Android Marshmallow is the latest version of Android operating system. However, it is yet to be rolled out for majority of devices which are still operating on its predecessor – Android Lollipop. Only Google’s Android One and Nexus devices have got the latest Android Marshmallow soon after its release. Fortunately, if you want a phone with the latest Android version you don’t have to pay huge sums these days nor you have to pick one of the Nexus or Android One devices. Recently, many budget devices have been launched in India with the latest Android Marshmallow operating system.
Note that Android 6.0 comes with major improvements and new features in comparison to its predecessor, the Android Lollipop. It brings a new power management feature, named as Doze, that claims to reduce device’s background activity when the device is not in use to increase standby battery life. Android Marshmallow also features a new permissions system for users to install and upgrade apps, it will only ask for permissions when it’s actually needed and users can deny any permission and still continue to use the app.
With ‘It’s all here’ feature one can sign-in to his Google Account, and your apps, settings, contacts, photos, and more are all there, right where you left them. Google Now on Tap is another feature of Android 6.0 which enable the users to get relevant info without having to leave an App or a website. They only need to touch and hold the home button. It also support Multi-app/splitscreen support which enable users to run two apps side-by-side, we have seen this feature before on Samsung’s Note devices.
Besides these, the new Android 6.0 features include Improved cut, copy, and paste, volume control, Voice power (use your voice to control apps), Direct Share, Bluetooth stylus support, Duplex printing support, Hotspot 2.0, easy transfer of your accounts, apps and data to a new device, VPN support and a new App drawer etc. The Android 6.0 version also brings support for Gujarati and Urdu languages.
So here is a list of devices that are available in India for less than Rs 10,000 and come with the latest Android Marshmallow feature.
It was recently launched at Rs 4,299 and is available exclusively for purchase at Snapdeal. The smartphone comes in two colour variants Black and White.
The Infocus Bingo 10 features a 4.5-inch FWVGA (854 x 480p) On-cell display. It is powered by 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek (MT6580M) processor, which is paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. It has an expandable storage slot as well which can hold a micro SD card of up to 64GB capacity. The smartphone runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with InLife UI 2.0 on top of it and is backed up by a 2000mAh battery.
The smartphone sports a 5-megapixel camera and an LED flash on its rear as well as on front panel. Further, the smartphone offers Dual SIM, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS, Micro USB 2.0 port, Light Sensor, G-sensor, and Proximity sensor. The handset measures 135.65 x 67.38 x 10.43 mm.
The Moto E (2nd Gen, 4G), which is available in India at Rs 6,999, got the Android Marshmallow update earlier in February this year.
Moto E (2nd Gen) 4G version comes with a 4.5-inch qHD display, front-facing 0.3 megapixel camera, Android Lollipop operating system and 1.2GHz, 64 bit quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor. This dual SIM handset has 1 GB RAM, 8 GB built in storage and a 32 GB micro SD card slot.
Measuring 66.8×129.9×12.3 mm, the Moto E (2nd Gen) 4G weighs 145 grams with a 2390 mAh battery. The smartphone offers 5 megapixel camera, FM radio, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS with GLONASS and A-GPS as well as Beidou.
Lava launched the P7 in January for Rs 5,499. It comes with a 5 inch IPS capacitive touchscreen with FWVGA (854×480 pixels) Resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It weighs just 133 grams and is 8mm thick. The handset comes with Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system with a guaranteed upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It is powered by a 64 bit 1.2 GHz quad core processor which coupled with 1 GB RAM should offer decent performance. The device has 16 GB of Internal Memory and 32 GB expandable storage slot.
The dual SIM Lava P7 is backed by 2000 mAh battery that claims to offer up to 20 hours of talktime. In terms of camera, it sports a 5-megapixel rear shooter with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. There are other features in the device like Multi-Point Touch, Custom & Drawing Gestures and Smart Wake-up. For connectivity, this dual SIM handset offers WiFi, Bluetooth, micro USB and GPS.
The Lava P7 is available in White, Blue, and Gold (With Pearl Finish) colours.
The Lava V2, which is priced at Rs 10,750, is powered by MediaTek’s 64-bit quad-core processor and 3 GB RAM. This Android 6.0 opearating system based smartphone has 32 GB of internal storage and had dual SIM with dual standby feature.
The V2 3GB is 7.6 mm thick and weighs 128 grams. It has 16GB internal storage that is expandable up to 32GB. Lava V2 (3GB) has a 13 megapixel rear camera and an 8 megapixel front camera. The camera is armed with 1080p Full HD video playback support, 1.4 Micron pixel size, F2.0 Aperture, 5 layer LarganTM Lens with Blue Glass filter and Dual LED flash for rear camera. It has “MagicPix†software which has features like Face Beauty, Night Pro, Wide Selfie, Multi Angle View, Pic Focus (bokeh mode for subject focus with blurred background), GIF Maker along with Video and Panoramic Mode.
