics as a Russian automotive industry. It is believed that domestic manufacturers cannot create anything original. If Russian-made cars were always driven, the existence of such a thing as a “Russian smartphone” until recently seemed to be something of a parallel reality.
However, this is actually not the case. Russian smartphone manufacturers have long been involved in a race to promote high-precision electronics in the market. Of course, it cannot be argued that domestic gadgets are ready to compete with devices from leading manufacturers of the industry without reservation, but they occupy their niche. There is a very widespread belief that all Russian electronics are going to China, which is why it seems to be not there as such. To a certain extent, this is true.
Russian smartphones have a Chinese assembly, cheap labor is concentrated there. But after all, industry giants such as Apple, Sony, Samsung are assembling their devices there. The thing is different.
It is important for the domestic consumer to understand that there are companies that directly develop smartphones with the original “stuffing” in Russia, as well as know the advantages or disadvantages of these devices.
Yotaphone
The most famous Russian smartphone, undoubtedly, is YotaPhone. The company was founded 11 years ago, but has recently become famous. The team is not exclusively engaged in the production of smartphones. This is a provider that represents the communication of a new generation of 4 ji, but in 2011 the company opened a branch, which began to develop its own cellular.
Yota went on a fundamentally different path than the representatives of cellular companies, which everyone has long been accustomed to. She didn’t try with her device to “tie” the consumer to her own SIM-card, and also did not try to make the low price the main advantage of the phone.
Instead, the company decided to actively innovate. It was the first Yota smartphone that was presented to Dmitry Medvedev when a joke sounded from the lips of the Prime Minister that “Apple should worry” after its release. At international exhibitions, the gadget has been awarded.
The main distinguishing feature of Yota is two displays. This idea was implemented by the company for the first time in the world, although its development was carried out earlier by leading manufacturers. The second display of the smartphone, located on the back side, is made according to the principle of E-Ink technology, which is usually used to make electronic books. There you can find out about incoming SMS or missed calls, see the weather or time, not including the main display. In general, when developing the layout, Yota manufacturers chose four main characteristics that they focused on:
- two functional displays;
- slim body;
- fast internet;
- long working time without recharging.
All this can really be attributed to the advantages of the phone. In addition, it has a 5-inch “main” FullHD-display, a camera with a resolution of 8 MP, memory -2 GB. The main disadvantage of Yota is its price. Even before the release of the first trial version, it was declared as 35,000 rubles, which even the most patriotic consumers cannot afford during the crisis. Moreover, in this price range, the smartphone, of course, will lose to competitors produced by leading brands.
Highscreen
Another manufacturer of Russian smartphones is the Highscreen brand, which is owned by Vobik Computer. She also does not specialize in the production of only smartphones, but produces many other devices. Highscreen is very successful: in terms of price and features, its devices according to a survey of PC Magazine 2013 occupied the top lines.
Therefore, Highscreen smartphones are primarily functional. Their company has been producing since 2009. Highscreen Ice Max, manufactured by 2016, has a number of advantages for those who value hardware in gadgets:
- 5.3-inch screen
- 4000 mAh battery (you can charge other devices from it);
- very high speed internet;
- slim body;
- camera with a resolution of 13 MP.
Highscreen is quite attractive at a price: they cost up to 15,000 rubles. Among the shortcomings, a nondescript appearance can be distinguished. Paying attention to the "stuffing", manufacturers care little about design. However, in the new Ice 2 model, a step was made towards improving the design: a window with service information located on the back side was added. It displays data on the charge, SMS, missed calls, time.
Texet
Seeing Texet's smartphones, many are perplexed because they know the company on the other hand. Texet produces e-books, grandmothers, ”that is, phones with huge buttons.
Texet smartphones are not even 1% full on the mobile device market and are cheaper copies of their Chinese counterparts, but the company has several models that deserve attention. These are protected smartphones, which are mainly valued by hunters or fishermen because it is problematic to use an ordinary smartphone outdoors. Texet has some new items, but the most notable is the Texet X-Driver Quad. The main advantages:
- durable case (using metal plates and rubberized side inserts);
- comprehensive class protection IP68;
- 3100 mAh battery.
Thanks to this, the smartphone can work under water, it does not fall from a height, and also does not discharge for a long time. In addition, it is the most inexpensive of the protected smartphones on the device market, which costs about 6,000 rubles.
4good
You can safely call the 4Good company the youngest manufacturer. Its products have been on the market since 2015. The name beats the English expression “For good”, and 4Good smartphone manufacturers adhere to just such a philosophy. They do not seek to impress the manufacturer with originality, but offer durable durable smartphones at an attractive price. Such was the model 4Good S555m. The main advantages:
- 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 by 720;
- polycarbonate case, which is resistant to external influences.
Manufacturers worked on the coloring of the model: for those who love exotic, a yellow smartphone is suitable, for lovers of the classics there is a black one. The model is really very affordable for the price: up to 8000 rubles. But, as already mentioned, miracles from a smartphone should not be expected. Judging by consumer reviews, the OS sometimes crashes on it, someone is not happy with the sound quality, the battery is not enough for a long time.
Explay
Speaking about domestic smartphones, one cannot fail to mention the manufacturer Explay. Explay is a closed joint stock company that originally engaged in the supply of electronics from East Asia. Until 2012, the company was engaged in the sale of navigators and headphones, and by 2012 switched to the development of smartphones.
In 2013, the company achieved unprecedented success: it took fourth place in the market after Nokia, Samsung, Fly, and unexpectedly even surpassed even Apple. She was recognized as the brand of the year, and the Infinity 2 model received the title "Product of the Year." In 2016, Explay was bought by the British company Fly, so the company itself was abolished, but the name of its products remained.
What is the secret to Explay's success? Judging by the latest Explay Tornado model, this is a thoughtful combination of price and quality. This model can be called an anti-crisis smartphone. Its advantages:
- brightness (five body colors);
- support for three SIM cards;
- 4.5 inches diagonal screen
- 1550 mAh battery;
- slot for a memory card.
With all this, the model has a more than affordable price - 4500 rubles. Among the shortcomings can be allocated a small RAM.
Ermak
Now about the most unusual Russian smartphone at the moment. In 2016, OMP announced the introduction of a smartphone with the Russian operating system Sailfish OS.
Of course, the news was unique in its scale - the creation of the first completely Russian smartphone without any Chinese assembly. However, even before the release of the smartphone, leading companies selling mobile devices in Russia, such as M Video, said they were not interested in selling this device. The reason for this decision was primarily the price of "Ermak" 130 thousand rubles. Needless to say, such a smartphone was worn in the pocket of ordinary consumers. Why is he so appreciated? Externally, “Ermak” looks inconspicuous, and functionally there is nothing special: 1GB of RAM, 2MP front camera. But "Ermak" will not be produced per mass consumer. Its owners should be civil servants.
Closed-type channels are thought out for the exchange of information, and it also has a function for recognizing the owner by fingerprints. And yet its body can withstand temperatures up to + 60 ° and 27 impacts on concrete. Of course, this will not be useful to the average consumer. So buy "Ermak" is impossible.
Inoi r7
But more recently, he had a successor announced at the MWC 2018 smartphone Inoi R7.
It was presented to the Prime Minister with assurances that he was not connected to any foreign devices, and was also equipped with the same Russian Sailfish OS.
It began to be mass produced. Judging by consumer reviews, it is another budget version with average characteristics and a small surcharge for a beautiful name, its price is 12,000 rubles.
The production of Russian electronics products, including mobile phones, is not a myth. They can be more or less high-quality, carry or not carry a zest, have higher or very mediocre characteristics, but the fact that they exist is a fact.