BackTop 5 budget-friendly smartphones for peak performance: iQoo Z7 Pro, Honor 90, and more
Are you in search of smartphones that don't compromise performance? Explore our list of the top 5 smartphones known for their efficient performance. Find the perfect balance of price and functionality without breaking the bank.
PremiumFeature-rich mobiles come in both budget-friendly and premium segments, offering consumers a wide array of options to suit their needs. In the realm of affordable smartphones, the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 have emerged as frontrunners, delivering exceptional performance without the hefty price tag. The iQoo Z7 Pro, with its powerful processor, high-quality display, and impressive camera capabilities, stands out as a top choice for those seeking efficient performance without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the Honor 90 boasts a capable chipset, an eye-catching design, and a feature-rich camera setup, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers who demand reliable performance from their smartphones.
When compared to other models in the same price range, the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 shine due to their balanced combination of performance, features, and affordability. These two smartphones offer a level of performance typically found in higher-priced devices, making them excellent value for money. The iQoo Z7 Pro's 5G support, 3D curved AMOLED display, and slim design set it apart, while the Honor 90's quad-curved AMOLED screen, eye risk-free display, and impressive camera performance make it a standout choice in the budget-friendly segment.
While the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 excel in their own right, other models such as the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, Samsung Galaxy M34 5G, and Redmi 12 5G also offer competitive features and performance. Each of these smartphones brings its own unique strengths to the table, catering to different consumer preferences and priorities. Whether it's the affordable price and 5G connectivity of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, the high refresh rate display and long-lasting battery of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G, or the sleek design and good camera performance of the Redmi 12 5G, there is a diverse range of options available for those seeking efficient performance in the affordable smartphone category.
The iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90, with their robust specifications and user-friendly features, cater to the needs of consumers who seek efficient performance without having to spend a fortune. While these two smartphones stand out, the competitive landscape of affordable smartphones offers a variety of choices, ensuring that consumers can find the perfect device to suit their specific requirements.
Also Read: Best smartphones under ₹10,000: Ultimate guide to budget-friendly picks
1. HONOR 90 (Emerald Green, 8GB + 256GB) | India's First Eye Risk-Free Display | 200MP Main & 50MP Selfie Camera | Segment First Quad-Curved AMOLED Screen | Without Charger
The Honor 90 5G boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, featuring a sharp 1.5K resolution (2664 x 1200 pixels). This display offers a smooth experience with its up to 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. Under the hood, it's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, combined with an Adreno 644 GPU, and it comes with configurations of up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 onboard storage. On the software side, the phone runs on Android 13-based Magic OS 7.1.For optics, the Honor 90 5G features a 200 MP primary sensor supported by the Honor Image Engine, a 12 MP sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2 MP sensor equipped with a macro lens, along with an LED flash unit. This device features a centrally positioned hole-punch slot on the top of the display housing a 50-megapixel sensor for selfies.
The latest smartphone from Honor houses a 5,000mAh battery and supports 66W wired fast charging. It features a fingerprint sensor for security and offers connectivity options such as 5G, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C.
Specification of HONOR 90 (Emerald Green, 8GB + 256GB) | India's First Eye Risk-Free Display | 200MP Main & 50MP Selfie Camera | Segment First Quad-Curved AMOLED Screen | Without Charger
Color: Emerald Green
Display: Segment First Quad-Curved AMOLED Screen
Eye Risk-Free Display
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Camera: 200MP Main & 50MP Selfie Camera
Charger not included
Pros | Cons |
Eye Risk-Free Display | No charger included |
Segment First Quad-Curved AMOLED Screen | Limited availability |
200MP Main & 50MP Selfie Camera | No expandable storage |
8GB RAM & 256GB Storage |
|
Sleek design |
|
2. iQOO Z7 Pro 5G (Blue Lagoon, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) | 3D Curved AMOLED Display | 4nm MediaTek Dimesity 7200 5G Processor | 64MP Aura Light OIS Camera | Segment's Slimmest & Lightest Smartphone
For optics, it features a dual rear camera arrangement, comprising a 64-megapixel primary camera with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) functionality and a ring-shaped LED flash. Alongside it, there is a 2-megapixel sensor. For selfie enthusiasts, the device boasts a 16-megapixel front-facing camera, neatly situated within a single punch-hole cutout.
Regarding connectivity, the iQOO Z7 Pro is equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 support. The 5G smartphone houses a 4,600mAh battery and boasts rapid 66W charging capabilities.
