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Top 5 Android smartphones between Rs 20k and Rs 30k

December 23, 2013 15:08 IST

The large variety of Android handsets that can be purchased and enjoyed in this segment is very difficult to choose from.

Google launched the Nexus 5 smartphone in India earlier this month. Thankfully there was not much price parity and users are totally digging the phone. Meanwhile, there were a couple of new models introduced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000. Of those devices, a few have been delivering consistently and have been admired by early adopters.

Here is our list of five such Android smartphones that offer you the best of Android and also give you a nice premium feel without emptying your wallet.

Google Nexus 5 16 GB

Google introduced the Nexus smartphone made by LG-Nexus 5 for India. The Nexus 5 is available through the Google Play Store and retail outlets. Nexus 5 has a 4.95-inch True HD IPS+ capacitive display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, thereby pushing 445 pixels per-inch pixel density.

The Nexus 5 is powered by a quad core 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 mobile chipset with 2 GB RAM. By default, it runs Android 4.4 KitKat update to deliver the Nexus experience.

Nexus 5 has an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash to click high quality images and record full 1080p HD videos. The front facing 1.3 megapixel camera supports video calling. The Nexus 5 offers Bluetooth 4.0, dual band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and 4G LTE network support for wireless connectivity. Google offers the 16 GB Nexus 5 for less than Rs 30,000.

Our only gripe is the 2300 mAh battery, which is a little less than necessary.

Top 5 Android smartphones between Rs 20k and Rs 30k

December 23, 2013 15:08 IST

Sony Xperia Z

Sony Xperia Z comes with a 5-inch touchscreen with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution, which translates to 441 ppi pixel density. It weighs 146 grams and is IP57 certified, which means that it is dust and water resistant. Xperia Z is water resistance up to one meter for 30 minutes. Its display is also said to be scratch resistant.

Sony Xperia Z comes with a quad core Qualcomm processor with clock speed of 1.5 GHz, which is aided by 2 GB RAM. The smartphone has Android 4.1 aka Jelly Bean operating system, 16 GB internal memory, a 32 GB expandable storage slot, 13 megapixel rear camera with LED flash, and a 2 megapixel front camera.

For connectivity, Sony Xperia Z comes with a single SIM, Wi-Fi, micro USB, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, DLNA, a 3.5 mm jack, A-GPS, Glonass etc. It has an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope sensor, proximity sensor and magnetometer as well.

Sony has promised to release Android 4.4 KitKat update for this smartphone next year. Packing a 2330 mAh battery, this water resistant smartphone is a really good choice in this price bracket.

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Top 5 Android smartphones between Rs 20k and Rs 30k

December 23, 2013 15:08 IST

LG Optimus G Pro

LG Optimus G Pro has a 5.5-inch True HD IPS display panel and supports full 1080p HD resolution. LG has packed a 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 mobile processor, Adreno 320 graphics and 2 GB RAM for ultra-smooth performance.

This smartphone runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system and has an Optimus user interface. LG has placed a 13 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash at the back of G Pro. There is a 2.1 megapixel front facing camera as well. The LG Optimus G Pro comes with 16 GB on-board storage and can accommodate micro SD card.

LG has packed a slew of new features such as smart video to make the best of the phone. The Optimus G Pro features a massive 3140 mAh battery to power the device.

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Top 5 Android smartphones between Rs 20k and Rs 30k

December 23, 2013 15:08 IST

HTC Desire 600 dual SIM

HTC Desire 600 dual SIM was introduced a couple of months ago. It supports two micro SIM modules and also offers dual standby mode. Featuring a 4.5-inch Super LCD 2 display, the Desire 600 supports 540 x 960 pixel resolution. HTC has housed a quad core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 mobile processor, which consumes relatively low power and with 1 GB RAM it runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense UI smoothly.

HTC has also added BlinkFeed, Beats Audio enhancements and other features to this handset, which offers only 8 GB on-board storage but has a micro SD card slot. At the rear there is an 8 megapixel camera that can shoot 720p HD videos and decent still photos. In the front is a 1.6 megapixel camera for video calling.

Other features include Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, stereo FM with RDS, GPS with A-GPS and Glonass support, accelerometer, proximity sensor and micro USB 2.0 power.

HTC has packed an 1860 mAh battery offering run time of over 10 hours. The only handset that comes close to competing with this model is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, but it lags behind in terms of build quality.

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Top 5 Android smartphones between Rs 20k and Rs 30k

December 23, 2013 15:08 IST

HTC One mini

HTC had introduced the mini version of the HTC One smartphone as the HTC One mini. We recently reviewed the device and expressed that it is one of the best devices in this price segment. HTC One mini flaunts a 4.3-inch Super LCD2 display constructed using Corning Gorilla Glass 3 technology.

It supports 720p HD native resolution and is powered by a dual core 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 mobile processor with 1 GB RAM. At the rear, it has a 4 megapixel UltraPixel camera with LED flash for clicking high quality images and recording full HD video.

In the front is a 1.6 megapixel camera for video calls. The HTC One mini offers an aluminium back panel with polycarbonate running round the edges. HTC has placed an 1800 mAh non-removable battery to offer decent run time on this slim and light version of One. Other features include dual band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS with A-GPS and Glonass support.

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