BSNL, one of India’s oldest telecom giants, is making headlines once again — this time for launching an affordable BSNL 5G smartphone in October 2025. Designed especially for Indian users transitioning from 4G to 5G, this smartphone aims to bring high-speed connectivity, decent performance, and government-backed affordability into one package. After years of working to revive its mobile services, BSNL is now stepping into the device market, collaborating with Indian manufacturers to create a budget 5G smartphone that promises solid specs, practical features, and value-driven pricing.
India’s First Government-Backed 5G Smartphone Initiative
The BSNL 5G smartphone project comes under the government’s “Digital Bharat” initiative, which focuses on expanding 5G accessibility to rural and semi-urban regions. BSNL’s collaboration with local smartphone makers such as Lava and Micromax ensures the production remains “Make in India” certified. This move not only strengthens India’s telecom ecosystem but also ensures the price remains significantly lower compared to private brand 5G devices.
The smartphone aims to offer strong network connectivity, especially optimized for BSNL’s upcoming 5G rollout on the 700 MHz band, which provides a wider coverage area even in remote regions. The goal is simple — to make 5G connectivity affordable and reliable for every Indian household.
Design and Display: Simple, Practical, and Modern
The BSNL 5G smartphone focuses on utility and durability rather than luxury. It features a polycarbonate body with a matte finish that prevents fingerprints and improves grip. The design is minimalist, featuring a dual-camera setup and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated with the power button for quick access.
On the front, it sports a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smooth navigation and crisp visuals for multimedia and social media use. The screen is protected with Panda Glass protection, a durable alternative to Gorilla Glass. Despite being a budget phone, the display offers good color saturation and brightness levels suitable for outdoor visibility.
The phone comes in three color options — Graphite Black, Ocean Blue, and Copper Gold, designed to appeal to a wide demographic, including first-time smartphone buyers and those upgrading from feature phones.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the BSNL 5G smartphone runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a power-efficient 5G processor optimized for India’s network frequencies. The octa-core CPU is paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, expandable via a dedicated microSD slot up to 1TB.
This combination ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks like video streaming, online classes, banking, and social media. For casual gamers, titles like BGMI Lite and Free Fire Max run comfortably at moderate settings. The smartphone also includes UFS 2.2 storage, improving app launch speeds and multitasking performance compared to older eMMC models.
BSNL has also preloaded the device with AI Smart Manager, which optimizes RAM and battery usage automatically based on user behavior. The phone runs Android 14 (Go Edition), offering a clean, ad-free experience with timely security updates.
Camera Capabilities
The phone’s camera system is tuned for simplicity and clarity rather than professional-grade results. It houses a 50MP AI primary sensor and a 2MP depth lens at the back, paired with an 8MP selfie camera in the front. The rear camera captures clear daylight shots and decent low-light photos with the help of AI Scene Detection and Night Filter mode.
The camera interface remains straightforward, with modes like Panorama, Portrait, Pro, and Beauty. Video recording is supported up to 1080p at 30fps, with EIS for basic stabilization. While the camera won’t rival premium flagships, it easily outperforms other sub-₹15,000 devices in sharpness and natural color tone. For its target audience, the balance between simplicity and quality is perfectly aligned.
Battery and Charging
Battery performance is another highlight. The BSNL 5G smartphone comes equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, offering more than a day’s usage on moderate activity. Combined with the efficient Dimensity processor, it delivers impressive endurance even with continuous 5G usage.
Charging is handled through 18W fast charging via a USB Type-C port. The phone also supports reverse charging, allowing users to power smaller gadgets like earbuds or smartwatches. The battery has been tested under BSNL’s quality assurance standards for long-term reliability, ensuring minimal degradation after years of usage.
5G Connectivity and Benefits
BSNL’s core strength lies in connectivity, and this smartphone is built to take full advantage of that. It supports Dual 5G SIM cards with full compatibility on both SA (Standalone) and NSA (Non-Standalone) networks. The phone is specifically optimized for BSNL 5G bands, offering stable connections, low latency, and faster browsing speeds even in semi-urban regions.
One of the key benefits for users will be bundled BSNL plans. Customers purchasing the smartphone will receive:
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Free 5G SIM card with activation assistance
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3 months of unlimited 5G data (up to 150GB/month)
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Free access to BSNL Tunes, Cinema Plus, and Bharat Cloud Storage
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Priority customer service via BSNL Care App
This combination of hardware and service makes it one of the most practical 5G packages available in India in 2025.
Audio, Sensors, and Build Features
The phone includes dual speakers for stereo output, 3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, and Dirac Audio optimization for improved clarity during calls and music playback. Basic sensors like proximity, ambient light, gyroscope, and accelerometer are all present. The fingerprint sensor is fast, and face unlock is supported for added convenience.
Despite its low price, the BSNL 5G phone has a splash-resistant coating, protecting it against light rain or accidental spills. Its durable build ensures it can withstand rough handling, making it ideal for rural and outdoor environments where durability is often more valuable than aesthetics.
Price and Availability
BSNL aims to make this 5G smartphone affordable enough for the masses. The phone will be available in two configurations, catering to different budget segments.
| Variant | RAM/Storage | Expected Price (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Model | 4GB / 64GB | ₹10,999 |
| Top Model | 6GB / 128GB | ₹12,999 |
The device will be sold through BSNL service centers, official BSNL e-store, and partner retailers like Amazon and Flipkart starting October 28, 2025. Buyers opting for BSNL postpaid or prepaid 5G plans will also enjoy cashback of ₹1,000 directly credited to their BSNL account.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The BSNL 5G smartphone is not just another phone launch — it’s part of a strategic national move to make 5G accessible to every citizen. Private players have been quick to deploy 5G networks, but affordable hardware has remained a barrier for millions. By introducing a government-supported device with localized network optimization, BSNL bridges that gap.
For students, government employees, and small business owners, this phone offers a reliable combination of 5G speed, solid battery life, and essential features at a price that fits their budget. More importantly, it signals BSNL’s comeback as a digital connectivity leader after years of staying in the background. With growing coverage and partnerships, the company could once again become a serious competitor in India’s telecom ecosystem.
FAQs
What is the launch date of the BSNL 5G smartphone?
The BSNL 5G smartphone is expected to launch in October 2025, with sales beginning from October 28 across online and offline channels.
What processor powers the BSNL 5G smartphone?
It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset optimized for 5G networks and balanced power efficiency.
What are the expected prices in India?
The price is expected to start at ₹10,999 for the base variant and ₹12,999 for the higher-end model.
Does the BSNL 5G smartphone come with any bundled benefits?
Yes, BSNL offers free 5G data for 3 months, free 5G SIM, and access to BSNL Cinema Plus and Bharat Cloud services.
Is the BSNL 5G smartphone made in India?
Yes, it is part of the “Make in India” initiative, co-developed with local manufacturers under the government’s Digital Bharat mission.