If you have been following us, you might have known about our list of recommendation for every budget. So, here are the few things that we consider before choosing between a smartphone that is right for you and for your pocket.
To begin with the premium flagship smartphone, this year we didn’t recommend either Google Pixel 2 or Google Pixel 2 XL and here is the reason, why these are not the greatest smartphones in the world. The first thing that we consider for a smartphone is the price tag. So, if you look at the price of Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL, which is priced at ₹61,000 and ₹73,000 for the 64 GB RAM variant. This time Google has gone wrong with everything beginning with the price tag. These smartphones offer top of the line specifications, with the best camera smartphones but, if we look at the competition, the Nokia 8, OnePlus 5, and the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 which cost a fraction of the price tag.
So, all these models are powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Octa-core SoC, paired with at least 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64 GB onboard storage with a dedicated micro SD card slot (which is absent in Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL).
So, if you are into flagship smartphone, go with the Nokia 8, OnePlus 5, Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 or even wait for the OnePlus 5T, which is in due (coming on 21st November). As all these smartphones offer up to 2 years of software updates with dual camera and many fantastic features, which are missing on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
Coming to iOS, we don’t have much of a choice. But worry not, here we have picked the best models for your liking. So, if you are into the small screen, then go with the Apple iPhone SE, which retails in India for around ₹21,000. If you like a more standard smartphone, go with the Apple iPhone 6S, which has everything which one can find in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 (except OIS on the main camera), which retails for ₹36,000. However, if you are into photography go with the iPhone 7 Plus, instead of iPhone 8 Plus (except for the wireless charging and portrait lighting) which retails for ₹45,000.
Finally, the Apple iPhone X, which doesn’t have any competition. It has the best display in the market with powerful Apple A11 Bionic processor (which has higher clock speed than the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus). For the camera, augmented reality, display, user experience and future-proof hardware go for this. Our suggestion is to get one from Dubai or US, as it cost 30 percent less than the Indian retail pricing. ₹89,000 versus the ₹65,000 in the US.
Premium mid-range smartphones have a crowded market in India. These are those smartphones, which are priced between ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 price market. Our first preference will be the Coolpad Cool 6 Play, which retails for INR 14,000, which offers 6 GB RAM, dual camera solution, FHD screen, and powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 Octa-core SoC for the uninterrupted processor. So, out next choice is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, retails for ₹13,000 with Snapdragon 625, 4 GB RAM and full metal unibody. At these price tag, Moto G5S Plus, priced at ₹16,000 and the Lenovo K8 Note is priced at ₹14,000 which offers some of the best tech specifications with the stock Android user interface.
So, if you are into Oppo and Vivo, then you are getting a stone for the price of the diamond. So, don’t expect us to recommend any Vivo or Oppo smartphones and according to us, they have nothing in line with the specifications and the actual price tag.
Finally coming to the entry-level smartphones, the devices are priced between the ₹2,000 to ₹12,000. So, our first recommendation will the JioPhone, which is priced at ₹1,500, though it is not a smartphone it has everything in line starting with the 4G LTE connectivity. Our next recommendation will be the Nokia 2, which is priced at ₹6,500 rupees. So, finally, the Redmi Y1, if you are a selfie maniac and Redmi 4 for more of a decent smartphone priced at ₹8,999 and ₹10,999 only.