Today I wrote about Xiaomi 17 dropping to 50 thousand rubles, but that’s just one example. The dollar fell to about 70 rubles, and prices on AliExpress, which are denominated in US currency, automatically recalculated downward. No sales or promo codes — the exchange rate simply did its job. I’ve gathered seven smartphones from budget to flagship with prices that didn’t exist before. Take your pick.
Smartphones on AliExpress have dropped to absurdly low prices
REDMI Note 14 for 8,960 ₽ — Best Smartphone Under 10 Thousand
The best smartphone under 10,000 rubles right now is the REDMI Note 14. For 8,960 rubles you get an AMOLED screen at 120 Hz, Helio G99 Ultra processor, 108 MP main camera, and a 5500 mAh battery with 33W charging. For this price, it’s a package that cost 12,000–14,000 rubles just a year ago.
Truly the best under 10 thousand
REDMI Note 14 is a cheap smartphone without the typical compromises of budget models. An AMOLED screen at this price is rare, and the 108 MP camera shoots noticeably better than you’d expect from a nine-thousand-ruble device. An ideal option as a first smartphone, a backup phone, or a gift.
realme 15 for 15,412 ₽ — AMOLED and a Big Battery
A smartphone for 15,000 rubles with a 144 Hz AMOLED screen and a 7000 mAh battery — that’s exactly what realme 15 offers. Dimensity 7300, 50 MP main camera with OIS, 80W charging. Just a month ago this smartphone cost 3,000–4,000 rubles more.
At 15 thousand it has no competitors
An affordable yet powerful phone — that’s exactly how buyers describe the realme 15. The processor handles any everyday task, the battery lasts a day and a half to two days, and the screen is pleasant. No unnecessary pretensions and none of the typical budget-phone frustration from a laggy interface.
POCO X8 Pro for 18,760 ₽ — Almost a Flagship Android Phone
A smartphone under 20,000 rubles with specs like these used to be impossible to find. POCO X8 Pro for 18,760 rubles offers a Dimensity 8500, 1.5K AMOLED screen at 120 Hz, 6500 mAh battery, and 100W charging. Just six months ago this smartphone cost 25,000–27,000 rubles.
The most powerful smartphone under 20 thousand
This is the case where smartphone prices have become so attractive that the choice is obvious. Dimensity 8500 is a flagship-level chip that handles absolutely everything. At 18,760 rubles, this is the strongest offer in its price range — and most likely not for long.
realme 16 Pro+ for 28,072 ₽ — An Affordable Camera Phone with Optical Zoom
An affordable camera phone with serious specs — that’s exactly what the realme 16 Pro+ represents at 28,072 rubles. Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, 200 MP main camera, 3.5x telephoto lens with optical zoom, 7000 mAh battery. This is a smartphone for those who care about photography but don’t want to pay 50,000+ rubles for a flagship.
An excellent camera phone for photography enthusiasts
Among the record-low priced smartphones in 2026, the realme 16 Pro+ looks especially attractive. A 200 MP main sensor and a periscope telephoto for 28 thousand rubles — it’s an offer that seemed impossible just recently. If photography matters but your budget is limited, grab it without hesitation.
Xiaomi 17 for 48,871 ₽ — A Compact Flagship at a Record Price
The best Xiaomi smartphone for those tired of big phones. Phones on AliExpress rarely offer this kind of value: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, compact 6.3-inch 120 Hz screen, triple Leica camera, 6330 mAh battery — all for 48,871 rubles. In official Russian retail, the same smartphone costs 84,999 rubles.
A compact flagship from Xiaomi
I personally used Xiaomi for a long time but eventually switched to vivo X300 and wrote about it separately. But if the Xiaomi 17 had cost 49 thousand when I was choosing, the decision would have been much harder. A compact Android flagship with Leica optics at this price is a rarity.
Galaxy S26 for 51,951 ₽ — A Samsung Flagship at Xiaomi Prices
This is a truly unexpected turn: the Galaxy S26 on AliExpress costs 51,951 rubles, and that’s cheaper than many expected from Samsung. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Dynamic AMOLED 120 Hz screen, triple camera, 4300 mAh battery with 25W charging. Seven years of Android updates — a record among all manufacturers.
