A budget of Rs. 50,000 for a smartphone opens up a world of options, but making the right choice can be challenging. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve curated a selection of five handsets from various options, ranging from the latest releases to former flagships now available in this price range. Our rigorous selection process ensures you get the perfect blend of features, performance, and style.
OnePlus 11R 5G
The OnePlus 11R 5G secures its spot on our list effortlessly. While the flagship OnePlus 11 5G boasts more features, the more affordable 11R 5G delivers exceptional value by borrowing some design elements from its pricier counterpart. The primary differences between this attractive phone and the 11 5G are the placement of the front camera and the absence of a Hasselblad logo on the back.
The OnePlus 11R boasts a 6.74-inch curved display with a 2772 x 1240-pixel resolution, surpassing Full HD. It opts for a Fluid AMOLED display, foregoing the premium LTPO3 type found in the 11, but still offering HDR10+ compliance, 10-bit color, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1450 nits. Under the hood, you’ll find Qualcomm’s previous flagship, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU, with an option for a generous 16GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage within this price range.
In the camera department, while it may not match the 11’s supporting cast, its 50MP primary camera with OIS shines. The absence of Hasselblad’s color tuning is hardly noticeable. Complementing it are an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera. The 16MP selfie camera excels for selfies and video calls. With a 5000mAh battery, it can power you through a day and a half of moderate use, and the included 100W charger replenishes it in about 30 minutes. Running OxygenOS 13, based on Android 13, you can expect more OS and security updates in the future.
Price in India
The OnePlus 11R 5G is available at Rs 44,999 for the 16GB RAM/256GB storage variant.
Google Pixel 7
The Google Pixel 7, priced below Rs. 50,000 on its official online partner, Flipkart, becomes even more affordable with certain credit card offers. As the Pixel 8’s successor looms, the Pixel 7 features Google’s latest Tensor G2 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. Its 6.3-inch Full HD+ OLED display boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1400 nits, shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The phone holds an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
As expected from a Pixel phone, you’ll experience the purest version of Android 13 with the Material You design language. Pixel phones are renowned for their camera prowess, and the Google Pixel 7 doesn’t disappoint, with the added perks of Magic Eraser and Camouflage software for photo editing.
Nothing Phone (2)
From Carl Pei’s former brand to the new, the Nothing Phone (2) has improved nearly every aspect. While it retains its signature transparent back and LEDs, it now offers much more. The Glyph lights on the back serve as both decorative elements and customizable features.
Unlike its predecessor, the Nothing Phone (2) packs a punch with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. You can choose from 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ 10-bit LTPO OLED display with a peak brightness of 1600 nits, HDR10+ support, and a customizable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. Running Android 13 with Nothing OS 2.0, you can count on four years of software updates.
The photography section boasts a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide camera with auto-focus, delivering exceptional low-light performance. A 4700mAh battery powers the phone for over a day of moderate use, supporting both 45W rapid charging and 15W wireless charging (charger sold separately).
Price in India
The Nothing Phone (2) starts at Rs 44,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant and Rs 49,999 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant.
iQOO 9 Pro 5G
Here’s another fully-loaded flagship phone now available for less than Rs. 50,000. The iQOO 9 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It boasts a 6.78-inch HDR10+ compatible AMOLED display. The phone runs Android 13 with FunTouch OS 13, with further updates on the horizon.
The camera system on the iQOO 9 Pro 5G is highly versatile, featuring a 50MP primary camera with Gimbal OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with auto-focus and a 150-degree field of view, and a 16MP telephoto camera with OIS and 2.5X optical zoom. The 4700mAh battery offers more than a day of moderate use and can be fully charged in just 20 minutes. The iQOO 9 Pro 5G also supports 50W fast wireless charging.
Price in India
The iQOO 9 Pro 5G is priced at Rs 44,999 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant.
Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G
The flagship Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G has become even more affordable. It boasts a 6.73-inch LTPO 2.0 10-bit AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a QHD+ resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels. The panel supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, with a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, it offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage.
The rear camera setup comprises three 50MP cameras, with the primary module featuring OIS, the ultrawide offering a 115-degree FOV, and the telephoto camera providing 2X optical zoom. The front-facing 32MP camera excels for selfies. The Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G also features a Harman Kardon-tuned quad-speaker system and blazing-fast charging. Its 4600mAh battery lasts over a day of moderate use, and the included 120W charger promises a full charge in just 18 minutes. Additionally, it supports 50W fast wireless charging.
Price in India
The Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G is available at Rs 41,999 for the 8GB RAM/256