5G has been the buzzword this year, and for good reasons. Major manufacturers from around the world are coming up with some impressive smartphones that are all set to usher India into the 5G age. Although we don’t have a concrete date to look forward to when it comes to 5G deployment, it won’t be farfetched to say that it will arrive pretty soon. So it’s a good thing to stay prepared for the next-gen connectivity standard by buying a 5G-capable smartphone beforehand. Thanks to the rise of phenomenal chipsets from companies like MediaTek, there’s an abundance of 5G phones for all market segments. Today, however, we’ll be focusing on all the affordable flagships out there that you can buy right now to stay prepared for the 5G revolution. Let’s take a look at them.
OnePlus Nord 25G
We start things off with the recently launched OnePlus Nord 25G. The device benefits from a sleek glass sandwich design, with the front, almost entirely being occupied by its 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED display bearing a 90Hz refresh rate. On the back is a 50MP triple camera setup, while a 32MP front camera lodged inside its tiny punch-hole takes care of all the selfie needs. One of the highlights of the Nord 25G is that it runs on the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI chipset. The chipset offers an octa-core CPU with excellent performance and power efficiency due to its 6nm architecture. OnePlus has worked with MediaTek to enhance the AI-based features of the processor. That means you will see enhanced AI performance everywhere when using the smartphone, especially when using the excellent cameras on this device. Thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor, you are also getting dual SIM 5G connectivity. Additionally, the device also delivers 65W Warp Charge support for its 4,500mAh battery. All this at a starting price of just Rs 27,999.
POCO F3 GT
If you’re a gamer, the POCO F3 GT would be the right choice for you. It offers robust performance for all your high-end games with its 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC. One of its eight cores, called Ultra Core, is an ARM Cortex-A78 unit clocked at a whopping 3GHz. This setup allows the phone to deliver super-fast performance no matter what you’re doing. Onboard the chipset is the MediaTek HyperEngine 3.0 gaming technology which brings finely tuned connectivity and resource management features, among plenty of other features that aid gamers. The power of the Dimensity 1200 makes the POCO F3 GT an attractive handset to gamers. Moreover, it ships with pop-up gaming triggers that should give you a slight edge during frenzied online gameplay. The device offers a sturdy feel thanks to its metal frame. It also features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for high FPS gaming. The IP53-rated POCO F3 GT delivers a 64MP rear camera setup and a gaming-focused 5,065mAh battery that should recharge in a jiffy thanks to its 67W fast charging support. Its price starts at Rs 26,999.
Realme X7 Max 5G
The Realme X7 Max 5G is a true flagship that doesn’t drill a big hole in your wallet. At just Rs 24,999, it treats you with a 120Hz display, dual SIM 5G support, a 64MP triple camera setup, and a massive 4,500mAh battery that charges at 50W. And despite that large power pack, the phone still manages to be extremely thin and light, making it a delight to hold. Realme X7 Max 5G was the first phone in India to ship with the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset at its heart, which is what gives the device its 5G capabilities. And this chip offers true dual 5G SIM support, which translates into a much consistent 5G experience with the best quality voice and video call services via both slots. If you’re a gamer, you’ll be pleased with the X7 Max 5G’s linear motor Tactile Engine, its stainless steel vapour cooling technology, and its Dolby Atmos dual stereo speakers.
OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G
At Rs 39,990, the OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G might be a little costlier than other smartphones on this list. However, its incredible design coupled with powerful performance and stunning camera quality soundly justify its price. It’s a phone made especially for content creators who specialise in video. The Bokeh Flare Portrait and AI Highlight Video features take your videos to the next level no matter what kind of light you’re working with. Its other highlights include a 90Hz display and a 4,500mAh battery with 65W fast charging. The powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset onboard this device allows it to offer a 64MP quad-camera setup. And it’s the chipset’s high-end video HDR capabilities that enable OPPO to deliver its stunning videography attributes.
Mi 11X 5G
The Mi 11X 5G is a neat package. It’s got a slim design and is full of advanced features. At Rs 29,999, it gets you a 120Hz AMOLED display, the Snapdragon 870 chipset, a 48MP triple camera setup, and a 4,520mAh battery, albeit with just 33W fast charging. This 5G device is also known for its three-dimensional haptic engine, which gives realistic and distinct feedback on every touch. It’s got a 20MP selfie camera on its front, while Dolby Atmos-certified dual stereo speakers have also made their way onto the handset.
VIVO iQOO 7
The iQOO 7 is a gamer’s delight, as it doesn’t just come with one chip but two. The first one is a Snapdragon 870, while the second one is an Intelligent Display Chip that’s dedicated to enhancing the frame rates of games and upscaling SDR content to HDR. Besides, it’s got an instant touch sampling rate of a whopping 1,000Hz, which could give you that slight edge during online gaming sessions. Vivo has added a 6000mm² graphite layer liquid cooling system for better cooling. Other stand out features include a 120Hz display, a 4,400mAh battery, and 66W FlashCharge support. You can buy this phone starting at Rs 31,990.
Those being the six best options, it’s pretty clear that the MediaTek Dimensity chipsets are dominating the popular 5G flagship segment. The chip delivers spectacular performance while enabling manufacturers to equip their devices with state-of-the-art features. It also comes with MediaTek 5G UltraSave technology which ensures long battery life no matter which mobile network you are using. If you’re buying a popular 5G-powered flagship smartphone, there’s a good possibility that the one you pick will have the Dimensity 1200 SoC inside it. Whether you look at OnePlus Nord 25G, realme X7 Max 5G, OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G, or any of the other popular 5G phones, it’s clear that most OEMs are now preferring MediaTek Dimesnity chipsets for their 5G smartphones.
