Phone under 15k for my mother

D

1. Budget?
15k

2. Display type and size?
5+

3. Dual sim?
Yes

4. Preferred choice of brand?
None.

5. What camera option you want (flash, front facing camera)?
None.

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

7. Preferred connectivity options (3G, 4G ready).
4G

8. Primary use of handset (multimedia, camera, internet, gaming etc)?
She'll mainly use it for WhatsApp, facebook and sometime hotstar and youtube app.

9. Any specific mobile phones in consideration?
Realme 1, Redmi note 5 pro, moto g6, moto g6 play, Asus Zenfone max pro, honor 7x.

10. Any other info that you want to share.
USB type C would be preferred. Also if the phone is water resistant to some extent, it will be great. [Both these are optional]

IMO Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 32GB at 11k will be more than enough for her, get 64GB one for more storage at 13k or 15k one for a better camera (6GB RAM is definitely useless for her). It has a dedicated SD card slot with 2 SIM slots, so storage won't be a big issue.

D

At the time of my post, the 11k version was out of stock. Now it's available and looks a nice deal since she won't be needing much storage either. But how are honor 7x (or some other within this range) compared to zenfone? Honor phones are good looking which can be a thing for her.

deepanshuchg said:
At the time of my post, the 11k version was out of stock. Now it's available and looks a nice deal since she won't be needing much storage either. But how are honor 7x (or some other within this range) compared to zenfone? Honor phones are good looking which can be a thing for her.

In the longer run, looks won't matter but performance will. Get her Max Pro M1.

SaiyanGoku said:
In the longer run, looks won't matter but performance will. Get her Max Pro M1.

+1

D

Nokia 6.1 Plus is just announced for 16k and will go live on 31st August. How does it compare to the above phones?

deepanshuchg said:
Nokia 6.1 Plus is just announced for 16k and will go live on 31st August. How does it compare to the above phones?

Has lower battery and stupid notch design.

I wonder why people still prefer notch design phones!

Flash said:
I wonder why people still prefer notch design phones!

Is there any problem associated with notch design?

TheSloth said:
Is there any problem associated with notch design?

OEMs advertising it as necessity and customers falling for that crap. They can't stop copying whatever stupid design decisions Apple makes.

SaiyanGoku said:
OEMs advertising it as necessity and customers falling for that crap. They can't stop copying whatever stupid design decisions Apple makes.

So apart from the looks, there are no other issues in using the mobile conveniently? I asked cause i am seeing lots of post against this notch design. Or the problem is more something on the note like why the other companies has to follow Apple blindly?

D

We do have an option to remove the notch on this Nokia phone on software end. Not sure how effective that is.

TheSloth said:
So apart from the looks, there are no other issues in using the mobile conveniently? I asked cause i am seeing lots of post against this notch design. Or the problem is more something on the note like why the other companies has to follow Apple blindly?

How'd you deal with the black cutout while watching full screen videos or while using the camera?

Samsung achieved higher screen to body ratio without a notch. So did Xiaomi with Mi Mix phones and LG with previous G series phones. Manufacturers think notch will make their phones look same as iphone x but even that has a bad design.

D

SaiyanGoku said:
How'd you deal with the black cutout while watching full screen videos or while using the camera?

Samsung achieved higher screen to body ratio without a notch. So did Xiaomi with Mi Mix phones and LG with previous G series phones. Manufacturers think notch will make their phones look same as iphone x but even that has a bad design.

Since the notch can be removed at software end, do you feel anything less of this phone apart from the design?

deepanshuchg said:
Since the notch can be removed at software end, do you feel anything less of this phone apart from the design?

Battery capacity is low when others have 4-5k mAh batteries. Also, even if notch can be "hidden" on software level, the cutout will be there.

deepanshuchg said:
Nokia 6.1 Plus is just announced for 16k and will go live on 31st August. How does it compare to the above phones?

Both Asus Zenfone & Redmi Note 5 Pro have a bigger battery, so better battery life. Nokia 6.1+ is an Android One phone, so expect faster updates in comparison (doesn't matter for your mother) & moreover it is a compact phone. So if your mother would prefer a compact phone, get her Nokia 6.1+, I'm sure she would be more satisfied with a Nokia phone rather than Asus or Xiaomi. Do tell her that she would sacrifice a bit on battery life (it should last her a full day, she won't be using it for gaming I guess) when compared to Asus Zenfone which is bigger but has a better battery life along with same stock experience.

SaiyanGoku said:
Battery capacity is low when others have 4-5k mAh batteries. Also, even if notch can be "hidden" on software level, the cutout will be there.

It is a smaller phone physically, so expecting a 4000 mAh battery would be asking too much for the size. Its footprint is similar to S8/S9, obviously with a notch.