The Lava V2 3GB is available in Royal Black, Icy White and Champagne Gold colours.
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Review Link: Lava Pixel V1 review
Being an Android One device, Lava Pixel V1 got the Android Marshmallow version quite early. The Lava Pixel V1 has a 5.5 inch IPS display with high definition resolution (1280×720 pixels) and Asahi Dragon Trail Glass for protection against scratches. The smartphone runs on the 1.3 GHz quad core processor, Mali 400 MP2 graphics processor and 2 GB RAM.
The Lava Pixel V1 has an 8 megapixel camera which can capture images of 13 megapixel resolution through software enhancement. The rear camera has a 1.4 um BSI sensor, F2.0 Aperture and 5P lens. There is an LED flash in the rear panel as well. In the front of Lava Pixel V1 there is a 5 megapixel camera which, as per the company, can capture images in 8 megapixel resolution through software enhancements. It has a 1.4um BSI sensor, F2.4 aperture and 4P lens.
The Pixel V1 has dual SIM offering 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB 2.0 port, WiFi (b/g/n) and GPS with A-GPS support. It has a decent 2650 mAh Li-Po battery. The phone has 32 GB internal memory and has a 32 GB expandable memory slot as well.
Lava Pixel V1 is currently available for around Rs 8,800.
The Micromax Canvas A1 bears a 4.5-inch touchscreen display with 480×854 pixel resolution. Powered by a quad-core unspecified MediaTek mobile chipset, the Canvas A1 packs 1 GB RAM to run the system as well as apps smoothly. Note that it ships with the Android Lollipop operating system.
There are two versions of Canvas A1 – one with 4 GB on-board storage while the other has 8 GB of internal memory. Both the versions have Memory card slot to add microSD card. At the back it offers a 5 megapixel camera and an LED flash for imaging. In the front, it has a 2 megapixel camera for holding video calls and video chats.
The Canvas A1 has Dual-SIM support and can accommodate at least one 3G network enabled SIM card. Other features include WiFi support, FM Radio, and more. Micromax has added 1700 mAh battery with is removable.
Karbonn Sparkle V comes with a 4.5-inch touchscreen display with 480×854 pixel resolution, quad-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 4 GB internal memory, 32 GB expandable storage slot, and a 1700 mAh battery that promises 8.9 hours of talktime. Like other Android One devices, it too got the Android Marshmallow update recently.
The Sparkle V weighs 140 grams and is 9.3 mm thick. It has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera. The phone comes with dual SIM support and can accommodate at least one 3G network enabled SIM card. Besides, it has WiFi and FM Radio.
Review Link: Spice Dream Uno review
Spice Dream Uno was the first smartphone in India under Google’s Android One programme. The Spice Android One Dream Uno Mi 498 comes with a 4.5 inch display with 480×854 pixels resolution. The phone is powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek quad-core processor, Mali-400MP graphics and 1GB RAM. The phone has 4GB internal storage and has an expandable storage slot that can accommodate a micro SD card of up to 32GB capacity.
It sports a 5 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and 2 megapixel front-facing camera. The phone has a 1700mAh battery. For connectivity, the dual-SIM Spice Android One phone supports Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, WiFi and A-GPS.
It is currently available for around Rs 5,000.
Lenovo has released the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for its best-selling 4G smartphone, the K3 Note, earlier this month. This update brings in all the features of Android M like Doze, Direct Share, Simplified Volume Controls, Google Now on Tap, Runtime Permissions and many many more for the K3 Note. Along with the Android 6.0 (M) update K3 Note also get Lenovo’s personal cinematic experience through the TheaterMax. With TheaterMax, you can now pair your K3 Note with ANT VR Glass and convert all your favourite content (Videos, Games, Live Streaming, Youtube etc) into a full blown virtual cinematic experience.
The Lenovo K3 Note features a 5.5 inch full HD touchscreen and is backed by a 1.7 GHz octa core processor. There is 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage and a 32 GB micro SD card slot in the phone.
The 8 mm thin Lenovo K3 Note weighs 150 grams with a 3000 mAh Li-Po battery that claims to offers 36 hours of 3G talktime. The handset offers a 13 megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and a 5 megapixel front camera. The front camera comes with three lens element that claims to click distortion free images and there is auto selfie beautification feature as well.
This dual SIM smartphone offers 4G connectivity, WiFi (b/g/n) with Hotspot feature, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, FM radio, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS, and micro USB 2.0 port.
NOTE: There are several other smartphones which are supposed to be upgraded to the Android Marshmallow version, as promised by their respective manufacturers at the time of their launch. These include Lava P7, Lava A71, Gionee Elife E7 Mini, Lava X10 etc.