Tag: Online exclusive

  • Samsung Galaxy F15 5G

    Samsung launched the Galaxy F15 5G in India in March 2024 at Rs 15,999 for 4 GB/128 GB, sold through Flipkart. It is essentially a Galaxy A15 5G with a bigger 6000 mAh battery, following the pattern of Samsung's online-only M and F series, and it carried over the A15's promise of four Android upgrades.

    Its 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel at 90Hz gives deep blacks and punchy colours, a clear advantage over LCD phones like the Poco M6 Pro in the same bracket. The MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chip is efficient and handles social media, video streaming and casual games, but it is not built for heavy gaming sessions.

    The rear cameras are a 50 MP main, 5 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro, with a 13 MP selfie camera in a waterdrop notch. Daylight photos are decent, low light is average. The 6000 mAh battery easily lasts two days for many users, and 25W charging support is included, although the charger is sold separately. It is a sensible choice for long-term budget use.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 15,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2024
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.5-inch, Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1080 x 2340
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 6100+
    RAM4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB
    Storage128 GB
    Expandable storageYes
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 5 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera13 MP
    Battery6000 mAh
    Charging25W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, One UI 6
    5GYes
    ColoursGroovy Violet, Jazzy Green, Ash Black

    What we like

    • Super AMOLED at a low price
    • Two-day battery life
    • Four OS upgrades
    • Includes ultrawide camera

    What could be better

    • Modest processor
    • Only 90Hz
    • No charger in the box

    Who should buy it

    Budget buyers who want an AMOLED screen and very long battery life with years of updates.

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

  • Samsung Galaxy M14 5G

    Samsung launched the Galaxy M14 5G in India in April 2023 at Rs 13,490 for 4 GB/128 GB, sold primarily through Amazon and Samsung's own store. It shared much of its hardware with the Galaxy A14 5G but swapped the battery for a larger 6000 mAh cell, a classic M-series move aimed at online buyers who prioritise endurance.

    The 6.6-inch PLS LCD has a 90Hz refresh rate and full HD+ resolution. It is fine indoors but less vibrant than the AMOLED screens found in the Redmi Note 12 at slightly higher prices. The Exynos 1330 chip, built on a 5 nm process, gives smooth basic performance and excellent efficiency, though it is not meant for demanding games.

    On the back is a 50 MP main camera with 2 MP depth and 2 MP macro sensors, and a 13 MP selfie camera on the front. Battery life routinely extends to two days of light use, and 25W charging support helps, though the charger was not included in the box. A headphone jack and microSD slot add practical value for the target audience.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 13,490 (base variant)
    India launchApril 2023
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.6-inch, PLS LCD, 90Hz, 1080 x 2408
    ProcessorExynos 1330
    RAM4 GB / 6 GB
    Storage128 GB
    Expandable storageYes
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 2 MP depth + 2 MP macro
    Front camera13 MP
    Battery6000 mAh
    Charging25W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, One UI 5
    5GYes
    Headphone jackYes
    ColoursBerry Blue, Icy Silver, Smoky Teal

    What we like

    • Massive 6000 mAh battery
    • Efficient 5 nm chip
    • 128 GB base storage
    • Headphone jack and microSD

    What could be better

    • LCD screen
    • No charger in the box
    • Weak secondary cameras

    Who should buy it

    Budget buyers who want a 5G Samsung that comfortably lasts two days on a charge.

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

  • Samsung Galaxy M34 5G

    The Galaxy M34 5G launched in India in July 2023 at Rs 18,999 for 6 GB/128 GB, sold online. It offered features that the pricier Galaxy A series charged more for, including a 120Hz Super AMOLED display and optical image stabilisation, with Samsung's typical M-series 6000 mAh battery. It was briefly one of Samsung's best-selling online models.

    The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen with a waterdrop notch is bright and smooth, with Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The plastic body feels sturdy if plain. The Exynos 1280 chip handles everyday multitasking well and runs popular games at medium settings, though rivals like the iQOO Z7 and Redmi Note 12 Pro offered stronger chips at the same price.

