[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Use case is just basic apps: social media, UPI and the like. Video calling is a must (online classes) but WhatsApp should have that covered I presume.

Video call clarity highly depends on how good the front camera is. Also for this purpose the speaker output needs to be great unless you are planning to use headphones.

I would suggest to increase your budget and go for a proper phone. Check out either the Vivo T4x or the iQoo Z10x (both are basically the same phone, buy whichever is cheaper).

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Suggestions for a 'reliable' budget smartphone under/around 10k? It's for a giveaway so I'd want to buy the phone, a protective case and a charger (if not included in box) so it's ready to use without extra expense on the recipient's part. Use case is just basic apps: social media, UPI and the like. Video calling is a must (online classes) but WhatsApp should have that covered I presume.

Just like how we recommend a Maruti for somebody looking for an entry level car, you can't go wrong with a Samsung for a Rs. 10k to 12k phone. Sure, you will sadly miss out on AI beautification selfie mode, but it will typically get the basics right (mega battery, decent screen, OKish camera etc). Other brands/models might have issues like bloatware and longevity.

You can read my review of an older entry level Samsung phone here:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadge...martphone.html (Comparison: 6-year old flagship smartphone Vs latest entry-level smartphone)
Current equivalent of above phone is probably M15 or M16. Regarding missing charger, just add one separately.

But before buying any phone, do a Google search for "Brand Modelname 91mobiles Review". 91mobiles.com is the best smartphone research/review site right now. It has an excellent 'phone finder' tool too: https://www.91mobiles.com/phonefinder.php

[JMaruru]

I am looking for a new android phone to replace my aging samsung A52.

- Excellent call quality
- No bloatware
- No heating during regular usage(No video games)
- Auto call recording option
- Decent camera
- Stereo speakers
- Prefer snapdragon chipset based device

Budget, will prefer it to be around 25K but can stretch until 30K.

[ss11011988]

Has anyone bought the Nothing Phone 3a or the Nothing Phone 3a Pro? If so, how has the experience been so far from a daily driver perspective? The 3A seems to be good value for money and the software support seems to be pretty decent (3 OS updates, 6-year security updates), not to mention I dig that blue color too (pretty nice IMO). Don't see the point in going for the Pro model, as there is nothing "Pro" about it. I would like to get a perspective on hardware-software optimization and the general camera performance.

Cheers,
NI

[SRS]

Originally Posted by ss11011988

I would like to get a perspective on hardware-software optimization and the general camera performance.

Cheers,
NI

My sister recently bought the Nothing Phone 3a, and I have bought the 3a Pro for a cousin of mine. The 3a is more value for money and is a solid option. The hardware-software optimisation is one of the best, and the software makes full use of the hardware. Daily tasks and casual gaming are a breeze, and the OS is clean and minimal with zero bloat.

As for the camera, the 3a gets a 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide and 2x telephoto, while the Pro model gets an upgraded 50MP periscope lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The Pro model gets a better camera, and that's probably the only reason to go for it; the Portraits, zoom, low light, and selfies are all better on the Pro.

Battery life is excellent, and the phone charges quickly, provided you use the branded charger

So, from an overall perspective, the 3a is the one to go for unless you need a better zoom and selfie camera.

The blue colour is a standout among the lineup and a great choice. I am sure the 3a would be a good phone from an overall standpoint, and I wholeheartedly recommend it in this budget.

[Oxy]

Wife needs a new phone, she managed to break the display of her Oneplus Nord CE 3 to the point that the touch has become unresponsive and the fingerprint sensor doesn't appear on the screen.

Now there seems to be this new trend of phones coming with massive batteries, thereby contributing to their bulk. Finding a lightweight phone with a flat display having a half decent processor is proving to be a tedious job.

Any suggestions? Budget preferably under 30k.

Guess I will settle for last year's Moto Edge 50 Neo or Oneplus Nord CE 4.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Finding a lightweight phone with a flat display having a half decent processor is proving to be a tedious job.

Motorola Edge series phones are usually lighter with good battery.

Moto Edge 60 Stylus has flat display but sadly this year all of their models are getting launched with Mediatek, no Qualcomms. And 60 Stylus also misses the telephoto camera. So Snapdragon based Edge 50 models are still good enough, especially the Edge 50 with MIL-810 rating.

Moto G8X series is good choice with flat screen. G86 seems to be getting launched with Snapdragon processor, check that as well.

[SRS]

Originally Posted by Oxy

.

Any suggestions? Budget preferably under 30k.

Guess I will settle for last year's Moto Edge 50 Neo or Oneplus Nord CE 4.

The newly launched Samsung M56 seems to meet your requirements, with a 180 g weight and 7.2mm thickness. It costs Rs.24,999 for the 8 GB/128 GB variant (after card discount for all banks) or Rs. 27,999 for the 256 GB variant. Moreover, it gets 6 major upgrades as well.

