RAG Demo

Tag: Lightweight

  • Poco F5

    Poco's F-series has always been about flagship-class speed at a lower price, and the Poco F5 continued that tradition when it launched in India in May 2023. It was the first phone with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, a chip derived from the 8+ Gen 1 flagship, and it started at Rs 29,999 for 8 GB and 256 GB.

    In everyday use and gaming the 7+ Gen 2 performs close to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, with good efficiency and thermals. The 6.67-inch flat AMOLED runs at 120 Hz with 12-bit colour and Dolby Vision. Weighing about 181 g, it is unusually light for a 5,000 mAh phone, and it keeps the headphone jack and IR blaster. The 64 MP main camera has OIS and produces decent photos, but camera quality is clearly secondary to speed.

    At launch it went up against the OnePlus Nord 3, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro, the Realme GT Neo 3 and the Samsung Galaxy A54. The Nord 3 had a better main camera and the Galaxy A54 longer updates, but the F5 delivered more performance per rupee than any of them.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 29,999 (base variant)
    India launchMay 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorSnapdragon 7+ Gen 2
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras64 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, MIUI 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP53
    Headphone jackYes
    Weight181 g
    ColoursCarbon Black, Snowstorm White, Electric Blue

    What we like

    • Near-flagship Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 performance
    • Light 181 g design
    • Headphone jack and IR blaster
    • Good 120 Hz AMOLED

    What could be better

    • Average camera system
    • Plastic frame feels less premium
    • Only IP53

    Who should buy it

    Performance-focused buyers who want flagship-class gaming speed for around Rs 30,000.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (May 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Poco X5 Pro

    Poco launched the X5 Pro in India in February 2023 as a performance-focused mid-ranger at Rs 22,999. It is closely related to the Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed edition sold in China, and its biggest selling point was the Snapdragon 778G, a proven chip that was faster than the Dimensity 1080 in the pricier Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

    The 6.67-inch flat AMOLED display runs at 120 Hz, with good brightness and Dolby Vision support. At 181 g and under 8 mm thick, the phone is notably light. The 778G handles gaming well, sustaining stable frame rates in popular titles. The 108 MP main camera takes sharp daylight shots but lacks OIS, so low-light results suffer. A 5,000 mAh battery with 67 W charging delivers solid endurance and quick top-ups.

    Rivals included the iQOO Z7, the Realme 10 Pro+, the Samsung Galaxy M54 and the Redmi Note 12 Pro. The iQOO Z7 offered OIS for less, while the Poco X5 Pro won on performance and display. It remains a strong value pick for gamers on a budget. Buyers who care more about photos than games should look elsewhere.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 22,999 (base variant)
    India launchFebruary 2023
    SegmentMid-range
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorSnapdragon 778G
    RAM6 GB / 8 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras108 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 12, MIUI 14 for Poco
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP53
    Headphone jackYes
    Weight181 g
    ColoursAstral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow

    What we like

    • Snapdragon 778G is strong for gaming
    • Slim and light at 181 g
    • 120 Hz AMOLED with Dolby Vision
    • 67 W charging

    What could be better

    • No OIS on the main camera
    • Shipped with Android 12
    • Bloatware in MIUI

    Who should buy it

    Budget-conscious gamers who want a light phone with a proven Snapdragon chip and a good screen.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (February 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G

    Xiaomi positioned the Note 13 5G as the stylish entry model of its 2024 Note range, starting at Rs 16,999. The design is the main upgrade over the Note 12 5G: slimmer at under 8 mm, lighter at about 174 g, with thinner bezels around the 6.67-inch AMOLED panel. It keeps a headphone jack and IR blaster and adds IP54 dust and splash resistance.

    The Dimensity 6080 is a small step up from the outgoing Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, fine for social media, streaming and light games. The screen is the highlight, bright and smooth at 120 Hz. A 108 MP main camera takes sharp daylight photos, but low-light results are soft and the 8 MP ultrawide is average. The 5,000 mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, recharged at 33 W.

    In early 2024 it competed with the Samsung Galaxy M34, Realme 12 5G, Lava's Agni 2 and Motorola's G54. The Moto G54 offered cleaner software and the Galaxy M34 a bigger battery, while the Note 13 5G wins on display quality and design. Gamers would be better served by the Poco X6 Neo or iQOO Z-series.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 16,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2024
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 6080
    RAM6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Rear cameras108 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging33W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, MIUI 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP54
    Headphone jackYes
    Weight174.5 g
    ColoursArctic White, Prism Gold, Stealth Black

    What we like

    • Slim, light design with thin bezels
    • Bright 120 Hz AMOLED display
    • Headphone jack and IR blaster retained
    • IP54 protection

    What could be better

    • Average chip for gaming
    • 33 W charging only
    • Low-light photos are soft

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a light, good-looking budget phone with a quality screen for streaming and everyday apps.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge in India in May 2025 at Rs 1,09,999 for 12 GB/256 GB. It is a design-first phone: a titanium frame just 5.8 mm thick and a weight of 163 g, despite carrying a 6.7-inch QHD+ display. It sits between the S25+ and S25 Ultra in price, which made its value case harder than its looks.

    Picking it up is the selling point. It feels lighter than the smaller S25 in some hands and slips into pockets that the Ultra strains. The screen is a sharp 1440 x 3120 panel with a 120Hz adaptive rate, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy delivers the same speed as the other S25 models, although sustained gaming makes the thin body warm.

    To get so slim Samsung cut the telephoto, leaving a 200 MP main and 12 MP ultrawide. The 200 MP sensor's crop handles 2x well, but it cannot match the zoom of the cheaper S25. The 3900 mAh battery and 25W charging are the clear compromises, and heavy users will need a top-up by evening. Its closest rival in concept was the later iPhone Air, not the regular flagships.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 109,999 (base variant)
    India launchMay 2025
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.7-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO, 120Hz, 1440 x 3120
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras200 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera12 MP
    Battery3900 mAh
    Charging25W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 15, One UI 7
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight163 g
    ColoursTitanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Icyblue

    What we like

    • Remarkably thin and light
    • Large sharp QHD+ display
    • Flagship performance
    • IP68 despite the slim build

    What could be better

    • No telephoto camera
    • Small battery for a 6.7-inch phone
    • Priced above the S25+
    • Gets warm under sustained load

    Who should buy it

    Style-conscious buyers who value a light, slim phone over battery life and zoom.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (May 2025). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.