Top 20 Mobile Phones Under INR 15,000 in India

If you’re looking for mobile phones under INR 15,000 in India, there are myriad brands to choose from. However, the only mobile phone operating system (OS) that all smartphones under this price range get is Android – and its editions like Android One and Android Go (for less powerful hardware). Also, some manufacturers build their own mobile operating system which is generally based on Android.

Due to the tough competition in the market, mobile phone manufacturers develop smartphones and very often release their products for consumers in India and overseas.

Smartphones Under INR 15K – What Options Do We Have?

Generally speaking, these days, smartphones costing INR 15,000 and below are considered in the market as budget phones. Nonetheless, this range of mobile phones functions flawlessly and users are able to carry out their day-to-day tasks conveniently and efficiently.

Apple iPhones are already out of the question since their mobile phones and various Apple products cost over INR 70,000 in India. Now, several more manufacturers have also hopped into the bandwagon and have started marketing some of their products at higher prices in the country. However, there are many options for purchasing budget smartphones in a price range of Rs. 15,000. A few popular mentions are Nokia, Samsung, LG, Sony, Lenovo, Motorola, Micromax, Mi, Xiaomi, Oppo, POCO, Infinix, Karbonn, Vivo, Lava, etc.

When choosing a budget phone, there are a few common technical specifications (aka specs) that consumers often look for. For instance, the phone’s processor – SoC (System-on-a-Chip), RAM (Random Access Memory), internal storage capacity (or ROM i.e., Read-Only Memory), front and rear camera quality, software applications that are pre-loaded with Android OS, manufacturer/vendor apps (including third-party bundled apps/bloatware), etc.

Minimum Requirements to Look for in Smartphones

Given the fact that there are hundreds and thousands of varieties of mobile phones that are available from different manufacturers/brands in the market, consumers are easily bewildered when it comes to choosing the best option.

Thus, to make things easier, here’s what consumers should normally look for when buying a smartphone for under Rs. 15,000.

• Mobile OS: Stock Android, Android One, or Android Go
• Processor Make: Snapdragon or MediaTek Helio (not UNISOC)
• RAM Capacity: 4 GB or more (may cost higher)
• Internal Storage Capacity (ROM): 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (may cost higher)
• Expandable Storage (via microSD card) options: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
• Battery Capacity: 3000 mAh or more
• Battery Longevity: Up to 24 hours on a single charge
• Phone Charger Power Output: Above 10 Watts (for fast charging)
• Others: OS responsiveness, screen display, screen refresh rate, fingerprint/scratch/water resistance, speaker quality, camera flash, etc.

Acknowledging the above-mentioned technical specs can help you decide which budget smartphones to purchase that are offered in the said price range.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the mobile phone options that are available in under Rs. 15,000 segments in India.

List of 20 Best Smartphones to Purchase Under 15K in India

Below is an alphabetically sorted list of the twenty best smartphones under INR 15,000 that you can buy in India.

Note: This is only basic information due to the limitation of this article. You can find detailed information about the product(s) either on the website of the manufacturer or by visiting online and/or physical stores.

1. Infinix Hot 20 5G

Price: INR 12,499

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

Infinix Hot20 5G is the company’s most affordable 5g smartphone, with the lowest price possible. The device is solely focused on delivering a proper 5G experience and it does so by offering twelve 5G bands. What it makes up in terms of 5G bands seems to lack in overall appearance with a very basic design that is also quite heavy. Software is also a problem, in which XOS (built from Android) does not seem to be well optimized to take advantage of the capable MediaTek Dimensity 810 SOC. The device, despite featuring a 120 Hz refresh rate display, lacks the raw performance and optimisation to pull off the same.

The performance of the camera is far from the best average daylight performance and low light performance in the class. Although there are two rear cameras, users can only access one of them. The large 5000mAh battery provides good battery life, but charging is relatively slow.

