Our pick: Top 5 smartphones between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000

With new smartphones entering the Indian mobile market every other day, we now have several device options in every price bracket. From the last time we listed the best smartphones under Rs 15,000, a slew of new phones have entered the market while some others have seen a price drop that now puts them in this price category. Here’s our pick of top 5 smartphones priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000.

Lava Iris 504Q - Rs 13,799
This home-brewed smartphone is a good option, especially considering its price. If you ignore its lackluster battery, the phone can make a great recommendation for anyone looking for a budget smartphone with dual SIM support. Read our complete review of the Lava Iris 504Q. The smartphone is powered by quad-core MediaTek MT6589 processor clocked at 1.2GHz with 1GB RAM, and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean version.

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Worth a look

Take a quick look at its specifications:

• 5-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels
• Dual SIM, 3G, Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth with A2DP
• GPS
• 8-megapixel auto focus BSI rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• 4GB onboard storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card slot

Xolo Q1000 - Rs 14,150
Slightly older but the Xolo Q1000 is worth considering when one is looking for a phone under Rs 15,000. The Xolo Q1000 is a pretty decent smartphone and almost similar to the cheaper Q700, except for it comes with a larger display. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, and runs on Android 4.2. Read our review of the Xolo Q1000 to know more.

The Xolo Q1000 has been designed for use with one hand

Here’s a quick look at the spec sheet of the Xolo Q1000:

• 5-inch capacitive IPS display with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution
• Dual-SIM (GSM + GSM), 3G, Wi-Fi
• GPS with A-GPS
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 8MP autofocus, BSI rear camera, 1.2MP front-facing camera
• 4GB internal storage, expandable by up to 32GB via microSD slot

Lenovo S880 - Rs 12,590
Launched at Rs 18,999, the Lenovo S880 now falls in the 10-15k price range, rather it is available for as low as Rs 12,590 through online stores. For the price, it makes a good buy, given the features you get. The UI is smooth and responsive for a single core CPU and the S880 also offers you very good value by offering you a 5-inch screen, a relatively slim chassis, a decent camera and good battery life. Though, the low resolution screen can be a little annoying. Read our complete review of the Lenovo S880. It is powered by a 1GHz Cortex-A9 processor coupled with 1GB RAM, and runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Not a bad looker

Take a quick look at the specifications of the Lenovo S880:

• 5-inch TFT display with 480 x 800 pixels of resolution
• Dual SIM, 3G, Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth v3.0
• GPS with A-GPS
• 5 megapixel camera, 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera
• 4GB onboard storage, expandable up to 32GB

Sony Xperia M - Rs 12,499
Yet another decent option for smartphones under Rs. 15,000 is the Sony Xperia M. Sporting a 4-inch display, under the hood you’ll find a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor. The device also gets 1GB of RAM and Sony has also added support for NFC. It runs on Android 4.1. The smartphone features OmniBalance design, which is seen in Sony’s high-end smartphone line-up.

Xperia M sportting a 4-inch display

Here’s a quick look at its specifications:

• 4-inch FWVGA display with 854 x 480 pixel resolution
• Dual SIM, 3G, Wi-Fi, NFC
• Bluetooth v4.0
• GPS with A2DP
• 5 megapixel rear camera, 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera
• 4GB onboard storage, expandable up to 32GB

Xolo Play T1000 - Rs 13,999
If you are looking for a complete entertainment handset that includes gaming experience under 15k, then the Xolo Play is a good buy. It is powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 with 1GB RAM, and run on Android 4.1.1. The smartphone comes with an Nvidia TegraZone for gaming. The Xolo Play is intended to woo gamers and it seems to make its point. Read the complete review of the Xolo Play to find out more.

XOLO Play T1000

Here’s a quick look at its specifications

• 4.7-inch HD IPS display
• 3G, Wi-Fi
• GPS with A-GPS
• Bluetooth v3.0
• 8 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front-facing camera
• 4GB onboard storage, expandable up to 32GB

Though slightly older, the Sony Xperia Go is also a good option. Priced at Rs 13,850. Sporting a thin form factor, crisp display, fast UI, waterproof and dustproof shell, it is a great companion for those who frequently  travel or indulge in outdoor activities like trekking, mountaineering and so on. Here’s the complete review of the Xperia Go.

Which one of these smartphones would you pick?