Smartphone with Good Overall User Experience Around 15K

[Realme]

Hi,
I am looking for a smartphone with good overall user experience around 15K

Hard Limit:17K
Phone Life Expectancy : 3 yrs.

What do I mean by good overall user experience?
I'm going for Pixel like user experience, with good software support ,security updates for 1-2 yr.
Fluid UI transitions, no hanging(as low as possible UI latency), minimum bloatWare , reliable.( Latest and Greatest Android Version is not required)
If these are not present then reliably FLASHABLE with good mainstream ROMs support both software and hardware wise.
There are certain strict requirements like:
1.) No Ads (I've recently heard that Xiaomi offerings in this range have Ads)
2.) Build Quality- Phone must be durable and comfortable to use(shouldn't be too much heavy)

What do I expect in hardware/specs?
This phone will be mostly used for Calling, Social Media, Internet eXploring, Reading.
So not a strong or say 'over the top' specs are required.
I do not believe that you can deliver a buffet of hardware specs at this price, without comprising on quality and I feel companies do bundle on a lot of low quality hardware to allure 'specs-focused' Indian customers. So give me just good enough reliable HW not the latest and greatest.

A good enough camera for document scanning is enough.

What are top 3 things you expect in hardware?
1.) Build Quality
2.) Processor with good thermals
3.) RAM

ENDING NOTE: The phone doesn't have to be the best. It should be just good enough.

 

[igloo]

So many realme in one post

 

[Jonas]

I thought he's going to rant about Realme until I read the entire post.

I think @mhsabir has realme 7 pro.

 

[mhsabir]

Yup, I did get a Realme 7 Pro.. Overall a decent experience.. but I as I would suggest atleast going for 128 GB.. so that with offer was at 18k. Also, Realme X7 Pro is supposed to be 5G and coming soon - So if I had to buy "now" - I will wait & see how it is priced & with what specs comes in India - the specs in China were really good.

 

[MadAxe]

Iirc 6+128 was going for 16,999 after cashback.

 

[ch@ndlerbing]

I'll suggest you to go with some Redmi or Poco phone. After 1 year you can install any good custom ROM which will give you the latest android version as well as security updates regularly. Xiaomi/Poco has a wider user community so lot more customisation options.

I am using RN 5 Pro with custom ROM (Arrow OS Android v11.0) and the experience is lot better than slow and ads wala MIUI. Loving the stock android experience.

 

[a.c]

Same, if going the custom rom route, I can vouch for Xiaomi/poco. I have both poco f1 and Redmi note 5 (years old device), both are in active development and provide a bug free experience with stock android.

 

[mhsabir]

Realme 7 Pro was 20k, with 10% cashback offers. So, maybe I missed some deal - Unless you saw Realme Narzo 20 Pro or something.

 

[Realme]

Thank you everybody, this discussion has been quite helpful.

I've decided to go with POCO X3 as someone said Samsung < 20K is never worth it( SBI card can get you M51 < 20K )


Interestingly, Realme was vouched less and Redmi wasn't even mentioned more than once? (maybe redmi don't make the specs I required at this price despite being a Xiaomi brand)

 

[Tejas01]

Do share your review and experience when you get the phone.
Redmi has issue with ads, hence its precedence was taken over by poco.

 

[Kick933]

Just to point out...My experience with realme has been great in case of charging...
Man i was like bathing and boom its almost over 60.
Review is awaited...