What to Expect from Sub-`8,000 Smartphones

Gone are the days when you had to spend your monthly salary to buy a smartphone that packs several cores to perform multitasking, can shoot good quality pictures or looks like a flagship model of biggies like Apple iPhone 5s or HTC One M7.

We’re in 2014 and smartphone manufacturers are targeting consumers who are still devoid of a smartphone experience but are ready to let go of their old candy bar phones if they get a fair deal. Here we give you the overall picture of what’s in store at this price-point.

If you think sub 8k phones are not smart enough and you will get something which just carries a touch screen for name sake or a camera that is best shut off then you are wrong. The devices in this range pack some serious stuff under the hood and can amaze the first time users who are shifting to a smartphone platform.

All these phones boast large 4 to 5 inch capacitive touch screens, decent resolutions and good pixel densities which makes them good enough to watch HD movies. These phones offer displays which produce rich vibrant colours and can be used in direct sunlight.

One phone that deserves a special mention here is Moto E that comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, an added protection layer to protect phone’s display from scratches.

Three phones in sub 8k, which offers latest Android Operating system 4.4.2 KitKat are Moto E, Lava Iris X1 and Micromax Unite 2.

Sharing pictures over social media makes a good quality camera on a phone a necessity these days. Manufacturers are pouring extra pixels in cameras to lure customers and mobile phones in sub 8k category offers some great cameras. Lava Iris X1 stands tall in camera quality in this price range.

The 8 megapixel shooter on Lava Iris X1 comes with Sony’s BSI sensor and can capture great macro shoots with its quick auto focus. It shoots full HD videos and and even integrates time lapse videos. Iris X1 is not the only one, almost all others shoot videos at 720p.

Multitasking is one domain where the phone proves its worth. The devices in sub 8k range are no less than what flagship devices Samsung, Apple or LG used to offer one or two years back.

Manufacturers understand that consumers don’t want to compromise on performance and all smartphones in this category pack quad-core or dual core processors. You can browse internet with ease, play hardcore games for entertainment or even perform professional tasks like creating spreadsheets, Powerpoint or Word files on the go with these phones. They are backed by 1 GB or 512 RAM to offer a smooth hassle free multitasking experience. Buy one and try it youself.

How can you decide?

So now you have a fair idea of what manufacturers are offering and its time to make a choice. We understand its tough to come to a conclusion but don’t worry we will help you out. We tested 10 phones in sub 8K category and pushed them to their limits to find out what sets them apart from one another in the race of budget smartphone category. We start with a phone that changed the market scenario, and yes you guessed it right, it’s Moto E.

It offers a refined software experience with the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat and offers rich colours with good viewing angles with its 4.3 inch display. Its 5 MP camera works well for daylight photography. If brand really matters for you and you can compromise on front camera and flash then this phone is a complete package and worth each penny.

If you love photography and want a good looking device that suits your personality then Lava Iris X1 and Micromax Unite 2 will fulfill your requirements. Lava has integrated Sony’s BSI sensor in the 8 megapixel rear shooter of Iris X1 that lets it capture detailed macro shots with inbuilt auto focus. It can also shoot full HD videos and even comes with time lapse mode.

Micromax Unite 2 gives a tough competition to Iris X1 in terms of picture quality. Its 5 megapixel camera can also shoot time lapse videos and produce good quality images. Iris X1 is made up of good quality plastic and gives solid feel in hand though it weighs just 138 grams. Iris X1 also offers a good battery backup.

Unite 2 is the first phone that comes pre-loaded with 21 Indian languages. Guess what, it costs Rs.1000 less than Iris X1. We encountered a problem with the microSD card support in Unite 2, so check before you buy.

Both the phones offer good battery life. Nokia X is also well constructed but its 3 megapixel camera and the missing Google Playstore can disappoint you. Other phones in sub 8k category include Micromax Stellar MI-506 that resembles HTC One M7. It feels solid in hands with its brushed metallic back and front. It lacks in display quality and has an average camera and battery life.

If battery life is what matters to you then you can go for BSNL champion DM6513 3G. However, it offers average performance as compared to the others. We have given you an overview of the latest phones available but the final decision rests with you. With all these options, it’s the right time to shift from that old candy bar phone to a new touch based device that comes loaded with a slew of useful features.