2. Lava Blaze 5G

Price: INR 10,999

Variants: 4 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

Lava Flame 5G is the cheapest 5G smartphone in India. Priced at Rs. 10,999, the Lava Blaze 5G comes in a single 4GB + 128GB storage option. This budget 5G smartphones support eight 5G frequency bands in India. The smartphone has a premium glass back design and a plastic frame. It features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution (720×1600 pixels). A 90Hz refresh rate is supported by the screen.

There is a MediaTek Dimensity 700 SOC, which is a budget 5G processor. The device contains a 5000mAh battery and supports 15w fast charging. It weighs about 207g and has a size of 165.3×76.4×8.9mm.

The device contains a 50-megapixel main camera and three additional cameras on the back. An 8-megapixel front camera is provided for taking selfies. As for the software, Lava Flame 5g comes with a pre-installed version of Android 12. The company promised to release the Android 13 update and provide two-year security support.

3. Motorola Moto G40 Fusion

Price: INR 14,999 onwards

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage and 6 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

With the launch of Moto G40Fusion in India, Motorola has added an affordable mobile phone to this market segment. The Moto G40Fusion is powered by the powerful Snapdragon 732g processor, which is one of the best gaming chipsets in this segment. In addition, you can also get a 6.8-inch 120Hz large LCD screen with HDR10 certification, which makes gaming and content consumption a pleasure.

In terms of battery life, the device also contains a huge 6,000 mah battery, which should last for a few days. But for device charging, you will have to be satisfied with 20w fast charging, which takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. 

The device runs on Android 11, which is almost in stock, out of the box, and in the camera department, you can get a 48MP main camera and a 16mp selfie camera on the back.

4. Motorola Moto E22

Price: INR 11,190

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

The Motorola Moto E22 smartphone in the E-series is equipped with a display of 6.5 inches, an HD+ resolution of 720×1600 pixels, a refresh rate of 90 Hz, a battery with a capacity of 4020 mAh, and a system-on-chip manufactured by MediaTek. In addition, the primary cameras have a resolution of 16 MP, while the front-facing camera has a resolution of 5 MP. 

The fingerprint scanner located on the side of the device has been positioned by Motorola, as well as dual speakers that support Dolby ATMOS.

The phone is equipped with an octa-core (2.3 GHz, Quad core Cortex A53 + 1.8 GHz and Quad-core Cortex A53) MediaTek Helio G37 processor. This phone is equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage. It is equipped with a 4020mAh battery.

5. Motorola Moto G52

Price: INR 13,900

Variants: 6 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

Motorola’s Moto G52 makes a name for itself with a 90 Hz pOLED panel that brings in relatively good colour accuracy and contrast ratios as compared to LCD-toting budget smartphones. A clean software implementation, which Moto is known for, along with a decent battery backup of 5000 mAh and a set of stereo speakers, all work in favour of the Moto G52 as a handy media consumption device.

In terms of processing capabilities, Motorola has used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 SoC while optics are handled by a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide. Motorola Moto G52 comes in two variants – 4 GB and 6 GB RAM. The 5000 mAh brick battery life of the Moto G52 is sufficient for heavy daily use.

6. Nokia C31

Price: INR 11,999 onwards

Variants: 3 GB RAM/32 GB Storage and 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

Nokia C31 is a budget Android smartphone with a 13 MP triple-rear camera powered by Google, it has a full-view 6.7-inch HD+ display, an IP52 water-resistance rating, and is integrated with an octa-core processor paired with 3 GB RAM and 32GB inbuilt storage. Furthermore, the device packs a huge 5050 mAh Li-Polymer battery for a long-lasting power backup.

Nokia C31 is fitted with a 6.7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen with a water-drop notch. It carries a 2.5D-covered toughened glass giving it a premium look and has an HD+ display with a resolution of 720×1600px and a pixel density of 257 ppi. The smartphone sports a vertically aligned 13 MP triple-rear camera setup with an LED flash, where the cameras are powered by Google. The phone includes a 5 MP front camera inside the notch for selfies and video chats.

