While the smartphone market across other categories has tough competition,  the entry-level segment in 2024 is less crowded than in previous years. That is not to say brands haven’t launched phones in this range, but not all of them are a great bargain for their prices.

Fortunately, we’ve been able to put together a list of the best entry-level smartphones that we believe are worth your money. Keep in mind that the entry-level segment focuses on the essentials, so you won’t find premium features here. 

However, one thing we made sure of while creating this list is that every phone supports 5G. While leading software support or top-tier cameras may not be a priority in this segment, securing a 5G handset is essential in 2024, regardless of the price.

Let’s get started.

Tecno Pop 9 5G

Tecno may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of smartphones, but its Pop 9 5G brings a lot to the table, especially for its price.

The Tecno Pop 9 5G is surprisingly sleek with its 165 x 77 x 8 mm frame and a weight of 189g. While its build is nothing fancy – a glass front and plastic back – it is a unique-looking phone for the segment. It has a squircle camera island and the sensors are aligned vertically with an LED flashlight to their right. Tecno even ships two skins in the box if you wish to customize the design.

It’s also IP54 dust and splash-resistant, which is a nice bonus for a budget phone. The 6.6-inch IPS LCD display features a 120Hz refresh rate but has an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels (~267 ppi). It’s not the sharpest display in this list, but it should be good enough for everyday use like social media and videos.

It is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) which is one of the best smartphone chips in its segment. Accompanying this is 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage).

The phone is fueled by a 5000mAh battery that supports 18W wired charging. The camera setup includes a 48MP rear camera with dual-LED flash and an 8MP selfie camera that also comes with dual-LED flash for better low-light selfies. Video recording tops out at 1080p@30fps.

Poco C75 5G

Poco C75 is the company’s most recent offering for the global market. The phone is a bit hefty at 204g weight and is a bit on the large side, with a 6.88-inch display (720 x 1640 resolution). But that extra real estate can be a plus if you watch a lot of videos. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of brightness.

This phone is powered by the Mediatek Helio G81 Ultra (12nm), paired with 6GB or 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The latter can be expanded up to a terabyte via a microSD card.

It has a 5160mAh battery that should easily last a full day. The cell gets its juice back from 18W wired charging and surprisingly, for the price, the Poco C75 even has PD charging support. It has a 50MP main camera and a 13MP selfie camera.

Honor Play 9T

Honor’s Play 9T brings some premium touches to the budget space, making it a compelling option for those who prioritize battery life and design.

At 197g, the Play 9T feels robust, and its IP64 water and dust resistance adds an extra layer of reassurance. The 6.77-inch TFT LCD display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and decent colors, though its 720 x 1610 resolution isn’t the sharpest in the category. 

The phone runs on the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset (4nm), which is a step above many of its competitors in efficiency. The memory option includes 8GB or 12GB RAM and up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. 

This phone truly shines with its massive 6000mAh battery. It’ll easily last two days for average users, and the 35W wired charging is faster than most phones in this price range. 

Its dual-rear camera system includes a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth lens. On the front, there’s a basic 5MP selfie camera.

Motorola Moto G35 5G

Motorola’s budget offerings have long been about balance, and the Moto G35 5G is no different. It’s practical, reliable, and doesn’t try to do too much.

At 188g, the G35 is lighter than most competitors. It features Gorilla Glass 3 on the front for added durability and comes with a water-repellent design. The phone is slim at 7.8mm, making it comfortable to hold. 

The 6.72-inch IPS LCD display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution, which is a clear step up from the competition in terms of sharpness (~392 ppi density). It also supports HDR10 and can hit 1000 nits peak brightness.

Powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset (6nm), the G35 handles day-to-day tasks smoothly. You get up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, plus a dedicated microSD slot for expandable storage. 

The 5000mAh battery is reliable and should last a full day of moderate use. Charging is capped at 18W. The dual-camera setup includes a 50MP main lens and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. A 16MP camera sits on the front for selfies with video recording support of up to 4K@30fps.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the most balanced option, the Motorola Moto G35 5G could be the best bet with its sharper display, decent cameras, and solid build quality. For battery lovers, the Honor Play 9T has a massive 6000mAh cell and faster charging support. 

The Poco C75 5G also offers excellent value for budget users, while the Tecno Pop 9 5G keeps things basic but functional for first-time smartphone buyers.

No matter which you choose, all of these phones deliver the essentials without skimping too hard.

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The post The Best Entry-level Smartphones of 2024 appeared first on Gizmochina.

In 2024, owning a smartphone is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Even better, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a quality mobile experience. The entry-level phone market is booming, offering impressive features and performance at incredibly affordable prices. After careful consideration and thorough testing, we’re excited to announce the Tecno Pop 9 5G as the best entry-level phone of 2024.

