We’ve made a list of the best phones under Rs 12,000 for this month in India. Most of them should be able to run without any issues. Just to clarify, phones with hybrid SIM slot allow you to either place a second SIM or a microSD card, but not both at the same time, so it’s a disadvantage.
Also, check the best smartphones under Rs 10,000 and the top 10 smartphones under Rs 13,000.
You can also read about the camera terminologies we’ve used at the end of the post. Lastly, we’ve highlighted our top 3 picks in this budget at the beginning. You can jump to the summary right away if you don’t want to go through a myriad of specs.
These are the 10 best phones under Rs 12,000 in India (2018):
- Oppo RealMe 1: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP
- Realme U1: 6.3 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 9 Lite: 5.65 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro: 5.85 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Oppo RealMe 2: 6.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Nokia 5.1 Plus: 5.86 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
- Redmi Y2: 5.99 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 7C: 5.99 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 12,000*
1. Oppo RealMe 1
Buy from AmazonWhat’s good:
Oppo phones are usually underpowered and overpriced. Not this sub-brand though. The RealMe 1 is a winner under 15k that comes with a processor that beats the Snapdragon 636, class-leading RAM and internal memory, and Android 8.1 out of the box. This phone ticks all the checkboxes.
Oppo phones are usually underpowered and overpriced. Not this sub-brand though. The RealMe 1 is a winner under 15k that comes with a processor that beats the Snapdragon 636, class-leading RAM and internal memory, and Android 8.1 out of the box. This phone ticks all the checkboxes.
What could have been better:
We have yet to find one. Oh, no fingerprint scanner.
We have yet to find one. Oh, no fingerprint scanner.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
155g - Display
6 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MediaTek 6771 octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,410mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Processor
2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 9,9904GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Despite similar specs to the Redmi Note 4, the Note 5 is a solid offering with that new 18:9 display. 64GB of internal memory, 4GB RAM, and a big battery make it one of the better phones in this budget.
Despite similar specs to the Redmi Note 4, the Note 5 is a solid offering with that new 18:9 display. 64GB of internal memory, 4GB RAM, and a big battery make it one of the better phones in this budget.
What could have been better:
The hybrid slot if that bothers you.
The hybrid slot if that bothers you.
- OS
Android 8.0 - Weight
180g - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2GHz (A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3GB/4GB - Camera
12MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
5MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Feb, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Storage
- RAM
- Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
3. Realme U1
What’s good:
Realme has been on a roll. Their latest offering is touted as the best front camera ever! Uh, okay maybe not but we’re assuming it’d still be great. And hey, that processor seems pretty good for this budget.
Realme has been on a roll. Their latest offering is touted as the best front camera ever! Uh, okay maybe not but we’re assuming it’d still be great. And hey, that processor seems pretty good for this budget.
What could have been better:
Nothing really.
Nothing really.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
168g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MT P70 Octa-core (4×2.1GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
25MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,500mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Front camera
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Here is a competitor to the Note 5 Pro which beats it in most of the departments. Besides the great processor, RAM, and internal storage that it shares with the Note 5 Pro, the Max Pro beats the Note 5 on things like a bigger battery, dedicated microSD slot, and Android 8.1 out of the box with the same weight and dimensions. Isn’t that great? Also, the 6GB variant comes with 16MP snappers on both front and back.
Here is a competitor to the Note 5 Pro which beats it in most of the departments. Besides the great processor, RAM, and internal storage that it shares with the Note 5 Pro, the Max Pro beats the Note 5 on things like a bigger battery, dedicated microSD slot, and Android 8.1 out of the box with the same weight and dimensions. Isn’t that great? Also, the 6GB variant comes with 16MP snappers on both front and back.
What could have been better:
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone spec-wise.
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone spec-wise.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
180g - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (Kyro 260) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
3GB/4GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
What’s good:
Uh, the battery.
Uh, the battery.
What could have been better:
We’re not sure why this phone exists. Maybe to please Amazon since the Redmi Note 5 is available with Flipkart. It’s not a bad phone, just that it doesn’t sit anywhere in the lineup. Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
We’re not sure why this phone exists. Maybe to please Amazon since the Redmi Note 5 is available with Flipkart. It’s not a bad phone, just that it doesn’t sit anywhere in the lineup. Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
178 - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2.0GHz - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
12 MP + 5MP - Secondary camera
5 MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Huawei Honor 9 Lite
What’s good:
Honor 9 Lite has a decent processor, comes with Android 8.0 out of the box is a cheaper version of the Honor 9i and losses on some of the bells and whistles to reduce the price. Nonetheless, it comes with 4GB RAM, edge-to-edge display, a decent processor and dual rear cameras. Pretty much the same specs as the Honor 9N and the 7X.