7. Nokia G21

Price: INR 12,999 onwards

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage and 4 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

Nokia G21 combines a 6.5” screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, 3-day battery life with seamless performance, a 50 MP triple camera with AI imaging technology. With Nokia G21 and its 50MP triple camera, including the main lens, depth lens and macro lens, it is a cinch to take high-quality photos. The camera is equipped with advanced low-light imaging. The Nokia G21 also comes with an 18W fast charge capability to top up the battery.

It’s super-tough too, inside and out, with a sleek polycarbonate shell, offering more security updates than the competition, two years of Android OS updates and a 30-day free trial of ExpressVPN, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service.

8. Poco M4 Pro

Price: INR 12,999 onwards

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage, 6 GB RAM/64 GB Storage, and 8 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

If you are a person looking for a unique-looking smartphone, the Poco M4 pro is the one to go. It comes with a new design and several eye-popping colour options. The two-tone design is one of the key advantages of this phone. In terms of display, the Poco M4 Pro 5G uses a 6.6-inch full HD Plus LCD panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. 

The Poco M4 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset and inherits the Poco M3 Pro launched last year. In terms of optics, the Poco M4 Pro 5G is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel macro sensor. For selfies, the phone is equipped with a 16mp camera. 

Finally, the device contains a 5000mAh battery and supports 33w charging. The phone comes with MIUI12.5 based on Android 11.

9. Realme 10

Price: INR 13,999 onwards

Variants: 4GB RAM/64GB Storage and 6GB RAM/128GB Storage

The Mediatek Helio G99 CPU, which is also a 4G processor, supports the Realme 10. This phone is among the top models available for under INR 15,000 and is the most premium in the middle-class thanks to its Chipset alone. The Realme 10 has a strong processor that guarantees the phone functions effectively and does not experience latency issues.

The Realme 10 4G display is Super AMOLED and has a resolution of FullHD+. The phone has a 5000mAh battery powering it. It includes a dual camera setup on the back featuring 50MP + 16MP + 2MP.

10. Realme Narzo 70i Prime

Price: INR 11,999

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

The upcoming Realme Narzo 70i Prime 4G phone will be launched in India on April 19, 2023, at Rs. 11,999. The mobile is expected to come with an immersive 6.5-inch HD+ display that will have a resolution of 720×1600 pixels so that you can enjoy watching videos or playing games with a crystal clear view. Besides, the phone has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. It is equipped with an octa-core (2.05 GHz Dual core Cortex A76 + 2 GHz, and Hexa Core Cortex A55) processor.

The mobile is expected to feature a single camera setup on the rear. It will have 13 MP + 5 MP cameras that will let you click pictures and record videos. And, on the front, the phone is touted to sport an 8 MP camera for taking selfies and making video calls. The phone runs on the Android 12 operating system and houses a decent 5000 mAh battery.

11. Samsung Galaxy A04

Price: INR 11,999 onwards

Variants: 3 GB RAM/32 GB and 4 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

The Samsung Galaxy A04 (SM-A045F) smartphone was released in 2022. It is equipped with a MediaTek Helio P35 MT6765 chipset, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. The phone runs Android 12 OS out of the box and comes with a 5000 mAh lithium-ion non-removable battery. The memory capacity of the smartphone, which is 3 GB, cannot be expanded, but the internal storage can be expanded using a microSD card.

The screen’s dimensions are expressed in diagonal inches from corner to corner. The 6.5-inch capacitive touch screen PLS with a resolution of 720×1600 pixels supports multi-touch. The Samsung Galaxy A04 camera is equipped with an autofocus function. Autofocus is a camera function that fine-tunes the focus of the camera, this is a nice feature of this smartphone. The Galaxy A04 supports 3G and 4G. A GPS receiver is already included in this smartphone. It is also equipped with an FM radio receiver and many other features.

12. Samsung Galaxy F04

Price: INR 8,999

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

The Galaxy F04 is a budget mobile phone from Samsung that equips a huge 5000 mAh battery and a MediaTek octa-core processor with up to 4 GB RAM that can be extendable via 4 GB virtual RAM using the phone’s internal storage space. Aside from that, the phone incorporates a 6.5-inch HD+ display, 13 MP dual rear cameras and a 5 MP front camera, and is powered by the Android 12 operating system.

The Samsung Galaxy F04 is equipped with a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a minimum Bezel and a water drop notch. It has a resolution of 720×1600px and a pixel density of 269ppi. In addition, the display provides nearly 82% of the screen-to-body ratio. The phone is equipped with a Mediatek Helio P35 octa-core processor with a primary clock speed of 2.3 GHz.

13. Samsung Galaxy F22

Price: INR 11,499

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

Samsung Galaxy F22 is a simple budget smartphone that has a long battery life. It is equipped with a bright 6.4-inch HD + Super AMOLED display with a frequency of 90 Hz, but at the same time cuts everything else. A large battery with a capacity of 6000 mAh is easily enough for two days, but it takes a long time to charge.

The performance of the camera is quite average for its segment, but the video quality in daylight is good, despite the limitation of 1080p resolution. The design of the Galaxy F22 can best be described as practical, with a display that uses Gorilla Glass 5 for protection, and a plastic case. The phone lacks the 5G radios available in the newer Galaxy F23 5G, but if the priority is a bright display and long battery life, the Galaxy F22 meets all the requirements.

14. Samsung Galaxy M04

Price: INR 8,999 onwards

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

The Samsung Galaxy M04 appears to be a compact investment choice. However, the loaded camera profile could be better compared to other devices available in a similar price range. This budget phone is equipped with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel, which also has a recess to protect against water droplets. This display has a resolution of 720 ×1600 pixels and a pixel density of 270ppi. The smartphone processor is supported by the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset with an eight-core dual Cortex A53 processor.

The Galaxy M04 is installed with two cameras on its back surface along with an LED Flash. These two cameras are 13 MP and 2 MP, respectively. There is also a 5 MP front camera to capture images, shoot videos and make video calls. There is a Li-Polymer non-removable battery placed inside the Samsung Galaxy M04 phone that is structured to support fast charging. Also, this battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh.

15. Samsung Galaxy M32

Price: INR 13,989 onwards

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage, 6 GB RAM/64 GB Storage and 6 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

Samsung Galaxy M32 is Samsung’s first budget device with a super AMOLED display and high refresh rate. This phone features a 6.4-inch full HD plus ultra-AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. The Samsung Galaxy M32 is equipped with a large 6,000 mAh battery. However, the company provides a 15w fast charger in the box, although the phone supports 25w fast charging. 

However, in terms of optics, the Galaxy M32 is equipped with a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. You get a 20mp selfie shooter in front, which is placed in a dewdrop notch. For performance, the Samsung Galaxy M32 is powered by the Mediatek Helio G80 processor on the device.

16. Vivo T1

Price: INR 14,499

Variants: 4 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

Vivo T1 is a 5G phone with inbuilt functionalities and stunning camera options and turns out to be an amazing smartphone in the market. The brand has incorporated a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and 4 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM to offer amazing performance throughout the day. Moreover, the smartphone is available in vibrant shades of Rainbow Fantasy and Starlight Black. The device is loaded with a 5000 mAh Li-ion battery. It runs on Android 12.

Vivo T1 comes with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD bezel-less display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. The front screen of the device also comes with a resolution of 1080×2408 pixels besides a 401ppi pixel density and a water-drop notch on the centre top. Vivo has placed a triple camera setup on the back of the T1 model. It includes a 50 MP f/1.8 Wide Angle Primary Camera, a 2 MP f/2.4 Depth Camera and a 2 MP f/2.4 Macro Camera. Some of the rear camera features are LED Flash, Auto Flash, HDR mode, Digital Zoom, Face Detection, etc. On the front side, the brand has provided a 16 MP f/2.0, Wide Angle Primary Camera for detailed selfies.

