In India, consumers do have a lot of choices for Android smartphones under Rs. 5,000. In fact the segment is flooded with devices from various Indian and Chinese manufacturers.
We at FoneArena have always got requests from our readers to suggest a best pick in this price bracket. We do understand that it is very difficult to select that one good smartphone when you have these many options in front of you, especially when the most sport similar design and specifications.
Here are few Android devices that have been widely appreciated and we also think that these should be better value for money products as well, and most importantly may last longer than the others around same price. Of course, all these smartphones come with few compromises and you can’t expect much in this segment, and that’s why we didn’t rank them on the basis of performance or best pick, because that always differs from one person’s choice to another.
1. Micromax Canvas A1 – best buy online Rs. 4,779
Micromax Canvas A1 is actually a good product from Google’s “larger initiative” Android One for the developing markets. Google in partnership with OEMs had launched three Android One devices in India last year. Read full review.
The Canvas A1 comes with stock Android OS out-of-the-box. Recently Google started rolling out the latest Android 5.1.1 update as well.
Specifications of the Micromax Canvas A1 include a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480×854 pixels) IPS display, a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage which is further expandable storage via microSD card (up to 32GB), and a 1700mAh battery. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Other than that, it supports dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GPRS/ EDGE, and 3G.
httpv://youtu.be/zyH8DO_oO3E
2. Karbonn Sparkle V – best buy online Rs. 3,999
Karbonn Sparkle V is also an Android One device launched alongside the Canvas A1. It sports identical specifications as the Canvas A1. Full review here.
Specifications of the Karbonn Sparkle V include a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480×854 pixels) IPS display, a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage which is further expandable storage via microSD card (up to 32GB), and a 1700mAh battery. It also sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Other than that, it supports dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GPRS/ EDGE, and 3G.
3. Spice Dream Uno – best buy online Rs. 3,999
Spice Dream Uno is the third device in the Android One smartphones launched in India. Similar to Canvas A1 and Sparkle V, the Dream Uno is also getting latest Android 5.1.1 update in India. Full review here.
The device features a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480×854 pixels) IPS display, a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage which is further expandable storage via microSD card (up to 32GB), and a 1700mAh battery. It also sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Other than that, it supports dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GPRS/ EDGE, and 3G.
4. Micromax Canvas Spark Q380 – price Rs. 4,999
Micromax Canvas Spark is the recently launched Android 5.0 Lollipop-powered smartphone from the manufacturer that made a lot of buzz because of its good build quality at an affordable price.
The dual-SIM (3G+3G) Canvas Spark features a 4.7-inch qHD (540×960 pixels) display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582M processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, 2000mAh battery and runs on Android 5.0 (Lollipop). It has an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.
We have also reviewed the device and really liked the build quality of it. Do checkout detailed review here.
5. ZTE Blade QLUX 4G – price Rs. 4,999
ZTE Blade QLUX 4G is relatively the most recent device in the list and was launched last week only. Highlight of the QLUX 4G is that it supports is that it supports 4G bands in India – both 1800MHz (Band 3) and 2300MHz (Band 40). Priced at Rs. 4,999, the smartphone is exclusively available via Amazon.
Specifications of the dual-SIM ZTE Blade QLUX 4G include a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480×854 pixels) IPS display and is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek (MT6732M) processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. It comes with 8GB of inbuilt storage, which is further expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB). It sports an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with LED flash, and a secondary 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The handset is backed by a 2200mAh battery.
6. Huawei Honor Bee – price Rs. 4,499
The Huawei Honor Bee was launched last month in India and we have already reviewed it as well. So you can check the detailed review here, before making a final choice.
It is a dual-SIM (3G+3G) smartphone that features a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480×854 pixels) display, is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core SC7731 Cortex-A7 processor coupled with 1GB of RAM and runs Android 4.4 KitKat with Huawei EMUI 3.0 Lite on top.
The 8GB of built-in storage is expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB). It packs an 8-megapixel auto focus rear camera with dual-LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The handset is backed by a 1730mAh battery.
7. Xiaomi Redmi 1S – unboxed unit price Rs. 4,999
We know that the Redmi 1S is a little old device as of today, but it is still a decent pick under Rs. 5,000. Xiaomi has stopped selling the new device on Flipkart, but it has made it available through two different retailers in India – GreenDust and Overcart in two categories – unboxed at Rs. 4,999, and refurbished at Rs. 4,599.
httpv://youtu.be/ZEg_Hg41UNU
The dual-SIM Xiaomi Redmi 1S features a 4.7-inch HD (720×1280 pixels) IPS display with AGC Dragontrail glass protection, is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 SoC coupled with Adreno 305 GPU and 1GB of RAM. The 8GB of built-in storage is expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB). It packs an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with flash, and a 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera. The handset supports 3G, backed by a 2000mAh battery with USB OTG onboard. Full review here.
8. Motorola Moto E (Gen 1) – price Rs. 4,999
Motorola had launched this dual-SIM budget smartphone last year at Rs. 6,999 and it was very well received. The second generation of Moto E in two variants is already here and is doing well in the market as well. We will definitely suggest you to buy the latest model, but if you are unable to buy somehow, then this is still a good deal at Rs. 4,999.
Motorola Moto E comes with 4.3-inch qHD (540×960 pixel) display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor along with Adreno 302 GPU and 1GB of RAM. It packs a 5-megapixel rear camera without flash and there is no front camera as well.
httpv://youtu.be/De2x6XgAQ4k
The 4GB of internal storage is expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB). The handset is backed by a 1980mAh battery, supports 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, FM radio, and Bluetooth 4.0. Full review here.
9. Asus ZenFone 4 A400CG – best buy online Rs. 5,000
The dual-SIM Asus ZenFone 4 A400CG sports a 4-inch WVGA (480×800 pixels) display, is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology and 1GB of RAM. The 8GB of built-in storage is expandable via microSD card (up to 64GB). It packs a 5-megapixel rear camera without flash and a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. Check our Review video above and read our full review here.
httpv://youtu.be/Vz610e-Weaw
10. Micromax Unite 2 – price around Rs. 5,200
Lastly, we decided to keep Micromax Unite 2 in this list, because of its highlight 21 languages support (20 regional languages including Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, Tamil and more). The device was launched last month at Rs. 6,999, but can be purchased online at around Rs. 5,200. Read our full review here.
httpv://youtu.be/FW-ZADI6x5M
The dual-SIM (3G) Unite 2 features a 4.7-inch WVGA (480×800 pixels) IPS display, is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel auto focus rear camera with LED flash, while there is a 2-megapixel front-facing camera also onboard. The 4GB of inbuilt storage can be further expanded via microSD card (up to 32GB). It is backed by a 2000mAh battery. The company has finally updated the Unite 2 to Android 5.0 Lollipop as well.