[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by honeybee

It's a stock phone and under warranty, but locating the service centre, making rounds of it and then praying and waiting for the phone to be repaired or replaced, and then further headache if the phone still doesn't work etc. are not really prospects which appeal me

Yes, service centers are a pain to deal with. For anything.

Hopefully the Samsung guys will try a reflash with odin first rather than delving in the hardware. Even in my case, it started out of the blue! I hadn't updated the rom/kernel anything in the preceding days.

[deathwalkr]

anyone got the 4.2.2 update for their htc ones?

[HKS]

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Thanks

[Mister_M]

Hi Friends,

I am completely a newbie in terms of smart-phones and would like to venture it out now. Help me with your suggestions; my requirements are:

1. Budget: I don't want to spend more than 20K for a 1st Smart phone

2. Life Expectancy: Want to keep it at least for 4 years (I always owned Nokias in the past and each phone worked well for 3 to 4 years)

3. Dual Sim Support + GPS Navigation (must be cheaper in terms of bandwidth usage) is a must. Opted out of Apple iPhones mainly because it doesn't have dual sim phones.

3. a. Decent Front + Rear Cameras is a must (Will need for frequent Video calling)

4. Wife owns an Android (Samsung Galaxy); she says I must buy a really big phone which would help more effective surfing and documents editing. Even a big Tablet seems to be fine with her (but I have my own doubts - is a Tab really necessary? We own decent Laptops and a 10" Netbook)

5. Must be solid, elegant and durable.

6. Major usage target: Calling (Video & Audio), Photos when travelling, Navigation, Surfing and very few real life Apps. Not much inclined for gaming and Movies / Music.

Current Recommendation by friends: Galaxy Grand Duos / Grand Quadretto (Duo) / Micromax Canvas A116

And is "Online Buying" a good option for SmartPhones? (I find competitive pricing online than Mobile Shops).

Any educated suggestion (with best buyable Market price on your recommendation) will help my buying decision, thanks in advance friends!

Cheers!
M

[ajitkommini]

My wife and I both use the Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos. I guess it answers most of your requirements apart from the "solid, elegant and durable" bit since its an all-plastic construction. Other than that I find it really usable. The display resolution is not too good (compared with Sony Xperia etc.) but because of the large size you tend to hold it at a slightly greater distance so it isn't as noticeable. Speed, performance etc. are quite good and the cameras are decent as well. My vote is for this one.

[engrohit]

Originally Posted by Top-Gear

Here you go:
http://in.mobilefun.com/38000-rearth...le-nexus-4.htm

and

http://www.ebay.in/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....m=271163370688

Thanks Mate. Any luck (or bad luck) testing the impact resistance that it provides or is it too soft to actually provide any resistance on fall.

I don't want to compromise on the Back look, so I am averse to a case kind of thing.

Thanks.

[Top-Gear]

Originally Posted by engrohit

Thanks Mate. Any luck (or bad luck) testing the impact resistance that it provides or is it too soft to actually provide any resistance on fall.

I don't want to compromise on the Back look, so I am averse to a case kind of thing.

Thanks.

Thankfully (touch wood), haven't had an occasion to test the protection it provides. But I am sure it will provide a LOT less protection than the dual layer case cum holster I sometimes use or somewhat lesser protection than the Rearth Ringke SF Matte black case that I don't use (extra one). But since it showcases the beautiful back, I'm happy .

[engrohit]

Originally Posted by Top-Gear

Thankfully (touch wood), haven't had an occasion to test the protection it provides. But I am sure it will provide a LOT less protection than the dual layer case cum holster I sometimes use or somewhat lesser protection than the Rearth Ringke SF Matte black case that I don't use (extra one). But since it showcases the beautiful back, I'm happy .

Thanks for your prompt replies. How much did you spent on this one?

Is 1200 sortish Ok price for this?

[Mister_M]

Originally Posted by ajitkommini

My wife and I both use the Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos.

My vote is for this one.

Thanks Mate, This one is the top choice on my list right now. I see some online prices around 18K to 18.5 whereas shop prices range 19K to 20K.

1. Is it a good choice to buy it online?

I also read that the newly launched Micromax Canvas4 (with 13MP Front and 5MP rear cameras) is priced at 17999 INR and will be available on stores from June 21st. Will this bring down the price of Grand Duos?

2. Should I wait (at it is just 10 more days) or no point in waiting?

Cheers!!
M

[mrohit17]

Originally Posted by Mister_M

Thanks Mate, This one is the top choice on my list right now. I see some online prices around 18K to 18.5 whereas shop prices range 19K to 20K.

1. Is it a good choice to buy it online?

I also read that the newly launched Micromax Canvas4 (with 13MP Front and 5MP rear cameras) is priced at 17999 INR and will be available on stores from June 21st. Will this bring down the price of Grand Duos?

2. Should I wait (at it is just 10 more days) or no point in waiting?

Cheers!!
M

I have used Grand Duos and after some days with this;

http://www.thedostore.com/p-series-p...lue-p770b.html

I am now waiting for this:

http://www.thedostore.com/smartphone...lver-p780.html

I think you too should wait for it.

-Rohit

[Top-Gear]

Originally Posted by engrohit

Thanks for your prompt replies. How much did you spent on this one?

Is 1200 sortish Ok price for this?

The thing is, I bought it on Amazon, USA. You don't get it easily in India. With Amazon starting operations in India and expanding their product coverage, you may have more options in the days to come. Keep an eye out for it on amazon.in. Till then, you'll have to take a call whether you want to spend that money on protecting cum showing off your Nexus 4 .

[condor]

Xperia L users, can you pls post pics you have taken with the ph cam ?

[ampere]

latitude to go

http://blog.gsmarena.com/google-to-r...e-on-august-9/

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by condor

Xperia L users, can you pls post pics you have taken with the ph cam ?

Condor,

I am on the lookout for the same for my sister as well - please drop me a PM in case you get no replies but find some information through your own research.

[condor]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

I am on the lookout for the same for my sister as well -

The Samsung's seem to have better pic quality. In the test pics available on the web, The skin tones seem better with Samsung. But Xperia L has deeper blues, and clarity is sometimes better in Xperia L but below Samsung in other places.

Hope someone shares the pics.