Smartphones have transcended the boundary from being luxury devices to absolute must-haves. Many still work from home, and kids of different ages attend online classes and courses. A good smartphone is a requirement to be able to carry out these activities. Moreover, bill payments, money transfers, and other financial transactions require a good and stable smartphone.
As smartphone usage has increased, so has their affordability and, as a result, their penetration. Today, it is common to find phones under 15000 that can perform all that is expected from them and more. Some of the top brands offering phones in the segment include Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi, and OPPO. However, due to the plethora of choices available, it can be tricky to figure out which model you should purchase. Here is a curated list of some of the best phones under ₹ 15,000 that you can consider buying this year.
1. Samsung Galaxy F23 5G
Samsung is a trailblazer in the smartphone industry, and its Galaxy phones have set the benchmark. While The Galaxy S series offers premium phones, the company has its F series for more budget-friendly options. The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G offers excellent value for money, as it comes with an impressive configuration of 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. Additionally, it sports a 6.6-inch Full HD+ screen and a 50 MP rear camera system. Apart from these premium features, the phone is 5G compatible and helps you future-proof your investment.
2. Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G
Xiaomi has firmly established itself as a worthy competitor to Samsung by introducing a slew of low-budget smartphones that do not compromise on performance or features. Take the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G, for instance. This is a 5G phone that is priced lower than the Samsung Galaxy F23 but can hold its own in most areas. The MediaTek Dimensity 700 MT6833 processor and the phone’s 4GB RAM extend the ability to multitask seamlessly. While the inbuilt ROM is 64 GB, it can be expanded up to a mammoth 512 GB using a memory card.
3. OPPO A57
A 2.3 GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 processor powers this fast and efficient OPPO phone, making it a very affordable choice for gamers and learners alike. The 6.56-inch display further enhances the visual experience with a screen resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a 90 Hz refresh rate. A 5,000 mAh battery ensures you stay connected for long durations and a 33W fast charger minimizes your downtime. The privacy of your data is guaranteed via a biometric lock, accessible with a side fingerprint sensor.
4. POCO M4 Pro
In a short duration, POCO has developed a strong fanbase due to its attractively priced yet high-performance phones under ₹ 15,000. The POCO M4 Pro, in particular, is a feature-rich phone with a solid configuration of 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The 2.4 GHz octa-core processor is one of the fastest in this segment, and the phone sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen accompanied by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added resilience. If your criterion is being more budget-conscious, then you can consider the cheaper 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM variant of this POCO smartphone.
5. Nokia G31
While Nokia missed the smartphone bandwagon in the initial periods, the company is back with a bang with its lineup of excellent phones under ₹ 15,000, such as the Nokia G31. The phone is only 8.5 mm thick and weighs a mere 129 gm. However, being sleek and lightweight are not its only USPs. It has a vibrant screen with a Water Drop Notch display that is gentle on the eyes without compromising clarity or contrast. It also features the Sunlight Brightness Boost technology that allows you to view the phone clearly in bright sunlight without needing to fidget with the screen’s brightness.
6. iQOO Z6 5G
Although a sub-brand of Vivo, iQOO sells its smartphones independently in India and holds its own. The iQOO Z6 5G is a delightful phone powered by the ever-reliable Snapdragon 695 chipset. The Full HD+ display has a sharp resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels with a 120 Hz refresh rate, offering fluid and clear visuals. An AI-enabled 50 MP triple-rear camera setup allows you to take lifelike pictures and share them seamlessly on your social media accounts. If you’re an avid gamer, you’re sure to love the phone’s 5-layer liquid cooling system that keeps the phone’s temperature in check, even while indulging in long and rigorous gaming sessions.
7. Realme 9i 5G
This dual SIM smartphone by realme is tailor-made for immersive gaming owing to its dedicated Mali-G57 graphics processing unit (GPU). It works in tandem with a 2.4 GHz MediaTek Dimensity 810 octa-core processor, known for its speed and responsiveness. Your gaming sessions are further strengthened with 5GB virtual RAM on top of 6GB in-built RAM. With such a robust specification list, this phone is well-suited to cater to your work, learning, and entertainment activities.
8. Tecno Pova 4
A relatively new entrant in the Indian market, Tecno has been making waves by providing premium features in phones under ₹ 15,000. The Tecno Pova 4, for example, comes with an awe-inspiring 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM combination. The RAM and the Helio G99 processor work together to handle heavy loads easily, making the phone ideal for gaming and using graphics-intensive apps. You also get a segment-best display screen size of 6.82 inches and an ultra-long-lasting 6000 mAh battery, letting you consume online content for hours at leisure.
9. Vivo T1 44W
The Vivo T1 44W is powered by the Snapdragon 680 processor, which runs through demanding tasks while being power and resource-efficient. If you require ample storage space, the phone’s ROM can be expanded to a whopping 1TB with the aid of a memory card. Photographers and designers adore this phone due to its sharp AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and 180 Hz touch sampling rate. A 50 MP primary rear camera helps you take stunning images and record videos in Full HD. The term ‘44W’ in the model’s name comes from its 44W super-fast charging support that lets you stay online and be productive without breaks.
10. Motorola Moto G60
We wrap up our list with another veteran brand. The Moto G60 gives the best bang for your buck and excels in several departments. The Snapdragon 732G processor, a solid mid-range chipset, is high-yielding and efficient. Furthermore, the 6.78-inch screen with HDR10 display is bright and gentle, while the 6,000 mAh battery is above-average for the category. Coming to its cameras, the 108 MP primary rear camera lets you click incredibly detailed photographs. Top this all with business-grade security using ThinkShield for Mobile, and you get a phone that is as good for work as it is for play.
These are 10 of the best low-budget smartphones under ₹ 15,000 and are sure to delight users and give tough competition to several premium phones in most departments.