Specification of iQOO Z7 Pro 5G (Blue Lagoon, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) | 3D Curved AMOLED Display | 4nm MediaTek Dimesity 7200 5G Processor | 64MP Aura Light OIS Camera | Segment's Slimmest & Lightest Smartphone
Color: Blue Lagoon
Display: 3D Curved AMOLED Display
Processor: 4nm MediaTek Dimesity 7200 5G Processor
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Camera: 64MP Aura Light OIS Camera
Slimmest & Lightest Smartphone in its segment
Charger not included
Pros | Cons |
3D Curved AMOLED Display | No expandable storage |
4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 5G Processor | No wireless charging |
64MP Aura Light OIS Camera | Limited availability |
8GB RAM & 256GB Storage |
|
Slimmest & Lightest Smartphone in its segment |
|
3. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G (Chromatic Gray, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage)
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G comes with a 6.72-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone comes powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset and is available with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage.
The phone runs on the company’s own OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 operating system. It includes a 200% ultra volume mode. For optics, the device has a triple rear camera setup.
Camera system comprises a 108MP primary camera, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth camera. For selfies and video calls, the phone has a 16MP front-facing camera.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is backed by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 67W SuperVOOC fast charging, and it includes both a Type-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Pastel Lime and Chromatic Gray are the colour variants of the phone.
Specification of OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G (Chromatic Gray, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage)
Color: Chromatic Gray
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Pros | Cons |
Affordable price | No wireless charging |
5G connectivity | No expandable storage |
8GB RAM & 128GB Storage |
|
Good camera performance |
|
OxygenOS software |
|
4. Samsung Galaxy M34 5G (Waterfall Blue,8GB,128GB)|120Hz sAMOLED Display|50MP Triple No Shake Cam|6000 mAh Battery|4 Gen OS Upgrade & 5 Year Security Update|16GB RAM with RAM+|Android 13|Without Charger
The handset comes with a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, full-HD+ resolution (1,080x2,408 pixels), and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by a 5nm Exynos 1280 SoC, paired with up to 8GB of RAM.
For camera duties, there is a triple camera setup on the back which consists of a 50-megapixel primary camera that incorporates optical image stabilisation (OIS) for steady shots. The camera module also includes an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens with a wide 120-degree field of view, along with a third sensor.
Samsung is offering up to five years of security updates and four years of operating system upgrades for the phone.
Specification of Samsung Galaxy M34 5G (Waterfall Blue,8GB,128GB)|120Hz sAMOLED Display|50MP Triple No Shake Cam|6000 mAh Battery|4 Gen OS Upgrade & 5 Year Security Update|16GB RAM with RAM+|Android 13|Without Charger
Color: Waterfall Blue
Display: 120Hz sAMOLED Display
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Camera: 50MP Triple No Shake Cam
Battery: 6000 mAh
4 Gen OS Upgrade & 5 Year Security Update
RAM+: 16GB
Operating System: Android 13
Charger not included
Pros | Cons |
120Hz sAMOLED Display | No wireless charging |
50MP Triple No Shake Cam | No charger included |
6000 mAh Battery | Limited availability |
4 Gen OS Upgrade & 5 Year Security Update |
|
RAM+: 16GB |
|
5. Redmi 12 5G Moonstone Silver 6GB RAM 128GB ROM
The Redmi 12 5G (4GB RAM, 128 ROM) variant will be priced at ₹10,800 including all the bank offers. It comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC and is equipped with a 6.79-inch FHD+ 90Hz LCD display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. To perform camera duties, the Redmi 12 5G sports a 50MP dual camera on the back.
There is an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. It is backed by a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.
Specification of Redmi 12 5G Moonstone Silver 6GB RAM 128GB ROM
Color: Moonstone Silver
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB
Also Read: From OnePlus 11R to Nothing Phone (2); Checkout the top smartphones under ₹50,000 in November
Pros | Cons |
Affordable price | No wireless charging |
5G connectivity | No expandable storage |
4GB RAM & 128GB Storage |
|
Good camera performance |
|
Sleek design |
|
Top 3 features for you
Product | Feature 1 | Feature 2 | Feature 3 |
Honor 90 | High-resolution camera system | Large, vibrant OLED display | Advanced AI capabilities |
iQoo Z7 Pro | Powerful gaming performance | Fast charging technology | High-refresh-rate screen |
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite | Sleek, lightweight design | Long-lasting battery life | OxygenOS with smooth performance |
Samsung Galaxy M34 5G | Quad-camera setup | Super AMOLED display | Samsung Knox security |
Redmi 12 5G | Affordable price with 5G | AI-enhanced triple camera system | MIUI interface with customization |
Best value for money
The iQoo Z7 Pro is the best value for money product due to its exceptional combination of performance, features, and affordability. Packed with a powerful processor, ample RAM, and 5G support, it ensures smooth multitasking, lag-free gaming, and fast connectivity, making it a compelling choice for tech-savvy users. The high refresh rate display enhances the visual experience, while the long-lasting battery and fast charging support keep the device powered up for extended periods.
