While you can get a decent phone for Rs. 10,000 or even less, we highly recommend that you opt for a device that runs on Android Nougat at least. The thing is, if your phone is running an older version of Android, then your data is more prone to a security breach. Moreover, the Android Nougat update also brings battery optimisations, a split-screen mode, has more informative toggles, file based encryptions, secure boot and features like data saver are built into the OS itself.
While there is no immediate need for panic for those with phones on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, we do recommended that you look for the latest Android version when buying your next Android smartphone. To help you make that decision, we have made a list of the top 6 phones you can buy today, that offer Android Nougat out-of-the-box or as an OTA update, along with reliable performance and 4GB of RAM.
Smartron srt.phone
Read the Smartron srt.phone Review
Specs:
Display: 5.5-inch, 1080p
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 652
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Rear camera: 13MP
Front camera: 5MP
Battery: 3000mAh
Honor 6X
Read the Honor 6X Review
Specs:
Display: 5.5-inch, 1080p
SoC: HiSilicon Kirin 655
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Rear camera: Dual 12MP
Front camera: 8MP
Battery: 3340mAh
Huawei Honor 8 Lite
Specs:
Display: 5.2-inch, 1080p
SoC: HiSilicon Kirin 655
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Rear camera: Dual 12MP
Front camera: 8MP
Battery: 3000mAh
Moto G5 Plus
Price: Rs. 16,999
Read the Moto G5 Plus Review
Specs:
Display: 5.2-inch, 1080p
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 32GB
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 5MP
Battery: 3000mAh
Gionee A1
Price: Rs. 16,350 (approx)
Read the Gionee A1 Review
Specs:
Display: 5.5-inch, 1080p
SoC: MediaTek Helio P10
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Rear camera: 13MP
Front camera: 16MP
Battery: 4010mAh
It's sad that OEMs are still selling smartphones with Marshmallow running on them, but it also speaks to the lack of consumer awareness. If users do start asking questions, companies will eventually be pushed to provide the latest software. Coincidentally, the new Nokia smartphones are about to make their way to the Indian market soon. Our first impressions of the devices haven't been particularly favourable, but if you do want to wait for them, they do have Android Nougat at least.