Gaming phones under ₹12000 in India - Buying guide

Gaming has been always been associated to high powered and expensive devices. People think of heavy consoles and fancy PCs when asked about gaming. It is a recreational activity that should be restricted to expensive electronic devices. Most gaming phones are also expensive. Not everyone can afford to buy a device dedicated to gaming, but that does not mean they have to compromise on the experience of it. There are several smartphones that can handle gaming efficiently and come at an affordable price.

We have listed the best gaming smartphones under ₹12,000 for users who do not wish to go overboard with their gaming experience, but have a fun time playing light games. Having a smooth experience is equally important. These smartphones come with multiple other handy features that make them a complete package for the buyers with gaming being an added bonus.

1. Techno Pova 4

The Techno Pova 4 is a powerfully built smartphone for gaming. It has Media Tek Helio G99 6 nm processor with a dual game engine. It is a combination of Panther Game Engine + Hyperengine 2.0 Lite. An ultra-fast refresh rate of 90 Hz gives you the smoothest user experience. With a memory of 128 GB extendable to 1 TB, Pova 4 assures that there are no lags. It comes with 18W flash charging.

It comes with a 50MP rear camera, AI dual rear camera, and a dual flashlight. It enables professional video shooting with 2K time-lapse. The display has great touch responses, which gives you an amazing gaming experience. Combined with a system to manage heat dissipation and the latest Android Hi Os 12 this smartphone from Techno is a cut above the rest. It comes in two colour variants.

Specifications:

Model Name: Techno Pova 4

OS: HiOS 12.0 based on Android 12

Processor: 6nm 2.2GHz Helio G99 Processor

Storage: 128 GB internal storage

Battery: 6000 mAH

Display: 6.8"Dot-in display (720x1600)

2. Realme Narzo 50A

Realme offers some major features with this model Narzo 50A. With 50 MP AI triple rear cameras, this smartphone gives you a versatile photography experience. It comes with a massive 6000mAH battery with an 18W fast charging, giving you 8 hours of gaming in a single charge. It also supports reverse charging, with which you can charge other mobile phones or smart bands.

The screen body proportion with 6.5 inch display supports an 88.7% screen-to-body ratio making the gaming an immersive experience. The Realme Narzo 50 A is powered by Helio G85 gaming processor, built to support high-intensity gaming and multitasking. It comes with 4+64 GB storage. It comes in two colour variants.

Specifications:

Model name: Realme Narzo 50A

OS: Android 11

Processor: Media Tek Helio G85

Storage: 4+64 GB

Battery: 6000 mAH

Display: 6.5 inch (720x1600)

3. Infinix Hot 12 Pro

Infinix Hot 12 Pro has a new design with a 6.6 inch HD+ drop notch display. It has a thin bezel design and a refresh rate of 90 Hz, making your visual experience stunning. It comes with 8 GB RAM with 5 GB virtual RAM for increased efficacy. The combination of the display and the large Ram guarantees the user a fluid virtual experience. It has a 50 MP AI-powered back camera and an 8MP front camera.

The device is powered by UNISOCT chipset (64-bit Octa-core 2 GHz ARM Cortex A75 + ARM Cortex A55 12nm processor). The OS in Android 12. With an amazing refresh rate of 90Hz and 180 Hz of touch sampling rate, the smartphone gives you an immersive gaming experience without any stutters. The device has a massive 5000mAH battery with an 18 W fast charging feature. It supports 12.17 hours of gaming with a single charge. It comes in two colour variants.

Specifications:

Model name: Infinix Hot 12 Pro

OS: Android 12

Processor: UNISOCT chipset

Storage: 8+128 GB RAM

Battery: 5000 mAH

Display: 6.6 inch HD+ drop notch display

4. Redmi 10 Power

The Redmi 10 Power comes with 6.7-inch HD+ LCD display. It is powered by the Snapdragon 680 which is a 6nm processor. It has a dual camera setup at the back that is capable of taking some decent shots.

The Snapdragon 680 gives it power to perform seamlessly. It is supported by the massive 6000mAh battery that can last you an entire on heavy usage. Users can also expand the storage beyond the 128 GB. 512 GB of storage can be acquired by expansion via SD card.

Specifications:

Model name: Redmi 10 Power

OS: MIUI 13

Processor: Snapdragon 680

Storage: 8 GB

Battery: 6000 mAh

Display: 6.7 inch HD+LCD

5. Lava Blaze 5G

The Lava Blaze 5G is an affordable offering from the manufacturer. It comes with a vibrant 6.5-inch HD+ display. The display has sharp colours that enhance the content viewing experience. The camera setup takes good shots in well lit settings. The front camera also produces decent images.

