Smartphones play a massive role in our day-to-day life and choosing the best phone is a difficult task. And when you are on a tight budget like Rs.10,000 it’s even tougher.

Thanks to the aggressive competition in India, you can now get a high-quality smartphone by spending less than Rs.10,000 bucks.

You can even tailor your search to match specific preferences like camera quality, battery life, gaming performance, design, and so on.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the twelve best smartphones available for purchase under Rs.10,000 right now in India. Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.

Note: The price shown are the once when we reviewed the products. However, as the promotional offers changes on the given E-commerce sites, the price may vary. Bettershark is supported by it’s readers and when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1. Realme Narzo 30A

Overall Best Pick

• MediaTek Helio G-series processor
• Bright HD+ display
• Decent rear-camera performance

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The Narzo series from Realme includes budget and mid-range smartphones.

The Realme Narzo 30A is a stylish-looking smartphone with an affordable price tag offering a satisfying performance.

Design and Build Quality

The backside of the Realme Narzo 30A is made out of high-quality polycarbonate material.

This device has a thick side profile as it houses a large capacity battery inside which makes this smartphone heavy.

The diagonal stripe design at the back makes this smartphone look exciting and unique. 

Weighing at 210 grams, the Narzo 30A is not ideal for single-hand use and it does feel slightly bulky in pockets.

Realme did not compromise on ports, buttons and sensors. You will get the modern USB-C port, audio jack and a rear fingerprint scanner with this budget Android smartphone.

Display

The Realme Narzo 30A features a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels.

Thanks to the narrow bezels around the display, the Realme Narzo 30A has an impressive 88.7% screen-to-body ratio.

With the peak brightness of 570 nits, you will be able to view the visuals clearly both indoors as well as outdoors. The colour reproduction is good and there is no colour shifting while watching the panel from an angle.

Processor and Performance

The Realme Narzo 30A is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor that is manufactured on a 12-nm fabrication process.

The 4GB LPDDR4x RAM onboard offers lag-free performance on everyday use and multitasking.

Speaking of storage capacity, the variant we have listed here has 64GB of internal storage where all your files, installed applications, and other data will be stored. In case you find this insufficient, realme has provided a dedicated SD card slot to expand the storage capacity further. 

Out of the box, the Realme Narzo 30A comes pre-installed with the Realme UI based on Android 10 and the good news is, the company has declared on its website that Narzo 30A will get an update of Android 11 OS.

Camera

The Realme Narzo 30A has a dual camera setup at the back.

The 13MP primary sensor captures vivid photos and sharpness is also good. In low-lit conditions, you can use the super nightscape mode to get decent results.

The camera app has a plethora of features to play with.

The AI sensor will help improve the image quality and it provides the most effective results in portrait photos.

The 8MP selfie camera takes decent photos – the sharpness is good but it whitens the skin tone too much.

Battery Life

The Realme Narzo 30A has a 6000mAh mammoth battery inside that is rated to last up to a day and a half with one single full charge.

The bundled 18W fast charger will recharge the smartphone battery in under 2:15 hours.

Verdict

The Realme Narzo 30A is a performance-oriented affordable smartphone priced under Rs.10,000.

The device is for people who want the best battery life and smooth performance under an affordable budget.

2. Infinix Hot 11

Runner-up Pick

• MediaTek Helio G70 processor
• Gorgeous FHD+ display
• Modern design

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Infinix is a Hongkong based company popular for its budget smartphones in developing countries.

The Infinix Hot 11 packs in the most value for money internals when it comes to a smartphone priced under Rs.10,000.

Design and Build Quality

The Infinix Hot 11 resembles the look and feel of Oppo smartphones. The back panel has a lining design and the use of gradient colours makes it look appealing.

This affordable smartphone feels premium and is available in four colours namely polar black, silver wave, emerald green and purple.

There is a rear fingerprint scanner for fast unlocking and the camera bump is minimal.This device weighs 201 grams – neither lightweight nor extremely heavy.

In terms of design and build quality, Infinix haven’t cut any corners to optimize the cost.

Surprisingly, the smartphone comes with dual speakers which are very rare at this price. However, audio quality is not exceptional by any means.

