The first half of 2016 has been full of action especially in the budget segment that lurks in and around Rs. 15,000. As compared to same time last year, Smartphones under Rs. 15,000 have become leaner, flaunt elegant design and still punch above their weight as far as performance goes. From better aesthetics, to erstwhile flagship features like fingerprint sensor, to long lasting battery, to 4K video recording – budget smartphones were never better equipped to deliver a meaningful, sustainable smartphone experience. If you are planning to replace you existing handset with a budget smartphone here are a few worthy options:
LeEco Le 2
Another Chinese conglomerate which has made long strides in India in very little time is the LeEco. After an impressive LeEco Le 1s (review), the company has launched it’s Le 2 (FAQ) in India. The Indian variant of Le 2 is powered by Snapdragon 652 SoC coupled with Adreno 510GPU and 3GB RAM. The LeEco Le 2 comes with CDLA (Continual Digital Lossless Audio) technology that replaces conventional 3.5mm audio jack with USB type-C powered high-quality audio output.
Pros:
- Powerful chipset
- Capable camera hardware
- Android Marshmallow based software
Cons:
- No Quick Charge 3.0
Moto G4 Plus
Ever since Motorola came back to smartphone game, the Moto G series has always been about offering smooth, almost stock Android experience for a reasonable price. Lenovo recently refreshed Moto G series with the launch of Moto G4 Plus (first impression). It carries forwards the original philosophy and boasts of decent hardware which mingles really well with the nearly stock Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow running on it.
What’s really makes Moto G4 Plus nudge past every other smartphone in this budget is its camera. Moto G4 Plus offers one of the best cameras in its class which offers good low light performance and close to accurate colors.
If you still have a query about Moto G Plus check out our Moto G4 Plus FAQ
Lenovo Moto G4 Plus Full Specifications and Best Price
Pros:
- Great camera
- Accurate display
- Android Marshmallow
- Turbo Charging
Cons:
- No IX7 certification
Lenovo Zuk Z1
Lenovo recently introduced its online-only sub-brand, ZUK, in India with the Zuk Z1. It comes running on Cyanogen OS which cyanogen fans will find intriguing. In terms of other assets, it packs Snapdragon 801 SoC, 3GB RAM, 64GB internal storage and 4100mAh mammoth battery.
As the hardware components suggest, ZUK Z1 isn’t a new phone. It was first launched in China last year at a significantly higher price (Also, the Zuk Z2 already exists). Having said that, it still offer compelling specs at a budget price on top of it Cyanogen experience makes it worthy enough to feature in this list of respectable mid-budget smartphones.
Lenovo Zuk Z1 Full Specification and Price In India
Pros:
- Cyanogen OS
- Extra-large battery
- Dual SIM 4G LTE
Cons:
- No NFC
- No microSD
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (review) also manages to reserve a spot on our list, thanks to the Snapdragon 650 chipset employed and its efficient performance. Apart from compelling performance, it also comes running on MIUI 7 based on latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The phone boasts a metal-clad design, a responsive fingerprint sensor, and an IR blaster to remote control living room electronics. Redmi Note 3 also supports VoLTE and 4G LTE on both SIM slots (Hybrid).
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Full Specification and Price In India
Pros:
- Snappy performance
- Reliable fingerprint sensor
- Capacious battery
Cons:
- Mediocre Camera quality
Also read: LeEco Le 1s VS Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Detailed Comparison
Samsung Galaxy J5 2016
Samsung Galaxy J5 2016 (first impression) edition is an upgraded version of original J5, which improves overall aesthetics and hardware. It features a good quality Super AMOLED display which is arguably best display available in its price range. Like Galaxy J3, it too comes loaded with the S-bike mode which is tailor made for riders. However, on the negative side, the Galaxy J5 2016 is powered by an entry-level Snapdragon 410 chipset and does not feature a fingerprint sensor.
Samsung Galaxy J5 2016 is best suited to all basic users who value brand name more than they are concerned about other hardware aspects.
Samsung Galaxy J5 2016 Full Specifications and Best Price
Pros:
- Capacious battery
- Excellent Display
- Dual SIM 4G LTE
Cons:
- Mediocre chipset
- Not suitable for high-end gaming
