50+ smartphones tested — best phones in every price segment (July 2025)

With so many options crowding every price segment, finding the right smartphone within your budget has become more confusing than ever. The ideal phone should check all the right boxes. This includes a sharp display, a capable processor for smooth performance, reliable cameras, and good battery life to get you through the day without worry. To make your next smartphone purchase easier, we’ve handpicked the best phones in every price segment, ensuring you get the most value for your money. 

Selection criteria

The rankings in this list are based on our extensive testing and review process. Each phone is scored across key areas like design, display, software, camera, performance, and battery. The test process comprises synthetic benchmarks, in-depth camera comparisons, and day-to-day, real-life evaluation of all aspects such as performance, battery life, software / AI features and more. The average of these scores forms the overall rating for that device. We’ve shortlisted the top three rated smartphones in each price segment, so you can pick the one that best fits your needs and budget.

Best phones under Rs 15,000

Winner: iQOO Z10x

The iQOO Z10x (review) is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for reliable performance and battery life under Rs 15,000. With the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, it handles day-to-day tasks and gaming smoothly, while the 6,500mAh battery ensures you won’t be reaching for the charger at the end of the day. The phone also gets the basics right with a decent 50MP camera, a tall 120Hz display, and stereo speakers. If performance, battery, and good multimedia capabilities are high on your list, the iQOO Z10x offers one of the best deals at its price.

The runners-up in this segment are the POCO M7 Pro (review) and the Infinix Note 50s‘s (review) newly launched 6GB RAM variant. Both are good phones in their own right, but fall slightly short of the iQOO Z10x in overall performance. The POCO M7 Pro offers a better visual experience with its AMOLED display, but uses a less powerful chipset that doesn’t quite match up in performance. The Infinix Note 50s also features a curved AMOLED display and a comparable chipset, but the 6GB RAM variant struggles to deliver consistent performance, and the device tends to heat up a bit under stress.

iQOO Z10x review at a glance:

Best phones under Rs 30,000

Winner: Motorola Edge 60 Pro

The Motorola Edge 60 Pro (review) earns its spot at the top with major upgrades across the board. You get smooth performance with the new Dimensity 8350 chip, improved cameras that deliver in all lighting conditions, and a durable IP69-rated design. The 6,000mAh battery offers good backup with fast charging and wireless charging support. On top of all that, you get a vibrant 1.5K curved pOLED display and useful AI features, making it one of the most well-rounded phones in the segment. Minor quirks aside, it’s a great all-rounder that gets most things right.

There are a lot of competitors in this price bracket, with the iQOO Neo 10R (review) standing firm at the second spot and both the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (review) and Realme P3 Ultra (review) tied at third spot. The iQOO Neo 10R and Realme P3 Ultra are both performance-focused offerings with longer battery life and similar raw performance, but with compromises on camera quality and software. The Phone (3a) Pro has an advantage over the Edge 60 Pro when it comes to software experience and long-term software support, however, its camera performance and battery life don’t quite match up.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review at a glance:

Best phones around Rs 50,000

Winner: OnePlus 13s

The OnePlus 13s (review) makes a strong case for compact flagships in 2025. It delivers top-tier performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, reliable all-day battery life, and a sharp ProXDR display. All this is enclosed in a lightweight, one-hand-friendly form factor. You also get a clean software experience with useful AI features baked in. While the camera system lacks versatility, the main sensor performs well in most conditions. If you want a flagship experience without the bulk, the OnePlus 13s is a no-brainer at this price.

The key rivals in this segment are the Realme GT 7 Pro (review) and iQOO 13 (review), both full-fledged flagships at aggressive prices. They offer better cameras, larger batteries, and, in the case of the iQOO 13, even stronger performance. However, their bulky designs and less refined software experience may not appeal to everyone. 

OnePlus 13s review at a glance:

Best phones under Rs 80,000

Winner: OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 13 (review) combines raw power with everyday practicality, making it one of the most well-rounded flagships in its class. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it handles everything from multitasking to gaming with ease. You get a bright and immersive ProXDR display, solid cameras with Hasselblad tuning, and a massive 6,000mAh battery that charges fast. The new AI features add to its everyday usability, and durability has also been stepped up. Aside from a few software quirks, this is OnePlus at its most refined.

This price segment is packed with flagship options from major brands, including the Vivo X200 (review), iPhone 16 (review), and Xiaomi 15 (review). The Vivo X200 has impressive camera performance and a polished design, but falls behind the OnePlus 13 with a lower-resolution display, slightly weaker performance, and a less refined software experience. The Xiaomi 15 faces similar trade-offs and also offers lower battery life due to its compact size. The iPhone 16 brings a great design, cameras, and software, but compromises with a 60Hz lower-resolution display and shorter battery life compared to the OnePlus 13. 

OnePlus 13 review at a glance:

Best flagship phones

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (review) is the most well-rounded flagship we’ve tested yet. It delivers excellent across-the-board performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a stunning 6.9-inch 2K AMOLED display with anti-glare coating, dependable battery life, and one of the most versatile camera setups in the segment. What sets it apart is its deep AI integration, polished ecosystem experience, and the productivity boost from the S Pen. While it is an incremental update over its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is still impressive for how complete and refined the overall package is.

The competitors here are impressive in their own right, with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (review) taking second place and the Vivo X200 Pro (review) and OPPO Find X8 Pro (review) tied at third. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra gets quite close but doesn’t offer the same level of software and AI integration, and lacks productivity tools. While Vivo and OPPO offer strong cameras and battery life, they lack essentials like a 2K display, and fall short on software longevity. What sets the Galaxy S25 Ultra apart is its seamless connectivity across devices, meaningful AI features, and 7 years of software support, making it the most well-rounded flagship for users who prioritise performance, productivity, and long-term value.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review at a glance: