Top 5 alternatives to the Honor 8X: From ZenFone Max Pro M1 to Mi A2

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August 17, 2018

Honor 7X 4 — Honor 8X will be the direct successor to the last year's Honor 7X

Honor is currently working on a new smartphone which is being touted as the Honor 8X. The Honor 8X will be the direct successor to the company's much popular mid-range smartphone, the Honor 7X. The major highlight of the smartphone is said to be the humongous 7.12-inch FullHD+ display which makes it more of a phablet than a smartphone.

The Honor 8X might be named as the Honor 8S or the 8X Max when launched. The smartphone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC which will get its juice from a massive 4,900mAh battery. The dual-SIM handset will come with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage.

If you are looking for a smartphone with similar specifications but do not want to wait for the Honor 8X to arrive, here are some alternatives already available in India

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 is one of the best mid-range smartphones right now. The dual-SIM handset is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor coupled with 3GB, 4GB or even 6GB of RAM. Unlike the Honor 8X, this one runs on stock Android 8.1 Oreo. The whole package comes in at a starting price of Rs. 10,999 while the top-end variant costs Rs. 14,999.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones that come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset. The device packs in 4GB or 6GB of RAM paired with 64GB of internal storage. The dual-SIM handset runs on Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 out of the box. There is a 5.99-inch display and the smartphone also packs a great camera setup both at the front and back. The Redmi Note 5 Pro is available at a starting price of Rs. 14,999.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2

If you are impressed by the fact that the Honor 8X will have a massive 7.12-inch display, the Mi Max 2 deserves a look. The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 sports a 6.44-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC coupled with 4GB of RAM. Sure this one sports a smaller display and an older processor, but the Mi Max 2 is currently the only giant phone in the mid-range segment. The phone is priced at Rs. 14,999.

Xiaomi Mi A2

Xiaomi recently launched their mid-range smartphone, the Mi A2. The Xiaomi Mi A2 is a part of Google's Android One program which brings stock Android 8.1 Oreo with quicker updates. The Mi A2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and features a 5.99-inch FullHD+ display. The Xiaomi Mi A2 is available at a starting price of Rs. 16,999

Honor Play

Honor recently launched their gaming-centric mid-range smartphone in India. The Honor Play comes with flagship grade specifications at a much affordable price. The dual-SIM handset is powered by the company's Kirin 970 processor. The smartphone packs in 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of onboard storage. It features a 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with a notch. The Honor Play is available at a starting price of Rs. 19,999.

Oppo Realme 2 to launch soon: Here are some alternatives

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Tech Desk

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August 17, 2018

Oppo's sub-brand RealMe is gearing up to launch their second smartphone in India. The Oppo RealMe 1, the company's first smartphone, was a hit as it came with an impressive design and a whopping 128GB of onboard storage. Now, the company is working on bringing its successor, the RealMe 2 which has already been spotted online.

The company has not yet revealed a launch date for the upcoming smartphone. However, now that we have started to see such teasers, the launch will is just around the corner. The RealMe 2, as per the teaser image, will come with a notch up front in order to follow the 2018 trend. Also, one big change from the previous generation here is the fingerprint scanner which many RealMe fans are going to appreciate.

Alongside the addition of the fingerprint scanner, the RealMe 2 is also expected to come with a dual-camera setup at the back. According to a report by TheIndianExpress, the smartphone will be available in three variants.

Alternatives

If you just cannot wait for the Oppo RealMe 2 to launch, here are some alternatives under the Rs. 20,000 mark.

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 is one of the best mid-range smartphones right now. Sure the ZneFone Max Pro M1 does not sport a diamond design or a notch up front. However, what you get is a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset coupled 3GB, 4GB or even 6GB of RAM. Unlike the RealMe 2, this one runs on stock Android 8.1 Oreo. The whole package comes in at a starting price of Rs. 10,999 while the top-end variant costs Rs. 14,999.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

xiaomi, asus, zenfone max pro m1, 6gb ram — Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro features an 18:9 display

Xiaomi is currently one of the best selling smartphone brands in India and the Redmi Note 5 Pro is one of their best selling smartphones. The Redmi Note 5 Pro features a 5.99-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. The Redmi Note 5 Pro is available in India at a starting price of Rs. 14,999.

