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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices when picking a new phone, you’re not alone. With so many options in the market, it can get difficult at times to select the smartphone that meets all your everyday needs. The freshly launched <keyword id="24164290" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Realme-13-Plus" source="keywords">Realme 13 Plus</keyword> aims to cut through the noise by offering a blend of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life that speaks to everyday users, gamers, and budding photographers alike. After spending some time with this device, I can say that this is a value-for-money smartphone that can take care of all your basic needs. <div type="image" title="13" msid="115655385" hostid="261" sizebytes="1042706"></div> <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Design and display </h2> First impressions matter, and the Realme 13 Plus makes a solid one. The device sports a sleek design that feels comfortable to hold in hand. It weighs around 185 grams and can easily be used with one hand. The phone comes with a matte finish back panel and aluminium frame. While the back panel looks sophisticated, the aluminium frame stands out. There is also a circular camera module at the back, which is well-defined with a metallic ring. <div type="image" title="7" msid="115655253" hostid="261" sizebytes="1337084"></div> During my usage, I didn’t notice any fingerprints forming anywhere in the back panel and that is a huge plus. At the top, there is a 3mm jack and the right edge houses the volume and power buttons. At the bottom you have the Type C charging port and sim tray. In the front, the 6.72-inch Full HD+ display is vibrant and sharp, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling through social media a buttery-smooth experience. I found myself engrossed in binge-watching my favourite shows, and the experience was nothing short of delightful. The colours popped, and the brightness was more than adequate, even under the midday sun. Whether you’re watching action-packed scenes or scrolling through your photo gallery, the Realme 13 Plus truly shines in this department. <div type="image" title="12" msid="115655273" hostid="261" sizebytes="1278279"></div> However, the screen does gather dust quite easily so I would advise using a screen cover. <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Performance and battery </h2> Under the hood, the Realme 13 Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, which manages to balance performance and energy efficiency. My gaming sessions with titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile were remarkably smooth, with no noticeable lag or frame drops. The 8GB RAM variant ensures that multitasking remains a breeze, allowing me to switch between apps without the dreaded app reload. However, it’s not just about gaming; everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and video calls were equally effortless. During a group call with my friends, I appreciated the seamless connection and the sound quality from the dual speakers was adequate and clear. <div type="image" title="8" msid="115655302" hostid="261" sizebytes="1167673"></div> While the experience was positive in general, the phone does come with a fair share of bloatware and that gets a tad bit annoying at times. Coming to its battery, I found that I could comfortably get through a full day of use, even with decent gaming. I only found myself reaching for a charger at the end of the day. The phone also comes with fast charging support and I got a 60 per cent battery in just 30 minutes of charging. This is perfect for those frantic mornings when you realise your phone is running low, and you need to dash out the door. <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Camera </h2> The camera setup on the Realme 13 Plus is one of its standout features, especially for those who love snapping photos on the go. <div type="image" title="1" msid="115655450" hostid="261" sizebytes="708995"></div> The primary sensor captures stunning detail and vibrant colours, making it a joy to shoot everything from landscapes to close-ups. I tested the camera on a weekend outing, and the photos turned out to be remarkably crisp. <div type="image" title="3" msid="115655441" hostid="261" sizebytes="1392821"></div> However, low-light photography can be hit or miss, with some shots appearing grainy and lacking detail. <div type="image" title="10" msid="115655319" hostid="261" sizebytes="618451"></div> The 2MP depth sensor helps create that lovely bokeh effect, perfect for portrait shots. The edge detection, in good lighting, is also spot on. The 16MP front camera is also impressive and results in some great shots. However, the photos are overly beautified by default, which can be solved with a simple tap if you prefer to avoid it. <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Verdict </h2> With its competitive pricing and impressive features, the Realme 13 Plus is definitely worth considering, especially if you’re looking for a smartphone that delivers reliable performance without breaking the bank. Yes, the phone comes with bloatware and low-light photography can falter at times, but those are not really dealbreakers.

Realme 13 Plus quick review: Good budget-friendly option for all your daily needs

