As expected, the April-May-June quarter was a busy one for team 91mobiles, with quite a few noteworthy smartphones making their way into the capable hands of our reviewers. While there weren’t too many flagships that launched in this time, and only a handful in the sub-Rs 50k price category, we did see quite a few launches in the sub-Rs 30k segment. The sub-Rs 15k segment also witnessed some action. Looking at the prices of the phones that came our way, though, it’s clear that the under Rs 30,000 segment is where most of the action is at the moment. From a brand standpoint, Motorola stood out with no less than five smartphones reviewed, with contenders from its well-rounded Edge 60 series and a couple of new flip phones from the Razr series getting covered. Most other brands like OPPO, Vivo, iQOO, Samsung, Realme, OnePlus, etc had something to offer during this time, with Acer making an entry into the Great Indian Smartphone Bazaar as well. Lava seemed to have gotten especially aggressive with a flurry of launches to close the quarter. While Xiaomi didn’t have any launches during these three months, its sub-brand POCO did create a few waves by taking the covers off a couple of new contenders. Let’s get a bird’s eye view of the smartphones we reviewed in this quarter.
Under Rs 15,000
iQOO Z10x
Rating: 8 / 10
Verdict: The iQOO Z10x comes across as a reasonable upgrade over its predecessor, making it a worthy choice for those seeking a reliable smartphone. The smartphone handles casual gaming and moderate multitasking quite well, offering decent cameras and good battery life. That said, aspects like charging speeds and the overall software experience could have been better.
POCO C71
Rating: 7.8 / 10
Verdict: The POCO C71 offers a large display, smooth performance, and a stylish design at an affordable price. While the cameras and charging speeds are not that impressive, the smartphone can be considered by anyone coveting a smartphone which is lag-free and not too heavy on the pocket in terms of the asking price.
Itel A95
Rating: 7.6 / 10
Verdict: The itel A95 is a worthy budget contender if you’re after a reliable everyday phone that also looks good. The phone handles basic tasks well, takes decent photos in daylight, and easily lasts a full day on a single charge. In terms of aspects where it falls a bit short, the screen isn’t the brightest outdoors, charging takes a while, and the phone runs Android 14, which could affect its long-term support.
Acer Super ZX
Rating: 7.9 / 10
Verdict: The Acer Super ZX marks the brand’s entry into the Indian smartphone segment, and has a lot of value to offer for its asking price. The handset ticks many boxes, offering a high-resolution 120Hz display, decent everyday performance, clean software, and 33W fast charging, with a braided cable included in the box. The smartphone is a good budget option for daily use, though low-light camera performance isn’t great, and the battery life may not suffice for heavy users.
Itel A90
Rating: 7.4 / 10
Verdict: The itel A90 offers good value for its asking price. In terms of the aspects that work, there’s a decent display on offer, along with reliable battery life and good cameras that can handle daylight photography well. However, the slow charging speeds and underwhelming day-to-day performance are points that don’t work in the smartphone’s favour.
Lava Bold N1
Rating: 7.4 / 10
Verdict: The Lava Bold N1 is a basic device apt for users looking for an entry-level smartphone or those switching from a feature phone. A tall and bright display, a reliable software experience without any clutter, good battery life, and a camera that delivers serviceable images are points that are worth highlighting, but on the flip side, the charging speeds are slow and there’s no 5G on offer.
Lava Shark 5G
Rating: 7.6 / 10
Verdict: The Lava Shark 5G is a capable, yet affordable smartphone that offers high-speed connectivity (thanks to 5G support) and also delivers reliable everyday performance, a clean and user-friendly interface, and good battery life. While its camera performance and charging speeds leave room for improvement, the handset does offer good value for money in its price segment.
Lava Bold N1 Pro
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Verdict: The Lava Bold N1 Pro covers the basics for an entry-level smartphone. The handset is designed well, feels smooth thanks to a 120Hz display and bloat-free Android, and lasts decently long on a single charge due to its big battery. Most other aspects are quite basic overall, the cameras are so-so, and the charging speeds are underwhelming. However, if you’re on the lookout for a good-looking phone with decent performance, a clean UI, and long battery life on a budget, it’s worth considering.
Under Rs 30,000
Motorola Edge 60 Fusion
Rating: 8.1 / 10
Verdict: The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion is a well-priced priced all-rounder that gets most things right. With solid multimedia performance, clean software, reliable battery life, capable cameras, and ample storage, it’s a capable contender that should be on the top of the shortlist for those seeking a well-balanced phone. The drawbacks worth keeping in mind are the not-so impressive low-light camera performance and lack of NFC support.
