These phones under Rs 5,000 are rich in features

Image: LePhone A10
Photographs: ThinkDigit Team ThinkDigit

The Indian cell-phone market is flooding with new dual-SIM mobiles everyday. Add cameras, bluetooth connectivity, social networking apps, QWERTY keypad, media players, video capture, mini browsers and these phones turn out to be great value for your money.

They may not be big brands but they definitely have rich features that are in great demand today. ThinkDigit takes a sneak peek at these gems launched in 2010 in India.

LePhone seems to believe in the mantra that 3 is better than 2. Which is why they have come up with a new cell phone which boasts three SIM card slots (2GSM + 1CDMA).

Named A10, the phone has a 2.2 inch display screen and is packed with sufficient features to be a decent smartphone.

The device is equipped with features like an MP3 player, FM radio, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, GPRS, WAP, e-mail and a 3.2MP camera with autofocus, flash and video capture.

The phone also boasts a 3D sound stereo speaker. Its battery rated at 850mAh and claims to be capable of providing 300 minutes (5 hours) of talk time and 150 hours of standby time.

The triple SIM mobile phone has dual 900/1800 GSM connectivity on GSM and CDMA 1X with CDMA SIM.

The handset is currently available for Rs 4,990.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Lava B2 and B5 at Rs 3,999 and Rs 4,399

Image: Collage: Lava B5 and B2

The new Rupee symbol certainly seems to be making an impression with the masses, and products that feature keyboards are getting re-labelled all over.

Lava Mobiles has introduced a new version of its recently released phone, the Lava B5, which features the Rupee on its alpha keypad.

The new Lava B5 is priced at Rs 4,399 and ships with a 2.2-inch QVGA display, dual-SIM capabilities, e-mail, Opera mini, Nimbuzz, MSN, Skype, FM radio, Bluetooth, Media player, 3.5mm headset jack, and memory card support.

Lava B2

The Alpha keypad design reveals a set of keys arranged in the alphabetical order from A to Z in a linear order from left to right. Hence the keypad design itself might seem a bit weird for first time users, particularly the regular QWERTY keypad users, might find it useful.

The company has reportedly said that, these new phones are targeted to users who have never used a computer in their life!

Lava B2 is also said to have specifications similar to Lava B5 but priced slightly cheaper at Rs 3,999.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Oscar dual-SIM QWERTY models under Rs 4,500

Image: Oscar dual-SIM models

Consumer electronics brand Oscar recently announced its entry into the Rs 70,,000 crore cellphone market.

Oscar has proposed to launch a total of 10 handsets priced between Rs 1,700 to Rs 4,500 by September end. All the models are expected to offer some new features that no other brand currently offers at that price point.

Of the first 6 mobiles already launched from the stables of Oscar, the base model N1 is reported to possess a vibration speaker, an industry first for an entry level phone at that price point.

Z1, a higher end model is said to be an aspirational QWERTY keypad phone, powered by a super fast processor and armed with a front and rear camera, which is an industry first at that price point!

Apart from the entry level N1, majority of Oscar mobiles are expected to be loaded with a wide-array of multimedia options including FM Radio, MP3, MP4, access to various social networking sites, excellent quality 1.3 MP camera among others giving distinctly superior pictures.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Zen X390 for Rs 1,649

Image: Zen X390

A dual-SIM (GSM-GSM) phone, the Zen X390 from Zen Mobile is the latest low cost mobile from the company, and as an entry level phone, has great value for money with such features as a VGA camera, wireless FM with recorder, MP3/MP4 stereo player, torch, and a 3.5mm jack, apart from supporting both Hindi and English languages.

The Zen X390 is manufacturer rated to provide at least 4 hours of talk time, and has an internal memory of 500 phonebook entries, 300 SMS messages, and a total of 60 calls in the call register.

Certainly one of the lowest priced dual-SIM handsets in the market to also provide a camera, the Zen X390 will still face stiff competition from other dual-SIM phone manufacturers, who are sure to bring in comparatively priced dual-SIM phones soon.

