Need Suggestions For Mid Range Gsm Handset

[raccoon 53]

Would really appreciate some advice/suggestions for purchasing a mid- range GSM handset; priced around Rs. 5,000 - 10,000 (lower the better).

Requirements -

1) Good camera is MOST essential. Hence, autofocus is desired. Picture quality/clarity is more important than the number of (mega) pixels. A flash which can double up as a torch would be a BIG plus.

2) Overall sound quality, both in calls and for the MP3 player is important. Speaker phone should be loud and clear.

3) Touch screen desirable, but not mandatory, if other attributes are superior.

4) Document viewer would be desirable.

5) Ability to multi-task desirable, but not mandatory, if other attributes are superior.

6) Should be good for fast, efficient texting.

7) "Send later" feature (ability to send SMS at predetermined date and time) is important.

8) Good or at least reasonable battery life.

9) Good build, preferably slim and light with metal body (preferred but not mandatory).

10) Should be reasonably good for general internet surfing. FB, Twitter and other SNS not important.

11) Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) would be VERY useful... but only if there is no compromise on above features.

I'm considering the Samsung Metro 5200... as reviews say it has a good camera (with autofocus and flash). Howeiver, I like the looks of the LG Cookie Pep, with its aluminum body. But it does not have flash or AF... so I guess picture quality will not be comparable to the Metro. Besides, it would be too common. Unfortunately, I'm not much fond of the Metro's looks and its relatively smaller screen and reported low battery life.

Really confused. Would REALLY appreciate of anybody can suggest better options.

[dkaile 1,051]

Nokia E series (E63 and E71) are being offered at nice discounted rates as newer models have come in and you can close a deal between 7-10K for these. E71, was the best smartphone of the year 2009 and is good sturdy machine with full qwerty keyboard. Now I dont know how many of the features you want would actually be available in it, but I think you wont go wrong with it... lots of 3rd party symbian applications are available for ur sms needs etc.

[raccoon 53]

Thanks mate! But, I don't really like the look of these querty phones. But will still look into their specs shortly, once I get some time. Any idea if they give the best quality pics in this price range? Edited May 5, 2010 by raccoon

[dkaile 1,051]

http://europe.nokia..../specifications

http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-e63/specifications

a 3mp camera on these phones shud suffice... it can never replace a digital camera though...

Edited May 5, 2010 by dkaile

[raccoon 53]

a 3mp camera on these phones shud suffice... it can never replace a digital camera though...

Sure it wont... but what I expect is that it should be amongst the best in its price range/class; as I currently don't have a digicam, and even if I had, I usually don't remember to take it along.

E71 specs. are good, but Futurebazaar mentions the price as 13,900. Thats a bit out of budget. Or is it really available for sub 10k, in shops, like you mentioned? E63 seems to not have AF and its 2 MP. So I guess the cam won't shine.

[konquerror 21]

Here are my suggestions:

HTC Smart http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280501042758#ht_5463wt_962

Samsung Corby Pro http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250626278527#ht_6941wt_1296

Samsung Monte http://cgi.ebay.in/Samsung-Monte-S5620-1-Year-Samsung-Warranty-Bill-/170481838845?cmd=ViewItem&pt=IN_Mobile_Phones&hash=item27b1826afd#ht_5033wt_1180

All above phones have 3MP camera...I'm not sure if they are auto-focus or not.

[dkaile 1,051]

Nokia E63 at Rs. 8648/- http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270573433567

though I would prefer the above HTC Smart recommended by Pranav as its Android...

[raccoon 53]

Here are my suggestions:

HTC Smart http://cgi.ebay.in/w...8#ht_5463wt_962

Samsung Corby Pro http://cgi.ebay.in/w...#ht_6941wt_1296

Samsung Monte http://cgi.ebay.in/S...#ht_5033wt_1180

All above phones have 3MP camera...I'm not sure if they are auto-focus or not.

Thanks a heap for the suggestions. HTC looks ok... will check it out shortly. Monte is on my consideration list, though it does not have some of the things I want. Corbys I mostly will not consider, as I find the shape kinda feminine, and the plastic body IMO does not even feel nice to hold.

Nokia E63 at Rs. 8648/- http://cgi.ebay.in/w...em=270573433567

though I would prefer the above HTC Smart recommended by Pranav as its Android...

Android? This is mentioned on the ebay link given by konquerror above -

Operating System :

Brew® Mobile Platform with HTC Sense™

Edited May 5, 2010 by raccoon

[Saurav 22]

I also need similar phone but 1 added feature Ringtone Volume must be loud enough atleast to be heard in adjoining room.

