Which is the best phones under 12000 in India?
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, however, given the processors in this range, phones with full HD display can put strain on them (except for the ones having Snapdragon 625 and above). 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 myriad of specs.
These are the 10 best phones under Rs 12,000 in India (April 2018):
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 6 inch, 3GB/4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB ROM, Android 7.1, 12MP
- Lenovo K8 Note: 5.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, 13+5MP, Android 7.1
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, 13MP, Android 7.0
- Lenovo K8 Plus: 5.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 13MP+5MP, Android 7.1
- Honor 9 Lite: 5.65 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime: 5.5 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 7.1, 13MP
- Moto G5 Plus: 5.2 inch, 3GB RAM, 16GB ROM, Android 7.0, 12MP
- Moto G5s: 5.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 16MP, Android 7.1
- Lenovo K6 Power: 5 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 13MP, Android 7.0
- Honor 8 Lite: 5.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.0, 12MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 12,000*
1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 9,9904GB RAM/ 64GB storage
- OS Android 7.1 Nougat
- Weight 180g
- Display resolution 1080 x 2160
- Display 5.99 inch, IPS
- 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
- Battery 4,000mAh, non removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, (4G)
Pros and Cons
- + Battery
- + Storage
- + RAM
- – Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
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, one of the best processors in this budget and a big battery make it one of the best 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, one of the best processors in this budget and a big battery make it one of the best phones in this budget.
What could have been better:
The hybrid slot if that bothers you.
The hybrid slot if that bothers you.
2. Lenovo K8 Note
3GB RAM, 32GB
Buy on Amazon4GB RAM, 64GB
- OS Android 7.1 Nougat
- Weight 180g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Display 5.5 inches, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Helio X23 deca-core 2.3 GHz (A53)
- GPU Mali-T880 MP4
- RAM 3GB
- Camera Dual 13MP + 5 MP, f/1.7
- Secondary Camera 13MP, f/2.0
- Battery 4,000 mAh, removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM (4G LTE)
Pros and Cons
- + Battery
- + Dual camera
- + Processor
What’s good:
K8 Note comes with great features such as a dual camera, 32GB internal storage and a large battery. Android 7.1 out of the box adds to the overall package. The Helio X23 also beats the Snapdragon 625 in synthetic benchmarks.
K8 Note comes with great features such as a dual camera, 32GB internal storage and a large battery. Android 7.1 out of the box adds to the overall package. The Helio X23 also beats the Snapdragon 625 in synthetic benchmarks.
What could have been better:
Nothing really.
Nothing really.
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
- OS Android 7.1 Nougat
- Weight 165g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920
- Display 5.5 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2GHz (A53)
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 13MP, f/2.2
- Secondary camera 5MP, f/2.0
- Battery 4,100mAh, non removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, (4G)
Pros and Cons
- + Battery
- + RAM
- + Storage
- – Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
What’s good:
With the recent price cut, the Note 4 becomes an attractive offering, even with the Note 5 around. 64GB of internal memory, 4GB RAM, one of the best processors in this budget and a big battery make it one of the best phones in this budget.
With the recent price cut, the Note 4 becomes an attractive offering, even with the Note 5 around. 64GB of internal memory, 4GB RAM, one of the best processors in this budget and a big battery make it one of the best phones in this budget.
What could have been better:
The hybrid slot maybe.
The hybrid slot maybe.
Lenovo K8 Plus
3GB RAM
4GB RAM
- OS Android 7.1.1
- Weight
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920
- Display 5.2 inch, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Mediatek MT6757 Helio P25 octa-core 2.6 GHz (A53)
- GPU Mali-T880 MP2
- RAM 3/4GB
- Camera 13MP+5MP dual
- Secondary camera 8MP
- Battery 4,000mAh, non removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, (4G)
Pros and Cons
- + RAM
- + Battery
- + Dual camera
What’s good:
K8 Plus comes with great features such as a dual camera, 4GB RAM and a large battery. Android 7.1 out of the box adds to the overall package.
K8 Plus comes with great features such as a dual camera, 4GB RAM and a large battery. Android 7.1 out of the box adds to the overall package.
Huawei Honor 9 Lite
- OS Android 8.0 Oreo
- Weight 149g
- Display resolution 2160 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.65 inch, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Kirin 659 Octa core (4×2.36GHz A53 + 4×1.7GHz A53)
- GPU Mali T830MP2
- RAM 3GB
- Camera 13MP + 2MP
- Secondary camera 13MP + 2MP
- Video 1080p@30fps rear, 1080p front
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
Pros and Cons
- + Dual cameras
- + Android 8.0
- – Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
What’s good:
The Honor 9 Lite comes with loaded with dual cameras on both front and back, this being the main selling point of the phone. 4 gigs of RAM and 64GB memory are again an advantage and so is Android 8.0 out of the box. We also like the fact that it is amongst the cheapest bezel-less phones.
