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Best Smartphones of 2015 Under Rs. 10,000

The tech world had its hands full with enough going on in 2015. Here’s a list of our favourite budget phones under Rs. 10,000 that came out this year. Let us know about your favourites in the comments below.

Micromax Canvas A1:
Micromax Canvas A1 has a 4.5 inch FWVGA (854 x 480 Pixels) display and is powered by a 1700 mAh battery. The processor is a MediaTek SoC with a 1.3GHz quad-core processor and Mali 400 GPU paired with 1GB of RAM. On the back, there is a 5 MP camera with LED Flash. For selfie convenience, the phone provides a 2 MP camera.The Canvas A1 has a beautiful wooden-like platform for the main camera on the back of the device. The device is priced at Rs. 5,069 on Amazon.

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Moto E (2nd Gen) / Moto G (Gen 2)

Moto E (Gen 2) has a 4.5-inch qHD (540×960p) screen and a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor. The handset features 1GB of RAM and 8GB of inbuilt storage capacity, expandable up to 32GB. A rear camera of 5MP is fitted onto Moto E, while the front has a 0.3MP shooter. Running on Android 5.0 Lollipop, the device comes with a 2,390 mAh battery. It comes with 8 GB of storage which is expandable up to 32 GB with a microSD card, and 1 GB of RAM.

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Moto G (Gen 2) also requires a mention here. The device that came out late last year features a 5 inch, 720p screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 294 ppi, 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. The device runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and includes an 8 MP rear and 2 MP front. The device is currently unavailable on Flipkart, but it could come back. You can check out our unboxing and hands on of the Moto G (Gen 2) here.

Xiaomi Redmi Note Prime:

The Redmi Note Prime is an enhanced version of the Redmi Note 4G. The Note Prime features a 5.5-inch HD IPS display (1280 X 720 resolution, 267 PPI), a Snapdragon 410 Quad-core 64-bit processor, 16 GB internal storage and 2 GB of RAM.

On the camera front, the Note Prime sports a 13MP rear with f/2.4 aperture and a 5.5MP front. Finally, the device runs on a 3,100mAh battery pack. The device is being manufactured in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, in partnership with Foxconn Technology Group. The device is available on Amazon India for Rs. 8,499.

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Coolpad Note 3

Priced at Rs. 8,999, the Coolpad Note 3 sports a 5.5-inch (13.97 centimeters) TFT IPS capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution. Under the hood you have a 64-bit 1.3GHz Cortex-A53 MT6753 Mediatek octa-core processor with 3GB RAM and 16GB internal memory expandable up to 64GB and dual SIM.

On the camera front you have a 13MP primary camera and 5MP front facing camera. The device is fitted with 3000mAh battery and a fingerprint sensor at the back.

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Yu Yuphoria

Yuphoria boasts an all-metal design with a matte finish at its back. It sports a 5-inch IPS HD display with 1280×720p resolution and 294ppi. The screen has a protective coating of Gorilla Glass 3. Inside is a 64-bit 1.2GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 along with Adreno A306 GPU. It packs 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage capacity, which is expandable up to 64GB.

The device features an 8MP rear shooter paired with a 5MP front. Battery capacity is sufficient at 2,230mAh. It offers 4G LTE connectivity, which allows faster internet browsing. All of this comes at a handsome price of Rs. 8,499.

You can check our our unboxing and hands on video of the Yu Yuphoria as well our benchmark tests.

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Samsung Galaxy On5:

The dual SIM Galaxy On5 sports a 5-inch (126.7mm) HD touchscreen display and is equipped with a 1.3GHz quad core processor under the hood. It features a 1.5GB RAM and an 8GB storage, a portion of which is occupied by the OS. On the camera front, the On5 has an 8MP primary camera with auto-focus and a 5MP front.

