The smartphone market in India is vibrant and competitive, especially in the sub-₹25,000 segment, where consumers seek a perfect blend of features, performance, and affordability. As of October 2024, several models stand out, offering impressive specifications and capabilities. Manufacturers are constantly attempting to one-up each other by offering standout features like powerful processors, telephoto cameras, wireless charging, IP rating, and more. Offerings from most OEMs in this cutthroat segment usually have one standout feature or a balanced blend of all features with minimal compromises. In this article, we’ll delve into the five best smartphones under ₹25,000 that fit the bill: the POCO X6 Pro (review), Vivo T3 Pro (review), Nothing Phone (2a) (review), Motorola Edge 50 Neo (review), and OnePlus Nord CE4 (review). Each of these phones brings something unique to the table, catering to different user preferences and needs.
Price: Starting at ₹23,999
Use Case: Best for Budget-Conscious Gamers and Content Creators
Why It’s Good
The POCO X6 Pro impresses with its excellent balance of performance and affordability, making it a standout option in the budget smartphone segment. Equipped with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, the phone delivers vibrant colours and deep contrasts, perfect for media consumption and gaming. Powered by the Dimensity 8300 Ultra chipset, it offers groundbreaking performance for a phone at this price, particularly when it comes to gaming. The phone’s triple-camera setup, featuring a 64 MP primary sensor, outputs good pictures for the price. With a 5,000 mAh battery, the X6 Pro sports decent battery life; and charging with the 67 W brick is a breeze too.
What Could Be Better
While the POCO X6 Pro excels in many areas, the camera performance could be more consistent in low-light conditions, where noise levels can detract from image quality. Additionally, the MIUI 14 interface, though feature-rich, may feel cluttered to some users, with occasional ads in the system apps.
Where it Excels
The POCO X6 Pro is tailored for budget-conscious gamers who seek high performance without breaking the bank. Its impressive display makes it a great choice for content consumption, while the Dimensity 8300 Ultra ensures that gamers enjoy smooth frame rates in demanding titles. Overall, it’s an ideal upgrade for users coming from older mid-range devices, providing significant enhancements in performance and visual quality.
Price: Starting at ₹24,999
Use Case: Best for Mid-Range Users Seeking Performance and Battery Longevity
Why It’s Good
The Vivo T3 Pro 5G stands out in the mid-range segment with its sleek design, vibrant 6.77-inch curved AMOLED display, and strong performance. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, it handles intensive tasks with ease. The phone also boasts a substantial 5,500 mAh battery, ensuring impressive battery life. The display supports HDR10+ and Widevine L1, making it perfect for media consumption with vibrant colours and excellent brightness levels. Additionally, the build quality is solid, and the leather back panel provides a premium feel. All in all, the Vivo T3 Pro 5G is a well-rounded smartphone that delivers a commendable experience at a mid-range price.
What Could Be Better
Despite its many strengths, the Vivo T3 Pro has some drawbacks. The presence of bloatware can be annoying, and the camera performance in low-light conditions could be better. The UFS 2.2 storage is sluggish compared to competitors with faster storage options, affecting read and write speeds.
Where it Excels
The Vivo T3 Pro excels for users seeking a well-rounded mid-range smartphone with a focus on performance and longevity. Its vibrant display and strong battery life make it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset ensures smooth performance, and the sleek design adds to its appeal. Despite some minor drawbacks, it offers a compelling package for its price point.
Price: Starting at ₹22,999
Use Case: Best for Mid-Range Users Seeking a Unique Design and Smooth Performance
Why It’s Good
The Nothing Phone (2a) makes a mark in the mid-range segment with its unique design and smooth, bloatware-free experience. The phone features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing vibrant colours and good viewing angles. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset, it handles everyday tasks efficiently. The primary camera is impressive, and the battery life is decent, making it a solid choice for users looking for a distinctive and reliable smartphone. The transparent polycarbonate rear panel and the Glyph Interface add to its unique appeal. The Glyph interface now has multiple functionalities, and it is no longer the gimmick it was once dubbed to be.
