In today’s world, smartphones have become an integral part of our life. I for one, can’t settle for one phone. There’s so many new pieces of smartphones coming out every now and then that it’s better to keep switching them. In this article, I’ll list down 10 best smartphones under Rs.50,000 that you can buy in India along with their reviews and comparison. Do you really need to spend 50K on a mobile phone? Well, that depends. But don’t get me wrong, 50K can get you some amazing tech these days. All the best shopping and let me know in comments if you have any questions.
In this article…
1. LG G5- The modular smartphone Price: Rs 49,999
Review: The LG G5 is the flagship mobile phone of LG brand in the year 2016. This comes with a modular design sporting a metallic body with removable battery- this was a major hype for this brand. The design looks very clean too compared to other smartphones like one plus 3, Moto G and HTC 10 etc. The G5’s modular design offers a soft curvy look from the display. The volume bar is a single clicker and SIM tray is present on either sides. Have you ever seen a mobile phone with standby switch as a fingerprint scanner? Well, LG G5 has them on its flagship model. Moving on to Camera, I will have to compare Samsung Galaxy 7 with LG G5. They both will shine in this category but LG G5 offers a larger Megapixel rear camera than Samsung. LG has a 16 MP rear camera whereas Galaxy 7 offers a 12 MP. The result in LG G5? It is ridiculously good. LG G5 is kind of first modular smartphone which lets you add some modular components like LG Cam Plus, and LG Hi-Fi Plus. LG calls these accessories LG G5’s Friends. So, are you planning to buy this mobile? Take a look at the specifications below:
- Performance – Dual -core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset
- Memory & storage – 4 GB LP-DDR4 RAM
- Display -5.3-inch IPS QHD screen
- Camera -16-megapixel rear camera & 8-megapixel front camera
- Battery – 2,800mAh battery
Pros – Users will not face any problem in using LG G5 in terms of speed as it is using the Snapdragon 820 along with 4GB of RAM and runs Android Marshmallow with the optimized LG’s skin. This means running high graphics games with data and running multiple applications in the background is never an issue. Also, LG G5 is the only smartphone within this price range that offers a wide screen and a great wide angle camera. Samsung has always been a pioneer in terms of display but G5’s display is great and brightness is amazingly high that you can’t read under direct sun.
Cons -The battery capacity is very low as compared to the LG G4. Even though LG claims that the “Always on Display” mode uses up just 1% of battery power every one hour. But that is like using up 24% in a day. Another disadvantage of G5 is that you have to switch off the mobile phone each time you want to try a new module. Also, the storage capacity is limited and there is no chance you can extent the storage. Hence, you have to live with what you have got initially.
2. HTC 10- The mettalic miracle Price: Rs 48,999
Review: HTC 10 was launched in the stores in June 2016 and this is one of the flagship models of HTC. Before I get started with the specifications, I must say this HTC 10 is one of the top 5 Andriod phones in 2016 but it is definitely not prepared to face the battle with Galaxy S7, S7 edge and Nexus. It is popular for its lightening fast features and also amazingly the phone has survived a lot of wear and tear. HTC is back to the smartphone industry with its high profile model – HTC 10. Why not give it a try if it is offering a lot of below mentioned features.
- Performance – Snapdragon 820 processor
- Memory & storage – Internal Storage-4GB RAM
- Display – 5.2 inch, Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels), Pixel density at 564 ppi (pixel per inch)
- Camera – 12 MP (with OIS) and 5 MP Front camera (with OIS)
- Battery – Li-ion 3000 mAh
Pros – HTC 10 comes with an uni-body and aluminium coating, HTC logo in the front panel, and the chamfered edges for which you may fall in love with the design. This is the first mobile phone in this price range that offers optical image stabilizer feature for the front camera. This is good for those selfie lovers as there will be less shaky selfies hereafter. Another USP of HTC 10 is that this is the first Android device to officially feature Apple’s standard streaming technology, AirPlay.
Cons – The screen has a slightly pinkish tinge to the display and camera has some niggles. The touch gesture to open the camera sometimes is really slow and disappointing. The smartphone does not feature Infrared blasters just like the one in LG G5. Taiwanese are famous for their super technology. Having said that, HTC lack the boomsound speakers in their phone.
