M.Video has published a ranking of the most popular smartphones of 2026 based on first quarter results. Russians bought 5.6 million devices worth 144 billion rubles. The market dropped by 6% in units and 5% in revenue compared to last year. The average device price was 25,700 rubles. People have started replacing their phones less frequently and are more careful about what they spend money on. They typically choose smartphones from the most popular brands, which form the basis of the best-selling models ranking for 2026.

Officially the most popular smartphone. Image: Infofull

The Best-Selling Smartphone in 2026

The most popular smartphone in Russia in the first quarter of 2026 is the realme Note 60X in the 3/64 GB configuration. It’s an entry-level budget phone priced at around 8-9 thousand rubles. No flagship hardware, no outstanding cameras. An IPS screen, a basic MediaTek processor, and modest memory.

But the realme Note 60X has what matters to a budget-conscious buyer: it simply works. Calls, messengers, photos — all of that is available here. The battery lasts over a day with moderate use. The plastic body is basic but neat. For someone who needs a second phone, a replacement for a broken one, or a first smartphone for an elderly relative — it’s an obvious choice.

Top 10 Most Popular Smartphones in Russia

Here is the full top 10 of popular smartphones by sales volume in the first quarter of 2026 according to M.Video:

  • realme Note 60X (3+64 GB);
  • REDMI A5 (3+64 GB);
  • REDMI A5 (4+128 GB);
  • Samsung Galaxy A56 (8+256 GB);
  • REDMI 15 (8+256 GB);
  • REDMI 15C (8+256 GB);
  • Samsung Galaxy A17 (8+256 GB);
  • realme Note 60X (4+128 GB);
  • REDMI A3 Pro (4+128 GB);
  • realme C75 (8+256 GB).

The picture speaks for itself. Nine out of ten positions are REDMI and realme. Samsung only made the top with the Galaxy A56 in fourth place and the Galaxy A17 in seventh. Not a single flagship, not a single device priced above 20-25 thousand rubles. The most popular smartphone brands by volume are in the Chinese budget segment, and this is no coincidence.

Galaxy A56 — the most popular non-Chinese phone. Image: SuperSaf

It’s worth mentioning the revenue ranking separately, which looks fundamentally different. There, the iPhone 17 Pro Max 256 GB leads, followed by the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max 512 GB, the base iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy A56, iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and three iPhone 16 variants. In revenue terms, the market is split between Apple and Samsung, while in units — REDMI and realme. Two different buyers, two different markets in one country.

Why Russians Buy Cheap Smartphones

The smartphone sales ranking in Russia reflects a simple economic reality. The average device price in Q1 2026 was 25,700 rubles. That’s including expensive iPhones, which pull the average up. Most purchases are made well below that mark.

There are several reasons. Real incomes are not growing at the same pace as smartphone prices. People are replacing their phones less often, and when they do, they choose something they won’t regret spending money on. In Russia, there is a huge audience for whom a smartphone is a tool for a specific set of tasks: make a call, send a message, take a photo of the kid. For that, the realme Note 60X at 9 thousand rubles is perfectly fine.

A cheap realme works, and that’s the main thing you need to know about it. Image: PhoneGaming

On top of that, REDMI and realme are widely available in major retail chains, well-known to buyers, and priced within a range that doesn’t require much deliberation. Which smartphones are currently popular is largely determined by accessibility — both in terms of price and physical availability.

Which Smartphone to Buy in 2026

Honestly: I wouldn’t recommend getting the realme Note 60X or the REDMI A5 in the 3+64 GB version. 3 GB of RAM in 2026 is borderline. Android with background processes eats up most of it, and in a year or a year and a half, the device will start noticeably lagging. 64 GB of storage also runs out quickly, especially if you take photos and videos. And indeed: you shouldn’t buy cheap smartphones — you’ll end up suffering plenty.

If your budget is limited, look at models with 6-8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage as a minimum. In this context, the REDMI 15 from the same top 10 looks significantly more sensible. It at least provides a buffer for several years of normal operation.

If your budget allows you to go beyond this list, it’s worth taking the opportunity. The best smartphone of 2026 in its price range will offer a fundamentally different experience: a great camera, fast charging, a powerful processor, and many years of updates. The best smartphones of the year don’t necessarily cost as much as an iPhone. Even in the range up to 20 thousand rubles, there are devices that will last 3-4 years without feeling outdated.