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 (2019):
- Redmi Note 7: 6.3 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Realme U1: 6.3 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Xiaomi Mi A2: 6.0 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16+20MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Oppo RealMe 1: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12+5MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro: 5.85 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 10 Lite: 6.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 12,000*
1. Redmi Note 7
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 11,9903GB RAM/ 32GB storage
What’s good:
If Redmi 6 series didn’t impress you much the new generation of Redmi phones should change that. Meet the Redmi Note 7 which delivers an extremely competitive processor and a large battery at a compelling price point. You also get a 48 megapixel camera on the back that should hopefully deliver some stunning smaller sized pictures. Making things better is Android 9.0 Pie onboard.
If Redmi 6 series didn’t impress you much the new generation of Redmi phones should change that. Meet the Redmi Note 7 which delivers an extremely competitive processor and a large battery at a compelling price point. You also get a 48 megapixel camera on the back that should hopefully deliver some stunning smaller sized pictures. Making things better is Android 9.0 Pie onboard.
What could have been better:
Only the hybrid SIM slot.
Only the hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
186g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8 + 5MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- Battery
- Camera
- Hybrid SIM slot
2. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2
What’s good:
Here’s what’s changed since the Max Pro M1: The processor is class leading for this budget, the cameras have gotten better, and for better or for worse, there’s a notch. The 5,000mAh battery, has always been to our liking.
Here’s what’s changed since the Max Pro M1: The processor is class leading for this budget, the cameras have gotten better, and for better or for worse, there’s a notch. The 5,000mAh battery, has always been to our liking.
What could have been better:
Nothing really.
Nothing really.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
175g - Display
6.26 inch, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 660 Octa-core (4×2.2GHz & 4×1.8GHz) - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
3/4/6GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.8 + 5MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
13MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Dec, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
3. Oppo RealMe 2 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Notches are ugly, but smaller ones do help. Luckily the newest RealMe comes with a teardrop notch to give you enough screen area on the top. Oppo has also packed this phone with as much specs as it possibly could and the result is a phone that is miles ahead of anything in this budget. Great processor, ample storage, 8GB RAM, do we even need flagships anymore?
Notches are ugly, but smaller ones do help. Luckily the newest RealMe comes with a teardrop notch to give you enough screen area on the top. Oppo has also packed this phone with as much specs as it possibly could and the result is a phone that is miles ahead of anything in this budget. Great processor, ample storage, 8GB RAM, do we even need flagships anymore?
What could have been better:
Find us one and we’ll call you out.
Find us one and we’ll call you out.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
174g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
6GB - Camera
16MP, f/1.7 + 2MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,500mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
Realme U1
Buy from AmazonWhat’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:
The storage and RAM options are not really the most competitive for the asking price.
The storage and RAM options are not really the most competitive for the asking price.
- 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 - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Front camera
Xiaomi Mi A2
4GB RAM, 64GB
What’s good:
The Mi A1 didn’t stay long enough in the market to make a lasting impression, but its successor is here to change that. Mi A2 comes with promising cameras and a decent processor. And hey, it got updated to Android 9.0 recently. There’s also a 6GB RAM variant with more internal storage.
The Mi A1 didn’t stay long enough in the market to make a lasting impression, but its successor is here to change that. Mi A2 comes with promising cameras and a decent processor. And hey, it got updated to Android 9.0 recently. There’s also a 6GB RAM variant with more internal storage.
What could have been better:
There’s no expandable memory or 3.5mm headphone jack here.
There’s no expandable memory or 3.5mm headphone jack here.
- OS
Android 9.0 Android One - Weight
166 - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
No - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
4GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.8 + 20MP f/1.8 - Secondary camera
20 MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p 30FPS rear
1080p 30FPS front - Battery
3,010mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
No - First announced
Aug, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Android 9.0
- Non-expandable memory
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
The Max Pro M1 is value-for-money despite the launch of its successor. It offers a decent processor, 6GB RAM, and a large battery.
The Max Pro M1 is value-for-money despite the launch of its successor. It offers a decent processor, 6GB RAM, and a large battery.
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) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
Oppo RealMe 1
6GB RAM, 128GB
4GB RAM, 64GB
What’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. Also, it came out in May, 2018. Don’t think it’s a bad phone because there’s a RealMe 2 in the market.
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. Also, it came out in May, 2018. Don’t think it’s a bad phone because there’s a RealMe 2 in the market.
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) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro
4GB RAM
6GB RAM
What’s good:
The Redmi Note 6 Pro comes 8 months after its predecessor and manages to improve on the camera department mainly. It also gets a notch because every phone has it these days. We never really hated the storage options to begin with.
The Redmi Note 6 Pro comes 8 months after its predecessor and manages to improve on the camera department mainly. It also gets a notch because every phone has it these days. We never really hated the storage options to begin with.
What could have been better:
For a successor to such a popular phone, much hasn’t changed. You still get the same processor and battery. The competition hasn’t been sitting idle exactly. Also, the hybrid slot, if that bothers you. Also, the Note 7 Pro is out.
For a successor to such a popular phone, much hasn’t changed. You still get the same processor and battery. The competition hasn’t been sitting idle exactly. Also, the hybrid slot, if that bothers you. Also, the Note 7 Pro is out.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
182g - Display
6.26 inch, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (A53) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
4GB/6GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.9 + 5MP f/2.2 - Secondary camera
20 MP, f/2.0 + 2 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Front camera
- Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
What’s good:
Uh, the battery and the RAM and the storage.
Uh, the battery and the RAM and the storage.
What could have been better:
Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
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) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Huawei Honor 10 Lite
What’s good:
Finally a sub-15k phone from Huawei that comes with a brand new processor. The Kirin 710 is a massive upgrade over the Kirin 659 and is on par with the Snapdragon 660. However, the Mali GPU is weaker compared to the one found on the 660. Although built on 12nm fabrication, it should be less power hungry. Given the competition in this budget is SD636, the processor is definitely a plus. The phone also has a respectable battery and a likable design. Also, Android 9.0.
Finally a sub-15k phone from Huawei that comes with a brand new processor. The Kirin 710 is a massive upgrade over the Kirin 659 and is on par with the Snapdragon 660. However, the Mali GPU is weaker compared to the one found on the 660. Although built on 12nm fabrication, it should be less power hungry. Given the competition in this budget is SD636, the processor is definitely a plus. The phone also has a respectable battery and a likable design. Also, Android 9.0.
What could have been better:
The hybrid SIM slot.
The hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
162g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 710 Octa-core (4×2.2GHz A73 & 4×1.7GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G51 MP4 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.8, + 2MP (depth) - Secondary camera
24 MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,400mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- Hybrid SIM
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 M2 (5,000mAh)
- Best value for money • Redmi Note 7
Also read:
Which are the best phones under Rs 15,000?
