With 5G starting to roll out in the country, the next-gen cellular network isn’t a distant dream anymore. Leading telcos have already announced support for high-speed, low-latency cellular connectivity in metro cities, and aim to cover major cities by the next year. So, if you are looking to buy a smartphone this festive season, it’d make sense to opt for one with 5G compatibility. But with so many options in the market, which phone should you go for? Fret not, as we have handpicked the best 5G smartphones to buy on Croma for under Rs 35,000. The icing on the cake is that you could make use of various bank offers running on Croma to make your purchase even more affordable.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
If you are looking for a flagship smartphone, but don’t want to spend too much either, Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE 5G is a perfect choice for you. It offers flagship-grade specifications including an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset working alongside 8GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage. It’s also compact with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display bearing a full HD+ resolution and support for a high refresh rate of 120Hz. Adding to the multimedia experience are Dolby-certified Stereo Speakers. For shooting, the device flaunts a tri-cam array with an optically stabilised 12MP f/1.8 camera, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter, and an 8MP telephone snapper. Selfie lovers would enjoy shooting with its high-rest OIS-equipped 32MP front camera. Ensuring that the phone lasts long, it’s equipped with a 4,500mAh cell with support for 25W fast charging and fast wireless charging too. Last but not the least, it’s IP68 compatible, meaning it’s dust- and water-resistant and can stay in up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes.
OPPO Reno 7 Pro 5G
OPPO has made a name for itself with its stand-out design language and videography capabilities, and the Reno 7 Pro 5G is no different. It features an all-glass design with a matte finish at the back that will not only grab attention wherever you go, but offers a sturdy grip too. In the camera department, it offers triple rear cameras with a 50-megapixel f/1.8 snapper, an 8MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 2MP macro sensor. You can capture videos at up to 4K resolution, and get functionality like portrait video, and AI colour portrait. The handset is no less in the hardware section either, as it comes powered by the 3.0GHz octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor paired with meaty 12 gigs of RAM. The device is built around a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The OPPO Reno 7 Pro 5G runs ColorOS 12 UI atop Android 12 and is fuelled by a 4,500mAh cell with 65W SuperVOOC charging.
If you are looking to save some costs, you can check out the OPPO Reno 7 5G that ships with MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC and 8GB RAM.
Redmi 11 Prime 5G
Looking for a smartphone that won’t pinch your pocket? You can’t go wrong with the Redmi 11 Prime 5G – the most affordable option in this list (and you can also get additional bank offers). The device features a 6.58-inch display with an FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It runs on MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core SoC which works in tandem with 4GB RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. The dual-camera module is headlined by a 50MP f/1.8 shooter with a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, the Redmi 11 Prime 5G comes with an 8MP camera. Its power button doubles up as a fingerprint sensor, and you can unlock the phone by scanning your face too. The device promises an all-day battery life with its capacious 5,000mAh unit that supports 18W fast charging.
Vivo V21 5G
Vivo is yet another phonemaker that’s known for focusing on looks and camera capabilities. The Vivo V21 5G is part of the brand’s hugely popular V series, and flaunts a colour-changing rear panel. Its window to the world is a 6.44-inch AMOLED panel with a 1080p resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ compatibility. Under the hood, it comes with the MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset which is clocked at 2.4GHz for its high-end ARM Cortex-A76 cores. The processor is supplemented by 8GB RAM and 128GB storage that can be topped up by another 1TB with the use of a microSD card. With regards to cameras, you get a 64MP f/1.79 primary shooter, accompanied by an 8MP wide-angle sensor and a 2MP macro lens. Those who are selfie addicts, they’d enjoy the V21 5G’s high-resolution 44MP snapper with f/2.0 aperture. Powering the show is a 4,000mAh battery with support for 33W Flash Charge technology.
Samsung Galaxy M53 5G
The Galaxy M series from Samsung has created a name for itself by offering well-rounded specs at an attractive price point. The Galaxy M53 5G is among the best offerings in the range with the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC at its core. The 6nm processor offers four high-end cores running at 2.4GHz, while the remaining cores are tuned at 2GHz. For memory, the device offers 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. It features a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It continues to impress in the camera aspect as well with a high-res 108-megapixel primary shooter, complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide snapper, and dual 2MP lenses for macro and depth photography, respectively. At the front, the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G has a 32MP sensor for selfies. A beefy 5,000mAh battery fuels the phone and can be juiced up quickly too, with 25W fast charging support.
OnePlus Nord CE2 Lite 5G
Even though it started as a flagship killer, OnePlus has continued to move up the value chain. Thankfully to cater to value-conscious consumers, it introduced its Nord series. The OnePlus Nord CE2 Lite 5G is the most affordable OnePlus smartphone you could buy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t pack a punch. It impressed in every aspect thanks to a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor at its heart. The chipset is coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. For interacting with the phone, it has a 6.59-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. In terms of cameras, it has a triple-cam system led by a 64MP f/1.7 snapper and two 2MP sensors meant for macro and portrait photography. Selfies are taken care of by a 16MP front camera. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery with 33W SuperVOOC charging.
Realme 9i 5G
Yet another solid option in the sub-Rs 15,000 category, the Realme 9i 5G offers a loaded spec sheet. It flaunts a 6.6-inch LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor is responsible for smooth performance, and it does that well while being battery efficient too. The 6nm chipset is mated to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage onboard. At the back, it gets triple cameras with a 50MP f/1.8 primary shooter, a 2MP portrait sensor, and VGA macro lens. For self-portraits and video calling, it gets an 8MP snapper. A beefy 5,000mAh cell is tasked with keeping the device going, and it could charge quickly too with support for 18W fast charging.
Xiaomi 11i 5G
Xiaomi smartphones are known for power-packed features, but the Xiaomi 11i 5G goes a step further by offering an eye-catching design and ultra-sleek profile. With a slim frame of 8.3mm, it’s among the slimmest 5G phones on the market. That doesn’t mean that it compromises on hardware though as it’s powered by a 2.5GHz octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 920 SoC that works with 8 gigs of RAM and 128GB memory. It offers a 6.67-inch AMOLED display at the front with full HD+ resolution and support for a 120Hz refresh rate. It also promises incredible photos and videos with its 108MP f/1.89 primary camera, paired with 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro shooter. For selfies, it gets a 16-megapixel sensor with a screen flash for low-light situations. It also comes with an IP53 rating for dust- and water-resistance, and packs a powerful 5,160mAh battery with 67W TurboCharge support.
In case you want faster charging time, then you can also go for the Xiaomi 11i 5G HyperCharge which boasts an astounding 120W charging support and juice up fully within 15 minutes.
