In the wild world of budget-friendly smartphones, we've delved into the depths of the under ₹35,000 segment to uncover the top smartphones that offer reliability, consistency, and real-world perks like stellar battery life and lightning-fast charging. After spending quality time with a variety of contenders, we've curated a list of the top 5 smartphones in this budget bracket.
Top 5 smartphones under ₹35,000
Cause who doesn’t want the best?
Motorola Edge 50 Pro (₹31,999)
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also looks quite good, thanks to its three unique colour variants curated by Pantone. The collaboration with Pantone extends to the camera and display, with both receiving Pantone validation for colour accuracy.
The phone sports a 6.7-inch pOLED 1.5K display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness level of 2000 nits. On the back, you'll find a powerful triple-camera setup, including a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera, along with a 50-megapixel front camera for stunning selfies. Additionally, it supports 125W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging, keeping you powered up throughout the day. Out of the box, it runs on Android 14 with Motorola's near-stock approach, promising three major Android version updates. You can check out the full review here.
Nothing Phone (2a) (₹27,999)
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The Phone 2a is a watered-down version of the Phone 2, maintaining a similar screen size with symmetrical bezels, a transparent design, and the distinctive Glyph interface LEDs at the back. The Glyph Interface now includes a trio light configuration, capable of indicating incoming calls, charging status, and syncing with your music's beat.
The Phone 2a features a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 'Pro' chip developed specifically for Nothing, which, the brand claims, is 13% faster than its predecessor, the Nothing Phone 1, and 16% more efficient. It also offers up to 12GB of RAM. The phone houses Nothing's largest battery yet, a 5,000mAh powerhouse that the brand says can provide up to 2 days of use per charge. The device features a 6.7-inch flexible AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. In the camera department, the Nothing Phone 2a sports a 50MP main camera with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. You can check out the full review here.
Realme 12 Pro Plus (₹29990)
The Realme 12 Pro Plus has a sophisticated design, featuring a vegan leather back and a circular camera module. With a golden fluted bezel and a central line, the phone exudes a premium aesthetic. The device comes with a 120Hz curved display, offering a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The 6.7-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels (FHD+) reproduces 100% P3 colour gamut.
In the camera department, the Realme 12 Pro Plus has a 50MP main camera, a 64MP periscope lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, along with a 32MP front camera for selfies. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Processor, the phone delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming. Operating on Realme UI 5.0, based on the Android 14 platform, the device offers a clean and user-friendly interface. The Realme 12 Pro Plus is equipped with a 5000mAh battery and comes with a 67W SuperVOOC charger for fast and convenient charging. You can check out the full review here.
Honor X9b (₹25,999)
The Honor X9b stands out for its impressive 'drop-resistance,' featuring a five-star rating for shatter-resistance from SGS Switzerland. With a shock-absorbing material between its structural layers, this phone can withstand drops from up to 1.5 metres. The device's screen is protected by a three-layer structure, designed to resist damage even when dropped on hard surfaces like marble if the brand’s claims are to be believed.
The Honor X9b sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K curved AMOLED display with a 120 Hz variable refresh rate. The phone is equipped with a powerful triple camera system on the rear, featuring a 108MP main camera, a 5MP wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro snapper. For selfies, it offers a 16MP front camera. The rear camera can record 4K videos at up to 60 fps. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen1 octa-core chipset, the Honor X9b comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X expandable RAM. The device packs a 5800 mAh battery with support for up to 35W charging. Running on MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13, the phone offers a decent scrolling experience and responsive touch controls. You can check out the full review here.
OnePlus Nord CE4 (₹26,999)
The OnePlus Nord CE4 is a solid mid-range smartphone with a standard 6.7-inch full-HD+ display and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. It features up to 256GB of internal storage and a generous 5500mAh battery with 100W fast wired charging. Running on OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14, the Nord CE4 also promises two major software updates. In the camera department, the Nord CE4 offers a decent setup with a 50-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 16-megapixel front camera. While it may not be class-leading, it gets the basics right and delivers the expected features for its price range. You can check out the full review here.