New phone around 15-17k

1. Budget?
15k, margin of around 3-4k

2. Display type and size?
Preferably HD or qHD, Size NOT MORE than 5 inches.

3. Dual sim?
Yes, necessary.

4. Preferred choice of brand?
Samsung, Sony, Gionee, XOLO

5. What camera option you want (flash, front facing camera)?
Atleast around 8 mp, Flash neccessary, front cam neccessary(at least 1.3 mp)

6. Preferred operating system? (Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc).
Android.

7. Preferred connectivity options (3G, 4G ready).
3G, 4G not neccesary, although wouldn't mind for future proofing.

8. Primary use of handset (multimedia, camera, internet, gaming etc)?
Camera, Social Networking, Browsing, occasional gaming.

9. Any specific mobile phones in consideration?
Alcatel One Touch Idol X+, Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, LG L90, Gionee Elife E7 mini, Moto G(if nothing else)

10. Any other info that you want to share
I will need at least one day of battery life, preferably 1.5 min. A good camera is essential, and that is why I'm avoiding Moto G. Otherwise, I love it. And a good gaming device is preferred, even though I won't game a lot on it.
Wide availability of custom roms like CM MIUI is very essential

Dual sim and wide range of custom ROMs is only available on Moto G

ZTR said:
Dual sim and wide range of custom ROMs is only available on Moto G

I know, but camera is important. Last I checked, S4 Mini and L90 have good ROMs too.

cacklebolt said:
I know, but camera is important. Last I checked, S4 Mini and L90 have good ROMs too.

L90 has no ROMs as of now and S4 Mini has but most are for either the LTE or the 3G version and not for the dual sim one

And the camera on Moto G is not that bad

ZTR said:
L90 has no ROMs as of now and S4 Mini has but most are for either the LTE or the 3G version and not for the dual sim one

And the camera on Moto G is not that bad

It's not bad, but I want something better than it. My dad has it, so I can give first-hand opinion.

K

Get lumias for good pic quality

+1 to Xperia SP
Edit:

+1 to Moto G but dev support might be a bummer for Dual sim phones.

There is negligible support if you compare the dual Sim to single Sim phones. Moto g is a exception on the list.
But it camera is important get SP.

SaiyanGoku said:
+1 to Xperia SP
Edit: +1 to Moto G but dev support might be a bummer for Dual sim phones.

Moto G does have CM so I think I'll be sorted. I did consider the SP but I really need Dual Sim.

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kalam_gohab said:
Get lumias for good pic quality

Only one Dual Sim phone, i.e 630. And it has only 512 mb RAM even if it is sufficient. And I am not keen on Indian WPs. Also, all data of mine is dependent on Google accounts. Migrating is a royal pain.

Grand 2 ?? Because Grand had custom ROMs my friend uses it

No Samsung except the S4 mini, [MENTION=60562]anupam_pb[/MENTION]. I also don't prefer 5 inch phones.

Well in my views no phone beats moto g at this price point. Dev support is also increasing plus moto is by itself providing a good service regarding OTA updates.

$hadow said:
Well in my views no phone beats moto g at this price point. Dev support is also increasing plus moto is by itself providing a good service regarding OTA updates.

Yeah, the OTA point is important. I think I'll settle for Moto G then. Another question regarding it: Has anybody used those grip covers for it?

I propose xolo q1010i for you at 11K. it has SONY Exmor R sensor for great photography, kitkat, 5 inch HD screen. the reviews are great. Just that you will not find lots of custom ROMs

Custom roms and OTA updates are necessary for me. And I can't mention enough that I am not very fond of 5 inchers, unless its an exceptional phone.

R

Xperia Zr for 20k is exceptional phone i would suggest to get this .. either wait for a lower price or extend budget ..

Sony Xperia ZR Price in India - Buy Sony Xperia ZR White 8 GB Online - Sony: Flipkart.com

cacklebolt said:
Yeah, the OTA point is important. I think I'll settle for Moto G then. Another question regarding it: Has anybody used those grip covers for it?

These are personal preference if you like them they are good but moto g is already have a good rubberized back.

D

Even HTC desire 516 can be a good choice.

deepanshuchg said:
Even HTC desire 516 can be a good choice.

Overpriced compared to Moto G

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rish said:
Xperia Zr for 20k is exceptional phone i would suggest to get this .. either wait for a lower price or extend budget ..