<ul><li><keyword id="22862470" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iQOO-Z9s-Pro" source="keywords">iQOO Z9s Pro</keyword> comes with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor with up to 12GB RAM.</li><li>The phone is ideal for gaming and multitasking, with 80W fast charging</li><li>iQOO Z9s Pro sports a sleek, contemporary design, offering a lightweight and comfortable grip.</li></ul> iQOO, over the years, has carved a niche for itself in the smartphone market and has various mid-range phones that promise the best performance at a relatively affordable price point. And the iQOO Z9s Pro also falls under this category. We, at Business Insider India, have been using the iQOO Z9s Pro for over a month and after our testing, we can confidently say that this is the smartphone that can give you good performance for under Rs 25,000. <div type="image" title="6" msid="115764952" hostid="261" sizebytes="904220"></div> In India, the iQOO Z9s Pro’s price starts at Rs 24,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The 8GB RAM variant with 256GB storage is priced at Rs 26,999, while the top-end model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage comes in at Rs 28,999. For our testing, we used the top-end model in white colour. So, should you go ahead and buy the iQOO Z9s Pro? Let’s find out. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Design and display </h2> The iQOO Z9s Pro sports a sleek, contemporary design, offering a lightweight and comfortable grip. The phone features a sturdy glossy back panel with a marble feel to it which is visible when the lights are on. The phone, at a glance, looks quite stylish and will stand out in a crowd. I personally am not a fan of prints but the marble feel on the iQOO Z9s Pro looks quite elegant and not at all overdone. Then there is the familiar square camera module and the iQOO branding. The camera module is surrounded by a metallic finish border which elevates the whole look. <div type="image" title="10" msid="115764970" hostid="261" sizebytes="833759"></div> At the bottom is the USB Type C charging port and sim tray. The right edge houses the power and volume buttons that are quite easy to get to while holding the phone in one hand. The left edge is left completely free. The edges also sport a silver metallic finish and are worth noticing. The phone comes with a curved display which further enhances its look. During my usage, I didn’t see any fingerprints on the back panel which is a huge plus. The front, however, did form smudges and gathered dust quickly. <div type="image" title="3" msid="115764994" hostid="261" sizebytes="1688002"></div> Due to its curved display, rounded edges and glossy back, the phone is comfortable to hold and use with just one hand. However, it can also easily slide from your hand if you aren’t paying attention. Hence, it is best to always use it with the cover that comes packed with the phone. The phone’s display is a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and vivid colours, ideal for multimedia and gaming enthusiasts. This high refresh rate is excellent for gaming and general use, delivering a seamless experience. The phone can be used comfortably outdoors too, but a tad more brightness would have been even better. <div type="image" title="2" msid="115764963" hostid="261" sizebytes="1914142"></div> <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Performance </h2> Equipped with the <keyword id="21694334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Qualcomm-Snapdragon-7-Gen-3" source="keywords">Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3</keyword> processor and up to 12GB of RAM, the Z9s Pro is a powerhouse in terms of performance. Everyday tasks and multitasking feel incredibly smooth, while gaming performance is also impressive. The phone could easily handle titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings without a hitch. The cooling system helps prevent overheating during prolonged sessions, making it a reliable choice for gamers. The phone also includes virtual RAM expansion, giving it an edge in handling demanding applications. <div type="image" title="1" msid="115765018" hostid="261" sizebytes="1900985"></div> Talking about the software, even though the phone offers a clean experience with customisable themes and settings, it does come with pre-installed apps, which may be a slight drawback for those who prefer a streamlined interface. The good news is that most of these can be uninstalled, and the UI is generally responsive with minimal lag. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Camera </h2> The Z9s Pro comes with a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens in the back. The phone also sports a 16MP selfie camera. Overall, the camera performs well in good lighting conditions. Night-time photography too is decent for the price. In daylight, the primary camera captures crisp details and vibrant colours. <div type="image" title="12" msid="115765082" hostid="261" sizebytes="1558728"></div> The front camera too performs well and captures your selfies in style. However, the edge detection might feel tad off at times. But this isn't a dealbreaker considering the price of the smartphone. <div type="image" title="15" msid="115765094" hostid="261" sizebytes="833942"></div> The portrait shots from the rear camera are simply stunning. <div type="image" title="16" msid="115765109" hostid="261" sizebytes="1266524"></div> I also used the Master B/W mode and the Vintage film mode and loved the results. <div type="image" title="13" msid="115765126" hostid="261" sizebytes="2287590"></div> While the phone captures impressive detail and colours, the details start fizzling out when you zoom in. Even at 2x, the details start going a bit amiss and by 10x, the performance drop in camera is quite noticeable. But this isn’t a big concern. At night too, the phone can capture some decent shots for its price point. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Battery and charging </h2> With a 5,500mAh battery, the iQOO Z9s Pro easily lasts a full day of moderate usage. For heavy users, 80W fast charging comes in handy, taking the battery from 0 to around 50% in just 20 minutes. This quick top-up time is a big plus for those who are always on the go. The phone also comes with a charger in the box so you don’t have to buy one separately. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Final verdict </h2> <div type="image" title="5" msid="115765350" hostid="261" sizebytes="1316258"></div> The iQOO Z9s Pro stands out in the mid-range segment with its powerful processor, smooth display, and decent camera setup. However, minor improvements in low-light camera performance and UI polish could enhance it further. For users focused on performance and gaming, this phone delivers robust value and is a worthy option in its price bracket.

iQOO Z9s Pro review: Excellent performance in a budget

Best smartphones under ₹30,000 in India

Redmi 13 5G vs CMF Phone 1 – best budget smartphone under ₹20,000?

