Quad core smartphone choices on the shelf

Phones have evolved over the years, from single-core phones to multi-core smartphones capable of doing much more. A multi-core processor enables the device to efficiently work on larger tasks and perform multiple tasks simultaneously. More cores means more power and thus a faster smartphone. A quad core phone can be called future proof as it will support all the apps and games and other features to come in the future. Today, dual core processors are becoming a standard for high-end smartphones, and companies like Qualcomm, Nvidia and Samsung have already set the ball rolling for quad core smartphones. Many tech experts had predicted that this year would be all about quad core phones. Unlike what many may have expected, the number of quad core phones hitting store shelves hasn’t been overwhelming. There aren’t too many quad core phones to lay your hands on yet, but a few Android-based quad core devices did make their presence felt and some are paving their way into the markets. We’ve listed 3 quad core phones available in India. 

HTC One X - Rs. 35,799
This was one of the first quad core phones to hit the market early this year. With a minimalistic design, giving it a simple yet refined look, the smartphone runs on Ice Cream Sandwich (upgradable to Jelly Bean) with HTC’s Sense UI 4.0 layer. The high-end 1.5GHz quad core (NVIDIA Tegra 3) processor integrated into this beast ensures swift and smooth functionality. This power-packed device is light in weight but carries a hefty price tag. However, the price has dipped slightly and it is selling for roughly around Rs. 35,000. In our review, the HTC One X came across as one of the fastest Android device. For complete details on its design, performance and additional features, read our review of the HTC One X.

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Packaged with speed and versitality

Take a quick look at its specs -

• 4.7-inch capacitive touchscreen with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution
• 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC
• GPS with A-GPS support
• Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP and USB 2.0 (micro)
• 8 MP camera with auto focus and LED flash, 1.3MP front facing camera
• 32GB Internal memory
• MHL AV out

LG Optimus 4X HD - Rs. 33,999
The next quad core smartphone comes from LG’s kitty. It can be called LG’s finest offering yet as the company has put the best of everything in the 4X HD. It’s powered by a 1.5GHz quad core Tegra 3 processor with 16GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM – enough to keep you entertained and available as long as the battery lasts. Slightly cheaper than the S3 when launched, the price has dipped a little further and one can buy it for around Rs. 33,000. It performs par excellence in all sections (minus the battery – where all the quad cores falter). Read the complete review to know more.

LG’s finest smartphone

Here are some specs of the smartphone -

• 4.7 inch True HD IPS display with a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution
• 3G, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi (Hot spot), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, NFC
• Bluetooth with A2DP, USB 2.0
• GPS with A-GPS support
• 8 megapixel BSI Sensor (Rear) with LED flash, 1.3 megapixel front camera
• Stereo FM Radio
• 16 GB memory expandable via microSD,
• MHL for AV out

Samsung Galaxy S3 - Rs. 35,555
Samsung made its users wait painfully long before they could lay their hands on this quad core power machine. Samsung’s highly anticipated S3, successor to the S2, runs on ICS with an upcoming Jelly Bean update and is fuelled by a 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad chip. Its 8MP camera sensor is capable of shooting some amazing macro shots. Samsung has introduced S Voice, a Siri-like voice assistant which is said to be much better with Indian accents than Siri. Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy S3 to see how it fared in our labs. 

From the Galaxy

Let’s quickly brush through the specs -

• 4.8-inches Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution
• 3G, EDGE, GPRS, Wi-Fi, NFC
• GPS with support for A-GPS, GLONASS
• Bluetooth v4.0 + HS, Standard (micro USB) with USB-on-the-go
• 8MP camera with LED Flash, 2MP camera for video calling
• 16GB internal memory, microSD support for up to 64GB
• MHL AV out

 
Recently, LG put up a teaser for its next generation quad core phone, and the successor to the highly acclaimed Samsung Galaxy Note, the Note 2 will also come equipped with a quad core processor. Huawei had also taken the wraps off its Huawei Quad phones during the Mobile World Congress this year. The iPhone 5 is also expected to be fuelled by a quad core processor. Though these devices are yet to be launched, we hope they are slated for an Indian release too. Which one of these are you looking forward to?