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Buying guide: Best smartphones to buy in November 2014

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Buying guide: Best smartphones to buy in November 2014


October was a big month for smartphones. A lot of new devices came into the Indian market. Most notably, the iPhones were launched. Some devices, meanwhile, received price cut.


Keeping in mind what happened in October, we are updating our monthly phone guide. Each phone recommended in this guide has been tested and used by us and each of them is a solid buy in its class.

Best smartphone for less than Rs.5,000


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We saw a few new entry-level phones coming into the market in October. But our recommendation remains Karbonn Titanium S20. In terms of hardware, it is almost a copy of what Google and its hardware partners launched as part of Android One phones in September. It has the same 1.3GHz MediaTek processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, 4.5-inch screen with 480 x 854 pixels resolution, 5-megapixel rear camera and 0.3-megapixel front camera. The device runs Android 4.4 aka KitKat. The Titanium S20 is available from Amazon.in at a price of Rs.4,999.


The availability of the Titanium S20 is not that great. If you can't find it, as the second option we suggest Spice Stellar 497, which is available for little less than Rs.5,000.

Best smartphone for less than Rs.10,000


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Xiaomi RedMi 1S was launched around three months ago and it is still going strong. It is an impressive phone that delivers more than what you expect from a Rs.5,999 phone. Powered by a quad-core processor running at 1.6GHz and 1GB RAM, the device offers smooth enough performance, a good enough screen with 720P resolution and a brilliant 8-megapixel rear camera (for its price). Even the availability of the device has improved. The flash sale at Flipkart now lasts minutes rather than seconds. And in case you can't get it on the first attempt, just wait for the next sale -- it usually takes place on a Tuesday -- and you will probably get it.
Also Read: Full review of the Xiaomi RedMi 1S


Best smartphone for less than Rs.15,000


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There are several good options in this price bracket but our choice remains the new Motorola Moto G phone, especially now that the Android Lollipop is out and the phone will get it in the coming weeks. Called the Moto G (2nd gen), this phone is a relatively minor upgrade to the last year's Moto G. But that is enough to make it the best phone in its category. It has a bigger screen and better camera compared to its predecessor. But like all Moto phones, the core hardware is not the reason why we recommend the new Moto G. It is the software and solid performance. The stock Android experience is slick, smooth and reliable. Everything works well on the phone and without any lag. What more can you ask for a phone that costs Rs.12,999!
Also Read: Full review of the new Moto G


Best smartphone for less than Rs.20,000



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There are several new phones that have been launched in this price segment in October. Huawei Honor 6 looks particularly good. But our recommendation is first-generation Motorola Moto X. Available for Rs.17,999, this is a fantastic option in this price bracket. The hardware it packs in is good and goes well with the stock Android 4.4 inside it. The device has a vibrant 4.7-inch screen with 720P resolution, a top-of-the-line dual-core processor running at 1.7GHz, a capable 10-megapixel rear camera and an extremely ergonomic design that fits amazingly well in hands. Still not convinced? Moto X is likely to be among the first smartphones to get the Android Lollipop update in the coming weeks. The only downer is below average battery life of around 11-12 hours. Also it is only available at Flipkart and the quantities are limited now that the next generation Moto X is out.


If you can't get the Moto X, the second option that we suggest is Huawei Honor 6 which sells for around Rs.19,500.

Best smartphone for less than Rs.25,000



Lenovo Vibe Z K910 aka the older Vibe Z was launched early this year at a price of around Rs.32,000. Now it is selling for less than Rs.25,000 on e-retail websites. At this price, it is incredible phone. In its (current) class it offers smooth performance, a very good 13-megapixel camera and a very impressive FullHD screen. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, which still remains one of the fastest processors around. Even the design of the Vibe Z is attractive. Made of plastic, albeit the one with faux metal finish, it is sleek and slim.
The only two downsides, in our opinion, are Lenovo's custom user interface, which is too colourful and in-your-face, and the 5.5-inch screen that makes the device bit big to be used with single hand. But then big screens are in fashion and if you don't mind them, we recommend the Vibe Z wholeheartedly.

In case, Vibe Z is too big for your taste, we suggest the Nexus 5. The last year's official Google phone is now selling for around Rs.25,000.

Best smartphone for less than Rs.30,000



Last month we suggested LG G2 in this price bracket. And we don't see any reason to change it. Yep, the LG G2 is such a lovely little phone. After numerous price cuts (all unofficial) it is now available for a price of around Rs.29,000. At this price, the G2 is a steal. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. It has 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. The 5.2-inch screen with FullHD resolution is brilliant and the 13-megapixel camera is very capable. Even with all the powerful hardware inside it, the phone can last around 16-18 hours. Overall, the G2 is one of the most well-rounded phones we have seen in the market. It is an all-rounder. The only issues is the odd placement of volume and power buttons -- they are placed on the back cover -- and it takes a while to adjust to them.