3. Samsung Galaxy S7 Price: Rs 49,000
Review: The Samsung Galaxy S7 has proved to the world that less can actually be more. Yes, that’s right Galaxy S7 features a bigger screen on a slimmer design and that would be the biggest selling proposition. This smartphone comes with a water resistant quality, bright, better and faster processing of photos. In this margin, Samsung Galaxy S7 is the practical phone Samsung has ever made. Compared to iPhone 6s in terms of performance, Galaxy S7 has a clear lead over iPhone for high end tasks with its Exynos 8890 octa-core/Snapdragon 820 quad-core CPU. Also, Galaxy S7 is a more preferred photographic tool compared to iPhone 6s. Of course, you can’t beat the autofocus system we’ve ever seen in an iPhone but Samsung Galaxy S7 works just right in low- light situations. Well, Samsung’s biggest advantage is its high quality camera. If you think, you are going to be clicking a lot of pictures and do not want to compromise on the storage space. Samsung Galaxy S7 is your right choice.
- Performance – Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890 Processor
- Memory & storage -4 GB RAM
- Display – 5.1″ Quad HD super AMOLED, 577 PPI, Full Touch Bar
- Camera – 12.3 MP and 5 MP Front camera
- Battery – Li-ion 3000 mAh
Pros – The smartphone has a water resistant feature. The S7 is empowered with the aid of a water-cooling method for keeping overload processor heat under control. The best feature in S7 camera is the auto focussing feature. Another good thing is that S7 is able to accommodate a microSD card with up to 200 GB of storage space which means that all the high definition videos can be saved separately in the MSD without intruding into the internal storage space.
Cons -The smartphone is a bit fragile. Even though it is made of Gorilla Glass 4, it is still prone to getting smashed.
4. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Price: Rs 49,399
Review: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is a revolution these days. This also features a brilliant dual edge screen and a slim profile. What is giving this a slimmer look is the combination of metal and glass. This also comes with expandable Micro-SD slot. Hence, there is no issue of deleting the photos from you memory anymore. This smartphone is launched with the world’s first dual pixel camera and works perfectly in dim lighting with its low aperture (f/1.7). This package is more advanced than Samsung Galaxy S7 because it comes with a fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor. The competitors for Samsung Galaxy S7 edge in this price range is LG G5. Specifications wise, both are pretty similar but if you are looking at a one handed usability, then LG G5 is a much smaller phone compared to Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Display wise, S7 edge really stands out with its AMOLED display which makes black more deeper and other colors more vibrant. To know more about the specifications, you may want to see below:
- Performance – Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890 Processor
- Memory & storage – 4 GB RAM
- Display – Quad HD super AMOLED display, Dual edge 5.5”
- Camera – 12MP rear camera with dual pixel CMOS 5MP front camera
- Battery – 3600 mAh
Pros – If you are a gamer, definitely go for Samsung Galaxy S7 edge as it has a bigger and a gorgeous screen which is about 5.5 inch big. Also the game launched game tools make your gaming experience even more pleasant. Also, S7 edge comes with a water resistant quality which means that you can keep your smartphone wet for 30 minutes under 1.3 meters.
Cons – The fingerprint scanner which is features in S7 edge is disappointing sometimes because while we are actually enjoying the ergonomics of the phone, the scanner keeps absorbing your fingerprints. If you are used to the Infrared blasters on your phone, then you will miss this in your Edge S7. Another biggest disadvantage that I have seen in S7 edge is the hybrid sim slot. Now in some places, the smartphone comes with hybrid sim slot where in you can either use two sims or you can use it for micro sd slot. So, this will put you in a dilemma whether to use 2 sims or save it up for some extra storage.
5. Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Price: Rs 34,399
Review: The Lumia XL was launched by Microsoft in April 2016. This smartphone runs on the windows 10 OS and comes with topnotch hardware. The continuum feature in Lumia XL provided a seamless transition from Phone to PC or any other devices.You also have the liberty to use the dock to convert your smartphone into a mini PC by simply plugging in the monitor and keyboard. The design features great build quality and clean simplistic design. The smartphone might appear really big in size with 5.7inch display. In terms of grip, the smartphone is made of matte plastic and this choice of material guarantees a tight grip. Lumia 950XL also comes with removable battery just like the LG G5 but at a cheaper price. Here are the specification below for more clarity: This may not have the glam of a Samsung or Apple Smartphones. But it does its work perfectly at a limited cost. You may want to check the specifications for more details:
- Performance -Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa-Core clocked @ 2.0 Ghz
- Memory & storage – 3 GB RAM
- Display – 5.7” Quad HD display
- Camera – 20 MP (with OIS) and 5 MP Front camera
- Battery – Li-ion 3340 mAh
Pros – The screen is luminous and great which gives a great gaming experience. The primary camera can shoot stunning 4k videos. It features the liquid cooling method which won’t let the phone heat up.
Cons – The battery life is incosistent. The insufficient quality apps is a major issue faced by the Windows phones. Also, some of the users are not satisfied with the polycarbonate body which gives a very plasticky look.
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Price: Rs 42,500
Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has its own charm compared to all the other series of Samsung. Especially with the big disaster that happened with Samsung Galaxy Note7, Note 5 has its own fame even though it is old. There is no complaints to this piece other than the big price tag. It is the most comfortable and smallest phablet till date. But if I compare it with LG G5, it does not come with a removable battery or a bigger memory storage like Galaxy S7. People who are used to Samsung Galaxy S6, then this is going to be a pretty similar software for you. This features the TouchWizi-fied version of Android 5.1.1. Also there are options to switch your screen to multi window mode as well. Another biggest advantange is the accurate camera plus you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy a digital camera. Check out the specifications below:
- Performance -Exynos 7420 Octa-Core clocked @ 2.1 Ghz.
- Memory & storage – 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM
- Display -5.7 inch in size with 2560 x 1440 pixels
- Camera – 16 MP (with OIS) and 5 MP Front camera
- Battery – Li-ion 3000 mAh
Pros – The glass backing and the metal body along the edges gives this phone a very premium look. It comes with a stylus and as soon as you pick the pen you can start writing on the screen without explicitly turning on the phone.
Cons – It does not provide a extra storage space especially when the camera is too good, you end up needing a lot of memory space. It is kind off big for some users but definitely can be placed on a pocket.No waterproof and infra red blasters.
7. Apple iPhone 6S Price: Rs 46,000
Review: I am not biased towards Apple or Google products but I sincerely feel that these two companies make really good and quality products. iPhone 6s is truly a model of quality. Of course the 7 and 7 plus are better but the 6S is great choice for a first timer. It is easy to use and handle. The design, software and hardware integrations are well in place. The best feature that can be seen in iPhone 6s is the live photo which are turned on by default. An existing iPhone 6 or 5s users make this switch to iPhone 6s for a better experience. This is a fortune that you might be spending on a mobile phone. But if you can’t compromise on quality, performance and if you are a hardcore fan of Apple, GO FOR IT!
- Performance -Apple A9 64 Bit Processor (Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister)
- Memory & storage – 2 GB RAM
- Display -4.7 inch in size, Retina HD display with 3D Touch
- Camera – 12-megapixel camera,Live Photos with stabilization, Autofocus with Focus Pixels
- Battery – Li-ion 1715 mAh
Pros – The 3-D touch is pretty useful. It’s a touchscreen technology that can detect various types of user touch. The processing speed of the phone is pretty faster. Also it offers faster wireless connection speed too.
Cons – Expensive phone unlike Andriod players. The look of iPhone6S is very similar to that of iPhone 6.
8. Sony Xperia Z5 Price: Rs 48,899
Review: The Sony Xperia Z5 is a major improvement over Xperia Z3+. This has a new fingerprint sensor and a very elegant design. The design seems to be appealing because of the frosted glass rear cover and the matte finish. Sony also offers full waterproofing just like the LG and HTC. A biggest change that could be noticed by the Sony users is the big round power button has been replaced by a flat and slightly recessed button which also houses a fingerprint scanner. The smartphone also provides a 200 GB more of extendable storage. This is perfect buy for someone looking for a larger memory space and great performance. Here are the specifications below to make your buying decision easier.
