Best 5G Smartphones for India (2024 & 1st quarter of 2025) - Optimized for Indian 5G Bands

India’s 5G rollout is well underway, with major telecom operators like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea deploying networks across various frequency bands. To fully leverage 5G in India, a smartphone must support the key Indian 5G bands: n28 (700 MHz), n5 (850 MHz), n8 (900 MHz), n3 (1800 MHz), n1 (2100 MHz), n41 (2500 MHz), n77 (3300 MHz), n78 (3500 MHz), and n258 (26 GHz mmWave). These bands cover low-band (n28, n5, n8) for wide coverage, mid-band (n1, n3, n41, n77, n78) for a balance of speed and range, and high-band (n258) for ultra-fast speeds in dense areas.

Indian 5G Bands Overview

Key Bands for India:

• n78 (3.5 GHz) → Fast speeds in cities
• n28 (700 MHz) → Better rural coverage

Best 5G Phones for India

Below is a list of the best 5G smartphones optimized for Indian 5G bands in 2024 and early 2025, spanning different price segments and prioritizing compatibility with these frequencies.

Budget (Under ₹20,000)

Poco X6 5G

• 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, n41, n77, n78 (9 bands).
• Key Specs: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED (120 Hz), 64 MP triple camera, 5100 mAh with 67W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Covers most Indian mid and low bands (n28, n5, n8, n41, n77, n78), ensuring compatibility with Jio, Airtel, and Vi networks. Offers flagship-level performance for the price.
• Price: ~₹18,999.
• Best For: Budget buyers wanting strong 5G coverage and gaming performance.

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G

• 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, n41, n77, n78 (9 bands).
• Key Specs: MediaTek Dimensity 7050, 6.67-inch AMOLED (120 Hz), 50 MP OIS camera, 5000 mAh with 67W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Supports key Indian bands like n28 and n78, widely used by Jio and Airtel. Excellent display and camera for the segment.
• Price: ~₹19,999.
• Best For: Multimedia users on a budget with solid 5G support.

Mid-Range (₹20,000 - ₹40,000)

OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G

• 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, n41, n77, n78 (9 bands).
• Key Specs: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 6.7-inch AMOLED (120 Hz), 50 MP OIS camera, 5500 mAh with 100W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Broad band support including n28, n41, and n78, ensuring seamless connectivity across Indian carriers. Fast charging and clean OxygenOS make it a standout.
• Price: ~₹26,999.
• Best For: Users prioritizing speed, software, and 5G reliability.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G

• 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n38, n40, n41, n77, n78 (10 bands).
• Key Specs: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED (120 Hz), 200 MP camera, 5000 mAh with 120W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Extensive band support, covering nearly all key Indian frequencies except mmWave. Exceptional camera and battery life for the price.
• Price: ~₹33,999.
• Best For: Photography enthusiasts needing robust 5G connectivity.

Premium (₹40,000 - ₹80,000)

Samsung Galaxy S24

• 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n28, n40, n41, n66, n77, n78, n257, n258, n260, n261 (15+ bands).
• Key Specs: Exynos 2400, 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120 Hz), 50 MP triple camera, 4000 mAh with 25W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Comprehensive band support, including mmWave (n258), making it future-proof for India’s evolving 5G landscape. Compact design with premium features.
• Price: ~₹79,999.
• Best For: Compact flagship lovers with top-tier 5G compatibility.

OnePlus 12

• 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n77, n78 (13 bands).
• Key Specs: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 6.82-inch QHD+ AMOLED (120 Hz), 50 MP Hasselblad camera, 5400 mAh with 100W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Covers all major Indian bands except mmWave, offering excellent performance and connectivity. Superb display and camera quality.
• Price: ~₹64,999.
• Best For: Power users wanting a balance of performance and 5G coverage.

Flagship (Above ₹80,000)

iPhone 16 Pro

• 5G Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n77, n78, n79, n257, n258, n260, n261 (20+ bands).
• Key Specs: A18 Pro, 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (120 Hz), 48 MP triple camera, 3355 mAh with 25W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Unmatched band support, including mmWave (n258, n260), ensuring compatibility with current and future Indian 5G networks. Stellar performance and iOS ecosystem.
• Price: ~₹1,19,900.
• Best For: Apple fans seeking the ultimate 5G experience.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

• 5G Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n77, n78, n257, n258, n260, n261 (20+ bands).
• Key Specs: Snapdragon 8 Elite, 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120 Hz), 200 MP quad camera, 5000 mAh with 45W charging.
• Why It’s Great: Supports every Indian 5G band, including mmWave (n258), with top-notch hardware and seven years of software updates. Ideal for long-term use.
• Price: ~₹1,29,999.
• Best For: Android enthusiasts wanting the best 5G and camera tech.

Recommendations

• Best Budget Pick: Poco X6 5G for its value and band coverage.
• Best Mid-Range: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ for its camera and 10-band support.
• Best Premium: OnePlus 12 for performance and broad compatibility.
• Best Flagship: iPhone 16 Pro or Galaxy S25 Ultra for maximum band support and future-proofing.

These phones are optimized for India’s 5G networks, ensuring you get the fastest speeds and widest coverage available. Check your carrier’s specific bands and your phone’s regional variant specs before buying, as band support can vary slightly by model!