There's a quiet battle happening in the refurbished aisles right now, and it's a fun one. In one corner, the Apple iPhone 12, starting at Rs 19,299. In the other, the OnePlus 11, a 2023 flagship killer now going for Rs 25,799. Two very different phones, one very similar budget.
The iPhone 12 is the safe bet. It's available across 7 stores, parts and repairs are everywhere, and resale value holds up better than almost anything else at this price. You get iOS, a compact design that's honestly refreshing in 2026, and a camera that still punches above its class.
The OnePlus 11 is the spec monster. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a 120Hz AMOLED display that makes the iPhone 12's 60Hz screen feel dated, and charging so fast you'll forget overnight charging was ever a thing. Hasselblad-tuned cameras round out a package that cost Rs 56,999 at launch.
So which one wins? It comes down to what annoys you more. If a slower screen bothers you, the OnePlus is the obvious pick. If you want a phone that just works for years and sells easily when you're done with it, the iPhone is hard to argue against.
Either way, the real winner is anyone shopping refurbished right now. Both of these were dream phones not long ago, and today they cost less than many budget phones do brand new.