Sony Xperia ZR Price in India - Buy Sony Xperia ZR White 8 GB Online - Sony: Flipkart.com

No sir, I can neither extend the time or budget. My mother is quitting her job this month and promised me this phone from her last pay.

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I seem to have narrowed down to 3 phone from the original 5.
Moto G, LG L90, Samsung S4 Mini.

I prefer the Moto G or Samsung, for their displays and better dev support than LG.

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Hold on folks. Xiaomi is supposedly launching its Mi-3 for 15k in India.

Get the Mi-3, no questions asked!!!

K

lol enjoy your trips to the service centres if you buy xolo,gionee,micromax,samsung etc
sony xperia is better imho

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Moto G, LG L90 and Xperia ZR , dont go for indian/chinese oems like gionee,micromax,xolo,lava or even xiaomi trust me
Moto G and ZR are great phones and have loads of roms etc as well

R

throw all phones out of your mind and get Xiomi Mi3

they all are a piece of garbage in front of mi3 :lol:

rish said:
throw all phones out of your mind and get Xiomi Mi3

they all are a piece of garbage in front of mi3

+infinity to this. They nailed the budget sector deeply.

Xiaomi saved a lot of my time. I'll have to convince mom now, that's all.

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I'm probably being greedy, but does the Mi3 have a 32 GB version?

cacklebolt said:
Xiaomi saved a lot of my time. I'll have to convince mom now, that's all.

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I'm probably being greedy, but does the Mi3 have a 32 GB version?

there is a 64gb version released in china, so most proabably in india too

$hadow said:
+infinity to this. They nailed the budget sector deeply.

Exactly

MMX n XOLO are in deep trouble !!

anupam_pb said:
Exactly

MMX n XOLO are in deep trouble !!

They are actually able to provide snapdragon in the price range of mediatek and that to snapdragon 800.

amjath said:
there is a 64gb version released in china, so most proabably in india too

Oh my God! Even if costs 2-3k more, it's completely worth it :))

Wait for Xiaomi Mi3 :wink:

No cm or any aosp based rom though, just miui which is basically iOS

cacklebolt said:
Oh my God! Even if costs 2-3k more, it's completely worth it

The 64 GB version was selling on eBay India till yesterday for 25k.

ZTR said:
No cm or any aosp based rom though, just miui which is basically iOS

Much more easier to understand and use.

$hadow said:
Much more easier to understand and use.

Not if you are used to normal android

ZTR said:
Not if you are used to normal android

I'm used with normal Android, and I agree with $hadow. MIUI is a very dumb down UI, which is good for new users. CM is as usual, UTTER CRAP. Nothing beats pure / vanilla Android though.

whatthefrak said:
I'm used with normal Android, and I agree with $hadow. MIUI is a very dumb down UI, which is good for new users. CM is as usual, UTTER CRAP. Nothing beats pure / vanilla Android though.

CM utter crap??? Why???

powerhoney said:
CM utter crap??? Why???

Bugs obviously.

whatthefrak said:
Bugs obviously.

What bugs??? I never faced any... Maybe it's a particular problem with CM for your model...

Lol, CM is dead for me since the day I used it on my S2. Since then I'll rather buy an iPhone than using CM. But I do keep an eye on the CM topics, sometimes, and the list of bugs just flatters me, some examples,
Voice calls problem, GPS problem, camera picture quality like crap, NFC doesn't work, blah blah...

But yes, if one has an entry level Android, which has stopped receiving further updates from it's manufacturer, then yes CM might keep a device alive. But for so called 'flagship' phones, it's, it's just nothing.

Hmmm... Too bad for you... It works perfect on my Xperia Z1!!!

Good for you then.

powerhoney said:
What bugs??? I never faced any... Maybe it's a particular problem with CM for your model...

Well there is that epic camera bug then the gps and voice calling bug and many more.

Well if your device doesnt have proper sources (eg Exynos ) then I understand why you dont like it but if your device has all the proper sources then CM isnt that bad

ZTR said:
Well if your device doesnt have proper sources (eg Exynos ) then I understand why you dont like it but if your device has all the proper sources then CM isnt that bad

exactly the case with galaxy s2. Their exynos processor has no support devs right their own drivers. CM devs are getting money for this remember. There is a serious bug called music bug in exynos [especially s2], if you come across this thread we can see how devs are working their as$ off to workaround this bug.

but we dont appreciate their work, atleast we can stop whining.

