If you are looking for the best phone under 12000, let us help you a little by handpicking the best ones. 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 Android Smart LED Tvs (40 inches) under Rs.20,000
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 best phones under Rs 12,000 in India (2020):
- Realme 3 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+5MP
- Redmi Note 7 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- Redmi Note 8: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+8M+2MP+2MP
- Honor Play: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+2MP
- Realme U1: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Redmi 7S: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Xiaomi Mi A2: 6.0 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16+20MP
- Honor 20i: 6.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 24MP+5MP+5MP
- Samsung Galaxy M30: 6.4 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13+5MP+5MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 12,000*
1. Realme 3 Pro
Buy from Amazon
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 9,990What’s good:
Realme didn’t give much time to Xiaomi to sit on its laurels after the success of Note 7 Pro. The Realme 3 Pro is better than the Note 7 Pro on most of the fronts. It’s got a better processor (among the best in this budget), a dedicated expansion slot, a mammoth battery, Android 9.0 out of the box. Everything you could ask for from a phone.
Realme didn’t give much time to Xiaomi to sit on its laurels after the success of Note 7 Pro. The Realme 3 Pro is better than the Note 7 Pro on most of the fronts. It’s got a better processor (among the best in this budget), a dedicated expansion slot, a mammoth battery, Android 9.0 out of the box. Everything you could ask for from a phone.
What could have been better:
Nothing.
Nothing.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
172g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 710 octa-core 2×2.2GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4GB - Camera
16 MP, f/1.7
5MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
25 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,045mAh, 20W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
2. Redmi Note 7 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Xiaomi was under the heat from competitors who had released much more compelling products than the Redmi Note series in the recent past. However, all that goes for a toss with the new Note 7 Pro. The only difference between this and the Note 7 is the faster processor on the Pro. Other than that, we love the camera, Android 9.0, large battery, and what looks like an impressive camera on paper at least. Also, Quick Charge 4.0.
Xiaomi was under the heat from competitors who had released much more compelling products than the Redmi Note series in the recent past. However, all that goes for a toss with the new Note 7 Pro. The only difference between this and the Note 7 is the faster processor on the Pro. Other than that, we love the camera, Android 9.0, large battery, and what looks like an impressive camera on paper at least. Also, Quick Charge 4.0.
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
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 675 octa-core 2.0GHzx2 + 1.7GHzx6 - GPU
Adreno 612 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8 + 5MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 18W charging QC 4.0 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Quick Charge 4.0
- Processor
- Battery
- Hybrid SIM slot
3. Redmi Note 8
6GB RAM, 128GB storage
4GB RAM, 64GB storage
What’s good:
The Note 8 and Note 8 Pro are two very different phones. Luckily, they’re both good for their respective price brackets. We like this one thanks to 6GB RAM, 128 gigs of storage, 4 cameras on the back, and a capable processor.
The Note 8 and Note 8 Pro are two very different phones. Luckily, they’re both good for their respective price brackets. We like this one thanks to 6GB RAM, 128 gigs of storage, 4 cameras on the back, and a capable processor.
What could have been better:
No complaints.
No complaints.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
190g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 665 Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz & 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 610 - RAM
4GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4 (dedicated macro camera)
2 MP, f/2.4 depth sensor - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Hybrid SIM slot
Huawei Honor Play
6GB RAM
4GB RAM
What’s good:
The Honor Play sports a flagship processor and comes with other great goodies like up to 6GB RAM and a large battery.
The Honor Play sports a flagship processor and comes with other great goodies like up to 6GB RAM and a large battery.
What could have been better:
Maybe the hybrid slot? Also, have you heard about the recent tussle between Huawei and Google? These are uncertain times for the fate of Android on Huawei.
Maybe the hybrid slot? Also, have you heard about the recent tussle between Huawei and Google? These are uncertain times for the fate of Android on Huawei.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
176g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 970 Octa-core (4×2.4GHz A73 & 4×1.8GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP12 - RAM
4GB - Camera
16MP + 2MP - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear, 1080p front - Battery
3,750mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Realme U1
What’s good:
The USP for this phone is its front camera, but we also happen to like the processor inside.
The USP for this phone is its front camera, but we also happen to like the processor inside.
What could have been better:
Nothing really.
Nothing really.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
168g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MT P70 Octa-core (4×2.1GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
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, 10W charging - 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, 18W charging QC 4.0 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
No - First announced
Aug, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Fast charging
- Android 9.0
- Non-expandable memory
Oppo RealMe 2 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB 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 a complete package. Decent processor, ample storage, and 4GB RAM.
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 a complete package. Decent processor, ample storage, and 4GB RAM.
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, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- RAM
- Android 8.1
Redmi 7S
3GB 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 7S 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. Oh, by the way, it’s the same as the Redmi Note 7 except for the rear camera.
If Redmi 6 series didn’t impress you much the new generation of Redmi phones should change that. Meet the Redmi 7S 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. Oh, by the way, it’s the same as the Redmi Note 7 except for the rear camera.
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, 18W charging QC 4.0 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
May, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
- Fast charging
- Hybrid SIM slot
Huawei Honor 20i
What’s good:
The new Huawei comes with a mouth-watering 128GB storage and enough cameras to drool over.
The new Huawei comes with a mouth-watering 128GB storage and enough cameras to drool over.
What could have been better:
10W charging isn’t the fastest and that processor can’t stand against the competition anymore. It was a good SD 660 competitor but nothing that can compare to the SD 675. Also, the battery is too small for our liking.
10W charging isn’t the fastest and that processor can’t stand against the competition anymore. It was a good SD 660 competitor but nothing that can compare to the SD 675. Also, the battery is too small for our liking.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
164g - Display
6.21 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 710 Octa-core (4×2.2GHz A73 & 4×1.7GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G51 MP4 - RAM
4GB - Camera
24 MP, f/1.8
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
32MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@60fps rear
1080p 30fps front - Battery
3,400mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- Processor
- Hybrid SIM slot
Samsung Galaxy M30
4GB, 64GB
What’s good:
The M30 is the most expensive in the M series of phones and looks great on the front. It offers a massive 5,000mAh battery along with Android 9.0 (rolling out June 3rd) and a super AMOLED display. The storage and RAM options are on par with the competition too. The triple camera setup on the back has an ultra wide along with a depth sensor.
The M30 is the most expensive in the M series of phones and looks great on the front. It offers a massive 5,000mAh battery along with Android 9.0 (rolling out June 3rd) and a super AMOLED display. The storage and RAM options are on par with the competition too. The triple camera setup on the back has an ultra wide along with a depth sensor.
What could have been better:
The processor is only as good as the Snapdragon 632. Don’t expect any serious gaming on that GPU either.
The processor is only as good as the Snapdragon 632. Don’t expect any serious gaming on that GPU either.
- OS
Android 9.0 (Pie) - Weight
175g - Display
6.4 inch, sAMOLED
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes - Processor
Exynos 7904 Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz & 6×1.6 GHz) - GPU
Mali-G71MP2 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.9
5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.2, (depth sensor) - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 15W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Feb, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above, we’ve listed the specs as (megapixels), and (aperture), Generally speaking, bigger the aperture, the better is the camera. Which means, the smaller the 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 bokeh.
Standout features in the top smartphones under Rs 12,000:
The best phones under Rs 12,000 come with features like dual camera, Android 9.0, 64 gigs of internal memory and 6GB 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 66x seems like the most obvious choice. We don’t recommend 32GB storage or 3GB RAM in this budget.
- Best battery • Samsung Galaxy M30 (5,000mAh)
- Best value for money • Redmi 7S
Also read:
Which are the best phones under Rs 15,000?