Best smartphones under ₹20,000 in India

Redmi Note 12 to Moto G84 – The most popular smartphones in 2023 under ₹20,000

<ul><li>Amazon is currently offering festive discounts on smartphones as part of its yearend offers.</li><li>Smartphones such as iPhone 13, Galaxy S23 FE and more are available at discounted prices.</li><li>The etailer is also offering attractive discounts on iPhones.</li></ul>As the year 2023 comes to a close, deals are flying all across the internet. And if you are looking to buy a new smartphone, now is the right time to purchase a new smartphone. Amazon India has announced several offers and discounts on smartphones as the year comes to an end. As part of the sale, smartphones from brands like OnePlus, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme and others are being offered at a discounted price. In this post, we look at some of the <keyword id="400134" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="best-deals" source="Orion">best deals</keyword> on smartphones on Amazon. Apple iPhone 13 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09G99CW2N" comment="amazoncard" text="B09G99CW2N">B09G99CW2N</cmsannotation> If you are looking to get an iPhone but do not wish to splurge a lot of money, the iPhone 13 is a good option for you. While the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-15-iphone-15-plus-with-usb-type-c-port-improved-cameras-launched-starting-at-799/articleshow/103615581.cms"> iPhone 15</a> is out, the iPhone 13 is still a good device for those looking for a daily user. It offers a decent camera setup, good performance and a stable user experience. The iPhone 13 is currently available for ₹50,499, down from its original price of ₹69,900. OnePlus 11R 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0BSNQ2KXF" comment="amazoncard" text="B0BSNQ2KXF">B0BSNQ2KXF</cmsannotation> The OnePlus 11R 5G is another good option if you are in the market for a new smartphone. The OnePlus 11R 5G is a mid-range smartphone that comes with a good display, decent hardware and a smooth user experience. It is a good option for youngsters and professionals looking for a new smartphone. The device is currently available for ₹39,999, with a discount of up to ₹35,100 on exchange of older smartphones. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0CJ4S724M" comment="amazoncard" text="B0CJ4S724M">B0CJ4S724M</cmsannotation> The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the company’s latest offering in its Galaxy S23 series is up for grabs at a discounted price. The Galaxy S23 FE is a good option for those looking for a hassle-free smartphone that runs without any issues. The device offers a good camera setup, making it a great option for those looking for a camera-centric smartphone. The Galaxy S23 FE is currently available for ₹59,999, down from its original price of ₹79,999. Motorola Razr 40 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0C7QLL8QJ" comment="amazoncard" text="B0C7QLL8QJ">B0C7QLL8QJ</cmsannotation> If you are in the market for a foldable smartphone, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is currently available with a huge discount. The latest flip smartphone from Motorola is a great option for those bored with traditional smartphones and looking for something unique without having to break the bank. The Motorola Razr 40 is currently available for ₹44,999, down from its original price of ₹99,999. iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07WFPLL3C" comment="amazoncard" text="B07WFPLL3C">B07WFPLL3C</cmsannotation> The iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G is another good option if you are looking for a powerful mid-range device that is good for gaming, multi-tasking and more. The device offers a decent camera setup and is a great option for youngsters looking for a daily-driver. The iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G is currently available for ₹32,999, down from its original price of ₹39,999. Redmi Note 12 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0C1GKQ79V" comment="amazoncard" text="B0C1GKQ79V">B0C1GKQ79V</cmsannotation> It’s not just premium and mid-range smartphones that are being offered at a discount as part of the sale. The Redmi Note 12 affordable smartphone is also being offered at a discounted price. The device offers good performance and a decent camera setup in the budget segment. The Redmi Note 12 is currently available at ₹11,999, down from its original price of ₹18,999. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/inox-india-ipo-how-to-check-allotment-and-gmp-value/articleshow/106109279.cms">Inox India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-and-suvs-in-india-in-2023/slidelist/106092280.cms">From WagonR to Nexon to Creta – top selling cars in India in 2023</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/motisons-jewellers-ipo-at-a-glance-price-band-to-risk-factors/slidelist/106081719.cms">Motisons Jewellers IPO at a glance – Price band to risk factors</a>

iPhone 13 to Redmi Note 12 – Best deals on 5G smartphones

From Redmi 12 5g to Moto G54 – Best affordable 5G smartphones in India under ₹20,000

