Long-Term Value Phones: The main problem is regarding budget smartphones is how long they will last before slowing down or going out of support for software. A good phone should also have smooth performance, software updates, and a battery that lasts for years. Flagship phones do get the best long-term support, but some budget devices can last a solid 4 to 6 years with proper care. These are the best phones under ₹10,000 that will still manage to serve quite a bit into the future.

1. Samsung Galaxy M14 (Lasts 5 to 6 Years) 

With a price of around Rs 9,999, the Samsung Galaxy M14 is the right option for long-term use. The 6.6 PLS LCD display is combined with a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. Exynos 1330 processor handles day-to-day usage seamlessly. The phone runs on One UI 5 out of the box based on Android 13 and will get two major Android updates, along with four years of security updates. So it is good for 5-6 years minimum usage. The 6000mAh battery provides enough backup even after years of usage.

2. Motorola Moto G35 5G (Lasts 4 to 5 Years)

Available for around ₹9499, the Motorola Moto G35 5G has a stock Android experience without any bloatware. The 6.5 IPS LCD display is characterized by a refresh rate of 120Hz and hence is pretty smooth for gaming as well as browsing. The phone comes with MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ as a processor, which is efficient and supports 5G as well. Android 14 comes pre-installed, and Motorola guarantees one major OS update and three years worth of security patches, making the phone last for 4 to 5 years. The 5000mAh battery contributes towards durability.

3. Xiaomi Redmi 12 4G (Lasts 4 to 5 Years)

Xiaomi Redmi 12 4G is priced at ₹9899 and designed for long-term performance. The device comes with a 6.79-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display for sharp visuals. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 processor, it performs reasonably well under daily use. The phone runs on MIUI based on Android 13 with two major and three years of security support. The 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging allows the phone to survive for 4 to 5 years with taking good care of it.

4. Samsung Galaxy A05 (Lasts 5 to 6 Years)

The Galaxy A05 is roughly priced at ₹8,999, yet another durable alternative. With a 6.7-inch PLS LCD display, it has decent brightness and color. The MediaTek Helio G85 processor is optimal for running daily tasks. Samsung promises two major Andriod updates and four years of security updates, ensuring 5-6 years of life. The 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging makes sure it remains reliable in due time.

5. Realme C33 (3-4 Years Of Life)

The most affordable and, according to some users, the most reliable is the Realme C33, at ₹8,499. It has a 6.5 inches HD+ LCD screen, giving decent visual comfort. On the inside, there is the Unisoc T612 processor, which is fine for tasks on which the phone would be engaged. It is running Realme UI over Android 12, which should receive updates for about 2 years. Without any confirmed updates for the long term, this phone is estimated to survive 3 to 4 years. The backup over the years will be very good, aided by a hefty 5000mAh battery.

Samsung and Motorola are considered the best long-term support phones for 5-6 years of use, while Xiaomi and Realme provide reasonable hardware with a lower number of software support updates. If you can afford a much better phone for ₹11,000, which will come in with the best long-term usability and performance, choosing the right model is definitely important if you are on a tight budget.