Consumers vie for low-cost smartphones

Phone companies are taking a sharp turn in their pricing strategies to aggressively compete in the low-cost segment as the Covid impact leaves a strain on consumer wallets. Major brands including Samsung - first around Rs5K device launch in years - and Realme, with expansion of its low ranger portfolio, are joining the likes of Xiaomi and HMD-Nokia to capitalize the opportunity in the below Rs 10,000 price band. "There is a backward integration