<ul><li>The <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> <keyword id="10589994" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="great-republic-day-sale" source="Orion">Great Republic Day Sale</keyword> is now live, allowing you to grab your favorite products at a discount.</li><li>Budget smartphones have also been discounted during the sale.</li><li>Here are some of the best deals on budget smartphones at the Amazon Great Republic Day Sale.</li></ul>Amazon is hosting its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/amazon-great-republic-day-sale-2023-best-deals-and-offers/articleshow/96961163.cms">Great Republic Day Sale</a>, offering discounts across various products, including smartphones. If you have been looking to upgrade your smartphone, there are several options to choose from. Budget smartphones have been discounted during the sale, making them more affordable. In addition to Amazon’s offers, customers can also avail of an additional 10% instant discount using their SBI credit cards. In this post, we look at the best deals on budget smartphones from the likes of Redmi, Samsung, Realme, Oppo, and more. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Best deals on budget smartphones on Amazon" comment="subhead" text="Best deals on budget smartphones on Amazon">Best deals on budget smartphones on Amazon</cmsannotation> Redmi A1 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0BBN4DZBD" comment="amazoncard" text="B0BBN4DZBD">B0BBN4DZBD</cmsannotation> If you are in the market for an affordable smartphone, the Redmi A1 is a good option for you. The device features a 6.52-inch HD+ display and is powered by the MediaTek Helio A22 chipset. It features an 8MP primary camera and a 5MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 10W charging. It is currently available for ₹5,699, down from its original price of ₹8,999. Samsung Galaxy M04 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0BMGB3CH9" comment="amazoncard" text="B0BMGB3CH9">B0BMGB3CH9</cmsannotation> The Samsung Galaxy M04 is another good option if you are looking for an affordable smartphone. It features a large 6.5-inch HD+ display and is powered by the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset. It has a dual camera setup at the back and a 5MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 15W charging support. It is currently available for ₹8,999, down from its original price of ₹11,999. Realme Narzo 50 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09RMQYHLH" comment="amazoncard" text="B09RMQYHLH">B09RMQYHLH</cmsannotation> The Realme Narzo 50 is a good option if you are a gamer looking for an affordable smartphone. The device features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G96 chipset. It features a triple camera setup at the back and comes with a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 33W fast charging. The device is currently available for ₹11,999, down from its original price of ₹15,999. iQOO Z6 Lite <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07WHSCG2C" comment="amazoncard" text="B07WHSCG2C">B07WHSCG2C</cmsannotation> The recently launched iQOO Z6 Lite was also discounted during the sale. It features a 6.58-inch Full HD+ LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset powers it. The device features a dual camera setup at the back and comes with an 8MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging support. The device is currently available for ₹12,999, down from its original price of ₹15,999. Oppo A74 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08VB34KJ1" comment="amazoncard" text="B08VB34KJ1">B08VB34KJ1</cmsannotation> The Oppo A74 is a good option if you want an upgrade during the Great Republic Day Sale. It features a 6.49-inch Full HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Snapdragon 480 chipset. It features a quad camera setup at the back and an 8MP selfie camera. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging support. The device is currently available for ₹15,240, down from its original price of ₹20,990. Samsung Galaxy M32 Prime <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0BD3T6Z1D" comment="amazoncard" text="B0BD3T6Z1D">B0BD3T6Z1D</cmsannotation> The Samsung Galaxy M32 is a reliable smartphone that is a good option for first-time buyers. It features a 6.4-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset. It features a quad camera setup at the back and a 20MP selfie camera. A large 6,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support powers the device. The device is currently available for ₹10,999, down from its original price of ₹13,499. Disclaimer - When you purchase through links on Business Insider India, we may earn affiliate commission. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-great-republic-day-sale-best-deals-on-apple-iphone-13-watch-series-8-ipad-pro-and-more/articleshow/97085199.cms">Amazon Great Republic Day Sale – best deals on Apple iPhone 13, Watch Series 8, iPad Pro and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/great-republic-day-sale-best-deals-on-gaming-monitors-headphones-and-more-on-amazon/articleshow/97052599.cms">Great Republic Day Sale – best deals on gaming monitors, headphones, and more on Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-great-republic-day-sale-best-deals-on-smartwatches-and-fitness-bands/articleshow/96992041.cms">Amazon Great Republic Day Sale – best deals on smartwatches and fitness bands</a>

Amazon Great Republic Day Sale – best deals on Redmi A1, Galaxy M04, Narzo 50 and other budget smartphones

