Buying a good smartphone under ₹5,000 in 2025 is not impossible — especially if you’re open to second-hand or refurbished models. The pre-owned smartphone market in India is booming, and many popular older devices are available at extremely affordable prices. These phones may not be brand new, but they still deliver smooth performance, reliable cameras, and excellent battery life for day-to-day use.

This guide lists the Top 10 second-hand smartphones under ₹5,000, trusted by budget buyers, students, and people who need a reliable backup phone. You’ll also find a quick comparison table, performance notes, and tips for safe second-hand purchasing.

Quick Comparison Table

Rank	Smartphone Model (Used/Refurb)	Typical Price (₹)	RAM / Storage	Battery	Ideal For
1	Xiaomi Redmi 9	3,500–5,000	3–4GB / 32–64GB	5000 mAh	Heavy users, long battery
2	Redmi 8 / 8A	2,500–4,500	2–4GB / 32–64GB	5000 mAh	Basic use, stable performance
3	Redmi Note 6 Pro	3,000–4,500	3–4GB / 32–64GB	4000 mAh	Best for selfies & photos
4	Realme 5 / Realme 5 Pro	3,500–5,000	3–4GB / 32–64GB	5000 mAh	Quad cameras + big battery
5	Moto G4 Plus	2,000–4,000	2–3GB / 16–32GB	3000 mAh	Clean Android lovers
6	Nokia C21 / C1	2,500–4,000	2–3GB / 16–32GB	3000–4000 mAh	Simple UI & durability
7	Infinix Smart / Tecno Smart Series	2,000–4,500	2–3GB / 32GB	4000–5000 mAh	Best battery + affordability
8	Samsung Galaxy J2 / J4	1,800–4,000	1.5–2.5GB / 8–16GB	2600–3000 mAh	Trusted brand & service
9	POCO M2 (Used)	3,500–5,000	4GB / 64GB	5000 mAh	Performance & light gaming
10	Vivo Y Series / Older Redmi Models	2,000–4,500	2–4GB / 32–64GB	4000–5000 mAh	Balanced all-round experience

Top 10 Second-Hand Smartphones Under ₹5,000 (Full Review)

Below is a detailed breakdown of each model, what makes it valuable in 2025, and who should buy it.

Xiaomi Redmi 9 — Best Overall Pick

If you want the best value under ₹5,000, the Redmi 9 stands out. Its large 6.5-inch HD+ display and big 5000 mAh battery make it perfect for YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, and general daily use.

Why it’s great:

• Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery
• Reliable MediaTek Helio G35 chipset
• Strong build quality
• Smooth MIUI performance even in 2025

Ideal for:

Students, Uber drivers, gig workers, and heavy media users.

Redmi 8 / Redmi 8A — Budget King

These phones stay extremely popular in the used market because they are reliable and simple. Despite being older, they still offer exceptional battery life and a clean day-to-day Android experience.

Strengths:

• 5000 mAh battery
• Good cameras for the price
• Strong body and good resale value

Choose this if:

You want a dependable, no-nonsense phone under a tight budget.

Redmi Note 6 Pro — Best Camera in This Price Range

Even today, the Note 6 Pro’s dual front cameras and rear dual setup offer impressive pictures. It’s perfect for selfies, video calls, and casual photography.

Pros:

• 4-camera setup
• Bright LCD display
• Good RAM/storage options under ₹5,000

Best for:

Selfie lovers and people who use their phone for online classes or video meetings.

Realme 5 / Realme 5 Pro — Quad Camera + Large Battery

This is one of the most feature-rich phones available under ₹5,000 in the second-hand market. Realme’s optimization makes these phones feel smoother than many other models.

Highlights:

• Quad-camera system
• 5000 mAh battery
• Smooth performance

Suitable for:

Camera lovers, students, YouTube watchers, and those who want a modern-style phone on a tight budget.

Moto G4 Plus — Clean Android Experience

Moto phones may not be the newest, but the G4 Plus is surprisingly smooth thanks to stock Android. It’s ideal for users who don’t want bloatware.

Advantages:

• Stock Android
• Good display
• Reliable build

Best for:

Users who want a clean, simple Android experience without lag.

Nokia C21 / C1 — Durability & Simplicity

Nokia C-series phones focus on build quality and user-friendliness. These models work efficiently for basic usage, especially WhatsApp and calling.

Why buy it:

• Stable Android Go
• Strong body
• Good for seniors and very light use

Best for:

Parents, senior citizens, or anyone who just needs a basic smartphone.

Infinix Smart / Tecno Smart Phones — Battery Monsters

These brands offer big specifications at small prices. Their used units often come with 4000–5000 mAh batteries — great for users who need long battery life above everything else.

Pros:

• Big batteries
• Large displays
• Good value for money

Buy if:

You want long battery life and a modern-looking phone at the lowest price.

Samsung Galaxy J2 / J4 — Brand Trust + Easy Service

Samsung’s J series phones are older but still popular in the used segment. They are best known for reliability and easy service center access.

Key strengths:

• Trusted brand
• Good display quality
• Easy to repair

Ideal for:

People who prefer Samsung’s familiar UI and service network.

POCO M2 — Best Performance Under ₹5,000

POCO is known for strong chipsets. Many POCO M2 units appear in the used market at around ₹4,000–₹5,000, especially if they have cosmetic damage.

Why it’s special:

• 4GB RAM
• 64GB storage
• Strong processor for gaming

Best for:

Multitasking, light gaming, and performance-oriented users.

Vivo Y Series / Older Redmi Phones — Good All-Rounders

There are many Vivo Y models and older Redmi versions that fall into this budget. They usually offer balanced specs—good cameras, large displays, and 4000+ mAh batteries.

Perfect for:

Anyone who finds a well-maintained unit from a trusted seller.

How to Buy a Second-Hand Phone Safely (Must-Read)

Here are essential checks before finalizing a second-hand smartphone:

✔ Physical Inspection

• Look for cracks, dents, screen damage
• Check charging port stability
• Ensure buttons work properly

✔ Test All Functions

• Camera (front + back)
• Speaker and mic
• Fingerprint sensor
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hotspot
• Touchscreen accuracy

✔ Battery Condition

Ask for the actual battery backup or test the phone for 10–15 minutes.

✔ Check IMEI Number

Use *#06# to ensure IMEI on box matches the phone.

✔ Prefer Refurbished Grade A/B

• Grade A: Like new
• Grade B: Minor scratches
• Grade C: Heavy usage (avoid unless price is extremely low)

✔ Negotiate Smartly

Cosmetic issues = price reduction
Functional issues = avoid

Final Recommendations (Based on User Type)

⭐ For Students:

• Redmi 9
• Realme 5
• POCO M2

⭐ For Battery Backup Lovers:

• Infinix Smart Series
• Redmi 8/8A

⭐ For Camera Use:

• Redmi Note 6 Pro
• Realme 5 Pro

⭐ For Parents / Seniors:

• Nokia C21
• Samsung J2/J4

⭐ For Light Gaming:

• POCO M2
• Redmi 9

Conclusion

Choosing a second-hand smartphone under ₹5,000 is a smart decision if you know what to look for. The models listed above offer excellent value even in 2025 — whether you need a backup phone, a daily-use device, or something for study and communication.

With proper inspection and a trustworthy seller, you can get a powerful smartphone for a fraction of the original price.