The Best-Paying Jobs You Can Do At Home

The trend of working from home has grown tremendously in the recent years. Long gone are the days when employment was thought of as a strict 9-5 day, travelling to the office in the morning and returning back home in the evening. With advanced technologies and changing trends in the economy, freelancing has become more common than ever before.
Don’t get home-based employment wrong as a mere part-time job that pays only in scanty sums. You can earn as much as you’d earn working at an office if you possess certain skills and capabilities.

Below, we have listed 10 of the best-paying jobs you can do at home. No more are jackpots and lotteries the only ways of getting rich sitting back at home, enjoying the comfort of the couch and closeness with your family.

comfort of the couch and closeness with your family.

1. Translator

Average Salary: $132,000
As a freelance translator, you translate texts from one language to another. It’s a perfect job for telecommuting. Translation is a pretty straightforward job and you can do it all by yourself at home.
You might need to revise your work at times but if you possess enough talent, you’ll be able to translate the words and also include the feel of the original work.
This job comes with its fair share of challenges. The work can seem quite monotonous at times, and time management is a skill you must have to succeed in this job.

2. Voice Actor

Average Salary: $75,000
All voice actors provide voiceovers, but the purposes for voice acting vary a lot. You can do freelance voice acting for audiobooks, animation works, games, websites, videos, and more.
Voice acting is fun work to do and pays plenty. However, you may need to condition and train your voice.
Voice acting is just like acting. You might have difficulty finding work as different businesses tend to search for a specific kind of voice only. And altering your voice is a pretty difficult thing to do.

3. Statistical Analyst

Average Salary: $69,000
As a statistical analyst, you have to interpret the quantitative data and also design statistical models for research problems. Maintaining databases and ensuring validity of data is also required in most of the cases.
Statistical analysis is a very broad field and you should work towards specializing in particular types of data. It will add great value if you specialize in marketing, health, economics, or engineering data.
This kind of work requires proper training, and in many cases, the employers require you to have formal college training as well. Certification of statistical training is asked for in almost all cases.

4. Infographic Designer

Average Salary: $76,000
Infographics are becoming more and more of a powerful tool to visualize detailed information. These days, no one really seems to have time to go through web articles thoroughly, scanning through each and every detail.
So as the demand for infographics is increasing, infographic designing has become a very rewarding vocation. However, you need to be good with data visualization tools and should be very careful to only use the correct data.
If you have a knack for designing visually appealing infographics, you can earn as much just sitting back at home as you’d earn if you worked at an office.

5. Software Engineer

Average Salary: $94,000
The demand for software engineers has been ever increasing. And freelance software engineering opportunities are aplenty in the market.
Virtually all businesses want to have a website and app of their own. Add to that the ever present demand for desktop applications, and the future of software engineers looks very bright.
If you have sufficient skills and experience under your belt, you do not even need to have a college degree to succeed in this field.

6. Travel Agent

Average Salary: $56,000
Working as a home-based travel agent can be very exciting. You don’t actually need to have traveled to lots of places if you want to succeed in this field. However, you do need to understand travel well.
The internet has brought lots of changes to the traditional travel agent business. Even the most complicated trips can be arranged successfully at the click of a button.
As a freelance travel agent, you are involved in things like providing information to prospective visitors, driving traffic to a client’s website, and making arrangements for visitors.

7. Financial Manager

Average Salary: $103,000
Financial management is a highly paying job that you can do from home. In this vocation, you are responsible for providing proper financial support to the clients, helping them to make suitable business choices.
Common clients are financial corporations, retailers, charities, universities, and general businesses. Freelance financial managers are preferred by many clients for whom it is not suitable to hire a financial manager on a permanent basis.
However, to land this job, it’s necessary for you to have formal training and college education to establish your credentials.

8. Writer

Average Salary: $52,000
There are plenty of freelance writing opportunities available out there. You can write both for printed as well as online publishing media. With the growth of internet, online writing opportunities have always been on the rise.
Writing opportunities spread over multiple disciplines, from health, education, and career counselling to sports, music, and politics. If you can write, you’ll always find something that interests you.
This job pays significantly and you don’t even need to have formal education and college training. If you can show your adroitness with sample works and draft a solid cover letter, you are likely to land the job.

9. Graphic Designer

Average Salary: $52,000
The demand for freelance graphic designers is also increasing day by day. It’s a perfect home-based job opportunity as you’d like to be on your own while doing something creative.
Graphic designers are constantly wanted by corporations, advertisement agencies, newspapers, retailers, and websites. You can soon turn one client into many.
This is also a great opportunity that doesn’t require official training. Your creations speak for themselves, and if your clients fancy your work, you’ll land the job. Pretty simple!

10. Animator

Average Salary: $69,000
Freelance animator is a quite pleasing job to have, at least for those who really dig animation and don’t see it as work.
You need expensive resources in animation software, as well as computer hardware to be able to create swift animation. However, once you start getting clients, your initial investments will make far greater returns.

Animation is a quite challenging job, and often you’ll be working with a team of fellow animators rather than alone. You may find teamwork challenging or rather uplifting.

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Best Calendar Apps For Android

The default calendar app that comes pre-installed on many android devices does not have the most exciting features and while it can perform most simple tasks, why limit yourself when there is a plethora of wonderful third-party calendar apps on the Google Play Store?

We have selected 10 of the best android calendar apps, all of which are available for free! Even if you don’t like any of them, you can always go with Google’s calendar app which features a much more beautiful design and offers more functionality than the stock android calendar app.

Choose the best Calendar App for your Android

1. Sunrise Calendar

Sunrise calendar has been my go-to calendar app for a while now because of it’s excellent features that I just can’t do without. First, it syncs just fine with Google Calendar and Google Tasks, but you can also connect your Exchange or iCloud account with the app. In addition, Sunrise integrates with several apps and productivity tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Wunderlist, Todoist, Trello, Evernote and more so you can see all your important upcoming events from one place. Creating new events are a breeze and it’s Meet keyboard also helps to speed up the process of scheduling meetings and such stuff. Sunrise is also available on iOS and as a Chrome app so you can access your calendar no matter the device you use.
Developer – Microsoft Corporation
Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and up
Availability – Sunrise Calendar (Free) – Google Play Store (Also available for iOS, Chrome, Apple Watch).

