5 COOL PHONES THAT DON’T COST your pocket
Sony Xperia T3 
Cost: Rs 25,999
We've been impressed with Sony’s 2014 flagship – the Xperia Z2. The T3 brings the same cool design DNA in a slimmer avatar (just 7 mm thick) and the 5.3 inch touch screen also sports Sony’s ‘Triluminos’ display. 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard memory might be underwhelming but the energetic 2500 mAh battery and the 8MP shooter make amends. The device currently comes bundled with Sony’s SWR10 smartband in the box just in case you want to experiment with a fitness tracker.
Cost: Rs 25,999
We've been impressed with Sony’s 2014 flagship – the Xperia Z2. The T3 brings the same cool design DNA in a slimmer avatar (just 7 mm thick) and the 5.3 inch touch screen also sports Sony’s ‘Triluminos’ display. 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard memory might be underwhelming but the energetic 2500 mAh battery and the 8MP shooter make amends. The device currently comes bundled with Sony’s SWR10 smartband in the box just in case you want to experiment with a fitness tracker.
Asus Zenfone 6 
Cost: Rs 16,999
The 6-inch screen is just what you need to catch a movie on the go – at 245 pixels per inch, the screen resolution won't blow your mind but the large screen real estate helps. Powered by an Intel Processor (dual core, 2GHz) and with an Energizer bunny-like battery (33000 mAh), the device also looks premium with its matte back finish.
Cost: Rs 16,999
The 6-inch screen is just what you need to catch a movie on the go – at 245 pixels per inch, the screen resolution won't blow your mind but the large screen real estate helps. Powered by an Intel Processor (dual core, 2GHz) and with an Energizer bunny-like battery (33000 mAh), the device also looks premium with its matte back finish.
Apple iPhone 5c
Cost: Rs 30,000
If you're a faithful Android user looking for a brief flirtation, take a bite of the ‘Apple’ with the iPhone 5C. You might be able to snag the 8GB variant at half the price (a touch under Rs 30,000 online) of the pricier 5S versions. It won't carry a lifetime of images and music but with Apple’s iOS 7 and amazing 8MP shooter, it's good enough to check out if the grass is really greener on the other side.
HTC’s One M8 might be winning all the design accolades but the Desire 816 could well be the brand's dark horse this season. Aside from the iPhone 5C, this is one of the sexiest all-plastic devices (it also comes in a vibrant palette of colours) with an elegant form factor. The ‘Boomsound’ speakers are perfect for an impromptu house party while the 2600 mAh battery has enough juice for your average day at work.
We still can’t figure out why Panasonic refuses to unleash its top-of-the-line smartphones in the Indian market. The Eluga U feels really good in your hand despite its not-so-premium price tag – it sports a 5-inch touch screen but weighs just 115 gms. The all-glass textured back is a welcome relief from all the plastic that usually dominates this segment. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon (1.2 GHz, Quad core processor) coupled with 2GB of RAM and features a 13MP shooter that is par for the course.