Honor Play

In case you are willing to spend around Rs. 5,000 more, the Honor Play is a great option. Honor Play comes with flagship grade specifications at the price of a mid-range smartphone. The dual-SIM handset is powered by the company's Kirin 970 processor. The smartphone packs in 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of onboard storage. It features a 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with a notch. The Honor Play is available at a starting price of Rs. 19,999.

Coolpad Mega 5A launched in India: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

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Tech Desk

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August 16, 2018

coolpad, coolpad mega 5a — Coolpad Mega 5A comes with a dual-camera setup at the back

Coolpad has introduced a new entry-level smartphone in India, the Coolpad Mega 5A. The highlights of the smartphone include the 18:9 display and the fingerprint scanner located at the back of the device. The Coolpad Mega 5A is priced at Rs. 6,999 and will be available via offline markets starting today, August 16.

Specifications

In terms of specifications, the Coolpad Mega 5A sports a 5.47-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1440 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Spreadtrum SC9850K SoC which is a quad-core processor clocked at 1.3GHz. The dual-SIM handset packs in 2GB of RAM coupled with 16GB of onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. It runs on Google's Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Under the hood, there is a 2,500mAh battery.

As for the optics, the Coolpad Mega 5A bears an 8-megapixel primary camera at the back with a 0.3-megapixel secondary lens. Up front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie shooter.

Alternatives

10.or D

10.or D features a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 coupled with 2GB or 3GB of RAM. Just like the Coolpad Mega 5A, this one also runs on Android 8.1 Oreo. It is currently being sold at a starting price of Rs. 4,999.

Xiaomi Redmi 5A

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular options when it comes to the entry-level smartphones. Though the phone does not come with an 18:9 display, it surely packs in some powerful specs. It features a 5-inch IPS LCD display and it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor. The device packs up to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of inbuilt storage. The starting price of the smartphone is Rs. 5,999.

Samsung is offering up to Rs. 6,000 off on select smartphones: From Galaxy Note 9 to S8

By

Brahmjot Singh

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August 16, 2018

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is set to launch in India on August 22

Samsung recently unveiled their much-awaited flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note 9 at the Unpacked event in New York. The company has already started taking pre-orders for the phone which will be officially launched in India on August 22. Now to celebrate the country's Independence Day, the company announced special discounts for their latest flagships which even include the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.

Samsung has partnered up with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank to offer special discounts on Samsung smartphones till the end of August. To begin with, the Samsung is offering Rs.6,000 cashback to customers who purchase the Galaxy Note 9 using HDFC credit cards. Alongside the discount, the customers who pre-book the device will also get the Gear Sport only for Rs. 4,999 which originally costs Rs. 22,900.

As far as the pricing is concerned, the base variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will be available at Rs. 64,900. The top-end variant that comes with 8GB of RAM and a whopping 512GB of internal storage will be available for Rs. 84,900.

The Galaxy S9 will also get an instant cashback of Rs. 5,000. Alongside the cashback, if customers pay via their HDFC credit card, they will get an additional cashback of Rs. 6,000. So, the Samsung Galaxy S9 (64GB) which is priced at Rs. 57,900 can be grabbed for as low as Rs. 46,900.

Just like the Galaxy S9, the S9 Plus also gets an instant cashback of Rs. 3,000. With the additional Rs. 6,000 cashback from HDFC, the Galaxy S9 Plus can be grabbed for as low as Rs. 55,900. In case customers are interested in exchanging their old smartphone, they can get up to Rs. 6,000 of exchange value on select smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Back — Samsung Galaxy S8 still stands out in 2018

Also Read: Top 5 reasons why not to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Even the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are available on discount. The smartphones get an instant discount of Rs. 4,000 and an additional Rs. 4,000 on completing the transaction via HDFC credit cards. Speaking of 2017 flagships, the Galaxy Note 8 gets an instant discount of Rs. 4,000 and an additional Rs 4,000 discount on exchange offer.

Oppo F9 with 25MP selfie camera launched: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

By

Tech Desk

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August 16, 2018

oppo, f9, f9 pro — Oppo F9 might be rebranded as F9 Pro when it comes to India

Oppo has launched a new smartphone in Vietnam, the Oppo F9. The smartphone shows off a new type of notch which is inspired by the Essential Phone as it carries only the camera. The other highlights of the smartphone include the VOOC charging support and the gradient colour option which have become popular since the launch of the Huawei P20 Pro. The smartphone will be available in the country starting August 24 with a price tag of VND 7,690,000 (roughly Rs. 23,200).

Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Oppo F9 features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Helio P60 processor. The dual-SIM handset packs in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage which is further expandable up to 256GB using a microSD card. The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based FunTouch OS out of the box. All of this is backed by a 3,500mAh battery which supports VOOC fast charging technology.

On the optics front, the Oppo F9 sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 16-megapixel primary and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a whopping 25-megapixel selfie shooter.

Alternatives

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 is a much cheaper option than the Oppo F9. However, it brings in plenty of power to compete against the F9 directly. The only thing you will be loosing here is the beautiful design and the gradient colour options. What you get in trade is a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset coupled with stock Android 8.1 Oreo on board. The whole package comes in at a starting price of Rs. 10,999 while the top-end variant costs Rs. 14,999.

Nokia 7 Plus

Nokia 7 Plus is a great competitor to the Oppo F9. The Nokia 7 Plus features a 6-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC coupled with the Adreno 512. The dual-SIM handset runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and will get the Android Pie update soon. The Nokia 7 Plus comes in at a price of Rs. 25,999.

Honor Play

Honor recently launched their latest mid-range smartphone with flagship grade specifications. The Honor Play is powered by the company's Kirin 970 processor. The smartphone comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of onboard storage. It features a 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with a notch. The Honor Play is available at a starting price of Rs. 19,999 which makes it both better and cheaper than the Oppo F9.

Moto P30 launched alongside Moto Z3 and E5 Plus: Price, Specifications and Availability

By

Tech Desk

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August 15, 2018

moto, moto p30 — Moto P30 sports a notch up front

Lenovo-owned Motorola has just launched three new smartphones in China. These smartphones include the much-awaited Moto P30 along with the flagship Moto Z3 and the entry-level Moto E5 Plus. The Moto P30 is a new mid-range offering from the company and it's here to compete against the likes of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro and the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1.

The Moto P30 is a mid-range smartphone with a bunch of AI features. The looks of the smartphone are inspired by the Huawei P20 Pro as the Moto P30 gets a gradient back and a notch up front. The smartphone will go on sale in China next month.

Moto P30 Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Moto P30 features a 6.2-inch IPS LCD display with an aspect ratio of 19:9. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with Adreno 509 GPU. The dual-SIM handset comes with 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage. The storage is further expandable using a microSD card. The Moto P30 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box and it comes with a 3,000mAh battery with TurboCharge.

On the optics front, the Moto P30 bears a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 16-megapixel primary and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a 12-megapixel selfie shooter with AI features.

Price and Availability

The Moto P30 will be available in China at a starting price of CNY 2,099 (roughly Rs. 21,500). The smartphone is expected to go on sale next month, September 15. The Moto Z3 and Moto E5 Plus will be available starting August 16. The Moto Z3 gets a price tag of CNY 3,999 (Rs. 40,500) while the E5 Plus comes in at a starting price of CNY 1,299 (roughly Rs. 13,200).

