Best 5G phones under ₹30,000 in India: Buying guide

Smartphones are a crucial investment, to say the least. In today’s times , they are an integral part of a regular day in one’s life. Consumers take into consideration a variety of factors when it comes to buying a phone; and 5G technology is one of the most recent criteria that has made it to that list. After all, a buyer who spends a considerable amount of money will surely want the phone to be compatible with future networks and software advances, and not go obsolete with the arrival of a newer model.

Thanks to the speed and user experience that 5G phones offer, they have become increasingly popular in recent times. If you’re keen to check out some of these, we’ve compiled the perfect list for you. Explore the best 5G phones under 30,000 in India from top-selling brands like Samsung, One Plus, Realme, and so on.

1. Realme 9 Pro+ 5G

This model elevates the 9 Series from the mainstream segment to the mid-range. It boasts some additional features such as optical image stabilisation (OIS) in the camera, that Realme’s lineup has been missing since long. The slim profile makes it comfortable to use. Packed with enough grunt, thanks to its MediaTek Dimensity 920SoC, it can smoothly handle 3D games alongside day-to-day functions. The battery life as well as camera performance will also not let you down.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.40-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 920
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500mAh
• Rear Camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 16MP

ProsCons60W Fast Charging SupportOnly 90Hz refresh rateGreat camera performanceNo SD Card slotPowerful processor ensuring a lag-free performanceOIS needs improvement13 5G bandsPlastic frame does not look sturdy Pre-installed bloatware

2. Samsung Galaxy M53 5G

Endowed with a host of interesting features such as a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC with vapour cooling, and a 108-megapixel primary camera, this 5G smartphone is a remarkable upgrade over its predecessor, the Galaxy M52 5G. A blend of premium looks and competent hardware, this model has yet another factor working in its favour: the guarantee of Android OS and security updates, which is expected to keep it more relevant than some of its direct rivals, in the long run. Though the massive 5000mAh battery is a major draw, at this price point, Samsung could have also thrown in a 25W charger.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.70-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 900
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
• Rear Camera: 108MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 32MP

ProsConsSuper AMOLED Plus display with 120Hz refresh rateNo stereo speakersLatest Android 12 OS is supported by One 4.1 UI.Low-light camera performance is not satisfactoryGreat battery life, coupled with 25W fast charging supportPlastic build for the frame and back look flimsyBoth side cameras can record 4K videos The dedicated micro SD card slot is present

3. Oppo Reno 7 5G

Flaunting a sleek aesthetic with its rounded frame and curved edges, this phone promises a solid day-to-day performance. With a noticeable bump in its battery capacity, the phone comes with an AMOLED display with a full HD+ resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It’s overall a decent phone as far as handling the usual productivity and social apps are concerned, but given its price point, you should definitely consider some of its more feature-packed rivals.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.40-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 920
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 32MP

ProsCons65W Fast charging supportNo stereo speakers90Hz AMOLED DisplayNight photography not up to the markWell-suited for gamingNo microSD slotSmooth performance, equipped with a powerful Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) chipsetNo water or dust resistanceImproved ColorOSNo wireless charging support

4. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

This quality mid-range smartphone comes at a premium price tag, which makes it a hard sell. It shares its design with the Galaxy A52; however, it boasts the IP67 rating which gives it some edge over its competitors. The upgraded 120Hz display, coupled with the decent stereo speakers, is sure to impress. The camera performs well in daylight, but nighttime pictures still have ample room for improvement. Despite having a good battery life and an average charging speed, it falls short of some of its competing smartphones that give you a greater bang for your buck.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.50-inch
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP
• Front Camera: 32MP

ProsConsVibrant display with a 120Hz screenPlastic backFeatures IP67 certification for dust and water resistanceSlow charging speedImpressive camera performanceAverage stereo speakersFairly reasonable performance, along with lag-free gaming experience Comes with 3.5mm audio jack

5. One Plus Nord 2

Part of the affordable Nord series, the One Plus Nord 2 5G smartphone sports a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with fullHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200AI processor, this model will leave no room for complaints with either its performance or battery life. The super-quick charging only adds to the convenience. You won’t be disappointed with the camera technology either- be it daylight photos or the Nightscape mode. Overall, this is one of the best picks for someone looking for an all-rounder 5G phone minus an exorbitant price tag.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.43-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1200
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500mAh
• Front Camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
• Rear Camera: 32MP

6. Realme X7 Max

Promising a more powerful processor than the X7 Pro 5G despite its lower starting price, the Realme X7 Max is delightful for gaming and general productivity alike, thanks to the Dimensity 1200 SoC. The 4500mAh battery ensures an excellent battery life, further complemented by 50W fast charging and a 65W charging unit that comes in the package. The stereo speakers are bound to enrich your experience with games and movies. Coming to the weak spots, the Super AMOLED screen is not the best in the market, and you may not appreciate the camera performance in low-light scenarios.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.43-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1200
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 16MP

7. Oppo Reno 6

With a design that bears an uncanny resemblance to the iPhone 12, the Oppo Reno 6 promises an AMOLED display with full HD+ resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and 90Hz refresh rate. Going by Oppo’s claims, this is India’s first phone that sports the MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC which is powerful enough to seamlessly handle both daily tasks and games with the full HD+ resolution. Though it shares several features with the Pro model, including Bokeh Flare Portrait filter in the camera app, 65W fast charging, and a high refresh rate AMOLED display, it gives a miss to the rear depth camera that Reno 6 Pro has. However, you can still enjoy the same set of sensors on the front and back.

