Under Rs. 20,000:
Let’s be honest, this is still the budget segment most people would like to purchase a smartphone – especially if it’s their first. Here’s my suggestions:
Moto g62 5G: This is a packed 5G handset (software update expected later this month) from the house of Moto. A big 6.5-inch (2400x1080) 120Hz LED display along with a 5,000 mAh battery unit and you get a 20watt charger in the box. The phone runs Android 12 with almost no bloatware added and some Moto goodies such as Moto personalization. There’s also a a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers for a more rounded multimedia experience. The triple camera setup on the back isn’t too bad either with added features such live filters, dual capture and RAW format support.
Realme 9 Speed Edition 5G: With the Android 12 update rolled out for it, the Realme 9 Pro SE is a value offering in the sub-20k space. The phone packs a Snapdragon 778G along with 6GB of RAM (suggested configuration). You get a 6.6-inch LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate support that’s quite unique for a smartphone at this price range. The phone sports a 5,000 mAh battery and comes with a 30watt charger in the box, too. You get a triple camera system with a 48MP main camera and several bells and whistles in the software department – from theming engine, sketchpad on the lockscreen to parallel apps to run your phone apps on your PC, too.
Under Rs. 50,000:
This comes with a lot more heavyweights with software updates, design and camera performance taking higher priorities.
Poco F4 5G: This is still one of the most value-for-money devices available in the market. The F4 offers a nice 6.67-inch AMOLED display, decent triple camera system. MIUI 13 with refinements over the previous version and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 chipset for a lot of headroom. Other than that, there’s a lot of 5G bands supported for it to be usable on different network carriers across different regions whenever the service is available.
Google Pixel 6a: There have been deals going on for the Pixel 6a, and this is already one of the more reliable and sorted devices in this price range. It may not be the shiniest of them all, but if you can get a deal for it under Rs. 35,000 and value software updates on your phone, that camera and software experience can really hold its ground well for it to be a worthy option.
Nothing Phone (1): Its back is transparent, and it lights up, it has something called Glyph UI and it is a relatively new kid on the block. The Nothing Phone (1) sort of stands out in the phone space with its look, something you can perhaps flaunt as a gift. The device has received a lot of updates to fix its software, which is now quite smooth and reliable than before. The phone feels nice in the hand, and its camera performance is decent too for the price range.
OnePlus 10T: This is an option worth considering for people looking for a big device with a decent battery life (comes with a massive charger for a phone, I must add) and high-end specifications on most fronts. The performance of the device is generally smooth for day-to-day tasks and it’s able to keep up with your gaming requirements without getting too warm too frequently.
Wearable:
Mi Smart Band 6: If you want a personal tracker without splurging on much, the Mi Smart Band 6 does a decent job tracking your workouts, steps, heart rate and SpO2. It comes with a 1.56-inch AMOLED display that’s not usually on smart bands. Price: Rs 3,499.
OnePlus Nord Watch: OnePlus’s first smartwatch under the Nord brand provides a good enough experience for a smartwatch under Rs. 5,000 that comes with a 1.78-inch rectangular AMOLED display with curved edges, a step tracker and fairly long battery life with its 230mAh battery unit. It’s more suited for people with relatively large wrists, in my experience. It’s IP68 dust and water resistant, so less worry if used outdoors or in gym. Price: Rs 4,999.
Amazfit GTR 2 (new version): The GTR 2 has a nice 1.39-inch circular AMOLED display and can do 24-hours heart track monitoring. It can do calling over Bluetooth (if you really want to), can carry music in its internal storage and has a long battery life and a lot of built-in sports modes for better tracking, too. The strap, fitness accuracy and display quality really make the GTR 2 stand tall among the competition for a premium looking smartwatch. Price: Rs 8,999
