One year earlier we couldn’t have anticipated that ‘under 10,000’ Android category will emerge to be as fiercely competitive. The revolution started with launch of Moto E earlier this year and ended with several domestic, Chinese and Global brands lining up with best possible hardware for the lowest possible price. Let’s take a look at the top 5 smartphones launched in 2014 for a price lesser than 10,000 INR.
YU Yureka
To compete with Xiaomi and other Chinese manufacturers eyeing encroaching on domestic turf, Micromax launched its first YU branded smartphone Yureka, based on a similar revenue model. YU Yureka offers mouth watering specs and a 5.5 Inch HD display for a modest price of 8,999 INR.
It is also the lowest priced smartphone with a 64 bit chipset, i.e. Snapdragon 615 octa core clocked at 1.5 GHz with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage. The handset is powered by Android 4.4 KitKat based Cyanogen OS, while other features include 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front shooter and a 2500 mAh battery.
Recommended: Top 5 Smartphones of 2014 Under 20,000 INR
Key Specs
| Model | Micromax Yureka |
| Display | 5.5 inch, HD |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz Octa Core Snapdragon 615 |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB, Expandable up to 32 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat based Cyanogen |
| Camera | 13 MP/ 5 MP |
| Battery | 2,500 mAh |
| Price | Rs 8,999 |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G
Xiaomi Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G are other good value for money smartphones lauched in India this year, although none is available for purchase, mainly due to Ericsson lawsuit against Xiaomi. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G powered by 1.6 GHz Snapdragon 400 will soon be available in India for 9,999 INR.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note features a 5.5 Inch HD display while other features include 2 GB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, MicroSD card support, 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera and a 3100 mAh battery.
Key Specs
| Model | Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G |
| Display | 5.5 inch, HD |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 400 |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB, Expandable up to 64 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat based MIUI |
| Camera | 13 MP/ 5 MP |
| Battery | 3,100 mAh |
| Price | Rs 9,999 |
Asus Zenfone 5
Asus Zenfone 5 is one of the best smartphones retailing under 9,999 INR. It has a very good 8 MP rear shooter paired with a 1.6 GHz dual core Intel Atom Z2560 processor, 2 GB RAM and 8 GB/16 GB internal storage. The 5 inch display sports 720p HD resolution and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 on top.
Other features include 2110 mAh battery, 64 GB microSD card support and admirable body design. Asus Zenfone 5 is available on flipkart starting from 9,999 INR.
Key Specs
| Model | Asus Zenfone 5 |
| Display | 5 Inch , HD |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz Dual Core |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB/ 16 GB, Expandable |
| OS | Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Upgradable |
| Camera | 8 MP/ 2 MP |
| Battery | 2110 mAh |
| Price | 9,999 INR/ 12,999 INR (Buy Now) |
Android One Phones
Android One Phones introduced by domestic manufacturers with blessings from Google are capable of imparting great and smooth Android experience (though specs might not be the best) at a modest price of Approx 6,000 INR. These phones are powered by 1.3 GHz quad core chipset with 1 GB RAM and 4 GB Native storage. To buy and SD card is must with these phones or perhaps you could go with Micromax Canvas A1 which comes bundled with a free 8 GB microSD card.
Other features include 5 MP/ VGA rear-front camera, 2000 mAh battery and a 4.5 inch display. These will be among the first set of budget smartphones to receive Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade in India. Micromax Canvas A1, Spice Dream Uno and Karbonn Sparkle V are available for 6,499 INR, 6,299 INR and 5,999 INR.
Key Specs
| Model | Android One Phone |
| Display | 4.5 Inch , FWVGA |
| Processor | 1.3 GHz Quad Core |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Internal Storage | 4 GB, Expandable |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 Kitkat, Guaranteed update |
| Camera | 5 MP/ 2 MP |
| Battery | 1700 mAh |
| Price | Approx 6,000 INR |
Xiaomi Redmi 1S
We saw several great low cost Android phones this year, but we think Xiaomi Redmi 1S deserves a place in this list. For as low as 5,999 INR, Xiaomi is offering a good quality HD display, great 8 MP camera, 1.6 GHz Snapdragon 400 chipset.
Other features include 1 GB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, MicroSD card support, USB OTG and a 2000 mAh battery. Xiaomi also released an OTA update to resolve heating issue users were complaining about. This seems to have improved thermal efficiency.
Key Specs
| Model | Xiaomi Redmi 1S |
| Display | 4.7 inch, HD |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB, Expandable up to 64 GB |
| OS | Android 4.3 Jelly Bean |
| Camera | 8 MP/ 1.6 MP |
| Battery | 2,000 mAh |
| Price | Rs 6,999 |
Some Other Phones
Some other great phones in this category include Moto E, Asus Zenfone 4, Asus Zenfone 4.5, Xolo Omega 5.5 and Huawei Honor Holly.
Conclusion
2015 will be even more adventurous and we expect octa core smartphones to replace most MT6582 devices. Google will also launch its next wave of Android One devices with Qualcomm chipset very soon in India. on the whole, we can expect the adventure to continue through the next year.
