Top 5 phones under 8000: Finding a budget phone is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Yet, occasionally, some surprise devices deliver just what you require. If you are looking for a basic phone to last the day, social media browsing, and a little entertainment, these five choices below ₹8,000 could be the ones for you. Let us dissect what each phone has in this saturated budget segment.
Samsung Galaxy M05
Samsung holds it back with the Galaxy M05. It’s based on Android 14 and features the MediaTek Helio G85 processor. It has a 6.7-inch PLS LCD that provides a large viewing space but uses a simple 720p resolution. It uses a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP secondary camera in its dual rear cameras. No fingerprint reader on this one, which may be a turnoff for some. Battery life is good with a 5000mAh battery and 25W fast charging.
Moto G05
Moto G05 fills in with Android 15 and has a Helio G81 Ultra processor. It’s a bit lighter than the M05 and sports a newer design with a punch-hole screen. The 6.67-inch IPS display still retains HD+ resolution, but now it includes a 90Hz refresh rate for improved visuals. It comes with a 50MP rear camera and an 8MP front shooter. There’s also a side fingerprint scanner, so there’s a small plus in the security department, too. Battery life is good at 5200mAh, though the charging is slower at 18W.
Samsung Galaxy F05
This phone closely resembles the M05 in several aspects. It has the same Helio G85 processor, 6.74-inch LCD screen, and 50MP dual camera setup. There’s no fingerprint reader, and the design seems more plain with a waterdrop notch. Battery life also remains the same with 5000mAh and 25W charging. For those who are Samsung loyalists but don’t want to pay extra, this might be a good substitute for the M05.
Realme C61
Realme provides a lighter and thinner experience with the C61. It features a 6.74-inch IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 560 nits of sunlight display brightness. With a Unisoc T612 processor, it isn’t the quickest, but it will do fine with normal tasks. It employs a 32MP back camera and a 5MP selfie camera. The unique selling point is its huge 2TB expandable storage. It also features a side fingerprint sensor and reverse charging.
Poco C71
Poco’s C71 plays big with a 6.88-inch screen, the biggest in this lineup. It also comes with a 120Hz refresh rate for better scrolling, which makes it perfect for light media use. It is powered by Android 15 and comes with a Unisoc T7250 processor. It comes with a 5200mAh battery that lasts for hours, but you may find 15W charging to be slow. The phone comes with a side fingerprint reader and 2TB expandable storage, which is massive for this budget.
Final Thoughts
For casual users, all five phones provide decent performance within ₹8,000. If you’re looking for silky smooth visuals and a large screen, Poco C71 is the winner. For a clean software experience and long battery life, Moto G05 is your best bet. Realme C61 provides the most flexibility in terms of storage and additional features. But if brand credibility is your utmost concern, Samsung’s M05 or F05 would be more comfortable.
