Top Smartphone Picks Under PKR 100,000 in Pakistan

The Pakistani smartphone market offers a diverse range of options for every budget. But in the sweet spot under 100,000 rupees, the competition intensifies. 

We’ll be diving deep into five popular contenders: Vivo V30e, Infinix GT 20 Pro, Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G, Realme 9 Pro Plus, and Samsung Galaxy A35. 

This detailed review will ensure that you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and priorities. Let’s decide.

Vivo V30e

The Vivo V30e equips a 120Hz refresh rate and a large 5500mAh battery, making it a good choice for users who want both. The high-resolution front camera is another plus. 

• Design: The Vivo V30e boasts a visually appealing design with a glossy plastic back, similar to the Realme 9 Pro Plus. It comes in a few color options and has a curved screen. 
• Display: The Vivo V30e features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This display technology offers richer colors compared to the IPS LCDs found on the Infinix GT 20 Pro and Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G. 
• Performance: The Vivo V30e is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor. This chipset is a capable mid-range option that can handle everyday tasks like browsing and similar. However, compared to the Dimensity processors used in some competitors, it might struggle with heavy multitasking.
• Cameras: The Vivo V30e features a dual rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP wide sensor. In good lighting, photos are expected to be decent. Low-light performance might also be a concern, similar to other phones. The 50 MP front-facing camera is a highlight, offering high resolution for selfies and video calls.
• Battery Life: The Vivo V30e packs a 5500mAh battery, the largest capacity yet compared to the phones we’ve reviewed. This translates to potentially longer battery life on a single charge. The phone supports fast charging.
• Price and Availability: The Vivo V30e falls in the mid-range price bracket, starting at a competitive price for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. For availability checking online retailers such as TechBazaar and authorized Vivo stores in Pakistan is recommended.

Infinix GT 20 Pro

Suppose you prioritize raw performance and a high refresh rate display for a smooth gaming experience. In that case, the Infinix GT 20 Pro is a great option at its price point. However, the design might be a turn-off for some, and the camera performance takes a backseat compared to other contenders.

Let’s delve into its strengths and weaknesses.

• Design: The Infinix GT 20 Pro caters to the gaming crowd with a bold plastic back design. Additionally, the phone is on the heavier side due to its internal cooling system, which might not be ideal for day-to-day users.
• Display: Gamers will rejoice at the large 6.8-inch IPS LCD with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. While not AMOLED technology like the Realme 9 Pro Plus, IPS LCD still offers good colors.
• Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor  is a powerhouse, making the phone a great choice for gaming fans. You can expect smooth performance and minimal lag, even during heavy multitasking.
• Cameras: The Infinix GT 20 Pro features a triple-camera system with a 64 MP main sensor. Photos taken in daylight conditions are decent. However, low-light performance suffers, with photos appearing grainy and lacking detail. Similar to the Realme 9 Pro Plus, the 16MP front-facing camera is suitable for video calls and casual selfie sessions.
• Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery offers good battery life, lasting a full day with moderate use. The phone supports fast charging as well.
• Price and Availability: The Infinix GT 20 Pro starts at a competitive price for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Checking online retailers such as TechBazaar in Pakistan is recommended.

Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G

If you’re on a tight budget and prioritize 5G connectivity, the Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G is a contender to consider. It offers decent battery life and a lightweight design. However, keep in mind that the camera system might not be an ideal fit for photography lovers.

Let’s break it down.

• Design: The Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G features a plastic back with a gradient design. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold. While the design isn’t as premium-looking as the glass backs of the Realme 9 Pro Plus or Samsung A35 (which we’ll explore later), it maintains a certain sleekness.
• Display: This phone comes with a 6.7-inch IPS LCD with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. However, if you’re not a gamer or someone who craves the absolute smoothest scrolling experience, a 60Hz display can get the work done.
• Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor delivers basic to moderate performance. It can handle everyday tasks. The Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G might not be the strongest contender if you like gaming.
• Cameras: Tecno positions the Camon series as camera-centric phones, so let’s see how the 30 Pro 5G fares. It boasts a quad-camera system with a 48MP main sensor. While it boasts four cameras, megapixel count isn’t everything, and the image processing might not be on par with some competitors. The 16MP front-facing camera is sufficient for basic selfies and video calls.
• Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides good day-long battery life, similar to the other phones we’ve explored so far. You should be able to get through a full day of moderate use. The phone supports fast charging, which is a convenience.
• Price and Availability: The Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G is a budget-friendly option within this competition, starting at competitive prices under 100,000 PKR for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. 