- Performance -Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 810, 64-bit Octa-core processor
- Memory & storage -3 GB RAM, Up to 32 GB flash memory
- Display -5.2” FHD 1080p (1920×1080)
- Camera – 1/2.3” 23 MP Sony Exmor RS and 5 MP front camera Sony Exmor R™ for mobile sensorFull HD video
- Battery – 2900 mAh
Pros – This comes with a 23 MP camera with hybrid autofocus and great for recording 4k videos. Smartphone features HD triluminois display.
Cons – This phones lacks Optical Image Stabilizer which reduces the blurring associated with the camera motion and the heating issue is yet to be resolved. Also the USB- Type c is missing. USB Type-C is a major step to the future as we’re at the beginning of an era where a universal port covers all electronics and your phone can be charged whichever way you put the cable in!
9. Xiomi Mi 5 Price: Rs 24,999
Review: The look and feel of this smartphone is like a luxury item. It is extremely light at 129g. The screen comes with an impressive pixel density of 428 pixels -per-inch and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection. This is a no compromise device with top of the world specifications and withing a very affordable budget. The build quality and camera are too good. It has a faster CPU and a fingerprint scanner too. The Xiaomi Mi5 is one of the most powerful smartphone that you can buy at this price range which features Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 along with Samsung’s S7 and S7 edge. Of course, there is a lot of things that people compromise for money. But buying Mi5 will never be a regretting decision of your life. Why don’t you take a look at the specification below?
- Performance -Snapdragon 820
- Memory & storage -3GB LPDDR4 dual-channel RAM
- Display -13.08cm ultrabright display
- Camera -16 MP 4 axis OIS Camera
- Battery – 3000 mAh
Pros – This is the first device from Xiaomi that does supports USB Type -C Reversible connector. It offers Infrared blasters. Xiaomi’s fingerprint sensors are really quick enough compared some high-priced products like Samsung Galaxy S7 and edge.
Cons – The processor is not an octacore. The battery is not replaceable or removable like LG G5. No waterproof and dustproof mechanism. The sound recording quality is bad compared to Iphone 6s and Galaxy S7.
10. One Plus 2 Price: Rs 22,999
Review: Those days are gone when you had to wait for an invite to buy an One plus mobile. These days One Plus 2 is available right in the store . To be frank, for this price range, One plus 2 is a great phone for a great price.So what are the major reasons to buy One plus 2? Let me dissect- It has a very smoother operating system. The phone does not overheat that much. It has got great performance and a great camera too. The display gives a much brighter display and can not be compared with iPhone6, LG G4 and HTC. If you want to buy a cheaper smartphone but a longlasting one. You should definitely take a look at the specifications of One Plus 2 below .
- Performance -Snapdragon 820
- Memory & storage -4 GB/3 GB LPDDR4 and 64 GB/16 GB eMMC v5.0 (available capacity varies)
- Display -5.5 inch with 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 401 PPI
- Camera -13 Megapixel (1.3um)
- Battery – Embedded rechargeable 3,300 mAh LiPo battery
Pros – The camera is good and the fingerprint sensors works great. There is no heating issue with this smartphone.
Cons – The speakers are very weak and the software updates are slow. Another biggest complaint received from the users is with regards to battery charging and the sheer slowness.It nearly takes 2 hours to fully charge. Another significant disadvantage is that the smartphone gets slowed down in dues course of time.
If you are looking for a mobile phone under 50,000 Rupees, all the above mentioned smartphones are great candidates. They have amazing specifications and very elegant designs for the price. It is difficult to say which one’s the best as it depends on what your use case is and what the preferences are. Go for either one mentioned above and I am sure you will have no regrets. If I have to vote for the best three smartphones below Rs.50,000, I would definitely vouch for Samsung Galaxy Edge, Xiaomi Mi 5 and One Plus 2 or 3. They are price friendly and efficient enough. All the best!
If you are looking for phones under 40,000 Rupees, check out this article.
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