A budget of Rs 50,000 can get you very different kinds of smartphones today. Some priorities camera, others focus on high-refresh-rate displays, while a few put battery capacity front and center. The current sale listings include options from Samsung, Google, Motorola, Redmi and OnePlus, with prices starting at Rs 44,999. Instead of judging these phones by their discounts alone, it makes more sense to compare what each one brings to the table and where the compromises lie. Here are five smartphone deals worth considering, depending on what matters most to you.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G: For Buyers Who Want a Telephoto Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is available for Rs 46,999 on Flipkart (Buy Now!), against a listed MRP of Rs 89,999. It is powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400 processor and comes with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM. Its 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display has an FHD+ resolution of 1,080 × 2,340 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The rear camera setup comprises a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera. The telephoto unit supports up to 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom, giving buyers a dedicated camera for photographing subjects at a distance. The phone also supports rear video recording at up to 8K at 30fps, while its 12MP front camera can record at 4K at 30fps and 60fps.
A 4,900mAh battery powers the phone, with 45W Fast Charging 2.0 support through USB Type-C. The dedicated telephoto camera is its key differentiator in this group, especially for buyers who want more flexibility than a primary and ultra-wide camera combination can provide. However, those prioritising battery capacity will find larger batteries on the Motorola, Redmi and OnePlus options.
At this price, the Samsung is worth considering if software experience and camera versatility are more important to you than having the largest battery or the highest refresh rate. Its 8K recording support is another specification to note, although recording resolution alone does not determine overall video quality.
Google Pixel 10a: A Smaller Display and a Simpler Camera Setup
The Google Pixel 10a is listed at Rs 47,999 on Flipkart (Buy Now!), compared with its MRP of Rs 55,999. It uses Google’s Tensor G4 processor alongside 8GB LPDDR5X RAM. The phone features a 6.3-inch P-OLED display with an FHD+ resolution of 1,080 × 2,424 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, making it the smallest-screen option in this selection.
Its rear camera system consists of a 48MP primary camera with up to 5x digital zoom and a 13MP ultra-wide camera. The rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps and 60fps, while the 13MP front camera supports 4K recording at 30fps. Unlike the Samsung and Motorola models in this list, the supplied specifications do not include a dedicated telephoto camera.
The Pixel 10a has a 5,100mAh lithium-polymer battery and supports 45W fast charging over USB Type-C. Its smaller display may appeal to buyers who prefer a less expansive screen, although the phone is still equipped with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The choice between the Pixel and Samsung comes down partly to camera hardware and screen size. The Pixel offers a smaller display and a slightly larger listed battery, while the Samsung includes a dedicated telephoto camera with optical zoom. Buyers who regularly photograph distant subjects may find the latter more useful, while those who prefer a smaller screen may lean towards the Pixel.
Motorola Edge 70 Pro Plus: 12GB RAM, Three 50MP Rear Cameras and a 144Hz Display
The Motorola Edge 70 Pro Plus is available for Rs 47,999 on Flipkart (Buy Now!), against a listed MRP of Rs 84,999. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Extreme processor and comes with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM. Its 6.8-inch Extreme AMOLED display has an FHD+ resolution of 1,272 × 2,772 pixels and a 144Hz refresh rate, putting it above the Samsung and Google phones in listed refresh rate.
The rear camera system includes three 50MP cameras: a primary camera, an ultra-wide camera with macro support, and a telephoto camera. The telephoto unit supports up to 3.5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom. The front camera also has a 50MP sensor. Both the rear and front cameras support 4K video recording at 30fps and 60fps.
Battery capacity is another highlight. The phone packs a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery and supports 90W TurboPower charging through USB Type-C. Its 12GB RAM configuration also gives it the highest listed memory capacity among the five deals.
The Motorola offers a broad specification package for buyers who want a high-refresh-rate display, a dedicated telephoto camera and a large battery in one device. Its 144Hz screen and triple 50MP rear cameras distinguish it from the Samsung and Google options, while its battery capacity sits below the larger units offered by Redmi and OnePlus.
For buyers who want a phone with several camera options without giving up a fast display, this is one of the more interesting deals. However, the higher refresh rate should be viewed as one part of the package rather than a guarantee of better everyday performance.
Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G: A 10,000mAh Battery for Heavy Users
The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G is listed at Rs 49,998 on Amazon (Buy Now!), putting it just below the Rs 50,000 budget limit. Its biggest headline specification is a 10,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, the largest capacity among these five phones. It also supports 100W Hyper Charging through USB Type-C, the highest stated charging wattage in this selection.
