There was a time when a budget of Rs.15,000 would only enable you to buy a basic smartphone, with a relatively slow processor, mediocre display and camera. After the recent smartphone revolution, however, you now get much more powerful specifications, good design, and performance that doesn’t disappoint. But making a choice isn’t easy, because the sheer variety of phones available in stores is mind-boggling. Here are our top picks from phones released in the January-March quarter.
Coolpad Note 3 Lite
Rs.6,999
Do not be taken in by the price tag or the “Lite” in the name of the device. The Note 3 Lite offers an amazing number of features for a price that is amazingly low. It comes with a 5-inch 720p HD display, a quad-core processor with 3 GB RAM (a rarity at this price point), 16 GB storage (with a memory card slot), a 13-megapixel camera and a fingerprint scanner, making this the most affordable device with that feature. The user interface is a little confusing initially, but what makes up for it is that the phone handles most tasks without a murmur. It’s the perfect first phone for anyone seeking to dip their toes in smartphone waters.
Microsoft Lumia 550
Rs.9,199
The Lumia 550 has a compact 4.7 inch 720p HD display. Some might turn up their noses at the 1 GB RAM/8 GB (expandable) storage combination, but Windows 10 Mobile runs smoothly on it. The phone runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor, turning in a very good performance. We expected more than a 5-megapixel camera, but in terms of its capacity to handle Web browsing and routine tasks, this is a fantastic, affordable device. It lets you work on Microsoft Office file formats effortlessly. The battery lasts well beyond a day. It’s perfect for those who are looking for a compact workhorse, but want to avoid Android.
Asus ZenFone Max
Rs.9,999
The Asus ZenFone Max has a massive 5,000 mAh battery that will easily last through a couple of days of heavy work and can even be used to charge other smartphones by using a USB On-The-Go adaptor and cable. It weighs 202g, so it’s not the lightest phone around. The 5.5-inch display is 720p HD, and the phone runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 410 processor with 2 GB RAM, handling routine tasks smoothly. The 13-megapixel rear camera takes good pictures. The Asus’ Zen user interface adds a bunch of features that aren’t part of Android by default, such as a schedule manager, a tasks list and Asus’ own cloud storage app. Definitely one for the long run, literally.
LeEco Le 1S
Rs.10,999
It might be a relatively new brand, but LeEco (formerly LeTV) has been making waves with the Le 1S. The phone is well designed, with chamfered edges and a metal frame, and packs in some very good hardware—a Full HD 5.5 inch display, a Helio X10 processor, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage (non-expandable, though), as well as a very good fingerprint scanner and a decent 13-megapixel rear camera, capable of shooting 4K videos. The custom interface over Android might be a bit too plain, but if you are looking for a phone that packs in a lot in terms of performance and usability while looking stylish, the Le 1S is the one that checks most boxes.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
Rs.11,999
Xiaomi has made a name for itself by launching phones with good hardware at surprisingly low price points—the Note 3 is the latest example. It has a 5.5 inch Full HD display, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, and a fingerprint scanner. It is also the first phone in India to run on the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor, and comes with a 4,000 mAh battery. Quite amazingly, all this has been crammed into a frame that allows for considerable ease of use. The 16-megapixel rear camera can be a bit inconsistent in terms of picture quality. The phone is not easy to get—thanks to the flash sale model—but if you do get one, this is a staggeringly good proposition with no obvious weaknesses.
Lenovo K4 Note
Rs.11,998
The Lenovo K4 Note focuses on multimedia experience, and is one of the few phones at this price point to come with front-facing Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers. Its 3,300 mAh battery comfortably lasts a day and a half. Although it boasts of good hardware (5.5-inch Full HD display, a MediaTek MT6753 octa-core processor, 3 GB RAM, 13-megapixel camera, 16 GB storage that is expandable), what makes the K4 Note special is the fact that all the content on the device, from videos and websites to presentations, can be viewed in a theatre-like experience using Lenovo’s ANTVR headset (Rs.1,299; Amazon.in). This phone is for the music- and film-loving crowd!
Moto G Turbo edition
Rs.12,499
Carrying the standard for a basic phone is the Moto G’s Turbo edition. It might look like the Moto G (third generation) in design, but there are a few additions beneath the hood—most notably, fast-charging and a much faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor. The result is a device that has the best elements of the Moto G, including the stock Android that comes with no interface overlays, water resistance and a very fast 13-megapixel camera. The 5-inch 720p HD display seems a bit more subdued in comparison to others on this list but in terms of performance, this phone is up there with the best—it’s also likely to get updated to the Android Marshmallow operating system sooner than devices from other brands.
Honor 5X
Rs.12,999
The Honor 5X’s 5.5-inch Full HD display is a very good one and the 13-megapixel camera takes very good pictures—they might not appear as colourful as those from other cameras but they do score on detail. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor with 2 GB RAM is more than adept at handling not only routine tasks but also heavy-duty gaming. The phone has 16 GB storage, which can be expanded with a memory card, the fingerprint scanner on the back works smoothly, and Huawei’s user interface remains one of the most user-friendly around. The Honor 5X is a great option for anyone looking for a rock-solid performer with a good camera. The metal body adds a touch of style too.
