Best at your Budget
What
are the best smartphones that can be bought for Rs 7000-7,500.
SMARTPHONES @ 7,500
Nokia Lumia 520
What’s It Best At
The Lumia 520 is the best looking smartphone at this price, with its vibrant colourful shell. It also feels sturdier than the others. Among the low-cost handsets, the Lumia 520 is the smoothest of the lot in terms of regular performance. Unlike Android, Windows Phone 8 does not lag or stutter for common tasks like starting an app.
Where It Lets Down
The Lumia 520’s biggest problem is the battery life, which is simply not up to par. It lasts for barely 9 hours of average usage, so it’s not going to take you through a day without having to be charged again (and sometimes, twice). Nokia has surprisingly skipped a front-facing camera in the phone, which means video chat is not an option, nor will it be easy to take a selfie. Windows Phone also does not have as good an app ecosystem as Android or iOS, and is riddled with quirks and inconsistencies that we have written about previously, like the lack of a proper notification system. And yeah, it’s severely underpowered to play games like Asphalt 8 or do heavy multi-tasking.
Who Should Buy It
Those looking for a “basic smartphone” which lets them make calls, send messages, check emails, chat on WhatsApp and browse the internet.
Who Should Avoid It
Those who want to play games, those who like to download the latest apps, and those who like to video chat. Also, if battery life is important to you, stay away from this one.
SPECS: 1GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch screen, 5MP rear camera, 8GB memory expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD, 512MB RAM, FM radio, GPS, WiFi-n and Bluetooth 4.0
Price: Rs 7,800 street price | Rs 8,999 MRP
What’s It Best At
The Lumia 520 is the best looking smartphone at this price, with its vibrant colourful shell. It also feels sturdier than the others. Among the low-cost handsets, the Lumia 520 is the smoothest of the lot in terms of regular performance. Unlike Android, Windows Phone 8 does not lag or stutter for common tasks like starting an app.
Where It Lets Down
The Lumia 520’s biggest problem is the battery life, which is simply not up to par. It lasts for barely 9 hours of average usage, so it’s not going to take you through a day without having to be charged again (and sometimes, twice). Nokia has surprisingly skipped a front-facing camera in the phone, which means video chat is not an option, nor will it be easy to take a selfie. Windows Phone also does not have as good an app ecosystem as Android or iOS, and is riddled with quirks and inconsistencies that we have written about previously, like the lack of a proper notification system. And yeah, it’s severely underpowered to play games like Asphalt 8 or do heavy multi-tasking.
Who Should Buy It
Those looking for a “basic smartphone” which lets them make calls, send messages, check emails, chat on WhatsApp and browse the internet.
Who Should Avoid It
Those who want to play games, those who like to download the latest apps, and those who like to video chat. Also, if battery life is important to you, stay away from this one.
SPECS: 1GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch screen, 5MP rear camera, 8GB memory expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD, 512MB RAM, FM radio, GPS, WiFi-n and Bluetooth 4.0
Price: Rs 7,800 street price | Rs 8,999 MRP
Lava XOLO A600
What’s It Best At
In the low-cost Android game, you often have to deal with a sub-par screen, as is seen with the Gionee P3. But the Lava XOLO A600 has a bright display with good viewing angles, true colours and little problem in direct sunlight. It only misses out on a scratch-resistant surface. Additionally, the A600 packs a big battery that helps it last about 16 hours on average usage, easily getting through a day. And on top of that, it’s a pretty good-looking handset with sharp design lines. A special mention should be made of the XOLO’s antenna, which gets network even where phones costing over Rs 40,000 struggle to.
Where It Lets Down
There was going to be some sacrifice and XOLO has chosen the performance to take the brunt. The dual-core processor does not cope well with high-end games like Asphalt or FIFA, and the limited 512MB RAM struggles when you are multi-tasking between heavy apps. Also, the A600 houses an underwhelming camera which is good only for taking photos in bright sunlight.
Who Should Buy It
Everyone. At the moment, if this is your rice range, then the XOLO A600 is the phone to get because of its bright screen and great battery life – two of the most important criteria in buying a phone. It’s better to sacrifice on great performance than those two factors.
Who Should Avoid It
If you are looking for a device for gaming or consider yourself a power user, then the A600 should be avoided. And if the camera is your most important requirement, then there are better options.
