Tuesday, May 20, 2014

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Samsung Galaxy S5 price drops to Rs 40,000 on various online stores

After being launched at an exorbitant price of Rs 51,500, the Samsung Galaxy S5 price has been dropping significantly. As we reported, the first price drop for Galaxy S5 came in late last month when it dropped to Rs 46,000 on Flipkart. After the news spread, Samsung came out and clarified that they did not drop the price officially. But today, prices of the Samsung Galaxy S5 have been dropped around Rs 40,000 on multiple online stores including Flipkart, Amazon and IndiaTimes Shopping.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Price In India
Samsung Galaxy S5 Price In India
At this price, buying the Galaxy S5 seems worth the money. Its rivals, Apple iPhone 5S, HTC One M8 and Sony Xperia Z2 are priced at Rs 46,560, Rs 44,995 and Rs 44,999 respectively. All these rival smartphones are priced over Rs 5,000 higher than the Galaxy S5. This has been the case with Samsung’s flagship smartphone offerings every year. Samsung manages to launch its smartphones earlier than other brands and then keeps on dropping the prices faster than its rivals to attract more buyers. Would you buy the Galaxy S5 at this price? Or would you still shell out some extra money for better alternatives?

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

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Motorola Moto E launched in India with an aggressive price of Rs 6,999

Motorola has finally launched the Moto E in India after the smartphone was leaked in all its glory a few days ago. The specs are similar to the ones that were rumoured and the smartphone will go on sale at midnight on Flipkart with a slew of offers. You’ll get 50 percent off on its covers and e-books worth Rs 1,000 if you purchase the device today. Flipkart will also offer you a 50 percent discount on an 8GB Transcend memory card if bought alongside the device. Here are the specifications of the device:

Motorola-Moto-EMotorola Moto E Specifications

  • 4.3-inch display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and Corning Gorilla glass 3 on top of it
  • 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor
  • 400 MHz Adreno 302 GPU
  • 1GB RAM
  • Android 4.4 KitKat
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable by another 32GB with a microSD card
  • 5MP rear camera without flash, no front camera
  • Dual SIM, 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS for connectivity
  • 1980 mAh battery
Motorola has hit the bull’s eye with its pricing and the smartphone will be made available black and white colours alongside the option of changing back panels like its other siblings being on offer as well. In our opinion, this is pretty much the best sub Rs 7,000 device and Motorola is all ready to replicate the success of the Moto G with Moto E.
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Motorola updates the Moto G with 4G LTE connectivity and microSD card slot

Right after the Moto E was announced in India at an aggressive price of Rs 6,999, Motorola at its launch event in UK announced an upgraded version of the Moto G which makes it an all the more a value for money device. Motorola has given it the a complete white colour option, 4G LTE connectivity and added the much awaited microSD card slot to it. Yes, you read it correct!
Motorola Moto G LTE
Motorola Moto G LTE In White

Motorola Moto G 4G LTE Specifications

  • 4.5-inch display, 1280 x 720 pixels, 329 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass
  • 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, Adreno 305 GPU
  • 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage (6GB user available), microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
  • 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS
  • 2070 mAh battery
It has been announced for GBP 149 which converts to around $219. The 8GB regular variant which costs $179 globally costs Rs 12,499 in India and the 16GB variant which costs $199 costs Rs 13,999 and judging by that, the 4G LTE variant should cost Rs 15,499. At that price, it would still be quite a good device for India. Even though the 4G roll out is still in its nascent stages, the device will make for a good one if brought to Indian shores.
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Apple iPhone 5C 8GB to be available in India next week, might be priced lower than Rs 35,000

The cheaper, 8GB version of Apple iPhone 5C might be launched in India as soon as next week. The Apple iPhone 5C 8GB was announced in March this year as a cheaper option for those who can’t afford the higher priced variants of the iPhone 5C or the iPhone 5S.
Apple iPhone 5C
Apple iPhone 5C
The 16GB variant of the iPhone 5C is currently priced at around Rs 37,000 but it is being sold in India for as low as Rs 30,000 with various buyback and cashback schemes. According to the price difference in the international markets, we presume that the iPhone 5C 8GB will be priced at Rs 4,000 lower in India than the 16GB variant. So, the iPhone 5C 8GB might come with a price tag less than Rs 35,000 and might be sold for less than Rs 30,000 with various cash back and buy back schemes.
The iPhone 5C comes with a 4 inch Retina Display, dual-core A6 processor, 1GB RAM, 8MP camera and 4G LTE connectivity. Is 8GB enough storage for an iPhone considering that you would not get more than 6GB of user available storage? Would you be interested in buying one?
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Airtel finally launches dedicated WhatsApp data plans starting at Rs 36 for 200MB per month

