o v e r s t o r y What to Expect from Sub-`8,000 Low cost smartphones no longer compromise on performance. In this story, we not only evaluate the best sub-Rs. 8,000 smartphones out there, but also tell you how to make the most from them - Rohit Arora

Sub-`8,000 Smartphones at a Glance...... 30

Some Practical Tips on Choosing a ...... 34

Things to consider before buying a budget Smartphone...... 36

Make The Best Use Of Your Smartphone...... 38

Sub-`9,000 Smartphone Performance Comparison...... 39

10 Smartphones reviews...... 40-45

Rooting Android Devices Made Easy...... 46 Three Apps to Secure Smartphones for Professional Use...... 48

How to connect to a VPN on Android Devices...... 49

28 PCQuest JULY 2014 pcquest.com .com/pcquest .com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] one are the days when you had to spend your professional tasks like creating spreadsheets, Powerpoint monthly salary to buy a smartphone that or Word files on the go with these phones. They are packs several cores to perform multitasking, backed by 1 GB or 512 RAM to offer a smooth hassle free Gcan shoot good quality pictures or looks like a multitasking experience. Buy one and try it youself. flagship model of biggies like Apple iPhone 5s or HTC One M7. We’re in 2014 and smartphone manufacturers are How can you decide? targeting consumers who are still devoid of a smartphone So now you have a fair idea of what manufacturers are experience but are ready to let go of their old candy bar offering and its time to make a choice. We understand phones if they get a fair deal. Here we give you the overall its tough to come to a conclusion but don’t worry we will picture of what’s in store at this price-point. help you out. We tested 10 phones in sub 8K category and If you think sub 8k phones are not smart enough and pushed them to their limits to find out what sets them you will get something which just carries a touch screen apart from one another in the race of budget smartphone for name sake or a camera that is best shut off then you category. We start with a phone that changed the market are wrong. The devices in this range pack some serious scenario, and yes you guessed it right, it’s . It offers stuff under the hood and can amaze the first time users a refined experience with the latest Android 4.4.2 who are shifting to a smartphone platform. KitKat and offers rich colours with good viewing angles with All these phones boast large 4 to 5 inch capacitive its 4.3 inch display. Its 5 MP camera works well for daylight touch screens, decent resolutions and good densities photography. If brand really matters for you and you can which makes them good enough to watch HD movies. compromise on front camera and flash then this phone is a These phones offer displays which produce rich vibrant complete package and worth each penny. colours and can be used in direct sunlight. One phone If you love photography and want a good looking that deserves a special mention here is Moto E that device that suits your personality then Lava Iris X1 and comes with Corning 3, an added protection Micromax Unite 2 will fulfill your requirements. Lava layer to protect phone’s display from scratches. has integrated Sony’s BSI sensor in the 8 megapixel rear The Android is a potpourri of shooter of Iris X1 that lets it capture detailed macro shots applications. It has evolved a lot since 2008 (first with inbuilt auto focus. It can also shoot full HD videos commercial Android device HTC Dream launched in 2008) and even comes with time lapse mode. Micromax Unite and has the largest user-base in the world. Most of the 2 gives a tough competition to Iris X1 in terms of picture phones under 8k are based on Android 4.2.2 Jellybean quality. Its 5 megapixel camera can also shoot time lapse which covers 59 percent Android devices worldwide. videos and produce good quality images. Iris X1 is made Three phones in sub 8k, which offers latest Android up of good quality plastic and gives solid feel in hand Operating system 4.4.2 KitKat are Moto E, Lava Iris X1 and though it weighs just 138 grams. Iris X1 also offers a good Micromax Unite 2. battery backup. Sharing pictures over social media makes a good Unite 2 is the first phone that comes pre-loaded with quality camera on a phone a necessity these days. 21 Indian languages. Guess what, it costs Rs.1000 less Manufacturers are pouring extra pixels in cameras to lure than Iris X1. We encountered a problem with the microSD customers and mobile phones in sub 8k category offers card support in Unite 2, so check before you buy. Both some great cameras. Lava Iris X1 stands tall in camera the phones offer good battery life. X is also well quality in this price range. The 8 megapixel shooter on constructed but its 3 megapixel camera and the missing Lava Iris X1 comes with Sony’s BSI sensor and can capture Playstore can disappoint you. Other phones in great macro shoots with its quick auto focus. It shoots sub 8k category include Micromax Stellar MI-506 that full HD videos and and even integrates time lapse videos. resembles HTC One M7. Its feels solid in hands with Iris X1 is not the only one, almost all others shoot videos its brushed metallic back and front. It lacks in display at 720p. quality and has an average camera and battery life. If Multitasking is one domain where the phone proves battery life is what matters to you then you can go for its worth. The devices in sub 8k range are no less than BSNL champion DM6513 . However, it offers average what flagship devices , Apple or LG used to offer performance as compared to the others. We have given one or two years back. Manufacturers understand that you an overview of the latest phones available but the consumers don’t want to compromise on performance final decision rests with you. With all these options, it’s and all smartphones in this category pack quad-core or the right time to shift from that old candy bar phone to a dual core processors. You can browse internet with ease, new touch based device that comes loaded with a slew of play hardcore games for entertainment or even perform useful features. pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] JULY 2014 PCQuest 29 c o v e r s t o r y Sub-`8,000 Smartphones at a Glance

