It is safe to say that “Entry Level” smartphones can be phones that cost under Rs. 10,000. Within this range there is a big cluster of phones and almost all brands target this bracket primarily to claim the throne in the Indian market. And the easiest way to go by is to release a new competitive smartphone every other day. Usually the USP feature is called out which could be either the camera, a multi-core processor or a gigantic battery. This is what an average user falls for and gets trapped because they would have overlooked major aspects that a perfect smartphone should have. While the smartphones have become an unavoidable companion helping everybody to stay on top of their game with emails, social media, apps and what not, choosing the right device is definitely important.
So what a consumer should really look for when buying a good budget phone? And what the heck is a “perfect entry level smartphone”? This guide covers various aspects of phones that you need to know before you buy. All the products will also be linked to PriceBaba.com where you can find the best prices for the suggested phones.
Table of Contents
RAM
RAM Size is becoming a catch phrase these days with Android phones like Asus Zenfone 2 and OnePlus 2 boasting 4GB of RAM! With 4GB of RAM you can basically switch between two graphics-intensive games if you need to. This may sound like an overkill but in reality it is the most important part after the SoC (Processor) itself. Having extra amount of RAM means you have the freedom to multitask without lags and reloading. It is not only applications that benefit with more RAM, even the operating system will be swifter to move around. Though Android 4.4 KitKat was made to work with 512MB of RAM, the more recent Android Lollipop makes no such claim. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a phone with 512MB RAM running Lollipop and most phones in the market today come with this OS out of the box.
You should invest in a phone with 2GB of RAM if you plan on using it for the next couple of years. We are not saying that 1GB RAM is not sufficient for Android, it’s just that you won’t be able to utilize the true potential of the processor for multitasking. 1GB RAM is okay for performing everyday chores effortlessly on any Android smartphone, but if you want to work on multiple apps simultaneously then 1GB RAM is just not sufficient.
Battery
Battery is another thing that is always in need of a desperate upgrade. The latest trend that is catching up is Qualcomm’s Fast Charging. Albeit that will only help to charge faster and not retain more battery. When you have higher rated mAh battery, you could do more with the phone without having a powerbank dangling along. That’s however subjective to the components the phone comes with, as it eventually will drain power from the battery.
You need at least a 2300mAh sized battery if the phone comes with modest components like a Snapdragon 400 series chip and a 720p display. But, if the phone has a 1080p display and a higher-rate chipset, then look at least 2600mAh (3000mAh ideal). An example of a phone with perfect battery in low budget would be the Motorola Moto E 2nd Gen. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G provides the most bang for buck by offering a 3100 mAh battery at a price of Rs. 8,000.
Processor
Phones running a newer generation of low-end processors is the safest bet. Snapdragon 200 and Snapdragon 410 are the ones you should look for. MediaTek processors weren’t really great in the past but have improved over time. These chipsets were responsible in delaying Android updates in some and app crashes in some others. Snapdragon, on the other hand it has built a name in the past but recently some heating and throttling issues have surfaced in the newer chipsets like the Snapdragon 810 and the Snapdragon 615. Picking up a phone with the most number of cores isn’t really important and you should read this article find out more. While eight cores may seem like an overkill, four cores seem to be the bare minimum for a decent experience.
Screen & Resolution
In the low-end segment, one should stick with small sized displays, say 5-inches or less. The main reason behind this suggestion is that most phones under Rs. 10,000 today have a low resolution. And a low resolution on a big screen phone will ruin the viewing experience. Lesser pixels spread across a big screen will magnify content and make text and images look slightly pixelated. One should look for phones with a resolution of at least 720p to be able to enjoy YouTube videos and videos shot in HD. While some people prefer small phones, many others today enjoy big screened ones. Whatever the case, ensure the pixel density is above 300PPI for adequate sharpness.
Camera (Rear and Front)
A phone’s camera is one feature that has become a deciding factor for many consumers. People want a good camera phone no matter how low the budget. Many enjoy taking selfies in this age and even the front camera nowadays is as important as the rear sensor. In this department look for a phone with an apt megapixel ratings which is at least 8MP at the rear and a minimum 5MP for the front, if you’re into selfies. Phones in this price range will come with auto-focus but not all will have 1080p video recording. When buying a phone, ensure that it at least does 720p (HD) video recording. You should take a look at how good the camera handles low lighting conditions.
The phones that fall under all these criterias would be:
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