OnePlus released the Nord 2 a few days ago. Like the original Nord, the new one too is aimed at the premium mid-segment, for people looking for a good phone with a budget below Rs 30,000. But impressive though the Nord 2 is, it faces a fair amount of competition.
These five phones, in particular, can prove to be alternatives to the latest Never Settler:
Poco F3 GT 5G – the design and pop up button wonder
Rs 26,999 onwards
Perhaps the most high-profile rival to the Nord 2 because it has been released a day later, the Poco F3 GT comes with a large 6.67-inch Turbo AMOLED Display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 Processor similar (though not the same as) to the one on the Nord 2.
It also comes with a triple camera arrangement on the back with a main 64-megapixel sensor as well as a large 5065 mAh with a 67W charger. It also has stereo speakers, but perhaps its biggest attraction is its cutting EDGE design, with a metal frame, heavily engraved glass black and special triggers that pop up for better gaming.
Some see it as a gaming-oriented phone but it actual\ly is terrific for anyone who wants a performer – Poco UI on top of a very clean MIUI 12.5 is a big bonus.
Xiaomi Mi 11X 5G – solid, stylish and substantial
Rs 29,990 onwards
Its starting price is a little above that of the Nord 2, but this is perhaps the best-equipped phone on this list. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, which many consider a little above the Dimensity 1200, and comes with a very good 6.67 inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate.
The 48-megapixel main camera on the back (there are two others) takes good snaps and videos. You get a 4520 mAH battery with 33W charging, and even the MIUI running on the phone is MIUI 12.5 which is very clean and clutter-free.
Round that off with a sleek design (dust and splash-proof), stereo speakers and you have a very good phone indeed that ticks most boxes.
iQoo 7 5G- a great device from a new brand
Rs 31,990 onwards
If you are ready to go a little north of Rs 30,000, the iQoo 7 is a decent contender. It comes with a 6.62 inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chip.
The main 48-megapixel sensor on the back (there are three cameras in all) is an able one and comes with OIS (a rarity), there are stereo speakers for audio and while the battery at 4400 mAh is the smallest in this segment, it can get charged in a jiffy with a 66W charger.
Some might find FunTouch OS a little on the crowded side and feel a little wary of a relatively new brand but this is a great device in the segment.
Further Read: iQOO 7 Review: A Powerhouse Flagship?
Realme X7 Max 5G – the first off the mark with Dimensity 1200
Rs 26,500 onwards
One of the most affordable devices in this list, the X7 Max is also the oldest of the devices in this list. But it remains a great proposition. It was the first phone to come with the Dimensity 1200 chip in India and sports a 6.43 inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Its triple camera arrangement with a 64 Megapixel main Sony sensor is capable of some very good photography. There are dual speakers and a 4500 mah battery with support for 50W Dart Charge.
Yes, Realme UI is showing its age a little and the design is somewhat polarising (not everyone will like that logo at the back), but at its price, this is a terrific proposition.
Samsung Galaxy A52 – no 5G, but scoring on basics!
Rs 26,499 onwards
This is the only phone without 5G in this list (although 5G is not available in India at this time), but then this is also perhaps the phone with the most attractive display and best camera on this list.
The 6.5 inch display is Super AMOLED Samsung style with poppy colours and a 90 Hz refresh rate the main camera of the quad cameras on the back is 64 megapixel one with OIS and a number of shooting options.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chip powering this phone is perhaps the least powerful on this lost but then you get IP67 dust and water resistance, a very good 32-megapixel front-facing camera, superb stereo speakers, a decent 4500 mAh battery with quick charge support, and a very eye-catching design which makes plastic look super, and this comes across as a great option at the price.
Incidentally, while it is the only phone on this list not to have 5G, it is also the only one in the list to have a 3.5 mm audio jack!
