Best Gaming Smartphones Under ₹12,000 in India (2025) – High-Performance Budget Phones for Gamers

Best Smartphones for Gaming Under ₹12,000 in India (2025)

Imagine playing high-end mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty on a budget. With powerful yet affordable phones, you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy smooth gameplay. Whether you’re a student or a casual gamer, having a gaming-capable phone under ₹12,000 can drastically improve your gaming experience. In 2025, these budget devices come with fast refresh rate screens, robust processors, and big batteries – all crucial for an immersive gaming session on the go.

Our list brings you the top smartphones for gaming under ₹12,000 in India, each tested for performance and reliability. These picks offer strong CPUs, capable GPUs, and features like high refresh displays and large batteries, so you can play more and worry less about lag or low battery. Read on to find out which budget phone will level up your gaming setup without burning a hole in your pocket.

Top Gaming Phones Under ₹12,000 in India (2025)

Motorola Moto G45 5G

The Motorola Moto G45 5G is a solid choice for budget gamers. It features a powerful Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor and Adreno GPU paired with 8GB RAM, which can handle popular games at medium to high settings. The phone sports a smooth 6.5-inch 120Hz display for fluid visuals and packs a 5000mAh battery for long playtime.

• Display: 6.5″ HD+ (720p) IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (Octa-core)
• GPU: Adreno (integrated)
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
• Battery: 5000mAh with 20W fast charging
• OS: Android 14, near stock Android experience

• Pros: Smooth 120Hz display; 5G-capable Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chip; large 5000mAh battery; clean Android interface with fewer bloatware.
• Cons: Display is only 720p (not FHD); cameras are average; modest GPU performance compared to high-end chips.

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Infinix Note 50X 5G

Infinix Note 50X 5G packs impressive hardware for its price. It uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset, which provides strong performance and good gaming power for the segment. The 6.67-inch IPS LCD has a 120Hz refresh rate (though only HD+ resolution), and the 5500mAh battery with 45W fast charging ensures long gaming sessions with quick refills.

• Display: 6.67″ HD+ (720p) IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate (Octa-core 2.5GHz + 2.0GHz)
• GPU: ARM Mali-G615
• Memory: 6/8GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
• Battery: 5500mAh with 45W fast charging
• Camera: 50MP rear, 8MP front

• Pros: Powerful Dimensity 7300 chipset for smooth gaming; very high refresh rate display; big 5500mAh battery with 45W charging; 5G support.
• Cons: Display is only 720p (so visuals are less sharp); large display may be heavy; Infinix brand with limited service centers in some areas.

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POCO X3 Pro

The POCO X3 Pro is an older but still popular gaming phone under ₹12,000. It stands out with a flagship-grade Snapdragon 860 processor and Adreno 640 GPU, delivering excellent frame rates in games. The 6.67-inch FHD+ display also refreshes at 120Hz, giving you fluid animation. With a 5160mAh battery, dual stereo speakers, and aggressive cooling design, the X3 Pro is built for marathon gaming sessions.

• Display: 6.67″ Full HD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (Octa-core up to 2.96GHz)
• GPU: Adreno 640
• Memory: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (UFS 3.1)
• Battery: 5160mAh with 33W fast charging
• Camera: 48+8+2+2MP quad rear, 20MP front

• Pros: Very powerful Snapdragon 860 chip for the class; sharp FHD+ 120Hz display; large 5160mAh battery; stereo speakers for better audio.
• Cons: Thick and heavy design; older Android version (Android 11) with Xiaomi/MIUI skin; average low-light camera.

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Xiaomi Redmi 13 5G

Redmi 13 5G is a recent budget model that offers decent gaming potential. It has a large 6.79-inch FHD+ screen with 120Hz refresh rate, making gameplay smooth. Powered by a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and 6GB RAM, it can handle lighter games and many modern titles at moderate settings. The 5030mAh battery keeps you gaming for hours, though graphics may need dialing down on more demanding games.

• Display: 6.79″ Full HD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (Octa-core)
• GPU: Adreno 613
• Memory: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
• Battery: 5030mAh with 18W fast charging
• Camera: 108MP + 2MP dual rear, 13MP front

• Pros: Large FHD+ 120Hz display for smooth visuals; massive 108MP camera (for high-resolution photos); good battery capacity.
• Cons: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is an entry-level chipset (best for casual gaming only); slower 18W charging; MIUI ads in UI.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo is designed for gaming on a budget. It sports a 6.67-inch 120Hz IPS LCD (720p) and runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. This combination delivers acceptable gaming performance and a very smooth screen. A massive 5000mAh battery ensures long sessions, and the 108MP rear camera is a standout spec (even if mostly marketing). Overall, Pova 6 Neo is a value pick for gamers wanting high refresh rates.