Specifications

• Display: 6.43-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 900
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4300mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 32MP

8. Mi 11X

The standout feature of this model is certainly the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC at this range; however, you’ll have to make do with a strictly mediocre camera quality. The vibrant 6.67-inch 120Hz full-HD+ display, coupled with an impressive battery life, Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, an IP53 rating, and stereo speakers, are the chief attractions. The phone is a great pick for gaming and entertainment purposes; on the other hand, if you’re looking for a ‘camera phone’, we wouldn’t recommend it. That being said, the surprise element is its 5-megapixel "tele macro" camera which will help photography enthusiasts take some creative shots.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.67-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4520mAh
• Rear Camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP
• Front Camera: 20MP

9. iQOO Neo 6 5G

This 5G phone boasts a 6.62-inch AMOLED display offering 398ppi and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset coupled with a triple Kryo 585 layout ensures a strong CPU and GPU performance, minus any unwarranted heating, lags, or slowdowns. The graphical requirements are wonderfully managed by the Adreno 650 GPU. The front and back camera profiles hardly leave any room for complaints. Besides, the battery with a charging capacity of 4700mAh is also Fast Charging-enabled. The phone is the perfect pick for users who are gaming as well as photography enthusiasts.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.62-inch, 1080x2400 pixels
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4700mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 16MP

10. Vivo v21 e 5G

One of the most highly-rated 5G phones in this range, this Vivo model features ample storage space. Besides, the 8GB RAM allows the user to download programs to their heart’s content. The crisp camera technology manages to capture even the minutest details. The self-shooting 44 MP selfie camera is like the icing on the cake. The amazing battery life means it doesn’t run out of juice for a considerably long time. What’s more, it also supports proprietary fast charging.

Specifications:

• Display:6.44-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, 1080 x 2400 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 800+
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4000mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
• Front Camera: 44MP

Best 3 Features For You

Refer to the following table to learn about the top three features of the these 5G phones priced under Rs. 30,000:

Best value for money

If you’re looking for an efficient 5G smartphone that will give you the best value for money, we would highly recommend the Vivo V21e 5G. Flaunting a gorgeous AMOLED display, the phone comes with a great pair of cameras on both sides. Additionally, you also get a powerful processor that ensures smooth performance, even while you’re multitasking. The 128GB expandable storage lets you store a variety of media files, documents and apps simultaneously.

Best overall

One Plus took the Indian smartphone industry by storm with some of its best models promising top-notch features. The One Plus Nord 2 is no exception; in fact, it would hardly be an overstatement to say that this is the best 5G phone you can grab with the pocket pinch limited to Rs. 30,000. A well-designed, sleek-looking phone with sufficient RAM and ROM storage, the One Plus Nord 2 is equipped with a fingerprint sensor on the rear, an excellent camera that can capture stunning images, coupled with 5G technology. Overall, it’s a powerful package that also lets you update software and apps without worrying about eating into the phone’s memory capacity. No wonder it has emerged to be one of the most sought-after phones in the market today.

How to find the best 5G phone under ₹30,000?

If you do not have a generous smartphone budget that goes over Rs. 70,000 or more, fret not; for you need not settle for only flagship-class smartphones including the likes of iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models. For less than half the price, you can get nearly the same performance, features, and style. Yes, you read that right! The sub-30000 category has an array of models to choose from; so you no longer need to burn a hole in your pocket to enjoy impressive camera quality, battery life, or even the latest 5G technology.

With our thoughtfully curated list of the top-rated 5G phones under Rs. 30,000 at your disposal, you can weigh all the pros and cons before zeroing on one. Simply shortlist the features you’re looking for and settle for one that best suits your needs.

Price list of 5G phones Under ₹30,000 at a glance:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will 4G work on 5G phones?

The advent of 5G technology does not mean 4G will go away; 5G networks will work with 4G, without replacing it outright. To put it simply, 5G-enabled phones will still use 4G technology. 5G-ready phones are mainly set apart by the built-in chipset, either by Qualcomm or MediaTek. Both these chipset makers have launched new SoCs for mobile devices with built-in 5G modems.

2. Is 5G technology available in India?

According to the latest news, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has confirmed that 5G services will launch in India in late-2022. The DoT has also revealed that the 5G services will initially be made available in 13 Indian cities. Eventually, it will be rolled out in remaining cities.

3. Which is the best brand for 5G phones?

Brands like Samsung, OPPO, Realme, Vivo, etc., are great for 5G phones. Most leading brands are now offering 5G-ready devices to provide faster and better access to the networks surrounding you.

4. Why should I buy a 5G phone?

Though 5G networks are yet to launch in India, if you are buying a new smartphone with the intention of using it for the next 2-3 years, you should definitely go for a 5G phone. The main factor that sets 5G-centric phones apart is the built-in chipset provided by Qualcomm or MediaTek.

5.How many bands should a 5G phone have?

You should ideally look for phones with 5 to 7 bands, which will make it highly likely that the phone will be perfectly compatible with the 5G network in the future. There is no point in settling for phones with one or two 5G bands, as there is very limited possibility that 5G will work properly on such phones.

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