2. Google Calendar

Google’s own calendar app is a great example of how material design should be and will be a delight to use for people who synchronize with Google Calendar. There are as many as five different views to select from such as the regular Weekly, Monthly and Daily views but you also get a schedule view which simply removes the empty spaces in each day and allows you to focus on only scheduled events day by day. Creating new entries is as easy as it gets and you can send invites to people as well as add notes and attachments from Google Drive for each unique calendar entry.
Developer – Google
Compatibility – Varies with device
Availability – Google Calendar (Free) – Google Play Store

3. aCalendar

aCalendar is another terrific app you should try out especially if you like it fast and smooth. It’s install size is only 1.8 Mb which makes it the lightest calendar app on this list but that doesn’t mean it lacks quality features as you will see. It helps you organise your events by providing up to 48 different colours as well as flexible re-occurrences for your events. There is a fine selection of widgets for the day, week and month views plus it uses the native android calendar function to synchronize events between apps and devices. There is also a pro version called aCalendar+ which offers additional features for $1.99.
Developer – Tapir Apps GmbH
Compatibility – Requiers Android 2.1 and later
Availability – aCalendar – Android Calendar (Free) – Google Play Store

4. Jorte Calendar and Organiser

Jorte Calendar is an intuitive calendar app that can run on any device running android 2.1 and up. In addition to regular features that most calendar apps offer such as multiple views and widget support, Jorte Calendar allows you to set different themes to customise the look of your calendar and even add stickers for important occasions or highlight them in red. There is a count-down feature which allows you to count-down the days to a big event. Jorte syncs with Google Calendar, Exchange and Yahoo but you can also export your events to a CSV file if you prefer.
Developer – Jorte Inc.
Compatibility – Requires Android 2.1 and later
Availability – Jorte Calendar and Organiser (Free) – Google Play Store

5. Business Calendar 2

Business Calendar 2 was built to succeed the hugely successful Business Calendar app which has since been abandoned. It is a powerful and easy to use app that includes task management and event planner as well as integrated weather reports in the pro version. It is highly customisable and offers various settings you can tweak to your personal tastes. It also syncs with Google Calendar and Exchange and there are no ads. It’s pro version (called Business calendar PRO) is available as an in-app purchase and costs $4.44.

Developer – Appgenix Software
Compatibiltiy – Requires android 4.1 and up
Avauilability – Business Calendar (Free) – Google Calendar

6. Cal

Cal is another app from the developers of the highly rated Any.do productivity app. If you’re using Any.do (like I am), you should try this app as it’s integration with Any.do is top notch so you can manage all your tasks and events in one place. Cal supports synchronization with Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange so you can easily port your existing calendars here. It’s excellent integration with Facebook will make sure you never forget a friend’s birthday again and you can even purchase gifts for them from Amazon or

Gift.com.
Developer – Any.do
Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and up
Availability – Cal – Calendar Google/Exchange (Free) – Google Play Store

7. Digical Calendar

DigiCal calendar is one of the most beautifully designed calendar app on this list, and it’s highly customisable too! It syncs with Outlook, Exchange and Google Calendar but you can also create a local calendar that is only accessible on your local device. There are 6 widgets with different views and styles and a night mode which allows for better visibility in low-light conditions. It’s premium version, DigiCal+, offers extra customisation with up to 42 theme colours and a yearly view with heat maps for spotting free time.

Developer – Digbites
Compatibility – Varies with device
Availability – Digical Calendar (Free) / ($4.62) – Google Play Store

8. Sol Calendar

SolCalendar is another highly rated calendar app with a huge 4.5 average rating of over 1 million users. It synchronizes with Google Calendar, iCloud, Microsoft Exchange and Yahoo so you’re pretty much covered if you use any of those services. It has a clean and unique interface and supports Month, Week, To-do and Agenda views. It helps manage special events in a unique way by offering stickers to mark memorable events and also offers various repeat options for your tasks. Also, you get location-based weather forecast information through this app and plenty of widgets for your homescreen. All in all, it’s a solid calendar app worth checking out.

Developer – Kakao Corp.
Compatibility – Requires Android
Availability – SolCalendar – Calendar / To do (Free) – Google Play Store.

9. New Calendar

New Calendar is a decent app that works fine with Google Calendar. It supports most regular calendar functions and has support for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly views. There are up to 10 widgets to select from but perhaps it’s most outstanding feature is the voice reminders (using Text To Speech) which works brilliantly.

Developer – KF Software House
Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0.3 and up
Availability – New Calendar (Free)

10. Coletto Calendar

Now for something unique, Coletto Calendar is a colourful app that helps you manage your appointments, tasks, diaries and photos. Coletto appears to be targeted at girls and women only. You enter diary entries or memos from this app or even sensitive information such as the expected date of your next menstrual cycle and such stuff. It works with Google Calendar if you’re keen on syncing your stuff across various devices.

Developer – Yahoo! Japan Corp.
Compatibility – Requires android 2.3.5 and later

Availability – Coletto Calendar ~ Cute Diary (Free) – Google Play Store

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Best Travel Apps to Take on Your Next Trip

When you’re traveling, having the right apps can help make your trip a success—from finding the best place to eat, to finding a hotel room at the last minute, to translating a useful phrase, having the right app can be a lifesaver. These 15 apps will help make sure you have the tools you need when you’re traveling, whether it’s across the city or across the world.

Best Travel Apps You Should Download For Your Next Trip

1. Skyscanner (iOS, Android, Free)

When you’re thinking about taking a trip, the price of flights to your destination can be a significant factor in whether or not you can afford to go there. Skyscanner compares flights from hundreds of airlines to find the most affordable flights to your destination. If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can use the app’s Everywhere search function to find cheap flights headed anywhere, making it easy for a spontaneous trip. And the app will even send you a direct link to the airline so you can book the ticket from your phone.

2. GateGuru (iOS, Android, free)

After you’ve booked your flight, you’ll need to head to the airport, and GateGuru will make sure that your experience there is as positive as possible. With the ability to view your travel plans, check and update security wait times, and find comprehensive lists of the facilities and shops that are available in over 200 airports, you’ll be able to skip the longest lines, find the food and magazines you want, and get to your gate with plenty of time to spare. Airports are always stressful, but GateGuru helps makes them less so.

3. TripIt (iOS, Android, free)

One of the biggest names in travel organization, TripIt provides a lot of convenient features for keeping your travel documents organized. Plane tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, and other documents are neatly organized in this app, where departure times, addresses, confirmation numbers, directions, and more are stored where you can easily find them. All you need to do is forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and they’ll be automatically added to the app. Never lose a confirmation number again!

4. Gogobot (iOS, Android, free)

Whether you’re a foodie, on a budget, feeling artsy, or traveling with your family, Gogobot will have suggestions for where you should go and what you should do. By choosing a Tribe, you can tailor your recommendations to restaurants, events, and hotels that are best for your particular situation. And by checking out photos and reading reviews, you can get an idea of which city hot spots should be on your list. You can even use Gogobot to find new places in your own city!

5. TripAdvisor (iOS, Android, free)

With the biggest name in travel reviews, TripAdvisor is many people’s go-to app for finding out which restaurants, museums, parks, and other highlights are worth going to. The Near Me Now feature helps you find attractions that are close to you, whether you’re looking for a restroom or a restaurant. Over 225 million reviews mean you can get lots of information on just about any city around the world, and the constantly growing user base will only help expand their reach in the future. In addition to getting photos, prices,  reviews, and maps of destinations, you can book flights and hotels directly from the app. If you only download one travel app, it should be TripAdvisor.

6. Hotel Tonight (iOS, Android, free)

If your hotel plans fall through, or you have an unexpected overnight in a city, you’ll need to find a hotel fast. Hotel Tonight specializes in last-minute reservations and will help you get a good deal on a room when you need one quickly. Choose the category of hotel you’re interested in (like Basic, Luxe, or Hip), and book right from the app. Don’t get stuck walking from hotel to hotel trying to find an available room! Use Hotel Tonight to compare prices and locations, and make the booking fast.

Alternatively, You can also use the Airbnb app to see if someone has a room they’re willing to rent.

7. Maps.me (iOS, Android, free)

Having an accurate map is crucial when you’re trying to find your way around a new city, and Maps.me has maps of cities all over the world. What makes it better than Google or Apple Maps? You don’t need an internet connection to use it. Maps are stored offline so you can access them without paying an arm and a leg to get roaming data. You can use GPS navigation to get directions to your destination, finding hiking trails, and discover points of interest. With maps of 345 countries and islands, you’ll be hard-pressed to get lost with Maps.me on your phone.

8. Maplets (iOS, Android, $2.99)

Maps of cities aren’t the only maps you might need while you’re traveling–you might need a map of a zoo, a museum, or a ski resort, too. Maplets has you covered. US state parks, metro and subways, bike trails, university campuses, theme parks, and more types of maps are available through the app. You’ll need to be connected to the internet to download your maps, but once they’re downloaded, you can access them offline. Some maps even include GPS support so you can get directions to where you’re going. The number of maps is increasing all the time, making Maplets one of the best travel apps you can download.

9. FourSquare (iOS, Android, free)

Having completed its transformation from curiosity to full-blown city guide, Foursquare can help you find the best places to hang out, eat, drink, stay, and play in any city. The app gets to know your preferences over time to provide better suggestions for where to go, provides short reviews that other users have written, and lets you save places that you want to go so you don’t forget when you get to your destination. If you still want to use the check-in feature that FourSquare built its reputation on, check out their new app Swarm, which lets you compete with friends for prizes.

10. Uber (iOS, Android, free)

With so many options for finding out where you should go while you’re visiting a city, you’re going to need a way to get around. Navigating public transport can be difficult, especially if you don’t speak the local language—but Uber is here to help. Use the app to get a lift from an Uber driver from wherever you are to wherever you need to go. With drivers in more than 50 countries, you’ll have the ride you need wherever you are! (If you’re in the US, you can also tryLyft.)

11. Currency Converter (iOS, Android, free)

Whether you’re paying for a cab or debating whether to buy some art, you need to know how much money you’re talking about. And if you’re in another country, that can be difficult, especially if they’re not on one of the major global currencies. With Currency Converter, you can easily convert between any of over two hundred different currencies listed. Just put in the number, select the two currencies, and you’ll get the information you need.

12. Wi-Fi Finder (iOS, Android, free)

When you need an internet connection in another country, you need to find free wifi. This app makes the process much easier than walking around with your phone in the air trying to get a signal. A map view shows you the nearest public and private wifi hot spots, tells you which signal is strongest, and will give you directions on how to get there. Don’t pay outrageous amounts to use your cellular data when you’re traveling—use Wi-Fi Finder instead to get on the internet whenever and wherever you need to, for free.

13. WhatsApp (iOS, Android, free)

As the most popular messaging client in the world, WhatsApp needs no introduction. Send messages and make calls for free to anyone who also uses WhatsApp. The app is free, and you’ll pay $0.99 per year after the first year, making this a phenomenal deal for any world traveler. You’ll need an internet connection, but if you’ve used Wi-Fi Finder to get on a local wifi network, you can send all the messages and make all the calls you want. (If you don’t like that Facebook owns WhatsApp, Here are some fantastic WhatsApp alternatives.)

14. Google Translate (iOS, Android, free)

If you’re not fluent in the language of your destination, a translation app will come in handy. Google’s app translates between 90 different languages, and also includes a cool feature where it will translate what you show it with your phone’s camera, helping you make sense of signs and menus. You can even draw characters on the screen to get a translation. While Google’s translations aren’t perfect, using this app will be extremely helpful when you’re traveling around the world. (You can also check out our list of best translation apps, if you need an alternative to Google Translate.)

15. Dark Sky (iOS, $3.99)

Keeping an eye on the weather will help you have a successful vacation—getting caught in the rain when you’re on a hike is no fun, and spending a day on the beach should probably be postponed if there are gale-force winds in the forecast. Dark Sky shows you the weather in a way that’s easy to understand, and with a focus on precipitation, makes it easy to find out if it’s going to rain or snow in the near future. Check it before you leave to do anything on your trip to stay safe. (If you are on Android, here are some of the best weather apps for Android to choose from.)

Travel Prepared

Whether you’re headed on a day-long getaway or a several-week odyssey, these 15 travel apps will help you make sure that you’re as prepared as you can be, no matter what situation you find yourself in. And because most of them are free, you don’t need to spend tons of money getting ready to travel.

What are your favorite travel apps? Which do you find to be the most useful? Share in the comments below!

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Top 6 Vitamin-C Rich Foods

The fact that vitamin Cmust be an essential part of our diet, is common knowledge. It is one of those things that we all know about, like the importance of remaining hydrated and having plenty of water. But dig a little deeper than that and you may realize that we don’t really know why we need it, what are vitamin C rich foods and how much of it do we really need?

“There are many benefits of vitamin C. It is an essential nutrient because we lack the capacity to synthesize it. It protects our bones, helps in building our tissues and is an important factor in the absorption of iron. It is also a very potent antioxidant. You must make sure that your get your daily dose of vitamin C as it is a water soluble vitamin and not much of it is stored in the body,” says Dr Rupali Dutta, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Fortis-Escorts Hospital.
 

Benefits of Vitamin C

Also known as L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate, Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for human beings. Below are some of its many benefits:

1. Prevention of Scurvy: Though it is a rare disease now, at one point, Scurvy was a real threat and common amongst sailors who spent long periods of time at sea. When the fresh produce ran out, the sailors suffered Vitamin C deficiency which led to Scurvy.

2. Treatment of common cold: Known to boost immunity, this is the most well-known benefit of Vitamin C. Though it may not help prevent cold, it can reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the duration of the same.

3. Antioxidant: In layman terms, an antioxidant helps keep harmful chemical reactions within our body in check. These reactions can do damage to our eyes and many other things. Antioxidants act as a neutralizer and help the body maintain status quo.

4. Absorption of Iron: Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron in the body. Thus, one should try to pair iron-rich foods with those packed with Vitamin C to get the maximum benefit. The vitamin transforms iron into a state which is more easily absorbed by the intestines.

5. Collagen: Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, which literally keeps us ‘intact’. Patients suffering from Scurvy, lose teeth, the strength in their bones, etc.

6. Brain Health: Surprisingly, Vitamin C also helps in making neurotransmitters that carry commands, thoughts and feelings through the nervous system.

7. Anti-depression: Though intake of Vitamin C is not directly linked to upliftment of your mood, it plays an integral role in targeting serotonin, and is essential for your wellbeing.

Dietary Requirement of Vitamin C

The recommended requirement for Vitamin C in adults is 40mg per day. Excessive intake (more than 1000mg) is also known to have harmful effects and could cause stomach pain and diarrhoea.
 

Best Sources of Vitamin C

1) Citrus Fruits: The most common source of Vitamin C is citrus fruits. It is said that one lime per day may be enough for one to get their required dose.
 

2) Bell Peppers: Whether you are baking an Italian casserole or tossing vegetables in an Asian stir-fry, make sure to add bell peppers for your Vitamin C kick.
 

3) Broccoli: This wonder vegetable is a storehouse of benefits. Packed with Vitamin C, include it in your salads.
 

4) Papaya: Just half a cup of papaya can give you enough of the vitamin for the entire day. It’s many other benefits are additional motivation to have the fruit.
 

5) Strawberries: A bowl of strawberries and cream may be sinful but it is also packed with Vitamin C.
 

6) Tomatoes: Eaten raw, tomatoes have plenty of the vitamin. Eat them plain or toss them in a salad, add them into sandwiches or burgers, tomatoes are the most versatile fruit to eat.
 

Heat causes reduction of Vitamin C in foods and thus try to consume these foods in raw form without cooking them.

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5 Health Benefits of Pomegranate & How to Cook with it

It's not just its ruby red colour or the crystal-like seeds that makes pomegranate special. It's also the tarty and sweet taste that you experience all at once. Also referred to as the 'fruit of paradise', pomegranate is known for its flavour as well as its notorious nature of leaving traces of red all over your clothes and across your chin if one is not attentive.
It is known to have originated in Iran and considered a symbol of prosperity and fertility in many cultures. In fact, it has been speculated that pomegranates and not apples grew in the Garden of Eden. Small, crunchy and juicy: they pack more health benefits than many other fruits and you'll be surprised at the kind of ailments they ward off.

The Benefits of Pomegranate

1. Anti-Oxidants - You may have heard these words over and over again so let us put this to rest once and for all. You need anti-oxidants! Your lifestyle, pollutants and a number of other factors encourage the circulation of harmful molecules in your body that are known as free radicals. Anti-oxidants are their kryptonite and they destroy these free radicals. Anti-oxidants are made up of vitamins and minerals and can be best obtained from a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables.

2. Anti-Cancer - According a study done at the University of Maryland Medical Centre, pomegranate has the ability to inhibit the growth of certain kinds of cancer cells. A Mayo Clinic study also explores the possibility of pomegranate juice as a potential cure for prostate cancer.

3. Heart Health - The anti-oxidants in pomegranate make it possible for the fruit to be able to help treat cardiovascular diseases. In fact, a 2015 study published in The Royal Society of Chemistry suggested that drinking pomegranate juice regularly could help prevent a heart attack.

4. Good for the Skin - Pomegranates pack almost 48 per cent of your daily Vitamin C needs, which also helps against signs of ageing in the long run. It's extremely hydrating and its juice goes deep into your skin to deliver micronutrients and phytochemicals. It also helps bring dull and dry skin back to life.

5. Diabetes -  There are a number of studies that will corroborate the fact that pomegranate juice is great for diabetic patients. It contains anti-diabetes compounds like ellagic, gallic, oleanolic, punicalagin, uallic, and ursolic acids. A study published in the journal Nutrition Research suggested that pomegranate juice can reduce blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetes patients.

How to Buy a Pomegranate
Pomegranates are pretty easy to find in India. They are mainly grown in Maharashtra through the year and are even exported to the UAE and the United Kingdom. While shopping for this sweet fruit, find one that's heavy for its size, a perfect sphere and free of blemishes. It should also be hard, with no soft spots. Don't worry too much about the colour as it doesn't impact the taste of the seeds. How to

De-Seed a Pomegranate: Like a Pro
There are a bunch of clever techniques that have been shared by chefs and food enthusiasts across the world. Jeff from the site foodwishes.com suggests you first cut the pomegranate in half and then hold it under cold water and pull the seeds apart. Martha Stewart places the stem end of the fruit at the bottom and then cuts the top of the crown making sure the knife doesn't touch any of the seeds. Then she sears through the skin of the fruit, from top to bottom, 3 or 4 times. Wriggle the knife a little and the fruit will break into a few smaller pieces. Release the seeds and drop them into a bowl. The one method I like best is by Evan Young where he scores the fruit from the sides instead of the centre, pulls it apart and then taps on the back of the fruit till all the seeds fall out.

What to Cook with a Pomegranate
Small, crunchy and full of flavour, pomegranates add a fresh fruity note to whatever it's added to. Some of the common ingredients it's teamed up with in savoury dishes are pecan nuts, sweet potatoes, lamb, yoghurt, lettuce, corn, tomatoes and what not.

Talking about the sweet stuff, pair it with chocolate, whipped cream, strawberries, green apples etc. Here are five of the most creative, unique and gorgeous recipes that use pomegranate as the hero and create something magical.

1. Pomegranate Bark - If you're in the mood for chocolate and pomegranate then this is one recipe you'll want to bookmark. It's from the site rawmanda.com and was shared by Amanda, a food blogger that focuses on vegan food. Grab 2/3 cups of cacao powder, 1/2 cup of maple syrup, 1/3 cup of coconut oil, 1 or 2 pomegranates de-seeded and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Now, add the first three ingredient to a bowl and mix well till you have uniform consistency.

Image Credits: rawmanda.com

Pour the mix on a parchment paper laid out on a baking tray. Now drop the pomegranate seeds on the mix evenly. Push down gently. Sprinkle with sea salt and leave the tray in the freezer for 20 minutes. Break the chocolate sheet apart face down do that the juice of the seeds doesn't splash all over your clothes.

2. Pomegranate Jelly - The first thing you need to know about this beautiful jelly is that it's extremely easy. And like jam, it can be stored in the refrigerator for weeks. Also, once you pick up this recipe you'll be able to replicate it with just about any other fruit. This recipe was shared by Anthelme Brillat-Savarin on her blog rx4foodies.

Squeeze out 5 1/4 cups of fresh pomegranate juice, grab 3 tablespoons of powdered pectin, 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups sugar. (Read the rest of the recipe here)

3. Pomegranate Margarita - It's pink, bold and just the thing you'd want on a Friday night. The sweetness of the pomegranate cuts through the sharp taste of tequila and the crunchy pomegranate seeds make you feel fresher than ever. This Take 2 shots of silver tequila (any tequila really), 2 shots of fresh pomegranate juice, 1/2 shot of triple sec, juice from one lime, ice, pomegranate seeds, sugar for the rim and lime wedge to garnish.

Image Credits: soletshangout.com

Moisten the edge of your glass with the lime wedge. Put some sugar on a plate and press the top of the glass on it so that the sugar sticks to the rim. In a shaker, add the tequila, juice, triple sec and lime juice. Shake well, pour into the glass with the sugar around the rim, add some pomegranate seeds and serve.

4. Smoked Quail with a Pomegranate Reduction - Don't let the name of this recipe intimidate you because all it needs is 45 minutes. The smoky flavour of the quail comes together with a sweet and sour pomegranate reduction, crunchy macadamia nuts, firm cherry tomatoes and some fresh oregano- it all sounds just so divine! (Get the recipe here)

5. Pomegranate Truffle - These decadent balls of heaven are spongy, soft and melt as soon as they hit the tip of your tongue. The recipe is from amyshealthybaking.com and requires 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1.2 cup of unsweetened apple sauce, 3 tablespoons of honey, 1/4 vanilla extract and a pomegranate. In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa powder, maple sauce, honey and vanilla extract. Place the bowl in the fridge for at least two hours or upto a day. Divide the mix into small balls, flatten them out and stuff with pomegranate seeds, roll them back into a ball and chill.

Image Credits: Amy's Healthy Baking

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10 Best Android Phones under 15000

Looking to buy a good phone around 15,000 Rs? Then it can be a very tedious task as it’s the most confusing price range where you have to choose among the good international brands or the powerful specs from Indo-Chinese brands. To ease out your confusion, I have written the latest ranking of 10 Best Android Phones under 15000 Rs. for the month of September. Read it and compare the phones and choose the best one for you. You can checkout best phones in other price ranges and many other gadgets in our Buyer’s Guide.

Every month hundreds of readers of this blog comment and ask me which phone they should choose among the crowded market. Which has made me even better understand the requirements and view-point of the buyers. So I am trying to make this list even easier for you by giving you appropriate information. You are always welcome to ask your queries.

So, let’s take a look at the Best Phone Under 15000 Rs:

#Please Read:

We believe that specifications of the phones just tell the half story, a great user experience matters more than great specifications. So, while preparing this list we have considered everything, the specifications, hardware, software (UI), real-world performance, user experience, brand value, after sales service and more. We see a phone as a complete package which should at the end deliver great satisfaction to the user and our rankings are based on the same principles. We consider hundreds of phones, from biggest to the smallest brands and come with our honest rankings every month.

1. Moto G (3rd Gen):

A great fact is that, Moto G has been the most selling product across any category on any e-commerce platform in the history of Indian e-commerce. Well, it has a glorious past but, now let’s get started with the Moto G (3rd Gen). The phone has a very simple design from the front and a very classy curvy back which has a vertical strip which houses the camera, LED flash and the Moto logo, this strip looks very beautiful and adds uniqueness in the design of the phone. The phone is very comfortable to hold in hand and offers good grip. It sports a 5 inches HD screen with 294 ppi pixel density which is decent. It is powered by Quad-core 1.4 GHz Snapdragon 410 Processor coupled with 2 GB RAM, it is definitely not for the heavy users but on a day-to-day basis it runs flawlessly and plays small to medium games very efficiently. It runs on the Latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with pure stock Android UI, which also makes the performance good. Great thing is that, it will always get the future Android updates that too faster than many flagship phones! For the last two Moto G’s camera was the weakest point, for the 3rd Gen it’s the strongest. It packs a 13 MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture lens, HDR & dual-LED flash. The 5 MP front camera comes with f/2.2 lens and a Field of view (FOV) of 72 degrees. Both the cameras are really good. An icing on the cake is, it is water-resistant for upto 30 minutes, this IPX7 certification is provided by no phone in the near price range. It has 16 GB internal & upto 32 GB expandable storage, Dual Sim, 4G, and a very good battery life with the 2470 mAh battery. Overall, if you are not after heavy gaming, it is a great overall device to buy, it gives you the best experience.

PRICE	Rs 12,999 @
OS	Android, v5.1.1 Lollipop
CPU	Quad-core 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5 inches, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
DISPLAY	HD (720 x 1280 pixels), 294 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual Sim (GSM + LTE)
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, Flash: Dual-LED Flash | Front Camera: 5 MP, Flash: No
STORAGE	Internal Storage 16 GB, microsd expandable upto 32 GB
BATTERY	Non-removable Li-Ion 2470 mAh battery
BODY	Weight: 155 grams, Thickness: 6.1-11.6mm (Curved Back)
OTHERS	Water-resistant, 4G, 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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2. Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML (2GB RAM):

The Zenfone 5 was a hit! Looks like that piece of success has given Asus the perfect sense of market demand. I am saying this because the newly launched Asus Zenfone 2 series is excellent and pretty much delivers everything that a user desires – Good Performance, Camera, Battery Life, Design, Latest Android and an overall good User Experience. Well, the Zenfone 2 is quite well-known for its 4 GB RAM but it starts from 19,999 Rs. but at under 15k we have got the Zenfone 2 ZE551ML with 2GB RAM (details about other variants here). It runs on Quad Core, 64-bit, 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor which is very powerful. It sports a 5.5 inches Full HD display which is very good and it is also protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The phone has a 13 MP rear & 5 MP front camera, the picture quality of both the cameras is very impressive. They are bright & colourful. It allows FHD video recording & produces good quality videos. It also has Dual-LED Flash and many other features. It runs on the Android v5.0 Lollipop with Asus’s ZenUI running on top of it. It supports Dual Sim & 4G (LTE). It is good on storage and has a good 3000 mAh battery with fast charging feature. When it comes to design, the phone looks very good and more importantly it’s different from other phones in the market. Overall, the Zenfone 2 at this price is a perfect all round device. The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser (3GB RAM) priced at Rs 13,999 and Asus Zenfone Selfie (2GB RAM) priced at Rs 15,999 can be great choices as well, but they are yet to become available.

PRICE	Rs 14,999 @
OS	Android OS, v5.0(Lollipop)
CPU	Quad Core, 64-bit, 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.5 inches, IPS capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
DISPLAY	1920 x 1080 pixels, 403 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual SIM (GSM + LTE)
CAMERA	Primary Camera: 13 MP, Secondary Camera: 5 MP, Flash: Dual-LED Flash
MEMORY	Internal Storage 16 GB, microSD Expandable upto 64 GB
BATTERY	Non-removable Li-Po 3000 mAh battery
OTHERS	3G, 4G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, NFC

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Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 4i Vs Asus Zenfone 2 : New Mid-Range Flagship War

3. Samsung Galaxy J7:

Samsung is very determined to get back its share in the budget smartphone market. With the launch of the new Galaxy J5 & J7, we now see a completely refreshed line-up of phones spread across every price in the budget to mid-range segment. Among the Galaxy J5 and J7, the J7 packs better features and off-course higher price. Design wise, the J7 looks good, it has got chromium bezels on the side and the plastic back with sort of matte finish, the build quality is decent. It sports a 5.5 inches HD Super AMOLED display and although it’s just 267 ppi pixel density, the Super AMOLED display is quite vibrant & colourful, it will not disappoint. It runs on Samsung’s own 1.5 GHz Exynos 7580 Octa Core Processor coupled with 1.5 GB of RAM, the phone actually has a good performance and it handles games well. Cameras have been the strength of Samsung phones, the J7 packs a 13 MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and the camera is very good. A great news for selfie lovers, the 5 MP front camera of the phone also comes with a LED flash and lots of tools which make it a very good phone for selfie lovers. It runs on the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop with Samsung’s Touchwiz UI on top of it. It has 16 GB internal storage which is expandable upto whooping 128 GB’s. The phone supports Dual sim and 4G. The 3000 mAh battery gives it a very good battery life. Overall, the Galaxy J7 offers all the latest features and with a great selfie camera it becomes a complete package with the trust of Samsung, a very good buy at this price. Also, the old yet powerful Galaxy S4 is also available at this price, it can still be a very good choice.

PRICE	Rs 14,999 @
OS	Android OS, v5.1 (Lollipop)
CPU	1.5 GHz Exynos 7580 Octa Core Processor
RAM	1.5 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.5 inches, Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen
DISPLAY	HD (720 x 1280 pixels), 267 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual Sim
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, Flash: Yes | Front Camera: 5 MP, Flash: Yes
STORAGE	Internal Storage 16 GB, microsd expandable upto 128 GB
BATTERY	Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery
BODY	Weight: 171 grams, Thickness: 7.5 mm
OTHERS	4G, 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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4. Xiaomi Mi4 (16 GB):

“Power” & “Simplicity” are the two words which describe the Mi4 entirely. It runs on the very popular and very powerful Snapdragon 801 Processor which was used in almost all the last generation flagship phones. To make the performance even greater it has got 3 GB RAM. So, there is no need to describe the performance, you yourself can imagine how fast and fabulously it will perform. It sports a 5 inches Full HD display which is also pretty good and bright. The things we should discuss in details is the camera performance of the phone. It has got the Sony IMX 214 CMOS sensor which is quite advanced. The camera quality is pretty good, it is capable of recording 4K videos, the Autofocus of the phone is pretty fast (0.3 Seconds) and decent and works quite well. The camera works quite well at night also, it has High Dynamic Flash which takes two photos one with flash and one without flash and then mixes the colors in both the photos so, the image gets natural colors. The 8 MP front camera is equally good. The battery life of the phone is very good. Its design is simple but the metallic bezels gives it a premium and stylish touch. It runs on the custom Android skin of Xiaomi which is the MIUI V6 which is quite beautiful. The Infrared blaster in the phone might be quite useful to control TV, AC, etc. Overall, it’s the beast of the phone and is certainly a great choice for camera lovers or power-hungry users but it has two downsides also – it is a single sim phone and there is only 16 GB storage which can’t be expanded, although you can go for its 64 GB version priced at 17,999 Rs. If you like the Mi 4 but dual sim is a must you can also buy a refreshed version of it – the Xiaomi Mi 4i which comes with dual-sim and also has a bigger 32 GB storage.

PRICE	16 GB - Rs. 14,999 @             64 GB - Rs. 17,999 @  16 GB - Rs. 14,999 @             16 GB - Rs. 14,999 @
OS	Android v4.4.4 (KitKat), Planned upgrade to Android v5.0 Lollipop
CPU	Quad-core 2.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 Processor
RAM	3 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.0 inches, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
DISPLAY	1080 x 1920 pixels, 441 ppi pixel density
SIM	Single Sim (Micro-SIM)
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, Front Camera: 8 MP, LED Flash: Yes
MEMORY	Internal Storage 16/64 GB, microsd unexpandable
BATTERY	Non-removable Li-Ion 3080 mAh battery
OTHERS	3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 4i Vs Asus Zenfone 2 : New Mid-Range Flagship War

5. Huawei Honor 6:

The Honor 6 is an amazing phone from Huawei. It is packed with great hardware and an amazing design with good built quality. It weighs just 130 grams and has a thickness of just 7.5 mm, it feels premium and comfortable in hand. The phone features a 1.7 GHz Octa-Core processor and 3 GB RAM which makes the performance of the phone truly great. You just can’t get the lags with such powerful specs! The phone sports a 5 inches screen with Full HD 1080 x 1920 pixels screen resolution which turns out a great 445 ppi pixel density. The phone has very good 13 MP primary camera with Sony’s BSI sensor and Dual-LED flash, the picture quality is very good. It also has a 5 MP front facing camera. It has 16 GB internal storage which is expandable upto 64 GB. And it has a very good battery life with the Li-Po 3100 mAh battery. The only downside of the phone is that it is a Single SIM device. Overall, this is another great alternative for those who need power for heavy gaming or multitasking, you can get full value for your money with this phone.