Nokia itself is going to be launching a dual-SIM device with a VGA camera, the C2-00, at Rs 2,500.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Zen S10 for Rs 4,999

Image: Zen S10

Zen Mobile's first dual-SIM multimedia phone is called the Zen S10. The stylish slider phone comes in a solid metallic body, and is priced at Rs 4,999.

The 2.2-inch TFT screen bearing Zen S10 is fitted with a 2MP camera with flash, and has other features like FM radio, expandable microSD memory (up to 4GB), and Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

The phone also supports MP3/MP4 playback. Apart from all the above features, Zen Mobile further entices potential buyers by shipping the Zen S10 with a 2GB microSD card, bundled.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Mi-Fone's three full-QWERTY phones from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,999

Image: Mi Fone collage: MiQ Plus, Mi-Q1 and Mi-Q5

Mi-Fone has followed its recent mobile phone releases in India with three brand new QWERTY phones, part of the Mi-Q family of phones, which go by the tagline 'the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice'. They are supposed to provide 'young Indians with everything they need in a QWERTY handset including e-mail, instant messaging, and uploading and downloading of documents'.

The 3 models are:

Mi-Q+ (Rs 2,500)

The most basic of the three, Mi-Q+ supports GPRS Class 10/WAP 2.0 and MMS. Other features include FM radio and torchlight.

Mi-Q1 (Rs 3,399)

Mi-Q1 is a dual-SIM mobile with GPRS/WAP/MMS and MP3/Video capabilities, with an expandable memory capacity of up to 1GB.

Mi-Q5 (Rs 3,999)

Featuring all the features of the above two phones, the Mi-Q5 supports Bluetooth and Java in addition. It also has the MI-APPS Java application that lets users combine instant messaging and push e-mail in a single place, along with social applications such as Facebook and MSN Messenger. It can also 'run analog television', just like the Mi-338.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Wynn Telecom's dual-SIM phones from Rs 1,500 to 5,000

Image: Collage: Wynncom Y10, Wynncom Y11, Wynncom Y21, Wynncom Y20, Wynncom Y22, Wynncom Y30 and Wynncom Y50

Wynn Telecom has launched a range of seven stunningly low-priced dual-SIM phones in India, retailing from Rs 1,500 to 5,000.

Some of their features include:

Alpha numeric and QWERTY keypads

MP3 player with equaliser

Video players

Expandable memory slots and

Mobile tracker

These look like phones that might just accelerate the rate at which India's mobile users are growing, and such a low entry level price.

The phones are available in three categories:

Utility phones: Wynncom Y10, Wynncom Y11, Wynncom Y21

Upgrade phones: Wynncom Y20, Wynncom Y22, Wynncom Y30

Youth phones: Wynncom Y50

The phones are quite feature-rich, and are all GSM-GSM type dual-SIM devices.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Grapes CG 888 for Rs 4,999

Image: Grapes CG 888

Unitron Exim has launched its latest Grapes mobile, the CG 888, which is a QWERTY keypad phone with dual-SIM, offering a choice between CDMA+GSM and GSM+GSM combinations.

Priced at Rs 4,999, the Grapes CG 888 also features a Facebook client, as well as Yahoo and MSN connectivity for social networking and instant messaging. The brand is targeted at the urban, tech-savvy college and office going youth, aged between 16 and 35 years of age, 'besides all those who are young at heart'.

Specifications of the phone include:

Display: 2-inch QCIF 65K screen
Camera: 1.3MP and web cam
Battery: 1500 mAh
Audio/Video: MP3/MP4/3GP support, 3.5mm audio jack, recording, and FM radio
Connectivity: USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.1, WAP
Misc: Java, calendar, alarm, world clock, stop watch, currency converter, motion sensor, and more..

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Karbonn K25 phone for Rs 4,400

Image: Karbonn K25

Karbonn Mobiles has introduced the Karbonn K25 phone, which it describes as an 'attractively priced dual-SIM QWERTY phone featuring an optical trackpad'; a phone that is 'loaded' with social networking applications and has 'eye-catching features coupled with a stylish design'.

Priced at Rs 4,400, the Karbonn K25 has the following specifications: dual-SIM (GSM type), FM radio, hi-fidelity sound with equaliser, 2MP camera, video recording, expandable microSD memory up to 8GB, and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP.

