Gone are the days where the sub 15K market is overcrowded with various models to chose from. In the current scenario, the choices have become slim to none, making it pretty tough for anyone to find the best phones under Rs 15000 in India. This price range is currently taken over by Xiaomi and its sub-brands followed by Realme and others. Although it is hard to believe, the majority of these below-mentioned are excellent performers and do go on par with some mid-range flagships. With that said, let us quickly get into the list of best phones under Rs 15000 that you can buy right now.
These are the best phones under 15000 Rs that you can buy today
1. Realme 8 5G
Realme’s numbered series of devices are famous around the globe and goes on toe-to-toe with Redmi’s Note series of devices. Realme 8 5G was recently launched in the country alongside the Realme 8 Pro 5G. If you are someone who would want to make a shift to a 5G phone as cheaply as possible, Realme 8 is for you. If you are someone who follows the smartphone world, you would know that Realme is one such brand that does not compromise on the design, despite its affordability factors.
Realme 8 5G is no exception to that. The design here looks stunning and is well-built. Weighing in at 185 grams the device feels super premium in hands and is slimmer compared to the competition. While one might argue with the fact the Realme has gone with a glossy back finish rather than the matte finish, which technically is a current scenario in the market, we think it suits the device the best and most of the time it might end up in a case or cover. Do note that, the sides here are completely made of plastic. On the facade is where you find the 6.5-inch Full-HD+ display with a resoultion of 2400 x 1080 pixels.
The refresh rate here is 90Hz, which most buyers would prefer. Clearly, Realme did not cut any corners with the display here. But, one thing we did not like here is the chin. It is huge and not a fair standard for a device in 2021. Under the hood, the device is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC. Do note that, Realme 8 5G is the first device to feature this chipset. Day-to-day tasks, social media, and opening-closing of applications are super smooth here. If you have used a Realme device in the past, you know how well-optimized the interface is. RAM management, regardless of the unit you opt for is great by keeping everything in the memory for a longer period.
As for the gaming, you can absolutely nail it with some light gaming. If you consider heavy games like Battlegrounds or COD, well, the performance here is okay-ish with some acceptable frame rates. As for the optics, you can find a triple rear camera setup on the back of the device. The primary sensor here is a 48 MP unit coupled with a 2 MP macro and 2 MP depth sensor. Obviously, this is a price range where companies have to cut some corners. But, Realme could have gone with either a telephoto or ultrawide sensor here. On bright lighting, the 48 MP sensor can produce some excellent images with good detailing. During the low lighting conditions too, the phone performs surprisingly well. All this is backed by a 5000 mAh battery which supports fast charging at 18W.
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Specification:
- OS: Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0
- Display: 6.5-inch Full HD+ LCD screen, 2400 × 1080 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Octa-Core MediaTek Dimensity 700
- Memory: 4GB / 8GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 128GB (UFS 2.1) storage, expandable up to 1TB with microSD
- Rear Camera: 48MP primary lens (f/1.8 aperture, LED flash) + 2MP B&W, and 2MP 4cm macro sensor with f/2.4
- Front Camera: 16MP front camera with f/2.1
- Connectivity: 5G SA/ NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Extra: Hi-Res Audio, Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging
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2. Redmi Note 10
The Realme 8 5G is our second choice on the list of best phones under 15000 Rs. Realme 8 5G was recently launched in the country alongside the Realme 8 Pro 5G. If you are someone who would want to make a shift to a 5G phone as cheaply as possible, Realme 8 is for you. If you are someone who follows the smartphone world, you would know that Realme is one such brand that does not compromise on the design, despite its affordability factors.
Realme 8 5G is no exception to that. The design here looks stunning and is well-built. Weighing in at 185 grams the device feels super premium in hands and is slimmer compared to the competition. While one might argue with the fact the Realme has gone with a glossy back finish rather than the matte finish, which technically is a current scenario in the market, we think it suits the device the best and most of the time it might end up in a case or cover. Do note that, the sides here are completely made of plastic. On the facade is where you find the 6.5-inch Full-HD+ display with a resoultion of 2400 x 1080 pixels.
The refresh rate here is 90Hz, which most buyers would prefer. Clearly, Realme did not cut any corners with the display here. But, one thing we did not like here is the chin. It is huge and not a fair standard for a device in 2021. Under the hood, the device is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC. Do note that, Realme 8 5G is the first device to feature this chipset. Day-to-day tasks, social media, and opening-closing of applications are super smooth here. If you have used a Realme device in the past, you know how well-optimized the interface is. RAM management, regardless of the unit you opt for is great by keeping everything in the memory for a longer period.
As for the gaming, you can absolutely nail it with some light gaming. If you consider heavy games like Battlegrounds or COD, well, the performance here is okay-ish with some acceptable frame rates. As for the optics, you can find a triple rear camera setup on the back of the device. The primary sensor here is a 48 MP unit coupled with a 2 MP macro and 2 MP depth sensor. Obviously, this is a price range where companies have to cut some corners. But, Realme could have gone with either a telephoto or ultrawide sensor here. On bright lighting, the 48 MP sensor can produce some excellent images with good detailing. During the low lighting conditions too, the phone performs surprisingly well. All this is backed by a 5000 mAh battery which supports fast charging at 18W.