Realme 9 Pro Plus

The Realme 9 Pro Plus offers a compelling package for users who prioritize design, display quality, and good battery life at a reasonable price. However, suppose you’re a heavy gamer or a low-light photography enthusiast. In that case, you might want to consider other options in this series. 

Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.

• Design: The Realme 9 Pro Plus comes in a glossy glass back and is available in a variety of eye-catching colors. A case is highly recommended to keep the fingerprint smudges off. Despite the glass back, the phone maintains a comfortable and slim form factor.
• Display: This phone features a vivid 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. Whether you’re browsing social media, or gaming casually, the display offers a responsive viewing experience. 
• Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G processor is the engine powering the Realme 9 Pro Plus. It handles most everyday tasks easily. However, if you’re a heavy multitasker or a mobile gamer, you might encounter some occasional lag using some applications.
• Cameras: The Realme 9 Pro Plus boasts a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor. In good lighting conditions, you can expect decent photos with good detail and color reproduction. However, low-light performance is a bit weak. The 16MP front-facing camera is a good choice for selfies and video calls, but again, low-light performance might be an issue.
• Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery delivers excellent day-long performance on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy use. You can browse the web, and play games throughout the day. However, a minor drawback is that the fast charger might need to be purchased separately.
• Price and Availability: The Realme 9 Pro Plus starts at a competitive price under 100,000 PKR for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. It’s available on TechBazaar and in major stores across Pakistan, making it an easy phone to find.

Samsung Galaxy A35

The final contender in our Pakistani smartphone showdown under 100,000 rupees is the Samsung Galaxy A35. It offers comfortable design, a reliable Super AMOLED display, and long-lasting software support from Samsung. The camera system is decent, and the battery life should be sufficient for most users.

Let’s see how awesome it is!

• Design: The Samsung Galaxy A35 features a plastic back with a smooth, matte finish that’s comfortable to hold and less prone to fingerprints. The design comes in a variety of colors to suit different styles.
• Display: The Galaxy A35 boasts a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. However, the 60Hz refresh rate might feel less smooth especially for users who prioritize gaming or fast scrolling.
• Performance: The Galaxy A35 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1280 processor. This chipset is a mid-range option that can handle everyday tasks. However, similar to the Vivo V30e, it might struggle with more heavy games.
• Cameras: The Galaxy A35 features a quad-camera system with a 48MP main sensor. In good lighting, photos are expected to be decent with good detail and color reproduction. However, low-light performance might be a concern, as with most phones in this range. The 16MP front-facing camera is a good option for selfies and video calls.
• Battery Life: The Galaxy A35 packs a 5000mAh battery, similar to most of the competitors we’ve explored.The phone supports fast charging, but like the Realme 9 Pro Plus, the rapid charger might need to be purchased separately.
• Price and Availability: The Samsung Galaxy A35 falls towards the upper end of our budget range, starting at around PKR 99,999 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Availability is expected to be widespread online and in major retailers such as TechBazaar across Pakistan.

The Verdict: Choose Your Phone NOW!

Now that we’ve explored five compelling options under 100,000 rupees in Pakistan, the final decision lies with you! 

Let’s take a final look at the important decision-making elements:

• Design: If a premium feel is important, the Realme 9 Pro Plus or Vivo V30e with their glossy finishes might appeal to you. For a comfortable grip, the Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G or Samsung Galaxy A35 with their matte finishes could be good choices.
• Display: Gamers and users who prioritize smooth visuals will appreciate the 90 Hz or 120Hz refresh rates found on the Realme 9 Pro Plus, Infinix GT 20 Pro, and Vivo V30e.
• Performance: If raw power for demanding games or multitasking is your top concern, the Infinix GT 20 Pro with the Dimensity 8100 processor might be the strongest contender.
• Cameras: While all the phones offer decent cameras in good lighting, low-light performance is a common weakness. If you prioritize low-light photography, you might need to research more extensively. The Vivo V30e with its high-resolution front camera might be a good option.

Let us know in the comments what you have decided and why? Also feel free to share your views on seeing more such helpful blogs in the future from TechBazaar.