Well, that is why I wanted Rom support. The Xiaomi Mi2 got CM, so highly likely the Mi3 will get it too. Also, Snapdragon phones usually get Rom support as compared to Mediatek or Broadcom. I have had a horrible experience wrt Roms on Mediatek and Broadcom phones, although the phones itself have been decent. And I like MIUI, so not a problem for me.

Good then. Buy two, give me one

ZTR said:
Well if your device doesnt have proper sources (eg Exynos ) then I understand why you dont like it but if your device has all the proper sources then CM isnt that bad

No no you got me wrong I didn't said that CM is bad or all. It is just that I don't use it on any of my device that being my personal choice. Others custom room just sometimes provides a better experience

whatthefrak said:
Good then. Buy two, give me one

When are you sending me your money then

$hadow said:
No no you got me wrong I didn't said that CM is bad or all. It is just that I don't use it on any of my device that being my personal choice. Others custom room just sometimes provides a better experience

every other rom are cm based, correct me if im wrong. so if CM is bad others also bad

amjath said:
every other rom are cm based, correct me if im wrong. so if CM is bad others also bad

The ROM which I use are generally supernexus and samsung ports.

amjath said:
every other rom are cm based, correct me if im wrong. so if CM is bad others also bad

Only those AOSP based ROMS are CM based (I think actually CM is based on AOSP). You can't be more wrong.

whatthefrak said:
Only those AOSP based ROMS are CM based (I think actually CM is based on AOSP). You can't be more wrong.

Cm is based based on aosp and other ROM build/dev uses cm. That's what I said

A

guys is it safe to buy Mi 3 in india as the service centres are not yet available and also I checked in MIUI forums and found out that the os is a bit buggy and also there were many issues if u install 3rd party launchers.

Aditya Hegde said:
guys is it safe to buy Mi 3 in india as the service centres are not yet available and also I checked in MIUI forums and found out that the os is a bit buggy and also there were many issues if u install 3rd party launchers.

Those bugs are usually on non-Xiaomi phones which have a ported MIUI ROM. Since this ROM will be used as a daily driver, its safe to assume that almost all bugs will be ironed out.

M

Aditya Hegde said:
guys is it safe to buy Mi 3 in india as the service centres are not yet available and also I checked in MIUI forums and found out that the os is a bit buggy and also there were many issues if u install 3rd party launchers.

There is no point of using any 3rd party launcher as MIUI it self will provide lot of customization.

MIUI is full of customization so I bet you do not need anymore to customize your launcher.

guys after Xiaomi launched the Redmi 1S, I'm interested in that too because its so cheap and powerful . How is this phone?

cacklebolt said:
guys after Xiaomi launched the Redmi 1S, I'm interested in that too because its so cheap and powerful . How is this phone?

Moto G murderer

anupam_pb said:
Moto G murderer

I figured that, but I was to go for the infinitely more powerful Mi3 but the Redmi is a sweet deal for half the price too. I'm confused whether I should stick to the Mi3 or go for Redmi on a smaller budget?

P.S My mother would be happy if I got a cheaper phone.

S

cacklebolt said:
I figured that, but I was to go for the infinitely more powerful Mi3 but the Redmi is a sweet deal for half the price too. I'm confused whether I should stick to the Mi3 or go for Redmi on a smaller budget?

P.S My mother would be happy if I got a cheaper phone.

Your decision bro. Obviously us techies will suggest the better hardware but ultimately whatever makes you or your mother happy

cacklebolt said:
I figured that, but I was to go for the infinitely more powerful Mi3 but the Redmi is a sweet deal for half the price too. I'm confused whether I should stick to the Mi3 or go for Redmi on a smaller budget?

P.S My mother would be happy if I got a cheaper phone.

Personally i would never buy a 14k phone from small brands, but 7k, i can take that risk....... Plus it's just a 7k phone, so i would be able to upgrade it within lesser time gap

anupam_pb said:
Personally i would never buy a 14k phone from small brands, but 7k, i can take that risk....... Plus it's just a 7k phone, so i would be able to upgrade it within lesser time gap

We are talking about a four year old $10 billion company here.

I would take the risk.

K

still its not worth taking a risk just because of specs,might as well get moto x or moto g since they are better proven and provide good support compared to these chinese oems