17. Vivo Y16

Price: INR 9,999 onwards

Variants: 3 GB RAM/32 GB Storage, 3 GB RAM/ 64 GB Storage and 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

Vivo Y16 is an entry-level smartphone from the Y-series lineup. The phone incorporates a 6.51-inch HD+ display with a 5 MP water-drop notch camera, a 13 MP dual rear camera setup with an LED flash, a side fingerprint scanner for security unlocks and is backed by a 5000 mAh battery supported by a fast charger. Besides, the device comes with virtual RAM and is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 octa-core processor with a max clock speed of 2.3 GHz.

The phone uses an HD+ display with a resolution of 720×1600px and a pixel density of 267 ppi. It comes with nearly 83% of the screen-to-body ratio and has thick chin-notch and narrow bezel lines. The primary 13 MP camera is followed by a secondary 2 MP depth sensor with autofocus to assist with selfies and video chats. Vivo Y16 has a 5000 mAh Li-Ion battery for a long-lasting power backup and ships with a 10W proprietary charger.

18. Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime

Price: INR 11,999 onwards

Variants: 4 GB RAM/64 GB Storage and 6 GB RAM/128 GB Storage

The Redmi 10 Prime runs the Android 11 operating system and is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G88 processor for faster performance. It features a 6.5-inch LCD display with an 83.3% screen-to-body ratio and 1080×2400 pixels resolution. Housing a 6000 mAh battery, the Redmi 10 Prime has a quad-rear camera setup comprising a 50 MP + 8 MP+ 2 MP + 2 MP rear camera setup and an 8 MP front camera.

Redmi 10 Prime is a dual-SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM cards. The phone is available with a RAM capacity of 4 GB and 64 GB of internal storage. It is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Helio G88 processor offering a glitch-free and faster performance while browsing the web, playing intense graphics games and accessing multiple apps. It has a Lithium-Polymer 6000 mAh battery that supports 18W quick charging.

19. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Price: INR 10,899 onwards

Variants: 4GB RAM/64GB Storage, 6GB RAM/64GB Storage and 6GB RAM/128GB Storage

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 provides good features in the mid-range. This is the best phone if you want a great all-around under Rs. 15,000. The Redmi Note series has always been Xiaomi’s pillar in India, helping the brand build value in the market. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is the best smartphone under INR15,000, providing first-class features.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 features a 6.43 inches display and packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset. A 5000mAh battery backs the phone. Coming to cameras, the phone has a 50-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel setup on the back and a 13-megapixel camera on the front.

20. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 SE (Upcoming)

Price: INR 14,999

Variants: 6 GB RAM/64 GB Storage

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 SE is the upcoming 5G mobile which is speculated to be launched in India on March 31, 2023, at a starting price of Rs. 14,999. The phone comes with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display offering a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels and a pixel density of 401 ppi. It is said to be equipped with an octa-core (i.e. 2.05 GHz, dual-core, Cortex A76 + 2 GHz, and Hexa Core, Cortex A55) processor. The Redmi Note 12 SE has a 64 MP + 12 MP + 5 MP + 2 MP rear camera and 16 MP front camera.

Xiaomi’s upcoming phone is touted to run the Android 12 operating system. Moreover, it may be equipped with a 5100mAh battery, which allows you to use the device for a long time to play games, listen to songs, watch movies, etc. longer.

Wrapping Up

When purchasing a smartphone it is important to also look for and compare specs like the processor, RAM, storage, battery capacity, USB connector and battery charging output among others. This vital information can help you get the best mobile phone in Rs. 15,000 range.

In case you have trouble dealing with a mobile phone’s technical specs, you can also take help from friends and family members who are tech-savvy, so they can provide you with a considerable suggestions.