Display

Currently, on this list, Infinix Hot 11 is the only smartphone to feature a Full HD display.

This budget Android smartphone features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ IPS display with a resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and a pixel density of 400ppi.

This pixel-rich panel has narrow bezels providing an immersive multimedia experience.It has a peak brightness of 500 nits meaning you can use the panel comfortably while indoor or outdoors.

You can turn on reading mode to reduce the blue light emission while reading e-book or articles.

Processor and Performance

The Infinix Hot 11 comes equipped with the MediaTek Helio G70 SoC and is paired with the 4GB RAM.

This configuration is enough for running everyday tasks like browsing, social media and calling. You can also multitask without facing much jitters or delays.

Games can be played but high-end games like BGMI and COD: Mobile will not run smoothly.

Infinix has packed this device with 64GB internal storage and if that’s not enough, you can expand the storage using the dedicated microSD card slot.

The XOS 7.6 based on Android 11 OS is what you get to use when you boot up the device for the first time.

Camera

The Infinix Hot 11 houses dual cameras at the back. The first one is a 13MP primary shooter and the second one is a depth-sensing unit.

We are impressed with the image processing – especially in broad daylight. The primary camera maintains the colours of the object very well however, there is slight room for improvement in the blues.

You will also get a night mode and it performs very well.The depth-sensing unit is for clicking portrait shots. It does exceptionally well on edge detection and blurring the background.

The camera app has several features to use such as slow-motion, eye-tracking autofocus, and fun-short videos.

The 8MP front shooter performs well in daylight environments. The only issue is in dynamic range and to be specific, it happens only while you try taking portrait selfies.

Battery Life

The Infinix Hot 11 has a 5200mA lithium battery inside that will last you for a day and half with normal use. 

Here’s the catch, the company has provided a 10W regular charger which takes almost 3 hours to fully recharge the battery.There is no mention if this device supports fast charging so, do not try plugging in a fast charger.

Verdict

The Infinix Hot 11 is a value for money smartphone for a budget under Rs.10,000.

This device offers smooth performance, great battery life, ergonomic design and good camera performance. In short words, it’s a complete package under Rs.10,000.

3. POCO C31

All-round Performer

• MediaTek Helio G35 processor
• Decent HD+ display
• Ergonomic design

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Poco, as you all might know, is a Xiaomi subsidiary dealing with affordable smartphones running MIUI skin alongside their Redmi series.

The Poco C31 is an affordable, entry-level smartphone that was launched recently in the Indian market highlighting the budget gaming prowess for a budget under Rs.10,000.

Design and Build Quality

The Poco C31 has a polycarbonate back with a plastic frame in the middle and glass at the front. 

This device feels comfortable to hold in your hands as it weighs just 194 grams. The textured finish at the back makes sure that the smartphone won’t get fingerprint marks easily.

There is an audio jack and noise-cancelling mic at the top section and the bottom frame houses a micro USB port, a single speaker and a primary microphone.

The fingerprint sensor is at the backside of the smartphone which works like a champ and you can also set up face recognition for quick unlock.

Display

The Poco C31 sports a 6.53-inch HD+ IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. 

This panel is bright enough to be able to use the smartphone conveniently indoors as well as outdoors.

Thanks to the IPS technology, the side viewing angles are good and colour reproduction is also vivid compared to TN panels.

This narrow bezel wide viewing panel is ideal for content viewing.

Processor and Performance

The Poco C31 is powered by an entry-level gaming-oriented MediaTek Helio G35 octa-core processor.

This smartphone has 4GB RAM onboard and it is sufficient for running casual applications such as web browsers and social media applications.

On the storage front, you will get 64GB of internal storage and if you wish to expand then use the external SD card to increase the storing capacity.

Poco C31 comes loaded with the MIUI 12 based on Android 10. Poco promises a future upgrade for this smartphone to Android 11.

Camera

The Poco C31 houses a triple camera setup at the back consisting of a 13MP main lens, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor.

The results from the primary lens look decent – the colour reproduction is on point and details are sufficient. 

The low-lit shots are not that impressive though, which is expected at this price point. The macro sensor works but the quality is average to be the best. 