PRICE	Rs. 14,999 @
OS	Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat)
CPU	Octa Core, 1.7 GHz Processor
RAM	3 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.0 inches, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
DISPLAY	1080 x 1920 pixels, 445 ppi pixel density
SIM	Single Sim, GSM
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, Front Camera: 5 MP, LED Flash: Dual-LED flash
MEMORY	Internal Storage 16 GB, microsd expandable upto 64 GB
BATTERY	Non-removable Li-Po 3100 mAh battery
OTHERS	4G, 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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6. Lenovo Vibe X2:

This is the phone with lots of innovation. The company calls it the “World’s First Layered Smartphone”. So, let’s come straight into its layered design. The phone has uniquely designed layers which you can attach to the phone, to simplify, these layers are actually just cases or covers. The first is the battery layer or the battery case which can be considered as a power bank of 2300 mAh capacity. All you have to do is just attach it to the phone like normal covers and your phone will start charging. You can get this case on Flipkart for 1,999 Rs. Another layer for this phone is the case with built-in JBL speakers which you can attach to the phone just like the battery case. The JBL speaker layer is an actual portable speaker which connects to the Vibe X2 with Bluetooth, the speaker is very loud and it also has its own battery so the phone’s battery is not used. This case also acts like stand and holds the phone in a perfect tilted position to watch movies. The other specifications of this phone are also powerful. It has good performance with 2 GHz Octa Core MediaTek 6595M Processor coupled with 2 GB RAM. It has great Full HD display & good cameras. Overall, the Lenovo Vibe X2 offers a unique and interesting layered concept, which is actually good and the phone itself is packed with amazing features. So, it can be a very good buying choice. If battery is your main concern, at the same price the Lenovo P70 with 4,000 mAh battery can be a great choice, it just has an HD display and rest specs are powerful.

PRICE	Rs  15,490  @  Rs 15,498  @  Rs @
OS	Android v4.4 (KitKat) OS, upgradable to v5.0 (Lollipop)
CPU	Octa-core 2 GHz MediaTek 6595M Processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.0 inches, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
DISPLAY	Full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels), 441 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual SIM
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, LED Flash: Yes | Front Camera: 5 MP, LED Flash: No
MEMORY	Internal Storage 32 GB, microsd unexpandable
BATTERY	Non-removable Li-Po 2300 mAh battery
BODY	Weight: 120 grams, Thickness: 7.27 mm
OTHERS	4G, 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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7. XOLO Black:

The Xolo Black is Xolo’s most promising smartphone until now. If we talk about the design, the phone looks stunning, it has rounded corners, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covers both the front and the back of the phone. On the back, the placement of  two cameras and the LED Flash in between them looks amazing, the power button & volume rockers are placed very nicely on the side of the phone, the power button also has breathing light for notifications which looks very stylish. The phone feels very premium and scores full marks in design. The XOLO Black sports a 5.5 inches Full HD display with 403 ppi pixel density and the display is awesome. It runs on 1.5 GHz Octa-Core 64-bit 2nd Gen Qualcomm  Snapdragon 615 Processor coupled with 2 GB RAM which has good performance, the phone can handle mid level games pretty well although it lags a little in heavy games. The best part of the phone is the dual camera setup on the rear. The Xolo Black has two rear cameras of 13 MP & 2 MP and both work simultaneously, the 13 MP camera captures the subject while the 2 MP camera is used to capture the Depth and the final image is the combination of both. The rear camera comes with features like fast focus (0.15 sec), Ubifocus™ (you can change the focus after clicking images) & ChromaFlash™ (snaps two shots, one with flash and one without). These features promise a lot and the picture quality is good but could have been even better. The 5MP front camera also comes with front LED Flash. It runs on latest Android 5.0 Lollipop with beautiful HIVE UI on top of it. The phone has a great 3200 mAh battery. Overall, the Xolo Black is a very good package, it has a great design and good features and can be a good buying choice.

PRICE	Rs 12,999 @
OS	Android v5.0 (Lollipop) with HIVE UI
CPU	1.5 Ghz Octa-Core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (2nd gen) Processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.5 inches, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
DISPLAY	Full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels), 403 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual Sim (GSM + LTE)
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP + 2MP (Dual camera), Flash: Yes | Front Camera: 5 MP, Flash: Yes
STORAGE	Internal Storage 16 GB, microsd expandable upto 32 GB
BATTERY	Li-Po 3200 mAh battery
BODY	Weight: NA, Thickness: 7.3 mm
OTHERS	4G, 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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8. HTC Desire 626G Plus:

Beautiful!!! This is the feeling you get when you first see the phone. The HTC Desire 626G Plus carries forward the new design trend of the mid ranged HTC devices like the Desire 826. It has a plastic build but the phone’s design is awesome and you can fall in love with it instantly. It’s not only beautiful from outside but the HTC Sense UI is also pretty beautiful. The phone is also good when it comes to the hardware which runs the phone. It sports an Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 Mediatek MT6752 Processor and 1 GB of RAM which runs the phone smoothly but, it’s not for heavy usage. It has 5 inches HD screen and the display quality is decent. In the HTC Desire 626G Plus, HTC has increased the rear camera from 8 MP in the Desire 620 to 13 MP, it also has a 5 MP front camera and both the cameras of the phone are very good. It supports dual sim but doesn’t have 4G (LTE) which its competitors are offering at the same price. It has got a 2000 mAh battery which gives acceptable battery life, 8 GB of internal storage which can be expanded upto 32 GB. One thing to note is that, the back of the phone is glossy so it attracts fingerprints easily. Overall, if you want a good designed phone with decent performance from among the top brands then this can also be a good choice. HTC also offers bigger 5.5 inches HTC Desire 816G Plus (Octa Core), it can also be a good choice if you want the design of HTC with a bigger screen.