The device comes with an Ultra Data Saving mode that compresses data and saves up to 50% data charges for greater networking and browsing. The handset also comes with RadioMix which is an Apple Music-like streaming service that lets you stream millions of songs and also offers curated music based on your preference. The Galaxy On5 is priced at Rs. 8,990. Check out our unboxing and hands on with the Galaxy On5 to know more about the handset.

Meizu M2/ M2 Note

The Meizu M2 comes with a 64-bit MT6735 Quad-core processor, four advanced 1.3 GHz Cortex A53 cores and the Mali-T720 GPU. On the camera front, it is equipped with a Samsung 13 megapixel CMOS camera, and an upgarded 5MP front camera with the FotoNation beatifying system.

The device runs on the Flyme OS 4.5 based on Android 5.1 and also has the new 64-bit CPU. The M2 comes with a 5 inch display and 720 pixels resolution. Other features include, TD-LTE FDD-LTE 4G, supports two Nano-SIM cards, and microSD card with a storage capacity of 144 GB. The Meizu M2 is priced at Rs. 6,999 and is currently sold out on Snapdeal.

Meizu M2 Note

The M2 Note is another device launched by Meizu that falls under the 10K bracket. This device comes with a 5.5 inch full HD display with 1920 X 1080 pixels resolution, powered by the MediaTek MT6753 octa-core 64-bit processor and 2GB RAM. Other features include a 16GB internal storage with an extendable microSD card slot, a 13MP f/2.2 primary camera with a dual – tone flash and a 5MP wide-angle selfie camera and supported by a 3,100mAh battery.

The M2 Note is available for a price of Rs. 9,999 on Amazon India.

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December 19, 2015
This is Possibly the Best Time to Buy the iPhone 6s in India

Apple fanboys and fangirls rejoice. Those who have been checking online retailers regularly hoping for the price of the new iPhone 6s to drop can now check once again. A few days ago we mentioned that the iPhone 6s had received a major price cut in India. The devices were launched with a starting price of Rs. 62,000 and going up to a Rs. 92,000 and were much costlier than the same products in the American and European markets.

The prices have now come down significantly, especially after a decline in the demand in the country. This makes it the perfect time to buy the iPhone 6s especially before the holidays. The iPhone 6s shows a whopping price drop of Rs.11,000. There is a fall in prices of the iPhone 6s Plus as well but this isn’t as drastic as the 6s.

Currently, the 16 GB iPhone 6s (Rose Gold and Space Grey) is available at Rs. 49,900 on Amazon India.

This year’s iPhone has an improved outer shell which offers resistance against the “bendgate” issue of last year’s iPhone. The new reinforced and strong series 7000 Aluminium adds strength to the outer structure.

The new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus add an improved Apple A9 chip along with an M9 co-processor. Enhanced cameras both on the rear with a 12 MP shooter which now does 4k video. On the front with a 5 MP snapper, which however is still restricted to 720p.

Finally, the introduction of the 3D Touch functionality is the highlight of the new iPhones and he peek and pop UI of iOS 9 makes this feature infinitely fun. If you’re still unsure about the iPhone 6s, you can read our full review of the devices here.

December 19, 2015
New Episode: While You Were Out
Check out the new episode of While You Were Out:

The stories we talked about today are as follows:
1. iPad Pro Price in India Announced:Apple’s iPad Pro is finally official in India. The massive iPad is available at a starting price of Rs. 67,900. Meanwhile, the Apple Pencil will cost Rs. 8,600 in India while the Apple Smart Keyboard has a price tag of Rs. 14,900
2. Huge Cut in iPhone 6s Price: The iPhone 6s price has fallen down by Rs.11,000. iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, launched with a starting price of Rs. 62,000, was much costlier than the same product in the American and European markets. The prices have now come down significantly.
3. YU Yutopia Launched at Rs. 24,999: Yutopia is company’s first flagship and is manufactured entirely in India. The phone has a super-slim 7.2 mm body, comes with a 5.2 inch Quad HD display 21 MP camera and runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 810.
4. Samsung Galaxy S7 to Have Force Touch Display: Expected to make its debut during the Mobile World Congress in February 2016, Samsung Galaxy S7 is likely to arrive with a pressure sensitive display. Looks like Samsung is all set follow in the footsteps of Apple which cannot stop talking about the 3-D Touch of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
5. Supreme Court Bans Registration of Diesel Vehicles: To combat toxic smog in the city, the Supreme Court has ordered a temporary ban on the registration of large diesel cars in New Delhi. The order for the ban was passed on Wednesday in which the registration of SUVs and other high-end vehicles with an engine capacity of 2,000 cc or more will not be allowed until March 31.
If you have any tech related questions, leave them in the comments below or put them up on Twitter with the hashtag #WYWO .
December 19, 2015
HTC Vive to Make a ‘Big Breakthrough’ in VR at CES 2016

CEO Cher Wang made an exciting announcement about “a very, very big technological breakthrough” at the Vive Unbound developers forum in Beijing yesterday. No other details were divulged except that this upgrade for HTC Vive will be unveiled at CES ’16. This comes as a great comfort after HTC disclosed that buyers won’t get a chance to lay hands on the HTC Vive before April ’16.

Speculations about the retail price of this product have already begun. Once again, the CEO remained tight-lipped and made no mention of even an estimated price. The price will be an important factor with the device already facing competition from many VR-options in the market at competitive prices.

It can be assumed at this point, however, that the kit will cost more than its counterparts because of extra hardware. Wang remains confident this will not be a deterrent for consumers and says, “Why would I buy a handicapped product? You won’t like it.”

Additionally, Vive isn’t only for consumers. Automobile manufacturers like Audi will install it in its flagship stores to create virtual test drives, while other manufacturers are expected to follow suit. It will also be installed in hospitals to get a 3D scan of a patient’s head and therefore prep better for a surgery. We’ll only have to sit back and wait if HTC truly has to offer all that it promises in the realm of VR and 3D tech.

December 19, 2015
Huawei Mate 8 Passes FCC, Could Launch at CES 2016

Late last month, Huawei made the Mate 8 official. The company also expressed its desire to launch the device in the U.S and has received the green light to do so. Latest word is that the Mate 8 has passed the FCC. This means that its release in the U.S market is imminent.

The Mate 8 sports a 6-inch 1080p touchscreen display and will be powered by Huawei’s new Kirin 950 chipset and an ARM Mali-T880 GPU. Furthermore, the handset will be available in 3GB and 4GB of RAM with 32GB and 64GB and 128GB storage variants. The Mate 8 has a large 4,000 mAh battery and will run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

As you know by now, the CES press conference is scheduled to take place in January where the biggest names in the business are set to unveil new products. Now that the Huawei Mate 8 has passed the FCC, it is highly likely that the device will be launched at the CES 2016.

December 19, 2015
NASA’s 3D Printed Rocket Engine Produces 20,000 Pounds of Thrust

NASA has now officially created a rocket made out of 3-D printed parts. Once filled with hydrogen and oxygen, the rocket produces 20,000 pounds of thrust and generates spectacular flames.

Sources reveal that NASA has been working on 3-D printed rockets for a while now, but this specific rocket engine is the first of its kind; 75% of its parts are 3-D printed -the highest percentage so far. Check out the video below which shows the rocket engine producing impressive amounts of fire. The video shows that the fire from the engine lasts for as long as ten seconds.

3-D printed components of a rocket have some clear advantages like it helps to build complex parts using a relatively simple process of laser-sintering at NASA. This means that components which would have otherwise taken years to build can now be built within a few months. Additionally, engineers can now also build parts as a single unit instead of working on them separately.

On the other hand, one of the apprehensions against 3-D printed parts is that they are not as sturdy as their counterparts. However, being subjected to extremely hostile conditions have revealed no such flaw and the components have performed beautifully. Here’s another video to help you appreciate the awesomeness of 3-D printed components.

Are you Team 3D printing or not then?

December 19, 2015
Phone Cases Reveal Design of Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 Second-Gen

Krushell, maker of phone cases, has begun pre-orders for cases and glass protectors for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A3 and A5 second-gen models. The updated devices are set to launch in China this month and will see a European launch in January.

The cases for both the devices reveal what could be the final design of the Galaxy A3 and A5. The images show a pretty clear camera hump on the back of the device, which the cases try to level with. The front looks pretty much similar to the previous models, although the screen looks bigger with the display almost touching either sides.

The A5 upgrades to 5.2-inch AMOLED screen with 1080p resolution. 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, quad-core processor and bumps the battery to 2,900mAh as well, 13MP primary camera with OIS and a 5MP front. The device will also feature a fingerprint scanner.

The Galaxy A3, comes with a 4.7-inch AMOLED screen and 720p resolution. The device also features 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The A3 will not feature a fingerprint scanner. The device also bumps up the rear camera to 13MP with a 5MP front, with both having f/1.9 apertures (no OIS here, though).

December 18, 2015
YU Yutopia: Benchmarks, Gaming and Questions

Micromax’s subsidiary Yu Televentures launched the Yutopia smartphone yesterday. At a price of Rs. 24,999, the device has some solid features like an all-metal body and Snapdragon 810 chipset along with 4 GB of RAM. We put the device to test and checked its hardware and graphic capabilities.

Have a look at our benchmark, gaming and heating test:

The device sports a 5.2-inch quad HD IPS display, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB storage. There is a 3000mAh battery pack with Quick Charge 2.0 feature, which means that the phone will be equipped with charging capabilities up to 75% faster than conventional charging mechanisms. The device runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop with Cyanogen OS 12.1.

We ran AnTuTu and Vellamo on our device and here are its scores along with OnePlus 2, and Nexus 5X:

Test

Yutopia

OnePlux 2

Qiku Q Terra

AnTuTu 60369 54929 65164

Vellamo (Metal) 1346 1678 2226

So, as you can see above, Yutopia scored 60,369 in the AnTuTu test and does better than OnePlus 2 but falls short of Qiku Terra’s score. However, a score of 60K is decent in our opinion. The Yutopia does poorly in comparison to the other two devices in the single core Vellamo test.

Questions Answered

The fingerprint scanner on the back is fast and responsive, and unlocks the phone quickly. The response time is right up there with the HTC One A9 and iPhone 6s.

There have been several queries regarding the OTG support on the device. We checked out this aspect and found that Yutopia does support OTG.

The device surprisingly does not heat up and after playing games like Asphalt 8, the phone stayed under 40-degree celsius, which is a sigh of relief for a device sporting a Snapdragon 810 chipset

We will have the full review of the Yu Yutopia soon. Meanwhile, you can click here to watch our unboxing and hands-on video.

December 18, 2015
OnePlus Power Bank is Back in Stock on Amazon

There’s good news for OnePlus fans out there. OnePlus is offering a limited stock of the OnePlus Power Bank starting today exclusively on Amazon India. The Power Bank is being offered at a price of Rs. 1,399.

The OnePlus Power Bank is curved and has a delicately crafted design that feels comfortable in the hand. The current limited stock of the OnePlus Power Bank is available in Sandstone Black. The device requires only 5-6 hours for power bank to charge to full capacity. It also contains 2 USB ports, 5V/2A, allowing fast, simultaneous charging of two devices. You’ll also receive a one-year manufacturing warranty along with the device.

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So, if you’ve been eagerly waiting for the OnePlus Power Bank, now is the time to get it before the stock runs out. Head on over to Amazon India and shop away.

December 18, 2015
Apple Music to Have 8M Paid Subscribers This Year, 20M in 2016

Music analyst Mark Mulligan has estimated that Apple Music will have more than 8 million paid subscribers before the closing of 2015. The number will be more than double in 2016 as it is expected to hit 20 million.

