With Nexus 5, Google has got its India pricing right

Google’s Nexus 5 is out and the smartphone is already listed on the Google Play Store in India. The pricing is Rs 28,999 for a 16 GB version, and Rs 32,999 for a 32 GB version. The smartphone has a 4.95-inch display, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor processor and an eight megapixel camera with optical image stabilisation. It also runs the latest version of the Android OS: Android 4.4 KitKat. As far as pricing is concerned, Google has really hit the sweet spot with this smartphone. Unlike the recent flagship launches in India which have all been priced over Rs 40,000, Google’s latest smartphone is under Rs 33,000. For instance LG’s G2 is priced closest to the Nexus 5 at Rs 41,500 for a 16 GB version, while a 32 GB version of the smartphone is Rs 44,500. Both versions of the smartphone are retailing for under Rs 40,000 online with Flipkart offering the 32 GB version for Rs 40,490 and 16 GB version for 37,999. Still that makes the smartphone over Rs 35,000. The smartphone has a 5.2-inch screen with a 13 megapixel camera but its running Android 4.2.2. with LG’s Optimus 3.0 user interface on top. In terms of the OS, this is still much older, and the phone is priced much higher. [caption id=“attachment_1205805” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Google’s Nexus 5 is seen in this file photo.[/caption] As far as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is concerned, the smartphone has 13 megapixel camera and a 5.7-inch screen which stand out. The smartphone which was launched at Rs 49,990 is now available on Samsung’s website for Rs 47,900 whereas Flipkart is offering that phone for Rs 46,899. Do note that this is note a 4G enabled phone, so if you are living in Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune where 4G is available, this might not be the best option for you. The smartphone has 32 GB memory and 3GB RAM (more than the Nexus 5 which has 2GB) but again the pricing is much higher. The other premium Samsung phone, the Galaxy S4, is priced at Rs 40,690 on Samsung’s website and is retailing for the same price on Flipkart, although it available for Rs 39,999 on Infibeam. The smartphone has 5-inch full HD screen with a 13 megapixel camera and an Octa-core processor. Again this device won’t support 4G in India and only has 16 GB memory. Sony’s recent launch the Xperia Z1 with a 20.7 megapixel camera which was launched at a price of Rs 44,990 and is retailing online for Rs 42,990. Again the biggest USP is the camera. The other big smartphone that was recently launched in India, but not on the Android platform is the Nokia Lumia 1020. The smartphone has a huge 41 megapixel camera and runs Windows Phone 8 but doesn’t have a full HD screen or a quad-core processor. The smartphone’s official price is a huge Rs 49,999 while it is available on Flipkart for Rs 47,222. While the camera is great, the price is too high for a smartphone that doesn’t have a full HD screen or a quad-core processor. The Windows Phone 8 platform still needs more apps for the phone might not be the best buy. And last but certainly not the least are the new iPhones which are going to be priced well over the Rs 40k mark. The iPhone 5c is expected to cost Rs 41,900 for a 16GB version while the iPhone 5s will start at a whopping 53,500 for a 16GB version. There are reports that RComm might launch the iPhone 5c for Rs 2500, and the iPhone 5s for Rs 2800 for a year-two year contract and a fixed plan. You can read the full Hindu Business Line report on that here. It’s not clear whether other mobile operators will offer such a discount, but if they did, it could make the iPhone 5s a lot more tempting for users. For now, terms of premium smartphones by top brands, the Nexus 5 is clearly the cheapest smartphone at least with the kind of pricing Google is showing for now. If you want a top brand for a smartphone this Diwali prepare to shell out more Rs 35,000. If you are willing to wait and your budget is just touch below Rs 30,000, then the Nexus 5 might be the best option. Of course, for those with an under Rs 20,000 budget, the Micromax Canvas Turbo with a full HD screen and 13 megapixel camera is the best bet.