Buying a budget smartphone these days can be quite confusing, thanks to the many many options available out there, so read on to take a look at our top 5 picks for smartphones under ₹10,000.
Moto e40
The Moto e40 was launched in October 2021, and features quite a lot of specs that are usually seen on more expensive smartphones.
The display is a 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, and there's a 48MP triple camera system on the back. The 8MP front camera is nestled in a modern-looking punch-hole, which makes the e40 look way more expensive than it actually is. Being a Motorola phone, it runs near-Stock Android, so the interface is clean and free of bloatware. This means the UNISOC t700 octa-core chipset and 4GB RAM are enough to run the device quite smoothly, along with the Android 11. Plus, it gets 64GB of internal storage, but if that's not enough for you, you can fit it with up to 1TB of storage using a microSD card. Despite being a budget offering, it gets things like a USB Type-C port, fingerprint scanner, IP52 water repellent design, and still weighs under 200g. Of course, it also gets the usual bits and bobs like a 3.5mm headphone jack and a full-size dual Nano SIM tray. Keeping the lights on is a 5,000mAh battery, and there's 10W charging available.
Bonus:
The moto e40 sports a very versatile camera app with things like a Portrait mode, HDR, Macro Vision, Pro mode and Google Lens, all which help get the best results from its 48MP triple camera setup.
Infinix Hot 10s
When it comes to specs, the Infinix Hot 10s offers nearly everything one might want in a smartphone, and was launched in India earlier this year in April.
For starters, there's the powerful Helio G85 chipset under the hood, which helps power its large 6.82-inch HD+ 90Hz display. Add to that a 48MP triple rear camera and 8MP front facing camera, and you've got a phone that boasts of specs beyond its price range. The Infinix Hot 10s also houses a big 6,000mAh battery, and a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication. Moreover, the camera app is full of useful modes and features, like Video bokeh, time-lapse and Super Night Mode. While it sports the micro-USB charging instead of USB Type-C and weighs a fair bit at 211g, it gets a full-size SIM tray, gyroscope, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Bonus:
Despite only packing in a 10W adapter in the box, the Infinix Hot 10s supports up to 18W fast charging, which promises to get get the phone to 50% in just 20 minutes.
realme C15
Despite being launched last year, realme's C15 packs some interesting specs, and even though it's the only phone here with 3GB RAM, it actually gets quite a lot to make up for the outright grunt.
First up, there's the Helio G35 octa-core chipset, one of the best in the segment, especially for gamers. Then there's a 13MP quad rear camera setup, that includes an 8MP ultra-wide sensor for capturing a wider field-of-view. Moreover, it's battery is a massive 6,000mAh unit that gets 18W quick charging and supports reverse charging as well! Unfortunately, it misses out on USB Type-C charging, gets only 32GB internal storage and is a bit chunky at around 209g and 9.8mm thickness. Still, it gets a fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, 8MP selfie camera and a full-size dual SIM tray, so that's a plus.
Bonus:
The realme C15 ships with Android 10 out of the box, but the device has recently begun receiving the Android 11 update in India, with realme UI 2.0.
Tecno Spark 7T
Launched in June 2021, the Tecno Spark 7T comes packed with a lot of impressive specs for the price.
There's a Helio G35 chipset, just like the realme c15, and it gets a respectable 4GB RAM with 64GB of expandable storage. However, that experience is certainly better on the Tecno Spark 7T thanks to Android 11 out of the box. On the back is a 48MP dual camera setup, and there's an 8MP sensor for selfies. The screen is a 6.52-inch display with a tear-drop notch and an HD+ resolution, and there's a fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone. There's a big 6,000mAh battery under the hood, which certainly makes the phone a touch heavy, at just over 200g. The phone does get a dual nano SIM tray, but it's still using a micro-USB port, and not the more modern USB Type-C. Like with other phones at this price point, it does get a 3.5mm audio jack.
Bonus:
The Tecno Spark 7T runs on HiOS 7.6, which brings some interesting features like a Voice changer for calls and a Peek-proof display setting.
Micromax In 2b
Homegrown hero Micromax launched its highly-anticipated Micromax In 2b back in July 2021, touted by the company as the 'No Hang Phone'.
To back that claim, the Micromax In 2b is fitted with a UNISOC T610 chipset and Android 11 and a minimum 4GB RAM. Apart from this, the In 2b sports a 6.52-inch HD+ display, a 13MP dual rear camera setup and 5MP front facing selfie camera in a tear-drop notch. It also gets 64GB expandable storage, fingerprint scanner, a 5,000mAh battery with 10W USB Type-C charging, and a full-size dual SIM tray. All this, and it still weighs only 190g.
Bonus:
The In 2b is one of the few phones out there offering a 6GB RAM variant at under ₹10,000, making it quite a compelling choice for power users.
So these were our top 5 picks for smartphones that cost less than ₹10,000. If you're on a strict budget and really want to get the most for your money, these phones are sure to offer you just that.
