Android Smartphone 10-15k

[Jonas]

Hi! I want to buy a smartphone for my mother. The one she's using right now is Mi Note 4 (for more than 2 years now). She doesn't have any issues with it as such, but recently she has realized the importance of 'camera', because of Zoom meetings and video calls. Mi has screwed up the operating system over time, so I would really avoid buying an Mi phone. Usage is quite limited to games such as Angry Birds and YouTube.

 

[mhsabir]

Bump. Rather than 10-15, it's more 10-12 for a relative . Any suggestions. Primarily looking for a device with good storage - hoping for 128 gb. Other factors not a big deal. As usage of smartphone is more for classes and stuff.

 

[Jonas]

Samsung M21 is still my favourite in this price range. Sucks that it's only available with 64 gb.

@Tejas01 Any input?

 

[Nishant]

Realme Narzo 50A should fit that budget. Screen is 720p though.

 

[Tejas01]

Both M21 and G31 are sought of evenly matched. Since you mentioned online classes, I am assuming higher battery loss due to screen use. Also, the processor on Samsung is a pretty dated one(2.5 y.o.) compared to Mediatek on G31. Besides, being an old phone(6 months old) so update scenario would be questionable. Also it's only 4gb so you will experience slowness with time. Ram management with Moto is good due to stock android.

Moto stands out Stock experience, better processor than Samsung, assured udpate to A12. The con one would say is battery. Moto has 5000mah, Samsung has 6000. But I feel with clean Android, battery should not be that much of an issue.

It's a really close call between the two.
Regarding 128gb, don't think you will get any at that price. Samsung M21 for 6/128 costs 17k which is outrageous for the performance it gives. Absolutely No.
Since its for online classes, get a 4/64 variant and top it with an SD card. Moto will be more cost effective since you won't lose out on performance with 4gb ram.

 

[Jonas]

What was the point of rebranding it as M21 2021?

 

[Tejas01]

I Think they updated the screen to Amoled. Other than that, nothing major was introduced with 2021 model. Else it would have been selling like hot cakes.

 

[mhsabir]

What about brands like Redmi realme and the like....

 

[Tejas01]

Can't comment on Realme, but from UX pov, stay away from Redmi devices at those prices. They do offer relatively good hardware for the price but the MIUi is not that optimised for low end devices. Given the budget, only 4/64 would be available and their custom rom itself takes up 3-3.5gb ram so it would be slow overtime.
I won't be wrong to say Miui software works the best on Xiaomi devices, followed by average on Redmi devices and worst on Poco devices. Personal experience, using Poco X3.
Oppo, Vivo I don't think they get any updates at those priced phones.
Given your use case, I think any phone from the above brands would work. The only issue comes is Ram/Rom config. If you don't intend to use phone for more than a year then get any one. Lower segment phones are designed to work good for 1-1.5 years.

You can look for Redmi 10 Prime. Costs 14,500 for 6/128.

I think @ijsa has Realme 8i, perhaps he can offer some insights on Realme and offer some long term review.

 

[ayrus101]

I also wanted to purchase a smartphone in <15k range. I went for Moto G40 Fusion 6GB/128GB. Got it for 14725/-

Bump. Rather than 10-15, it's more 10-12 for a relative . Any suggestions. Primarily looking for a device with good storage - hoping for 128 gb. Other factors not a big deal. As usage of smartphone is more for classes and stuff.

I know it's >12k but you can have a look at the specs. I feel the phone is worth the price.

 

[Tejas01]

The large screen size of G40 does make it great for content consumption (6.7" screen). But if you are going to carry this device, be mindful of the weight (225gms).