The last time we shared our picks for the best-performing smartphones was back in August. Since then, only the budget and mid-range segments have seen significant changes, while the premium and flagship segments have remained largely unchanged. This situation however, could change soon, as a new wave of flagships are on their way.
With over 50 devices tested in our lab this year, we’re releasing this final list of the year’s top performers before the new wave of flagships with chipsets like the Dimensity 9500 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 hit the shelves. Each phone here is rated based on a combination of benchmark scores and its performance in real-world gaming, multitasking, and everyday use.
Table of Contents
Selection Criteria
We have organised our picks into five price categories to suit different budgets:
- Under Rs 15,000
- Under Rs 30,000
- Around Rs 50,000
- Under Rs 80,000
- Flagships (price no bar)
For our technical analysis, we rely on AnTuTu and Geekbench scores, the latter focused on multi-core results, which help us estimate its multitasking capabilities. However, numbers alone don’t capture the full user experience. That’s why we also conduct a 60-minute gaming test, playing both BGMI and COD Mobile for 30 minutes each.
To ensure a fair comparison, we use consistent game settings across each price segment, though real-world stability and thermal performance naturally vary. The phone that delivers the best overall performance in each bracket earns the top spot. The final rankings are determined by the 91mobiles performance rating, a metric that combines benchmark scores, gaming performance, and real-world user experience.
Best performance phones under Rs 15,000
Winner: Dominating the budget segment is the Lava Play Ultra (review). It lives up to its name and stands out as the top performer in this category. Its AnTuTu and Geekbench scores are impressive, and gaming performance is excellent for a sub-Rs 15,000 phone. Quite interestingly, all the contenders in this price range use a similar Dimensity 7300 SoC, so overall results remain quite close. This suggests Lava is taking performance seriously, as it dethroned the iQOO Z10x, which was at the top spot in our August list. It also shows that almost every OEM now is focusing on performance even in budget price segments, which wasn’t the case a few years ago.
Runners-up: In second place is the iQOO Z10x (review), another strong performer. It matches the Lava Play Ultra’s AnTuTu results, delivers higher Geekbench scores, and holds a slight edge in gaming performance. However, it tends to run warmer under load, which affects sustained performance.
At third place is the Infinix Note 50s (6GB RAM variant). Despite posting similar benchmark numbers and good gaming results, it lags slightly in thermal efficiency due to its slim design. Still, if you prefer a sleek yet capable phone, the Note 50s is great for its price.
Best performance phones around Rs 30,000
Winner: The top spot in this price bracket goes to the iQOO Neo10 (review), which isn’t surprising once you look at what it packs under the hood. It’s one of the few phones powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 at this price, paired with fast LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. Together, this makes it a true performance powerhouse. The benchmark numbers and gaming results only reinforce that. iQOO has been known for offering performance-centric phones, and its devices have consistently ranked high in our lists across multiple price segments. It doesn’t seem like the brand is slowing down anytime soon.
Runners-up: Coming in second is the POCO F7 (review), another strong contender that falls only slightly behind the iQOO Neo10. It uses the same Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and similar hardware, though its benchmark scores are a touch lower. Where it redeems itself is in gaming, as it runs titles just a bit smoother and manages heat better during extended use.
In third place is the OPPO K13 Turbo (review), the brand’s first dedicated gaming phone. While its overall performance is a step behind its rivals, its gaming focus is unmatched in this price range. Thanks to its built-in cooling fan, it maintains excellent thermal efficiency, making it one of the most consistent performers under load. It’s also the most affordable option among the three.
Best performance phones around Rs 50,000
Winner: If you’re focused purely on performance, there’s no debate. The iQOO 13 (review) stands as an absolute powerhouse. In our lab tests, it leads the AnTuTu charts and ranks second on Geekbench, with real-world usage backing up those figures. It consistently delivers higher average gaming FPS than its rivals and keeps temperatures in check under heavy tasks. What’s more, the iQOO 13 holds the highest AnTuTu score across all segments from late 2024 to the present, excluding devices with next-gen chipsets that have launched recently.
Runners-up: The Realme GT 7 Pro (review) comes in at a close second, mainly because its in-game performance doesn’t quite match the iQOO 13. Still, it earns praise for offering some of the best cooling efficiency of any phone we’ve reviewed in this segment.
The OnePlus 13s (review) is a performance powerhouse in its own right. Its compact form factor means it doesn’t dissipate heat as effectively, which causes it to trail the top two by a slim margin. However, it’s an excellent pick for those seeking flagship-grade performance in a more compact design.
Best performance phones under Rs 80,000
Winner: The OnePlus 13 (review) takes the crown as the best-performing smartphone in this price range. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the OnePlus 13 delivers top-tier speed for gaming, multitasking, and everyday use. It posts some of the highest AnTuTu and Geekbench scores we’ve seen, especially in performance mode, and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to gaming either. In fact, it has the best thermal management of any phone we’ve tested this year.
Runners-up: The Samsung Galaxy S25 (review) claims second place in this segment. It boasts one of the highest Geekbench scores in our lab tests, with impressive gaming results and good temperature control. The OPPO Find X8 (review) takes the third spot, boasting impressive gaming performance and thermal efficiency, although its benchmark scores are slightly lower than those of its rivals.
Best flagship performance phones
Winner: Picking a single winner in the flagship category is always tough, since these devices boast top-of-the-line hardware and polished software. After extensive testing, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (review) takes the top spot here. It leads the Geekbench multi-core charts, a key factor in its top ranking, as well as its good gaming numbers and effective temperature control. Altogether, the Galaxy S25 Ultra leads the flagship pack for sheer performance, where all aspects are balanced rather well.
Runners-up: The Vivo X200 Pro (review) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra (review) share a close tie for second place. The Vivo X200 Pro posts a higher AnTuTu score and manages heat more efficiently, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra shows better multi-core performance and gaming results. Both devices have individual strengths, so a tie is the most balanced verdict.
The OPPO Find X8 Pro (review) secures the third spot. Although its gaming performance is pretty good, its thermal efficiency and Geekbench results lag behind the competition.
