Overview and Context
Setting expectations for the tech and smartphone offers in the ongoing sales. Despite some disappointment with discounts, he highlights phones which still offer excellent value in their respective price segments. He points out that he himself plans to buy two phones from this sale to personally test and share camera samples, clarifying which models to avoid for camera-centric buyers.
Budget Segment: ₹15,000 to ₹20,000
- Oppo K13 (₹16,000 after discounts)
- Snapdragon 64 processor.
- AMOLED display with a high refresh rate.
- 7000 mAh battery.
- 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage.
- 50 MP rear camera that performs adequately in good lighting, but overall a basic experience with occasional UI lag.
- Suitable for everyday use with some adjustment for minor performance hiccups.
- Realme P3 Ultra (₹20,500 during sale)
- 120 Hz OLED display.
- Dimensity 8350 processor (found in phones priced over ₹25,000 normally).
- 6000 mAh battery.
- Decent haptics and a 50 MP primary sensor.
- Slight compromise on camera quality but excellent for value and performance, suitable for light gaming and general usage.
- Nothing Phone 3A (₹23,500 approx.)
- Snapdragon 7S Gen3 processor delivering smooth day-to-day performance without lag.
- Better software experience compared to Realme models.
- Cameras include a 50 MP primary and telephoto lens with improved portrait and subject separation.
- Better low-light camera results than Realme P3 Ultra.
- Recommended for those prioritizing camera performance and usability.
Mid-Range Segment: ₹25,000 to ₹35,000
- Realme GT6 (₹28,000)
- OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1 Hz to 120 Hz, offering smooth visual experience and good color calibration.
- Snapdragon 8S Gen3 chipset providing strong performance in apps and gaming.
- 5500 mAh battery, delivering decent battery life.
- Glass back for premium feel; Android 15 ready.
- Some concerns about future updates (Android 16 support).
- Recommended for balanced users who want good visuals, gaming, and daily use performance.
- Moto H60 Pro (₹28,000 approx.)
- Dimensity 8350 processor for reliable performance.
- Stock Android user interface that many prefer for clean experience.
- Telephoto lens included.
- Recommendation based on preference for UI and smoothness rather than extreme specs.
- OnePlus Note 5 & iQOO Neo 10
- OnePlus Note 5 recommended for better software experience.
- iQOO Neo 10 offers better and more consistent FPS in gaming and superior camera performance.
- iQOO Neo 10 256 GB 8 GB RAM variant priced around ₹32,000 in the sale.
- These phones are recommended for gaming enthusiasts with either software preference (OnePlus) or more gaming power (iQOO Neo 10).
Upper Mid-Range Segment: ₹35,000 to ₹45,000
- Moto H50 Ultra (₹45,000 approx.)
- Snapdragon 8S J3 processor.
- 1/1.3 inch large primary sensor 50 MP for excellent low-light photos with less noise.
- 64 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and optical image stabilization (OIS) – feature lacking in some competitors.
- 50 MP ultra-wide lens.
- 50 MP front camera with autofocus, key for detailed selfies and video recordings.
- Better all-around camera experience balanced with good performance.
- Battery capacity slightly small at 4500 mAh.
- Recommended over Samsung S24 FE for those prioritizing camera and overall performance.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (₹35,000 approx. for base variant)
- Telephoto lens included.
- Good software and UI for Samsung users.
- Slightly less compelling compared to Moto H50 Ultra in terms of camera hardware and performance.
- Offers strong brand recognition and UI stability.
Upper Segment: ₹43,000 to ₹75,000
- Google Pixel 9A (₹43,000 approx. on EMI with discounts)
- Known for excellent image processing with natural colors and dynamic range.
- No telephoto lens.
- Network-related minor issues due to slightly outdated modem.
- Recommended for users who desire natural photos with high dynamic range rather than telephoto zoom capabilities.
- Google Pixel 9 (₹58,000 approx. after discounts)
- Latest modem for better 5G connectivity.
- Premium build: metal frame with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back.
- Compact 6.3-inch display.
- Best suited for those valuing the software experience, camera quality, and compact design.
- No telephoto lens.
- Recommended especially for users who want exceptional software and camera experience.
- OnePlus 13R
- Telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom but no OIS, leading to blurry low-light portraits.
- Cameras average; not recommended if camera is a priority.
- Software and camera experience are roughly equal to the OnePlus Note 5, but priced higher.
- Save money by opting for the Note 5 instead if camera and value matter more.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Ultimate performance and top-tier camera setups.
- Price around ₹75,000 after discounts.
- Recommended primarily for existing Samsung users who prefer the One UI ecosystem.
General Advice and Sale Recommendation
- Kunal Kapoor reveals his disappointment with discount depth but still finds value in specific models.
- He personally plans to purchase two phones during the sale—both partly to test camera performance and provide genuine recommendations.
- Advises viewers to wait for the Big Billion Days sale for potentially better discounts on some phones not deeply discounted here.
- Urges users to consider personal preferences such as software experience, camera quality, gaming performance, and price before deciding.
- Strong emphasis on real-world camera performance, especially for phones priced around ₹30,000 to ₹60,000.
- Advises iPhone buyers to wait for upcoming price drops instead of buying during the current sale.
- Encourages viewers to subscribe and stay tuned for upcoming detailed camera comparison videos.
Technical Highlights Summary
- Phones with Snapdragon 8S J3 and Dimensity 8350 processors stand out in mid and upper mid-range segments for gaming and smooth experience.
- AMOLED and OLED displays with high refresh rates (up to 120 Hz) are standard even in budget to mid-range models now.
- Camera innovations like telephoto lenses with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) are becoming a differentiator in upper mid-range models.
- Large sensor size (1/1.3 inch) in Moto H50 Ultra supports superior low-light photography.
- Software experience varies across brands with stock Android (Motorola) preferred by many, while Realme and others offer different skins.
- Battery capacity ranges from 4500 mAh to 7000 mAh across the spectrum, with trade-offs between camera, performance, and battery.