While the Infinix Hot 50 5G, Redmi A4 5G, and Tecno Pop 4G all offer compelling features for budget-conscious consumers, the Tecno Pop 9 5G stands out with its impressive combination of 5G connectivity, long-lasting battery life, and capable performance, all at an incredibly competitive price point of Rs 9,499.

Why the Tecno Pop 9 5G Takes the Lead

• Future-Proof Connectivity: The Tecno Pop 9 5G is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones on the market, offering access to blazing-fast download speeds and low latency for a smoother online experience. This future-proofs your investment and ensures you can enjoy the benefits of 5G as it becomes more widespread.
• All-Day Power: With its large battery capacity, the Tecno Pop 9 5G easily lasts a full day of moderate use. You can browse the web, watch videos, and stay connected without worrying about running out of juice.
• Smooth Performance: Powered by a capable processor and ample RAM, the Tecno Pop 9 5G delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. Whether you’re browsing social media, chatting with friends, or playing casual games, the phone handles it all with ease.
• Impressive Display: The Tecno Pop 9 5G features a large, vibrant display that’s perfect for enjoying multimedia content. The screen offers good color accuracy and decent brightness, making it enjoyable to watch videos and browse photos.
• Value Champion: The Tecno Pop 9 5G offers exceptional value for money, packing in impressive features and performance at an incredibly affordable price.

Preview	Product
	TECNO POP 9 (Glittery White, 3GB+64GB) |India’s 1st Mediatek G50 | IP54 Rated | IR Remote | Dual…	Check Price on Amazon

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Runner-Ups: Budget-Friendly Contenders

The competition in the entry-level segment is fierce, and these runner-up phones each offer unique strengths:

• Infinix Hot 50 5G (Rs 9,999): This phone boasts a powerful processor, making it a great choice for mobile gaming on a budget. It also features a large display and a long-lasting battery, ensuring an immersive and uninterrupted entertainment experience. The Infinix Hot 50 5G also includes a capable camera system for capturing memorable moments.

• Redmi A4 5G (Rs 8,499): Known for its reliable performance and clean software experience, the Redmi A4 5G is a solid choice for those seeking a no-frills smartphone. It offers a decent display, a capable Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset, and a long-lasting battery, all at an attractive price point. Xiaomi’s HyperOS offers a user-friendly interface with helpful features.

• Tecno Pop 4G (Rs 6,699): For those who prioritize affordability above all else, the Tecno Pop 4G is an excellent option. It delivers a respectable performance for basic tasks, features a decent camera for capturing everyday moments, and offers a long-lasting battery to keep you connected throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

The Tecno Pop 9 5G emerges as the best entry-level phone of 2024, striking the perfect balance between price, performance, and features. Its 5G connectivity, long-lasting battery, and smooth performance make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers. While the runner-up devices offer their unique strengths, the Tecno Pop 9 5G stands out as the overall value champion.

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The post The Best Entry-Level Phones of 2024 in India appeared first on Gizmochina.

It has been 2 years since the rollout of 5G in India. But there are still no entry-level smartphones supporting the tech.

Thankfully, that’s about to change in the coming quarters. The first step is to bring down the price below ₹10,000, which has already happened about two months back.

For the uninitiated, we are talking about Tecno Pop 9 5G. This ₹9,499 smartphone has laid the foundation for affordable 5G handsets in India.

However, it will soon be overshadowed by the upcoming Redmi A4 5G, which might even cost less. Because Xiaomi is a larger company with more reach than Tecno.

But we cannot deny several unique factors of Tecno Pop 9 5G as an affordable 5G smartphone. Let’s discuss them in this article.

One of the best chips in its segment

The Tecno Pop 9 5G comes powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC. This chipset is usually found inside sub ₹15,000 smartphones.

The Pop 9 is currently the only handset to house this silicon in its segment. The chips found in other similarly priced phones are mostly limited to 4G and less powerful.

Dimensity 6300 is good enough for years to come for a budget 5G smartphone. It has an octa-core CPU comprising 2 x ARM Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and 4 x ARM Cortex-A55 cores at 2GHz. While the graphics are handled by ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.

The storage is ample at 128GB on the higher variant of the phone, which costs just ₹500 more than the base 64GB variant.

The only phone in its segment to feature NFC

The Tecno Pop 9 5G has one feature that no other smartphone in its price segment offers. The feature in question is NFC.

Thanks to this wireless tech, users can make contactless payments through apps like GPay. It can be also used for transit cards in supported cities.

