5 best mid-range smartphones for March 2014

New Delhi: If you have made up your mind that it is time to upgrade from your entry-level smartphone to a mid-range smartphone then there are plenty to chose from in this category. However, when buying a device with mid-range specifications don't think that you are losing big for not going for a high-end smartphone. Here in this list we are offering some of the best picks that offer a solid blend of hardware, software and usability; something that the iPhone has been doing for years but few Androids have been able to accomplish.HTC One MiniThe HTC One Mini is a clear proof that mid-range smartphones don't embarrass. HTC One is a good attempt to shrink a flagship down into a smaller (and cheaper) package. It's a bit more compact than its bigger brother standing at 4.3-iches and doesn't come with too much of a compromise. However, there are a few hardware drawbacks compared to the original, with the IR blaster, optical image stabilization on the camera and NFC being stripped out. The HTC One mini sports a 4.3-inch S-LCD3 display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels and pixel density of 341ppi. It is powered by a 1.4GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and has 1GB of RAM. It has 16GB of inbuilt storage but doesn't feature any external expansion options.The smartphone runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with HTC's Sense 5 UI layer on top, and includes HTC's BlinkFeed UI. The HTC One mini also has the same 4 UltraPixel camera. Battery life on the HTC range has always been something of an issue, and the mini version comes with a battery size to 1800mAh, which is a far cry from the 2300mAh option lobbed into the HTC One. In terms of connectivity, GPS is paired with GLONASS (the Russian system), and the Wi-Fi is all the way up to 802.11n, with dual channel bonding on offer too. It doesn't have the new 802.11ac connection that the One does.Samsung Galaxy S4 MiniSamsung Galaxy S4 Mini is more or less a scaled-down version of its flagship smartphone, the S4. The device has a smaller screen offering a 4.3-inch qHD (540x960 pixels) Super AMOLED display, with a pixel density of 256ppi. It offers 8GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 64GB via a microSD card.The device is powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core processor along with 1.5GB RAM. It offers 8GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 64GB via a microSD card. It runs the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with the company's TouchWiz skin on top. The smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.9-megapixel HD front facing camera. The device also supports dual SIM (GSM+GSM). The Galaxy S4 mini is backed by a 1,900mAh battery and is available in two colour options - White Frost and Black Mist.Sony Xperia Z1 CompactNearly everything about Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the same as its large-screened brother, the Xperia Z1. The device sports a 4.3-inch Triluminos HD (720x1280) display with X-Reality for Mobiles. It is powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974) processor along with 2GB of RAM, much like the Z1. It runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box and is manufactured by a single aluminium frame with tempered glass on the back and front panels.The device offers 16GB of inbuilt storage which is further expandable up to 64GB with the help of microSD card.The smartphone comes with a 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS sensor alongside BIONZ image processor engine and pulsed LED flash, as seen in Xperia Z1. It also includes a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Connectivity options on the device include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS/ GLONASS and NFC. The phone is packed with a 2300mAh battery with STAMINA mode and is waterproof and dust-proof smartphone, like other high-end Xperia smartphones.The Z1 Compact has no real competition from other Android handsets, so if you don't want a big 5in screen phone but you want a top-end spec then this is a great buy.Samsung Galaxy Grand 2Probably one of the best mid-range phablet from Samsung, the Galaxy Grand 2, is available at Rs. 22,999, at the company's online store. The device features a 5.2-inch HD TFT display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. It is a dual-SIM device with support for GSM+GSM.The Galaxy Grand 2 is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor alongside 1.5GB of RAM. It runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box. It comes with 8GB inbuilt storage, which is further expandable up to 64GB via microSD card.It sports an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera accompanied by an LED flash. It also houses a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, Micro-USB and 3G (HSPA+). The device gets its juice from a 2600mAh battery that can deliver up to 17 hours of talktime, although no standby time detailed. The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 will be available in Black, Pink and White colour variants in select regions.Moto XMoto X is now officially available in India starting Rs. 23,999. As per the listings on Flipkart, only the Moto X variants in white and black colours are available for purchase at present. The other versions can only be pre-ordered at present and will be delivered to buyers in the second week of April. The Moto X, a customisable Android smartphone was launched in August 2013 and was initially available in US only. The smartphone natively ran Android 4.2 Jelly Bean; however Motorola rolled out the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update in November last year.What's impressive about Moto X are its advanced voice controls, compact and comfortable design, quick-launch camera and highly customizable design. Despite not offering the top-of-the-line hardware, it is a worthy Android contender than its turbo-changed competitors.The Moto X comes with a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. It is powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960Pro Snapdragon processor along with 2GB of RAM. It has 16GB of inbuilt storage, which is non-expandable. It also has a 10-megapixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The highlights of the Moto X are its software features like Active Display, Touchless Control, Quick Capture Camera, and more.Unlike the mini versions of other leading phones which cut both corners and size, the device offers an outstanding overall experience while not being a huge handset. So if you are not looking for latest hardware, perhaps the Moto X isn't for you. The device is for those who care more about the experience.

5 best mid-range smartphones for March 2014

New Delhi: If you have made up your mind that it is time to upgrade from your entry-level smartphone to a mid-range smartphone then there are plenty to chose from in this category. However, when

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