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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices when picking a new phone, you’re not alone. With so many options in the market, it can get difficult at times to select the smartphone that meets all your everyday needs. The freshly launched <keyword id="24164290" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Realme-13-Plus" source="keywords">Realme 13 Plus</keyword> aims to cut through the noise by offering a blend of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life that speaks to everyday users, gamers, and budding photographers alike. After spending some time with this device, I can say that this is a value-for-money smartphone that can take care of all your basic needs. <div type="image" title="13" msid="115655385" hostid="261" sizebytes="1042706"></div> <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Design and display </h2> First impressions matter, and the Realme 13 Plus makes a solid one. The device sports a sleek design that feels comfortable to hold in hand. It weighs around 185 grams and can easily be used with one hand. The phone comes with a matte finish back panel and aluminium frame. While the back panel looks sophisticated, the aluminium frame stands out. There is also a circular camera module at the back, which is well-defined with a metallic ring. <div type="image" title="7" msid="115655253" hostid="261" sizebytes="1337084"></div> During my usage, I didn’t notice any fingerprints forming anywhere in the back panel and that is a huge plus. At the top, there is a 3mm jack and the right edge houses the volume and power buttons. At the bottom you have the Type C charging port and sim tray. In the front, the 6.72-inch Full HD+ display is vibrant and sharp, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling through social media a buttery-smooth experience. I found myself engrossed in binge-watching my favourite shows, and the experience was nothing short of delightful. The colours popped, and the brightness was more than adequate, even under the midday sun. Whether you’re watching action-packed scenes or scrolling through your photo gallery, the Realme 13 Plus truly shines in this department. <div type="image" title="12" msid="115655273" hostid="261" sizebytes="1278279"></div> However, the screen does gather dust quite easily so I would advise using a screen cover. <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Performance and battery </h2> Under the hood, the Realme 13 Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, which manages to balance performance and energy efficiency. My gaming sessions with titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile were remarkably smooth, with no noticeable lag or frame drops. The 8GB RAM variant ensures that multitasking remains a breeze, allowing me to switch between apps without the dreaded app reload. However, it’s not just about gaming; everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and video calls were equally effortless. During a group call with my friends, I appreciated the seamless connection and the sound quality from the dual speakers was adequate and clear. <div type="image" title="8" msid="115655302" hostid="261" sizebytes="1167673"></div> While the experience was positive in general, the phone does come with a fair share of bloatware and that gets a tad bit annoying at times. Coming to its battery, I found that I could comfortably get through a full day of use, even with decent gaming. I only found myself reaching for a charger at the end of the day. The phone also comes with fast charging support and I got a 60 per cent battery in just 30 minutes of charging. This is perfect for those frantic mornings when you realise your phone is running low, and you need to dash out the door. <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Camera </h2> The camera setup on the Realme 13 Plus is one of its standout features, especially for those who love snapping photos on the go. <div type="image" title="1" msid="115655450" hostid="261" sizebytes="708995"></div> The primary sensor captures stunning detail and vibrant colours, making it a joy to shoot everything from landscapes to close-ups. I tested the camera on a weekend outing, and the photos turned out to be remarkably crisp. <div type="image" title="3" msid="115655441" hostid="261" sizebytes="1392821"></div> However, low-light photography can be hit or miss, with some shots appearing grainy and lacking detail. <div type="image" title="10" msid="115655319" hostid="261" sizebytes="618451"></div> The 2MP depth sensor helps create that lovely bokeh effect, perfect for portrait shots. The edge detection, in good lighting, is also spot on. The 16MP front camera is also impressive and results in some great shots. However, the photos are overly beautified by default, which can be solved with a simple tap if you prefer to avoid it. <h2>Realme 13 Plus review: Verdict </h2> With its competitive pricing and impressive features, the Realme 13 Plus is definitely worth considering, especially if you’re looking for a smartphone that delivers reliable performance without breaking the bank. Yes, the phone comes with bloatware and low-light photography can falter at times, but those are not really dealbreakers.

Realme 13 Plus quick review: Good budget-friendly option for all your daily needs

<ul><li>The <keyword id="18656923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Budget-2024-25" source="Orion">Budget 2024-25</keyword> was tabled today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.</li><li>The budget has proposed a reduction in BCD for mobile phones, chargers and mobile PCBA.</li><li>The reduction in BCD is expected to bring down the cost of imported mobile phones.</li></ul> Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today presented the Union Budget 2024-25 in the parliament, unveiling the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. This is the first budget in the third term of the Narendra Modi-led government. In a boost to the smartphone industry, the government has announced a reduction in basic customs duty (BCD) on mobile phones, mobile phone chargers and mobile PCBA. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111951205" title="Budget 2024-25: Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Reduced customs duty on mobile phones</h2>The government has reduced the BCD on mobile phones, mobile phone chargers and mobile PCBA to 15% from the existing 20%. The government had increased the BCD on these parts from 15% to 20% in 2018. This reduction in customs duty will help in reducing the cost of mobiles and chargers that are imported from other countries, including select iPhones that are still imported. “The <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword> decision to reduce BCD on mobile phones, PCBA, and chargers while simultaneously extending exemptions on inputs/raw materials for smartphone manufacturing, capital goods, and inputs for capital goods in the electronics industry is a welcome move that will encourage the domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem,” said Muralikrishnan B, President, Xiaomi India. A lot of companies also import PCBAs for the devices and they should also record a decrease in costs. At this moment, it is not clear how much of the benefit will be passed on to the consumers. In February 2023, the government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/from-cheaper-smartphones-to-100-5g-labs-here-are-the-top-tech-announcements-in-budget-2023-24/articleshow/97527763.cms">reduced</a> the customs duty on camera lenses used in smartphones from 2.5% to nil. “Transsion India welcomes the Ministry of Finance's decision to reduce the BCD from 20% to 15% on mobile phones, mobile PCBA and chargers. This move will make smartphones more affordable and help us offer the best-in-class smartphones to the ever-evolving Indian market,” said Arijeet Talapatra, chief executive officer, Transsion India. <h2>Experts predict a small price cut</h2>Despite the reduction in BCD, experts have said that a major price cut must not be expected. “The reduction of BCD on smartphones, chargers and PCBA will not have any major impact on the prices of smartphones. We may expect a price cut of 1-2% on average from this move, however, this depends on OEMs if they want to pass this to end consumers. In the lower price segments, we may not see this as in these price segments, the margins are very low,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Counterpoint Research. “However, on the overall electronics manufacturing, the government has focused on a very key area, which is upskilling. Announcements regarding upskilling shows the government intent to grow high-skilled labor force and will help the electronics manufacturing sector securing high-skilled local talent,” he added. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/mobile-phones-to-cancer-medicines-things-that-are-set-to-become-cheaper-after-budget-2024-25/articleshow/111954947.cms">Budget 2024-25: Here's what is cheaper and costlier</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms">Budget 2024-25: Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/understanding-tax-alterations-affecting-stock-markets-capital-gains-tax-stt-on-fo-and-more/articleshow/111956139.cms">Budget 2024: Tax alterations affecting stock markets — capital gains tax, STT on F&amp;O, and more</a>

Budget 2024 – Customs duty on mobile phones, chargers and more reduced

<ul><li>Amazon is currently offering festive discounts on smartphones as part of its yearend offers.</li><li>Smartphones such as iPhone 13, Galaxy S23 FE and more are available at discounted prices.</li><li>The etailer is also offering attractive discounts on iPhones.</li></ul>As the year 2023 comes to a close, deals are flying all across the internet. And if you are looking to buy a new smartphone, now is the right time to purchase a new smartphone. Amazon India has announced several offers and discounts on smartphones as the year comes to an end. As part of the sale, smartphones from brands like OnePlus, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme and others are being offered at a discounted price. In this post, we look at some of the <keyword id="400134" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="best-deals" source="Orion">best deals</keyword> on smartphones on Amazon. Apple iPhone 13 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09G99CW2N" comment="amazoncard" text="B09G99CW2N">B09G99CW2N</cmsannotation> If you are looking to get an iPhone but do not wish to splurge a lot of money, the iPhone 13 is a good option for you. While the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-15-iphone-15-plus-with-usb-type-c-port-improved-cameras-launched-starting-at-799/articleshow/103615581.cms"> iPhone 15</a> is out, the iPhone 13 is still a good device for those looking for a daily user. It offers a decent camera setup, good performance and a stable user experience. The iPhone 13 is currently available for ₹50,499, down from its original price of ₹69,900. OnePlus 11R 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0BSNQ2KXF" comment="amazoncard" text="B0BSNQ2KXF">B0BSNQ2KXF</cmsannotation> The OnePlus 11R 5G is another good option if you are in the market for a new smartphone. The OnePlus 11R 5G is a mid-range smartphone that comes with a good display, decent hardware and a smooth user experience. It is a good option for youngsters and professionals looking for a new smartphone. The device is currently available for ₹39,999, with a discount of up to ₹35,100 on exchange of older smartphones. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0CJ4S724M" comment="amazoncard" text="B0CJ4S724M">B0CJ4S724M</cmsannotation> The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the company’s latest offering in its Galaxy S23 series is up for grabs at a discounted price. The Galaxy S23 FE is a good option for those looking for a hassle-free smartphone that runs without any issues. The device offers a good camera setup, making it a great option for those looking for a camera-centric smartphone. The Galaxy S23 FE is currently available for ₹59,999, down from its original price of ₹79,999. Motorola Razr 40 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0C7QLL8QJ" comment="amazoncard" text="B0C7QLL8QJ">B0C7QLL8QJ</cmsannotation> If you are in the market for a foldable smartphone, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is currently available with a huge discount. The latest flip smartphone from Motorola is a great option for those bored with traditional smartphones and looking for something unique without having to break the bank. The Motorola Razr 40 is currently available for ₹44,999, down from its original price of ₹99,999. iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07WFPLL3C" comment="amazoncard" text="B07WFPLL3C">B07WFPLL3C</cmsannotation> The iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G is another good option if you are looking for a powerful mid-range device that is good for gaming, multi-tasking and more. The device offers a decent camera setup and is a great option for youngsters looking for a daily-driver. The iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G is currently available for ₹32,999, down from its original price of ₹39,999. Redmi Note 12 <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0C1GKQ79V" comment="amazoncard" text="B0C1GKQ79V">B0C1GKQ79V</cmsannotation> It’s not just premium and mid-range smartphones that are being offered at a discount as part of the sale. The Redmi Note 12 affordable smartphone is also being offered at a discounted price. The device offers good performance and a decent camera setup in the budget segment. The Redmi Note 12 is currently available at ₹11,999, down from its original price of ₹18,999. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/inox-india-ipo-how-to-check-allotment-and-gmp-value/articleshow/106109279.cms">Inox India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-and-suvs-in-india-in-2023/slidelist/106092280.cms">From WagonR to Nexon to Creta – top selling cars in India in 2023</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/motisons-jewellers-ipo-at-a-glance-price-band-to-risk-factors/slidelist/106081719.cms">Motisons Jewellers IPO at a glance – Price band to risk factors</a>

iPhone 13 to Redmi Note 12 – Best deals on 5G smartphones

<keyword id="20016418" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mobile-phones" source="keywords">Mobile phones</keyword> are often held against the head during use. And they emit <keyword id="21686850" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="radio-waves" source="keywords">radio waves</keyword>, a type of non-ionising radiation. These two factors are largely why the idea mobile phones might cause <keyword id="20881867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brain-cancer" source="keywords">brain cancer</keyword> emerged in the first place. The possibility that mobile phones might cause <keyword id="19896991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer" source="keywords">cancer</keyword> has been a long-standing concern. Mobile phones - and wireless tech more broadly - are a major part of our daily lives. So it's been vital for science to address the safety of radio wave exposure from these devices. Over the years, the scientific consensus has remained strong - there's no association between mobile phone radio waves and brain cancer, or health more generally. A recent review commissioned by the <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> and published in the journal Environment International confirms the same. The study, which was conducted by Sarah Loughran, who is Director, Radiation Research and Advice, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), and Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director, Health Impact Assessment, ARPANSA, delved into the potential <keyword id="21194036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-effects" source="keywords">health effects</keyword> from radio wave exposure, and has shown mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer. <h2>Radiation as a possible carcinogen</h2> Despite the consensus, occasional research studies have been published that suggested the possibility of harm. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio wave exposure as a possible carcinogen to humans. The meaning of this classification was largely misunderstood and led to some increase in concern. IARC is part of the World Health Organisation. Its classification of radio waves as a possible carcinogen was largely based on limited evidence from human observational studies. Also known as epidemiological studies, they observe the rate of disease and how it may be caused in human populations. Observational studies are the best tool researchers have to investigate long-term health effects in humans, but the results can often be biased. The IARC classification relied on previous observational studies where people with brain cancer reported they used a mobile phone more than they actually did. One example of this is known as the INTERPHONE study. This new systematic review of human observational studies is based on a much larger data set compared to what the IARC examined in 2011. It includes more recent and more comprehensive studies. This means we can now be more confident that exposure to radio waves from mobile phones or <keyword id="22150173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wireless-technologies" source="keywords">wireless technologies</keyword> is not associated with an increased risk of brain cancer, the paper noted. <h2>No association</h2> The new review forms part of a series of systematic reviews commissioned by the World Health Organisation to look more closely at possible health effects associated with exposure to radio waves. This systematic review provides the strongest evidence to date that radio waves from wireless technologies are not a hazard to human health. It is the most comprehensive review on this topic - it considered more than 5,000 studies, of which 63, published between 1994 and 2022, were included in the final analysis. The main reason studies were excluded was that they were not actually relevant; this is very normal with search results from systematic reviews. No association between mobile phone use and brain cancer, or any other head or neck cancer, was found. There was also no association with cancer if a person used a mobile phone for ten or more years (prolonged use). How often they used it - either based on the number of calls or the time spent on the phone - also didn't make a difference. Importantly, these findings align with previous research. It shows that, although the use of wireless technologies has massively increased in the past few decades, there has been no rise in the incidence of brain cancers. <h2>A good thing</h2> Overall, the results are very reassuring. They mean that our national and international safety limits are protective. Mobile phones emit low-level radio waves below these safety limits, and there is no evidence exposure to these has an impact on human health, said the study. Despite this, it is important that research continues. Technology is developing at a rapid pace. With this development comes the use of radio waves in different ways using different frequencies. It is therefore essential that science continues to ensure radio wave exposure from these technologies remains safe. The challenge we now face is making sure this new research counteracts the persistent misconceptions and misinformation out there regarding mobile phones and brain cancer. There remains no evidence of any established health effects from exposures related to mobile phones, and that is a good thing.

Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer, as per a major review of 28 years of research

<ul><li><keyword id="22862470" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iQOO-Z9s-Pro" source="keywords">iQOO Z9s Pro</keyword> comes with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor with up to 12GB RAM.</li><li>The phone is ideal for gaming and multitasking, with 80W fast charging</li><li>iQOO Z9s Pro sports a sleek, contemporary design, offering a lightweight and comfortable grip.</li></ul> iQOO, over the years, has carved a niche for itself in the smartphone market and has various mid-range phones that promise the best performance at a relatively affordable price point. And the iQOO Z9s Pro also falls under this category. We, at Business Insider India, have been using the iQOO Z9s Pro for over a month and after our testing, we can confidently say that this is the smartphone that can give you good performance for under Rs 25,000. <div type="image" title="6" msid="115764952" hostid="261" sizebytes="904220"></div> In India, the iQOO Z9s Pro’s price starts at Rs 24,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The 8GB RAM variant with 256GB storage is priced at Rs 26,999, while the top-end model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage comes in at Rs 28,999. For our testing, we used the top-end model in white colour. So, should you go ahead and buy the iQOO Z9s Pro? Let’s find out. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Design and display </h2> The iQOO Z9s Pro sports a sleek, contemporary design, offering a lightweight and comfortable grip. The phone features a sturdy glossy back panel with a marble feel to it which is visible when the lights are on. The phone, at a glance, looks quite stylish and will stand out in a crowd. I personally am not a fan of prints but the marble feel on the iQOO Z9s Pro looks quite elegant and not at all overdone. Then there is the familiar square camera module and the iQOO branding. The camera module is surrounded by a metallic finish border which elevates the whole look. <div type="image" title="10" msid="115764970" hostid="261" sizebytes="833759"></div> At the bottom is the USB Type C charging port and sim tray. The right edge houses the power and volume buttons that are quite easy to get to while holding the phone in one hand. The left edge is left completely free. The edges also sport a silver metallic finish and are worth noticing. The phone comes with a curved display which further enhances its look. During my usage, I didn’t see any fingerprints on the back panel which is a huge plus. The front, however, did form smudges and gathered dust quickly. <div type="image" title="3" msid="115764994" hostid="261" sizebytes="1688002"></div> Due to its curved display, rounded edges and glossy back, the phone is comfortable to hold and use with just one hand. However, it can also easily slide from your hand if you aren’t paying attention. Hence, it is best to always use it with the cover that comes packed with the phone. The phone’s display is a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and vivid colours, ideal for multimedia and gaming enthusiasts. This high refresh rate is excellent for gaming and general use, delivering a seamless experience. The phone can be used comfortably outdoors too, but a tad more brightness would have been even better. <div type="image" title="2" msid="115764963" hostid="261" sizebytes="1914142"></div> <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Performance </h2> Equipped with the <keyword id="21694334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Qualcomm-Snapdragon-7-Gen-3" source="keywords">Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3</keyword> processor and up to 12GB of RAM, the Z9s Pro is a powerhouse in terms of performance. Everyday tasks and multitasking feel incredibly smooth, while gaming performance is also impressive. The phone could easily handle titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings without a hitch. The cooling system helps prevent overheating during prolonged sessions, making it a reliable choice for gamers. The phone also includes virtual RAM expansion, giving it an edge in handling demanding applications. <div type="image" title="1" msid="115765018" hostid="261" sizebytes="1900985"></div> Talking about the software, even though the phone offers a clean experience with customisable themes and settings, it does come with pre-installed apps, which may be a slight drawback for those who prefer a streamlined interface. The good news is that most of these can be uninstalled, and the UI is generally responsive with minimal lag. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Camera </h2> The Z9s Pro comes with a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens in the back. The phone also sports a 16MP selfie camera. Overall, the camera performs well in good lighting conditions. Night-time photography too is decent for the price. In daylight, the primary camera captures crisp details and vibrant colours. <div type="image" title="12" msid="115765082" hostid="261" sizebytes="1558728"></div> The front camera too performs well and captures your selfies in style. However, the edge detection might feel tad off at times. But this isn't a dealbreaker considering the price of the smartphone. <div type="image" title="15" msid="115765094" hostid="261" sizebytes="833942"></div> The portrait shots from the rear camera are simply stunning. <div type="image" title="16" msid="115765109" hostid="261" sizebytes="1266524"></div> I also used the Master B/W mode and the Vintage film mode and loved the results. <div type="image" title="13" msid="115765126" hostid="261" sizebytes="2287590"></div> While the phone captures impressive detail and colours, the details start fizzling out when you zoom in. Even at 2x, the details start going a bit amiss and by 10x, the performance drop in camera is quite noticeable. But this isn’t a big concern. At night too, the phone can capture some decent shots for its price point. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Battery and charging </h2> With a 5,500mAh battery, the iQOO Z9s Pro easily lasts a full day of moderate usage. For heavy users, 80W fast charging comes in handy, taking the battery from 0 to around 50% in just 20 minutes. This quick top-up time is a big plus for those who are always on the go. The phone also comes with a charger in the box so you don’t have to buy one separately. <h2>iQOO Z9s Pro: Final verdict </h2> <div type="image" title="5" msid="115765350" hostid="261" sizebytes="1316258"></div> The iQOO Z9s Pro stands out in the mid-range segment with its powerful processor, smooth display, and decent camera setup. However, minor improvements in low-light camera performance and UI polish could enhance it further. For users focused on performance and gaming, this phone delivers robust value and is a worthy option in its price bracket.

iQOO Z9s Pro review: Excellent performance in a budget

The rollout of 5G services in India is moving quickly, with companies expected to roll out nationwide services by the end of next year. Keeping this in mind, ensuring your next smartphone is 5 G-ready is important. E-commerce giant Amazon India is currently hosting a sale on <keyword id="3900349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="5g-smartphones" source="Orion">5G smartphones</keyword>, offering discounts, card offers, no-cost EMI options, and complimentary Amazon Prime membership. In this post, we look at some of India's best deals on 5G smartphones. Xiaomi 12 Pro <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09XB8WTXN" comment="amazoncard" text="B09XB8WTXN">B09XB8WTXN</cmsannotation> The Xiaomi 12 Pro is currently available for ₹52,999, down from its original price of ₹79,999. It is a feature-packed smartphone with a large 6.72-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the 8 Gen 1 chipset coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device features a 50MP triple camera setup at the back and a 32MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 4,600mAh battery and has 120W fast charge support that can fully charge the device in 18 minutes. OnePlus 10R 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09WRMNJ9G" comment="amazoncard" text="B09WRMNJ9G">B09WRMNJ9G</cmsannotation> The OnePlus 10R 5G is another good option if you are looking for a 5 G-ready smartphone. It is currently available for ₹34,999, down from its original price of ₹38,999. The OnePlus 10R 5G is the company’s mid-range smartphone and features a large 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Dimensity 8100 Max coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The device sports a triple camera setup at the back and offers a 32MP selfie camera. The device is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery and comes with 80W fast charge support. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08VB57558" comment="amazoncard" text="B08VB57558">B08VB57558</cmsannotation> Despite being a nearly two-year-old device, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is still a good option if you are looking for a mid-range 5G smartphone. The device is currently available for ₹28,999, down from its original price of ₹47,999. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is equipped with the Snapdragon 865 chipset. It has a triple camera setup at the back and a 32MP selfie camera. The device is powered by a 4,500mAh battery. iQOO Neo 6 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07WHNJ4ZK" comment="amazoncard" text="B07WHNJ4ZK">B07WHNJ4ZK</cmsannotation> The iQOO Neo 6 5G is another good option if you are looking for a 5G mid-range smartphone. It is currently available for ₹28,999, down from its original price of ₹34,999. The iQOO Neo 6 5G features a 6.62-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It features a triple camera setup and comes with a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 4,700mAh battery coupled with 80W fast charging. Xiaomi Mi 11X <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B085J1QWFV" comment="amazoncard" text="B085J1QWFV">B085J1QWFV</cmsannotation> The Xiaomi Mi 11x is a good option if you are looking for a 5G smartphone under ₹30,000. The device is currently available for ₹29,999, down from its original price of ₹33,999. The device features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ E4 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 870 chipset coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The device features a triple camera setup at the back and a 20MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 4,520mAh battery coupled with 33W fast charging. Redmi K50i 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0B4DZ14K7" comment="amazoncard" text="B0B4DZ14K7">B0B4DZ14K7</cmsannotation> The Redmi K50i 5G is worth considering if you want an affordable 5G device. It is currently available for ₹23,999, down from its original price of ₹31,999. The Redmi K50i 5G features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is equipped with a Dimensity 8100 chipset coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The device features a triple camera setup at the back and a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,080mAh battery coupled with 67W fast charging support. OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09WQYFLRX" comment="amazoncard" text="B09WQYFLRX">B09WQYFLRX</cmsannotation> The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is another option worth considering if you want an affordable 5G device that offers a smooth experience. It is currently available for ₹18,999, down from its original price of ₹19,999. The device features a 6.59-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 695 chipset. The device features a triple camera setup at the back and comes with a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 65W SuperVOOC charging support.

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From Pixel 7 to iPhone 13 – best smartphones under ₹50,000 in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Republicans in Israel are working hard ahead of the election.</li><li>Israel has the fourth-largest US expat community, with up to 200,000 eligible voters.</li></ul>Judith Segaloff has been busy in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-donald-trump-15-days-swing-states-polling-2024-10">run-up to the election.</a>"From early in the morning, until late at night, people are calling me, people are WhatsApping me, people are asking how to get their ballots," she told Business Insider during a phone call. "It's non-stop."Born in the US, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/60000-american-jews-live-in-west-bank-settlements">Segaloff now lives in the West Bank</a> in a settler community that the International Court of Justice says is illegal.Working with the Republican Overseas in Israel group, she is emerging as a key organizer to mobilize the GOP vote in what <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-trump-presidential-election-swing-state-polls-sun-belt-2024-10">looks like a very close race.</a>Expats' votes are counted in the last state they lived in. As a former Michigander, Segaloff's vote is powerful.She has been reaching out to other US voters living in Israel, originally from battleground states, in the hope of helping to secure a win for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump.</a>"I think that we could influence the swing states and move them a little bit," she said.<div type="image" title="An Israeli flag is displayed in front of a building near a road sign for the US embassy in Jerusalem on September 27, 2023." height="2432" width="3648" msid="114727058" hostid="261" sizebytes="1007938"></div>According to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.fvap.gov/info/reports-surveys/overseas-citizen-population-analysis">Federal Voting Assistance Program</a>, Israel has the US's fourth-largest expat community and about 147,000 eligible voters. iVote Israel, a voting resource for Americans in Israel, estimates the number at around 200,000.The pool of voters isn't huge, but in such a close election, it could prove significant.Matanya Harow, iVote Israel's national director, said most voters contacting them are from New York, New Jersey, and California, but a significant number come from battleground states, mainly Pennsylvania and Michigan."I believe that they can have quite a sizable impact," he said.With days to go, absentee ballot registration deadlines for many states have already passed, so iVote Israel is primarily helping voters return their existing ballots — a process that varies by state.Historically, the challenging task has stunted turnout in Israel. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Reports/FVAP-VoterBrief_211105_v1a.pdf">According to the FVAP</a>, only about 5% of American voters in Israel cast their ballot in 2020.Nonetheless, both parties are trying.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-investment-voters-abroad-us-election/">According to CBS News,</a> the Democratic National Committee allocated $300,000 for Democrats Abroad to reach overseas voters—a first in a presidential election cycle.Although the official Democrats Abroad in Israel group disbanded over a disagreement shortly after last year'<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-hamas-october7-attacks-middle-east-lebanon-war-2024-10">s October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks</a>, a new organization formed — American Democrats in Israel.Heather Stone, the group's executive vice chair, said they've received "thousands" of calls from swing-state voters living in Israel. "It's down to the wire," she said.She said those voters see <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a> as supportive of Israel and its ability to defend itself. They are, she said, also motivated by other issues like<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-vote-abortion-top-issue-2024-biden-trump-guide"> abortion,</a> healthcare, the economy, and the climate crisis."We don't check our values just because we moved across the ocean," Stone said.<h2 id="a3a834ae-ff15-4a91-9554-0a29772b433f">The GOP pitch — protecting Israel's security</h2>The Republican camp appears to be zeroing in on Israel's defense and security.Sen. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-60-percent-chance-trump-wins-betting-markets-kalshi-2024-10">JD Vance,</a> Trump's running mate, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-824435">said in a video earlier this month</a> to American voters in Israel that if Harris becomes president, "it's going to lead to broader regional war or maybe even worse."Trump has previously made the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/4889959-donald-trump-israel-will-cease-to-exist-kamala-harris/">unfounded claim that Israel would cease to exist</a> within years if he doesn't win.The message resonated with some American voters in Israel, particularly given <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-fighting-war-3-fronts-hamas-lebanon-syria-middle-east-2023-10">Israel's simultaneous fights with Hamas, Hezbollah, and other regional foes</a>"We're fighting for our survival right now, our sons and daughters — of Americans — are being killed in Gaza and Lebanon," Raphael Gantshar, a New Yorker who moved to Israel 17 years ago, told BI.He said American voters in Israel will be asking, '"Which presidency is the one that will save the lives of my children?"Gantshar believes Trump is the answer and will vote for him for a second time. He said he feels the former president understands better than Harris how to stabilize the region, which he believes aligns with the best interests of the US.<div type="image" title="US President Donald Trump watches as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) speaks from the Truman Balcony at the White House during the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accord." height="2560" width="3840" msid="114727064" hostid="261" sizebytes="264084"></div>For Tzvi Silver, who moved from New Jersey 13 years ago, Israel's security is a concern, but he doesn't necessarily buy the apocalyptic warnings."I don't think that Vice President Kamala Harris being elected will necessarily be good for Israel," he said."I'm also not concerned that I'll wake up on the day after the election, November 6, and all of a sudden the Jewish state will, God forbid, be gone or something like that."Silver said that he had been convinced to vote for Trump based on his track record, highlighting the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jared-kushner-founding-nonprofit-focused-middle-east-report-2021-5">Abraham Accords </a>— agreements from Trump's presidency that promoted Arab-Israeli normalization — and the state of the US economy.Although Silver is firm in his decision, that is not the case for everyone around him. He said his in-laws plan to vote for Harris, while his wife may vote for Trump for the first time.<h2 id="3975bf45-0b1c-4720-81d3-7d574642a678">In Trump-friendly Israel, American expats are divided</h2>In general, Israel is Trump-friendly territory. There's even <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/some-israeli-conservatives-said-trump-just-like-one-of-us-2022-11">a town square named after him.</a>According to a <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/israel-us-election-poll-trump-harris-vote-preference/story?id=114474257">national Langer Research/PORI poll </a>of 1,012 Israelis last month, Trump is comfortably ahead of with 56% of preferences to Harris' 24%.In contrast, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-claims-jewish-voters-leaving-democratic-party-2019-3">Jewish voters in the US</a> overwhelmingly tend to support the Democrats.While no specific polls exist for US voters in Israel, Uriel Abulof, an associate professor at Tel Aviv University's School of Political Science, believes opinions are divided, primarily along religious lines.He said that among American voters in Israel, Orthodox Jews are more likely to support Trump, while secular Jews tend to favor Harris.For those in the middle, their choice is likely to hinge on who they believe will best protect Israel, Abulof said.This may in turn be influenced by their support for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netanyahu-israel-congress-hamas-gaza-war-aid-palestinian-protest-2024-7">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.</a>He said, "In this age where everything is so personalized, if Bibi says, and effectively he does, that Trump is better for Israel, then they would vote for Trump."For the Republicans Overseas in Israel, they're banking on a sizable number of those people being from swing states.Or, as Segaloff wrote in a WhatsApp message, "Here's hoping."

Republicans are mobilizing expat votes for Trump in Israel, hoping to tip the scale in battleground states

<ul><li>The <keyword id="23635775" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Snapdragon-8-Elite" source="keywords">Snapdragon 8 Elite</keyword> Mobile Platform has been announced at the <keyword id="23643588" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Snapdragon-Tech-Summit" source="keywords">Snapdragon Tech Summit</keyword>.</li><li>The flagship chipset will power the next-gen flagship smartphones.</li><li>Here’s everything you need to know about the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform.</li></ul> <keyword id="19944986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Qualcomm" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Qualcomm" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Qualcomm">Qualcomm</keyword> today announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, the company’s latest flagship mobile chipset at the Snapdragon Tech Summit 2024. The Snapdragon 8 Elite will power the next-gen flagship Android smartphones. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is the successor of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and comes with a new moniker. In addition to announcing the chipset, the American chip giant also revealed some of the devices that will be launched with the new chipset in the coming weeks. <h2>Snapdragon 8 Elite features and specifications</h2>The Snapdragon 8 Elite uses the company’s second-gen Oryon CPU with a custom eight-core structure. It offers two prime cores clocked at 4.32 GHz and six performance cores clocked at 3.53 GHz. It offers support for 5,300MHz LPDDR5X RAM. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114275922" title="Samsung Galaxy Ring is now available in India at ₹38,999" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The new chipset is built on TSMC’s 3nm process and is claimed to offer a 45% boost in CPU performance and a 44% improvement in power efficiency. Coming to the graphics, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is equipped with a revamped Adreno GPU which is claimed to offer 40% improved performance and power efficiency. For gamers, it is claimed to offer 35% improved ray tracing performance. This will also be the first chipset to offer support for Unreal Engine 5.3. "We are so excited to bring the power of Qualcomm Oryon to our Snapdragon mobile platforms for the first time. It's a major leap forward and we expect consumers to be thrilled with the new experiences enabled by our CPU technology,” said Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies. The chipset is equipped with the new Hexagon NPU that will enable 45% boost in performance and power efficiency. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114210864" title="Pixel 9 Pro to go on sale in India from October 17 – price, specs and everything you need to know" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Qualcomm has also announced a new AI engine with Multimodal Gen AI support, which is aimed at improving interactions, understanding voice, text, images and even see content through your camera. The Snapdragon 8 Elite packs a triple ISP (Image Signal Processor), enabling cameras to capture 8K HDR video or shoot photos at over 200 MP resolution. Qualcomm’s new Spectra ISP ensures superior low-light performance, faster autofocus, and enhanced image processing. The Snapdragon 8 Elite comes with the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System along with the Qualcomm 5G AI Suite Gen 3. It offers download speeds of up to 10 Gbps and Wi-Fi 7 support via FastConnect 7900. <h2><keyword id="21843015" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iQOO-13" source="keywords">iQOO 13</keyword></h2>iQOO has confirmed that the iQOO 13, its flagship smartphone with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset will launch at an event in China on October 30. The company has also teased the India launch of the device and has said that the device will be available through Amazon India. <div type="image" title="iQOO 13" msid="114464075" hostid="261" sizebytes="31674" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;iQOO 13 teaser&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It will feature a large 6,150mAh battery and offer 120W fast charging support. This will be a huge increase from the 5,000mAh battery offered with the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iqoo-12-review-flagship-performance-and-cameras-at-an-affordable-price/articleshow/105937154.cms"> iQOO 12</a>. The iQOO 13 will be available in four colour options – Black Racetrack, Gray, Isle of Man and White Legendary Edition. Vivo has also revealed that its upcoming X200 Ultra will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. <h2><keyword id="23451323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Xiaomi-15" source="keywords">Xiaomi 15</keyword> series</h2>Xiaomi has confirmed that the upcoming Xiaomi 15 series will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, going on even claim that its devices will be the first to be launched with the new chipset. The company has said that it has revamped HyperCore and this will offer a 3-degree Celsius decline in temperatures while gaming and reduce the power consumption by up to 29.7%. <h2><keyword id="20850131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-13" source="keywords">OnePlus 13</keyword></h2>The OnePlus 13 is among the most awaited smartphones in the affordable flagship segment and is set to be launched in China on October 31. While the Indian launch is still a while away, we will get to know everything about the device later this month. The company has already confirmed that the device will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. “Over the years, OPPO and Qualcomm Technologies have maintained a close collaboration to bring users numerous innovative experiences, including when it comes to on-device generative AI. We are looking forward to the launch of our flagship masterpiece, the OnePlus 13, which will adopt the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform as OnePlus ushers in the new decade,” said Henry Duan, Senior Vice President, OPPO. <h2>Samsung</h2>Samsung has also said that its upcoming flagship devices will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. While the company has not said which devices will use the chipset, it will likely include devices from its Galaxy S25 series and the new Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip smartphones. <h2><keyword id="23642262" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Realme-GT-7-Pro" source="keywords">Realme GT 7 Pro</keyword></h2>Realme has claimed that its flagship smartphone, the Realme GT 7 Pro, which is scheduled to launch in November will be the first device to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. “At Realme, we’re committed to being the first to push boundaries and cutting-edge technology to our customers. We couldn’t be prouder to be the first brand in India to launch a smartphone featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset,” a Realme spokesperson said. <h2><keyword id="23643587" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ROG-Phone-9" source="keywords">ROG Phone 9</keyword></h2>One of the phones that gamers look out for every year is the ROG Phone as it features powerful hardware and this year’s ROG Phone 9 will be no different. Asus has confirmed that the ROG Phone 9 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and will be announced on November 19. The company is expected to pair the chipset with up to 24GB RAM and 1TB internal storage. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/upi-refund-scam-to-digital-arrest-scam-here-are-most-common-online-scams-in-india/articleshow/114428011.cms">UPI refund to digital arrest scam, here are some online scams you need to be aware of</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/best-credit-cards-for-online-shopping-in-india/articleshow/114354358.cms">Best credit cards for online shopping this festive season</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/best-smartphones-under-25000-in-india-in-october-2024/slidelist/114339207.cms">Best smartphones under ₹25,000 in India in October 2024</a>

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There are a lot of ways you might characterize <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-feature-waits-on-hold-customer-service-2024-2">customer-service calls</a>: frustrating, time-consuming, annoying. Increasingly, people are using a new word to describe these interactions: fancy. In a world where navigating even the tiniest blip can turn into a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-contact-facebook-problems-with-account-other-issues">consumer nightmare</a>, the ability to speak with a real, live human being has become special.I probably do not have to tell you how difficult, if not impossible, it is to get in touch with a customer-service representative nowadays. Companies have downsized and phased out call centers in an effort to cut costs, causing wait times to balloon. Business phone numbers are buried deep on their websites, meant to be accessed by only the most determined consumers. Once customers do get on the line, they're confronted with an army of robots designed to keep them from speaking with someone. In some cases, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vox.com/23571375/no-call-center-phone-number-frontier-facebook">it is truly impossible to speak with an actual person</a>. Corporations are pushing consumers toward chatbots and emails and FAQs and some good old figure-it-out-on-your-own nudges, all in the name of efficiency and, ultimately, profits. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cvs-pharmacy-use-ai-customer-service-call-centers-tilak-mandadi-2024-6">Companies are now claiming</a> that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-take-anger-out-customer-complaints-call-centers-softbank-japan-2024-5">AI will fix this</a>, which, I don't think we should hold our collective breath.In the midst of all this, the phone call has become a status symbol of sorts. You want to speak to a representative? That's a privilege, not a right.Companies have made it so difficult to talk to a person that customers — especially younger people — have started to internalize the idea of a phone call as a premium product. Gen Zers don't like to talk on the phone, except when it makes them feel exclusive and important. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/operations-blog/why-your-kids-arent-calling-you-but-they-are-calling-their-bank">McKinsey recently found</a> that when Gen Zers were engaging with premium brands or services — say, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-platinum-card-gold-gen-z-millennial-rewards-2024-6">a fancy American Express card</a> — they were actually more likely to make a call than millennials and as likely to call as boomers. They see the ability to call as a concierge-like service that helps them skip to the front of the line and offload the labor of whatever they're trying to accomplish onto someone else. "The verbatims we heard were things like, 'Well, if I'm paying $500 for a premium card from Barclays or Amex or whatnot, then part of the service for me is phone,'" said Eric Buesing, a partner at McKinsey who advises clients in banking and financial services. "This is a generation that's always grown up with digital and not the transition to digital, and therefore the phone is not more of a legacy, it's more of an assistant, somebody that will just do it for me."Gen Zers aren't wrong in their assessment that the phone is a perk. It's a fact of life across the consumer economy.If you've ever experienced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-delays-cancellations-passenger-airlines-air-travel-rights-refunds-fees-2024-8">flying snafu</a> while traveling with people who have various airline statuses, you may have noticed some of your fellow travelers had a much easier time getting their flight rerouted or their baggage found. That's not an accident: Airlines used to have separate phone numbers for elites — and in some cases, they still do — but now, even if high-status passengers don't know the magic number, they get sorted into better and faster phone service anyway."The top tiers of elite status do give you access to special phone numbers," said Clint Henderson, a managing editor at The Points Guy, a travel blog and website. "They also know your phone number when you're calling, so they'll route you to a quicker queue."Henderson lamented that this passenger caste system isn't as good as it used to be — for the winners, obviously. In the past, you got really specialized call desks and agents who could go extraordinarily above and beyond if you were lucky (and spent enough). Now, he said, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-travel-airline-customer-service-airports-delayed-canceled-flights-terrible-2023-2">airline cost-cutting</a> has even come for elite travelers. Still, they're getting a much better deal on the phone than everyone else."It used to be really, really good," Henderson said. "And now it's just really nice to have, especially when there's a meltdown or something, because you're going to get priority for callbacks and for rebooking."It's not just airlines — plenty of companies are great at finding all kinds of ways to sort customers into priority levels, including when it comes to the phone. Verizon, for example, charges a $10 "agent assistance fee" when you pay your bill by calling its customer-service line. AT&amp;T and T-Mobile charge to pay via human, too. The only way to get live phone support 24/7 from Yahoo is by paying. (I am not entirely sure how many people need to call Yahoo these days, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/yahoo/comments/uncvy3/customer_service_is_a_paid_subscription/">per Reddit</a>, this is an issue people have encountered.) Best Buy's 24/7 phone tech support is available as part of a package that costs $180 annually — something it took me a lengthy back-and-forth with a chat assistant to figure out. (Best Buy points out that package has other features and that there are plenty of free ways to connect with its agents.) AppleCare+ gets you priority phone access. Fidelity has various tiers of advisory services. You may be able to get someone on the phone at a lower tier, depending what you need, but to get phone access to a dedicated team of advisors, you have to invest $50,000. Consumers are frustrated that access to a human is on the decline — that extreme corporate frugality has rendered hearing a voice on the other end of the line a novelty. Simultaneously, those with premium status have come to, probably fairly, believe that spending so much money entitles them to a level of direct access that's become scarce."It becomes really easy for companies to start positioning the access to phone service as a premium," said Michelle Kinch, an assistant professor of business administration at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. "It's more expensive, and so therefore you've got to have the revenue associated with that to make it a profitable part of the business."It just kind of boils down to that cost-benefit. If I, as a company, can calculate what my customer profitability is, then I can determine where I could deploy those more expensive resources, particularly if I'm going to engender higher levels of loyalty from the customer as a result. It becomes a perk."Kinch's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/19-089_41436e5b-f067-4040-9281-5069a1474b3d.pdf">research</a> on the impact of increasingly sterile customer service on the consumer psyche has found that lacking human contact can make an already anxiety-inducing situation worse. When people are on edge — which they often are when they're trying to reach a representative — they crave human contact. Just the reassurance that they could talk to someone if they wanted makes them feel better. She's recently been working on a small-scale study on AI in customer service and has observed that people interacting with virtual agents reported feeling more anxious immediately after those interactions than those who dealt with people. Anecdotally, it tracks — plenty of people have had the experience of, say, confirming a credit-card charge with a bot and then wondering if that confirmation stuck. And in a high-anxiety situation, like dealing with a travel cancellation or making a financial transaction, people just really want the option to talk to someone if they need to."We have that old adage that misery loves company for a reason," Kinch said.She recently experienced a pay-to-phone conundrum with a prominent research platform. She switched jobs and got locked out of her old email, and the only way for her to call customer service about the problem was to pay for a subscription. Even the person on the phone couldn't solve her issue, but she had to keep paying to subscribe because the only way to close her account was over the phone, too.There aren't many obvious solutions here. Buesing, from McKinsey, said call volumes were going up at many organizations, meaning the need for human contact isn't going away. He's talking to his clients about introducing premium chatbots to solve customers' problems. That could perhaps be nice for people who access them, though given the state of the chatbot, which is mediocre at best, it's hard to imagine exactly how a chatbot could achieve premium status.Companies could, of course, invest more in call centers and hire people to talk to customers, but that would require them to do something they would very much like to avoid: spend money.Part of the reason the phone feels fancy is that it is fancy, or at least a relief. Sometimes you want to explain your issue to someone (without yelling or being mean, eh) and get it figured out and taken care of. The phone may have become a status symbol, but it shouldn't be.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/emily-stewart">Emily Stewart</a> is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.

The hot new status symbol: phone calls

<ul><li>Amazon’s Great Indian Festival Sale 2022 is live now, and it ends on 23 October.</li><li>The sale offers instant discounts for purchases via select bank cards.</li><li>Below, check out Prime deals on smartphones.</li></ul>Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2022 has been offering the best deals on products ranging from electronics to home and kitchen appliances and everything in between. Now the grand sale is ending, and if you have missed the deals on smartphones in the previous weeks, this is the last chance to make a move. The e-commerce giant is offering an instant discount of 10% on selected bank cards. With that being said, here are the <keyword id="5025075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="best-deals-on-smartphones" source="Orion">best deals on smartphones</keyword> you can grab during the last days of Amazon Great Indian Festival Finale Days. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Apple iPhone 13" comment="subhead" text="Apple iPhone 13">Apple iPhone 13</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09G9D8KRQ" comment="amazoncard" text="B09G9D8KRQ">B09G9D8KRQ</cmsannotation> During the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2022, Apple's iPhone 13 - 128GB has a starting price of ₹66,990, originally priced at ₹79,900. Also, buyers can swap an old iPhone model to get an additional discount. The device is powered by Apple's A15 Bionic chip and features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with Ceramic Shield protection and a 12MP dual camera setup at the back. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Apple iPhone 12" comment="subhead" text="Apple iPhone 12">Apple iPhone 12</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0932MD32V" comment="amazoncard" text="B0932MD32V">B0932MD32V</cmsannotation> If you are an Apple fan looking to purchase an iPhone, the iPhone 12 is currently available at a discounted price. The iPhone 12 features a large 6.1-inch Super Retina display and is powered by the company’s A14 Bionic chipset. The device features a 12MP dual camera setup at the back and comes with a 12MP selfie camera. It is available in five colours, allowing you to choose your favourite colour. During the last days of the sale, you can buy it for just ₹51,990, down from its original price of ₹70,900. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G" comment="subhead" text="Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G">Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09XBBTH9S" comment="amazoncard" text="B09XBBTH9S">B09XBBTH9S</cmsannotation> The next phone on our list is a flagship smartphone from Xiaomi. It is selling for ₹54,999 with bank discounts, down from the usual selling for ₹79,999, with an additional ₹10,000 off on exchange. The device features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ display and has a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz with AdaptiveSync Pro technology for excellent visuals. It runs on the flagship SoC Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The handset packs a 4600mAh battery, which juices up at 120W speed with the included HyperCharger in the box. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="OnePlus 10R 5G" comment="subhead" text="OnePlus 10R 5G">OnePlus 10R 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09WRMNJ9G" comment="amazoncard" text="B09WRMNJ9G">B09WRMNJ9G</cmsannotation> The popular OnePlus 10R 5G is available for just ₹32,999 with bank discounts, down from the usual selling price of ₹38,999. The device sports a 6.7-inch 120Hz IRIS Display with a Full HD resolution for crisp and clear visuals. The device comes with enhanced features such as Reading Mode, Hyper Touch Mode, Night Mode, and Eye Comfort Mode. Under the hood, the device packs MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chipset for powerful and seamless performance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Redmi K50i 5G" comment="subhead" text="Redmi K50i 5G">Redmi K50i 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0B4DWTKFC" comment="amazoncard" text="B0B4DWTKFC">B0B4DWTKFC</cmsannotation> The Redmi K50i 5G is yet another mid-range device that offers performance without compromise. It is currently selling for ₹24,999 with bank discounts, down from the usual selling price of ₹31,999. Besides this, you can get an additional ₹4,000 off on exchange. The device features a 6.6-inch 144Hz Liquid FFS (FHD+) display and sports Dolby Vision certification. Further, it packs dual speakers 6GB RAM and a 64MP main triple camera for photography. The Redmi K50i 5G gets a 5,000mAh battery with 67W Turbo Charge. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G" comment="subhead" text="Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G">Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08VB2MRF8" comment="amazoncard" text="B08VB2MRF8">B08VB2MRF8</cmsannotation> If you are looking for a flagship device under ₹30,000 then you can’t miss this deal. Currently, Galaxy S20 FE 5G is listed for just ₹29,990, down from its original price of ₹74,990. It runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Octa-Core chipset which is coupled with 8GB RAM, and 128GB internal memory which is expandable up to 1TB. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="iQOO Z6 Pro 5G" comment="subhead" text="iQOO Z6 Pro 5G">iQOO Z6 Pro 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07WFPMGQQ" comment="amazoncard" text="B07WFPMGQQ">B07WFPMGQQ</cmsannotation> Priced at ₹21,999, iQOO Z6 Pro 5G is a decent pick if you are looking for a device with a flagship processor. Also, you can exchange your old device and save up to ₹12,200 on this deal. Other than this, by using selected bank cards, you can buy it at no-cost EMI. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G" comment="subhead" text="Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G">Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09G3BDQ9X" comment="amazoncard" text="B09G3BDQ9X">B09G3BDQ9X</cmsannotation> If you are looking for a smartphone with flagship specifications then your search should end here. Currently, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G is available for ₹25,999, originally priced for ₹33,999. It is available at No-cost EMI and you can grab an extra 5% discount by using an Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Samsung Galaxy M53 5G" comment="subhead" text="Samsung Galaxy M53 5G">Samsung Galaxy M53 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09XJ5LD6L" comment="amazoncard" text="B09XJ5LD6L">B09XJ5LD6L</cmsannotation> The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is available for ₹21,999 during the last days of the sale, originally priced at ₹32,999. This is one of the best deals you can grab right now. The device features, a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, runs on MTK D900 Octa Core chipset and has a massive 5000mAh battery. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Samsung Galaxy S22 5G" comment="subhead" text="Samsung Galaxy S22 5G">Samsung Galaxy S22 5G</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09SH8QD3G" comment="amazoncard" text="B09SH8QD3G">B09SH8QD3G</cmsannotation> If you are in the market for a reliable Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is a good option. The device features a 6.1-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is a great option for professionals. The device runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It features a triple camera setup at the back and comes with a 10MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 3,700mAh battery and comes with 25W charge support. The Galaxy S22 is currently available for ₹52,999, down from its original price of ₹85,999. 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