Top 5 Online deals on Android smartphones this week

While new phones are expected to launch this month, prices of existing devices continue to dip.

With so many new Android smartphones hitting the market, prices of many existing devices are sliding. Most mid-range smartphones are now available for significantly less than their market price. On top of that new online retailers are giving special deals on these relatively older smartphones.

Here is a list of top five deals that you should check it out before they expire.

LG Optimus L7 (Rs 14,710)

Launch Price: Rs 19,900

Deal Price: Rs 14,710 (Coupon: MOBDEALS)

LG introduced Optimus L7 about six months ago and it has a 4.3-inch display supporting WVGA(480x800) pixel resolution. The Optimus L7 has a unique L-Style design styling and features comes 5-megapixel camera with LED flash at the back which is capable of shooting 720p HD videos. It has a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera too for video chats.

The Optimus L7 is also the first device to feature LG's Optimus 3.0 user interface and also the QuickMemo note taking feature. In its 8.7 mm slim body, the Optimus L7 packs a single-core 1 GHzQualcomm Snapdragon S1 mobile processor with 1 GB RAM and 4 GB onboard storage. However, there is a micro SD card slot to expand the storage space.

This smartphone also features WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS sensors. The LG Optimus L7 also features built-in LG Mobile TV- application where users can view 50+ live TV channels, online widget support, on demand service and free TV viewing for two months from the date of activation. LG offers Optimus L7 with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the company is yet to announce whether it will get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

Indiatimes Shopping is offering good discount on the Optimus L7 and you can purchase it for as low as Rs 14,710 after applying the coupon code.

Lava XOLO X900 16GB (Rs. 25, 499)

Launch Price: Rs. 21,900

Deal Price: Rs. 13,990 (Coupon for pre-paid: XOLO900500)

The Lava Xolo X900 features a nice 4-inch touchscreen display and houses 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor with 400 MHz graphics card. Back in April, the Xolo X900 was launched in India with Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and after that Intel has also released the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for this smartphone.

Weighing about 124 grams, the Xolo X900 supports 3G Network, WiFi, Bluetooth and also offers micro HDMI port for connecting the device to an HD display. The Xolo X900 comes with 16 GB internal storage out of which some is reserved for the system and there is a micro SD card slot to add more storage. The smartphone also features Near Field Communication chip.

Besides packing dual speakers and dual mics, the phone has an 8 megapixel camera at the back with LED Flash. This camera is capable of recording 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second. Lava has added 1460 mAh battery which is quite low for an Android smartphone provided the heavy usage and system requirements.

ManiacStore is selling the Xolo X900 for Rs 13,990 if you are ready to pay in advance and not cash on delivery.

Sony Xperia miro (Rs 11.699)

Launch Price: Rs 15,249

Deal Price: Rs 11,699 (Coupon: MIRO252)

Sony Mobile had introduced the Xperia Miro with bunch of other Xperia devices. This mid-range Xperia smartphone features a modest 3.5-inch touchscreen display that offers 320x480 pixel resolution. Bearing a slim candy bar form factor, the Xperia Miro runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich but it would not be getting the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

It comes with a single-core 800 MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processor and 512 MB RAM that ensures smoother ICS experience. Though it has only 4 GB on-board storage, one can always add a higher density micro SD card to add more. For entertainment, the Sony Xperia Miro comes with Stereo FM with RDS. It is also able to play 720p HD videos.

Its 5 megapixel camera at the back can click decent quality images and record VGA quality videos. There is a secondary camera in the front for video chat and portrait shots. The Xperia Miro features 1500 mAh battery to promise continuous talk time of 6 hours on 3G. Launched for little above Rs 15,000, the Xperia Micro can be purchased for as low as Rs 11,990 from Infibeam.

Sony Xperia Neo L (Rs. 11, 990)

Launch Price: Rs. 18,499

Deal Price: Rs. 11,990

Sony Xperia Neo L is the successor of the Xperia Neo and it features a nice 4-inch LED Reality display powered by Mobile Bravia Engine and offers 480x854 pixel resolution. It comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system but there is no update on whether the company will release the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the same. It comes with a single-core 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 mobile processor and 512 MB RAM but it has only 300 MB user space. There is a micro SD card slot in it though to increase the storage space.

The phone supports Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS. While the FM Radio is absent, this phone is ready for 3G networks and features a 5 megapixel camera with LED Flash. This camera is capable of recording 720p HD videos. Its front facing VGA camera enables video chat and portrait shots. Sony Mobile has packed a 1500 mAh battery and had launched this phone for 18,499 but now can be purchased for as low as Rs 11,990 from Tradus.

HTC Desire V (Rs 14,950)

Launch Price: Rs 21,999

Deal Price: Rs 14, 950

This dual SIM smartphone of HTC features a 4-inch touchscreen display. The Desire V supports 480x800 pixel resolution natively. HTC has packed a single core 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7227A mobile processor with 512 MB RAM and mere 4 GB on-board storage. Thankfully a memory card is bundled with this phone and one can add up to 32 GB micro SD card to it.

The HTC Desire V supports 3G network supporting SIM card in one slot and 2G network supporting SIM card in other one. It has a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash at the back that can record low quality videos but there is no front facing camera. This mobile phone offers 25 GB free Dropbox storage for two years and supports popular video formats. There is also Beats Audio enhancement for better sound output.

By default, the HTC Desire V runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It has Stereo FM Radio and is powered by 1650 mAh battery. You can now buy the Desire V in Stealth Back or Gradient Metal for Rs 14950 from Sulekha website.

Apple planning to make strangers an ATM machine

Apple is reportedly working on a new app that lets you borrow cash from strangers nearby.

Apple is reportedly working on a new app that lets you borrow cash from strangers nearby, making them a virtual ATM for you, who will be paid immediately through your iTunes account plus a fee.

Apple calls this an 'ad-hoc cash-dispensing network'. You just need to launch the app and tap in how much you need. The software uses your location details and broadcasts your request so that everyone else with the app in the vicinity is notified of your requirement.

If the other person accepts your request, the app will guide you to the person. After confirming receiving the money, the app transfers the same amount of cash along with a fee from your iTunes account to the creditor's account.

However the fee seems to be very high. According to the patent, which has been filed for this service, in case one gets 50 dollars transferred, Apple will take 5 dollars as a service fee, while the person who provided the cash gets 3 dollars.

The idea is a novel one, and can be implemented on other such networks as well. However such high charge will not make it really viable, at least if such a service where to be introduced in India, especially in small towns and not in cities.

However, it is an idea that can be implemented in India with certain tweaks and can serve financial inclusion very well. For example if such a thing is linked to no frills account, individuals in villages can act as ATM and can get a fee, as normally you don't have ATMs in villages and it costs money to travel to a city.

Reliance Communications Ties up with Lenovo to Bring Affordable CDMA/GSM Smartphones

it is now confirmed that Rcom is going to introduce CDMA smartphones from Lenovo to redefine CDMA device ecosystem in India.

Reliance will launch several Reliance-Lenovo cobranded smartphones and tablets, with latest Android OS and minimum dual core 1GHz processors to run all latest apps and strong battery life. These devices will support Reliance’s ‘dual core’ (CDMA and GSM) networks and will switch calls between two networks automatically based on signal strengths and quality of RF signals. Reliance will also launch ‘All Share‘ data plans – customers can pool their data into one account and use multiple devices across smart-phones and tablets.

Reliance aims to bring next wave of smartphones and tablets across the country, and for that wide distribution chain is to be made. These devices will be available across 2500 Reliance Stores and 1,000 Lenovo outlets.

Mr. Gurdeep Singh, President & CEO – Wireless Business, Reliance Communications Limited said, “We are happy to announce our partnership with Lenovo to offer the most innovative dual technology smart-phones in the country. In line with our endeavour to develop the CDMA device ecosystem, the co-branded smart-phones are set to offer a superlative customer experience in terms of device, speed and coverage on our high speed data network offering the widest footprint across the country. We are confident that the unmet demand of an innovative CDMA smart-phone with exciting features at an attractive price point bundled with our most innovative “All Share” plans will fulfil the demand of every customer on our superior network.”

Our take: Atleast 2-3 years back Rcom proposed such handsets with one SIM/RUIM card for GSM and CDMA, and it is coming now. Anyway better late than never. Rcom has wide CDMA coverage across the country and 3G/HSPA coverage in 13 circles. So with these dual network supported devices you can roam across the country. It’s not sure that are these dual SIM devices or single SIM devices and when they are coming to. Rcom just announced the deal with Lenovo, and it depends on how early Lenovo can deliver such devices.

A report by EconomicsTimes says Rcom is going to launch 4-5 smartphones with dual SIM capabilities, with price below Rs 8,000. I seriously doubt that these devices will not have latest Andorid Jelly Bean, rather to be loaded with a bit older Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and with 512 MB RAM – which means you may not get tempted if you are already using imported CDMA smartphones on Reliance’s network.

Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos now available in India for INR 21,500

Samsung’s Galaxy Grand Duos smartphone, which was set to go on sale in India starting the first week of February 2013, has become available right on time. Samsung India posted on its official Facebook page that it has started shipping Galaxy Grand from official e-store.

Similarly third party stores are now also shipping this mid-range phablet and we are getting reports about the brick & mortar store availability too.

Samsung Galaxy Grand is priced at INR 21,500 and is sold in Elegant White colour in the country. It packs a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 5-inch WVGA display, Android 4.1.2, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 8GB internal storage, dual-SIM connectivity, and 2100 mAh battery.

On the software side, the Korean manufacturer has included the customisations like Direct Call, Popup Play and multi-window on the smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Grand Offers:

Samsung India is offering a free flipcover, free movies and music from MyServices as well as 50GB of Dropbox cloud space with every purchase. Company has also tied up with Vodafone to five 2GB of of free data to Grand buyers for two months.