M

deepanshuchg said:
We do have an option to remove the notch on this Nokia phone on software end. Not sure how effective that is.

I would say go with nokia 6.1 camera is good and well nokia build quality is awesome. About notch why do you want to remove that notch I am using one plus 6 and hiding notch looks weird

Minion said:
I would say go with nokia 6.1 camera is good and well nokia build quality is awesome. About notch why do you want to remove that notch I am using one plus 6 and hiding notch looks weird

It makes the display unsymmetric. I would personally hide the notch with the black background, although I doubt notched phones will be there in future after say 2 years.

TheSloth said:
Is there any problem associated with notch design?

+1

B

Asus Zenfone Max Pro 1.
Man we should open up a discussion thread for the notch. So many lovers and haters here.

You Should go with Mi Note Pro. awesome phone.

D

I was almost convinced to buy Asus Zenfone Max pro on this sale of fk coming on 25th but then I got to know it doesn't have Corning Gorilla Glass, whereas its counterpart Note 5 pro have it. I am not really familiar with these things so, does this Gorilla glass really helps the screen in drops?

deepanshuchg said:
I was almost convinced to buy Asus Zenfone Max pro on this sale of fk coming on 25th but then I got to know it doesn't have Corning Gorilla Glass, whereas its counterpart Note 5 pro have it. I am not really familiar with these things so, does this Gorilla glass really helps the screen in drops?

It does help a bit during drops but mostly its good aganist scratches if you are planning to use your phone without a screen guard. I used my S8 for about 9 months without a screen guard & it got 0 scratches, case helped with the few drops, i suppose.

Everyone uses a case on their phone + a screen protector (nowadays tempered glass) or just a tempered glass without a case.

My cousin uses Zenfone Max with a TPU case & screen guard (not glass) which I feel is fine.

Get a screen guard for Redmi Note 5 for Asus Zenfone as it fits & options for Asus aren't good. Don't do the same for a case.

D

anupam_pb said:
It does help a bit during drops but mostly its good aganist scratches if you are planning to use your phone without a screen guard. I used my S8 for about 9 months without a screen guard & it got 0 scratches, case helped with the few drops, i suppose.

Everyone uses a case on their phone + a screen protector (nowadays tempered glass) or just a tempered glass without a case.

My cousin uses Zenfone Max with a TPU case & screen guard (not glass) which I feel is fine.

Get a screen guard for Redmi Note 5 for Asus Zenfone as it fits & options for Asus aren't good. Don't do the same for a case.

Okay, thank you. Today's its 500rs flat off on this plus 10% off on hdfc cards. Just trying to get hold of someone who has a hdfc and will order it today.

D

I received the phone today, the 32gb variant. First impression is great except the camera which I was aware of. I didn't want to spend another 5k for good camera on the 6gb version as it wasn't really a priority for me. Anyway, how can I buy Accidental Damage Protection for this?

deepanshuchg said:
I received the phone today, the 32gb variant. First impression is great except the camera which I was aware of. I didn't want to spend another 5k for good camera on the 6gb version as it wasn't really a priority for me. Anyway, how can I buy Accidental Damage Protection for this?

Flipkart was offering some protection which I couldn't buy when I ordered it for my cousin because of flash sale.

I don't think ADP is worth it for phones as the premium would be quite high. Use a tempered glass + case if you are worried

D

anupam_pb said:
Flipkart was offering some protection which I couldn't buy when I ordered it for my cousin because of flash sale.

I don't think ADP is worth it for phones as the premium would be quite high. Use a tempered glass + case if you are worried

Yeah, I saw that too some days ago and its price was really low at that time. I couldn't find it when I ordered the phone either. Yep, will get a case and tempered glass either way. Do you think Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 Full Glue Edge To Edge Glass will be any good? I got to know about this from a video which was sponsored so having doubt about it.

deepanshuchg said:
Yeah, I saw that too some days ago and its price was really low at that time. I couldn't find it when I ordered the phone either. Yep, will get a case and tempered glass either way. Do you think Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 Full Glue Edge To Edge Glass will be any good? I got to know about this from a video which was sponsored so having doubt about it.

Seems good as they have provided pics for the same but I haven't heard about the website, so skeptical. As I said earlier, get tempered glass/screen protector of Redmi Note 5 (with a notch on top for sensors, etc).

D

anupam_pb said:
As I said earlier, get tempered glass/screen protector of Redmi Note 5 (with a notch on top for sensors, etc).

Any specific suggestion?

deepanshuchg said:
Any specific suggestion?

Screen guard can be bought from mi.com, costs 120, has 2 guards. No idea about glass but one with a notch at the top should fit

S

Is the Realme 1 worth buying? It seems to compete with Zenfone Max Pro M1

siddhesh222 said:
Is the Realme 1 worth buying? It seems to compete with Zenfone Max Pro M1

NO! and NO!