The Nord CE4 is due for an update soon, as the CE5 is expected in May, with leaks all over for the last couple of weeks.

So if you are in a hurry, I recommend the Samsung; however, the CE5 is worth waiting for.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

So Snapdragon based Edge 50 models are still good enough, especially the Edge 50 with MIL-810 rating.

Moto G8X series is good choice with flat screen. G86 seems to be getting launched with Snapdragon processor, check that as well.

Thanks. The Moto Edge 50 again has a curved display which is a deal breaker for me. Will keep the G86 in mind.

Originally Posted by SRS

So if you are in a hurry, I recommend the Samsung; however, the CE5 is worth waiting for.

I heard the CE 5 comes with a single mono speaker (no dual stereo speakers). That again is a deal breaker as content consumption is going to be one of the main use cases.

M56 appears expensive for what it offers. I think the CE 4 is much better sorted for the price it comes at.

Planning to take a look at the CMF Phone 2 Pro that's launching today as well. Hope that doesn't disappoint.

PS: Just saw the landing page of the Oneplus 13s on Amazon. Pricewise it will definitely exceed 50k but it looks really compact and ergonomic! Why are all the desirable things in this world so expensive?

[SRS]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Planning to take a look at the CMF Phone 2 Pro that's launching today as well. Hope that doesn't disappoint.

PS: Just saw the landing page of the Oneplus 13s on Amazon. Pricewise it will definitely exceed 50k but it looks really compact and ergonomic! Why are all the desirable things in this world so expensive?

The CMF Phone 2 Pro seems to be a decent device for the price and is quite light at 185 grams as well. Although Samsungs are priced premium, I find them worth the premium for the 6 years updates, better reliability overall, as well as longevity (just from my personal experience, may not be the same for everyone). However, if you find it overpriced, there are tons of other options available. Phones from Nothing, OnePlus, especially the Nord Series, are good options.

Now coming to the 13S, it launched as the 13T in China for around 40k, including rebate, so it is around 45k without it. Considering the same, I expect the Indian price to be Rs.49,999 to offer a middle ground between the 13R and the regular 13. To answer your query on why are desirable stuff so expensive, it is simply because they are desirable, people are ready to pay lakhs for an iPhone because it's desirable, However for the 13S, I feel 50k is a decent price, unlike the iPhone premium which we Indians have to pay as opposed to markets like US, Middle East etc.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by SRS

The CMF Phone 2 Pro seems to be a decent device for the price and is quite light at 185 grams as well. Although Samsungs are priced premium, I find them worth the premium for the 6 years updates, better reliability overall, as well as longevity (just from my personal experience, may not be the same for everyone).

My experience with Samsung is entirely opposite (used to have an S20 FE). Some or the other component would mess up with each update. I have seen the camera being degraded, heating issues, battery life lowered significantly, even display brightness lowered after certain updates. So in my opinion, the 6 years of updates promise, especially from Samsung is a huge gimmick which nobody should fall for. The hardware on the M56 itself won't last 6 years (Exynos 1480).

And alas, no dual stereo speakers on the CMF Phone 2 Pro. What a total bummer!

[SRS]

Originally Posted by Oxy

So in my opinion, the 6 years of updates promise, especially from Samsung is a huge gimmick which nobody should fall for. The hardware on the M56 itself won't last 6 years (Exynos 1480).

And alas, no dual stereo speakers on the CMF Phone 2 Pro. What a total bummer!

Sad to see you had such a bad experience with the Samsung, I guess you had the Exynos version which was notorious. The newer ones are better. Now moving to Exynos 1480, it's a tried and tested chip no slouch but nothing great either but sometimes people just want something that works and gets updates. Samsung has made all their devices with 4 to 6 years updates now except for the ultra cheap variants.

Anyways, the Samsungs don't sell for a reason but for better value for money products the Chinese are the way to go. Now to the new CMF has a lot going for it but for the price, there are bound to be some features which have to be cut. It is good that atleast they now have a charger in the box in India.

Hope you find the best value for money device for youself

[GeneralJazz]

Has anyone downloaded the Samsung One UI 7 for S23 family? I got the notification for the update today, not sure whether to install it straightaway or wait for a stable-er release.

[JMaruru]

Originally Posted by SRS

Now to the new CMF has a lot going for it but for the price, there are bound to be some features which have to be cut. It is good that atleast they now have a charger in the box in India.

Hope you find the best value for money device for youself

In these days of media consumption on mobiles, the stereo speakers are must for most of us. Rather prefer stereo speakers than the charging brick.

[SRS]

Originally Posted by JMaruru

In these days of media consumption on mobiles, the stereo speakers are must for most of us. Rather prefer stereo speakers than the charging brick.

Maybe but despite the same Nothing has a good product on its hands and it will surely well. If you are looking at Nothing's portfolio the 3a, 3a Pro are options with many more features. Now the Nothing Phone 3 will release and it will be a flagship killer no doubt.