Performance is a big part of what makes or breaks a smartphone experience. Whether you’re just checking emails and scrolling through social media or diving into demanding games and heavy multitasking, how smooth your phone feels really matters. A well-performing phone doesn’t just feel snappy out of the box; it usually holds up better over time, handling new apps and updates without slowing down.
We’ve rounded up some of the best performance phones across different price segments to make your decision easier. Here is the list of our top picks, along with a brief look at what makes each one the standout offering in its respective price bracket (May 2025 Edition).
Selection criteria
At 91mobiles, we put every device through a detailed review process. In 2025 alone, we’ve reviewed nearly 50 smartphones and are also revisiting some of the best-performing models from last year. For this list, we’re assessing synthetic benchmarks and real-world usage to get a more concise picture of how each phone actually performs.
- We’ve divided smartphones into five price categories to cover different budgets – under Rs 15,000, under Rs 30,000, around Rs 50,000, under Rs 80,000, and flagship (price no bar).
- On the testing side, we’re looking at AnTuTu and Geekbench benchmark scores (focusing on multi-core performance).
- Our gaming test includes 60 minutes of playtime. We ran BGMI and COD Mobile on each smartphone for 30 minutes each.
- We used similar gaming settings across all price categories for a fair comparison, though the overall consistency of performance varied.
- The phone delivering the best performance takes the top spot in each bracket. Note that the phones are ranked according to 91mobiles performance rating, which is a combination of benchmark scores, gaming tests, and real-world performance.
Table of Contents
Best performance phones under Rs 15,000
Winner: The Vivo T4x (review) ranked as the top-performing smartphone under Rs 15,000 based on our testing. It achieved the highest scores in the Geekbench multi-core test while delivering respectable results in AnTuTu’s overall assessment, which measures key performance parameters. Notably, the T4x also offered smooth and consistent real-world gaming performance, which many gamers value. That said, it does tend to run slightly warm during heavier tasks – something we noticed during extended gaming sessions.
Runner-ups: The iQOO Z10x (review) and POCO M7 Pro (review) follow closely behind, falling just short of the Vivo T4x, at least in real-world usage. The Z10x trails slightly behind in benchmark scores but manages to keep pace with the T4x when it comes to gaming. The POCO M7 Pro, on the other hand, sits a notch lower in both benchmark numbers and gaming performance, particularly when it comes to handling heat during longer sessions.
Best performance phones under Rs 30,000
Winner: The POCO F6 (review) took the crown as the best-performing smartphone under Rs 30,000 in May 2025.
Even though it’s been around for a while, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 keeps it firmly in the race, making it one of the fastest phones in this segment. While its benchmark scores are just a touch lower than what the POCO X7 Pro puts up, the F6 is considerably ahead in real-world usage. It consistently delivers smoother gameplay with higher average FPS and better thermal control, even during longer sessions.
Runner-ups: The POCO X7 Pro (review) comes in as a strong runner-up. It may lead on the benchmark charts, but it didn’t quite match the F6 in our real-world gaming tests. Then there’s the iQOO Neo 10R (review), which also uses the same Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip. While it’s a capable performer, it falls slightly short of the top two in sustained performance and overall gaming output.
Best performance phones around Rs 50,000
Winner: The iQOO 13 (review) is the best performance-focused smartphone you can buy for around Rs 50,000.
If you’re going strictly by performance, there’s little debate about our top pick, as the iQOO 13 is an absolute powerhouse. It currently tops the AnTuTu charts in our lab tests and comes in second on Geekbench. Real-world usage backs up those numbers too; it’s ahead of its rivals in average gaming FPS and does a solid job of staying cool under pressure. In fact, iQOO 13 also has the highest AnTuTu score across all segments.
Runner-ups: The Realme GT 7 Pro (review) comes in a close second, though its real-world gaming performance doesn’t quite match up to the iQOO 13. That said, it still deserves credit for offering some of the best cooling efficiency among all the phones we tested. The OnePlus 13R (review), on the other hand, sits well below the Rs 50,000 mark but still packs a serious punch. It trails the top contenders by a narrow margin, making it an excellent choice if you’re after flagship-grade performance at a slightly more accessible price point.
Best performance phones under Rs 80,000
Winner: The OnePlus 13 (review) takes the lead as the best-performing smartphone under Rs 80,000. The OnePlus number series has always struck a great balance, and performance continues to be one of its strongest suits. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the OnePlus 13 delivers top-tier performance across the board.
It posts some of the highest AnTuTu and Geekbench scores we’ve seen (especially in performance mode), and it doesn’t disappoint in gaming either, offering high average FPS while keeping temperatures impressively low. In fact, it has the best thermal performance of any phone we’ve tested so far.
Runner-ups: The OPPO Find X8 (review) comes in as a strong runner-up. It outperforms most rivals in actual gaming scenarios, though it falls slightly short of the OnePlus 13 when it comes to benchmark scores. The Xiaomi 15 (review) follows in third place. It matches the OnePlus 13 in gaming output but struggles with thermals under sustained load. That said, its AnTuTu and Geekbench scores edge out the OPPO Find X8 by a small margin, earning it the final spot in our top three.
Best Flagship performance phone
Winner: The flagship category ends in a tie between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Vivo X200 Pro (review). Choosing the best performance-centric flagship is never easy; after all, this is where brands go all out with their best hardware and software optimisations. The numbers are pretty close too, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra taking a clear lead in the Geekbench multi-core test, while the Vivo X200 Pro is ahead in AnTuTu.
Gaming performance was just as close. Both phones balanced out in terms of the average FPS and thermal readings in our tests, which made the decision even harder. Ultimately, it came down to real-world usage. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a few advantages, like a flat, anti-glare display, snappier touch response, and built-in gaming features that enhance the overall experience.
The Vivo X200 Pro, meanwhile, has its own strengths: a slimmer design and a substantially brighter display. With both phones having their own distinct advantages, it really comes down to user preference, which is why we’re calling it a tie.
Runner-ups: The Xiaomi 15 Ultra (review) takes second place in our flagship performance ranking, finishing just behind the joint winners. It’s a well-balanced performer that handles everything smoothly, but it doesn’t quite stand out in any one area compared to its rivals. That’s what keeps it from taking the top spot. The OPPO Find X8 Pro (review) takes the third spot. It delivers very good gaming performance, but the thermal control and Geekbench scores aren’t as impressive, slotting it just slightly behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Vivo X200 Pro, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
