Choosing the best device in the mid-range segment is really a challenge. There is always a trade-off on some of the best devices in the mid-range segments. Last year’s top devices in this segment may look attractive at first but are devoid of the software updates that are really important to enjoy the latest features and the performance.
Smartphones below Rs 20,000 now bring a lot of value and features that are offered in the premium handsets with slightly polished implementation. However, it is always a good idea to save on some bucks by buying a decent performance instead of investing in a high end device which may soon go extinct.
Xolo, in association with Intel, launched the X1000 earlier this year for Rs 19,999 but it is now selling for around Rs 14,000. The Xolo X1000 features a 4.7-inch SHARP HD 2.5D display with 1280×720 pixel resolution. This smartphone is powered by a 2 GHz Intel Atom Z2480 processor and the PowerVR SGX540 graphics chip. Xolo X1000 comes packed with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage space.
At its rear, the X1000 has an 8 megapixel camera for recording HD videos and 1.3 megapixel in the front for video calling. The smartphone packs Bluetooth, WiFi and supports 3G networks for faster data connection. By default, it runs Android 4.0 ICS but recently it got the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update. Xolo X1000 has a 1900 mAh battery as well.
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India based iBerry recently announced the new Auxus Nuclear N1 smartphone with full HD (1080p) display for Rs 15,990. This smartphone features a 5.0-inch display with One Glass Solution technology and has been built using Corning Gorilla Glass technology. The iBerry Nuclea N1 comes packed with a quad-core 1.5 GHz MediaTek MT6589T mobile processor with PowerVR SGX544MP graphics chip.
This smartphone has a 13 megapixel camera with Auto Focus camera with BSI sensor and Flash support. In the front of the phone lies an 8 megapixel wide-angle camera for video calling. By default, the smartphone offers only 4 GB built-in storage but has a memory card that allows user to load up 64 GB micro SD card. The iBerry Nuclea N has Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It comes in Dual-SIM configuration – one SIM is meant for 3G network while the other is for 2G network. Merely 9.6 mm thick, this smartphone packs a 2800 mAh battery to provide up to 12 hours of talk time.
Currently selling for around Rs 15,000, the HTC Desire X Dual-SIM smartphone comes with 4-inch S LCD touchscreen display and Beats Audio technology. This new smartphone is 9.3 mm thick and comes with a removable battery. By default, the Desire X runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with the HTC Sense 4.0 user interface layered on top. Under the hood, it packs the dual-core 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8225 chip and Adreno 203 graphics chip. This HTC phone also features Beats Audio technology with pre-loaded audio profiles that become active when Beats Audio earphones or headphones are plugged to the smartphone.
Besides, the HTC Desire X Dual-SIM features 768 MB RAM and 4 GB on-board storage. However, one can hook up to a 32 GB micro SD card with the Desire X. This smartphone supports two normal SIMs in 3G and 2G configurations. HTC has added the usual features such as Bluetooth, WiFi, DLNA, and GPS with A-GPS support. For longer run time, HTC has added a removable 1650 mAh battery.
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Samsung Galaxy Grand, which is currently selling for around Rs 21,300, is a dual SIM handset. It is powered by Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean operating system and runs on a 1.2 GHz dual core processor. It has a healthy 1 GB RAM as well, and comes with a 5.0 inch TFT screen with WVGA resolution. Besides, the phone has an 8 megapixel rear camera with flash and a 2 megapixel front camera, which supports zero shutter-lag and ultra-quick camera start-up. It includes a backside illumination sensor to ensure clear shots even in the dark, as well as full HD video recording.
Apart from that the Galaxy Grand has GPS and GLONASS for navigation, 3G, DLNA, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. It comes with a powerful 2,100 mAh battery and Internal Memory of 8 GB, of which 4 GB is available to the user. One can also use a micro SD to expand the memory to 64 GB. The device is available in Elegant White and Metallic Blue colours. We have used and reviewed the Galaxy Grand and we were really impressed with its performance and features. You can read the review here (hyperlink:https://www.themobileindian.com/reviews/703_Mobile-review:-Samsung-Galaxy-Grand).
Windows Phone 8 based Lumia 820 features a 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display that supports 480 x 800 pixel resolution. Measuring 9.9 mm thick, the Nokia Lumia 820 packs a dual core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8260A mobile processor with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB on-board storage space. It has an 8 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, auto focus, and dual-LED flash at the back. This camera is capable of recording full 1080p HD videos and there is a VGA camera in the front for video calling. The phone also offers dual Band WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS with A-GPS support, and a 1650 mAh battery.
We reviewed Lumia 820 and found it worthy enough for a change from other mobile platforms. Recently, Nokia has begun the rollout of the Amber update for the Lumia 820.
It is currently retailing for around Rs 19,000.