Arise AR44 Price: Rs 4,899 Pros: Battery backup, processor, rear camera Datawind Pocketsurfer 3G5 Cons: Build quality, display Price: Rs 6,499 Specs: Pros: Slate form factor, sturdy OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean body design, APK support CPUL: 1.2 GHz dual core Cons: Camera, battery, display RAM: 512 MB Specs: Camera: 2 MP, 0.3 MP OS: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Battery: 1500 mAh CPUL: 1.2 GHz dual core RAM: 512 MB Camera: 5 MP, 0.3 MP Battery: 1600 mAh

price

4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000 6,500 7,000 7,500 8,000 8,500 9,000

Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus Price: Rs 6,000 Pros: Processor, battery, build quality, lightweight Cons: Small display, Front camera Specs: Micromax Unite 2 OS: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean BSNL champion DM6513 3G Price: Rs 6,999 CPUL: 1.2 GHz quad core Price: Rs 6,999 Pros: Android 4.4.2 KitKat, fairly large RAM: 1 GB Pros: Battery back-up, build quality, screen, Seamless performer, Camera Camera: 5 MP, 0.3 MP APK file support Cons: Average battery life, Battery: 1500 mAh Cons: Camera, display Loudspeaker Specs: Specs: OS: Android 4.2.2 Jellybean OS: Android 4.4.2 KitKat CPUL: 1.3 GHz dual core CPUL: 1.3 GHz quad core RAM: 512 MB RAM: 1 GB Camera: 5 MP, 2MP Camera: 5 MP, 2 MP Battery: 3500mAh Battery: 2000 mAh

30 PCQuest JULY 2014 pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] Price: Rs 7,729 Pros: Fresh looking Nokia X software, Android apps portability Cons: Sub-standard hardware, Basic camera Specs: OS: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean CPUL: 1 Ghz dual core RAM: 512 MB Camera: 3.15 MP Battery: 1500 mAh

Motorola Moto E Spice Stellar Mettle Icon Mi-506 Price: Rs 6,999 Price: Rs 8,499 Pros: Smooth performer, Pros: Build quality, battery life, speaker HD display Cons: Glossy display, poor multitasking, Cons: Mediocre camera, average camera no LED flash Specs: Specs: OS: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS: Android 4.4.2 KitKat CPUL: 1.3 GHz dual core CPUL: 1.2 GHz dual core RAM: 512 MB RAM: 1 GB Camera: 8 MP, 1.3 MP Camera: 5 MP Battery: 1800 mAh Battery: 1980 mAh

price

4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000 6,500 7,000 7,500 8,000 8,500 9,000

Maxx AX46 MSD7 3G Price: Rs 7,999 Pros: Display, sound, battery Cons: Build quality, camera Specs: OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean CPUL: 1.3 GHz dual-core RAM: 512 MB Camera: 3.2 MP, 0.3 MP Battery: 1200 mAh

Lava Iris X1 Price: Rs 7,999 Pros: Latest Android KitKat OS, Camera, Build quality Cons: Display sharpness, Average battery backup Specs: OS: Android 4.4.2 KitKat CPUL: 1.2 GHz quad core RAM: 1 GB Camera: 8 MP, 2 MP Battery: 1800 mAh

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