Realme has taken the wraps off its Realme 11 Pro series of devices, both targeted at the slightly premium part of the mid-segment market. The brand revealed two phones — Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+. While both phones come with impressive specs and eye-catching designs courtesy of a large and very distinct circular camera unit at surprisingly affordable prices, it is the 11 Pro+ that is the star of the Realme Pro show. The phone sports a massive 200-megapixel main sensor, runs on the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chip, comes with a bright, curved full-HD+ OLED display and has a large 5,000mAh battery with 100W fast charging. All at a starting price of Rs 27,999.
But amazing though those specs are, the Realme 11 Pro+ still faces a fair amount of competition, with some very powerful devices in its price range.
These six smartphones in particular can give Realme 11 Pro+ a run for its money:
Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Most Note-Worthy Challenger
Price: Rs 29,999 onwards
The boss of the iconic Redmi Note range is perhaps the most obvious rival to the Realme 11 Pro+. The main reason for this (apart from the similarity in nomenclature) is the fact that it is the only other phone in this segment to boast a 200-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS). But that is not the only arrow the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has in its phone-y quiver.
It also comes with a brilliant 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery and a staggering 120W charging speed (as well as a 120W charger in the box).
Its Dimensity 1080 chip might be slightly less powerful than the Dimensity 7050 on the Realme 11 Pro+, but it is still a very able performer, and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ comes with the typically consistent performance that makes the Redmi Note series a bestseller.
The design is a little on the plain side, but for many people, the biggest thing going for the phone is the simple fact that it is a Note.
iQoo Neo 7: Bringing On The Power
Price: Rs 28,999 onwards
If it is sheer power that you are looking for, then the iQoo Neo 7 is a great option. The phone comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chip, which is one of the most powerful processors in the segment. It also comes with a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and a very good 64-megapixel main sensor with OIS. That processor and display, combined with stereo speakers, make the iQoo Neo 7 a wiz in the gaming and multimedia department.
The phone also comes with a large 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W charging, getting charged in 25 minutes. Its secondary 2-megapixel cameras are of little use, and its design is nowhere as striking as the Realme 11 Pro+, but if you are looking for just a multimedia and gaming beast on a budget, this could well be it.
Poco F5: For Those Who Want Gaming
Price: Rs 29,999 onwards
Its design might appear a little plain and its black version might be prone to picking up dust particles and smudges, but when it comes to gaming, the Poco F5 is perhaps the most powerful device in this lineup. It is the first smartphone in the country to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor, which delivers a performance that is close to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 flagship of 2022.
The phone also comes with a bright 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display and a very good 64-megapixel main sensor. A large 5,000mAh battery keeps it going easily for a day and more, and it charges up pretty briskly with a 67W charger. Its secondary sensors are nothing much to rave about and the phone itself is a dust and smudge magnet, but in terms of sheer power, this is quite a proposition. Poco F5 is perhaps the best gaming phone below Rs 30,000.
Nothing Phone (1): Still Something
Price: Rs 29,999
The market might be abuzz with rumours about the Nothing Phone (2), but the OG Nothing phone remains a very good proposition even now. Yes, its Snapdragon 778G chip will not run high-end games as some others in this list, but on the flip side, this remains easily the most distinct phone in the market, thanks to that transparent back and glyph UI with LED lights on the back.
The dual 50-megapixel cameras on the back have improved considerably with consistent and significant software updates, and the 4,500mAh battery life now easily sails past a day of heavy usage. There is no charging brick in the box and the charging speed of 33W seems modest compared to some of the other devices here, but you do get wireless charging at 15W.
The 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate remains a superb one, although some are brighter. The super clean Android UI and regular updates make this quite a proposition for those who want a phone that looks different and is still a very good performer.
Motorola Edge 40: Hello, Sleek, Smart Moto
Price: Rs 29,999 onwards
Motorola has been coming out with some very impressive devices in recent times and the Edge 40 is the latest in this list. The phone is very slim and comes with a vegan leather finish that is rarely seen in this segment (and is actually featured on the Realme 11 Pro+ too).
It packs in decent hardware muscle too, with a 6.55-inch FHD+ pOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and a very powerful MediaTek 8020 chip. The phone comes with a decent 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS and a rather good 13-megapixel ultrawide and thankfully no token macro or depth sensors. Selfies are handled by a 32-megapixel camera at the front.
The battery is a little on the small side (4,400mAh) but charges at a very brisk 68W and also comes with 15W wireless charging (a rarity in the segment). And as this is Motorola, you will also get clean Android with very little bloatware.
A very good option for those who want a phone that is sleek and decently specced.
Google Pixel 6a: A Terrific Deal Now
Price: Rs 27,999
When Google marked the return of the Pixel phone range to India with the Pixel 6a in 2022, many loved its compact form factor, signature camera bar, and superb cameras.
What they did not love was its price tag of Rs 43,999. Well, the same phone is now available for Rs 27,999, and we think that if you are one of those who’s looking for a classic Android experience in a compact size, then this is easily the best phone you can get under Rs 30,000.
Yes, there is a Pixel 7a already in the market, but the Pixel 6a still remains a very good performer, thanks to the Tensor chip in it, and while its 12.2- and 12-megapixel rear cameras might lack the megapixel might of their competitors, they more than compensate with stunning photography, aided by Google's own computational photography magic.
And of course, as this is a Pixel, you are assured of timely and speedy Android updates and a lot of smart features, including the likes of Magic Eraser. A fantastic option for those looking for a really smart-phone with a great camera below Rs 30,000.
Just be ready to shell out some extra cash for a charger and put up with some relatively slow 18W charging.
