7 SMARTPHONES UNDER Rs 30,000
Mid-range smartphones are
affordable versions of flagship devices, with almost the same features, but
with lower-specced hardware. Even then they are capable of handling
high-definition multimedia content, and even advanced games. These handsets,
which strike a great balance between price and features, boast of sharp Full HD
Gorilla Glass displays, solid metal builds, biometric security, support for
dual 4G SIMs and a day-long battery lives.
Micromax
Dual 5
The Dual 5 is a flagship
device, that's available at a mid-range price. Notably this handset bakes quite
a few security , features into its user interface. You can separate
work-related data from personal content by way of a fingerprint, PIN or
pattern. An anti-theft feature by Qiku protects your data even if the device is
stolen: The Dual 5 is configured to send its location to an alternative phone
number that you can set-up as an emergency contact.This mobile number can also
be used to lock its memory card, wipe data and more.
For photography , you get
two 13MP rear shooters, which work in tandem to snap images with good depth of
field. The camera app includes modes for GIF animations, time-lapse videos,
macro shots, as well as a manual mode for control over shutter speed, white
balance and exposure. Images are rendered with neutral colours and a fair
amount of detail, provided they are shot in well-lit environs. On the other
hand, selfies with the 13MP front cam appear soft, and over-exposed at times.
That said, the Dual 5 beat
all the other handsets reviewed here in benchmark scores by a significant
margin. In real-world use, it multi-tasks flawlessly and you can even expect it
to run graphic-intensive games. Call clarity and network reception is perfect,
but the audio over headphones can sound a bit harsh at times.
The Dual 5 has an
additional button, which can be configured to clear memory , launch an app,
take a photo, etc. However, while its user interface includes features such as
call recording, data security and anti-theft, its onscreen instructions seem
like literal translations from Chinese into English, and can be difficult to
understand.
Still, if you're looking
for an all-round performer with good security features, the Dual 5 is well
worth your consideration. Besides, it is the only smartphone here with 128GB of
onboard storage.
RATING 7/10 Rs.24,999
Honor 8 Lite
The Honor 8 Lite is a
cheaper version of the flagship Honor 8, but maintains the same aesthetic look
and feel. Its customised user interface is snappier and is also highly
configurable, when compared to the other devices here. For instance, you can
set its fingerprint sensor to take pictures, answer a call, or shut an alarm.
You also get a Health app for fitness and an SOS emergency service. On the flip
side, it's the only handset here without a Gorilla Glass screen.
On the performance front,
it is on a par with the Moto G5 Plus; capable of handling mundane productivity
tasks as well as demanding 3D games smoothly .
Pictures shot with its rear
camera appear sharp, with punchy colours and excellent contrast. The camera is
responsive but the software takes a second to process captures in dull
lighting. On the other hand, its front ther hand, its front camera is an
average performer when it comes to selfies; it has a panorama option for large
group shots, but the process is clunky and not as intuitive as it is on the
Oppo F3.
Honor devices have always
had a feature rich camera app, and the 8 Lite is no different.
You get shooting modes like
light painting, document scan and Pro Video, which lets you manually set
exposure, white balance and light metering. Its built-in editing tool includes
functions that let you pixelate parts of the photo, highlight one colour in a
monochrome shot and `beautify' pictures with its makeup mode.
On the whole, the Honor 8
Lite promises a decent bang for your buck: you get a good-looking handset, a
crystal-clear display, Huawei's proprietary amplifier technology for loud audio
playback, day-long battery, and network handling that's comparable to the best
in the market.
RATING 6.5/10 Rs.17,999
Gionee A1
The Gionee A1 might not
have a single standout feature, but still makes for a compelling package. It is
second only to the Oppo F3 when it comes to selfies, thanks to its 16MP front
camera, while its 13MP rear shooter clicks images with great contrast and
vibrant colours. In low-light, picture quality takes a slight hit. Still, you
get an interface with options to shoot slow motion videos, business cards,
barcodes, and even translate foreign language text.
Its home-screen button,
which doubles as a fingerprint sensor, recognises gestures to launch a floating
shortcut panel that can be customised to launch features and apps.Plus, you get
call recording; gesture recognition to mute or answer calls, and a split screen
mode that makes it easier to work with two apps at the same time.
The phone works smoothly
for most part, but gets unusually warm during prolonged use and while charging.
Hopefully , this flaw will be rectified with a firmware update.
Notably , the Gionee A1
scores high on the entertainment quotient: an IR blaster on the handset lets
you control your TV , AC, set-top box, etc. Then, there's the Peel app, which
displays a localised TV programme guide, allowing you to quickly switch to your
favourite channels. And you also get the Waves MaxxAudio sound optimiser that
boosts the bass in music without overpowering the highs.
RATING 6/10 Rs.16,999
Panasonic Eluga Ray Max
The Panasonic Eluga Ray Max
is the only handset here that sports a plastic build, and a removable back
panel for access to the SIM card and a memory card slots. But it still packs in
features like a homescreen button that doubles as a fingerprint sensor, a call
recorder, motion recognition and smart gestures to lock the screen, launch apps
and make calls.
Its rear camera takes
decent photographs in welllit surroundings; it catches some detail in shots,
and manages to get the exposure right in shadow areas while keeping noise to a
minimum. The front camera is not too bad either, with a simple beautification
mode to help subjects appear blemish-free, with larger eyes and a narrower jaw
line.
On the downside, given its
screen's brightness, it sometimes gets difficult to figure out if the subject
is in focus when in direct sunlight.
The Ray Max is not a
performer like the Micromax Dual 5 or a multimedia phone like the Gionee A1.
But it is capable of running games like Asphalt 8, though it has limitations
when handling heavier workloads and multi-tasking between them.
Also, its touch sensor,
which can also be used to navigate to the home-screen or one step back, is a
bit slow in unlocking the handset when compared to all the devices on review
here.
On the music front, its
Snapdragon Audio+ enhancement amplifies sound across the aural range, yet don't
expect nuanced output from this device.
Overall, the Ray Max
managed to equal the benchmark scores of the Oppo F3 and it even does this at a
lesser price. So if you have to choose budget over build quality and better
cameras, this is the phone you could consider instead.
RATING 5.5/10 Rs.12,4999
Moto G5 Plus
The Moto G5 Plus is a
workhorse that gives you two days of mixed usage--web browsing, music, calls,
email, etc--on a single charge. Also, this is the only phone in this line-up
with a water-repellent build. It has a nano-coating--inside and out--that protects
it from damage caused by spillage and splashes.
Owing to its marginally
smaller (5.2-inch) screen, the handset feels lighter and easier to operate. Its
home-screen button is replaced with a fingerprint sensor that can only be used
to unlock the screen; navigation controls are accessible on its touchscreen
only .
The G5 Plus, which runs
Android Nougat OS sans any customisation, is very responsive and delivers a
lag-free experience. You also get Moto's signature motion gestures that allows
you to activate its camera and flashlight; you can flip the phone to mute a
call, and swipe to shrink the screen. You can also customise its audio output,
depending upon whether you're using its speakers, or listening to music on your
headphones.
And this brings us to the
cameras: the G5's rear shooter is quick to focus and is capable of sharp
pictures with a fair amount of detail and excellent colour contrast. Selfies
taken with the front camera are not as good as those snapped by the Gionee A1
and Oppo F3, but they are definitely not a cause for complaint.
Performance-wise, this
phone is on a par with the pricey Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro and handles 3D games
and resource-intensive photo-editing apps with ease.
RATING 6.5/10 Rs.16,999
Oppo F3
The Oppo F3--touted as an
out-and-out selfie phone--is equipped with dual front-facing cameras: A 16MP
snapper for `regular' selfies and an 8MP shooter for wide-angle shots of larger
groups. The 16MP cam is easily one of the best in this round up; it captures
sharp mug shots with great detail.The second one--with its selfie panorama
mode--works just as well with its near 160-degree field of view.
The rear camera does well
to capture sharp stills with balanced colours and evenly exposed photos.
However, details tend to get lost when focusing on objects with similar colour
contrast.
Oppo's customised interface
comes with the options like a fingerprint sensor that can also be configured to
lock apps and file folders, a call recorder, gesture recognition and a detailed
instruction guide for new users. You also get a cloning feature that allows you
to run two instances of compatible apps on the phone. While this worked with
WhatsApp, it would not let us clone apps like Amazon, Flipkart, Facebook and
Facebook Messenger.
The Oppo F3 comes with a Dirac
sound optimiser that delivers deep lows, clear mids and crisp highs. You also
get the option to individually adjust these levels, or simply apply `music
genre' presets.
All in all, the F3 is a
middling performer when it comes to productivity tasks and intensive gaming,
but there's no denying that this device is built around its fantastic cameras.
RATING 6/10 Rs.19,990
Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro
The C7 Pro is probably the
best mid-range phone available today for Samsung loyalists. Its large, crisp
display is ideal for reading and browsing the internet; you get a good set of
cameras, as well as two-day battery life that can be extended with power
management tools. It doesn't match up to the Micromax Dual 5's processing
muscle, but it is still capable of handling heavy duty tasks, including 3D
games like War Robots and Modern Combat 5, without a stutter.
Pictures taken with the C7
Pro's rear camera are on a par with the Moto G5 Plus, with vivid colours,
details and textures. Some images show a hint of image smoothening, and this is
more evident when you use the selfie camera in low-light.
You don't get the latest
Android Nougat version, but Samsung's customised user interface includes some
nifty features: You can hide apps, safeguard work-related data with your
fingerprint, use accessibility features for single-handed operation, edit
documents with Microsoft's Mobile Office productivity suite, and even work
across two apps in a split-screen mode.Audio output over earphones is clear and
neutral. Its built-in audio enhancement lets you fine tune the output via
presets and a 7-band graphic equaliser. The C7 Pro might not be the best
handset at its asking price, but it still remains an attractive proposition due
to its balanced mix of build quality, looks, proprietary features and
performance.
RATING 6/10 Rs.27,990
WHAT THE RATINGS MEAN:
Below 5:
The product is poor and not
worth buying it promises | 5 and 6: The product works as advertised | 7: The
product is good; will not disappoint | 8: Very good; super value for money | 9:
The device is exceptional | 10: You're kidding, right?
Ashutosh Desai
TOI 20MAY17
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