The 5MP selfie camera clicks okayish selfies but the images look a bit soft.

Battery Life

What powers the Poco C31 is a large 5000mAh Li-Po non-removable battery. This battery will last for about a day of moderate to heavy usage. 

Poco has bundled a 10W charger in the box with an outdated micro USB connector that will take around 2.30-3 hours to completely charge the battery from zero to full. 

Verdict

The Poco C31 is the latest Android smartphone from Xiaomi priced at Rs.7,999 with decent hardware specifications and everyday performance.

4. Motorola E40

Stock Android Smartphone

• Android 11 OS
• Decent everyday performance
• 90Hz HD+ display

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Motorola manufactures some of the best stock Android smartphones in the industry.

The Motorola E40 is an entry-level smartphone that is powered by the Unisoc processor and is priced at Rs.9,499.

Design and Build Quality

Motorola smartphones are known for their build quality and Motorola E40 is no exception. This smartphone has a physical dimension of 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm and it weighs 194 grams.

The back is made out of plastic and it has a textured design that prevents fingerprints and smudges.

The Moto E40 is an IP52 certified device meaning it can survive minor water splashes and raindrops.

The fingerprint scanner includes the M logo that stands for Motorola and the sensor isuite fast and responsive.

This device comes with a USB-C port and has an audio jack for wired audio connectivity.

Display

The Motorola E40 sports a 6.5-inch 90Hz HD+ IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels.

This display is tall and wide. You will love interacting with this panel as colour reproduction is good and you will get an immersive experience with content consumption.

The 90Hz refresh rate at this price is nothing less than a blessing.It delivers a fluid-like swipe and scrolling experience and once you get used to 90Hz there’s no way you will ever switch back to a 60Hz panel.

The panel is bright and has a decent contrast ratio.

Processor and Performance

What runs the show on Motorola E40 is the Unisoc T700 SoC, a newly introduced chipset that helps reduce the price of smartphones while keeping the performance on par.

The Antutu score of this chipset is almost equivalent to the MediaTek Helio G80 processor.The 4GB LPDDR4x RAM is the one that runs and manages all your ongoing tasks.

In terms of gaming, you will get decent performance. You will be able to play the most popular titles like BGMI at 30fps.

You can store all your games, documents or multimedia files in the 64GB storage however if you run out of space then there’s an option for inserting a memory card with a capacity of up to 1TB.

Out of the box, the Motorola E40 comes with the Android 11 OS. You will get to use an ad and bloatware-free UI.

Camera

The Motorola E40 includes three cameras at the rear side consisting of a 48MP primary, 2MP depth and 2MP macro sensor.

In daylight, the photos captured from the main camera have pleasing results. The colours, details and dynamic range in the final images are commendable for the asking price.

The 2MP macro provides sharp results but the colours look soft.The depth sensor provides almost precise edge detection in bokeh photos.

We recommend using the HDR feature for excellent results in photos and use Face Beauty mode to get a cleaner skin tone.

The 8MP selfie camera takes decent quality photos in normal lighting conditions.

Battery Life

The Motorola E40 is powered by a 5000mAh lithium battery that is rated to last up to for an entire day with heavy usage.

The 10W regular power adapter will juice up the battery levels fully in under 3 hours.

Verdict

The Motorola E40 is an excellent choice for people who need a clean UI and better performance.

This budget smartphone from Motorola provides good performance and battery backup under the price of Rs.10,000.

5. Samsung Galaxy M12

Best Non-chinese Smartphone

• Power-efficient Exynos 850 processor
• Good camera performance
• VIvid 90Hz HD+ display

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Samsung is facing heat from Chinese smartphone brands such as Xiaomi and Realme in the budget segment where Samsung’s offerings performed piss poor when compared with its competitor products. 

The Samsung Galaxy M12 is a budget smartphone equipped with a power-efficient chipset, currently priced at Rs.12,642.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a simple design. The back panel of this smartphone has a dual-textured and matte finish which makes it stand out from the rest of the competition. 

To be honest, we are not fans of this type of design. The textured finish sure provides a nice grip but design-wise, it looks pretty dated.

Weighing at 221 grams, this device is heavy and it is thick so it also feels like carrying a brick in your pocket.

