Android Smartphone 10-15k

[Jonas]

Hi! I want to buy a smartphone for my mother. The one she's using right now is Mi Note 4 (for more than 2 years now). She doesn't have any issues with it as such, but recently she has realized the importance of 'camera', because of Zoom meetings and video calls. Mi has screwed up the operating system over time, so I would really avoid buying an Mi phone. Usage is quite limited to games such as Angry Birds and YouTube.

 

[royalroy]

Samsung A50s is old. But it has the best features, NFC, CA, sAMOLED, Dolby atmos. The camera is decent. The UI is clean. I bought it last year during Diwali sale at 13000. Don't buy it if you game.

 

[Jonas]

Source

 

[Jonas]

Need a phone under 13k for a family member who has butterfingers. Will purchase it in a couple of days.

 

[Tejas01]

Moto G31.
Near stock Android and assuming casual use, should be good to go. It has OLED screen so good for any screen based activity.
For butterfingers, get a case or a grippy skin. Moto does give you a silicon case but it turns yellow with use.
Incase you want to future proof with 5G, get a Moto G51. But it has a massive screen size, though with manageable weight. Seems cost is around 14k.

 

[Jonas]

I think only Flipkart sells Motorola phones, and G51 is out of stock.

 

[Tejas01]

Yup. It seems Flipkart had just concluded sales for mobiles. G51 was supposed to be available from Dec 16. 🙄

 

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[Tejas01]

Samsung M21 2021 is also a decent option. But don't expect wonders. It will get the job done, given the processor is more than 2 years old. Go for 6 gb variant.

 

[Jonas]

Is it wise to wait on G51?

 

[Tejas01]

Depends on your priorities and who is using it.
The only downside I feel is that massive 6.8" screen and only 4/64 variant is released. If you can live with that then there ain't issues worth complaining. I don't think any brand comes close to giving you 12 bands of 5g at this price. There's Samsung M52 5G but it costs 30k.
4/64 can be forgiven given its near stock Android, good Ram management. If you are using for Casual use, I don't think you will have issues.
Think of 5G as a supplementary feature. It's going to come sooner or later. Even if you remove 5G feature, the fact that you get stock Android and the remaining features for this price is still a good buy anyday. I hardly think anyone would give you 12 bands at this price even when 5G is launched. Heck, I say, prices will increases once 5G actually launches.

 

[Tejas01]

Source

 

[Jonas]

It's for my sister who has broken her existing phone's screen, twice! She's a basic user.

 

[Tejas01]

Once bitten, twice shy! Get her a tempered glass and a case.
I think G31 should be good for her. Get a 6/64 or 6/128 just for future proofing. I am assuming she would be social media frenzy so additional Ram should be good.
Do note that support for G31 will be limited to Android 12 since it's a basic device.

 

[Jonas]

The wreckage was after using tempered glass and a case 😂

 

[ch@ndlerbing]

Wait for few days. Xiaomi will be launching some new models. I think mi 11i

 

[Tejas01]

Just curious, has Xiaomi launched any budget device? I think the hierarchy is pretty straight forward, Xiaomi for top speced phone with heavy pricing, Redmi for mid-tier and budget phones.