SPECS: 1.3GHz dual-core processor, 4.5-inch screen, 5MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera, 4GB memory expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD, 512MB RAM, FM radio, GPS, WiFi-n and Bluetooth 3.0 Price: Rs 7,499 street price Rs 8,199 MRP
What’s It Best At
In the low-cost Android game, you often have to deal with a sub-par screen, as is seen with the Gionee P3. But the Lava XOLO A600 has a bright display with good viewing angles, true colours and little problem in direct sunlight. It only misses out on a scratch-resistant surface. Additionally, the A600 packs a big battery that helps it last about 16 hours on average usage, easily getting through a day. And on top of that, it’s a pretty good-looking handset with sharp design lines. A special mention should be made of the XOLO’s antenna, which gets network even where phones costing over Rs 40,000 struggle to.
Where It Lets Down
There was going to be some sacrifice and XOLO has chosen the performance to take the brunt. The dual-core processor does not cope well with high-end games like Asphalt or FIFA, and the limited 512MB RAM struggles when you are multi-tasking between heavy apps. Also, the A600 houses an underwhelming camera which is good only for taking photos in bright sunlight.
Who Should Buy It
Everyone. At the moment, if this is your rice range, then the XOLO A600 is the phone to get because of its bright screen and great battery life – two of the most important criteria in buying a phone. It’s better to sacrifice on great performance than those two factors.
Who Should Avoid It
If you are looking for a device for gaming or consider yourself a power user, then the A600 should be avoided. And if the camera is your most important requirement, then there are better options.
SPECS: 1.3GHz dual-core processor, 4.5-inch screen, 5MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera, 4GB memory expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD, 512MB RAM, FM radio, GPS, WiFi-n and Bluetooth 3.0 Price: Rs 7,499 street price Rs 8,199 MRP
Gionee P3
What’s It Best At
The only quad-core with 1GB RAM at this price, the Gionee P3’s performance is unmatched. Whether you’re playing the latest games or multi-tasking between apps, the P3 handles it all. Also, this handset has the best camera, which takes pictures with true colours and avoids noise; it only struggles at night.
Where It Lets Down
The screen of the Gionee P3 is atrocious. The colours are off, and this is further amplified by extremely poor viewing angles. Viewing it straight on, it’s fine. Tilt it even slightly and the brightness and contrast starts varying, becoming unusable. It’s disappointing, when the screen is the most important aspect of a phone. The battery life isn’t fantastic either, although it’s not horrible. You’ll get about 12 hours on a single charge. And yes, it’s a chunky and fat phone that wins no design points.
Who Should Buy It
If you are all about the camera and the performance of a phone, then the Gionee P3 delivers the goods at this price. But we wouldn’t advise it because of the screen – that’s a dealbreaker.
Who Should Avoid It
Most people. Screen and battery life are more important aspects of a phone than performance and camera is, which makes the Gionee P3 a no-go for us.
SPECS: 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 4.3-inch screen, 5MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera, 4GB memory expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD, 512MB RAM, FM radio, GPS, WiFi-n and Bluetooth 4.0
Price: Rs 7,300 street price | Rs 7,499 MRP
What’s It Best At
The only quad-core with 1GB RAM at this price, the Gionee P3’s performance is unmatched. Whether you’re playing the latest games or multi-tasking between apps, the P3 handles it all. Also, this handset has the best camera, which takes pictures with true colours and avoids noise; it only struggles at night.
Where It Lets Down
The screen of the Gionee P3 is atrocious. The colours are off, and this is further amplified by extremely poor viewing angles. Viewing it straight on, it’s fine. Tilt it even slightly and the brightness and contrast starts varying, becoming unusable. It’s disappointing, when the screen is the most important aspect of a phone. The battery life isn’t fantastic either, although it’s not horrible. You’ll get about 12 hours on a single charge. And yes, it’s a chunky and fat phone that wins no design points.
Who Should Buy It
If you are all about the camera and the performance of a phone, then the Gionee P3 delivers the goods at this price. But we wouldn’t advise it because of the screen – that’s a dealbreaker.
Who Should Avoid It
Most people. Screen and battery life are more important aspects of a phone than performance and camera is, which makes the Gionee P3 a no-go for us.
SPECS: 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 4.3-inch screen, 5MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera, 4GB memory expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD, 512MB RAM, FM radio, GPS, WiFi-n and Bluetooth 4.0
Price: Rs 7,300 street price | Rs 7,499 MRP
Mihir
Patkar MM140123
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