[Skorp_Knight]

Hello everyone, I'm a college student and looking forward to buy a new 5G phone around Diwali. I'm currently using a Redmi 10 Power (4G) for a few months over an year and am looking for a replacement because I need a 5G phone as the institute LAN is very inconsistent for quite some time now. Budget is 15000-20000, preferably closer to the former number.

My preferred options for phones in this price range:

1) Samsung M35 : 16500



2) Nothing CMF phone 1 : 16500



3) Iqoo Z9S : 20000



Oh, before we factor in the price difference, Iqoo will have both charger and back cover in box. Both of the others I will have to spend extra for at least a back cover and tamper glass initially. Plus I will most likely buy a back panel for Nothing phone so that's 850 extra. Now, for my needs:

* 5G
* Fresh Software experience (bored of the MIUI and all chinese UIs feel similar to me)
* Good enough performance as I play games occasionally
* Reliable phone
* Good camera
* Good battery life
* Good design (dislike large camera designs

Samsung positives:
* Good performance
* Best after sales
* Best camera
* Simplest, classiest design
* Stereo speakers
* Best battery
* Samsung's One UI is touted as the best android experience, seems most feature rich
* Updates till Android 18

Samsung negatives:
* Lack of in-display fingerprint
* Bezels are on the larger side
* Concerns around processor as many people point out Exynos as not good over long term, weakest of the three here.

CMF positives:
* Easily the coolest software design in this comparison
* Sick animations, especially the in-display fingerprint one is beautiful
* Looks good on the outside, may not need a back cover
* Good battery
* Good performance
* Decent camera
* Seems fairly reliable based on internet reviews
* Might be a cool conversation starter

CMF negatives:
* Find the rotary knob at the back tacky
* NO stereo speakers
* After sales service is unknown
* Camera weakest in this comparo

Iqoo positives:
* Best feature list easily, curved display, stereo speakers, in display fingerprint sensor
* In box charger and back cover
* Good after sales
* Best display, curved plus least bezels
* Best performance
* Good battery
* Good camera, second only to Samsung

Iqoo negatives:
* Least appealing back design to me
* Most familiar software experience
* Curved display might be tough to maintain, tamper glasses are expensive
* Still the most expensive on this list

So what sounds like the best deal? Honestly, I feel like swaying between Samsung and CMF on alternate days. Iqoo might be the most sensible option but it's also the least exciting one to me. I kinda prefer to buy the phone offline (direct in hand experience) for which also Iqoo might be the only available option, and probably Samsung too. The only missing grace then is the software experience won't feel much new, and it's significantly more expensive upfront. What other good options are there? Would Samsung and CMF prove to be reliable enough over the long term?

[Fuldagap]

Hands down Moto G85.

https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_g85-13144.php

Moto G85 Flipkart

Hassle free ownership. Fantastic performance. Extremely light weight, relative to your other options. Proven track record. Cleanest android experience.

[Skorp_Knight]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

Hands down Moto G85.

Hassle free ownership. Fantastic performance. Extremely light weight, relative to your other options. Proven track record. Cleanest android experience.

I did consider the phone and liked it for everything but the reviews stated that the processor is weak for the price and the phone doesn't stream the best quality. Might be a fomo thing, is it still a solid option?

[yedukrishnan199]

Considering a budget of Rs.20,000, the iQOO Z9s 5G is a solid all-rounder for the price, it gets an IP64 rating for water and dust resistance, offers 44W charging with the charger in the box, is lighter at just 180g, provides better performance as compared to the Exynos 1380 and is a solid device overall, however, the CMF Phone 1 is a unique phone with a standout design with a great display, battery life, chipset and camera for the price, however, it doesn't have a charger in the box, offers just IP52 ingress protection, doesn't have stereo speakers, NFC or OIS on its main camera either. If you can live with these then the CMF is a good choice, else the iQOO would be my preferred choice among the two, as regards the M35, it has a lot going for it, including the 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates, which keeps your phone relevant with the latest software for 4 years at least (as compared to 2 years on the other two), a 6000 mah battery with excellent battery life, good cameras, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on display and a vapour cooling chamber, however, it charges the slower than the other two, doesn't offer a charger in the box and the SOC on it is a slight downgrade as compared to the others.

So long story short, if you want the most from your 20k, get the Z9s 5G and you won't be disappointed, if you want the best support, and battery life and don't mind the slower charging and weaker processor, get the M35, else if you want something unique, that is value for money at the same time but don't mind the lack of stereo speakers or OIS on the camera, the CMF Phone 1 would be a good choice.

I didn't recommend the Moto G85 as its processor is sub-par compared to your options.

Another Value for money phone, I would recommend at this price point is the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo, priced at Rs.16,998 for the 8gb/128gb variant and you get the Realme N1 Buds free along with it too, here's a quick rundown of why you should or shouldn't consider it:
https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/reason...arzo-70-turbo/

[dragonfire]

The spec sheet of the iQOO got me all excited, and then I saw the curved screen.

What is wrong with these people?

A decade ago, Samsung started this experiment - which was one of the worst experiments it every conducted. Started with the Galaxy Note Edge with that massive curve at one edge. Eventually they realized their folly and made te curve smaller and smaller with every iteration finally ditching it.

But here are some manufacturers trying to experiment what Samsung experimented a decade ago. Samsung is a company that throws stuff at the wall and sees what sticks. And everybody learns from Samsung's mistakes. Not in this case it seems.

BTW, from the list, I'd pick the CMF Phone.

[Mukunthan91]

My pick would be Samsung M35. The UI is clean and software updates for 4 years and security updates for 5 years is a big plus.

[Gautham_v6]

I would advise against going with M35 and CMF phone 1.

M35, because battery degrades faster in 2-3 years when used between medium and high.

CMF phone 1, due to the reliability of Nothing OS ( should at least need 4 to 5 years before maturing properly) plus questionable after sales support.

Maybe I would suggest to look for Iqoo if you are inclined to it, else go for something like One-plus Nord CE4 lite 5g or any Realme Narzo phone.

Also G85 and Moto Edge 50 Fusion can be considered if your usage is medium, even if it has a weaker processor the software experience and the generous RAM option (12/256) especially with G85 should suffice your daily usage. I have used my mother's G85 for last 2 months and so far it has been really good.

[RunSam]

You could add the Poco X6 to your list. Seems like it's on 30% discount, and the spec sheet looks quite decent for the price

[iamtheguy]

Would go for samsung M35 any day, I have seen/used exynos processor for prolonger durations. For casual moderate (barring heavy gaming) m35 should serve the purpose if you are planning to hold it for longer run including service availability.

[Renaissance Man]

Why not Moto Edge 50 Fusion. If you wait till the Diwali sale you can easily get it under 20K and it also has 68 watt charger and will have a much better software experience compared to iQOO.

https://www.flipkart.com/motorola-ed...m44a2f982e2d64

[Oxy]

There is a cheaper IQOO phone called the Z9X. Go with the 8GB RAM variant of that one.

You won't get an amoled display but that is not necessarily a negative because it saves you from the green line issue. Also, it comes with a flat screen, really high capacity battery and a good processor for the price. And it's just under 15k as well.

[myavu]

Bought M35 for my colleague last week. Got it for 13999 with SBI CC. Fantastic phone. Highly recommended.

Excellent offers are still available.

[Skorp_Knight]

Originally Posted by Mukunthan91

My pick would be Samsung M35. The UI is clean and software updates for 4 years and security updates for 5 years is a big plus.

Originally Posted by iamtheguy

Would go for samsung M35 any day, I have seen/used exynos processor for prolonger durations. For casual moderate (barring heavy gaming) m35 should serve the purpose if you are planning to hold it for longer run including service availability.

It seemed like a no-brainer to me too but I've seen seeing way too many people recommending against Exynos phones and even any samsung phones outside of their S series. Now I'm concerned if the phone would start lagging or behaving abnormally after some time as I'll be keeping my phone for 2-3 years.

Originally Posted by Gautham_v6

I would advise against going with M35 and CMF phone 1.

Maybe I would suggest to lool for Iqoo if ypu are inclined to it, else go for something lile Oneplus Nord CE4 lite 5g or any Realme Narzo phone.

Originally Posted by RunSam

You could add the Poco X6 to your list. Seems like it's on 30% discount, and the spec sheet looks quite decent for the price

The reason I'm not considering Oppo, Xiaomi and their sub brands is that my current device is Redmi 10 power, and family members have Realme and Oppo devices, and their UIs look quite similar to me in appearance. It's sort of a hygiene factor in a way that I'm looking for some freshness in my new device.

Originally Posted by Renaissance Man

Why not Moto Edge 50 Fusion.

The current prices exceeded my budget significantly, hence, but it will definitely be a high priority contender if the price drops.

[fordday]

OnePlus Nord
CE 3 lite @ 16k
CE4 lite @ 20k

Absolutely trouble free, good camera and all other things. I am happy using CE 3 from last 1.5 years.

[sagaranjos]

Go for something with a Snapdragon in it!