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China's thrifty consumers are boosting Asian companies with wallet-friendly offerings.</li><li>Companies like Japan's Saizeriya, Yum China, and Fast Retailing have recently reported strong sales.</li></ul>China's consumers are tightening up their belts, but not everyone's a loser. Some companies are riding the frugal wave.Saizeriya, a restaurant chain from Japan — a country well familiar with a prolonged downturn — is one company making bank from China's downturn.In its fiscal year that ended August 31, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.saizeriya.co.jp/PDF/irpdf001505.pdf">Saizeriya</a>, which serves Italian food at budget prices in several Asian countries, reported operating profit nearly doubled from a year ago to 14.8 billion Japanese yen, or $99.6 million.Hideharu Matsutani, the company's president, said at a Wednesday press conference that operating profit from its China operations "rose significantly," per <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Food-Beverage/Thrifty-Chinese-diners-bring-record-profit-for-Japan-s-Saizeriya">Nikkei.</a>Matsutani said Saizeriya is now using its strategy for Japan in the neighboring market because "conditions in China in some respects look like Japan after its economic bubble burst."There are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-heading-for-lost-decade-needs-reform-growth-japanification-2024-2">similarities</a> between <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/japan-millennial-salaryman-job-wages-rent-home-ownership-birthrate-2023-5#the-typical-japanese-millennial-is-financially-conservative-having-grown-up-watching-their-countrys-lost-decade-suffer-from-a-devastating-economic-crisis-2">Japan's "Lost Decade"</a> of economic stagnation in the 1990s, after the country's asset and credit bubbles burst, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-property-crisis-vanke-get-uglier-analyst-charlene-chu-2024-3">China's economic downturn</a> now.After Japan's asset bubble implosion, consumption in Japan witnessed a fundamental shift, as people who previously would pay for quality and convenience increasingly moved to buying discount goods, consultancy <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Consumer%20Packaged%20Goods/Our%20Insights/The%20new%20Japanese%20consumer/The%20new%20Japanese%20consumer.pdf">McKinsey</a> wrote in a 2010 report.Chinese consumers now appear to be moving in the same direction as their Japanese peers, trading down for cheaper products — even if the trend also presents challenges for budget-friendly retailers.Still, investors appear to agree with the strategy of offering more value for money. Shares of Saizeriya listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange are up 7.7% this year-to-date.<h2 id="fa258e48-944f-4589-9a00-fdd7e405730d">Living well but at the 'best value for money'</h2>In China, too, times have changed, and people are looking for cheaper products, including <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-economy-young-shoppers-looking-dupes-substitutes-pingti-fashion-travel-2024-9">dupes and substitutes.</a>"Consumers are increasingly rational and strategic, focusing on obtaining the best value for their money," said MingYii Lai, a strategy consultant at Beijing-based market research firm Daxue Consulting, told Business Insider.Shoppers are seeking high-quality experiences and products at lower costs while aiming to live well, she said.People are increasingly choosing to spend on experiences, like travel and food, rather than buying products."Economic pressures and changing priorities are driving a move towards more economical spending," said Lai.The ethos has benefited companies with budget offerings, including Yum China, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut in the country.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ir.yumchina.com/quarterly-results">Yum China'</a>s second-quarter operating profit grew 4%, to $266 million, from a year ago thanks to aggressive budget-friendly deals.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.fastretailing.com/eng/ir/financial/summary.html">Fast Retailing</a> — the parent company of Uniqlo, known for affordable clothes — reported net profit growth of 25.6% for its full year ending August 2024 thanks to robust sales in both the domestic and international markets. Sales in Greater China grew by 9.2%, to 677 billion yen.Yum China shares are up 11% this year to date, while Fast Retailing shares are up 56% over the same period.<h2 id="af7e4a77-fdf8-44fe-9f62-eb06a273ab9e">Intense competition</h2>However, China's market is a fast and furious one — even for winners — and the country's economic downturn has created cut-throat competition with aggressive price wars.Uniqlo said on Thursday that while sales in mainland China were "strong" in the first half of its fiscal year, they were "lackluster" in the second half.Some consumers are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-economy-young-shoppers-looking-dupes-substitutes-pingti-fashion-travel-2024-9">going straight to the source</a> to buy original equipment manufacturer goods or white label products to replace items in a wide range of categories — even if they're just ordinary products.The race for Chinese consumers' yuan is exemplified in the boba tea business, where an all-out price war is changing market dynamics for what is considered a still affordable indulgence in a penny-pinching era.As China's economic malaise deepened, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/AFP/status/1835337779993256178">boba tea went from</a> premium pricing around $3.50 to $5.50 on average to as little as $1 or less over the last few years."All the players are trying to introduce low-price offers. So, either you can use a low price range, or try to be very creative in terms of pricing promotion so as to stay ahead of the market," Jason Yu, the Greater China managing director at Kantar Worldpanel, a consumer research group, told BI.In KFC's case, its marketing and pricing strategies cater to both ends of the market, with wagyu beef products at the higher end and promotions like 15 wings for under $3, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/western-brands-china-kfc-mcdonalds-american-fast-food-all-in-2024-9">BI's Matthew Low</a> reported last month.As Allison Malmsten, another analyst from Daxue Consulting, told BI: "the rich are comfortable to spend, while the middle class chooses cheaper options."

