The budget smartphone segment has become one of the most dynamic areas in the ever-evolving world of technology. In 2025, the demand for affordable yet feature-packed smartphones continues to soar in India. Consumers are no longer just looking for the lowest-priced options—they seek well-rounded devices that offer a seamless experience without stretching their budget. Manufacturers have stepped up their game, equipping budget-friendly smartphones with powerful processors, high-refresh-rate displays, capable cameras, and long-lasting batteries. Additionally, 5G connectivity is now more accessible in this price range, ensuring that even budget-conscious buyers can future-proof their purchase. With a growing number of options available, choosing the right smartphone under ₹10,000 can be overwhelming. Whether you're a student, a professional, or simply looking for a reliable secondary device, this guide will help you navigate the best smartphones in this segment, ensuring you get great value for your money.
The Redmi 14C 5G is a solid entry-level smartphone that brings 5G connectivity at an ultra-affordable price. Powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, it ensures smooth day-to-day performance and efficient multitasking. The massive 6.88-inch HD+ 120 Hz LCD display makes scrolling and media consumption feel fluid, while the 50 MP primary camera offers decent shots in good lighting conditions. Backed by a 5,160 mAh battery with 18W fast charging, the phone provides long-lasting usage, making it a dependable daily driver. MIUI software brings plenty of customization options, though some users may find pre-installed apps a drawback. If you’re looking for a future-proof 5G phone under ₹10,000 with a balance of performance and battery life, the Redmi 14C 5G is a worthy contender in this competitive segment.
The POCO C71 is a solid entry-level smartphone priced at just Rs 6,499, offering an appealing design, a large display, and surprisingly smooth performance for the budget segment. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users or those looking for an affordable secondary device. While it lacks 5G connectivity and offers basic camera performance, its fluid UI and long-lasting battery make up for these trade-offs. The 4GB+128GB and 6GB+128GB variants give users flexible options at minimal cost. Overall, the POCO C71 delivers great value for money and is a smart pick for budget-conscious buyers.
The Motorola G45 impresses with a premium design rarely seen in this segment. It delivers a near-stock Android experience, smooth day-to-day performance, reliable 5G connectivity, and decent camera output for its price. While there are a few compromises, like lower display brightness and slower storage speeds, they are minor and don’t take away from the overall experience. With its stylish build, clean software, and solid performance, the Motorola G45 is a well-rounded budget smartphone that offers excellent value and is a strong contender in the highly competitive affordable segment.
Samsung’s Galaxy M15 5G brings reliability and brand trust to the budget segment, offering a smooth and well-optimized experience. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, ensuring decent everyday performance and 5G connectivity at an affordable price. It features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display—a standout in this segment—with vibrant colours and deep blacks, ensuring a viewing experience like no other at this price point. The 50 MP primary camera delivers detailed photos in well-lit conditions, though night performance is limited. A massive 6,000 mAh battery ensures up to two days of usage, with 25W fast charging for quick top-ups. Running One UI 6, the M15 offers a clean and optimized software experience with long-term software support. If you prefer a trusted brand, an AMOLED display, and an excellent battery life, the Samsung Galaxy M15 5G is a great choice under ₹10,000.
The Vivo Y28e 5G is a stylish and feature-rich budget smartphone that prioritizes design, battery life, and a smooth UI. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, it offers reliable performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The 6.56-inch LCD with a 90 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, and Funtouch OS provides plenty of customizations. The 13 MP rear camera captures decent photos, but phones like the Galaxy M15 and Redmi 14C offer a superior camera experience. With a 5,000 mAh battery and 15W fast charging, it delivers all-day battery life. The phone’s sleek design and slim profile make it more premium-looking than some competitors. For users who prioritize aesthetics, and battery life, the Vivo Y28e 5G is a solid budget-friendly option.
Despite not being one of the latest budget phones on the market, the Redmi 13C 5G offers a reliable, future-proof 5G experience at an entry-level price. It features the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, ensuring reliable everyday performance. The 6.74-inch LCD with a 90 Hz refresh rate provides a decent viewing experience, making it great for content consumption. With a 50 MP AI camera, it captures acceptable daylight photos, though low-light shots lack detail. The 5,000 mAh battery with 18W charging ensures all-day usage. MIUI’s feature-rich interface makes the experience enjoyable, though pre-installed apps might be a drawback for some users. If you’re looking for one of the most affordable 5G phones with decent overall performance, the Redmi 13C 5G is a worthy contender.
The Infinix Hot 50 5G is a feature-packed budget smartphone that brings gaming and entertainment-focused features at an affordable price. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, it handles multitasking and light gaming with ease. The 6.7-inch HD+ LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, making it one of the best screens under ₹10,000. Infinix’s custom UI brings a lot of functionality but comes with pre-installed apps. If you want a gaming-friendly budget smartphone with a great display and fast charging, the Infinix Hot 50 5G is an excellent choice.
For those seeking a reliable, no-frills budget smartphone, the Redmi A4 5G is an excellent choice. Running on the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, it offers smooth performance for everyday tasks and basic gaming. The 6.88-inch HD+ LCD with a 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, while the 5,160 mAh battery keeps the device running throughout the day. MIUI’s feature-packed interface adds value, though it comes with some pre-installed apps. If you need a no-nonsense 5G phone under ₹10,000 that covers the basics well, the Redmi A4 5G is a practical choice.
| Product Name | Price | Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi 14C 5G | ₹ 9,999 | 4.0 |
| POCO C71 | ₹ 6,699 | 4.0 |
| Motorola Moto G45 5G | ₹ 10,990 | 3.7 |
| Samsung Galaxy M15 5G | ₹ 13,499 | 3.9 |
| Vivo Y28e 5G | ₹ 10,499 | 3.5 |
| Redmi 13C 5G | ₹ 10,700 | 4.0 |
| Infinix Hot 50 5G | ₹ 9,499 | 4.2 |
| Redmi A4 5G | ₹ 8,499 | 4.3 |
When you’re buying a smartphone under ₹10,000, you cannot be really picky about the features and specifications due to the low price point. However, you should keep an eye out for battery capacity, processor, and storage. Look for at least a 4,500 mAh, an octa-core CPU with decent processing power, and UFS or eMMC storage. Also, most modern-day phones, no matter the price, come with USB Type-C charging, so try and ensure your phone doesn’t have the dated micro-USB charging as well.
Which is the best phone under ₹10,000?At the time of writing this article, the best smartphone under ₹10,000 is the Xiaomi Redmi 10 (2022 variant). The phone runs on a Snapdragon 680 processor that is capable of gaming on a budget as well. It also comes with fast 18 W charging and a large 6,000 mAh battery. Another good option in this price range is the Realme Narzo 50A which has fantastic battery life and good cameras.
Which is the fastest mobile under ₹10,000?The fastest mobile phone under ₹10,000 is the Redmi 10. It is powered by the Snapdragon 680 6 nm chipset that scores approximately 2,60,000-2,70,000 on AnTuTu. The phone scores about 373 on the GeekBench Single Core test and 1548 on the GeekBench Multi Core test – all of which are really great scores at this price. Other powerful phones under ₹10K include the Realme Narzo 50A, Redmi 12c, Tecno Spark 8 Pro, Moto G31, and POCO C55.
Which smartphone under ₹10,000 has the best battery life?Our choice here would be the Redmi 10 since it has a large 6,000 mAh battery that works in tandem with a power-efficient chipset. Other good options are the Realme Narzo 50A and Infinix Hot 20 Play, both of which also have 6,000 mAh cells.