The sub-Rs 15,000 got a rejig this week with the launch of Redmi 10 Prime Xiaomi’s new affordable smartphone. The Redmi 10 Prime takes up the position left vacant by the Redmi Note 10 after its multiple price hikes. The latter still remains an attractive option in this price category though. Both these smartphones, and all the other on our list, are more than capable of handling your daily tasks and come with decent cameras too.
For example, the Motorola Moto G30 comes with a 64-megapixel main camera while both the Redmi 10 Prime and Poco M3 Pro 5G come with 90Hz displays that make them ideal for gaming. In case you are in the market for a budget smartphone, here are the best smartphones you can buy in India under Rs 15,000 right now.
Redmi 10 Prime
The latest smartphone to launch in this category and make it to our list is the Redmi 10 Prime. Priced at Rs 12,499 for the base variant, the Redmi 10 Prime is loaded with features, some of which are tough to find is this segment. It doesn’t give you a premium in-hand feel but, if you can keep that aside, you still get a 90Hz display, Helio G88 SoC, 50-megapixel primary camera and a big 6000mAh battery.
There is also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a dual speaker setup. All of this makes the Redmi 10 Prime a decent value for money smartphone.
Our verdict There is no doubt that Redmi 10 Prime makes a lot of features more accessible for users. The 50-megapixel main camera, 90Hz display and a 6000mAH battery make this a promising affordable smartphone. However, I am not convinced with the overall build, and we will see how the processor performs in everyday usage.
Motorola Moto G30
Motorola has been doing pretty well this year without making a lot of noise about it. Actually, that’s something it should look to change as well. Anyway, The Moto G30 is another good smartphone under Rs 15,000 and comes with features such as Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a notch on the top and a 64-megapixel camera setup. The biggest highlight of this device is the stock Android experience you get which is cleaner than the custom ROMs.
Our verdict: Motorola is a go-to brand if you are looking for a budget device, more so because of its clean Android experience. At just Rs 10,999, it comes with an impressive camera setup and an excellent processor if you want to perform basic tasks. The battery life in the Moto G30 is also pretty decent, given its price tag.
Poco M3 Pro 5G
If you are in the market for an affordable smartphone with 5G support, then the Poco M3 Pro should be on top of your shopping list. That’s not the only thing it has to offer though. The Poco M3 Pro 5G features a 90Hz display, which means you get a smooth gaming experience. It has an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor paired with up to 6GB of RAM. The phone comes with a setup of 48-megapixel cameras on the back. The price of the Poco M3 Pro is Rs 13,999 for the base variant.
Our verdict: The Poco M3 Pro 5G undercuts the Poco X3 and Redmi Note 10 Pro to emerge as a capable smartphone for gaming enthusiasts on a tight budget. The design and 5G support give it an edge over competitors. The RAM configuration, software experience and camera setup are exactly the same as the Poco M3, while the battery has actually been reduced. All of this makes the Poco M3 Pro 5G a good option in this category.
Redmi Note 10
The Redmi Note 10 remains to be an excellent choice despite multiple price hikes and newer competition. The smartphone now costs more than Rs 14,000 but, still has a plenty to offer starting with a premium in-hand feel. The phone looks more expensive than its actual cost and that’s the greatest trickery Xiaomi has pulled. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 processor, a 6.43-inch Full-HD+ display, and a 48-megapixel camera system on the back.
Our verdict: The Redmi Note 10 has one of the best displays at this price point, great battery life and a beautiful design. The camera performance is a bit consistent, but when it comes off, the images are really nice. The only thing you need to consider is the performance.
Realme Narzo 30A
The last mention on the list is the Realme Narzo 30A which is an affordable smartphone from the house of Realme. It has a good mix of specifications and offers a decent value for your money. The smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 processor, features a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a notch and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The phone costs Rs 8,999 for the variant with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
Our verdict: You have a large display, a decent processor, typically good cameras, and a mammoth battery that will last longer than most other phones would, on the Realme Narzo 30A. And all of this is available to you for Rs 8,999, which makes it a good phone.