In this price range, you usually don’t get a noise-cancelling mic but the Samsung Galaxy M12 has it at the top frame which is a good thing.

This smartphone features a modern Type-C port and audio jack at the bottom section. The power button which also acts as a fingerprint scanner is placed on the right frame along with the volume adjustment keys.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy M12 sports a 6.5-inch 90Hz HD+ with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels.

Well, It is quite surprising to see a high refresh rate panel from Samsung at this price point. You will get a buttery smooth animation when you scroll through a webpage or using your smartphone casually.

The display bezels are relatively slim and for media consumption purposes this panel is just excellent as the colour reproduction is good and there is no noticeable pixelation.

The panel brightness is adequate for indoor use but under direct sunlight the legibility is poor.

Processor and Performance

The Samsung Galaxy M12 is equipped with the new Exynos 850 octa-core SoC designed on 8-nm architecture.

This chipset offers good performance with minimal power consumption.

The 4GB DDR4 RAM onboard easily handles apps like social media, calling, messaging, and so on. While multitasking you don’t find lag but there is a slight delay in-app switching and opening which is expected from all budget smartphones.

Samsung has provided 64GB of eMMC storage inside in which you can store files offline and the apps you installed from the play store will also acquire space from the internal storage. If you need more storage then do prefer using that dedicated micro SD card slot.

The One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 OS works smoothly but it has pre-installed junk from Samsung which you can disable manually.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy M12 sports a quad-camera setup at the back. This device has a 48MP main sensor, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor.

The image captured in bright-lit conditions looks clear and vivid.

However, as the lighting goes dim you will notice a significant amount of noise in the photos, even with the LED flashlight night photos results are not that satisfying.

It’s good to see the ultrawide lens – it allows you to capture a wide field of view. The only problem is with the sharpness, we hope that it will improve within the OTA update.

The macro lens takes decent photos in close-range photography. You can use Live Focus mode from the camera app to click bokeh photos.

The 8MP selfie shooter takes decent selfies in a well-lit environment and the portrait selfies come out clear.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy M12 is powered by a 6000mAh lithium-polymer battery that will easily last for about a day and a half with normal to heavy use.

The bundled 15W power adapter will juice up the battery levels from up to 0 – 100% within 2.30 hours.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy M12 is for those who need a decent smartphone with good performance and battery life for a price of around Rs.12,000.

It has a power-efficient chipset, good quality display, decent design, and huge battery and that is all a regular user needs.

6. Redmi 9 Activ

Entry-level Smartphone

• Efficient Mediatek processor
• Intuitive MIUI
• Water-repellent design

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We thought the Redmi 9 series was wrapped up but in the first month of Q4 2021, the company has released an entry-level smartphone to its 9-series lineup.

The Redmi 9 Activ is what we are talking about. The device costs only Rs.10,999 and has good on-paper specifications.

Design and Build Quality

The Redmi 9 Activ is a decent looking smartphone that has a polycarbonate back with a textured design that prevents smudges and provides a comfortable grip on hands.

The fingerprint sensor is located at the rear side and it provides fast and secure device unlocking.

This device launched in September 2021 yet comes with a micro USB port which is very disappointing.

The audio jack is given at the top section of the middle frame and the speaker grille is at the bottom side.

The audio output from the speaker is not great therefore, we recommend using a pair of good earphones or headphones for the best sound quality.

Display

The Redmi 9 Activ features a 6.53-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels.

This display comes with a wide aspect ratio of 20:9 and a pixel density of 269-PPI.

For media consumption, this panel is excellent. It has thin bezels, it’s bright and there is no noticeable pixelation when viewing HD or FHD videos.

The colours appear vivid and punchy and the visuals look clean. 

This display has TUV-Rheinland certified reading mode meaning it emits less blue light while reading an E-book or any other important document, which makes it easier for your eyes. 

Processor and Performance

The Redmi 9 Activ is powered by a MediaTek Helio G35 octa-core SoC based on 12-nm architecture.

Surprisingly, Redmi has provided 4GB of RAM inside this smartphone and you will get a smooth performance in day to day use and multitasking.