Best smartphone for less than Rs.35,000


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The new Motorola Moto X aka Moto X (2nd gen) aka Moto X (2014) is what we recommend in this price bracket. Wrapped in a beautiful aluminium frame, the new Moto X has premium looks and impeccable finish. The phone has top notch hardware inside it, including Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. The 13-megapixel rear camera is very good, though not in the league of super shooters like the Galaxy S5 or the iPhone 5S. The 5.2-inch screen uses AMOLED panel and hence shows pleasant and vibrant colours. Just like other Moto phones, the device comes with stock Android and several "touchless" controls that allow a user to perform various tasks on it using voice commands or gestures. The new Moto X is sold at a price of Rs.31,999 on Flipkart.
Also Read: The full review of the new Moto X


Special mention


Just a few days ago Samsung reduced the price of the Galaxy S5. The phone is now selling for Rs.34,900 on Samsung's official online store in India. At this price, the Galaxy S5 offers a lot of incredibly functionality that you can't get in other phone.

The model selling for the Rs.34,900 is the one powered by the Exynos processor. This means it doesn't support 4G in India. For the 4G support, you will have to go for the Galaxy S5 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor that sells for Rs.36,900. But other than the processor, everything else is same in both variants of the S5. Both have water and dust proof body. Both have the heart rate sensors. Both come with the excellent S Health app and support multi-window feature. Both have a FullHD 5-inch SuperAMOLED screen, which is brilliant. Both have the 16-megapixel camera that is one of the best we have ever tested in a smartphone.


Best smartphone for less than Rs.40,000



None. Buy the new Moto X or the Galaxy S5. You don't have to spend more because you won't get a better phone. That is unless you have special needs. For example, if you want a more premium looking phone you can consider Sony Xperia Z3, HTC One (M8) or Samsung Galaxy Alpha. If you want a more compact phone, you can consider the Xperia Z3 Compact or the Galaxy Alpha. If you want an iPhone, get the iPhone 5S. All these are fine phones but in terms of core functionality, they don't beat the Moto X or the Galaxy S5 and offer no significant advantage over these two phones despite their higher prices.

Best smartphone for less than Rs.45,000


None. There are phones that cost more than Rs.40,000 but they are not worth the price. We suggest you buy either the new Moto X or Galaxy S5. Use the saved money to treat your friends in a fancy restaurant.


Best smartphone for less than Rs.50,000



None. Save the money. You can go on a nice holiday later.

Best smartphone money can buy


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The iPhone 6 is expensive with a price of Rs.53,500. But it is worth because of the reliable, easy to use and attractive package that iPhone 6 represents. In terms of core functionality, the iPhone 6 is among the best. It has a fantastic screen and camera. The design is no longer as unique as the older iPhones but it is still one of the best-looking phones in the market. The performance is top notch and the iOS 8, while not as versatile as Android, gets the job done with a flair that is hallmark of Apple software. If you are willing to splurge on your smartphone and want something that "just works" we have no hesitation in recommending the iPhone 6 to you.
Also read: The full review of the Apple iPhone 6

Best phablet
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Two excellent phablets were launched in October -- Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and the iPhone 6 Plus. Of these two, we prefer the Galaxy Note 4 and consider it the best phablet available in the Indian market currently. The reason for this is simple: Both the Galaxy Note 4 and the iPhone 6 Plus are big devices that make sense only if the software and features can utilise their big screens. The iPhone 6 Plus is just an oversized iPhone 6. The Note 4, however, offers something extra with the incredibly versatile stylus that has been bundled with the device. It also helps that the Note 4 gets the basics right. The SuperAMOLED screen with QHD display is probably the best we have seen in a mobile device. The camera is one of the best and more or less matches the performance offered by the iPhone 6 Plus camera in good light. In low light, the performance is not equally good but it is still better than what most of the other phones manage. The device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, which is really fast and makes sure that the Note 4 experience is mostly lag-free. The Note 4 is available for a price of around Rs.58,000.

Best camera phone

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The Lumia 1020 is old but it is still gold. If you need a phone that can double up as your point-and-shoot camera in most circumstance, go for the Lumia 1020, which is available for around Rs.30,000. The 41-megapixel Pureview camera in the device is a, well, pure work of art. It is an engineering marvel. The accompanied operating system - Windows Phone - is not so good compared to Android and iOS on several parameters, but as far as the camera performance is concerned, the Lumia 1020 is excellent, especially when the shooting conditions are tough and when you are thinking of getting a little creative with your photography.

Smartphone with the best battery life



More phones with bigger battery are coming into the market. For example, the Moto Turbo Maxx and Gionee Marathon M3 are phones to watch out for. But they are yet to hit the Indian market. So for now, our recommendation remains Lenovo P780. It is an old phone though. It was released in June last year and loses out to newer devices in pure performance, camera and screen quality. But its 4000 mAh battery is something that can keep it going for days. The P780 that sells for around Rs.16,000.

At the same time, the LG G2 is also a good -- and more useful -- option if you are looking for a phone with big battery life. Though it is also more expensive.

 
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