Pathik Shah

Of all the awesome Android phones available worldwide, there are only a select few which you can find in India. In this post, I will tell you about the best Android phone you can find in India – both in the budget category and in the high end segment.

EDIT:

For Rs. 15000, the best Android phone is the Samsung Galaxy Ace

For Rs. 20000, the best Android phone is the Samsung Galaxy S LCD

Best Budget (Cheapest) Android Phone – LG Optimus One – Rs 13500

The LG Optimus One P500 is easily the best budget Android phone available in India. It offers the best hardware in its price range – 600 MHz processor, 419 MB RAM, 3.2 inch touchscreen display and a 3.15 MP camera.

It runs the latest version of the Android OS – Android 2.2 Froyo, when all the other budget phones run Android 2.1. It is available for just Rs. 13500.

LG Optimus One P500 Specifications

Display: 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen, 320 x 480 pixels
OS: Android 2.2 Froyo
Processor: 600 MHz
RAM: 419 MB
Memory: 170 MB internal, 32 GB microSD support
Camera: 3.15 MP camera, autofocus
Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
GPS: GPS with A-GPS
Battery: Li-ion battery, 1500 mAh
Price: Rs.12499

Buy LG Optimus One P500 from Flipkart

Edit: If you can spend Rs 15000, go for the Samsung Galaxy Ace. It has just released and is much better than the LG Optimus One

Best Android Phone in India – Samsung Galaxy S – Rs 27000

The Samsung Galaxy S is undoubtedly the most popular Android phone ever. It has had record sales, and offers almost everything you would need in a smartphone.

It runs Android 2.2 Froyo with the TouchWiz 3.0 UI. It comes with a 1 GHz Cortex A8 processor and 512 MB RAM. It has 16 GB internal storage and comes with a 4 inch SuperAMOLED capacitive touchscreen display. It also has a 5 MP camera which can record 720p video. It is the best Android smartphone in India.

Samsung Galaxy S I9000 Specifications

Display: 4.0 inch SuperAMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 480 x 800 pixels
OS: Android 2.2 Froyo with TouchWiz 3.0 UI, Swype
Processor: 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8
RAM: 512 MB
Memory: 16 GB internal, 32 GB microSD support
Camera: 5 MP camera, autofocus, 720p video
Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, 3G HSDPA,
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
GPS: GPS with A-GPS
Battery: Li-ion battery, 1500 mAh
Price: Rs. 27999

Buy Samsung Galaxy S I9000 from Flipkart

Paypal will stop withdrawals by electronic fund transfer to India from July 29, 2010. It seems that the electronic fund transfer is working at least for now. Though the charge for withdrawal via check is only $5, it takes around 10 days to be delivered whereas the electronic transfer took only 3-4 days. I’m not sure if the check withdrawal method will also be stopped soon too “in accordance with regulatory instructions”. I would advise all Indians to withdraw their Paypal cash soon, preferably today while the electronic fund transfer option is still working.

Note: Some good news though, Paypal will refund the $5 check withdrawal charge for Indian withdrawals until further notice.

Here’s the official email:

Dear Pathik Shah,

In accordance with regulatory instructions, we would like to notify you about a change in our withdrawal functionality in India starting on August 1, 2010. At present you can request for either an electronic or cheque withdrawal of funds from your PayPal account if you are an India user.

From July 29, 2010 onwards, you will only be able to request for a cheque withdrawal of funds from your PayPal account.

While we are working hard to restore the electronic withdrawal service, in the meantime, we are bringing this matter to your attention so that you can plan your future withdrawal activities accordingly.
To request for a cheque withdrawal:
Log into your PayPal account, click on 'Withdraw'.
Click on the 'Request a cheque from PayPal' link.
Enter the withdrawal amount and select your mailing address, then click 'Continue'.
Click 'Submit' to confirm your request.

In order to help you with this change and until further notice, we will refund the $5 USD cheque withdrawal fee to you for cheque withdrawals made on July 29, 2010 onwards.

For any questions, please log into your PayPal account and click 'Contact Us' at the bottom of the page.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused from this change in our withdrawal functionality. We will provide ongoing updates to you here. We thank you for your attention and patience as we work tirelessly to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.

Thank you,

The PayPal Asia Team

Samsung is launching the new Android powered Samsung Galaxy S and the Bada OS powered Samsung Wave in India, today at the Samsung Mumbai Blogger Meet.

Samsung Galaxy S I9000

The Samsung Galaxy S is one of the best Android smartphones. Considering that the Motorola Droid X and the HTC Evo 4G are eons away from being launched in India, the Galaxy S will be the best Android device option for Indian users.

The Galaxy S has everything you would want in a smartphone: Android 2.1 with TouchWiz 3.0 and Swype (will soon be upgraded to Android 2.2), a gorgeous 4 inch SuperAMOLED display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, 1 GHz ARM Cortex processor, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB internal memory with upto 32 GB microSD support, a 5 MP camera with autofocus which can record 720p video at 30 FPS, 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, a GPS transceiver with A-GPS and much more.

This will probably be my next phone (if I don’t get floored by the Samsung Wave).

The Samsung Galaxy S will be priced at around INR 31000.

Samsung Wave S8500

The Samsung Wave is the first smartphone powered by Samsung’s new Bada OS.

It is an excellent phone with superb hardware specs. It has a 3.3 inch SuperAMOLED capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. It is powered by the new Samsung Bada OS with the TouchWiz 3.0 UI. It has a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 512 MB RAM, 1.5 GB internal memory (partitioned) and supports upto 32 GB microSD cards. It is a multimedia powerhouse with a 5 MP camera with autofocus and LED flash which can record 720p video at 30 FPS and has features like face, smile, blink detection and touch focus. It also has the usual connectivity options: 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and GPS.

It can play DivX, XviD and MKV files right out of the box and comes with DNSe which results in excellent audio quality.

The Samsung Wave is expected to be priced around INR 19000.

Bada OS is still in a nascent stage and it couldn’t have had a better launch vehicle than the Samsung Wave.

The Bada Application Store is supposed to have around 100 free applications at launch. As it grows popular, more and more developers will flock to it resulting in more, better applications being available. Check out http://www.bada.com/badadevices for more details on Bada OS and their developer tools.
Samsung also has a Bada OS Developer Challenge going on with a total prize money of 2.7 million dollars.

How to get the IEC Importer Exporter Code for Paypal in India

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Update – 02/03/2010

We don’t need a IEC code for Paypal bank withdrawals. What we need is a Purpose Code. You can find more details on the Paypal Blog. Most of us should have to use the codes – P0801, P0802, P0803 or P0805, P0806.

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This guide will show you How to apply for the IEC Export Code for enabling local bank withdrawals via Paypal to India.

Local Bank withdrawals in India by Paypal should start by March 3, 2010. You will need to enter the IEC / Importer Exporter Code / Export Code when withdrawing money to your local Indian Bank account.

What is the IEC?

IEC is the Importer Exporter code which is granted by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), to any bonafide person or company for carrying out import / export. Here is a Sample IEC.

The IEC forms the primary document for recognition by Government of India as an Exporter / Importer. On the basis of IEC, companies can obtain various benefits on their exports/imports from DGFT, Customs, Export Promotion Council etc.

Why do you need the IEC?

If you are a  Paypal user and need to withdraw money from your Paypal account to your local Bank account, you will need the IEC according to a recent RBI directive.

How to apply for the IEC “Import Export Code”?

You can apply for the IEC at the Zonal Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) office.

The application form can be downloaded here – IEC Application Form

Just fill the IEC application form (Parts A,B,D in case of a new IEC) and submit it along with the application fees – Rs. 250 DD.

If you are an individual, you can apply for the IEC as a Services Provider Proprietorship Firm.

Both savings and current accounts are accepted. You do not need a current account.

Documents Needed:

1. Covering letter
The cover letter should be on the letterhead of your firm.

2. Completed Application Form
Complete sections A,B,D of the IEC form

3. Bank Certificate
The bank certificate has to be obtained from the bank which manages your savings/current account. The format of the bank certificate is in the IEC form.

4. PAN Card – 2 copies

5. 2 passport photos

6. Self Addressed Envelope

Useful Links:

DGFT Website

DGFT FAQs

Import Export Code FAQ

IEC Application Form

Update 27/02/2010:

Paypal resumes Local Bank Withdrawals to India

Paypal has been working on the issue with RBI and will resume bank withdrawals in India by March 3rd.

Details – Resuming local bank withdrawals to India

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Paypal had officially stopped personal payments to Indian accounts and cash withdrawals to Indian bank accounts 3-4 weeks back because of some issues regarding remittances to India. They are still work on the issue with the RBI regulators; but the issue is yet to be resolved.

Here are some details on the Paypal India situation –

Personal Payments and local bank transfers in India

Update on PayPal situation in India

The alternative to withdraw money from your Paypal account to your bank account in India was to use Xoom.

Starting today, even Xoom has stopped accepting Paypal as a funding source in Indian transactions.

Details on that -

Xoom – Paypal Funded Transactions to India Blocked

How to withdraw money via Paypal to your Indian Bank Account?

The only way to withdraw money from Paypal now is to request a check. The fee is $5.00 and it takes about 5-7 working days.