Best Android phones to buy in India (updated:October 2011)

AppTuners — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:43:47 +0000

We see a lot of Android phones coming out. We also get asked a lot, by our friends and family, for phone and tablet recommendations. These are the best Android phones that you can buy in India. We will update this post frequently.

Developer phones are easy to root, and in general make life for developers, like us, easier. They might not be at the cutting edge, hardware wise, but they usually get the latest software from Google and from ROM developers.

If you plan on becoming an Android developer, we highly recommend that you get the developer oriented phones, that we list below.

We use a Nexus One ourselves

Click on the images for high quality pics. Courtesy GSMArena.com

Under 10K INR / $200 USD

for Developers

The LG Optimus One P500. Ask for it be name. Stress the P500 part.

Costs: about 10,000 INR

Available at: Letsbuy.com, Flipkart.com, infibeam.com

Why: easily rooted, lots of developer support & custom roms (link)

Alternatives: None

Not to be confused with: LG Optimus Me

for non-Developers aka everyone

The Samsung Galaxy Fit

Costs: about 10,000 INR

Available at: Letsbuy.com, Flipkart.com, infibeam.com

Why: great phone for the price, good support network

Alternatives:
Samsung Galaxy Pop (8,500 INR, #1, #2, #3),
Micromax A70 (7,500 INR, #1, #2, #3)

Under 15K INR / $300 USD

for Developers

The Samsung Galaxy Ace

Costs: about 14,000 INR

Available at: Letsbuy.com, Flipkart.com, infibeam.com

Why: easily rooted, lots of developer support & custom roms (link)

Alternatives: None

for non-Developers aka everyone

The HTC Salsa

Costs: about 15,000 INR

Available at: Letsbuy.com, Flipkart.com, infibeam.com

Why: HTC’s unibody aluminum finish, Sense UI, front facing camera (VGA)

Alternatives: HTC Wildfire S (13,500 INR, #1, #2, #3)

Under 20K INR / $400 USD

for Developers

The Samsung Google Nexus S i9023

Costs: about 20,000 INR

Available at: Letsbuy.com, Flipkart.com, infibeam.com (No stock). Try eBay or local stores.

Why: Google device, easily rooted, lots of developer support & custom roms (link). Keep in mind that the original Google Nexus S is actually i9020 with Super AMOLED display and NFC chip, while the one sold in India is i9023 with SLCD display and no NFC. While flashing ROMs of i9020 on the Indian i9023 is generally safe, flashing radios separately can brick your phone.

Alternatives: None