The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 processor and is listed with 8GB or 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, depending on the variant. Its 6.83-inch AMOLED display has an FHD+ resolution of 1,280 × 2,772 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate.
For photography, the Redmi has a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultra-wide camera on the rear, with support for 4K video recording at 30fps. The front camera has a 32MP sensor and also supports 4K recording at 30fps. The supplied specifications do not list a dedicated telephoto camera, which is worth keeping in mind if optical zoom is important to you.
The Redmi’s large battery makes it a natural candidate for buyers who prioritise capacity above other specifications. That said, battery size alone does not establish real-world endurance, which also depends on usage, display settings and other factors. Similarly, 100W charging support indicates the supported charging rate, not a guaranteed time to reach a full charge.
At Rs 49,998, the Redmi is worth considering if you want a very large battery and high-wattage charging. Buyers who prefer a dedicated telephoto camera or a particularly high refresh rate may find the Samsung, Motorola or OnePlus options more aligned with their priorities.
OnePlus Nord 6: A 165Hz Display and a 9,000mAh Battery
The OnePlus Nord 6 is the most affordable phone in this roundup at Rs 44,999 on Amazon (Buy Now!), against a listed MRP of Rs 52,999. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and comes with 8GB or 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, depending on the configuration. Its 6.78-inch AMOLED display has an FHD+ resolution of 1,272 × 2,772 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate, the highest listed among the five phones.
The rear camera setup comprises a 50MP wide-angle primary camera with up to 20x digital zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. The rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps and 60fps, while the 32MP front camera supports 4K recording at 30fps.
The phone packs a 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery and supports 80W Super Charging through USB Type-C. Although its battery is smaller than the Redmi’s 10,000mAh unit, it remains substantially larger than the capacities listed for the Samsung, Google and Motorola models.
The OnePlus is a compelling option for buyers who want a high-refresh-rate display and a large battery without spending close to Rs 50,000. Its 165Hz refresh rate is notable on paper, although the practical benefit depends on the content and apps being used.
The comparison with the Redmi is particularly interesting. The OnePlus costs less and has a higher listed refresh rate, while the Redmi offers a larger battery and higher stated charging wattage. If you care more about battery capacity than having a dedicated optical zoom camera, both are worth considering, with the final choice depending on your display and charging preferences.
Which Smartphone Deal Should You Choose?
- Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G: If you want a Samsung flagship experience without paying flagship prices, the Galaxy S25 FE 5G is worth considering. At under Rs 50,000, it combines a premium-positioned design with a versatile triple-camera setup, a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and Samsung’s Exynos 2400 processor. It is also worth considering if Galaxy AI features are a priority.
- Google Pixel 10a: This is the phone to consider if you want the Google Pixel experience without stretching your budget. The 6.3-inch display makes it the most compact option here, while the Tensor G4 processor and dual-camera setup cover the core hardware. Yes, the bezels may look thicker than those on some rivals, and the 5,100mAh battery is smaller than the massive batteries offered by OnePlus and Redmi. But if you’re buying a Pixel for its familiar Google experience, those trade-offs may be easier to accept.
- Motorola Edge 70 Pro Plus: Choose this if you want a specification-heavy phone with 12GB RAM, a 144Hz display and three 50MP rear cameras, including a dedicated telephoto camera. Its 6,500mAh battery and 90W charging support add to the package, making it a strong option for buyers who want a balance of display, camera hardware and battery capacity.
- Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G: If battery capacity is your biggest priority, the Redmi stands out with its 10,000mAh battery and 100W charging support. It also has a large 6.83-inch AMOLED display. However, buyers looking for a dedicated telephoto camera should consider the Samsung or Motorola instead.
- OnePlus Nord 6: This is worth a look if you want a high-refresh-rate display and a large battery at the lowest price in this selection. Its 165Hz AMOLED display and 9,000mAh battery make it particularly interesting for buyers who prioritise screen smoothness and battery capacity over a dedicated telephoto camera.
Our Take: There is no single winner here, as each phone caters to a different kind of buyer. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is worth considering if you want a premium Samsung experience under Rs 50,000, while the Google Pixel 10a makes sense for those who prefer the Pixel experience in a smaller form factor. The Motorola Edge 70 Pro Plus offers a compelling mix of camera hardware, RAM and display specifications, whereas the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G and OnePlus Nord 6 stand out for their massive batteries. If we had to shortlist two phones based on the specifications alone, the Motorola would be our pick for a balanced hardware package, while the OnePlus Nord 6 looks particularly interesting for buyers who prioritise battery capacity and a high-refresh-rate display.