If these numbers indeed turn out to be correct then Apple Music would have gained twice the number of subscribers within 6 months of what Spotify did in the first 4 years of its launch. Apple Music had become the number two music service by mid-2015 in a very brief period post its launch.

“Apple might not have found the subscription market quite the plain sailing it had anticipated but it has still managed to establish itself as the second player with astounding pace,” says Mulligan.

Come 2016, if Apple does indeed manage to get 20 million paid subscribers, it will be very close to catching up with Spotify, albeit still being on the no.2 spot.

December 18, 2015
Samsung and LG Smartphones to Not Have 4K Displays in 2016

There have been a lot of talk around whether Samsung and LG are planning to embrace Ultra HD (4K) panels for its smartphones in 2016. Latest reports from iNEWS has stated that Samsung in particular will stick with QHD (2560 by 1440) panels due to lack of 4K content in the market. Another report suggests that LG is pulling out too.

Another reason behind this decision is perhaps the overheating issues and power efficiency with 4K panels from LG Display and Samsung Display. Samsung would have benefited from 4K displays for its smartphone as would have worked well its Gear VR headset. However, the population for Gear VR users is still mighty low as of now, which is why Samsung deemed it unnecessary.

What these companies are planning to do instead is try to improve on its existing displays in power draw and outdoor visibility, especially the 1440p panels that are expected in next year’s flagships. Currently, Sony is the only phone manufacturer with 4K display resolution in the market.

December 18, 2015
Samsung Galaxy A9 Passes FCC, Likely to Launch in January

Samsung is not just busy with the flagship Galaxy S7 devices. We know that Samsung likes to equally focus on its low-end and mid-range devices too. Just a few weeks ago, Samsung’s Galaxy A7 was spotted on FCC, which meant that an official announcement was imminent. Now, the upcoming Galaxy A9 device has been spotted on FCC as well. This means that the device will soon be available to the public.

Yesterday, Samsung announced that it would be present at the CES press conference in January. The company’s blog mentioned that some announcements will take place at the event, but mostly centred around TV and home appliances. While it’s almost certain that Samsung will not unveil its flagship S7 devices at the event, it is now highly likely that the Galaxy A9 will debut at the CES.

A couple of days ago, leaked images from China emerged revealing that the Samsung Galaxy A9 is going to sport a 6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display. It will also have a battery marked at 4000 mAh to match the huge screen.

Other specs are expected to include a 13 MP main camera, 8 MP front camera, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. Additionally, the phone would also have a fingerprint scanner, will run on octa-core Snapdragon 620 and come equipped with Samsung Pay. The Galaxy A9 is expected to be priced around $450 or close to Rs. 30,000.

December 18, 2015
iPhone 6C: Everything We Know So Far

It’s sort of a tradition now for Apple to release a cheaper variant of its flagship devices. it was the case for the iPhone 5C and so will be the case with the iPhone 6C. For weeks now we have been hearing rumours that Apple is working on a 4-inch iPhone. The device is likely called the iPhone 6C and here’s everything we know so far from the various rumours that have been going around. Let it also be known that Apple has not confirmed any of this.

Design

Ming-Chi Kuo, a prominent and reliable Apple analyst, has predicted that the company will indeed bring out a new 4-inch model. On the design front, it remains unknown whether the iPhone 6C will follow the aluminum iPhone 5S design or the candy-colored polycarbonate iPhone 5C, though we’re leaning towards the latter as some colourful polycarbonate frame will be a welcome sight rather than the usual colours of silver, space grey, gold, and rose gold.

Other rumours have suggested that the miniature iPhone will not come with a physical home button and will also ditch the 3D Touch feature, which makes sense if Apple is going for a cheaper device.