RAM is not the only thing that shocked us but also at the price of Rs.9,499, you are getting 64GB of internal storage.

The device comes pre-installed with Android 10 based on MIUI 12. Android 11 update is expected to hit this device soon. 

Camera

From the look of the camera, you might be thinking it has three lenses but in reality, it comes with only two sensors that are 13MP wide and 2MP depth sensor.

The 13MP sensor takes vivid photos in well-lit conditions however, sharpness is not pitch-perfect but knowing the price we are sure that you will love the final results.

The low-lit quality is not good and we suggest clicking photos in broad daylight.The depth sensor is for taking bokeh photos and it provides satisfying results.

The 5MP selfie camera is clicking average selfies, it lacks sharpness a lot. Even without zooming into the photo, you will notice that the photos are not sharp.

Battery Life

Powered by the 5000mAh lithium battery you can easily use the device for an entire day with normal to intense use including calling, messaging and social media.

This device does not support fast charging and the 10W bundled charge takes almost 3 hours to fully charge the device.

Verdict

The Redmi 9 Activ is an entry-level smartphone with sufficient RAM and storage capacity.

If you are out there to purchase a smartphone with smooth performance and better battery life, then Redmi 9 Activ is for you.

7. Tecno Spark 7T

Affordable Smartphone

• G-series MediaTek processor
• Large HD+ display
• Decent 48MP rear camera

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Tecno is a Chinese mobile manufacturer producing affordable feature-rich smartphones.

The Tecno Spark 7T is a pocket-friendly Android smartphone offering decent everyday performance and battery life at the price of Rs.8,999.

Design and Build Quality

The Tecno Spark 7T has a polycarbonate back and glass on the front with the plastic middle frame as expected.

The back panel has a line design with a gradient colour scheme that looks unique and refreshing. 

This device is quite big and with the large battery inside it does feel heavy in the hand.

The power key and volume controls are placed on the right side, the top frame is empty and the bottom frame houses a micro USB and an audio jack.

This phone is released in June 2021 yet it still features that old-school micro USB port which is something we don’t like in particular.

Display

The Tecno Spark 7T has a 6.52-inch HD+ dewdrop notch display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels.

This display is adequately bright for indoor use and the visuals are even readable under the sunlight. 

The colour reproduction of this panel is decent and the visual does not look pixelated, thanks to the decent pixel density of 269-PPI.

You can stream Youtube videos in HD quality and experience on content consumption is delightful as the panel has a massive 90% of screen to body ratio.

Processor and Performance

The showrunner of the Tecno Spark 7T is the MediaTek Helio G35 octa-core processor with a clock speed of 2.3GHz.

This device has 4GB DDR4 RAM onboard offering a buttery smooth performance on everyday use and multitasking.

You can even expect to play games on this device but many of the battle royale games might not run smoothly.

Tecno has provided 64GB of built-in storage where all the applications data will be stored as well as the photos you take goes directly to internal storage.

You might not get the USB-C but you do get to use the latest Android 11 but with the skin of HIOS 7.6 which in our opinion is not bad for beginner or regular users.

Camera

The Tecno Spark 7T has a dual camera at the back that includes a 48MP main sensor and the second one is an AI sensor.

The main rear camera takes really good photos in the sunlight environment. The details and colours are impressive and the only thing that requires a bit of improvement is the sharpness.

The dynamic range is well balanced and photos in HDR look amazing. However, photos taken at night have a lot of digital noise.

The AI camera will help to take nice portrait shots and the detailing and skin tone in the images are good.

The 8MP selfie camera resting in the notch is guarded by the dual-LED flashlight so even at night, you can take your selfies.

Battery Life

The Tecno Spark 7T is powered by the mammoth 6000mAh lithium polymer battery that will last up to 2 days with regular use.

The bundled 10W charger takes almost 3 hours to recharge the power levels from 0 – 100%.

Verdict

The Tecno Spark 7T provides excellent performance for its asking price and battery life is also remarkable.

Except for the micro USB port, everything in the Tecno Spark 7T is good for the price of Rs.8,999.

