Buying new smartphone: Expect this based on budget

Most of the times buyers pay premium for their smartphones because they didn’t know what they should expect. Brands use this as an opportunity. They launch the new smartphone at premium price. Therefore this checklist comes into picture.

Here I am listing the features, specifications and quality your new smartphone must have based on the price range.

Let’s start from the lowest price range:

Range A: { Below 5000₹ }->

• 480p Resolution display
• 3000mAh Battery
• Android Go edition devices are recommended
• Android OS version should not be more than 3 years old.
• 16GB ROM
• 1GB RAM
• Dedicated memory card slot is compulsory
• Mediatek Helio G30 series processors are preferred.
• Average single cameras on front and rear
• Be ready: You will get lot of bloatware apps pre-installed, cameras work only average in good light, Terrible at low light, Lags at times.
• Memory card slot is important than dual sim functionality.

Range B: { Between 5000₹-10000₹ }->

• 720p Resolution panel is must
• 4000mAh Battery
• Android OS version should not be more than 2 years old.
• 64GB ROM
• 3GB RAM
• Latest Mediatek Helio G and P series processors perform great. Snapdragron 600 series is fine too.
• Megapixels don’t matter. If a single camera or a dual rear cameras system is provided. Check the camera samples and make sure the images are balanced.
• Selfie cameras shouldn’t need to be high megapixel ones. They should produce realistic photos.
• Be Ready: This price range is perfect for first time smartphone users in age group of 16-25. They might lag if pushed too much. Low lighting conditions is Achilles heel in this smartphone cameras. If a power user better pay a bit more.
• Fingerprint scanner must above 8000₹
• Atleast 10W charger must. Type-C port is a good thing.
• Make sure it gets android updates for atleast 1 year.

Range C: { Between 10000₹ – 15000₹ } ->

• FullHD display is compulsory.
• 4000mAh battery
• Latest Android OS version is recommended.
• 64GB ROM
• 4-6 GB RAM
• Mediatek Helio G series but their higher end variants and Snapdragon 660 series . If possible find a phone with 700 series if you are planning to game.
• Dual sim+ dedicated memory card slot.
• Type C port is compulsory
• Fast Charging capable at-least 15W.
• Rear cameras setup might come with triple or quad cameras. But they are useless. SCAM! Better get a dual camera device with good sensors from Samsung.
• Selfie cameras should be equally powerful as rear ones.
• Fingerprint scanner must.
• Be Ready: Even though you have paid 15000₹ you might not get a very good camera. It will be decent. More than enough for daily use.
• Make sure it gets android updates for 2 years.

Range D: { Between 15000₹ – 20000₹ } ->

• FullHD+AMOLED screen is recommended. IPS LCD Screens are also fine. But AMOLED screens are a feast to eyes. (90Hz screens is a good add-on)
• Device must be made of metal or glass
• 4500mAh battery
• Good speaker setup is also important.
• Dedicated memory card slot must if storage less than 128GB
• 6-8 GB RAM
• Snapdragon 700 series or 2 year old 800 series processor is also fine.
• Type C port is must
• Must get at-least bi-monthly security updates and guaranteed 2 version upgrades.
• Cameras should have at-least Ultra-wide sensor and good quality rear camera.
• Front cameras should be impressive.
• Night light and low light performance must be good.
• 25W Fast charging compulsory and charger must be included in box.
• Know this: Can’t expect flagship level cameras and flagship performance. But more than enough for 95% users.

Range E: { Between 20000₹ – 30000₹ }

• AMOLED screens compulsory with FULLHD+ resolution.(90 or 120Hz screen must)
• Glass body and metal chassis are recommended for strong build.
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB ROM
• 4500mAh battery
• Cameras should be marginally better than Range D phones. More versatile ones. Should capture images a bit less impressive than Flagship cameras.
• 30W Fast charger must
• 5G ready phones powered by Snapdragon 765G are a good deal. (Snapdragon 855+ is a good deal)
• Night light shots should be decent.
• Know this: This range is an overkill for normal user. If you use phone extensively only then buy them.
• You are not getting the best in the market. But they aren’t normal phones either.
• 2 year software updates must be guaranteed.
• Headphone jack is must(depends on you)

Range F: { Above 30000₹ }

• AMOLED screens are recommended. 120Hz displays are compulsory.
• Flagship processors must power these devices.(Snapdragon 865+ or 865)
• 4000mAh battery is must at-least(Flagships generally have lower capacity batteries)
• 256GB ROM devices are future-proof. 128GB is enough too. But not value for money.
• 8GB RAM is minimum.
• Best camera in the segment. All lighting conditions.
• Impressive Night and low-light camera performance.
• Observe one thing: You get 12MP camera sensors and lesser number of cameras. Don’t you think now that they were fooling you in the budget segment by advertising about useless triple and Quad cameras.
• 3 year software updates must.
• 50W Charging compatible.
• 50W charger bundled with device.
• Memory card slot is an added advantage.( Rare to find)
• R.I.P Headphone jack

Hope it helps. Check these criteria before finalizing your new phone . Thank you.