Here's when the 10.or E and 10.or G will receive the Android Oreo update

By

Devesh Arora

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August 15, 2018

10.or G vs 10.or E — 10.or G and E are expected to get the Android 8.1 Oreo update soon

10.or (Tenor) recently pushed out the Android 8.1 Oreo for their entry-level smartphone, the 10.or D. Now its 10.or G and 10.E's turn to get the latest update of Google's Android operating system. The company promised to provide the update to all its smartphones by the end of July, which of course they couldn't fulfil. However, we are expecting the devices to get the update by the end of August 2018 and here's why.

Back in July, the company sent over SMS messages to the 10.or G and E owners that they will soon be rolling out the update and will keep us notified. We have contacted the company regarding the same and all we get to hear is "the update will be rolled out shortly." 10.or is not providing any date, however, this does not mean that the devices will not get the update.

10.or, 10.or g, 10.or e — 10.or G and E are currently running the January 1, 2018 security patch

The company is trying its best to get the most stable version of Android 8.1 Oreo to their smartphones. Considering the close competitors, Xiaomi Redmi 5A and Redmi Note 5 are still running on Android 7.1.2 Nougat, we at least have some hope for the 10.or devices. We are expecting the update to arrive on the devices by the end of this month as Android Pie is already out and its high time for the company to proceed with the rollout.

Also Read: 10.or D gets updated to Android Oreo: 10.or G and E next in the line

Sadly, the 10.or G and E are also running a quite old Android security patch, specifically, the January 2018 patch which is now nearly 7 months old. We really hope the company starts pushing out the update soon and the next generation 10.or devices get quicker updates.

Top five alternatives to the Xiaomi Pocophone F1

By

Devesh Arora

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August 14, 2018

Xiaomi has launched the Poco F1 aka Pocophone F1 in India and has priced the phone very aggressively. The company has started a whole new series of smartphones which will be set apart from their already popular Redmi and Mi-series. The first smartphone of the new Pocophone series is the Poco F1. Here are some alternatives to the latest flagship currently available in the market. However, we do think that price wise there is no match to the Poco F1.

OnePlus 6

As the Pocophone F1 is here to compete against the OnePlus 6, it makes the latter smartphone a great alternative. The OnePlus 6 is powered by same Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC as found on the Xiaomi Pocophone F1. The device comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM coupled with 64GB, 128GB or 256GB of onboard storage. The smartphone features a 6.28-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED display. OnePlus 6 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based OxygenOS. The smartphone is available at a starting price of Rs. 34,999.

Asus ZenFone 5Z

Just like the Xiaomi Pocophone F1, the Asus ZenFone 5Z also comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The device packs in 6GB or 8GB of RAM coupled with 64GB/128GB/256GB of onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The smartphone features a 6.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x2246 pixels. The ZenFone 5Z is available in India at a starting price of Rs. 29,999 and the top-end variant retails for Rs. 34,999.

Huawei Nova 3

Huawei recently launched their affordable flagship, the Nova 3 in India. The smartphone sports a 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display. The dual-SIM handset is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor which is company's homegrown flagship chipset. The device packs in 6GB of RAM coupled with 128GB of internal storage. Huawei Nova 3 is available in India with a price tag of Rs. 34,999.

Honor 10

If you are looking for a flagship smartphone with some AI features and a great camera setup on a budget, have a look at the Honor 10. The smartphone features a 5.84-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x2280 pixels. The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based EMUI 8.1 out of the box. The phone comes with a 16MP+24MP dual-camera setup at the back and a 24-megapixel selfie shooter. The 6GB+128GB variant of the Honor 10 retails for Rs. 29,999.

Vivo Nex

If you are willing to spend a little more in order to get an in-display fingerprint scanner, the Vivo Nex is an impressive phone. The device comes with flagship grade specifications including the Snapdragon 845 SoC, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. The smartphone comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner and a pop-up selfie camera. The Vivo Nex is priced at Rs. 45,999.