    The 50 MP main camera with OIS is the highlight, delivering steadier video and better night shots than most phones in its segment, backed by an 8 MP ultrawide and a 2 MP macro. Samsung's Monster Shot feature captures multiple images and videos at once. Battery life is excellent, comfortably two days for moderate users, and 25W charging is supported with a charger sold separately.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 18,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.5-inch, Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2340
    ProcessorExynos 1280
    RAM6 GB / 8 GB
    Storage128 GB
    Expandable storageYes
    Rear cameras50 MP main (OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera13 MP
    Battery6000 mAh
    Charging25W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, One UI 5.1
    5GYes
    ColoursMidnight Blue, Prism Silver, Waterfall Blue

    What we like

    • 120Hz Super AMOLED
    • OIS main camera
    • Excellent two-day battery
    • Samsung update support

    What could be better

    • Exynos 1280 trails rivals
    • No charger in the box
    • Waterdrop notch

    Who should buy it

    Online shoppers who want a Samsung with a great screen and battery under Rs 20,000.

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

  • Samsung Galaxy M35 5G

    Samsung launched the Galaxy M35 5G in India in July 2024 at Rs 19,999 for 6 GB/128 GB, through Amazon and Samsung's store. It borrowed the Exynos 1380 from the Galaxy A35 and A54, which meant a clear performance step over the M34, along with a vapour chamber for better heat management during games.

    The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel has a punch-hole cutout and a 120Hz refresh rate, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. The plastic build is functional and the phone is on the heavier side, partly due to the large battery. Exynos 1380 runs daily tasks smoothly, but the Redmi Note 13 Pro and CMF Phone 1 offered strong alternatives for less money.

    Its camera system includes a 50 MP main sensor, 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro, plus a 13 MP selfie camera; photos are dependable in daylight. The 6000 mAh battery lasts a very long time, and 25W charging remains slow for a cell this large. Samsung Wallet with tap-to-pay support and four years of OS upgrades added appeal for long-term users.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 19,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2024
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.6-inch, Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2340
    ProcessorExynos 1380
    RAM6 GB / 8 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera13 MP
    Battery6000 mAh
    Charging25W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, One UI 6.1
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMoonlight Blue, Daybreak Blue, Thunder Grey

    What we like

    • Exynos 1380 with vapour chamber
    • Huge 6000 mAh battery
    • Punch-hole 120Hz AMOLED
    • Long update promise

    What could be better

    • Slow charging for the battery size
    • Heavy plastic build
    • Macro camera adds little

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want long battery life and a smooth AMOLED in a Samsung under Rs 20,000.

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

  • Realme Narzo 60 Pro

    Realme launched the Narzo 60 Pro in India in mid-2023 as the most premium phone the online-first Narzo line had carried so far. The pitch was looks first: a curved AMOLED display, a vegan leather back on some colours and a large circular camera island that borrowed heavily from the number-series design language. It went up against the Redmi Note 12 Pro, the iQOO Z7 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy M-series in a very crowded bracket.

    The 6.7-inch curved panel refreshes at 120Hz and is the highlight of daily use, with deep blacks and comfortable brightness indoors. Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 is a modest 6nm chip that handles social apps, streaming and casual games without fuss, though demanding titles need lower settings. Realme UI 4.0 on Android 13 felt clean for the price, but early units shipped with a fair number of preinstalled apps that buyers had to clear out.

    The 100 MP main sensor produces detailed daylight shots, while the 2 MP depth unit adds little and there is no ultrawide, which rivals such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro offered. Battery life from the 5,000 mAh cell is a solid full day, and 67W charging refills it quickly. Buyers who wanted a curved, premium-looking phone without paying Nothing or OnePlus prices found it appealing; spec-sheet hunters looked elsewhere.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 23,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentMid-range
    Display6.7-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2412
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 7050
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 1 TB
    Rear cameras100 MP main + 2 MP depth
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Realme UI 4.0
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo

    What we like

    • Curved 120Hz AMOLED display looks premium
    • 100 MP main camera is sharp in good light
    • Fast 67W charging
    • Vegan leather finish stands out

    What could be better

    • No ultrawide camera
    • Dimensity 7050 is ordinary for gaming
    • Preinstalled apps out of the box

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a curved-screen phone with a premium look on a mid-range budget.

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