What can be the alternatives for Micromax Canvas 4?

Hi,
My dad wants to buy a phone, preferably Android. His budget is around 16-17k.
He liked his colleague's Canvas 2 and is thinking to buy the new Canvas 4. Now i doubt, whether he should spend this much money for such brand like Micromax and another thing is that he doesn't like samsung, hates it.
Now tell me if there are any other 'better' alternatives for Canvas 4, performance and hardware quality wise?

I think instead of spending money by buying micromax he should buy Sony Xperia Ion which is available almost at the same price. I think sony xperia Ion is far better.