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 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 best phones under Rs 12,000 in India (2019):
- Redmi 7S: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- 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
- Xiaomi Mi A2: 6.0 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16+20MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+5MP
- Nokia 6.1 Plus: 5.8 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+5MP
- Honor 8X: 6.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+2MP
- Samsung Galaxy M20: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+5MP
Redmi 7S
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 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 Play
6GB RAM
Buy from Amazon4GB 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
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
4GB - 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 - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
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 9.0 - 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
16MP + 5MP - Secondary camera
16MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- RAM
Nokia 6.1 Plus
What’s good:
We like it because for 10k it offers 6GB RAM, Android 9.0, and a passable processor.
We like it because for 10k it offers 6GB RAM, Android 9.0, and a passable processor.
What could have been better:
The battery isn’t that big. Also, hybrid SIM slot.
The battery isn’t that big. Also, hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
151g - Display
5.8 inch, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (Kyro 260) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
6GB - Camera
16 MP, f/2.0
5 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,060mAh, 18W QC 3.0 charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- RAM
- Battery
- Hybrid SIM slot
Huawei Honor 8X
What’s good:
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. It also got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
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. It also got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
What could have been better:
10W charging isn’t the fastest. Also, that processor while an upgrade over the 659 is slow compared to the competition.
10W charging isn’t the fastest. Also, that processor while an upgrade over the 659 is slow compared to the competition.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
175g - Display
6.5 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Kirin 710 Octa-core (4×2.2GHz A73 & 4×1.7GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G51 MP4 - RAM
4GB - Camera
20MP (f/1.8) + 2MP - Secondary camera
16MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,750mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2018
Pros and Cons
Samsung Galaxy M20
3GB, 32GB
4GB, 64GB
What’s good:
Well, here’s a first Samsung with a notch. Yes, the last giant has fallen to the notch mania. It’s also Samsung’s answer to the Huaweis and Xiaomis of the world. And hey, it’s got a fairly large battery. Also, those bezels are slim, no?
Well, here’s a first Samsung with a notch. Yes, the last giant has fallen to the notch mania. It’s also Samsung’s answer to the Huaweis and Xiaomis of the world. And hey, it’s got a fairly large battery. Also, those bezels are slim, no?
What could have been better:
Don’t let the nomenclature on that processor fool you. It’s worse off than the Exynos 7885. The performance of this processor would be closer to the Snapdragon 636. That not really a bad thing though. Just letting you know.
Don’t let the nomenclature on that processor fool you. It’s worse off than the Exynos 7885. The performance of this processor would be closer to the Snapdragon 636. That not really a bad thing though. Just letting you know.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
186g - Display
6.3 inch, TFT
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Exynos 7904 Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz & 6×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Mali-G71 MP2 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.9, + 5 MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 15W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Fast charge
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 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 • Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 (5,000mAh)
- Best value for money • Redmi 7S
Also read:
Which are the best phones under Rs 15,000?
