Tag: TechDeals

Ameya DalviMar 16, 2023 17:59:49 IST

Our list of phones under Rs 60,000 this month is full of aspirational handsets. It includes a couple of last-generation stars that are now available in this budget and a couple of new releases that just waltzed into this list on the merit of their performance. Rest assured, you will get flagship-grade processors, displays and cameras among other things. So without further ado, let’s meet the hot half-dozen that made it to this list.

Best phones to buy under Rs 60,000 in India

Apple iPhone 13
The Apple iPhone 13 is currently available in this budget. Its 128 GB variant can be purchased for a Rupee under 60K. The phone feels great in hand due to its compact size, and is rugged with an IP68 rating for dust and fluid resistance. It launched with iOS 15, and is upgradable to iOS 16, with more OS updates to follow over the years. If you are not into numerology, this phone is almost identical to the iPhone 14, just more affordable.

The Apple iPhone 13 has a  6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, and is compliant with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. At its core is Apple’s previous flagship A15 Bionic chip that also powers the iPhone 14. There are two 12MP cameras at the back with the primary lens offering optical image stabilisation (OIS), and the secondary capable of capturing ultra-wide shots. The performance in photography and videography is excellent, as one expects from an iPhone. 

Apple iPhone 13 price in India: Rs 59,999 for 128GB storage

Google Pixel 7
The Google Pixel 7 was launched for 60K in India and is currently going for 5% cheaper on Flipkart. The Pixel 7 is powered by Google’s next-gen Tensor G2 processor and offers 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. It sports a 6.3-inch Full HD+ OLED display with 90 Hz refresh rate and 1400 nits peak brightness. The HDR10+ compliant screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and the phone has an IP68 rating for ingress protection.

As you expect from a Pixel phone, you get the purest version of the latest Android 13 with the Material You design language. Other than speedy OS updates, the Pixel phones are known for their camera capabilities, and the Google Pixel 7 delivers strongly in that department courtesy of two cameras at the back. You get a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 12MP ultra-wide camera that do a great job in different lighting and modes. Some software tricks like the Magic Eraser is a great addition.

Google Pixel 7 price in India: Rs 56,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G retains its place in our sub-60K list this month. This phone too has an IP68 rating for dust and fluid resistance along with a compact design. The phone sports an aluminium frame and has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ at the front and back. It has a 6.1-inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits, HDR10+ compliance and 120 Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S22 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s previous flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, and you get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant in this budget comfortably.

Photography department is packed with a 50MP primary camera with dual pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with Super Steady video support and a 10MP telephoto camera with OIS for 3X optical zoom. The camera performance is flagship grade as expected, and can record videos in 8K resolution too. A 3700 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for a day of moderate use and supports 25W fast charging as well as 15W wireless charging. It launched with Android 12 and Samsung’s One UI 4.1, and the Android 13 update has started rolling out.

Samsung Galaxy S22 5G price in India: Rs 52,990 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

OnePlus 11 5G
After a lacklustre 2022, OnePlus is looking to turn things around in 2023, and at the forefront of the revival is the OnePlus 11 5G. It is loaded with a lot of features that are generally reserved for the Pro variant. This stylish phone has a 6.7-inch curved LTPO3 AMOLED display with a resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels. This HDR10+ and Dolby Vision-compliant screen supports 10-bit colour depth, up to 120 Hz variable refresh rate and can get up to 1300 nits bright. The phone runs OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 and one can expect several OS and security updates going forward. 

The OnePlus 11 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and you get the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB UFS 3.1 storage variant in this budget. The rear camera department is loaded to the brim. It is helmed by a 50MP primary camera with OIS and Hasselblad’s colour tuning. The support cast is equally impressive with a 48MP ultrawide camera with auto-focus that also doubles up as a macro camera and a 32MP telephoto camera with 2X optical zoom. Its 5000 mAh battery can last for a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 100W charger promises to juice it up in just 25 minutes.

OnePlus 11 5G price in India: Rs 56,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

iQOO 11 5G
We have another fully loaded device based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. The iQOO 11 5G comes with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage to go with it. It has a sharp 10-bit 6.78-inch HDR10+ compliant E6 AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and 144 Hz refresh rate. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The phone’s 5000 mAh battery lasts for a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 120W fast charger claims to charge 50% of it in just 8 minutes, and fully in well under half an hour. 

The rear camera department here comprises a 50MP primary camera with a Samsung GN5 sensor and OIS, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide camera. Giving them company is a 13MP telephoto camera that provides 2X optical zoom, and also doubles up as a portrait camera. The 16MP front camera takes care of selfies and video calls. The iQOO 11 5G runs Android 13 with FunTouch OS 13.

iQOO 11 5G price in India: Rs 59,990 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
The top variant of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is another great option here. This Moto flagship is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and is accompanied by 12 GB RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. You get a 6.67-inch Full HD+ 10-bit P-OLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and 1250 nits peak brightness. The HDR10+ compliant display is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The phone runs Android 12, and like all Motorola phones, you get a near-stock user interface.

The camera department is quite impressive here too. You get a 200MP primary camera (that’s right!) with OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide shooter and a 12MP telephoto camera for 2X optical zoom. Thus, you have all the key bases covered. The selfie enthusiasts aren’t ignored either; you also get a 60MP front camera to cater to that audience. The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra’s 4610 mAh battery keeps it powered for well over a day of moderate use, and supports 125 Watts wired and 50 Watts wireless fast charging. 

