By Amam Saini
Okay so… first things first… I’m not a “tech reviewer” like those guys on YouTube with 5 cameras, soft lights, and a mic that costs more than my bike 😂. I’m just a regular guy who likes phones, has wasted way too much time reading about them, and somehow always ends up being the “phone consultant” for my friends and cousins.
And trust me… when someone says “Bhai, ₹12-15k mein best phone kaunsa hai?” they’re basically asking you to take responsibility for their entire happiness. Because if they buy it and it lags after a month, they will call you at 11:45 PM to complain. Been there.
So here’s my own list of best budget smartphones in India 2025 — not some robotic “top 10” copied list. These are phones I’ve actually held, clicked photos with, and sometimes just randomly scrolled memes on to see if the screen is good.
1. Realme Narzo 70x 5G – The Smooth Scroller
When I first got my hands on the Realme Narzo 70x 5G, I wasn’t expecting much. Honestly, Realme for me was always like… “okay brand, cheap phones, decent looks, that’s it.” But man, this one surprised me.
That 120Hz AMOLED display is chef’s kiss. If you’ve never used a 120Hz screen before, you’ll just think “acha hai” — but if you’ve been stuck on 60Hz like my old Redmi Note 8, this will feel like the phone is running ahead of your thoughts. Scrolling Instagram, opening apps, even flipping between YouTube and WhatsApp — buttery smooth.
Battery? Easily lasts a day and a half. I even forgot to charge it once and still had 20% next morning (which is rare for me because I am a heavy user… meaning I watch too many reels).
Camera is okay-ish — not bad, not amazing. If you’re a selfie addict, it’s fine in good light, but don’t expect it to hide your pimples in bad lighting. Also, it’s 5G-ready, so when your network finally decides to give you decent 5G, you’re covered.
Why I like it: All-rounder. Feels fast, charges quick, screen is a joy.
Why you might not: Camera is average in low light.
2. Redmi Note 14 – The Old Reliable
Okay, confession: I’ve been using Redmi phones for like… 7 years. My first Redmi was the Note 4 back in college, and honestly, I still think that phone was ahead of its time.
The Redmi Note 14 is like that reliable friend who always shows up. You might not be “wow” at first sight, but it grows on you. The big deal here is the 108MP camera. Now, does it make you a pro photographer? No. Does it make your chai cup on the table look like an art piece in good lighting? Absolutely yes.
I took a few night shots on this phone when we went out for chai at 11 PM (don’t judge, chai tastes better at night), and the results were actually good. A little noise in the image, sure, but nothing too bad.
Performance-wise, smooth for daily use. I played Subway Surfers and BGMI on it, both were fine. Subway Surfers obviously ran perfect (even my old Nokia could probably handle it lol), but BGMI at medium graphics was surprisingly decent.
Battery is solid. Lasts the whole day easy, and if you forget to charge, the fast charger saves you in like 30-40 mins.
Why I like it: Camera quality in daylight is amazing for this price.
Why you might not: Night photography could’ve been better, but hey, we can’t get everything in ₹15k.
3. iQOO Z9x – The Gamer’s Choice
Now, I’m not a full-time gamer but I do have a bad habit: whenever I test a phone, I have to play BGMI or Call of Duty on it. That’s my version of a stress test.
The iQOO Z9x passed with flying colors. Snapdragon 7-series processor + 120Hz refresh rate means games feel super responsive. I played 4 matches back-to-back and didn’t notice any overheating, which is rare in this budget.
Even outside gaming, this phone is snappy. Opening apps, switching between Spotify and Instagram, everything feels instant.
Camera is okay but not its selling point. This is a phone for gamers or people who just like their phone to feel fast.
Why I like it: Gaming performance for the price is unmatched.
Why you might not: Camera is only “okay,” especially compared to Redmi Note 14.
Random Thoughts You Probably Don’t Need but I’ll Tell Anyway
Phones under ₹15k in 2025 are actually better than some ₹25k phones from 2020. Like seriously, my old OnePlus Nord cost ₹25k back then and had worse cameras than these. Technology moves fast, bro.
Also, please don’t just buy a phone because “Arre yaar, 200MP camera hai.” Megapixels are like height — nice to have but not the only thing that matters. Image processing, sensor quality, software — these matter more.
And yes, I know someone will comment, “Bro, what about Samsung M-series or Motorola G-series?” Look, I like them too, but in my personal testing, they just didn’t feel as smooth as these three. Maybe you’ll have a different experience. That’s the thing about phones — they’re personal.
My Ranking If I Had to Pick for Myself
- Realme Narzo 70x 5G – Balanced, smooth, charges quick, feels nice in hand.
- iQOO Z9x – For gamers or speed lovers.
- Redmi Note 14 – Best camera, reliable, good battery.
If my mom needed a phone, I’d give her the Redmi Note 14. If my cousin wanted to play games all day, iQOO Z9x. And if I was buying for myself… probably Realme Narzo.
Final “Foolish” Advice from Me
Don’t overthink it. I’ve seen people spend 3 weeks watching reviews for a ₹12k phone, only to end up buying whatever is in stock at the nearest shop. End of the day, all three of these are good phones. They’ll run WhatsApp, Insta, BGMI, Netflix, and your online classes just fine.
Just make sure you also spend ₹200 on a good case. Because no matter how careful you are, one day you’ll drop it… probably when you’re half-asleep scrolling reels in bed. Trust me.
Your turn: If you’ve used any of these, tell me your story in the comments. I want to know if my list matches your experience or if I’m just talking nonsense here 😅.