Furthermore, the iQoo Z7 Pro's impressive camera setup, expandable storage options, and well-optimized software add to its overall appeal, making it a versatile and reliable smartphone for various user needs. With its competitive pricing and robust specifications, the iQoo Z7 Pro offers a level of performance typically found in higher-priced devices, making it an excellent value for those seeking a feature-rich and efficient smartphone without breaking the bank.
Best overall product
The Honor 90 is the best overall product due to its impressive combination of performance, features, and affordability. Equipped with a capable chipset, ample RAM, and optimized software, it delivers snappy performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The camera performance is also noteworthy, with multiple camera sensors that offer a range of features such as wide-angle shots, portrait mode, and night mode.
Additionally, the Honor 90's battery life is exceptional, easily lasting a full day on a single charge. The device also comes with fast charging support, allowing users to quickly charge their devices when needed. The high-quality display further enhances the user experience, making it ideal for entertainment and productivity.
The Honor 90's sleek design, expandable storage options, and 5G support add to its overall appeal, making it a versatile and reliable smartphone for various user needs. With its competitive pricing and robust specifications, the Honor 90 offers a level of performance and features that are typically found in higher-priced devices, making it the best overall product for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on essential features.
How to find the best Smartphones for Efficient Performance?
To find the best smartphones for efficient performance, consider the following factors:
Research: Look for smartphones that offer a balance of performance, features, and affordability. Check for reviews and comparisons online to identify the top options in the budget-friendly segment.
Performance: Focus on smartphones with powerful processors and ample RAM that ensure smooth multitasking and lag-free performance. This will help you avoid devices that become slow or unresponsive after a while.
Display: Opt for smartphones with high-quality displays that offer a good viewing experience. High refresh rate displays are a plus, as they provide smoother visuals, especially for gaming and video streaming.
Battery Life: Look for smartphones with long-lasting batteries that can easily last a full day on a single charge. Additionally, consider those with fast charging support for quick battery charging when needed.
Camera Performance: Choose smartphones with impressive camera setups that deliver high-quality images and videos. Look for devices with multiple camera sensors and advanced software that enhance the camera performance.
Storage: Ensure the smartphone has enough internal storage to accommodate your needs. Some budget-friendly options come with expandable storage, allowing you to increase the storage capacity as needed.
Connectivity: Opt for smartphones with good network connectivity, such as 5G support, to enjoy faster download and upload speeds, low latency, and improved network coverage.
FAQs
Question : What makes the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 stand out from other affordable smartphones?
Ans : Both the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 offer a balanced combination of performance, features, and affordability. They are equipped with powerful processors, ample RAM, and optimised software that ensure smooth multitasking and lag-free performance. Additionally, they come with high-quality displays, long-lasting batteries, and impressive camera performance, making them stand out from other budget-friendly smartphones.
Question : Are the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 suitable for gaming?
Ans : Yes, both the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 are capable of handling gaming with ease. They come with powerful chipsets and ample RAM that ensure smooth gameplay and lag-free performance. Additionally, they have high refresh rate displays that enhance the gaming experience, making them ideal for mobile gamers on a budget.
Question : How is the camera performance of the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90?
Ans : Both the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 come with impressive camera setups that deliver high-quality images and videos. They have multiple camera sensors that offer a range of features such as wide-angle shots, portrait mode, and night mode. Additionally, they come with advanced software that enhances the camera performance, making them ideal for photography enthusiasts on a budget.
Question : Do the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 come with expandable storage?
Ans : Yes, both the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 come with expandable storage options. They have dedicated microSD card slots that allow users to expand the storage capacity of their smartphones. This is particularly useful for users who store a lot of media files or apps on their devices.
Question : How is the battery life of the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90?
Ans : Both the iQoo Z7 Pro and Honor 90 come with long-lasting batteries that can easily last a full day on a single charge. They also come with fast charging support that allows users to quickly charge their devices when needed. This makes them ideal for users who are always on the go and need a reliable smartphone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
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