As the mercury is rising, the Indian budget smartphones market also getting hotter day by day. Brands like Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, Realme and Vivo are launching budget smartphones packed with more powerful and energy efficient processors, more 5G bands, AI– powered cameras and premium designs at under ₹15,000. If you are also hunting for the latest smartphones under budget segment then this list will guide you to make the smart decision to pick the best device offering cutting edge specs, improved software, and future ready features.
The Mediatek Dimensity 7300 which was earlier exclusive to the smartphones above ₹20000 is now available under ₹15,000. Also Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, Mediatek Dimensity 6300 are now common in this price range.
SAMSUNG Galaxy M16 5G/ SAMSUNG Galaxy F16 5G
Price: ₹12,999 Buy here
As per the specifications both the phones are same. Only different in names as per the online availability on the two major platforms i.e Amazon and Flipkart respectively.
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 6300. AnTuTu score 422K+| 2.4GHz, 2GHz Clock Speed with Octa-Core Processor
- Display: 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED with 90Hz refresh rate.
- Cameras: 50MP (F1.8) Main Wide Angle Camera + 5MP (F2.2) Ultra Wide Angle Camera + 2MP Macro Angle Camera| 13MP (F2.0)Selfie Camera
- Battery: 5000mAh with 25W charging.
- OS: One UI Core 6.1 (Android 14) with 6 Gen OS Upgrade and 6-year security updates.
Why Buy?
Samsung finally brought a slimmest in segment display with 90Hz AMOLED screen to its budget F and M series under ₹15k. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 handles multitasking smoothly, and the 50MP OIS camera clicks sharp social-media-ready shots. The clean One UI 6.1 and with 6 Gen OS Upgrade and 6-year security updates its future ready.
Compromise:
No charger in the box and water dew drop notch.
iQOO Z10x / Vivo T4x 5G
Price: ₹12,499 Buy here
As per the specifications both the phones are same. Only different in names as per the online availability on the two major platforms i.e Amazon and Flipkart respectively.
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7300. AnTuTu score 728K+ (2.5GHz, 2GHz Clock Speed with Octa-Core Processor)
- Display: 6.72″ FHD+ 120Hz refresh rate IPS Panel.
- Cameras: 50MP + 2MP | 8MP Front Camera
- Battery: 6500mAh with 44W flash charging.
- OS: Funtouch OS 15 (Android 15) with 2 Gen OS Upgrade and 3-year security updates.
Why Buy?
iQOO Z10x / Vivo T4x 5G comes with MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and a massive 6500mAh battery with 44w flash charging support. Though its a IPS 6.72″ FHD+ 120Hz screen but it is of good qaulity. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 handles multitasking smoothly, and the 50 MP AI Camera Snap stunning photos with advanced AI, delivering clarity and precision in every shot. Quad-curved edges on the back create a sleek, ergonomic design that fits perfectly in your hand and feels great to grip. With a thickness of a mere 0.809 cm, the phone is comfortable to hold in your hand, even for long hours.
Compromise:
IPS LCD panel no AMOLED.
Lava Bold 5G
Price: ₹12,499 Buy here
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 6300. AnTuTu score 422K+| 2.4GHz, 2GHz Clock Speed with Octa-Core Processor
- Display: 6.67″(16.94 cm) FHD+ 120Hz 3D Curved Amoled Display,In-Display Fingerprint sensor
- Cameras: 64MP Sony Rear Camera, 16MP selfie camera
- Battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging.
- OS: Clean Android 14 OS (No Bloatware, No Ads) with Assured upgrade to Android 15 and 2-year security updates.
Why Buy?
Lava Bold 5G comes with MediaTek Dimensity 6300 and a massive 5000mAh battery with 33w fast charging support. 6.67″(16.94 cm) FHD+ 120Hz 3D Curved Amoled Display with In-Display Fingerprint sensor, Widevine L1 DRM Protection – Enjoy all your Content in High Resolution. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 handles multitasking smoothly, and the 64MP Sony rear camera clicks sharp social-media-ready shots. Also comes with IP64 dust and water resistant.