Budget brands are winning in China as people turn to cheap food and fashion     

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Target posted its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/target-comparable-sales-down-four-straight-quarters-2024-5">fourth consecutive quarter of comparable sales declines</a> on Wednesday.</li><li>The retailer increasingly appears to be losing market share to Walmart.</li></ul>America's top two big-box retailers have borrowed quite a few <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-and-target-are-looking-increasingly-similar-these-days-2023-12">strategies from one another</a> over the past year, with different degrees of success.Walmart has augmented its reputation for low prices with a number of Target-coded improvements such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-opens-new-neighborhood-markets-with-larger-layout-2024-5">refreshed stores</a>, upscale product assortment, and smoother e-commerce options to see strong gains among higher-income shoppers.Target's imitation game isn't faring so well.The Bullseye retailer posted its fourth consecutive quarter of comparable sales declines on Wednesday, a stark contrast to Walmart's year of strong comp gains.The numbers indicate <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-finding-groove-should-terrify-target-2024-5">Walmart (among others) may be picking Target's pocket</a> in terms of market share as inflation-weary consumers hunt for the best value for their dollar.Clearly something more urgent needs to be done if Target CEO Brian Cornell is going to fulfill his promise to return to comparable sales growth in the current quarter.The most recent move came Monday when Target <a target="_blank" href="https://corporate.target.com/press/release/2024/05/target-will-help-consumers-save-big-by-lowering-prices-on-5,000-frequently-shopped-items">announced</a> a batch of markdowns on thousands of commonly purchased items ranging from butter to baby wipes. Cornell said on the earnings call that the first round of 5%-30% reductions will collectively save shoppers "millions of dollars" this summer, with more to come.In addition, Target's app and website now feature a Walmart-ian detail intended to convey savings: strikethrough prices that show item discounts."We believe that pricing and value transparency will only become more important with time and that we can continue to grow awareness of the great value we offer across our assortment," Target's chief growth officer Christina Hennington told investors.Of course, those strikethroughs appear most frequently for members of the brand's free-to-join Circle membership program, which was revamped last quarter to include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/target-circle-360-membership-price-unlimited-same-day-delivery-2024-3">a paid tier for unlimited delivery</a> that looks eerily similar to Walmart+. (Incidentally, Target+ refers to the company's third-party e-commerce marketplace offering.)Confused yet? Wait until you hear about the company's competing private-label strategies.Earlier this year, Target went after budget-minded buyers with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/target-new-dollar-store-budget-brand-dealworthy-clothes-beauty-electronics-2024-2">a new line of essentials under the Dealworthy brand</a>. Then late last month, Walmart took a shot at Target's Good &amp; Gather-owned brand with an all-new upscale private label called Bettergoods.While Walmart's Bettergoods appears to be winning over more customers, Hennington said Dealworthy is filling a critical spot in Target's range of products, and it's only just getting started."Where we've made surgical investment in supporting price points that were missing from our assortment, the guest is responding right away," she said. "When we introduced the right price points in Dealworthy, the guests noticed immediately and that drove unit and traffic acceleration in those categories."Hennington also said the company is taking the opportunity to upgrade some of the offerings in its more established Up and Up brand."We've reformulated 40% of the products to add quality," she said. "Our star ratings and our reviews on <a target="_blank" href="http://Target.com">Target.com</a> have accelerated meaningfully as the guests have taken notice."While the Targetification of Walmart is well underway and yielding good results for the retail juggernaut, the Walmartification of Target looks like it's still in early stages.This summer will be a significant test of whether Target can win back some of the shoppers who have shifted over the past year toward Walmart — plus attract a few new ones.

Target is lowering prices and boosting its budget brands as it battles Walmart for shoppers on the hunt for deals

