SCI-TECH
MumbaiMirror
MAGNETIC
NANOPARTICLES TO CONTROL ‘SOFT’ ROBOTS
Researchers have developed a novel technique for using chains of magnetic nanoparticles to manipulate elastic polymers in 3D to remotely control new “soft robots”. The ability to control the motion of
soft robots gives them potential applications in biomedical technologies and manufacturing.
20
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015
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GUIDE
Budget
Performers
Here are 2015’s 10 best smartphones under Rs 10,000
Chethan Rao [email protected]
Honor 4X
T
he mid-range and budget smartphone segment is crowded with a myriad of low-cost handsets from companies like Micromax, Xiaomi, Lenovo
and the like. Naturally, this can make the decision to get a budget smartphone quite confusing. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of
devices at or under Rs 10,000 that should be high up on your list.
Xiaomi Redmi
Note Prime
The Honor 4X is a great overall
package. It’s an LTE smartphone, which means you can
leverage the fastest networks
available in India (assuming
there is coverage). For Rs
9,999, the Honor 4X is good
value, although the device is
exclusive to Flipkart.
This recently launched device packs marginally upgraded specs compared to the
first-gen Redmi Note. With a price tag of
Rs 8,499, it’s not the cheapest in its segment, but considering that it’s a Xiaomi
product, we expect there to be plenty of
demand for it.
SPECS: 5.5-inch HD
(1280x720) display, Quad-core
1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, 13MP rear camera
Coolpad
Note 3
At Rs 8,999, the Coolpad Note 3
is recommended for phablet
lovers. It might be lacking in
terms of display resolution, but
it makes up for it with features
like Fingerprint Snapshot, letting you take an image with just
a touch of your finger on the
home button.
SPECS: 5.5-inch HD
(1280x720) display, Octa-core
1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6753
processor, 13MP rear
camera, 5MP
front camera, 3GB
RAM,
16GB
storage
(expandable),
Android
5.1
Lollipop,
3,000
mAh
battery,
4G LTE
with
dual
SIM
support
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Lenovo Vibe P1m
SPECS: 5.5-inch HD (1280x720) IPS display, 1.2 GHz quad core Snapdragon 410
processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front
camera, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage
(expandable), Android 4.4 KitKat, 3,100
mAh battery, 4G with
dual SIM support
2015 Moto E
This refresh of the original Moto E comes with
very capable hardware specs and a price tag of under Rs
7,000. It features a stock version of Android and is on course to receive the
Android 6.0 Marshmallow update soon. The 3G model is likely to miss out.
SPECS: 4.5-inch qHD (960x540) display, 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon
410 processor, 5MP rear camera, VGA front camera, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (expandable), Android 5.1 Lollipop, 2,390 mAh battery, 4G LTE with
dual SIM support
Lenovo K3 Note
The K3 Note is a stellar device and well worth your
dime if you don’t mind stretching your budget all the
way up to Rs 9,999. And you do get the quality 1080p
display for the extra money.
SPECS: 5.5-inch 1080p display, 1.7 GHz octa-core
Mediatek MT6752 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (expandable), 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, Android 5.0 Lollipop, 3,000 mAh battery, 4G LTE
with dual SIM support
Priced at Rs 7,999, this is not the
cheapest budget offering available out
there, but the hardware specs will
surely convince mobile enthusiasts of
its potential. With its large 3,900 mAh
battery, the Vibe P1m can last long
intervals on a full charge. It is currently
an exclusive with Flipkart.
Asus ZenFone 2 Laser
There are several variants of the ZenFone 2 that
offer excellent value for the price. The ZenFone 2
Laser (ZE550KL) is available for Rs 9,999 via
Flipkart. As the name indicates, it comes with a
superior grade Laser Autofocus camera, which
enhances imagery to a great extent.
SPECS: 5-inch HD (1280x720) display,
8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera,
Quad-core 1 GHz Mediatek MT6735P
processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage
(expandable), 3,900 mAh battery,
Android 5.0 Lollipop, 4G LTE with dual
SIM support
Meizu M2 Note
The M2 Note is the slightly better
equipped phablet in this list and comes
with a 5.5-inch Full HD panel underneath.
It also features a superior f/2.2 5 element
lens for better images from its 13 MP rear
camera. It is priced at Rs 9,999 and can
be purchased via Amazon.
SPECS: 5.5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) display, Octa-core 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6753
processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front
camera, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (expandable)m Android 5.0 Lollipop, 3,100 mAh
battery, 4G LTE with dual SIM support
SPECS: 5.5-inch HD (1280x720) display, Quad-core
1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2GB RAM, 16 GB storage
(expandable), Android 5.0 Lollipop, 3,000 mAh battery, 4G LTE with dual SIM support
Phicomm
Passion 660
Xiaomi Redmi
2 Prime
This has to be one of the most attractive
devices on the list for its pricing as well
as the hardware it packs. At Rs 8,999,
you get a Full HD display panel, an octacore Snapdragon 615 processor and a
13MP rear camera.
Unlike Xiaomi phones of the
past, the Redmi 2 Prime can be
bought from a variety of online
retailers. It is priced at Rs
6,999 and is a very capable
budget offering considering the
features it offers.
SPECS: 5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) display, Octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (expandable), Android 4.4.4 KitKat, 2,300 mAh
battery, 4G LTE with dual SIM support
SPECS: 4.7-inch HD (1280x720)
display, Quad-core 1.2 GHz
Snapdragon 410 processor, 8MP rear camera,
2MP front camera, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage
(expandable), Android 4.4.4 KitKat, 2,200 mAh
battery, 4G LTE with dual SIM support