Compromise:
Only upgradable to Android 15.
CMF Phone 1
Price: ₹15,999(under ₹15,000 after bank offers) Buy here
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7300. AnTuTu score 673K+ (2.5GHz, 2GHz Clock Speed with Octa-Core Processor)
- Display: 6.67″(16.94 cm) FHD+ 120Hz Amoled Display
- Cameras: Dual Camera Setup: 50MP Main Camera (IMX882, f/1.79 Aperture, 1/1.953 inch Sensor Size, EIS, Autofocus) + 2MP Camera (SC202CS, f/2.4 Aperture, 1/5.1 inch Sensor Size)/ 16MP Front Camera
- Battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging.
- OS: Nothing OS 2.6, (Android 14) with 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security updates.
Why Buy?
CMF Phone 1 comes with MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and a massive 5000mAh battery with 33w fast charging support. 6.67″(16.94 cm) FHD+ 120Hz Amoled Display The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 handles multitasking smoothly, and For wonderfully natural photography, CMF Phone 1 has an exceptional Sony 50 MP rear camera with a dedicated portrait sensor to really bring your subject to life.
Compromise:
No charger in the box.
POCO M7 Pro 5G
Price: ₹15,999 (under ₹15,000 after bank offers)Buy here
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra Processor, AnTuTu score 500K+.(2.5GHz, 2GHz Clock Speed with Octa-Core Processor)
- Display: 6.67″(16.94 cm) gOLED FHD+ 120Hz Display (In-Display Fingerprint)
- Cameras:50MP + 2MP | 20MP Front Camera (50MP Sony LYT 600 OIS Dual Camera)
- Battery: 5110mAh with 45W fast charging.
- OS: HyperOS (Based on Android 14) with 2 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security updates.
Why Buy?
POCO M7 Pro 5G comes with MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra Processor and a massive 5110mAh battery with 45w fast charging support. 6.67″(16.94 cm) gOLED FHD+ 120Hz Display The MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra handles multitasking smoothly, and For wonderfully natural photography, POCO M7 Pro 5G has an exceptional Sony 50 MP rear camera with OIS a dedicated portrait sensor to really bring your subject to life.
Compromise:
Not clean OS comes with pre installed bloatware and Ads.
Infinix Note 50x 5G+
Price: ₹11,499 Buy here
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate Processor, AnTuTu score 700K+.(2.5GHz, 2GHz Clock Speed with Octa-Core Processor)
- Display: 6.67″(16.94 cm) HD+ 120Hz IPS LCD Display
- Cameras:50MP + AI Lens | 8MP Front Camera
- Battery: 5500mAh with 45W fast charging.
- OS: XOS 15 (Based on Android 15) with 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security updates.
Why Buy?
Infinix Note 50x 5G+ comes with MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate Processor and a massive 5500mAh battery with 45w fast charging support. 6.67″(16.94 cm) HD+ 120Hz IPS LCD Display The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate Processor handles multitasking smoothly. The NOTE 50x 5G+ is MIL-STD-810H certified and IP64 rated for ultimate durability; so your phone can handle drops, dust, water, and extreme temperatures with ease.
Compromise:
Only HD+ Dispaly.
What Should You look in budget smartphones?
- Chipset: Look for phones with powerfull chips (e.g., MediaTek Dimensity 7300, Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 and MediaTek Dimensity 6400/6300).
- Display Quality: AMOLED panels are now common under ₹15k.
- Software Longevity: Brands like Samsung and Motorola promise 3–4 years of updates.
- Fast Charging: 45W+ chargers save time.
Final Verdict
Although some smartphones in the list are also available in 4 GB RAM options but it is recommended to go for minimum 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM option. All these phones launched in early 2025 bring meaningful upgrades over 2024 models, making this the perfect time to upgrade!
Also you can explore my other article related to tech and gadgets at https://technexuslabs.com/
Image Credits: Thank you to Amazon.in and Flipkart.com for the product images used in this article. All rights belong to the respective copyright holders.