Multimedia Handsets Under Rs. 8000

Multimedia handsets are a dime a dozen these days and we certainly are spoiled for choice especially in this segment as there happen to be a rather vast number to choose from. With that in mind, I’ve come up with a short list of handsets that should help narrow the playing field. Take a look.

Samsung B2100 Marine – Rs. 4,469
The Marine is definitely one of the better choices in this category and offers so much more than just good audio quality. Samsung’s rugged handset is exactly what they’ve termed it – Planet proof. It’s capable of withstanding the pressure of having a bike run over it or dropped into a 7 foot swimming pool at the deep end thanks to it’s rubberized Urethane shell. If you happen to be someone who’s clumsy or is into the whole outdoors wilderness scene, this is the mobile for you.

It features -

• 1.7-inch TFT LCD with a 120 x 160 pixel resolution,
• GPRS/EDGE
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• FM radio
• Noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
• External memory support (microSD)
• Independent flashlight

LG GM200 – Rs. 5,289
The GM200 packs a serious punch when it comes to audio. Equipped with Stereo speakers for OUTDOOR use, and I stress on that word as this is one handset I really really don’t want to have to hear in a crowded train compartment. It’s just too loud as is. The Dolby Mobile engine makes the audio experience truly great. It also has a 3.5mm handsfree port so you’re free to use the handset with a better set of earphones in case you’re not comfortable with the bundled set.

The handset also features -

• 2 inch TFT LCD with a 176 x 220 pixel resolution
• GPRS/EDGE
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 2 megapixel camera
• FM radio
• External memory support (microSD)
• 3.5mm handsfree socket

Motorola EM30 – Rs. 5,099
Motorola’s ROKR E8 handset with its ‘morphing keypad’ was quite a hit back in its time but too expensive for those with a stricter budget so the company launched the EM30, a lower end, funkier version of same handset. While it does have a similar design sans the touch sensitive and navigation wheel the EM30 is still equipped with plenty of multimedia features to accommodate those with a lower budget.

It comes with -

• 2 inch TFT LCD with a 320 x 240 pixel resolution
• GPRS/EDGE
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 2 megapixel camera
• FM radio
• External memory support (microSD)
• 3.5mm handsfree socket

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Nokia 5130 Xpressmusic - Rs. 5,369
The Xpressmusic range from Nokia is quite synonymous with the multimedia segment for mobile handsets these days, aside from their higher ended N-Series of course. This range caters to users with budgets that range from Rs. 6000 up to Rs. 20,000 which makes them quite affordable. The 5130’s dedicated music keys and 3.5mm earphone socket makes it quite comfortable and convenient for audio. Its Symbian S40 UI is also simple enough to use.

The 5130 also comes with -

• 2 inch TFT LCD with a 240 x 320 pixel resolution
• GPRS/EDGE
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 2 megapixel camera
• FM radio
• External memory support (microSD)
• 3.5mm handsfree socket

Sony Ericsson F305 – Rs. 6,059
SE’s gaming oriented mobile handset the F305 is a simple yet multimedia rich device. Aside from motion based games it also offers quite a few landscape based games with use of the gaming keys well positioned enough to make it feel like a stand-alone portable gaming console. This slider also offers a Walkman Styled audio player and Sony’s TrackID music identification application that works with the radio and for external audio.

The F305 is equipped with -

• 2 inch TFT LCD with a 176 x 220 pixel resolution
• GPRS/EDGE
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 2 megapixel camera
• FM radio
• External memory support (M2)
• Dedicated gaming keys

Ray T65 – Rs. 6,489
Ray mobiles are what you can consider to be one of the ‘Underdogs’ of the mobile handset community. The T65 is one of their touchscreen mobile handsets that also offers quite a lot in terms of multimedia features from a 3 megapixel camera to an FM radio that also comes with FM recording. It may have a few kinks and isn’t as well known as some of the bigger brands but it does offer some competition and so it’s included in this list.

The Ray T65 is equipped with -

• 2.8-inch touchscreen
• GPRS/WAP
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 3 megapixel camera
• FM radio with recording
• External memory support (MicroSD)

All the prices listed against the handsets listed are MOP (Market Operating Prices). They’re easily available in most Superstores etc. for the same price or close to the same. There are of course plenty of other choices as I mentioned, but these are some of the better options.

If you, dear readers, have other options you’d like to list, please feel free to share them via our comments or follow the thread on our forums.