Display

One rumour in particular that has been making the rounds for a while is that the device would sport a sapphire display, which is highly scratch and shatter resistant. In fact, some of the higher-end Apple Watch models have sapphire display as well as OLED technology, which Apple is rumoured to bring to its next flagship device, but will not likely be seen in the iPhone 6C.

Processor

The iPhone 6C will come as an entry-level device, which means that it will not feature current-gen processor. That being said, the new iPhone 6C will likely move on from the A7 chip found in the iPhone 5S to the A8 chip in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Camera and Storage

On the camera front don’t expect a major bump. The iPhone 6C will likely stick with an 8MP rear from the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and might even let go of OIS. Apple rarely changes the storage options with its iPhones and is not likely to do so with the iPhone 6C as well. You can expect the device to be available in 16 GB and 32 GB variants.

Apple may be planning to launch the 4-inch iPhone 6C in the first half of 2016. We’ll know how much of the rumours come true as we approach the launch. Follow this space for more on the iPhone 6C.

December 17, 2015
Samsung Might Not Unveil Galaxy S7 at CES in January

The annual CES event is ready to kick off 2016 in style, promising some great new products and showcases by some of the biggest names in the industry. The event, which will take place in early January, will see Samsung unveiling some new products, too. And while many were eagerly expecting a new flagship smartphone in that list, that might not happen just yet.

Samsung released an invitation that confirms the Korean company’s presence at the CES along with a statement that read, “Samsung Electronics will once again kick off its CES with a major press conference, unveiling its latest innovations in TV, home appliances and more on January 5.”

It looks like the company’s main focus at the CES will be in unveiling a new TV and some home appliances, while there is no mention of smartphones. So, it looks unlikely that the Galaxy S7 flagship devices will be revealed in January, though Samsung has expressed its desire to have an early 2016 launch.

It is likely that the company will stick to a March launch for the upcoming devices like it did with the Galaxy S6. Samsung may still push the event forward, but we’ll know more as we approach closer to Samsung’s event.

December 17, 2015
Top 5 Power Banks of 2015

2015 is coming to an end and tradition tells us to cap it off by looking back at some of the best gadgets of the year. So, today we look at some of the best power banks that came out this year.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank (10,400 mAh)

Xiaomi’s power banks have changed the way consumers in India look at power banks. They did exist before Xiaomi came into the picture, but one needs to credit the Chinese company for coming out with great looking power banks at a very reasonable price. The Mi Power Bank balances portability with capacity.

Asus Zen Power (10,050 mAh)

The Asus Zen Power is pricier than the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank and has a lower capacity compared to the latter. Light Weight aluminum outer casing gives a smooth and premium finish to the gadget and stays true to the Zen aesthetics. It also features fast charging capabilities with up to 2.4 A output which is the USP of the device. However, the cost remains a dampener here at Rs. 1,670.

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Honor Powerbank (13,000 mAh)

The Honor Powerbank has enough juice to charge your device up to four times. Not only is this power bank big on capacity but it also comes with two ports which means you can simultaneously charge two devices like your phone and tablet. It has an aluminium unibody construction that is resistant to dust, can withstand light splashes of water and is protected from sweat corrosion. The device is priced at Rs. 1,399.

OnePlus Power Bank (10,000 mAh)

Chinese makers love to create beautiful devices. The OnePlus Power Bank is curved and has a delicately crafted design that feels comfortable in the hand. You get two OnePlus signatures textures to choose from: Silk White & Sandstone Black. The device requires only 5-6 hours for power bank to charge to full capacity. It also contains 2 USB ports, 5V/2A, allowing fast charging of more than one device at the same time. The Power Bank is currently sold out but keep your eyes open for when it comes back.

Sony CP-V10A Power Bank (10,000 mAh)

Not only does this power bank charge your smartphone and tablets, but it’s also compatible with other devices including XperiaTM, Cyber-shotTM, Handycam and Walkman players which can be charged via computer’s USB port or AC-USB adapter. The device is priced at Rs. 2,328.

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December 17, 2015