With the growing demand for budget smartphones, manufacturers are launching new devices that give a wide range of options for consumers looking for a new device at an affordable cost. Companies like Lenovo, Coolpad, Xiaomi and Motorola have set new benchmarks in the budget smartphone category, but the competition continues to grow as rivals such as Intex and Swipe keep challenging the strong players.
Intex launched its latest budget smartphone, Aqua Ring, in India on Friday, which offers quite a set of appealing features at an attractive price of Rs. 4,999. The device has a camera ring just like the one found on Asus' flagship Zenfone Zoom model, which gives it a premium look despite its ultra-low cost. Here's a comparison of the Rs. 4,999-worth Aqua Ring versus one of the best-selling, Lenovo Vibe K5, which is priced at Rs. 6,999.
The difference between the two devices is a major one for budget shoppers and this comparison will help them decide which smartphone to buy based on the specifications.
Display
Lenovo Vibe K5 sports a compact 5-inch display with 1280x720 pixel resolution, encased within a metal frame body for added protection and a premium feel. Intex Aqua Ring also has a 5-inch HD display with Asahi Dragontrail Glass protection and pixel density of 294ppi. The resemblance between the two devices is uncanny.
Camera
Clearly the extra amount that buyers will pay for the Lenovo Vibe K5 will be worth it for camera lovers as the device sports a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front snapper. At Rs. 2,000 cheaper, the Aqua Ring comes with 5MP front and rear camera sensors, but only the primary camera has an LED flash. Intex has added a beauty mode with beauty filters and smile detection to make the photography experience better.
Processor, RAM and storage
Lenovo Vibe K5 is powered by an octa-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 415 chipset paired with 2GB RAM and offers 16GB onboard storage with microSD card support. As for the Intex Aqua Ring, there is a 1.3GHz MediaTek quad-core CPU with 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable storage.
Battery
Lenovo Vibe K5 sports a 2,750mAh battery, which is likely to run till the end of the day. Intex Aqua Ring has a tad smaller 2,450mAh removable battery, which according to the company can last up to 20 hours on standby.
Software and add-ons
Both phones run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box and feature dual SIM card slots. The Vibe K5 supports 4G LTE and has Dolby Atmos integrated twin speakers and TheaterMax support. Intex Aqua Ring does not support 4G LTE.
Conclusion
There may be a difference of Rs. 2,000 between the two smartphones, but the Vibe K5 seems like a sound investment as compared to the Aqua Ring. But if buyers are on a budget leash, then the Aqua Ring is also quite a deal for under Rs. 5,000.