Realme Narzo 80 Pro
Rating: 7.7 / 10
Verdict: The Realme Narzo 80 Pro scores in terms of its bold design, smooth gaming performance, good build quality and vibrant curved display. It handles everyday tasks and most games without issues. The niggles include the lack of NFC and the storage which isn’t expandable storage, but users looking for a stylish, gaming-focused phone should still find it a worthy choice.
iQOO Z10
Rating: 8.4 / 10
Verdict: The iQOO Z10 brings solid upgrades to the sub-Rs 25,000 segment, ticking nearly all the right boxes for students and budget-conscious buyers alike. The handset delivers in terms of performance, endurance, and design, coming across as a well-rounded package. That said, photography isn’t its strongest suit.
Vivo 50e
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Verdict: The Vivo V50e is a compelling blend of style, performance, and battery life in the hyper-competitive sub-Rs 30K segment. While the cameras are reliable and prioritise a natural look in the results, the photos occasionally lack sharpness and vibrancy. That said, the smartphone handles daily tasks like calling, browsing, and light gaming well. But given that rivals like iQOO and POCO offer some noteworthy gaming-focused options in this price segment, power users who want more performance might want to look elsewhere.
Vivo T4
Rating: 8.3 / 10
Verdict: The Vivo T4 ticks most boxes, coming across as a notable option in the sub-Rs 25,000 price segment. While the asking price is on the higher side compared to its predecessor, upgrades in areas like the battery, upgraded chipset, and fast charging speeds justify the increase. The lack of an ultrawide camera and NFC are minor drawbacks, but barring those, the handset is a compelling buy, especially for power users and gamers.
Samsung Galaxy A26 5G
Rating: 7.6 / 10
Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy A26 is a worthy option for those looking for a smartphone with a sleek design, a vibrant display, and reliable software. It also has an excellent selfie camera and offers the longest software support policy in its price bracket. However, there are a few trade-offs to keep in mind, such as the cameras that could be better. Also worth noting is the fact that there is no charger in the box, and you only get a single speaker.
Motorola Edge 60 Stylus
Rating: 8.1 / 10
Verdict: The Edge 60 Stylus comes across as a good choice for productivity users in the sub-Rs 25K segment. Aspects like the AI features on offer, along with the display quality and capable cameras, help make Motorola’s latest offering stand out. What sets this phone apart is the bundled stylus, a feature previously seen only on Samsung’s “Ultra” smartphones. While the implementation is not flawless, Motorola has raised the bar by making stylus support accessible at an affordable price point.
OPPO K13 5G
Rating: 8.1 / 10
Verdict: The OPPO K13 is an all-rounder that impresses with its good battery life, fast charging capabilities, and efficient thermal management. While its overall performance is in line with other devices in its segment, the phone’s ability to stay cool when stressed makes it a compelling choice for power users. Its cameras perform consistently well in daylight, and the display is well-suited for indoor content consumption, making it a good choice for everyday users. However, it might not work well for those who prioritise a cleaner software experience or better low-light photography.
Infinix Note 50s
Rating: 7.9 / 10
Verdict: The Infinix Note 50s offers a good mix of features for its price, including a vibrant curved AMOLED display, clean software, reliable day-to-day performance, and cameras that perform well in good lighting. The phone also feels light and premium in the hand, making it a comfortable daily driver. However, the storage can’t be expanded, and the phone struggles with heat management, especially outdoors, which leads to occasional lag.
CMF Phone 2 Pro
Rating: 7.8 / 10
Verdict: The CMF Phone 2 Pro may not be the most powerful smartphone in its price range, but it distinguishes itself from the competition with its unique design, custom accessories, and versatile triple-camera setup. The inclusion of a telescopic lens allows for generally impressive photography results. While the phone works smoothly and lasts long on a single charge, it may not be the ideal choice for power users or those looking for chart-topping performance.
Realme 14T
Rating: 7.8 / 10
Verdict: The Realme 14T’s key highlights include its IP69-rated sleek design, vibrant display, solid thermals, and decent battery life. On the flip side, its performance could have been better, and the cameras struggle in low light. Overall though, if you’re looking for a reliable phone that covers all the basics, especially multimedia, battery life, and durability, the Realme 14T is worth considering.
Motorola Edge 60 Pro
Rating: 8.3 / 10
Verdict: The Motorola Edge 60 Pro is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, offering better performance, a sleek design, and good cameras. Its impressive battery life and IP69 rating make it a compelling option, especially under Rs 30K. While the lack of expandable storage and the presence of a few pre-installed apps are minor drawbacks, it is still one of the best choices in this price range.