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Specification:
- OS: Android 11 with MIUI 12.5
- Display: 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen, 1080 × 2400 pixels, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor: Octa-Core MediaTek Dimensity 700
- Memory: 4GB/6GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (UFS 2.2) storage, expandable up to 512GB with microSD
- Rear Camera: 48MP primary lens (1/2″ Sony IMX582 sensor, 0.8μm pixel size, LED Flash) + 8MP (118° ultra-wide sensor) + 2MP depth + 2MP macro camera
- Front Camera: 13MP front-facing camera
- Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Extra: IP53 Water-resistant, Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging
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3. Realme Narzo 20 Pro
Realme Narzo series is targeted towards Millenials and is one of the most famous mid-range series in the country. Despite the fact that the company has forgotten the Narzo series is initiated for buyers with budgets under 10000 rupees, the Narzo 20 Pro is a worthy contender at this price. Narzo 20 Pro is launched alongside the Narzo 20 and Narzo 20A. The device itself is a mix of Realme 7 and Realme 7 Pro. The device features a victory design with those V-shaped lines which we have seen on some of the Vivo V-series devices.
Realme is always known for its unique designs and Narzo 20 Pro is no exception to that. The device features a glossy finish on a plastic back and it does not look cheap at all. Unlike the previous devices in the list, the device itself is heavy and weighs about 191 grams. As for the display, the device boasts 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. The display itself is smooth and does not disappoint during media consumption at all.
Under the hood, the device is powered by MediaTek Helio G95 SoC. The device gains a bump of performance over the MediaTek G90T processor. The device does not tire a bit during the over all usage. I mean, the day-to-day performance is top notch and so is gaming. The gameplay, no matter which title you consider can be played in high graphics with excellent frame rates. But during the extensive gaming periods, it tends to shutter a bit.
As for the optics, the device features a 48 MP sensor coupled with an 8 MP ultrawide sensor. Both these sensors perform as one would expect during the good lighting conditions and the presence of 2 MP portrait cameras and 2 MP macro cameras is a not so great addition as during day-to-day usage, they are not so useful. All this is powered by a 4500 mAh battery which supports 65W SuperDart charging. Meaning the device can charge from 0 to 100 in under 40 minutes.
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Specification:
- OS: Android 10 with Realme UI
- Display: 6.5-inch Full HD+ LCD screen, 2400 × 1080 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 3+
- Processor: Octa-Core MediaTek Helio G95
- Memory: 6GB/8GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (UFS 2.1) storage, expandable up to 256GB with microSD
- Rear Camera: 48MP main camera (f/1.8 aperture, LED flash) + 8MP 119° ultra-wide-angle (f/2.3 aperture) + 2MP B&W portrait camera + 2MP 4cm macro sensor (f/2.4 aperture)
- Front Camera: 16MP front camera with f/2.1
- Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS, 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type-C
- Extra: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 4500mAh battery with 65W SuperDart Charge
Lowest Price With Offer:
4. Moto G40 Fusion
The Moto G40 Fusion is our fourth choice on the list of best phones under 15000 Rs. Moto G-series has a long history of good mid-rangers and were even famous than Xiaomi’s Redmi series of phones. But, after Lenovo owning the company, Moto has been merely considered and there are various reasons for that. For starters, the price to performance ratio. Indian market is always concerned about the same with Redmi and Realme on board, it has been pretty tough for Moto to sustain in the mid-range market. But, Moto G40 Fusion is arguable an exception to that.
Aiming at the affordable market, the G40 Fusion has been priced just below 15,000 in India which a lot of people prefer, at least in the country. To begin with the design, the device is almost identical to the Moto G60. Yes, it is a bulky device and weighs about 225 grams but there is no issue when it comes to comfort while holding. The glossy back and the side frame here are made of polycarbonate but give us an impact of a premium device made of glass. It is worth noting that the fingerprint sensor here resides on the back of the device which is not a bad thing as side-mounted sensors often face consistency issues.
The display here is 6.78-inch IPS LCD panel which despite lacking AMOLED can produce some punchy colors and contrasts. Also, the display sports a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 732 SoC, which by now is a bit old but still a great chipset. That coupled with light-weight to stock experience, the device without a doubt performs really well. Despite supporting HD graphics and high frame rates on top titles, the gaming here shutters. a bit. It is understandable considering the SoC is not made for gaming.
That said, the 64 MP primary camera is a great addition and a wide-angle sensor here is a welcome move. If given proper lighting, the device can produce some great images with excellent dynamic range on both front and rear primary sensors. Obviously, the 8 MP secondary sensor is not that great but gets the job done. All this powered by a 6000 mAh battery that supports 20W fast charging.
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Specification:
- OS: Android 11
- Display: 6.8-inch Full HD+ screen, 1080 × 2460 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Octa-Core Snapdragon 732G
- Memory: 4GB/6GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (UFS 2.1) storage, expandable up to 1TB with microSD
- Rear Camera: 64MP primary lens with LED flash + 8MP ultra-wide sensor with macro + 2MP depth sensor
- Front Camera: 16MP front camera f/2.2 aperture
- Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), VoWiFi, Bluetooth 5, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou, 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type-C, NFC
- Extra: P2i Water Repellent, Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 6000 mAh battery with 20W fast charging
Lowest Price With Offer:
5. Redmi Note 10S
While Xiaomi’s Mi series of devices are great and have put the company in top place around the globe, it is without a doubt company’s Redmi Note lineup that has charted out success for the company. Redmi Note series is without a doubt a game changer and also enjoys the biggest share of the smartphone market in the country. The company has announced Redmi Note 10 series and has recently announced yet another device to the lineup dubbed Redmi Note 10S. As one would expect, the device sits right between Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10 Pro.
While the device itself is not as premium-looking as Redmi Note 10 Pro, it offers better ergonomics and weighs in just about 178 grams. Just like the Redmi Note 10, the Note 10S also sports a 6.43-inch AMOLED display and the fingerprint sensor is embedded in the power button. Typical Redmi stuff! The refresh rate is stuck at 60Hz without any fancy numbers. The display is bright with excellent viewing angles. Given the AMOLED on board, the display features punchy colors and contrasty blacks.
So, you might be wondering what makes the Redmi Note 10S different from other Note 10’s. Well, it has to be the SoC. Xiaomi had gone with MediaTek instead of Snapdragon for the chipset. The device is powered by MediaTek Helio G95 SoC which is a gaming oriented chipset. The device will be made available in 6 or 8 GB RAM variants to choose from and comes with UFS 2.2 storage. Do note that despite having a good SoC, MIUI here is not properly integrated with the SoC, at least that is what I felt. The app launch speeds are a bit longer than normal. Despite having a gaming oriented SoC on board, the device will end up throttling. Even during the Low graphics, the device suffers a bit.
As for the cameras, the device borrows the Redmi Note 10 Pro camera with the same setup but different tweaks. With the primary 64 MP camera, if given proper lighting, the cameras can produce great images with excellent dynamic range. Xiaomi’s MIUI camera app is feature-rich and can process some decent results. The front-facing shooter is great too. Overall, the device itself is quite capable. With that, it all comes down to that 5020 mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging.
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Specification:
- OS: Android 11 with MIUI 12.5
- Display: 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen, 1080 × 2400 pixels), Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor: Octa-Core MediaTek Helio G95
- Memory: 6GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (UFS 2.2) storage, expandable up to 512GB with microSD
- Rear Camera: 64MP primary lens (f/1.79 aperture, LED Flash) + 8MP 118° ultra-wide sensor + 2MP depth, and 2MP macro camera
- Front Camera: 13MP sensor with f/2.45
- Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, USB C
- Extra: –
- Battery: 5000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging
Lowest Price With Offer:
6. Samsung Galaxy M12
The Samsung Galaxy M12 is the last choice on this list of best phones under 15000 Rs. Samsung has been doing some great stuff with the Galaxy M-series. The series itself is targeted towards the Millenials and the devices are more or less like fan-edition ones. The Galaxy M12 is not an exception to that. With a starting price of a little over 10K in India, the device goes toe-to-toe with the offerings from Xiaomi and Realme. Unlike Realme or Xiaomi, Samsung did not consider design as a primary aspect, at least with its M-series. The M12 looks boring with a 2018-ish teardrop notch and a huge chin.
Samsung did not try at all with the design or build. The device comes with a straight-up plastic back and a weird camera array. As for the display too, the device features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. Yes, it is only a 720p display in the list. But one good thing that Samsung has done here is the implementation 90Hz display refresh rate. The viewing angles of the display are not good to our liking but it gets the job done. Despite having the 90Hz, Samsung has locked the refresh rate to 60Hz on various parts of the UI giving a choppy experience.
Under the hood, the device is powered by Samsung Exynos 850 SoC. This is one of the latest additions to the company’s Exynos portfolio. As for the performance, the device performs like, well, a budget phone. In a day-to-day usage scenario, the performance is okay-ish but as mentioned earlier, there is an occasional lag and stutter. Gaming here is great if you only use lower settings. Medium settings are supported but the game lags a lot with a lot of frame drops and etc.
Just like any other budget phone, the cameras here just to add up the numbers. The primary sensor is a 48 MP unit which is coupled with a 5 MP secondary ultrawide camera. There are two 2 MP depth and macro sensors. By these numbers, you might have already understood that, except for the primary camera, the rest are merely useless. The battery is one place where the device actually shines. The 6000 mAh battery can get you throughout a day or even two with moderate usage.
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Specification:
- OS: Android 11 with OneUI 3.1
- Display: 6.5-inch HD+ Infinity-V display, 720×1600 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass protection
- Processor: Exynos 850 Octa-Core
- Memory: 4GB/6GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (UFS 2.2) storage, expandable up to 1TB with microSD
- Rear Camera: 48MP primary lens (ISOCELL GM2 sensor, f/2.0 aperture) + 5MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 + 2MP depth and 2MP macro camera
- Front Camera: 8MP front camera with f/2.2
- Connectivity: 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Extra: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 6000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging
Lowest Price With Offer:
