I have observed that rough-and-tough phones are quite popular in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Handsets that are practical in everyday use, can withstand accidental falls, and still keep running without fuss. Consumers in these areas prioritise value, durability and long-term cost savings over the latest features or brand names. Companies like Infinix and Lava have a strong focus on such markets, for the simple reason that people have a more grounded approach to technology consumption. Moreover, mobile gaming is experiencing rapid growth as a large, young population looks for performance-focused devices.
Infinix Hot 60 5G+: AI shortcuts meet gaming power
The Infinix Hot 60 5G+ is designed with gamers in mind, featuring a combination of hardware and software optimisations to enhance the gaming experience. It is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor, XOS15 operating system based on Android 15, 6GB+128GB memory and storage configuration, and a big 5200mAh battery with reverse charging.
The phone has a sleek and slim profile with IP64 rating for dust and water resistance. It fits nicely in your pocket and hand. There is a 6.7-inch Punch-hole display with refresh rate of 120 Hz for sharper, more fluid visuals. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web, the display is geared up for everything you throw at it. The phone takes clear photos with its 50MP rear camera, also there are 10+ modes, including AIGC Portrait, Super Night, Dual Mode, Pro Mode, that make photos aesthetically pleasing. The 8MP front snapper captures pretty good selfies too.
The One Tap AI button is a big attraction; this is a smart and seamless shortcut that redefines user interaction with this phone. With dual functionality—via double press or long press—it can be customised for over 30+ apps, simplifying daily tasks with ease. Whether it’s faster typing, smoother gaming, or quick access to key actions, this feature puts everything at your fingertips. Overall, a good attempt by the brand to bring smart, AI-powered convenience directly to users’ fingertips.
Lava Blaze Dragon 5G: Smooth performance on a budget
The Blaze Dragon 5G from Lava is intended for the budget-conscious buyer who doesn’t want to compromise on the basics. It comes in two colour options—Golden Mist and Midnight Mist. The phone sports a 6.74-inch 2.5D touchscreen with HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, over 450 nits of brightness level, and 20:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. There is support for virtual RAM expansion of up to 4GB. The phone runs on stock Android 15 out of the box.
The Blaze Dragon has a 50MP AI-enabled camera at the back. At the front, there is a 8MP selfie camera. Front or back, the imaging output is fairly decent. The handset packs a 5,000mAh battery, which supports 18W wired charging. Overall performance is smooth and fast. Frankly speaking, you’ve got a nice mid-range phone that’s easy to recommend for most.