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Used electric vehicles became more affordable after a new tax credit kicked in in January 2023.</li><li>Driving range and driving habits can affect the type of used EV you should shop for.</li></ul>Electric-vehicle prices are falling across the board. And as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nissan-kicks-review-price-rare-find-under-30k-2024-10">more models flood the market</a>, you can get a particularly good deal on a used EV.But shelling out thousands of dollars on an unfamiliar piece of technology (especially one that's been around the block a few times) is daunting for some shoppers.Aside from wondering <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheapest-electric-car-affordable-kia-ford-chevy-hyundai-nissan-2022-6">which car to buy</a>, used-EV shoppers might be wondering whether the battery could die. Shoppers on a budget might also be looking for more ways to save money, as EV tax credits broadened to include used electric cars in January 2023.The research can be a lot to take on at once. We talked to car-buying experts to demystify the process.<h2>Consider where and how much you drive</h2>Scott Case, the cofounder and CEO of Recurrent, a startup that tracks EV battery health, recommended starting by considering how far you typically drive and the climate you live in — those factors will affect how much range you'll want, as EVs perform best in temperate weather and can't drive quite as far in cold temperatures."Let's say you live in Florida and you drive 30 to 50 miles every day — you can pretty much buy anything," Case said. On the other hand, people who travel 150 miles daily and live in the occasionally frigid Midwest would need to shop around for a long-range vehicle.<div type="image" title="A gray Tesla Cybertruck plugged in at a public charging station." height="1150" width="1533" msid="114294136" hostid="261" sizebytes="313240"></div>Most older electric cars don't have the range of the latest offerings — you might find models with estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency of only 80 to 120 miles.<h2>Battery range will degrade over time</h2>Anyone who's owned a smartphone knows that lithium-ion batteries wear out over time. Pretty much the same goes for EVs.As the years go by, cycles of charging and driving wear out an EV's battery pack, reducing driving range. The vehicle-data firm Geotab has estimated that EV batteries <a href="https://www.geotab.com/blog/ev-battery-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tend to lose about 2% of their capacity each year</a>.The good news is that an EV's battery is unlikely to fail completely or render the car useless.But understanding how much life a vehicle has left isn't all that simple. Case said that exposure to extreme temperatures, frequent trips to powerful DC fast chargers, and variations in battery chemistry mean some used cars perform better than others with identical mileage.<div type="image" title="A charging cable extending from a Tesla Supercharger to a Chevrolet Equinox EV." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114294138" hostid="261" sizebytes="789912"></div>Jim Fish, a vice president of Opus IVS, a tech-focused collision-repair company, said the best question to ask about a battery's care is how often it was left below 20% and above 80% of its charge.Leaving a battery too close to empty or on a full charge for too long affects its ability to hold a charge, Fish said."Of course, you might struggle to find out the truth to that question," Fish said.Recurrent provides reports on EV battery health aimed at helping shoppers choose between cars.<h2>You can get up to $4,000 off thanks to federal tax credits</h2>At the start of last year, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-state-electric-car-vehicle-tax-credits-rebates-qualify-2023-1">used-EV tax credit went into effect</a> as part of a larger incentive program in the Inflation Reduction Act. Automotive retail analysts described it as a welcome change for EV shoppers on a budget.To <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-tax-credit-suv-tesla-model-y-ford-mach-e-2023-2">qualify for the credit</a>, the vehicle must be purchased at a dealership so that the dealer can report the required information to the IRS.The buyer must be purchasing the vehicle for personal use and not for resale, must not be the original owner of the vehicle, must not be able to be claimed as a dependent, and must not have used any other clean-vehicle credit in the previous three years. Income caps for buyers range from $75,000 to $150,000, depending on their tax-filing status.The vehicle must have a sale price of $25,000 or less and must be at least two model years old.Many states also have tax incentives for purchasing EVs. More detailed information and required forms can be found on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IRS's website</a>.

Considering an electric vehicle? Experts explain how to pick one for your lifestyle and budget