PRICE	Rs   @  Rs.  14,171  @  Rs.    14,085.00  @
OS	Android OS, v4.4.4 (KitKat)
CPU	Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 Mediatek MT6752 Processor
RAM	1 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.0 inches, Capacitive touchscreen
DISPLAY	720 x 1280 pixels, 294 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual Sim, GSM + UMTS
CAMERA	Primary Camera: 13 MP, Secondary Camera: 5 MP, Flash: YES
MEMORY	Internal Storage 8 GB, microSD expandable upto 32 GB
BATTERY	Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery
OTHERS	3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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9. Micromax Canvas Knight 2:

Micromax has launched the next version of the popular Canvas Knight named as the Canvas Knight 2. The first thing to notice about the phone is its stunning design. The phone measures just 6.3 mm of thickness and it has an all metal and glass build as it has got Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on both the front and back of the phone while the bezels of the phone are metallic. This gives a premium design and look to the phone and at the same time it feels very good in the hands so, it scores full marks in design. When it comes to performance, the Knight 2 is powered by the powerful 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon Octa core 615 processor coupled with 2 GB RAM. This makes the performance of the phone very good, it runs smoothly without any lags. The 5 inch display of the phone comes with Amoled HD display well its good but seeing the tough competition, a Full HD screen would have done wonders for Micromax. The phone runs on the Android Lollipop 5.0 with nearly stock UI. It sports an impressive 13 MP rear camera which comes with Sony IMX214 CMOS sensor and the phone also comes with 5 MP front camera which comes with lots of modes to get a perfect selfie. The phone supports 4G and dual sim. It has 16 GB internal storage which is expandable upto 32 GB but the microSD card uses the sim 2 slot so you can either use the second sim or the microSD card at a time. The phone packs a 2260 mAh battery which is expected to deliver decent battery life. Overall, the phone packs decent features and a great design so, if you are looking for a greatly designed slim phone then the Canvas Knight 2 can be a good choice. The older but powerful Micromax Canvas Gold with Full HD display is also available at this price.

PRICE	Rs  15,698  @  Rs 15,360  @  Rs    15,080.00 @
OS	Android OS, v5.0 (Lollipop)
CPU	64-bit Octa-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 Processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.0 inches, AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
DISPLAY	720 x 1280 pixels, 294 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual Sim
CAMERA	Primary Camera: 13 MP, Secondary Camera: 5 MP, Flash: dual-LED flash
MEMORY	Internal Storage 16 GB, microSD expandable upto 32 GB (uses SIM 2 slot)
BATTERY	Non-removable Li-Ion 2260 mAh battery
OTHERS	3G, 4G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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10. Lava Pixel V1 (Android One 2.0):

The Pixel V1 is Lava’s first Android One phone and it is the first phone among the 2nd generation of Android One phones in India. For your information, last year Google in partnership with local manufacturers like Micromax, Karbonn & Spice launched its Android One program in India, which has the motive to provide a pure Android experience with decent hardware certified by Google itself and regular Android updates at a very low price. Although the 1st generation Android One phones din’t received a huge response. The Lava Pixel V1 is much improved over the early Android One phones. It has a simple design but decent build quality, it has a 76.3% screen-to-body ratio which makes the phone compact also, it weighs just 135 grams. It packs a bigger 5.5 inches HD display with 267 ppi pixel density, the display quality is decent. The screen is protected by Dragontrail Glass from Asahi. It runs on 1.3 GHz Quad Core Processor coupled with 2 GB RAM, it delivers decent day-to-day performance but it isn’t built for heavy usage. The phone runs on the latest Android 5.1.1 with stock Android UI and the best part of Android One is that, you get guaranteed upgrade to the latest Android OS for the next 2 years. The Pixel V1 has a 13 MP BSI rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, 5P Largan lens and blue glass filter, the picture quality is good. Interestingly, it has 8 MP BSI front camera with f/2.4 aperture, 4P Largan lens and blue glass filter, it also has a good selfie quality. It comes with 32 GB internal storage which is also expandable upto 32 GB. It supports dual sim but misses out on 4G. The 2650 mAh battery gives decent battery life to the phone. Overall, it is a good phone and packs some interesting features but the competition is fierce, you can get the Moto G (3rd Gen) at around the same price which delivers the same pure Android Experience in a better manner but, it still can be a good buying choice.

PRICE	Rs 11,349 @   @
OS	Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
CPU	1.3 GHz Quad Core Processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.5 inches, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen protected with Dragon Trail Glass
DISPLAY	HD (720 x 1280 pixels), 267 ppi pixel density
SIM	Dual Sim
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, Flash: Yes | Front Camera: 8 MP, Flash: No
STORAGE	Internal Storage 32 GB, microsd expandable upto 32 GB
BATTERY	2650 mAh Li-Polymer battery
BODY	Weight: 135 grams, Thickness: 8.5 mm
OTHERS	3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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It would have been unfair if we didn’t include the InFocus M810 in our list so, for the first time we have included 11th phone in our list :)

11. InFocus M810:

InFocus the American company which has partnered with Foxconn to produce its smartphones has recently entered in India with some correctly priced quality smartphones spread across every budget price segment. The InFocus M810 is another interesting product from the company. It comes with a stunning metallic design with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covering the front and the back of the phone, it has a thickness of just 6.9 mm. The phone’s design is very premium and detailed, the circular power button of the phone looks very beautiful. It has got a 5.5 inches Full HD screen with 401 ppi pixel density. A great thing about the phone is, it comes with the 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 Processor, which needs no introduction. It is immensely powerful and is well-respected. The phone comes with 2 GB RAM. The M810 has decent 13 MP rear and 5 MP front cameras. It comes with Sony Exmor R Sensor and f/2.2 aperture lens. The phone has 16 GB internal storage which is expandable upto 64 GB. It runs on Android Lollipop with the company’s InLife UI. The phone comes with 4G but bad news is that it is a single sim device. The phone is powered by a 2600 mAh lithium-ion battery. Overall, the phone is very powerful and comes with great design, it’s a good package but there are many phones in this list which provide all the powerful hardware and even the great design so, going with the more established brands will be a good idea but if you like this phone, you can go with it, it is a good phone.

PRICE	Rs 12,999  @  Rs  @
OS	Android 5.x Lollipop
CPU	2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC Processor
RAM	2 GB RAM
SCREEN	5.5 inches, LTPS-TFT LCD touchscreen protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
DISPLAY	Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 401 ppi pixel density
SIM	Single SIM
CAMERA	Rear Camera: 13 MP, Flash: Yes | Front Camera: 5 MP, Flash: No
STORAGE	Internal Storage 16 GB, microsd expandable upto 64 GB
BATTERY	2600 mAH lithium-ion battery
BODY	Weight: 154 grams, Thickness: 6.9 mm
OTHERS	4G, 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS

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