What Could Be Better
The adaptive refresh rate on the Nothing Phone (2a) doesn’t work as seamlessly as expected, often staying at 120 Hz unnecessarily, which can drain the battery. The UFS 2.2 storage is slower compared to competitors with UFS 3.1, affecting read and write speeds. Additionally, the design is polarising, and the plastic build might not appeal to everyone.
Where it Excels
The Nothing Phone (2a) excels for users seeking a mid-range smartphone with a unique design and smooth performance. Its vibrant display and decent battery life make it ideal for media consumption. The Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset ensures efficient performance, and the bloatware-free experience is a significant plus. Despite some minor drawbacks, it offers a compelling package for its price point.
Price: Starting at ₹23,999
Use Case: Ideal for Users Seeking an Affordable Phone with Premium Features
Why It’s Good
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo shines in the mid-range market with its impressive 6.4-inch LTPO P-OLED display, offering a sharp 1.5K resolution and vibrant colour reproduction. The display dynamically adjusts its refresh rate between 1 Hz and 120 Hz. The phone’s camera system is another highlight, featuring a 50 MP primary camera with OIS, a 13 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens, delivering detailed and vivid photos. The telephoto camera is an excellent addition at this price point, given the versatility of shots it provides. The soft vegan leather back and IP68 rating add to its premium feel, making it a solid choice for those who value design and camera quality.
What Could Be Better
While the Motorola Edge 50 Neo offers many strengths, it has some areas for improvement. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC provides decent performance for everyday tasks but falls short in more demanding scenarios, particularly gaming. The battery life is also a concern, especially when compared to competitors. Additionally, the buttons feel slightly mushy, detracting from the overall build quality.
Where it Excels
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo excels for users who prioritise an affordable phone with an array of premium features. Its vibrant LTPO p-OLED display and robust camera setup make it ideal for media consumption and photography. The clean, bloatware-free Hello UI and the promise of five years of software and security updates add to its appeal. There are also value adds like wireless charging, an IP68 rating, and an MIL-STD-810H certification, all of which are very rare to have at this price point.
Price: Starting at ₹23,499
Use Case: Best for Users Seeking A Reliable Performer
Why It’s Good
The OnePlus Nord CE4 5G is a solid choice in the mid-range segment, offering reliable performance with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and 8GB of RAM. The 6.74-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate provides a vibrant and crisp viewing experience, making it great for media consumption. The marble-like finish on the back panel adds a unique aesthetic touch, and the phone supports HDR10+ for enhanced video quality. Additionally, the 100W fast charging is a standout feature, ensuring quick power-ups.
What Could Be Better
While the OnePlus Nord CE4 excels in performance, it falls short in camera and display quality compared to some competitors. The dual-camera setup is less versatile than the triple-camera systems found on other mid-range phones. The display, although vibrant, has issues with colour accuracy, particularly with an abundance of blue light that can be harsh on the eyes over extended use.
Where it Excels
The OnePlus Nord CE4 is ideal for users looking for a reliable and smooth-performing smartphone in the mid-range segment. Its strong performance, fast charging capabilities, and vibrant display make it suitable for everyday use and media consumption. Despite some drawbacks in camera versatility and colour accuracy, it offers a compelling package for those prioritising performance and design.
Navigating the vibrant smartphone market in India, especially in the sub-₹25,000 segment, can be quite overwhelming given the myriad of options available. The five smartphones highlighted, the POCO X6 Pro, Vivo T3 Pro, Nothing Phone (2a), Motorola Edge 50 Neo, and OnePlus Nord CE4, each present compelling features that cater to various user preferences.
If you’re a budget-conscious gamer, the POCO X6 Pro stands out with its excellent performance and vibrant display. For users seeking a sleek design and long-lasting battery life, the Vivo T3 Pro offers a perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality. If you value unique design and a bloatware-free experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) might be the perfect fit. For those looking for premium features at an affordable price, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo delivers a well-rounded package with its impressive camera capabilities. Lastly, the OnePlus Nord CE4 remains a reliable choice for everyday performance, especially with its rapid charging.
Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific needs, whether it’s performance, design, camera quality, or battery life. Consider what features matter most to you, and choose a smartphone that aligns with your lifestyle. With any of these options, you’re guaranteed a solid mid-range smartphone experience without breaking the bank.