S

Well I'm not much aware of the cons of the device that makes you write 'NO' twice in all caps, maybe you could enlighten me as to why I should not buy it?

siddhesh222 said:
Well I'm not much aware of the cons of the device that makes you write 'NO' twice in all caps, maybe you could enlighten me as to why I should not buy it?

Despite having P60, Realme 1 has crap UI, lacks fingerprint scanner, would be stuck on Oreo forever and won't have good custom rom support (if at all).

S

Thanks for you suggestion SaiyanGoku. I had already ordered the 3GB + 32GB variant for my mother, now I ordered black 4gb + 64GB variant for myself... lol but I won't lie, I still feel the temptation of Realme 1 as I'm not much into custom ROMs nowadays and don't value a fingerprint scanner placed at the back, much.

Does the Zenfone have good custom ROM support? I feel I should try tinkering around with some custom ROMs.

siddhesh222 said:
Thanks for you suggestion SaiyanGoku. I had already ordered the 3GB + 32GB variant for my mother, now I ordered black 4gb + 64GB variant for myself... lol but I won't lie, I still feel the temptation of Realme 1 as I'm not much into custom ROMs nowadays and don't value a fingerprint scanner placed at the back, much.

Does the Zenfone have good custom ROM support? I feel I should try tinkering around with some custom ROMs.

I would say the name Oppo is enough to stay from a phone. Their UI sucks, same is the case with Vivo & any other small manufacturer with a heavily customized UI like ZTE, etc.

Samsung, LG, Huawei/Honor & Xiaomi have pretty optimized UI despite being heavy, although something like a stock android or stock-based UIs like Oxygen OS of Oneplus or Sony's UI are considered better. A poorly optimized UI with lag & stutter with time, Samsung faced this a lot with their TouchWiz UI which they have renamed now basically to Samsung Experience.

As SaiyanGoku already said, lack of fingerprint sensor is another big con.

Lack of custom ROMs is something which most people won't care, maybe 90%, but a bad UI should be avoided when you have been warned. I used to do it on previous phones just to add features. My Nexus 4 ran the stock OS for barely a month, few months for other phones but my current phone is still running the stock OS for a year now. I might just root it to remove ads in future, custom ROMs, maybe not.

Zenfone may get custom ROM support in future or not, but stock android & vague promise by Asus to upgrade it to Android Q is a good sign. At least it should get Android Pie.

M

If you are spending around 15k Nokia 6.1 plus is a good device with awesome build quality if you hate notch then moto Z2 play is available for 15k with better camera

S

IDK guys I'm seriously 2nd guessing my Zenfone purchase.. because for just 990 bucks more I could get the 6GB + 128GB variant of the Realme1... which even if it has a comparatively unoptimized UI.. will make it up with the 6GB RAM... not to mention the 128 GB storage.. From reviews the battery is also pretty optimized because of the AI present in the Helio P60.... My zenfone is about to be delivered today.. should I return it?

Is the UI SO IMPORTANT that I should value it over 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM?! And I don't get why people value the fingerprint scanner so much too... Is the Realme1 right for me?

Like even if it's stuck on Oreo... The mad specs won't make it lag, right? I'm so confused rn.

siddhesh222 said:
IDK guys I'm seriously 2nd guessing my Zenfone purchase.. because for just 990 bucks more I could get the 6GB + 128GB variant of the Realme1... which even if it has a comparatively unoptimized UI.. will make it up with the 6GB RAM... not to mention the 128 GB storage.. From reviews the battery is also pretty optimized because of the AI present in the Helio P60.... My zenfone is about to be delivered today.. should I return it?

Is the UI SO IMPORTANT that I should value it over 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM?! And I don't get why people value the fingerprint scanner so much too... Is the Realme1 right for me?

Like even if it's stuck on Oreo... The mad specs won't make it lag, right? I'm so confused rn.

If that's the case, spend 1k more and get RN5 Pro.

Yes, P60 is better than SD636 but if you look at what Realme 1 lacks for a 14k phone, it makes no sense in buying it. 6-7k phones have better UIs (10.or) and fingerprint scanner.
6-12 months later, there could be some weird software issue with Realme 1 and Oppo won't care about fixing it. It is oppo, what else can you expect. They launched Realme 2 (which is a huge downgrade) after 3 months. :lol:

Edit: Suppose there is a new laptop in the market and has great specs for the price (it has just 1 usb 1.0 port though). Then you see that manufacturer is micromax and they have refused to release any drivers for it. You have to keep using it with heavily modified bloated OS as you don't have any way to get admin access. Also, updates are controlled by micromax as they've removed windows update from it. Would you still buy it?

S

Alright.. I hope I'm happy with my Zenfone purchase.. your post has put my mind to ease. And my Zenfone just arrived lol.