It comes embedded with such social networking applications as Facebook, Twitter, Opera Mini, Yahoo Messenger and MSN. Priced reasonable and providing a range of features, the Karbonn K25 will prove quite a temptation for many.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Kobian's Mercury B2 Bizmobile for Rs 2,750

Image: Mercury B2 Bizmobile

Kobian, the owner of the Mercury and iXA brands of PC peripherals, has made its foray into the Indian mobile handset market with its Mercury B2 Bizmobile phone.

Offering a host of features at a very low-priced Rs 2,750, the dual-SIM and full-QWERTY Mercury B2 Bizmobile is just 14mm thick, and has the following specifications:

2G Network: GSM 900/DSC 1800 MHz, GPRS
Camera: 1.2MP
dual-SIM: GSM-GSM
Display: 2-inch TFT
Weight: 275.5g
Storage: microSD expansion up to 2GB
Multimedia: One-touch FM radio, and MP3/MP4 support
Misc: LED torch

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Fly's MC170 for Rs 4,094

Image: Fly MC170

Fly Mobile, a mobile company belonging to the UK-based Meridian group, reportedly announced the launch of its latest sleek and stylish camera phone today: the Fly MC170.

It ships with a 3MP camera, 6.1cm TFT screen with 262K colour display (running at 240x320 native resolution), 87MB internal memory with support for microSD expandable memory up to 8GB, social networking and instant messaging through Fly Buzz, 1,000mAh battery rated to offer about 10 hours talk-time and 250 hours of standby time, A2DP Blueooth, WAP 2.0 & GPRS support, accelerometer and motion sensor for superior gaming experience, and much more.

It is currently available with all Fly authorised distributors and retailers across India, at a very affordable price of Rs 4,094.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

G-Fone 571 for Rs 3,999

Image: G-Fone 571

G-Fone announced the launch of its latest mobile phone, the G-Fone 571, in India. Priced affordably at Rs 3,999, the dual SIM G-Fone 571 targets the youth segment of the market, telling them to 'get more' with handy social networking and instant messaging pre-installed applications like Snaptu and Nimbuzz.

Available in black and white variations, the phone has a 2.2-inch QVGA 64K colour display and a metallic body, and is powered by a 208MHz processor.

Including a 1.3MP camera with flash and a webcam, the phone also features a flashlight, FM Radio, music player, stereo sound, Bluetooth, mobile tracker, motion sensor, video MP4 player, EDGE connectivity, Opera mini browser, USB connectivity, Indian calendar, and expandable storage up to 8GB.

The G-Fone 571 also sports a phonebook that can take 3,000 entries, as well as a storage capacity for 2,000 SMS messages.

Other features include a built-in modem, blacklist calls and SMS, and Java application support.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

Nokia C1-00 for Rs 1,999

Image: Collage: Nokia C1-00 and C2-00

Nokia has released its first dual-SIM phone, and is launching it first into the Indian market. While Nokia introduced the Nokia C2-00 as well, the Nokia C1-00 will hit the streets first, and already has a price: Rs 1,999.

While this is bit higher than we expected earlier (Rs 1,700), this low-priced dual SIM phone is definitely a milestone for the company.

The Nokia C1-00 is a very basic Series 30 phone that offers only voice and SMS capabilities, along with FM radio, and a flashlight. It will come bundled with a stereo headset, apart from a charger. Some of the phone's unique features for its price include a speaking/alarm clock in local Indian languages, call tracker, and multiple phone books (one per SIM).

The Nokia C2-00 however, is a Series 40 dual SIM that attempts to cater to those who want a little more from their phone, offering GPRS facilities, MP3 player, microSD expandability up to 32GB, FM radio with recording, 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth, MMS, and a VGA camera, in addition to the voice, SMS, and dual SIM facilities of the Nokia C1-00.

Nokia C2-00 is likely to cost you Rs 2,500. Most notably, it will also come with Nokia Ovi Life Tools, as mentioned earlier.

Check out: The all new Gadgets and Gaming page

Reader invite

More