It is powered by the Dimensity 7000 processor. This provides for an ultra-responsive performance. The 4 GB RAM can handle light gaming among other tasks. It has 128 GB storage on-board which is expandable to up to 1 TB. The 5000mAh battery makes sure that you never run out of charge.

Specifications:

Model name: Lava Blaze 5G

OS: Android 12

Processor: Media Dimensity 7000

Storage: 128 GB

Battery: 5000 mAH

Display: 6.5 inch HD+

6. Techno Pova 3

Techno Pova 3 is fitted with a 6.9 inch FHD+ Dot in display. It comes with a triple AI 50 MP rear camera. It is equipped with a super night mode to get the best of low light pictures. A 2K time lapse photography with a well-defined shooting mode gives a professional edge in photography.

The device is powered by Helio G88 octa processor with Hyper engine 2.0 for a superb gaming experience. It has up to 11GB storage. It is embedded with the latest HiOS 8.6 based on Android 12. With 90 Hz refresh rate and 180 Hz touch sampling rate this creates an immersive environment for gamers. The Panther Engine 2.0 with the dual stereo speakers and 4D vibrations takes the gaming experience into another level. It has a massive battery of 7000mAH with 33w Flash charger and 10W reverse charge. It comes in three colour variants.

Specifications:

Model name: Techno Pova 3

OS: Android 12

Processor: Media Tek Helio G88 octa processor

Storage: 4+64 GB

Battery: 7000 mAH

Display: 6.9 inch FHD+ Dot in

7. Redmi 10

Armed with a 6.71 inch IPS display it gives a blockbuster viewing experience perfect for binge watching. It comes with a massive 5000mAH battery with 18W superfast charging. The device is equipped with a 50MP camera with 2MP depth sensor to take great photos.

The phone is powered by Snapdragon 680 processor with 6nm architecture. It comes with Ultra-Fast Storage 2.2 which offers super speed for multi-tasking.

Specifications:

Model name: Redmi 10

OS: Android 11

Processor: Snapdragon 680

Storage: 4+64 GB

Battery: 5000 mAH

Display: 6.71 inch IPS

8. Infinix Note 12

Infinix Note 12 comes with a 6.7 inch AMOLED display to enhance the visual experience. It provides edge to edge viewing. It is equipped with 5000mAh battery with Power marathon tech that enables extended battery life. It comes 33W fast charger. It is mounted with 50 Mp+2MP depth camera with 16 MP front cameras.

It is powered by Helio G88 Octa core processor clocked at 2 GHz to multi task. The Media Tek Hyper Engine 2.0 Game boost technology gives you seamless gaming experience. The supercool mechanism prevents overheating during extensive gaming sessions. Available in two colour variants.

Specifications:

Model name: Infinix Note 12

OS: Android 11

Processor: Helio G88

Storage: 4+64 GB

Battery: 5000 mAH

Display: 6.7 inch AMOLED

Best 3 features for you

Best value for money

The gaming smartphone that can give you the best value for money is Techno Pova 4. It offers great number of features within ₹12000 range. It comes with the latest Helio G99 Processor combined with Panther + Hyper Engine to create snag less gaming experience for you. The refresh rate of 90 Hz assures you smooth operation and multi-tasking. Equipped with the latest version of android, Android 11, it gives you an enhanced user experience. The 50 MP rear camera with AI comes with options like 2K time lapse photography.

Best overall product

Infinix Note 12 comes with a 6.7 inch AMOLED display. It is powered by Helio G88 Octa core processor to get that gaming edge on. The 5000mAH battery with Power Marathon technology extends the battery life suitable for gaming. It is fast charging with a 33W charger. The Hyper engine 2.0 prevents snags during multi-tasking or gaming. The supercool technology keeps your phone from overheating during long gaming sessions

How to find the perfect gaming smart phone for you

When shopping in a budget for gaming smartphones, it is necessary to understand that you might not be able to find all the features you need. As the basis of smartphone gaming depends on the processor quality and speed, it must be your first priority. The kind of gaming phones you require depend on the types of games you play. If you are an avid player who likes online gaming in long sessions, you must be careful of the overheating problem. Memory is a crucial factor to look out for while playing heavy duty games. If you are a low level player who can suffice with moderate graphics, the main thing to look out for is the display quality. The graphics and the screen to body ratio is another important thing to note to enjoy immersive gaming.

“At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.’”