India currently boasts of being the third largest smartphone market in the world. It is after China and the US. However, 2016 would see the country becoming the second biggest market. The huge potential market saw 95 brands launch over 1,137 phones in 2014 alone, and the number’s only going up this year!
As the year end draws close, here’s a comprehensive list of the top 5 phones launched in 2015. We judged each phone by the following parameters – features, specs, affordability and design.
Motorola Moto G (3rd Gen) – Rs. 12,999
Motorola Moto G (3rd Gen) was launched in July 2015, and boy did it impress buyers and experts alike! It came with a 5” HD Screen with 299ppi.
Under the hood, the Moto G is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Processor and 2 GB RAM. It packs in 16 GB internal memory that can be expanded up to 32GB. As for the camera, it boasts of a 13 MP Primary Camera a 5 MP Selfie Camera.
While the 2470mAh non-removable battery is it’s only sore point, its trump card really is it’s IPX7 Water Resistance feature that’s not available in several ‘high-end’ models.
Verdict: Solid Mid Range Smartphone of 2015
Coolpad Note 3 (Black) – Rs. 8,999
Launched in October 2015, Coolpad Note 3 seemed to emerge as the killer in the budget category.
The 5.50” beast has a resolution of 720*1280 pixels and is powered by a 1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek 6753 Processor and 3 GB RAM.
It also has 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 64GB. You also have a 13 MP Primary Camera and 5 MP Selfie Shooter.
Apart from the usual connectivity options, the mammoth in the house here is the fingerprint scanner. Who expects stuff made for an Apple iPhone on a ‘budget’ smartphone? To add icing on the cake, it’s also currently available in Black.
Verdict: Budget Smartphone of 2015
OnePlus 2 – Rs. 24,999
Launched in July this year, the OnePlus 2 was quietly rightly labeled the ‘2016 Flagship Killer’. This one had everything you wanted on steroids.
Processor? - 1.8GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Ram? - 4GB
Memory – 64 GB internal storage
Battery and Display? – 5.5” Full HD Screen and 3300mAh battery.
A: Um…but the OnePlus 2 doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner and a 21 MP Primary Camera.
B: How much do you pay for you iPhone?
*Silence*
Verdict: Flagship of the Year - 2015
Lenovo K3 Note – Rs. 9,999
Launched early in March 2015, the K3 Note is for the ones who ‘want big’, except for their credit card statements.
At Rs 10k, this 5.5” biggie has a Full HD Screen with an unbelievable 401ppi. Under the hood it’s a 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6752 Processor that comes with 2 GB RAM. You also get 16 GB internal storage that can be expanded up to 32GB. For the camera you get a 13 MP Primary Camera and a 5 MP front camera for selfies.
Apart from its slight low 2900mAh battery, and the fact that it has some lags, the Lenovo K3 is the ultimate phone for the Indian who thinks ‘bigger is better’.
Verdict: The Biggie Smartphone 2015
Motorola Moto E (Gen 2) – Rs. 4,999
Motorola Moto E (2nd) is the titillating damsel you fantasize about. She’s the girl next door who’ll never let you down, and that’s the beauty of the deal.
At Rs. 4,999, this 4.5” smartphone brings together the best of all worlds. It’s not for the gaming enthusiast or the selfie addict. Want to buy your mom/younger sibling their first smartphone? She’s the one to go with. She won’t intimate your grandparents or you, when you consider the gift.
Moto E is the ‘safe’ smartphone for the first-time user. It has a solid feel to it, comes featured packed for the price, and handle basic operations exceptionally well.
Verdict: My First Smartphone 2015
Image credit: Indiatimes