There are a lot of ways you might characterize <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-feature-waits-on-hold-customer-service-2024-2">customer-service calls</a>: frustrating, time-consuming, annoying. Increasingly, people are using a new word to describe these interactions: fancy. In a world where navigating even the tiniest blip can turn into a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-contact-facebook-problems-with-account-other-issues">consumer nightmare</a>, the ability to speak with a real, live human being has become special.I probably do not have to tell you how difficult, if not impossible, it is to get in touch with a customer-service representative nowadays. Companies have downsized and phased out call centers in an effort to cut costs, causing wait times to balloon. Business phone numbers are buried deep on their websites, meant to be accessed by only the most determined consumers. Once customers do get on the line, they're confronted with an army of robots designed to keep them from speaking with someone. In some cases, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vox.com/23571375/no-call-center-phone-number-frontier-facebook">it is truly impossible to speak with an actual person</a>. Corporations are pushing consumers toward chatbots and emails and FAQs and some good old figure-it-out-on-your-own nudges, all in the name of efficiency and, ultimately, profits. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cvs-pharmacy-use-ai-customer-service-call-centers-tilak-mandadi-2024-6">Companies are now claiming</a> that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-take-anger-out-customer-complaints-call-centers-softbank-japan-2024-5">AI will fix this</a>, which, I don't think we should hold our collective breath.In the midst of all this, the phone call has become a status symbol of sorts. You want to speak to a representative? That's a privilege, not a right.Companies have made it so difficult to talk to a person that customers — especially younger people — have started to internalize the idea of a phone call as a premium product. Gen Zers don't like to talk on the phone, except when it makes them feel exclusive and important. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/operations-blog/why-your-kids-arent-calling-you-but-they-are-calling-their-bank">McKinsey recently found</a> that when Gen Zers were engaging with premium brands or services — say, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-platinum-card-gold-gen-z-millennial-rewards-2024-6">a fancy American Express card</a> — they were actually more likely to make a call than millennials and as likely to call as boomers. They see the ability to call as a concierge-like service that helps them skip to the front of the line and offload the labor of whatever they're trying to accomplish onto someone else. "The verbatims we heard were things like, 'Well, if I'm paying $500 for a premium card from Barclays or Amex or whatnot, then part of the service for me is phone,'" said Eric Buesing, a partner at McKinsey who advises clients in banking and financial services. "This is a generation that's always grown up with digital and not the transition to digital, and therefore the phone is not more of a legacy, it's more of an assistant, somebody that will just do it for me."Gen Zers aren't wrong in their assessment that the phone is a perk. It's a fact of life across the consumer economy.If you've ever experienced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-delays-cancellations-passenger-airlines-air-travel-rights-refunds-fees-2024-8">flying snafu</a> while traveling with people who have various airline statuses, you may have noticed some of your fellow travelers had a much easier time getting their flight rerouted or their baggage found. That's not an accident: Airlines used to have separate phone numbers for elites — and in some cases, they still do — but now, even if high-status passengers don't know the magic number, they get sorted into better and faster phone service anyway."The top tiers of elite status do give you access to special phone numbers," said Clint Henderson, a managing editor at The Points Guy, a travel blog and website. "They also know your phone number when you're calling, so they'll route you to a quicker queue."Henderson lamented that this passenger caste system isn't as good as it used to be — for the winners, obviously. In the past, you got really specialized call desks and agents who could go extraordinarily above and beyond if you were lucky (and spent enough). Now, he said, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-travel-airline-customer-service-airports-delayed-canceled-flights-terrible-2023-2">airline cost-cutting</a> has even come for elite travelers. Still, they're getting a much better deal on the phone than everyone else."It used to be really, really good," Henderson said. "And now it's just really nice to have, especially when there's a meltdown or something, because you're going to get priority for callbacks and for rebooking."It's not just airlines — plenty of companies are great at finding all kinds of ways to sort customers into priority levels, including when it comes to the phone. Verizon, for example, charges a $10 "agent assistance fee" when you pay your bill by calling its customer-service line. AT&amp;T and T-Mobile charge to pay via human, too. The only way to get live phone support 24/7 from Yahoo is by paying. (I am not entirely sure how many people need to call Yahoo these days, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/yahoo/comments/uncvy3/customer_service_is_a_paid_subscription/">per Reddit</a>, this is an issue people have encountered.) Best Buy's 24/7 phone tech support is available as part of a package that costs $180 annually — something it took me a lengthy back-and-forth with a chat assistant to figure out. (Best Buy points out that package has other features and that there are plenty of free ways to connect with its agents.) AppleCare+ gets you priority phone access. Fidelity has various tiers of advisory services. You may be able to get someone on the phone at a lower tier, depending what you need, but to get phone access to a dedicated team of advisors, you have to invest $50,000. Consumers are frustrated that access to a human is on the decline — that extreme corporate frugality has rendered hearing a voice on the other end of the line a novelty. Simultaneously, those with premium status have come to, probably fairly, believe that spending so much money entitles them to a level of direct access that's become scarce."It becomes really easy for companies to start positioning the access to phone service as a premium," said Michelle Kinch, an assistant professor of business administration at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. "It's more expensive, and so therefore you've got to have the revenue associated with that to make it a profitable part of the business."It just kind of boils down to that cost-benefit. If I, as a company, can calculate what my customer profitability is, then I can determine where I could deploy those more expensive resources, particularly if I'm going to engender higher levels of loyalty from the customer as a result. It becomes a perk."Kinch's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/19-089_41436e5b-f067-4040-9281-5069a1474b3d.pdf">research</a> on the impact of increasingly sterile customer service on the consumer psyche has found that lacking human contact can make an already anxiety-inducing situation worse. When people are on edge — which they often are when they're trying to reach a representative — they crave human contact. Just the reassurance that they could talk to someone if they wanted makes them feel better. She's recently been working on a small-scale study on AI in customer service and has observed that people interacting with virtual agents reported feeling more anxious immediately after those interactions than those who dealt with people. Anecdotally, it tracks — plenty of people have had the experience of, say, confirming a credit-card charge with a bot and then wondering if that confirmation stuck. And in a high-anxiety situation, like dealing with a travel cancellation or making a financial transaction, people just really want the option to talk to someone if they need to."We have that old adage that misery loves company for a reason," Kinch said.She recently experienced a pay-to-phone conundrum with a prominent research platform. She switched jobs and got locked out of her old email, and the only way for her to call customer service about the problem was to pay for a subscription. Even the person on the phone couldn't solve her issue, but she had to keep paying to subscribe because the only way to close her account was over the phone, too.There aren't many obvious solutions here. Buesing, from McKinsey, said call volumes were going up at many organizations, meaning the need for human contact isn't going away. He's talking to his clients about introducing premium chatbots to solve customers' problems. That could perhaps be nice for people who access them, though given the state of the chatbot, which is mediocre at best, it's hard to imagine exactly how a chatbot could achieve premium status.Companies could, of course, invest more in call centers and hire people to talk to customers, but that would require them to do something they would very much like to avoid: spend money.Part of the reason the phone feels fancy is that it is fancy, or at least a relief. Sometimes you want to explain your issue to someone (without yelling or being mean, eh) and get it figured out and taken care of. The phone may have become a status symbol, but it shouldn't be.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/emily-stewart">Emily Stewart</a> is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.

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