
India is poised to see an influx of affordable 5G smartphones with prices expected to drop below Rs 10,000, potentially as low as Rs 8,000. This development follows Qualcomm’s introduction of the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset, designed to make 5G accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
Key Features to Expect:
- Display: Buyers can anticipate 90Hz refresh rate screens with Full HD+ resolution, a significant upgrade from the current HD resolution and 60Hz refresh rates typically found in this price range.
- Performance: The new chipset supports up to 8GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, enhancing multitasking and app performance compared to the 4GB or 6GB RAM available in existing budget phones.
- Camera: Qualcomm hints at the possibility of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in budget phones, a feature traditionally reserved for high-end devices.
- Charging: Fast charging capabilities are expected, with potential speeds up to 40W, though even 30W would be a welcome improvement for budget users.
Market Impact:
Xiaomi is set to be one of the first to launch a 5G phone with this chipset in India by the end of the year. Other brands like Infinix, Realme, and Vivo are also expected to enter the budget 5G market.
This move is likely to accelerate the shift from 2G and 4G networks to 5G in India, providing more users with access to faster internet speeds and improved phone performance at an affordable price point.