• Display: 6.67″ HD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (Octa-core)
• GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
• Memory: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage
• Battery: 5000mAh (charging info varies by region)
• Camera: 108MP + LED dual rear, 8MP front

• Pros: Fast 120Hz display; huge battery life; 108MP camera for detailed shots; very competitive price.
• Cons: Only HD+ resolution (so less sharp display); Dimensity 6300 is mid-tier (not as strong as higher-end Dimensity chips); Tecno support network is smaller.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T 5G

The Redmi Note 11T 5G (also known as Poco M4 Pro 5G in some markets) offers a balanced mix of features. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset with 6GB RAM, capable of handling most games at medium settings. The display is 6.6″ FHD+ LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, which is a bit lower than 120Hz but still makes animations smoother than 60Hz. A 5000mAh battery and 33W charging mean minimal downtime between gaming sessions.

• Display: 6.6″ Full HD+ IPS LCD, 90Hz refresh
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 810 (Octa-core)
• GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
• Memory: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (non-expandable)
• Battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging
• Camera: 50MP dual rear, 8MP front

• Pros: Stable Dimensity 810 performance; bright FHD+ 90Hz display; quick 33W charging; 5G support.
• Cons: Refresh rate is 90Hz (not 120Hz); no microSD slot; MIUI/stock can have bloatware.

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Budget Gaming Smartphone Buying Guide

:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}Choosing a smartphone for gaming under ₹12,000 means prioritizing performance, display quality, and battery life. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Processor & GPU: The chipset is the heart of gaming performance. Look for phones with newer Snapdragon (6-series or above), MediaTek Dimensity (600 or 700 series), or equivalent chips. These will have better CPUs and integrated GPUs to run games smoothly. For example, Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, Dimensity 7300, or Snapdragon 860 are strong performers in this range.
• Display & Refresh Rate: A good screen enhances gaming. Aim for a phone with at least a 90Hz refresh rate (120Hz is even better) and preferably Full HD+ resolution. A higher refresh rate results in smoother motion in games and UI.
• Battery Capacity: Gaming drains battery fast, so a large battery (around 5000mAh or more) is important. Also check for fast charging support (20W or higher) so you can quickly recharge and get back to gaming without long waits.
• RAM & Storage: More RAM (6GB or 8GB) helps games load faster and multitask without slowing down. Adequate storage (64GB or 128GB) is also crucial for installing games and media. Some phones also offer expandable storage via microSD, which is a bonus.
• Thermal Management: Intensive gaming generates heat. Phones with good thermal design (like copper heat pipes or graphite layers) will handle long sessions better. This is harder to verify from specs alone, but reviews often mention how hot a phone gets under load.
• Software & Updates: A clean user interface (stock Android or light skin) typically runs games more efficiently. Also, consider brand reputation for delivering software updates and security patches, which can affect long-term performance.
• Brand & Support: Established brands (Xiaomi, Motorola, Samsung, etc.) usually have better after-sales service networks. Reliable customer support can be valuable if you face any hardware or software issues.
• Additional Features: Game-centric features like a dedicated gaming mode, customizable shoulder buttons, or better haptics can add to the experience but are rare under 12k. Still, some phones might include “LiquidCool” cooling or RGB lighting – consider these only if within budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are phones under ₹12,000 good for gaming in 2025?

Yes, many phones under ₹12,000 in 2025 can handle popular games like PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, or Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings. Thanks to efficient new chipsets and optimized software, budget phones now offer surprisingly strong gaming performance. However, you may need to lower graphics settings for the most demanding games. Focus on phones with a high refresh display and a chipset designed for gaming to get the best experience.

Q: What should I look for in a gaming phone under ₹12,000?

You should prioritize a fast processor and GPU, a high refresh-rate display (90Hz or 120Hz), a large battery (around 5000mAh), and at least 6-8GB of RAM. These features ensure smooth performance, good frame rates, and long play sessions. Also consider heat management (phones that cool well) and future-proof specs like 5G support. For example, a device with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity chipset and a 120Hz screen will be ideal.

Q: Can these budget gaming phones run eSports titles like PUBG or CODM?

Most of the listed phones can run esports titles, but you may need to adjust settings. Games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile have low/medium settings that are playable on mid-range chipsets. Phones with Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, Dimensity 7300, or Snapdragon 860 will handle these games well at medium to high settings. Always update your games and drivers, and close background apps for better performance.

Q: Is a higher refresh rate more important than a better processor for gaming?

Both are important, but they serve different aspects of gaming. A higher refresh rate (90Hz/120Hz) makes animations smoother and provides a better visual experience, especially in fast-paced games. However, the processor determines frame rates and overall game performance. Ideally, get a phone that has both a strong chipset and a high refresh screen. If you must prioritize, go for the better processor first (for raw performance), then high refresh rate.

Q: How crucial is battery life for gaming phones under 12k?

Very crucial. Gaming consumes a lot of power, so phones with large batteries (5000mAh or more) will last longer during play. Look for fast charging support too, so you can recharge quickly between sessions. A 5000mAh battery should comfortably last a full day with moderate use and several hours of gaming on these budget phones.

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