8. Realme C21

Best Battery Life

• Powerful MediaTek Helio G35
• Decent display
• Reverse charging feature

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Realme is a sub-brand of Oppo that was launched a couple of years ago to counter Xiaomi’s growing influence in the budget smartphone market in the Asian continent. 

The Realme C21 is the entry-level smartphone from the recently launched C series lineup targeting budget-conscious consumers looking to purchase their first smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme C21 has a geometric art design on the back – it is the same design concept used in previous C15 and C12, but with little tweaks.

The polycarbonate back of this phone has a textured finish and rounded sides offer good grip to the hands.

Weighing at 190g and with 8.9mm thickness, this smartphone is comfortable for single-hand usage.

The rear panel has a box-shaped camera design that houses three lenses and an LED flashlight. Also, there is a fingerprint sensor for quick and secure screen unlock.

This is a dual SIM device with a dedicated SD card slot. It is quite unfortunate that this smartphone ships with an outdated micro USB port instead of a modern USB Type-C port.

Display

The Realme C21 sports a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD multi-touch waterdrop notch display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels.

This touch responsive panel has a maximum brightness level of 400 nits which is adequate for indoor use.

This panel is TÜV Rheinland certified for being safe enough for your eyes with prolonged continuous usage. 

The colours come out bright and vivid and the dynamic range of this display seems impressive as well. Bezels on the sides are slim which helps in providing an immersive media consumption experience.

Processor and Performance

The Realme C21 comes equipped with the powerful MediaTek Helio G35 octa-core processor designed on 12-nanometer architecture.

The 4GB RAM onboard will give you a snappy performance on daily usage and multitasking.

The PowerVR GE8320 GPU inside handles graphic processing quite well and you can run games like COD Mobile at playable frames with low graphics settings on this smartphone.

In terms of storage, the Realme C21 comes with 64GB of built-in storage which gives plenty of space to store photos, videos, and music. Furthermore, you can increase the storage capacity with an SD card. 

The Realme UI developed on top of Android 10 OS is what you get to experience on Realme C21. The user interface is quite clean with minimal bloatware. Realme is consistent with the security updates and is expected to seed the latest Android 11 update for this device soon. 

Camera

The Realme C21 houses a triple camera system in the rear and a single camera upfront. 

The 13MP main camera in the rear has an aperture size of f/2.2 clicks good quality images with a decent amount of details but it feels oversaturated at times. 

The low light performance leaves a lot of room for improvement. The 2MP B/W lens clicks images with a good amount of details. The 2MP macro lens captures detailed closed range shots but lacks finer details. 

The 5MP selfies camera shoots decent images under good lighting conditions. It maintains the natural skin tone well and covers a much wider frame.

When it comes to videos, both the rear and front cameras can record FHD videos at 30fps. 

Battery Life

The Realme C21 is powered by a massive 5000mAh battery that is rated to last up to 8-10 hours on continuous use. With moderate to heavy usage, this smartphone will last you easily over a day. 

The 10W charger given inside the box takes almost 3 hours to juice up the battery levels from 0-100 per cent.

You also get the option to charge other devices with this battery inside with the reverse charging feature on this device. 

Verdict

The Realme C21 is the latest addition to Realme’s budget centric C-series and with the plethora of good features that it ships with, this smartphone is worth checking out.

9. Lava Z6

Budget Android Smartphone

• Powerful MediaTek CPU
• Stock Android OS
• USB Type-C port

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Lava releases budget smartphones consistently to the market to compete against the market leaders such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.

The new Lava Z6 has is equipped with the MediaTek CPU ensuring smooth performance on everyday use.

Design and Build Quality

The polycarbonate construction of the Lava Z6 feels robust and reliable.

The design pattern is much similar to the Micromax In 1b. On the rear side, there is the vertical camera strip with three lenses, an LED flash, a fingerprint sensor and two cutouts for the speaker.

The Lava Z6 has a textured finish on the rear plate which gives a nice feel to the hands and adds grip.

Surprisingly, the Lava Z6 has a Type-C port which is a very welcome addition to a budget smartphone.

Display

The Lava Z6 comes with a 6.51-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels.

This panel is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 which prevents accidental scratches. 

The visuals and text appear sharp and detailed. The colours appear vivid and punchy and the brightness levels are decent as well.

