The ₹12,000 price point is a sweet spot in the Indian smartphone market. At this price, you can start scouring the market for a phone that not only comes with dependable performance but also some features that set it apart from phones under 10K. Smartphone OEMs are working towards including the best possible features and specifications at the most affordable price and the ₹12,000 segment is where we can see the benefits of that trend. You can start looking for phones with AMOLED displays, 5G connectivity, fast refresh rate, quick charging, and large-capacity batteries. If you want the best possible performance and features without breaking the bank, these are the phones you should consider under ₹12,000.
- 1.
- Minimalistic, sleek design, Brilliant battery backup, Decent cameras
- Slow charging, Plenty of bloatware, Display feels dull
The Redmi 12 makes 5G more accessible to the masses, but it doesn’t compromise on quality in order to do that. It looks classy and sleek – sporting a small punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera which is a rarity in this price segment. The performance is pretty decent as well, you can do some gaming on low graphics with ease, however, there is plenty of bloatware. The battery backup is one of the best in the segment and the cameras exceeded our expectations. Some cons are present such as slow charging and a dull display, but overall, this is a solid option to consider under 12,000.
- 2.
- Reliable performance for day-to-day use
- Excellent battery life
- Smooth 120 Hz display
- Well-designed for the price
- 5G on a budget
- Frame drops during heavy gaming
- Low-light photography is mediocre
- Only 64 GB internal storage in base variant
- Bloatware
The Realme C65 5G stands out in the budget smartphone market with its smooth performance, long-lasting battery life, and impressive daylight photography, all at an affordable price of ₹10,499. It boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate display, MediaTek Dimensity 6030 processor, and up to 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, although the base variant’s 64 GB storage is considered insufficient for 2024. Despite some downgrades like reduced fast charging speed, the C65 5G offers significant improvements over its predecessor, including 5G connectivity, IP54 protection, and a better primary camera. However, it’s marred by excessive bloatware and mediocre low-light camera performance. Overall, the Realme C65 5G delivers excellent value, making it a strong contender in the affordable 5G segment with minimal compromises.
- 3.
The Lava Blaze 2 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone launched at ₹9,999, offering 5G connectivity and a unique ‘Ring Light’ design feature around the camera module for notifications, though its brightness is a bit dull. It sports a glass back, plastic mid-frame, and a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 processor with configurations up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, it runs on Android 13 and performs adequately in gaming but may heat up during intensive tasks. The dual camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary camera that captures detailed images, albeit with exaggerated colors, and a 16-megapixel front camera that takes vibrant selfies. The 5000mAh battery offers solid performance, supporting 18-watt fast charging. Despite needing improvements in OS and display resolution, the Lava Blaze 2 5G is a considerable option for its price range.
- 4.
- Responsive display
- Decent performance
- Good front camera
- Too much bloatware
- Main camera lacks natural colours
- Slippery design
Priced at around ₹10,000, the Redmi 13C 5G offers budget-friendly access to 5G capabilities, a first for the ‘C’ series. Its glass back and starry design impart a premium touch, complemented by a smooth 90Hz refresh rate display. With the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, it handles tasks and gaming with ease. A robust 5000mAh battery ensures extended usage. While MIUI 14 software includes pre-installed apps and ads, and the camera could be better, the Redmi 13C 5G remains a standout for its features, performance, and value.
- 5.
If battery life is your primary concern, the Vivo T2x has you covered. It features one of the largest batteries in the segment – a massive 6,000 mAh cell that leaves competitors in the dust. This battery coupled with the power-efficient MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset make for a fantastic combination. You can safely expect the phone to last a couple of days without having to reach for your charging cable. Battery aside, the phone packs UFS 3.1 storage, which is a rarity at this price. You usually get to see phones with UFS 2.2 storage or eMMC 5.1 storage, both of which are slower. Another highlight is the super smooth 144 Hz refresh rate display, so scrolling through your phone appears buttery smooth. Oh, and of course, it has 5G connectivity at a very affordable price.
- 6.
The Samsung Galaxy F14 5G is one of the most versatile 5G smartphones money can buy under ₹12,000. It has a massive 6,000 mAh battery and a power-efficient 5 nm Exynos 1330 chipset that sets it performance apart from most of its competitors. The phone looks simple and classy, and sports Gorilla Glass 5 protection for its display. Speaking of the display, you get a pretty basic FHD+ LCD display with 90 Hz refresh rate. The cameras, while decent in daylight, aren’t the best for low light photography.
- 7.
- Well-designed phone with a glass back, Impressive battery life, Cheapest 5G phone yet
- Camera’s dynamic range could be better, Only 18 W charging, Tons of bloatware
The POCO M6 Pro is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in the Indian market with impressive performance for the price and solid battery life. It doesn’t cut too many corners despite its affordable price. You get a massive battery, a smooth 90 Hz display and a great design! This is one of the few phones in this price bracket to feature a premium glass rear panel as well. The phone has very similar specifications to the Redmi 12 5G which we have already listed here. However, you can often buy the POCO M6 Pro at a lower price, making this a value for money option for the masses.
- 8.
The Realme Narzo N55 is a decent option in this price bracket if you don’t mind missing out on 5G. It is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G88 processor, a decent processor with good gaming abilities on a budget. You get 4/6 GB of LPDDR4X RAM which should be enough to handle base-level multitasking. The display is excellent for the price. It has Full HD+ resolution so content looks nice and crisp, and the 90 Hz refresh rate support keeps things feeling smooth. The cameras and battery life are decent for the price, and charging is quick as well.
- 9.
If you like phones with a clean UI and minimal bloatware, the Moto G32 is a phone you should look into. Priced under 10K, the Moto G32 offers a minimally-modified version of stock Android which is smooth and fluid. The phone houses the Snapdragon 680 SoC that performs basic tasks with ease. You also get a large 5,000 mAh battery that can last for a full day even with heavy usage. Add to that, fast 30 W charging, and you’re golden in the battery department. For entertainment, you get a FHD+ 90 Hz display with stereo speakers, a cut above the competition. Consider this phone if you want a solid display with decent battery life on a phone without breaking the bank.
- 10.
- Attractive Design
- Good Battery
- Responsive Display
- Bad low-light camera
- Buggy OS
- Display lacks sharpness
The Lava Blaze 2 5G is one of the best 5G smartphones under 10K. You get a speedy MediaTek Dimensity 6020 SoC that can handle basic tasks as well as some light gaming. There’s also support for other impressive features such as 90 Hz refresh rate, 2K video recording with Ring Light flash, 18 W charging, and more. This is one of the phones I would definitely recommend to someone starting out their content creation journey.
Dhriti Datta
Perpetually sporting a death stare, this one can be seen tinkering around with her smartphone which she holds more dear than life itself and stuffing her face with copious amounts of bacon. View Full Profile