NFC is mostly limited to flagships and select mid-rangers in India. So this is a welcome change, and hopefully, more OEMs include it in their newer models with rising credit card adoption in the country.

Unique-looking phone in its segment

Most smartphones on the market now look the same. They have a circular camera module and a flat frame.

The Tecno Pop 9 5G is different in this regard, and therefore, it stands out. It has a squircle camera island and the sensors are aligned vertically with an LED flashlight to their right.

This camera deco is nearly identical to the one found on the Xiaomi Mi 11 series. Hence, the design is not new but it is smart of Tecno to use an older one to differentiate from others.

Additionally, the product ships with two skins to customize if needed. This is something you don’t get with any phone in any price category, at least from known brands.

A good package

Even without including the previously discussed factors, the Tecno Pop 9 5G is a good deal for under ₹10,000. But those features make it more appealing.

Talking about other stuff, it sports a 6.6-inch centered puch-hole HD+ 120Hz display (LCD). The screen is complemented by Dolby Atmos-supported dual stereo speakers.

There’s a 48MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing shooter. The handset comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security and it is IP54-rated for splash resistance.

Finally, it houses a 5,000mAh battery and supports 18W charging.

The post Here’s why Tecno Pop 9 5G is a unique budget smartphone appeared first on Gizmochina.

Tecno has launched a budget smartphone in India. The Tecno POP 9 5G arrives as the successor to the last year’s POP 8. It packs significant upgrades over its predecessor. The key USP of the device is high-refresh rate display and 5G connectivity at an affordable price tag. Read on to learn what the smartphone offers out of the box. 

Tecno POP 9 5G specifications

The Tecno POP 9 5G features a 6.6-inch display with a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout. It bears an HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth viewing experience. Design-wise, the device has a squarish shaped camera island on the back panel and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. It is also IP54-rated dust and water-resistant. 

The Tecno POP 9 5G has a 48MP Sony IMX582 main sensor and a secondary AI lens. There is an 8MP front-facing selfie snapper. 

Internally, the Tecno POP 9 5G is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. It packs 4GB RAM along with virtual memory and up to 128GB storage option. The smartphone draws its power from a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 18W fast charging. Software-wise, the device runs on HiOS 14-based Android 14. 

Connectivity options on the Tecno POP 9 5G include 5G, dual 4G VoLTE, WiFi, USB-C port, and NFC. 

The Tecno POP 9 5G comes in Midnight Shadow, Azure Sky, and Aurora Cloud colors. It costs Rs 9,499 and Rs 9,999 for the 4GB + 64GB and 4GB + 128GB variants respectively. The brand is also bundling two additional back panel skins. The smartphone will be available for purchase Amazon from October 7 with Rs 1,000 bank offer.

Preview	Product
	TECNO POP 9 5G (Midnight Shadow, 4GB+64GB) | Segment’s 1st 48MP Sony AI Camera | Segment’s 1st 5G…	Check Price on Amazon

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Tecno started work on the new affordable Tecno POP 9 series. Gizmochina has spotted the new smartphones in the IMEI database. The company aims to gain a position in the affordable phone market with the POP 9 series.

Tecno POP 9 series

Tecno wants to increase competition in the smartphone market. The company will soon launch the affordable Tecno POP 9 series. Gizmochina has spotted 2 new smartphone models of the POP 9 series. The Tecno POP 9 series consists of two models: POP 9 4G and POP 9 5G. Tecno’s POP 9 4G smartphone will likely have similar specifications to the previous POP 8. The POP 8 was powered by a Unisoc T606 processor. The POP 9 4G may have similar specifications.

Coming to the Tecno POP 9 5G, this should be quite different from the 4G versions. The POP 9 5G has a 5G SOC, as the name suggests. But we don’t know which processor it has. We only have the model number of the devices.

The Tecno POP 9 4G comes with model number KL4. The POP 9 5G has the model number KL8. The Tecno POP 8 was announced in October 2023. We expect the new POP 9 series to be unveiled in October 2024. But we don’t have an official launch schedule. Therefore, we can’t say anything for sure.

There is currently no detailed information about the technical specifications of these smartphones. However, the devices may offer some innovations compared to their predecessor, the Tecno POP 8. So let’s take a look at the Tecno POP 8 specifications to get an idea about this new smartphone.

This smartphone is powered by the Unisoc T606 processor. At the same time, the device has up to 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. The smartphone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery and runs on Android 13 (Go Edition). For those who don’t know; “Go Edition” means a simplified version. Users will be able to use the next-generation features of Android 13 on this operating system, while memory consumption will be quite low.

The post Exclusive: Tecno POP 9 series leaked appeared first on Gizmochina.