The pandemic has virtually changed the rules of lifestyle, with online emerging as the 'lifeline' and internet the 'oxygen' for the people across the State. Smartphones have overnight become an 'essential' commodity in rural Odisha, thanks to the rush for attending online classes. The demand for smartphones set ringing in the rural pockets of the State.
"With the schools locked and tutions banned, on-line classes are the only learning mode for the students in our village. In order to access the virtual classroom, smartphones are the point of access. But to lay hand on one such device, we have to spend a fortune. The smart gadgets on offer in the market that suits the need carry a price tag of around 14k plus," rued Samarth Sahu, a villager from Hinjlicut (Ganjam).
Studies concur with the ground realities in the State. As per the CMR survey, smartphones in the range of 10k are in high demand in tier-II cities, especially in states like Bihar, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
"In states like Odisha, the consumers want to bet their money on a smart device that has a good battery life and deliver a brilliant camera. Besides, they are also price and brand conscious. Consumers here like to invest their hard-earned money on an affordable device with a durable character," the study pointed out.
Given the backdrop, many big brands in the smartphone segment have unveiled 'budget' blockbusters. Take a look at the curtain-raiser and book your ticket.
SAMSUNG: As per the CMR study, the South-Korean handset major is the most preferred smartphone brand for one in every three mobile phone users in tier-II cities in the country, with a very high loyalty (47%) among its existing and potential users.
The premium smartphone maker, popular with its A, F and M-series, took the price bar by its horns when the global smartphone leader (with a market share of 22%) introduced this April in India the best in the class budget model - the F12 - with premium features. The loaded features make it stand out in the crowd (among the present 10k smartphones)
F-12: Priced tantalisingly at Rs 10,999, the model from the Korean tech giant, carries onboard many premium features
- A bulky battery - 6000mAH with 15 watts fast charging support.
- 6.5-inch Infinity-V display (with a teardrop notch), LCD display
- 90 Hz refresh rate - this premium feature is related to smoother display. The colt from Samsung stable can refresh 90 images per second, though intensive game players on mobile will need a 120hz refresh rate.
- Another stunner - 8 nm (nanometer) Exynos chipset. It's a stunner because this feature is related to performance and power efficiency. While giving high processing power, needs less power for functioning. Suit the needs of Online classes.
- 48MP True Quad Camera (48MP+5MP+2MP+2MP): This is the first budget phone to house a 48MP main camera (Isocell technology for wide and clear viewing experience). With an aperture size ranging from f/2 to 2.4, it can shoot quality pictures in shades.
- LED flash present
- 8MP front camera for selfie
- Packed with the Android version 11.
- Octa-core CPU - Another premium feature. larger cores will ensure faster processing of tasks like gaming and browsing.
- Mali G52 GPU - To boost performance with less energy consumption
- RAM -4 GB, ROM-64 GB (storage)
F 22: Launched on July 6. The price tag looks attractive at Rs 12,499.
- Runs on Android v 11-based One UI 3.1.
- 6.4-inch HD+ (700x1,600 pixels) sAMOLED Infinity-U display with 90Hz refresh rate.
- Powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 SoC, paired with up to 6GB of RAM.
- Internal storage is offered at up to 128GB with the option to expand further using a microSD card slot (up to 1TB).
- A quad camera that includes a 48-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
- The phone features a 13-megapixel selfie camera inside the water drop-style notch.
NOKIA: The Finnish Tech giant has also launched a budget range mobile this month. The price tag is Rs 12,990. But on pre-order offers discount under code FLAT500 or Rs 2099 with code MusicG20.
- Comes with Android v 11
- 5050 mAH battery but fast charging support
- 4GB RAM and 64 GB storage
- 6.5 HD+ display
- Screen resolution - 1600x720 pixels
- 48-megapixel primary shooter, 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens, 2-megapixel macro sensor and a 2-megapixel depth camera. On the front, it features an 8-megapixel sensor for selfies. Aperature size not disclosed by Nokia
- Mediatek G35 processor
The features at Rs 12,999 looks quite overpriced when compared with F12 and other brands like Redemi and Samsung
More new launches by Xiaomi Redimi, Oneplus, Realme, Vivo and Huawei on card. But as per the hints dropped by the company websites, the prices may hover between Rs 15-30k.