Best Mobile Phones Under 10,000 (Mar 2023)

Expert comment:   Redmi 9 Prime came like a breath of fresh air in the market that was disrupted by the price hikes due to change in GST rates in India. The handset is priced below Rs 10,000 but you get a quad camera setup, a really good processor, good battery life, and even fast charging support with the Redmi 9 Prime. While Xiaomi was losing its charm with the aggressive push from Realme and Samsung in last year, Redmi 9 Prime put the brand back in the driving position for this price segment.

Expert comment:   The POCO C55, priced at Rs 9,499, can be considered a top choice for smartphones that fall under Rs 10,000. It packs in a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC paired with 4GB / 6GB RAM and 64GB / 128GB of internal storage. There's also a 50MP primary shooter for image taking purposes and the front of the device is dominated by 6.71-inch panel with HD+ resolution. Finally, for the battery needs, a standard 5,000mAh cell is present that can be juiced at 10W.

Expert comment:   The Realme C33 packs in a 6.2-inch LCD screen with an HD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also has a lasting 5,000mAh cell, with support for 10W charging, and can easily last for a day on normal usage. As for the software, you are getting Android 12-based Realme UI S Edition. On the camera side the 50MP primary sensor is the one to take photos while on the front the 5MP camera takes charge. Lastly processing needs are taken care by Unisoc's T612 SoC that is supported by a up to 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage.

Expert comment:   POCO M2 is one of the easiest phones to recommend in this price range. With an extremely capable processor, quad cameras, fast-charging support, and good battery backup, the phone practically sells itself on paper. While the build quality and the design on the phone might not be particularly impressive, POCO M2 has most things going in its favour when it comes to daily use. This is not the best phone available at this price point but with a few tweaks, it could possibly have been.

Expert comment:   Realme Narzo 30A comes as a successor to the Narzo 20A and carries on the reputation of the affordable smartphone series in every way possible. Here you get a really good processor at the helm to take care of demanding tasks but there is also a massive battery included so that the phone doesn't run out of juice while handling these requirements. The display panel is one of the finest that you can get for this price and the inclusion of USB Type-C means that the handset is compatible with the most common modern charging accessories. Hard to go wrong with this one.

Expert comment:   Infinix Hot 10S is a new entry on the list and the handset is a worthy addition to say the least. It comes with a capable processor, a smooth 90Hz display, and a 48MP primary camera. While these specs would have helped the phone reserve a place on this list, the massive 6,000mAh battery acts like a cherry on the cake. For most people's daily needs, these are some crucial specifications and in this price range, it is hard to argue that the company could have offered more with this one.

Expert comment:   Realme C15 enters the list with a whopping 6,000mAh battery and quad cameras at a budget price. The handset gets the basics right and then adds these two features at the top to make it an even sweeter deal. There is a capable chipset that handles most day to day tasks with ease and the brand has also included support for quick charging on the phone. If we consider the value for money aspect, C15 definitely earns its slot over here.

Expert comment:   Redmi 9 from Xiaomi is a no-nonsense offering that is aimed at those users who want a daily driver that offers good specs across the board without digging a deep hole in pocket. Admittedly, the phone lacks any 'wow' factor as such but as it has been built with the aim to get things done, it manages to do its job. If you're looking for a phone that stands out from the crowd, Redmi 9 isn't the one but if you are looking for a phone that delivers reliably on most fronts, this is a good choice indeed.

Expert comment:   Tecno Spark 7T is one of the very few phones that come with a distinct design in this price bracket. The phone also offers good camera performance in most lighting conditions. Do we think the brand could have included a better processor? Yes. Does the current processor get the job done? Also, yes. The phone offers long-lasting battery life and considering that it features a not-so-demanding processor, you can expect it to easily last beyond two days in normal usage. Overall, the Tecno Spark 7T is a promising phone but definitely not the best option in this price range.

Expert comment:   Samsung Galaxy F12 is the sort of smartphone that defies the expectation that you would have for its price point. With an exceptionally long battery life, high refresh rate display, great processor, and above average cameras, this phone definitely ticks all the right points. With the improved UI and great display quality, Samsung has definitely improved its game in the budget segment and Galaxy F12 is a good proof of this.