2021 will most likely be the year when the country forays into the 5G era. It’s not surprising then that phone manufacturers have been infusing the market with 5G-capable handsets across different price brackets, in parts made possible by the quick delivery of chipsets bearing integrated 5G modems by manufacturers like MediaTek. As things stand, the market is flooded with 5G-capable phones that you buy to gear up for the impending 5G boom. So, today, let’s look at nine 5G smartphones that offer the best hardware at their respective price points.
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G
One look at the spec-sheet of the Narzo 30 Pro 5G and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more compelling offering for the price. Not only does the smartphone ship with a 120Hz screen, it also comes equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that can be charged at 30W. Furthermore, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset that delivers dual SIM 5G support, apart from blazing fast performance. Realme has even furnished the device with a 48MP triple camera setup and support for Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, all for an asking price just shy of Rs 17K (Rs 16,999).
Realme X7 Pro
If you’re in the market for a flagship-grade 5G phone that won’t put a dent in your wallet, then look no further than Realme’s all-new, X7 Pro which costs just Rs 29,999. Not only does the phone ship with a 6.55-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, but it also checks all the boxes in other categories too and comes equipped with a 64MP quad-camera setup, 65W SuperDart Charge support for its 4,500mAh battery, and dual stereo speakers. You should also take note of the smartphone’s 240Hz touch-sampling rate, which should offer a more responsive experience whilst gaming than competing devices. Moreover, the smartphone is powered by the 7nm, MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ chipset which thanks to its Dual-Sim, Dual-5G Standby, and WiFi 6 support, will undoubtedly offer top-notch performance as well as future-proof the handset for when 5G becomes accessible in the country. Not to mention, the smartphone is also backed by MediaTek HyperEngine 2.0 technology, which provides several nifty optimizations, thereby elevating a user’s gaming experience.
Realme X7
Realme has been launching phones left, right, and centre and the Realme X7 is the company’s latest mid-range contender that gets its 5G chops from the MediaTek Dimensity 800U SoC. Consequently, while you will get great overall performance owing to the X7’s advanced chipset, the phone further casts a shadow on the competition with its gorgeous 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display that covers the entirety of its front surface. Moreover, photography enthusiasts will revel clicking shots with its 64MP main camera too. Lest we forget, the handset comes equipped with a 4,310mAh battery that supports 50W fast-charging, allowing buyers to refuel their X7s in the blink of an eye. Despite all this, Realme has still managed to keep the price of the phone down to just Rs 19,999.
Moto G 5G
The Moto G 5G is known for its large 6.7-inch HDR10 display. Priced at Rs 20999, the handset also features a beefy 5,000mAh battery inside which can be charged quickly via the unit’s 20W charging brick. Like all Motorola phones, this one too offers a near-stock Android experience. Rounding off the spec sheet is the phone’s processor and here, the Moto G 5G makes use of a 5G-enabled Snapdragon 750G chipset, which has been paired with 6GB of RAM.
OPPO F19 Pro+ 5G
The OPPO F19 Pro+ 5G is the newest entrant to this list. At just Rs 25,990, the handset brings a plethora of unique video focused features to the table, including but not limited to AI Highlight Portrait Video, which uses smart algorithms to improve the lighting in nighttime videos and balance the exposure in clips shot under harsh sunlight. The OPPO F19 Pro+ 5G also comes equipped with 50W Flash Charge, thereby allowing users to get 3.5 hours of video playback with just a 5-minute top-up. In terms of performance, the smartphone makes use of the MediaTek Dimensity 800U octa-core processor which employs a host of smart 5G features, including Dual 5G support and seamlessly switching between 4G and 5G networks for a smooth browsing experience.
OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G
Buyers in the market for a 5G-capable phone can also look at the OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G, which imparts a sense of premiumness owing to its sleek and lightweight chassis. Priced at Rs 35,990, the handset boasts of a 64MP quad-camera setup, which is complemented by the company’s AI Highlight Video feature. Towards the front, the Reno5 Pro 5G comes equipped with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel which refreshes at 90Hz, along with a 32MP selfie camera. In terms of battery, the handset ships with a generous 4,350mAh cell which can refuel blazingly fast thanks to the unit’s support for 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 tech. It goes without saying that OPPO has left no stone unturned with the Reno5 Pro 5G and it shows, especially when you factor in that the handset is powered by MediaTek‘s mighty, 5G-enabled Dimensity 1000+ processor delivering incredible performance.
OnePlus 8T
In October last year, OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 8T, which build-up on the brilliant features offered by the OnePlus 8 range. To that note, the handset marks several firsts for the company and is the only phone in OnePlus’ stables to employ 65W fast-charging tech. What’s more, the smartphone had fans and critics impressed with its 6.5-inch Fluid AMOLED display too, which by the way, refreshes at 120Hz. Coming to 5G, the smartphone gets its 5G capabilities via Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chipset which has proven its mettle time and again. Unsurprisingly, the OnePlus 8T is among the most sought-after affordable flagships and the smartphone retails for Rs 42,999 in India.
Samsung Galaxy S21
The Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t priced for the faint of heart but, at Rs 69,999, the smartphone does enough to justify its lofty price tag. For one, the handset ships with one of the best displays in the biz in the form of its 6.2-inch, Dynamic AMOLED panel which refreshes at 120Hz. Highlighting the phone’s internals is the company’s in-house, 5nm Exynos 2100 chipset which for the uninitiated, is 5G-ready too. And, last but certainly not least, the Samsung Galaxy S21 ships with an incredible camera setup that comes with unique features like 30x Space Zoom, Single Take, 8K Video Snap, and more.
Apple iPhone 12
Every year, Apple unveils a new lineup of iPhones that offer phenomenal computing prowess, excellent cameras, and stunning designs and this year’s iPhone 12 is no different. Let’s start with the cameras and here, the iPhone 12 features dual 12MP sensors on its back that offer wide and ultra-wide perspectives and capture photos in stunning detail. Additionally, this year’s iPhones can also record videos in Dolby Vision, a feat no other handset can replicate as of yet. Not to mention, the latest entrant in Apple’s lineup also features the company’s fastest mobile chip yet in the form of A14 Bionic, along with a gorgeous OLED display.
As you can see, there are some incredible 5G smartphones present across different price categories, so you can pick and choose your preferred option depending on your budget. Interestingly, most smartphones retailing in the affordable and premium segment adopt MediaTek Dimensity chipsets which speaks volumes about the Taiwanese chipset maker’s dominance. The company is clearly working hard to deliver an excellent end-user experience to buyers, be it by enabling flagship-grade camera features, adding support for 5G, or offering incredible performance without burning a hole in the wallet. Unsurprisingly, more and more smartphone OEMs are welcoming MediaTek’s chipsets with open arms. Do let us know which smartphone you’d pick and why, in the comments below.