Here's how to get an iPhone X or Pixel 2 on rent at a starting price of Rs. 2,099 per month

By

Devesh Arora

-

August 14, 2018

Apple iPhone, Apple, iPhone, iPhones, Apple Maps, Google Maps, Apple iPhone Maps — Apple iPhone X is now available for rent on RentoMojo

RentoMojo, an online startup, has introduced smartphones on rent. The online startup allows users to furniture, home appliances, bikes and now even smartphones. The rental service will offer only flagship smartphones like the Apple iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Google Pixel 2. However, the platform is currently serving only the metro cities of India.

RentoMojo is currently offering Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8 and Google Pixel 2 on rent for a period of 6, 9, 12 or even 24 months. The Google Pixel 2 is available at a starting price of Rs. 2,099 per month while the iPhone X and iPhone 8 can be rented for Rs. 4,299 and Rs. 3,967 respectively per month. To get any of these smartphones, users will also need to make a refundable deposit which will be refunded once they give back the smartphone.

The founder and CEO of RentMojo, Geetansh Bamania, said, “Consumers can now subscribe to or obtain smartphones on lease, through our RMI (Rental Monthly Instalments) system, as opposed to purchasing and owning.”

With the company's renting system, users will get some advantages over actually purchasing those devices. The company allows you to swap the phone for free after 12-months of usage. Also, they accept devices with normal wear and tear so you can freely use the smartphone without any covers.

Also Read: Reliance Jio GigaFiber registration kicks off tomorrow: Here’s everything you need to know

The smartphone renting on RentoMojo is currently available only in Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Noida. The company claims to soon bring the service to Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune.

Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus launched in China: Here are some alternatives

By

Tech Desk

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August 14, 2018

xiaomi, mi pad, mi pad 4, mi pad 4 plus — Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus features a massive 10.1-inch display

Xiaomi has unveiled a new tablet in its Mi Pad series. The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus is a mid-range Android tablet from the company. The highlights of the Mi Pad 4 Plus include its giant 8,620mAh battery and a fingerprint sensor. The tablet is available in China at a starting price of CNY 1,899 (roughly Rs. 19,300).

Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Mi Pad 4 Plus features a 10.1-inch WUXGA display with a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels. The tablet is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor coupled with Adreno 512 GPU. The device packs in 4GB of RAM coupled with 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage. The dual-SIM tablet runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based MIUI 10 out of the box. All of this is backed by a massive 8,620mAh battery.

Alternatives

Xiaomi has not yet revealed whether they will be launching the tablet in India or not. Considering the company's past, the Mi Pad 4 Plus might not make its way to India. So here are some tablets you can consider.

Apple iPad 9.7-inch

Apple iPad is one of the best alternatives to the Mi Pad 4 Plus. The iPad sports a 9.7-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels. The tablet is powered by the Apple A9 chipset coupled with the embedded M9 Co-processor. The iPad runs on the latest version of iOS. The 32GB Wi-Fi only model is available at a price of Rs. 23,900.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2017)

If you are looking for an Android tablet below the Rs. 20,000 mark, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2017) is a great option. The tablet features an 8-inch display and it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC. The device packs in 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. All of this is backed by a 5,000mAh battery. The Galaxy Tab A (2017) is available with a price tag of Rs. 17,999.

Beetel BiteTech News, Reviews, PC Mobile Phones, Tablets and more

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Xiaomi Mi A2

Honor Play

Alternatives

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Honor Play

Specifications

Alternatives

10.or D

Xiaomi Redmi 5A

Specifications

Alternatives

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Nokia 7 Plus

Honor Play

Moto P30 Specifications

Price and Availability

OnePlus 6

Asus ZenFone 5Z

Huawei Nova 3

Honor 10

Vivo Nex

Specifications

Alternatives

Apple iPad 9.7-inch

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2017)