Let’s help you choose a smartphone under NIS 1,000

Recently, we explored the mid-range category and highlighted the best value devices under NIS 2,000. But the feedback was clear: There is huge demand for even more accessible solutions. The challenge in the under-NIS 1,000 price range is tougher – here, manufacturers must make more significant compromises in hardware to keep the price low. The key is knowing what to give up.

Just like in the previous article, we didn’t look for the most powerful device in the world, but the one that gives the best value for your shekel. We filtered out outdated models and focused on five devices (not necessarily new) that prove you can get a decent screen, strong battery, and sufficient performance for daily use – without spending a full salary. These are our picks.

The CMF Phone 2 PRO (from Nothing) is an exception in the NIS 1,000 category, mainly because it offers specs usually reserved for more expensive devices. Priced at NIS 949 (official importer Bug), it stands out thanks to a bright 6.77-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth, high-quality viewing experience hard to find among direct competitors.

But the biggest advantage is in the camera setup: It’s one of the few devices in this budget with a dedicated telephoto lens (50MP) with 2x optical zoom, allowing sharp close-ups and portraits without losing quality – a known weakness in cheap devices. Under the hood, you’ll find an updated Dimensity 7300 Pro processor and a 5,000mAh battery, delivering stable performance even under load. A bonus for minimalism fans is the Nothing OS interface – a clean, fast, “bloat-free” operating system wrapped in a slim, unique industrial design.

Although the official price is slightly higher, on the “open market” the A36 can already be found around NIS 1,000 – perhaps the most solid deal on the list. The strongest card here is undoubtedly the screen: A 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering image quality, brightness, and color richness that’s hard for competitors to beat.

The camera setup is surprisingly good, with optical image stabilization (OIS) on the main camera – a critical feature for sharp photos rarely found at this price – and 4K video recording capability on both the rear and selfie cameras (very rare in this category). On the tech side, the A36 keeps up with the future thanks to eSIM support (virtual SIM) and fast Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. With a 5,000mAh battery and the polished One UI interface, it provides very reliable performance, though note an important detail for the Israeli audience: This model does not include built-in call recording.

Priced at around NIS 999 (selected stores), the Y36 solves one of the most common problems in cheap devices: Running out of space. While most competitors offer 128GB, here you get double the storage at 256GB as standard, alongside 8GB of RAM. This is a critical advantage for those who store many photos and videos and don’t want to deal with deleting files.

Under the shiny “crystal glass” design hides a Snapdragon 680 processor. Note: It’s a 4th-gen processor (no 5G), relatively old, but known for energy efficiency and smooth performance in basic use. Another strength is 44W FlashCharge, which fills the 5,000mAh battery faster than most devices in this category. Combined with basic water and dust resistance (IP54) and a bright screen readable in sunlight, it’s a very practical device for the average user.

Judging purely by specs, the Redmi 15 5G offers the most aggressive value-for-money ratio on the list, and for many, it may be the best choice right now. Xiaomi packed unusual specs for the category: A Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, generous 8GB RAM with 256GB storage, and a huge 6.9-inch screen with a very fast 144Hz refresh rate.

But the truly “game-changing” spec is the battery: A massive 7,000mAh capacity. This allows not only long workdays without charging but even using the phone as a power bank to charge other devices at 18W. However, this spec comes with a physical cost: It’s a massive device, close to the size of a small tablet. It’s ideal for content consumption and gaming but less suited for those seeking a compact phone or with small hands.

Priced at NIS 949, this device (from the parent company of the CMF brand) brings Nothing’s design and software ethos to a very accessible price point. Unlike most cheap devices with cluttered interfaces, here you get Nothing OS 3.5 – a clean, stylish, and fast operating system (based on Android 15), with built-in ChatGPT integration and smart widgets.

On the hardware side, it features an excellent 6.77-inch AMOLED screen reaching a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (amazing for the price) and a Dimensity 7300 Pro processor delivering good performance even in gaming. The biggest long-term advantage is the update commitment: 3 years of system updates and 6 years of security updates – rare in this category. Note: The package includes a case and screen protector, but the charger is not included and must be purchased separately.