Android is the most popular mobile operating system in India. It’s not even close. The latest market share statistics from India show that only 1.29% of smartphone users use the iPhone while well over 50% use Android.
Why do Indians love Android? Well, a lot of it has to do with the cost of Android smartphones. Androids can be purchased for less than INR 10,000. iPhones, on the other hand, typically cost over INR 35,000.
Since the average Indian makes approximately $1,570 per year (INR 97,000), it’s no wonder Indian smartphone users love Android. Android, of course, also offers extensive customization options and superior durability.
Are you looking for a good budget Android smartphone? Today, I’m ranking the best Android smartphones that you can buy for under 10,000 rupees (approximately $160 USD).
5) Asus ZenFone 5
Sure, Asus might have spelled “phone” wrong in this product description, but that doesn’t make this a bad smartphone for the average Indian user.
The Asus ZenFone has a number of unique features that make it one of the most popular budget smartphones in India. It features 64-bit memory, for example, and can support multiple carriers and multiple SIMs. With strong battery life and an attractive 5-inch 1280×800 HD IPS+ display (294ppi), it’s hard to believe this phone can be found for under INR 10,000 (it currently costs INR 9,999).
4) Cubot S168
Out of all the entries on this list, the Cubot S168 is the least likely to be found for under INR 10,000. Unless, of course you buy from Cubot Smartphone Carnival and take advantage of cheaper resale pricing on secondary markets like eBay.
The Cubot S168 has a number of awesome selling features, including 1GB of RAM and a total of 6582 CPU MHz (Cubot lists its processing power in terms of total gigahertz, not terms like “dual core” or “quad core”). It also comes with an HD screen – which is actually pretty standard across today’s budget smartphone brands.
3) Xiaomi Redmi 1S
The Xiaomi Hongmi 1S is also known as the Xiaomi Redmi 1S. Released in May 2014, the Redmi 1S offers powerful tech specs and an impressive price. Key features of the Hongmi 1S include:
-720×1280 pixel 4.7-inch screen (312ppi)
-1GB RAM
-8MP camera capable of shooting 3264×2448 resolution pictures
-Quadcore 1.6GHz Cortex A7 processor with Adreno 305 GPU
-8GB internal storage
None of those specs are really spectacular – until you see the price. The Redmi 1S costs just Rs 5,999, or around $100 USD. That’s a powerful smartphone for not a lot of money, and Xiaomi’s latest offering may be India’s best-value Android smartphone.
If those specs don’t meet your expectations, then you can always wait for the Xiaomi Mi 4, which is scheduled for release in India early in 2015.
2) Moto E
Key specs of the Moto E include a 4.3-inch qHD (quarter HD, not quad HD, also known as 960×540 resolution) display along with 1.2GHz dual core Qualcomm 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 5MP rear-facing camera, and a surprisingly large 1980mAh battery. It’s definitely not the best-looking phone on the market, but it’s certainly not ugly either.
The Moto E includes features like dual SIM, a microSD card slot, and Bluetooth. At its current price of Rs 6,999, it’s one of the best Android smartphones your rupees can buy.
1) Android One
Do you want an Android smartphone that comes with the latest version of Android, powerful tech specs, and an overall smooth Android experience? Android One may be the perfect option for you.
Android One was released earlier this fall in India to great fanfare. Android One is Google’s flagship smartphone lineup catering to India. Android One isn’t technically a smartphone: it’s a certification system that certain smartphones have to meet.
Today, there are three major Android One smartphones available from three Indian manufacturers, including:
-Micromax Canvas A1
-Karbonn Sparkle V
-Spice Dream UNO
All three phones have virtually identical specs, including a 4.5 inch display with 480×854 resolution, 4GB storage space, 1.3GHz processor, 1GB RAM, and a 5MP rear-facing camera. You also get Android 4.4.4 out of the box, with future versions of Android coming immediately after they’re released.
All phones are available for approximately INR 6,499, which makes them an absolute steal. You won’t find too many other Indian Android smartphones that offer a pure Android experience like this.
From Android One to Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi, the budget Android market has exploded in India, giving consumers more options than ever before.