So instead of fighting over bandwidth issues with IM apps, it looks like Airtel has done what we’ve suggested last month. Airtel has finally launched dedicated WhatsApp data plans for its 2G and 3G users. Airtel is offering 200 MB of WhatsApp usage for one month starting from Rs 36 which varies according to circles. WhatsApp data plan can be activated by messaging ‘WhatsApp’ to 121.
The WhatsApp plan is priced lowest in Jammu & Kashmir circle, at Rs 36 while it is priced highest in Mumbai circle, at Rs 49. Although, we’re quite puzzled about WhatsApp data plan being unavailable for users from Andhra Pradesh circle.
Airtel WhatsApp Data Plans
Airtel WhatsApp Data Plans As Per Different Circles
Although Bharti Airtel has its own Hike Messenger IM app, its usage and market penetration isn’t as high as that of WhatsApp’s in spite of  pushing free SMS scheme that they are offering to Hike Messenger users. WhatsApp has recently crossed 50 million active users in India and more than 500 million users worldwide. WhatsApp was acquired recently by Facebook for $19 billion.Uninor, Reliance and Tata Docomo have already launched dedicated WhatsApp data plans.
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5 best value for money smartphones below Rs 20,000 in India as of May 2014

In today’s time, we are flooded with choices for buying a smartphone in any segment. Every now and then prices keep dropping, new ones keep on getting launched and some get some really good offers coupled with them which makes it quite hard for the common man to find something that offers bang for each buck spent. Today we have for you the list of top 5 smartphones that offer maximum value for money in the price range of Rs 10,000-20,000.

1. Moto G (Rs 12,499/Rs 13,999)

moto-G-India
Moto G
Moto G has taken the Indian market by storm and has allowed the consumers to be treated to an experience that was possible only in the high end smartphones. It is one of the few devices in the sub Rs 15,000 to run Android KitKat (there are hardly any) and its sales numbers have shown what the smartphone is capable of. Here are its brief specifications:
  • 4.5 inch display with  a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and Gorilla Glass 3 on top of it
  • 1.2 GHz quad core Snapdragon 400 processor
  • Adreno 305 GPU
  • Android 4.4 KitKat
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB/16GB of internal storage, non-expandable
  • 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 1.3MP front camera
  • 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB 2.0 and GPS with GLONASS
  • 2,070 mAh battery

2. Lenovo K900 (Rs 18,999)

Lenovo K900
Lenovo K900
Lenovo K900 was launched last year as a rival to the much famed Note 3 but despite having a good spec sheet, its sales could never take off courtesy of the high pricing. Well, Lenovo has given the device numerous price cuts post which it surely makes a lot of sense in the sub Rs 20,000 price category. Here’s a look at its brief specifications:
  • 5.5 inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with Corning Gorilla Glass 2 on top of it
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • 2 GHz dual core Intel processor which is way more capable than the regular quad cores
  • PowerVR SGX544 GPU
  • 2GB RAM
  • 32GB internal storage, non expandable
  • 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front camera
  • 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS
  • 2,500 mAh battery

3. Blackberry Z10 (Rs 17,990)

BlackBerry Z10
BlackBerry Z10
The BlackBerry flagship was launched last year at a ridiculously high price of Rs 43,490. But  BlackBerry soon realised that it was not going  to sell too many units and the price came down to Rs 17,990 earlier this year and it has been selling like hot cakes ever since. The smartphones comes across as a good value for money device at this price point. Let us have a look at its specifications:
  • 4.2 inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels
  • BB OS 10
  • 1.5 GHz dual core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
  • Adreno 225 GPU
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB internal storage, expandable by another 64GB
  • 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 2MP front camera
  • 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and GPS
  • 1,800 mAh battery

