Budget smartphones no longer feel as much, because they’re getting better and better with improved hardware and user experience. Many of them look like more expensive mid-range and premium smartphones. While there is plenty to choose from in the R 10,000 to Rs15,000 segment, options under Rs10,000 are still limited. Here are some of the budget smartphones which defy the price tag they are selling at.
Xiaomi Redmi 4A
Rs5,999
Amazon.in, Mi.com
The Redmi 4A has a plastic unibody finish and comes in dark grey, gold and rose gold colours. It is well-built and extremely light (131g). The 5-inch IPS display has a 1,280x720p resolution, while on the inside it has got Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 425 chip with 2GB RAM and a 3,120mAh battery which lasts about a day on one charge. It runs Android 6.0 with Xiaomi’s custom UI over it. The Redmi 4A is ideal for casual buyers looking for a dependable smartphone.
Coolpad Note 5
Rs9,999
Amazon.in
Coolpad Note 5 has a shiny metal back with a fingerprint sensor which can unlock the screen instantly. The smartphone runs Android 6.0 with Coolpad’s custom UI on top. It has a bright 5.5-inch display with resolution of 1,920x1,080p. Driven by Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core chip with 4GB RAM, it is powerful enough to handle multi-tasking and some amount of gaming without any niggles. Internal storage stands at 32GB and you can add up to 64GB more via microSD card. It has a 4,100mAh battery which lasts a day and a half with ease.
Lenovo K6 Power
Rs9,999
Flipkart.com
The K6 Power is a compact smartphone with a grey/silver metal exterior. It stocks a 4,000mAh battery yet it doesn’t look thick or feels bulky. The fingerprint sensor on the back adds a layer of security. It offers a resolution of 1,920x1,080p on a 5-inch display, which is rare at this price point. A screen with 1,280x720p is still the norm. The smartphone is driven by Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core chip with 3GB RAM and can handle multi-tasking well. Battery backup is impressive.
Honor 5c
Rs9,999
Flipkart.com
The Honor 5C has a brushed metal finish which makes it stand out from its other metal-clad rivals. The slightly curved back design and flat side improves grip quality. It has a sharp looking 5.2-inch display with resolution of 1,920x1080p. Powering the Honor 5c is Huawei’s proprietary HiSilicon Kirin 650 octa-core processor, which delivers a smooth performance. It has 32GB internal storage and supports microSD cards of up to 128GB.