[dkaile 1,051]

^^

my mistake; it is indeed brew; but the sense ui interface on top will give a touch and feel quite similar to android phones - http://www.htc.com/www/product/smart/specification.html

[rsalecha 0]

Consider Nokia X2 for lower side and Nokia N8 on higher...

Google it out for more info on these new phones from nokia..

Raj

[raccoon 53]

^^

my mistake; it is indeed brew; but the sense ui interface on top will give a touch and feel quite similar to android phones - http://www.htc.com/w...cification.html

Ic. However, I'm not in the know about HTC product quality. Are they supposed to be comparable to those from the biggies?

Consider Nokia X2 for lower side and Nokia N8 on higher...

Google it out for more info on these new phones from nokia..

Raj

Yes, the X2 with its 5 MP camera and competitive price is one that has caught my my attention. However, it does not have AF, so can't be sure of picture quality. Also, it does not seem to have reached the market yet.... or has it??

Unfortunately, I am unable to find good reviews and sample pics (take from the cam) of some of the handsets online... that is making the decision more difficult.

Samsung B5772 (dual SIM) seems to be promising. Only drawback I can find is that it does not have AF and shape/body seems to be like that of the Corby (from pics... not seen in real), which I don't like. Anybody has any idea if its a worthy buy, considering the requirements above?

[konquerror 21]

^^

my mistake; it is indeed brew; but the sense ui interface on top will give a touch and feel quite similar to android phones - http://www.htc.com/w...cification.html

Ic. However, I'm not in the know about HTC product quality. Are they supposed to be comparable to those from the biggies?

Seriously, you haven't heard about HTC? What biggies you are talking about? HTC is the biggest biggie

You can infer this from the fact that Google used HTC device to launch as it's fist Android device...

[dkaile 1,051]

@raccoon

are you serious about purchasing a phone or are you pulling our legs... seems so from the tone of your questioning... or are you really so ignorant about whats going on in the world...

for you - http://www.devicemag.com/2010/04/23/verizon-incredible-htc-evo-4g-new-iphone-how-does-nokia-feel-about-that/

http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/04/05/htc.owes.success.to.g1.hero.droid.eris/

http://www.intomobile.com/2010/04/05/htc-claims-fastest-growth-in-u-s.html

[raccoon 53]

@konquerror and dkaile

I'm dead serious!

Of course I have heard about HTC!!! Its just that I have never used any of their fones, so not aware of how good they are. And there is a reason why I asked that... but lemme not get into that...

@dkaile, will check out those links tonight, thanks.

Edited May 6, 2010 by raccoon

[Saurav 22]

pls suggest me a GSM Handset around 10- 12K +- a few will be ok.

I hv shortlisted E52. But on some forums read that it has some low volume problems.

Main pupose of phone will be to keep track of emails. It must be sleek & easy to carry it in pocket.

[Honest 836]

@Raccoon

My dear friend, you can check many of SPICE MOBILE dual sim handsets also. These comes with the feature of SCHEDULE YOUR SMS to a later date and time. As it is important for you. Even entry level handsets from SPICE comes with this feature like SPICE M4580 @Rs.2100/- approx. Higher end models from Spice too come with this feature of Scheduling SMS.

[raccoon 53]

Thanks mate, thats cool. However, I am not confident of Spice. I know someone who is using a 3.5 year old spice phone which looks and performs really good. He says even the battery lasts him 3 or more days, in spite of daily moderate to heavy use! No wear marks on keypad in spite of frequent SMSing. Even the cam is better than equivalent ones from the biggies! Overall great phone, and considering this, few of his friends bought Spice phones which are problematic and are now warning everybody against buying current Spice models...

[Saurav 22]

Pls suggest me a GSM Android Handset. Earlier I was thinking of Nokia E52 but found it has lot of bugs. Kindly suggest me a good handset abt 10-15K.

Should I prefer Samsung or HTC

I hv shortlisted Tattoo.

Pls guide.

[::Hitesh:: 1,763]

HTC Smart is good !

[tarun_kabra 204]

HTC Smart is good !

But its not android.........Its Brew, isn't it?

[::Hitesh:: 1,763]

yes, its brew smart !

[konquerror 21]

Check Samsung Monte, Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700, Nokia E63/71, Blackberry 8830 etc. etc.

[raccoon 53]

Samsung Monte is not an Android phone by any chance??

[konquerror 21]

No, monte is not an Android device. It runs on Samsung's propriety OS.

Edited June 1, 2010 by konquerror