4. Micromax Canvas Knight (Rs 19,999)

Micromax Canvas Knight
Micromax Canvas Knight
The Canvas Knight is by far the most expensive handset in Micromax’s line-up but it surely provides a bang for every buck spent on it. Retailing at Rs 19,999, it still comes across as one of the better octa core devices on sale in India despite the competition touching lower price points in the segment. The build quality is surely on the better side and Micromax seems to have done a good job with the device. Let us take a look at its specifications:
  • 5 inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • 2 GHz Mediatek Octa core processor’
  • Mali-450MP4 GPU
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • 16MP rear camera with LED flash and built in Omnivision sensor/8MP front camera
  • 32GB internal memory, non expandable
  • 2GB RAM
  • 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS
  • 2,350 mAh battery

 5. Nokia Lumia 1320 (Rs 17,999)

Lumia 1320
Lumia 1320
The Nokia Lumia 1320 believes in providing the best Windows Phone experience on a budget with a big screen and does a pretty good job at it. Nokia launched the device with the aim to rival the likes of the Grand series and it has been able to do so too pretty well. Let us take a look at its specifications:
  • 6 inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top
  • 1.7 GHz Dual core Qualcomm S4 pro processor
  • Adreno 305 GPU
  • Windows Phone 8 OS
  • 5MP rear camera with LED flash, VGA front camera
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB internal storage, expandable by 64GB
  • 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and GPS
  • 3,400 mAh battery

Our Take?

There are a slew of other good devices in the range which provide value for money such as Grand 2, Xolo Q1010i, Canvas Turbo and the likes. My personal favourites are Moto G, K900 and the Z10. What about you?
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Micromax Canvas Elanza 2 with 5 inch screen and quad-core processor launched in India for Rs 9,340

Micromax is constantly launching more and more budget devices in the country and the latest device to hit the market is the Canvas Elanza 2 priced at Rs 9,340. It comes across as a successor of the Canvas Elanza launched back in February.
Micromax Canvas Elanza 2
Micromax Canvas Elanza 2

Micromax Canvas Elanza 2 Specifications

  • 5-inch capacitive display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels
  • 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 MSM8212 processor, 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
  • Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
  • 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front snapper gets coupled with it.
  • 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS take charge of connectivity
  • 2000 mAh battery
  • Faux-leather back and Dual SIM functionality
  • Rs 9,340
The Micromax Canvas Elanza 2 comes with a Snapdragon 200 processor which uses an older fabrication process and hence is not quite as good a performer as the MediaTek quad-core unit. Apart from the processor, Micromax has priced it right and it provides decent amount of value for money spent.
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Nokia Lumia 630 & Nokia Lumia 630 Dual SIM launched in India at Rs 10,500 & Rs 11,500 respectively

Nokia has been making constant improvements in the budget Windows Phone category. Lumia 520 was one of the best-selling smartphones in the country and then they launched the Lumia 525 with upgraded RAM for about the same price. It has now launched its first Windows Phone 8.1 devices in India, the Lumia 630 and the Lumia 630 dual SIM. The single SIM variant costs Rs 10,500 whereas the dual SIM variant has been priced at Rs 11,500. A point worth mentioning is that it is also the first Windows Phone device with dual SIM capability.
Nokia Lumia 630
Nokia Lumia 630

Nokia Lumia 630 Specifications

  • 4.5 inch ClearBlack IPS LCD display with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection
  •  Windows Phone 8.1 OS
  • 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 512 MB RAM
  • 8GB internal storage which can be expanded by 128 GB and is a segment first feature
  • 5MP rear auto focus camera and no front camera
  • On-screen buttons
  • 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and GLONASS for connectivity
  • Rs 10,500 for single SIM & Rs 11,500 for dual SIM
The Lumia 630 can’t be considered as a good upgrade over the Lumia 520 though as it misses out on a 1GB RAM which is present in the Lumia 525. The screen resolution as well as the camera stays the same. Both the devices will go on sale later this month starting 16th of May. Will Microsoft be successful in pulling users from Android? Let us see how it performs in the market in the coming months.