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra price in India: Rs 59,999 for 12GB RAM/256GB storage

Ameya DalviNov 30, 2022 13:54:13 IST

This is a segment of flagship killers. While you get certain flagship features in smartphones under 30K, you can expect far more when you increase the budget by a few thousand Rupees. Powerful processors, very good cameras, excellent displays, all of them together… ask and you shall receive. So let’s take a look at what our lineup of smartphones under Rs 40,000 looks like this month.

Best phones to buy under Rs 40,000 in India

Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
I may have forgotten to add ‘stylish design’ to the intro, but Motorola hasn’t when it comes to the Edge 30 Fusion. It is easily the best-looking phone in this list courtesy of its curved display (around the edges) and just 7.5 mm thick aluminium frame. You get a 10-bit 6.55-inch P-OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compliance. There is Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection against scratches at the front and back. Despite its sleek exterior, it has ample muscle thanks to a flagship-grade Snapdragon 888+ chip which is accompanied by 8 GB RAM and 128 GB UFS 3.1 internal storage.

The camera spread on the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion may not seem elaborate but is quite effective. It is helmed by a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS). The 13MP ultra-wide camera with auto-focus is quite versatile and also doubles up as a quality macro camera. A 2MP depth sensor completes the pack at the back. The 32MP front camera is bound to impress the selfie crowd. Its 4400 mAh battery can go on for over a day of moderate use and a 68W fast charger is bundled along. This phone runs Android 12, and like most Motorola phones, you get a clean and near-stock user interface.

Motorola Edge 30 Fusion price in India: Rs 39,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

iQOO 9 SE 5G
With enough going for it, the iQOO 9 SE 5G from the Vivo sub-brand retains its place in this list. It is powered by Qualcomm’s previous flagship Snapdragon 888 chip, which is still highly relevant and extremely powerful for any task you plan to perform on the phone. You can get the phone’s top variant with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage easily in this budget. It has a 6.62-inch HDR10+ compliant Full HD+ AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits and 120 Hz refresh rate.

The rear camera department comprises a 48MP primary camera with OIS, along with a 13MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The 16MP front camera does a good job with selfies and video calls. The iQOO 9 SE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery that lasts over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 66W fast charger promises to charge it fully in under 40 minutes. The phone runs Android 12 with FunTouch OS 12. Expect more OS updates in the future.

iQOO 9 SE 5G price in India: Rs 37,990 for 12GB RAM/256GB storage

Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G
Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G has received a price cut and is comfortably available in this budget now with a few bucks to spare. It is another loaded smartphone you can get your hands on under Rs 40,000. This too is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, and you can choose between its 8 GB RAM /128 GB storage variant or the one with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. The 108MP camera at the back captures some impressive shots in different modes and lighting, and is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide snapper and a 5MP macro camera. A 16MP front camera handles selfies and video calls quite well. 

Its sharp display is one of its standout features. You get a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. The 10-bit display is compliant with HDR10+ as well as Dolby Vision. The screen is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. A 5000 mAh battery keeps it running for a day and a half of moderate use, and even better, the company bundles a 120W super-fast charger that claims to charge it fully in just 17 minutes! Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G launched with Android 11 with MIUI 12.5, and an Android 12 update with MIUI 13 is available for this device.

Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G price in India: Rs 34,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage; Rs 38,999 for 12GB RAM/256GB storage

Realme GT Neo 3/ OnePlus 10R
We have two phones from different brands with the exact hardware and design. We are talking about the Realme GT Neo 3 and the OnePlus 10R. They are powered by Mediatek’s flagship Dimensity 8100 chip, which is comparable in performance to a Snapdragon 888. The 256 GB internal storage variants of both phones are available in this budget, but the 10R offers 12 GB RAM as opposed to 8 GB on the Neo 3. You get a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display that supports 10-bit colour depth, flaunts HDR10+ compliance and 120 Hz refresh rate.

The camera department has a 50MP primary camera with OIS that captures some impressive shots in different modes. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide snapper and a 2MP macro camera. The 16MP front camera is decent enough for selfies and video calls. Both phones have 5000 mAh batteries that keep them going for over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 80W fast chargers juice them up fully in a little over half an hour. The Realme GT Neo 3 and the OnePlus 10R run Android 12 with Realme UI 3.0 and Oxygen OS 12 respectively. Well, that’s not too different either now, is it?

Realme GT Neo 3 price in India: Rs 38,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
OnePlus 10R price in India: Rs 38,999 for 12GB RAM/256GB storage

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has been around for a while but remains a good option in this budget. You get a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED HDR10+ compliant display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It also has an IP68 rating for dust and fluid resistance. It is powered by Qualcomm’s older flagship chip, Snapdragon 865. You get 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage that can be expanded further with a microSD card; an extremely rare feature in premium phones these days. The phone now runs Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.0. 

The photography department has a combination of a 12MP primary camera with dual-pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera with OIS for up to 3X optical zoom. The camera quality is excellent across different modes and lighting. There’s also a 32MP front camera to cater to selfie enthusiasts. Its 4500 mAh battery lasts for well over a day of moderate use. It supports regular fast charging as well as fast wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE price in India: Rs 32,990 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage