Five smartphones for the fashionista

Here are our five picks for a cellular device that makes a statement, on a budget

A smartphone is now a necessity, everyone has one. Apart from being just a phone, it doubles as your work desk on days when you’re on the move and is also a full-blown professional camera when one is needed. What else is a phone important for? Making a fashion statement, that’s what. Today we curate a list of five devices that look as good as they function and can be found on the cheap:

 

 

Galaxy A5

PHOTO: Samsung

Released in December 2014, the A5 is the perfect mix of sharp edges in a curved design. The phone itself has a 5 inch display, is upgradable to Android 7.0, has a quad core 1.2 GHz processor, up to 64GB of storage space that is expandable with upto 2gb of Ram. The Galaxy A5  boasts a primary 13MP camera and a secondary 5MP camera and has a 2300 mAh battery to boot. What makes it a style icon is the fact that it has a regal yet traditional Samsung design, that comes in 6 different colours and because the device itself is over two years old, it can be found at a reasonable price, making for a convenient style statement.

One plus x

PHOTO: OnePlus

The redeeming factor of this device is the fact that it has a glass body that makes it stand out compared to its predecessors and successors. Oneplus excels in making powerful devices to compete with the industry front-runners; however, the Oneplus X was made as a budget device that prioritizes style ahead of over-the-top features. Coming with a 5 inch display and amazing screen resolution, this device has built in android 5.0, upgradable to 6.0, a quad-core 2.3 GHz processor, 16GB of storage space that is expandable up to 256GB. It also comes with 3GB of Ram, 13MP primary camera and an 8MP secondary camera while employing the use of a 2525 mAh battery to power the device. Having been released in late 2015, not only does this device look good, it can also be found at a reasonable price.

Mi Redmi 4x

PHOTO: Xiaomi

Xiaomi took a leaf out of the books of the biggest players in the smartphone industry when designing this device. The full metal body gives it a premium feel that most flagship devices tend to boast, along with elegantly placed features, such as the finger print detector and camera. The phone itself is new and was released just last month, it has a 5 inch display, dual SIM capabilities, an octa-core 1.4 GHz processor, up to 64GB of space and 4GB of RAM. The camera on this device is 13MP strong, along with the secondary camera coming in at 5MP. The 4x comes with a strong 4100 mAh battery and can be bought in black and gold.

Sony Xperia XA

PHOTO: Sony

A traditional Xperia design melded with bold new elements, this device looks just like an Xperia should look like, while also looking completely different from what we’ve come to expect from an Xperia. Easy to grip and even easier on the eye, this device comes in four different colours and is impeccable to look at. It comes with a 5 inch display, is upgradable to the latest android software, is powered by an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor with expandable storage up to 256 Gb and 2 GB RAM.  The primary camera on the Xperia XA is 13MP strong, while the secondary camera comes in at 8MP. The battery is 2300 mAh strong and with fast charging capabilities, this phone is a stand-out.

OPPO F3 Black

PHOTO: OPPO

The one phone on this list that was made as a fashion statement, the F3 in black is a marvel to behold. The device maintains its premium touch and feel while also serving as a self-proclaimed ‘selfie expert’. The OPPO F3 black hosts dual 16MP front facing cameras, a wide-angle one for group selfies and another one for normal selfies, while also having a 13MP primary camera. To add to the classy camera capabilities, this device also comes with Beautify 2.0 and Bokeh effect features, to further perfect taken pictures. Having been released just last month, this variant comes with a 5.5 inch display, built-in android 6.0, has dual SIM capabilities, an octa-core 1.5 GHz processor, up to 64Gb of in built storage space and 4GB RAM. The F3 also boasts a 3200 mAh battery that has fast-charge capabilities. Apart from the fact that this phone is an absolute peach to look at, it is also one of the best devices in its price range, in the market right now.