The Russian smartphone market remains dynamic despite ongoing sanctions and parallel imports. All major brands are widely available through gray-market channels, with no direct restrictions on consumer devices. Chinese brands dominate sales volume, led by Xiaomi (including Poco and Redmi sub-brands) at around 23% market share in units sold during 2024, followed by realme, TECNO, and Infinix showing strong growth. Apple and Samsung hold premium appeal, with Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi named as the most popular brands overall in early 2025 surveys.
The market saw ~29.9 million units sold in 2024 (down 3% in volume but up 6% in value to 721 billion rubles), driven by mid-range devices priced 10,000–50,000 RUB. Parallel imports keep iPhones and Samsung flagships accessible, though pricier than pre-sanctions levels. Huawei is gaining traction in mid-premium segments.
Here are the best phones available in Russia right now, selected for popularity, value, performance, and expert reviews from Russian sources like Hi-Tech Mail.ru, KP.ru, and iChip.ru. Prices are approximate (Yandex.Market/MTS averages, and may vary by region/seller.
Top Overall: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Why best? Tom’s Guide and Russian experts call it the ultimate flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite, 6.9″ AMOLED 120Hz, S-Pen, and unmatched AI/camera versatility.
- Key specs: 200MP main + periscope zoom, 5000mAh, IP68.
- Price: ~140,000–160,000 RUB.
- Best for: Power users, photography, productivity.
Best iOS: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Why? Top camera (48MP fusion), A18 Pro chip, seamless ecosystem. Remains hugely popular despite parallel imports.
- Key specs: 6.9″ OLED 120Hz, titanium body, 48MP ultrawide.
- Price: ~130,000–150,000 RUB.
- Best for: Apple fans, video recording, long-term updates.
Best Value Flagship: Xiaomi 14T Pro
- Why? Near-flagship specs at half the price; MediaTek Dimensity 9300+, Leica cameras, 144Hz screen.
- Key specs: 50MP triple, 5000mAh + 120W charging.
- Price: ~55,000–65,000 RUB.
- Best for: Balanced performance, fast charging.
Best Mid-Range: Realme GT 7 Pro
- Why? Snapdragon 8 Elite in a sub-premium body; excellent battery, bright screen.
- Key specs: 6.78″ LTPO OLED 120Hz, 5800mAh, IP68.
- Price: ~45,000–55,000 RUB.
- Best for: Gaming, everyday use.
Best Budget King: Redmi 14C
- Why? #1 best-seller in Russia (H1 2025 per MTS); Helio G81, NFC, big screen.
- Key specs: 6.88″ 120Hz, 5160mAh, 50MP camera.
- Price: ~12,000–15,000 RUB.
- Best for: First smartphone, basic tasks.
Best Camera Alternative: HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro
- Why? Outstanding XMAGE optics, no Google services but strong AppGallery ecosystem.
- Key specs: Variable aperture lens, 5050mAh satellite comms.
- Price: ~70,000–80,000 RUB.
- Best for: Photography without Google reliance.
Best Gaming: RedMagic 10S Pro
- Why? Dedicated cooling, triggers, 144Hz screen; top for PUBG/Genshin.
- Key specs: Snapdragon 8 Elite, 7050mAh.
- Price: ~60,000–75,000 RUB.
- Best for: Mobile gamers.
Other Strong Contenders
- Google Pixel 9 Pro (~90,000 RUB): Pure Android, best AI photo editing.
- OnePlus 13 (~70,000 RUB): Clean OxygenOS, fast charging.
- TECNO/Infinix models (e.g., CAMON 30, HOT 50): Budget hits with huge batteries, growing fast.
Buying Tips for Russia
- Where to buy: Yandex.Market, DNS, M.Video, Wildberries, or MTS salons for warranties (often seller-provided).
- Warranty: Parallel imports mean 1-year seller warranty; check reviews.
- Payment apps: Mir/NFC works everywhere; Google/Apple Pay limited on imported devices.
- Avoid fakes: Stick to big retailers.
The “best” phone depends on your budget and needs—Xiaomi/Redmi for value, Samsung/Apple for prestige, Huawei for cameras. Chinese brands now exceed 70% of sales and continue rising. If you’re upgrading, November often sees pre-New Year discounts!