The Honor 9 Lite comes with loaded with dual cameras on both front and back, this being the main selling point of the phone. 4 gigs of RAM and 64GB memory are again an advantage and so is Android 8.0 out of the box. We also like the fact that it is amongst the cheapest bezel-less phones.
What could have been better:
It comes with a hybrid SIM slot.
It comes with a hybrid SIM slot.
Moto G5s
- OS Android 7.1 – Nougat
- Weight 157g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.2 inch, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Octa-core 1.4GHz (A53) Snapdragon 430
- GPU Adreno 505
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 16MP, f/2.0
- Secondary camera 5MP, f/2.0
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
Pros and Cons
- + RAM
- – Processor
What’s good:
Besides the reliability of the Moto brand, you get 4GB RAM and Android 7.1 out of the box. Other specs are also decent for the asking price.
Besides the reliability of the Moto brand, you get 4GB RAM and Android 7.1 out of the box. Other specs are also decent for the asking price.
What could have been better:
The processor isn’t the best one.
The processor isn’t the best one.
Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime
32GB memory, 3GB RAM
64GB memory, 4GB RAM
- OS Android 7.1
- Weight 167g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Display 5.5 inches
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Exynos 7870 Octa Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Mali-T830MP2
- RAM 3GB
- Camera 13MP, f/1.9
- Secondary camera 13MP, f/1.9
- Battery 3,300 mAh
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G LTE
Pros and Cons
- – Processor
What’s good:
On7 Prime is a mediocre phone by specs with nothing exceptional, but nothing that is a deal breaker either. Just a normal phone from a reliable brand.
On7 Prime is a mediocre phone by specs with nothing exceptional, but nothing that is a deal breaker either. Just a normal phone from a reliable brand.
What could have been better:
Not the best processor in this budget.
Not the best processor in this budget.
Moto G5 Plus
- OS Android 7.0 – Nougat
- Weight 155g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.2 inch, IPS
- Storage space 16GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Snapdragon 625 Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 3GB
- Camera 12MP, f/1.7
- Secondary camera 5MP, f/2.2
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
Pros and Cons
- – Internal memory
What’s good:
Besides the fact that Moto is a reliable brand, the phone comes with a decent processor, and camera. Oh, and it will also get updated to Android 8.0.
Besides the fact that Moto is a reliable brand, the phone comes with a decent processor, and camera. Oh, and it will also get updated to Android 8.0.
What could have been better:
16GB memory in phones above Rs 10,000 doesn’t really make any sense.
16GB memory in phones above Rs 10,000 doesn’t really make any sense.
Lenovo K6 Power
3GB RAM
4GB RAM
- OS Android 7.0
- Weight 145g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5 inch, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Snapdragon 430, octa-core 1.4GHz (A53) + 1.1GHz (A53)
- GPU Adreno 505
- RAM 3GB/4GB
- Camera 13MP
- Secondary camera 8MP
- Battery 4,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
Pros and Cons
- + Battery
- + RAM
- – Processor
- – Hybrid slot (either SIM2 or microSD)
What’s good:
Don’t let the price deceive you, the K6 Power is a value for money. It’s got a huge battery, apt size for small hands and 4GB RAM. What more do you want really?
Don’t let the price deceive you, the K6 Power is a value for money. It’s got a huge battery, apt size for small hands and 4GB RAM. What more do you want really?
What could have been better:
The hybrid slot and a weak processor. Yep.
The hybrid slot and a weak processor. Yep.
Honor 8 Lite
- OS Android 7.0
- Weight 147g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.2 inch
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes
- Processor Octa-core 1.7GHz octa-core Kirin 655
- GPU Mali-T830 MP2
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 12MP
- Secondary camera 8MP
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
Pros and Cons
- + Internal storage
- + RAM
What’s good:
Well, the Honor 8 Lite offers you 64 gigs of internal memory and 4GB RAM. Other specs are also fairly decent. Nothing ground shattering, but nothing sloppy either.
Well, the Honor 8 Lite offers you 64 gigs of internal memory and 4GB RAM. Other specs are also fairly decent. Nothing ground shattering, but nothing sloppy either.
What could have been better:
Maybe the fact that it’s never getting updated to Android 8.0, but then, a lot of other phones in the list aren’t.
Maybe the fact that it’s never getting updated to Android 8.0, but then, a lot of other phones in the list aren’t.
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, Android8.0, and 64 gigs of internal memory and 4GB RAM. On the other hand 3,000mAh+ battery, Full HD display and Android 7.0 have become the norm rather than the exception. Snapdragon 625 seems like the most obvious choice. We don’t recommend 16GB storage or 2GB RAM in this budget.
- Best battery • Eluga Ray 700 (5,000mAh)
• Redmi Note 5 (4,000mAh) - Phones likely to get Android 8.0 • Redmi Note 5
• Moto G5 Plus
• Redmi Note 4
• Moto G5s
• K8 Note
• K8 Plus - Best camera (based on specs) • Lenovo K8 Plus
• K8 Note - Best value for money • Redmi Note 5
