The budget smartphone market in India has undergone a revolution in 2025, with sub-₹15,000 devices now offering features that rival mid-range phones from just a couple years ago. From 120Hz AMOLED displays to powerful 5G processors and multi-day battery life, today's affordable smartphones deliver incredible value.
In this comprehensive guide, we've tested and compared the top 5 smartphones under ₹15,000 available in April 2025 to help you make the best purchase decision based on your needs.
Why Buy a Smartphone Under ₹15,000 in 2025?
Gone are the days when budget phones meant significant compromises. The 2025 lineup under ₹15,000 from brands like Motorola, Samsung, Poco, Realme, and Vivo includes features that were previously only found in phones costing twice as much.
Best for: Outdoor users and those who want a rugged phone or premium design at budget price.
Current Price: ₹14,999
5. Vivo T4x 5G – The Performance Beast
Key Specifications:
Display: 6.72" FHD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1050 nits
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (4nm)
Memory: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage (UFS 3.1)
Battery: 5000mAh with 44W fast charging
OS: Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14
Cameras: 50MP main + 2MP depth sensor
Other Features: IP64 rating, ultra-bright mode
Why This Stands Out:
Most powerful chipset - Dimensity 7300 leads the pack
Brightest display - Excellent sunlight visibility
Fast storage - UFS 3.1 for quicker app loads
Good thermal management - Sustained performance
Best for: Power users who need maximum performance and those who use phones outdoors frequently.
Current Price: ₹14,999
Detailed Comparison Table
Feature
Motorola G64
Samsung M35
Poco M7 Pro
Realme P3x
Vivo T4x
Display Type
IPS LCD
Super AMOLED
AMOLED
IPS LCD
IPS LCD
Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
120Hz
120Hz
120Hz
Processor
Dimensity 7025
Exynos 1380
Dimensity 7025 Ultra
Dimensity 6400
Dimensity 7300
RAM/Storage
12GB/256GB
6GB/128GB
6GB/128GB
8GB/128GB
8GB/128GB
Battery
6000mAh
6000mAh
5110mAh
6000mAh
5000mAh
Charging
33W
25W
45W
45W
44W
Main Camera
50MP
50MP (OIS)
64MP
50MP
50MP
Durability
IP52
-
-
IP69
IP64
Special Features
Clean Android
4 OS updates
Dolby Vision
Eco-leather option
Brightest display
Performance Benchmarks (AnTuTu v10):
Vivo T4x: 580,000 points
Poco M7 Pro: 520,000 points
Motorola G64: 510,000 points
Realme P3x: 490,000 points
Samsung M35: 480,000 points
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
After extensive testing and comparison, here's our final recommendation based on different user needs:
Best Overall: Motorola G64 5G
With its perfect balance of performance, battery life, clean software, and ample storage, the Motorola G64 is the best all-rounder in this budget.
Best Display: Samsung Galaxy M35 5G
If screen quality is your priority, nothing beats Samsung's Super AMOLED panel with its vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Best for Gaming: Poco M7 Pro 5G
The combination of AMOLED display, powerful chipset, and excellent haptics makes this ideal for mobile gamers.
Most Durable: Realme P3x 5G
With its IP69 rating and eco-leather option, this is perfect for users who need a rugged or premium-looking device.
Most Powerful: Vivo T4x 5G
Featuring the fastest processor in this segment, this is the phone for performance enthusiasts.
Which of these smartphones are you considering? Let us know in the comments below! We'd love to hear about your decision-making process and answer any additional questions you might have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which phone has the best camera under ₹15,000?
A: The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G has the best camera setup with its 50MP OIS main sensor that delivers excellent stabilization and low-light performance. The Poco M7 Pro comes close with its higher 64MP resolution, but lacks OIS.
Q: Are these phones good for heavy gaming like BGMI?
A: Yes, particularly the Vivo T4x and Poco M7 Pro can handle games like BGMI at Smooth + Extreme settings (around 50-60fps). The Motorola G64 also performs well for gaming, while the others are better suited for medium settings.
Q: How long will these phones receive software updates?
A: Samsung M35 leads with promised 4 years of security updates. Motorola G64 typically provides 3 years. The other brands usually offer 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security patches.
Q: Which has the best battery life?
A: The Motorola G64, Samsung M35, and Realme P3x all have 6000mAh batteries that can last 2 days with moderate use. Among these, Motorola's optimization gives it a slight edge in battery endurance.
Q: Is AMOLED worth choosing over IPS LCD?
A> AMOLED displays (in Samsung M35 and Poco M7 Pro) offer better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. They're particularly better for media consumption and always-on displays. However, good IPS LCDs (like in Motorola and Vivo) can be very capable with better sunlight visibility in some cases.
Reader Questions & Answers
Q: How does real-world performance compare between these phones for daily use?
A: In daily usage (social media, browsing, videos), all five phones perform smoothly. The Vivo T4x feels snappiest when switching between heavy apps, while the Motorola G64 offers the most consistent performance over time thanks to its clean software. The Samsung M35 might show slight stutters when many apps are open due to less RAM.
Q: Which phone has the best audio quality?
A: The Poco M7 Pro with its Dolby Atmos tuning offers the best multimedia audio experience. The Motorola G64 comes close with its dual stereo speakers. For calls, the Samsung M35 has the clearest voice reception in our testing.
Q: Are any of these phones good for photography enthusiasts?
A> While none can match flagship cameras, the Samsung M35 with its OIS provides the most reliable camera for casual photography. The Poco M7 Pro captures more detail in good light. For portrait shots, the Vivo T4x has better edge detection in our tests.
Q: Which would you recommend for a student?
A> For students, we'd recommend the Motorola G64 for its clean Android experience (less distracting), huge battery, and ample storage for notes and study materials. The Realme P3x is also a good choice for its durability if the student is rough with devices.
Q: How future-proof are these phones for 5G networks?
A> All support 5G, but the Vivo T4x and Motorola G64 have the most comprehensive 5G band support (12+ bands each). The Samsung M35 supports fewer bands but covers all major Indian 5G networks. They should all work well with 5G for at least 3-4 years.
