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Six budget smartphones that are as wow as flagship phones

November 01, 2017 15:46 IST

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Motorola Moto G5S Plus

Photograph: Courtesy motorola.in

This budget phone comes with impressive hardware, near stock android experience and premium design.

What's impressive?

A great 13MP dual camera setup despite the relatively low cost

What's not?

Phone is not water or dust proof

Cost

₹14,450


 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

Photograph: Courtesy mi.com

Xiaomi is known to offer high-end specs on a budget. Its Redmi Note 4 has been a value-for-money phone for a long time now and is still selling like hot cakes.

What's impressive?

Good specs -- 64GB ROM, 4GB RAM and Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 -- at a very low price

What's not?

The camera is not as good as its counterparts

Cost

Starting at ₹9,999


Xiaomi Mi A1

Photograph: Courtesy mi.com

Xiaomi Mi A1 was developed by Google as part of its Android One initiative and it offers a stock android experience at budget price.

It's a direct competitor to the Moto G5S Plus and comes with almost the same configuration, barring the latter's impressive camera.

What's impressive?

Good specs for a small budget and a dual camera setup.

What's not?

It is not water or dust proof

Cost

₹14,999


Xiaomi Redmi 4

Photograph: Courtesy mi.com

Xiaomi clearly rules the budget segment.

If you are not a big display fan, then Xiaomi packs all the latest features in the 5-inch Redmi 4. Despite being a budget phone, it includes features like fingerprint sensor and IR blaster.

What's impressive?

Good specs for a small budget, premium aluminum body and a 4,100mAh battery

What's not?

No clarity on the protective glass that the display is made of.

Quick charging would have been better for its high-capacity battery.

Cost

Starting at ₹6,999


Nokia 6

Photograph: Courtesy pixabay.com / Creative Commons

A bit expensive compared to what its competitors are offering, the Nokia 6 is well built and sturdy, keeping the Nokia custom alive.

What's impressive?

Stereo speakers, aluminum body, Dolby Atmos sound enhancement and the Pure Android experience

What's not?

Single primary camera and a low-end processor compared to what competitors offer at this budget

Cost

₹14,999


LG Q6 plus

Photograph: Courtesy lg.com

If you wish to buy a full-vision display phone and your budget is tight, think of the LG Q6 Plus. It has the design essence of the flagship LG G6.

What's impressive?

Military-grade aluminum frame, full-vision display, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM

What's not?

No fingerprint sensor and a low-end processor compared to what competitors offer at this price

Cost

₹17,990

Ashish Narsale in Mumbai