Processor and Performance

The Lava Z6 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G35 SoC. It is an octa-core CPU designed on 12-nanometer architecture and clocked at 2.3GHz.

The 6GB RAM is quite a surprise from an Indian manufacturer at this price point. This smartphone delivers lag and stutter-free performance even with light multitasking.

The 64GB built-in storage is enough if you are a casual user. If you want to save a lot of offline files, it is ideal to use an SD card slot.

The device comes pre-installed with Android 10 and it is a stock UI without any bloatware or resource-intensive UI skins. 

Camera

The Lava Z6 has a 13MP primary lens, 5MP ultrawide lens and 2MP depth sensor.

The photos taken from the primary lens turns out to be detailed with good colour accuracy. The ultrawide sensor helps you shoot images from a different perspective.

The depth sensor helps the primary camera to click good quality portrait mode shots. The 16MP selfie camera delivers decent quality photos with a warmer skin tone. 

Battery Life

The Lava Z6 is powered by a 5000mAh battery that will last easily for a day and a half even with heavy usage.

The bundled charger takes 3 hours 15 minutes to juice up the battery levels from 0-100 per cent.

Verdict

The Lava Z6 is an Indian smartphone priced at just Rs.9,699. It comes with a powerful MediaTek CPU and 6GB RAM guaranteed to provide smooth performance on a day to day use.

10. Samsung Galaxy F02s

Honourable Mention

• Excellent battery life
• Robust build quality
• USB Type-C port

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Samsung has been consistently outnumbered in the sales of budget segment smartphones by Xiaomi for a while now.

The new Samsung Galaxy F02s comes with entry-level specifications and is retailing on the e-commerce platform at Rs.9,999.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy F02s sports a polycarbonate back that easily attracts fingerprint marks and smudges so make sure to put it on a case cover as soon as you unbox it.

This device has a diamond-cut design that gives a nice aesthetic touch to the smartphone and the rectangular-shaped camera module is now pretty much common amongst Samsung smartphones.

This smartphone weighs 196 grams and one-handed usage is quite possible but not for long hours.

Samsung provided a Type-C port on this device which is accompanied by the audio jack and speaker grille at the bottom. Unfortunately, there is no fingerprint sensor but you can set up face recognition, however, it is not the fastest but works fine.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy F02s has a 6.5-inch HD+ TFT display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels.

The display is not Super AMOLED though it still produces good colours and the user experience will still be delightful.

The panel is bright enough for indoor use but under direct sunlight, even with maximum brightness, the visuals are hardly legible.

Processor and Performance

The Samsung Galaxy F02s comes equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor with a clock speed of 1.8GHz.

The 4GB RAM onboard provides decent performance on a day to day use and casual multitasking.

As for the storage, you will get 64GB of built-in storage to install applications from the play store and you can also use it to store music and videos offline.

Even though this is the fresh piece released in April 2021, Samsung has installed Android 10 on this smartphone but we guess the OTA update for Android 11 will be available soon.

The One UI 2.5 based on Android 10 gives a fine user experience and you won’t find any pre-rolled ads and notifications.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy F02s has a triple rear camera setup supported by an LED flashlight.

The 13MP main lens with the aperture of f/2.2 clicks decent images and photos taken at night looks distorted.

The dedicated 2MP depth sensor works effectively most of the time, but sometimes it fails to blur the background properly and the solution is easy for this, just click on the subject to focus and the camera will readjust everything so you can get a better portrait photo.

The front 5MP sensor takes good selfies in well-lit conditions, it maintains the skin tone to natural and does not oversaturate the image background colours.

Battery Life

Samsung is obsessed with battery capacity and this budget F-series smartphone is no exception.

The Samsung Galaxy F02s is assembled with a 5000mAh battery that provides backup for an entire day.

The bundled 7W charger takes 3 hours to juice up the battery from 0 -100%.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy F02s is a device for non-gamers, people who need more battery life with robust build quality should consider this smartphone while purchasing.

This concludes our list of the ten best smartphones under Rs.10,000 in India. We have not added a single phone to this list just for the sake of adding it as we don’t promote a junk product.

The choice is always yours. Think wisely and buy the right product.

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