As we approach the end of 2023, anticipation for new flagship smartphones is high. However, the mid-range segment in Nepal has become increasingly attractive, offering premium flagship features at a more budget-friendly price.
Among the multitude of options, here are five smartphones that have garnered popularity for delivering a premium experience without the hefty price tag. This selection includes both the latest models and enduring favourites that continue to capture consumer interest.
Best smartphones under Rs 100,000
| S.N. | Models | Price |
| 1. | Realme GT Neo 3 | Rs 77,999 (12/256GB) |
| 2. | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Rs 85,999 (8/256GB) |
| 3. | Xiaomi 12 | Rs 87,999 (8/256GB) |
| 4. | OnePlus 10T 5G | Rs 94,999 (8/128GB) |
| 5. | iPhone 12 | Rs 95,500 (128GB) |
1. Realme GT Neo 3
First on the list of smartphones is the Realme GT Neo 3. It was launched back in July of 2022 in Nepal. Even though it was launched quite some time ago, it is one of the best smartphones currently available in Nepal.
Specifications of Realme GT Neo 3
| Dimensions | Height: 163.3 mm Width: 75.6 mm Thickness: 8.20 mm Weight: 188 grams |
| Display | 6.70-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Sim | Dual sims |
| Resolution | 1,080 x 2,412 pixels, 394 PPI density |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 8100 (5nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| SD card Slot | No |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Camera | Front: 16 MP, f/2.5, HDR Rear: 50 MP, f/1.9, Multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 119 degrees (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4 (macro), |
| Audio | Super linear dual speakers Dual-mic noise cancellation Dolby Atmos audio certification Hi-Res audio certification No 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh, li-po, non-removable 150W Fast charging |
| Sensors | Magnetic induction sensor Light sensor Proximity sensor Gyro-meter Acceleration sensor Hall sensor Ultra-fast in-display fingerprint sensor (supports heart rate test) 360° NFC |
| Colours | Sprint white, Nitro blue |
| Price | Rs 77,999 |
The Realme GT Neo 3 has a racing stripe design, highlighting performance inspired by an iconic racing era. It has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with HDR10+ support, a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, and a 360Hz touch sampling rate. It has a triple camera setup featuring a larger Sony IMX766 50MP sensor with OIS, complemented by an 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro lens.
It has various photography modes and can shoot 4K videos at 60fps. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chipset and Realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12, it’s optimised for gaming with GT Mode 3.0 and enhanced cooling, along with a single 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration. Despite a smaller battery, its standout feature is the remarkable 150W UltraDart charging, charging 50% in just 5 minutes.
Additionally, the GT Neo 3 supports 5G, dual VoLTE, dual-frequency WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.3. It features dual speakers with Dolby Atmos but lacks a headphone jack, and uses a USB Type-C 2.0 port. It is available in two colours; Sprint white and Nitro blue.
The price of the Realme GT Neo 3 in Nepal is Rs 77,999 for the available 12/256GB variant.
2. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G is the latest addition by Samsung in Nepal. The Fan Edition is already a loved option in the international market. With the price and specs, the smartphone delivers it makes its way into the list of best smartphones under Rs 100,000 in Nepal.
Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
| Dimensions | 158.0mm x 76.5mm x 8.2mm |
| Weight | 209 grams |
| Display size | 6.4-inch |
| Display size | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1,080 x 2,340 (FHD+) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| IP rating | IP68 dust/water resistant |
| Glass protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Chipset | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Xclipse 920 |
| OS | Android 13 One UI 5.1 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 256GB |
| Rear camera | Main camera: 50MP Ultra-wide angle camera: 12MP Telephoto camera: 8MP |
| Selfie camera | 10MP |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Audio | Stereo speakers |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Barometer | Fingerprint sensor | Gyro sensor | Geomagnetic sensor | Hall sensor | Light sensor | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired charging |
| Colours | Mint | Cream |
| Price | Rs 85,999 (8/256GB) |
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE introduces a refreshed design, maintaining Samsung’s familiar aesthetic with a flat glass back made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and an aluminium frame. Its 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers a vibrant viewing experience at FHD+ resolution with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and IP68 dust and water resistance.
It is powered by the Exynos 2,200 chipset on a 4nm architecture and runs on Android 13 with One UI 5.1, the smartphone performance is supported by an octa-core CPU configuration, featuring a high-performance Cortex-X2 core clocked at 2.8 GHz. It comes in a single 8GB RAM option paired with a 256GB storage variant.
In the camera department, the smartphone features a 50.0 MP main sensor, a 12.0 MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8.0 MP telephoto with optical zoom. The rear cameras support UHD 8K video recording, 4K at 30fps, and various slow-motion options.
On the front, a 10.0 MP selfie camera captures detailed shots and supports 4K video recording. With a 4,500mAh battery and 25W wired charging, connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.3, and dual Nano-SIM support. Additionally, it features stereo speakers and a range of sensors, including an in-display fingerprint sensor. It is available in Mint and Cream colour options.
The price of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE in Nepal is Rs 85,999 for the available 8/256GB variant.
3. Xiaomi 12
Next on the list of best smartphones is Xiaomi 12 which is one of the members of the flagship Xiaomi 12 series along with the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Xiaomi 12X.
