Best Mobile Phones Under ₹15,000 in India

The Realme 10 is powered by a solid budget chipset that works swimmingly well for most basic tasks.

Verdict - The Realme 10 is a capable budget phone for casual gamers and those who consume content on their smartphones. It comes with a bright Super AMOLED display with fast refresh rate that helps with immersiveness and keeps the phone feeling smooth. The design of the phone is also pretty good for its inexpensive pricepoint. The MediaTek Helio G99 SoC can easily run games such as BGMI and COD Mobile at Medium graphics with minimal stutters and lag. However, its base variant has merely 4 GB RAM which can prove to be a deterrent for those who multitask a lot.

Should I buy this?

Yes, if you’re looking for a solid performer for casual gaming and content consumption without breaking the bank.

The iQOO Z6 44W combines a reliable processor with speedy fast charging. It is easily one of the most value-for-money smartphones under ₹15K.

Verdict - The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC featured on the iQOO Z6 44W is one of the more reliable SoCs in the budget smartphone segment. Built on a 6nm process, this SoC’s max clock speed is a respectable 2.4 GHz. We’ve tested this SoC on many phones and it has proved to be a solid performer when it comes to day-to-day tasks or light gaming. However, the 60 Hz display takes away from what could be a really smooth overall experience. Also, the phone is not 5G enabled, so keep that in mind.

Should I buy this?

Yes, if you’re looking for a reliable performer, with appealing features, without breaking the bank.

A 5G-ready budget smartphone that covers all the basics, but with a few compromises on features.

Verdict - If you’re looking for the most feature-packed phone under ₹15,000, turn away. The Redmi 11 Prime 5G doesn’t have any path-breaking specs or features, but it covers the basics well while providing 5G connectivity, something that will be sought out by many soon enough. The MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC it houses is capable of handling everyday tasks and light gaming (at low/medium graphics).

Should I buy this?

Depends. If you’re looking for a 5G-ready phone with a capable enough SoC, then yes. But if you want a good camera stack or speedy charging speeds, look elsewhere.

The Motorola Moto G40 Fusion is a suitable choice for users who prefer a clean Android experience, coupled with performance and a big battery.

Verdict - Powered by the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G chipset, the Motorola Moto G40 Fusion is adept at handling gaming with ease. The Snapdragon 732G is known for being one of the best gaming chipsets in this budget segment. Add to that a massive 6.8-inch display with 120 Hz refresh rate, and you’ve got a phone that feels smooth to use whether you’re gaming or simply scrolling through apps. Plus, you’ve got a long-lasting 6,000 mAh battery for those marathon gaming sessions.

Should I buy this?

Yes, if you’re looking for a budget phone with a proven gaming processor and near Stock Android experience in this price segment.

A 4G smartphone with an excellent AMOLED display that works well for media consumption.

Verdict- The Redmi Note lineup is known for devices that provide bang for your buck, and the Note 11 is no different. It features a super bright AMOLED screen that also helps conserve battery by turning off the black pixels. Moreover, its 5,000 mAh battery is capable of lasting most users a day and a half to two days, while power users should end the day comfortably before needing to charge the phone.

Should I buy this?

Yes, if you are looking for a phone to watch YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming platforms, this is a capable budget option.

The Motorola Moto G52 is one of the slimmest and lightest smartphones in this price segment and is equipped with a capable budget Snapdragon SoC.

Verdict -The Moto G52 impresses with its crisp OLED display alongside capable enough Dolby Atmos-powered stereo speakers. These add up to provide an immersive content consumption or gaming experience. Add to that the capable Snapdragon 680 SoC that can handle games such as Call of Duty Mobile at medium graphics with ease, and you have a solid budget phone. However, steer clear of the 4 GB RAM model since it isn't capable of multitasking much. Also, the camera performance isn’t reliable at night.

Should I buy this?

If you’re seeking 5G support and reliable cameras, then look elsewhere. But if performance, build, and display are of utmost importance to you, this is a viable option.

The Poco M5 is one of the most good-looking phones you can buy without putting a large dent in your wallet.

Verdict- If design is the most important criteria for you when picking a phone, the Poco M5 is one of the most stylish phones you can purchase on a budget. It has a solid display for watching videos, the powerful MediaTek Helio G99 processor which will carry out your daily tasks with ease, and a great primary camera. However, while the phone has great battery life, it does take very long to charge to full. This is a great value for money phone that definitely deserves a spot on this list of best phones under 15K.

Should I buy this?

Yes. If you are looking for a stylish, value-for-money device for students or casual phone users, the Poco M5 is a great option to consider.

The Realme 9i 5G is virtually similar to the Realme 9i 4G variant but gets 5G support and a big performance boost at the cost of features such as stereo speakers, fast charging, and a better selfie camera.

Verdict- If 5G tops the feature list for you, the Realme 9i 5G makes sense in every way. It is affordable, looks unique enough to grab attention and has quite a powerful processor. The MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset is good enough to game on with minimal lag. We ran COD Mobile at 60 fps at 99 per cent stability. It also has a capable primary camera for your point and shoot photo needs. However, if features such as stereo speakers, fast charging, and a better display are important for you, this may not be the best option for you.

Should I buy this?

Depends. If 5G is of utmost importance, this phone offers that along with reliable performance, however, it misses out on some features.

If you’re gunning for the best battery life in a phone under ₹15,000, few can match up to the Samsung Galaxy M13’s monstrous 6,000 mAh cell. 

Verdict- One of the latest additions to Samsung’s popular M-series, this 5G phone supports 11 5G bands and comes packing the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC. This SoC is decent enough for light gaming and everyday tasks such as calling, texting, web browsing, and OTT streaming. All of this is powered by a 6,000 mAh battery that can easily last you two days, no matter if you’re a light or heavy user. However, the 15 W charging leaves something to be desired and the selfie camera performance is quite underwhelming. There are phones that offer higher wattage charging speeds at the same price point.

Should I buy this?

Yes, if battery life is the most important factor when considering a smartphone, this is one of the best at this price segment.

The iQOO Z6 Lite 5G is the world’s first phone to house the new 5G-ready Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC.

Verdict- The iQOO Z6 Lite 5G features the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC that replaces the Snapdragon 480+ chipset from last year. This chip runs on a 6nm process and allegedly comes with 15 percent faster CPU performance and 10 percent better GPU performance compared to its predecessor. Alongside this new and capable chipset, you also get 120 Hz refresh rate on a strict budget, making animations and scrolling a smooth affair. However, the 18 W charging speeds are quite slow by 2022 standards.

Should I buy this?

Yes, if you’re looking for a 5G ready phone on a budget with the latest gen budget chipset from Qualcomm which should provide reliable performance.