Honor 9 Lite has a decent processor, comes with Android 8.0 out of the box is a cheaper version of the Honor 9i and losses on some of the bells and whistles to reduce the price. Nonetheless, it comes with 4GB RAM, edge-to-edge display, a decent processor and dual rear cameras. Pretty much the same specs as the Honor 9N and the 7X.
What could have been better:
Not for the asking price.
Not for the asking price.
- OS
Android 8.0 Oreo - Weight
149g - Display resolution
2160 x 1080 pixels - Display
5.65 inch, IPS - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 659 Octa core (4×2.36GHz A53 + 4×1.7GHz A53) - GPU
Mali T830MP2 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13MP + 2MP - Secondary camera
13MP + 2MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
3,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Dec, 2017
Pros and Cons
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Oppo RealMe 2
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Here’s what’s improved in RealMe 2 over its predecessor: it comes with dual cameras and a bigger battery. We always liked the RAM and storage options for the budget.
Here’s what’s improved in RealMe 2 over its predecessor: it comes with dual cameras and a bigger battery. We always liked the RAM and storage options for the budget.
What could have been better:
When you reduce the resolution of the display or replace the processor with a slower one, RealMe 2 can’t really be called an upgrade over the RealMe 1. Don’t believe us? Check these benchmarking results. No wonder there’s no 6GB RAM variant.
When you reduce the resolution of the display or replace the processor with a slower one, RealMe 2 can’t really be called an upgrade over the RealMe 1. Don’t believe us? Check these benchmarking results. No wonder there’s no 6GB RAM variant.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
168g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 450 Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
6GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Battery
4,230mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Aug, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- RAM
- Storage
- Display
Nokia 5.1 Plus
What’s good:
The Nokia 5.1 Plus is among the more affordable Nokia phones with a notch. We like the fact that it comes equipped with a fairly powerful processor and has decent overall specs for the asking price even if they are not the leading ones in this budget.
The Nokia 5.1 Plus is among the more affordable Nokia phones with a notch. We like the fact that it comes equipped with a fairly powerful processor and has decent overall specs for the asking price even if they are not the leading ones in this budget.
What could have been better:
We’d have preferred a full HD display for the asking price and a dedicated memory card slot.
We’d have preferred a full HD display for the asking price and a dedicated memory card slot.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
160g - Display
5.8 inches, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
MediaTek P60 Octa-core (4×2.0GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHz A53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear and front - Battery
3,060 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Display
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Redmi Y2
What’s good:
Redmi Y2 comes with a decent processor along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras. Oh, the main selling point for the phone is its front camera though. Then there’s 4GB RAM and 64 gigs of memory.
Redmi Y2 comes with a decent processor along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras. Oh, the main selling point for the phone is its front camera though. Then there’s 4GB RAM and 64 gigs of memory.
What could have been better:
Eh, the display.
Eh, the display.
- OS
Android 8.0 - Weight
170g - Display
6 inches
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 Octa-core (2GHz Cortex A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
12MP + 5MP, f/2.2, EIS - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p 30FPS rear - Battery
3,080 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G LTE - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Front camera
- Display resolution
Honor 7C
What’s good:
Honor 7C comes with a decent processor comparable to phones under Rs 15,000 along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras. Add 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and it seems like a great deal.
Honor 7C comes with a decent processor comparable to phones under Rs 15,000 along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras. Add 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and it seems like a great deal.
What could have been better:
The display resolution seems behind the curve for phones in this budget.
The display resolution seems behind the curve for phones in this budget.
- OS
Android 8.0 - Weight
164g - Display
6 inches
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 450 Octa core (1.8GHz Cortex A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13MP + 2MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear - Battery
3,000 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G LTE - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Display
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above, we’ve listed the specs as (megapixels), and (aperture), Generally speaking, bigger the aperture, better is the camera. Which means smaller number in the denominator, the bigger the aperture is. For example, f/1.9 is a bigger aperture and than f/2.0. A bigger aperture camera performs much better in low light situations and produces sharper images. It also produces a better brokeh.
Standout features in the top smartphones under Rs 12,000:
The best phones under Rs 12,000 come with features like dual camera, Android 8.0, 64 gigs of internal memory and 4GB RAM. On the other hand 3,000mAh+ battery, full HD display and Android 8.0 have become the norm rather than the exception. For the processor, the Snapdragon 63x seems like the most obvious choice. We don’t recommend 16GB storage or 2GB RAM in this budget.
- Best battery • Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 (5,000mAh)
• Realme 2(4,230mAh) - Best value for money • RealMe 1
Also read:
Which are the best phones under Rs 15,000?