Specification of Xiaomi 12
| Display | 6.28-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR 10+, 1100 nits |
| Resolution | 1,080 x 2,400 pixels |
| Dimensions | Height: 152.7 mm Width: 69.9 mm Thickness: 8.16 mm Weight: 180g |
| Operating System | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 |
| Main camera | 50MP, f/1.9 13MP, f/2.4, 123 degrees (ultrawide) 5MP, f/2.4 (macro), AF |
| Selfie camera | 32MP, f/2.5 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Card Slot | Not available |
| Sound | Stereo speakers No 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Sensors | Under display fingerprint sensor Proximity sensor Ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Electronic compass Linear motor IR blaster Flicker sensor |
| Battery | Li-Po 4,500mAh 67W turbocharging 50W wireless turbocharging 10W Reverse wireless charging |
| Price | Rs 92,999 |
The Xiaomi 12 has a glass front and back with an aluminium frame, both protected by Gorilla Glass. It has a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, it offers a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR 10+, Dolby Vision support, and an impressive peak brightness of 1,100 nits with a responsive 480Hz touch sampling rate.
The smartphone is equipped with a triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP telephoto lens and a 32MP front camera. It runs Android 12 with MIUI 13, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 1 chipset paired with Adreno 730 GPU. It has 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
It has a 4,500mAh battery with 67W turbocharging, enabling a full charge in just 39 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless turbocharging and 10W Reverse wireless charging.
The connectivity suite includes 5G support, dual-band WiFi, NFC, an infrared port, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB Type-C 2.0, alongside hi-res speakers tuned by Harman Kardon for an immersive audio experience. It is available in two colour options Gray and Purple.
The Xiaomi 12 costs Rs 87,999 for the single 8/256GB variant in Nepal.
4. OnePlus 10T 5G
OnePlus 10T is the toned-down version of the Pro option OnePlus 10T Pro. The smartphone has quite some notable features like flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and fast charging.
| Dimensions | Height: 163 mm Width: 75.4 mm Thickness: 8.8 mm Weight: 204 grams |
| Display | 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Sim | Dual sims |
| Resolution | 1,080 x 2,412 pixels, 394 PPI |
| OS | Android 12.1, Oxygen OS 12.1 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 |
| Storage | UFS 3.1 128/256GB |
| SD card slot | No |
| RAM | 8/12GB |
| Camera | Front: 16MP, f/2.4 HDR Rear: 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF 8MP, 120-degrees FOV (ultrawide) 2MP, f/2.4 (macro) |
| Sound | Loudspeakers with stereo speakers No 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Battery | 4,800 mAh, li-po, non-removable 150W fast charging |
| Sensors | Optical under-display fingerprint Accelerometer Compass Gyro Proximity Colour spectrum |
| Colours | Moonstone black, jade green |
| Price | Rs 94,999 (8/128GB) |
The OnePlus 10T resembles its Pro variant in styling with a glass front and back, with a plastic frame. It has a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,412 pixels, it offers a 120Hz refresh rate but lacks LTPO 2.0 technology for adaptive refresh rates, settling for fixed rates at 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz. The smartphone achieves a peak brightness of 950 nits and includes an optical under-display fingerprint sensor for biometrics.
The OnePlus 10T has a Sony IMX766 sensor for its 50MP main camera, with an 8MP ultrawide a 2MP macro sensor and a 16MP front camera. It records 4K videos at 60fps, while the front camera is limited to 1080p resolution. The smartphone OS is Oxygen OS 12.1 on Android 12, It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) chipset and Adreno 730 GPU.
It is available in 8GB RAM and 128 GB storage options. The smartphone has a 4,800mAh battery which supports 150W SUPERVOOC charging which fully charges in just 19 minutes. It is available in Moonstone black and Jade Green colour options.
As for pricing, the OnePlus 10T 5G costs Rs 94,999 for the available 8/128GB variant in Nepal.
5. iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 after getting a sweet price cut just recently, fits in this list of best smartphones. The iPhone 12 was launched back in October of 2023 but is still a favourite amongst people as it also gets the latest iOS 17 update.
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Chipset | A14 Bionic |
| CPU | 16-core |
| GPU | 4-core |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Rear camera | Dual-camera system: 12MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Selfie camera | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Battery | Up to 17 hours of video playback |
| Operating system | iOS 14 |
| Price | Rs 95,500 (128GB) |
The iPhone 12, features a glass front and back, with an aerospace-grade aluminium frame. With a thickness of 7.4mm and weighing around 164 grams. The smartphone has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 1,170 x 2,532 pixels.
The Ceramic Shield protection on the display enhances durability, making it more resistant to accidental drops and scratches. The smartphone supports HDR and True Tone, delivering a premium viewing experience.
The iPhone 12 has a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide and ultra-wide lens. Its A14 Bionic chip provides good performance. It supports the latest iOS 17 as the operating system. The 128 GB storage option allows ample space for storing media, apps, and files.
It is equipped with a Face ID for secure authentication. It features stereo speakers for immersive audio and lacks a headphone jack, but includes Lightning charging capabilities.
The previous price of the iPhone 12 was Rs 106,990, but now with a price cut, it costs Rs 95,500 in Nepal.