Tecno Pova Curve
Rating: 7.8 / 10
Verdict: The main highlights of the Tecno Pova Curve 5G are its sleek design, vibrant AMOLED display, and smooth performance driven by the Dimensity 7300 chip. The phone’s 5,500mAh battery lasts long and is well complemented by 45W fast charging. The camera output is decent, with usable 4K video from both lenses. However, the UI feels cluttered, and the lack of OIS can sometimes result in shaky shots. Still, the phone comes across as good value for money, provided you can live with these trade-offs.
Infinix GT 30 Pro
Rating: 8.0 / 10
Verdict: The Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G+ should be a compelling buy for gamers who don’t want to spend a lot on a daily driver. The handset offers a crisp 144Hz display, dependable performance, and useful gaming features like GT Shoulder Triggers. The smartphone even sports a stylish design, runs smoothly, and delivers impressive battery life. On the other hand, low-light photography is not its strong suit, and the lack of OIS could also be a drawback for some.
Around Rs 50,000
Google Pixel 9a
Rating: 7.9 / 10
Verdict: The Google Pixel 9a sticks to the tried and tested Pixel formula, albeit with some design changes. The overall result is a compact and handy design with a great display, a decent set of cameras, an improved battery life, and a solid software cycle with usable AI features. However, the Pixel 9a isn’t the best in the segment when it comes to pure performance, and charging the device takes a while too.
Realme GT 7
Rating: 8.3 / 10
Verdict: The Realme GT 7 offers tremendous value and ticks most boxes for those seeking a flagship-grade experience under Rs 40,000. Its key highlights include a new 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 9400e chipset, a massive 7,000mAh battery, and 120W fast charging. Unless you specifically need premium materials, better ultrawide photography, or a stock Android experience, the GT 7 is an easy recommendation in its price class.
iQOO Neo 10
Rating: 8.1 / 10
Verdict: The Neo 10 testifies that iQOO is moving beyond just being a gaming-focused brand. While the Neo 10’s core strength still lies in raw performance thanks to the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, it also offers capable cameras, solid battery life, and a noticeably improved user interface, coming across as a worthy all-rounder. That said, iQOO still needs to reduce the number of pre-installed apps.
Vivo T4 Ultra
Rating: 7.9 / 10
Verdict: The Vivo T4 Ultra may not boast standout specifications beyond its impressive 3x optical zoom, but it comes across as a well-rounded option within its price segment. The handset’s strong points include competitive performance, a vibrant and fluid viewing experience, and dependable battery life. The cameras are reliable, too. However, the smartphone would have benefited from a larger battery, a better IP rating, and a more advanced display panel, which come across as the key drawbacks for the handset.
Motorola RAZR 60
Rating: 7.8 / 10
Verdict: The Motorola Razr 60 offers a stylish design, a good build, and decent cameras at an affordable price for a foldable. It is compact, easy to use, and handles everyday tasks well. However, it may not suit heavy users, as performance can dip under load and battery life isn’t impressive. For anyone looking to try a foldable phone without spending too much, the device is worth shortlisting.
POCO F7
Rating: 8.0 / 10
Verdict: The POCO F7 offers nearly all the bells and whistles that a performance-focused user could expect from a mid-range smartphone. The handset boasts a powerful chipset that handles demanding tasks with ease, complemented by a generous battery and long-lasting software support. The display is vibrant and immersive, while the smart AI features boost usability. That said, the daylight camera performance leaves room for improvement, and the absence of an LTPO panel might push some buyers to look elsewhere.
OnePlus 13s
Rating: 8.2 / 10
Verdict: The OnePlus 13s is a compelling and noteworthy addition to the brand’s lineup, especially for users who prefer a compact phone without sacrificing performance. The phone delivers a sharp and vibrant display, dependable cameras, a solid battery life, smooth day-to-day performance, a clean software experience, and useful AI features. While it may not offer the same level of versatility in camera or raw power as some flagship rivals, it strikes a compelling balance between form factor, features, and value, staying true to the overall OnePlus philosophy.
Flagships
OPPO Find X8 Ultra
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Verdict: The OPPO Find X8 Ultra isn’t available in India officially, and that’s really one of its main drawbacks. However, the smartphone showcases the brand’s strength in crafting a premium flagship that delivers on most counts. The aspects where it really shines are its capable camera system, smooth performance, good battery life and a build that instils confidence.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Rating: 8.0 / 10
Verdict: The Galaxy S25 Edge, positioned between the S25 Plus and Ultra, successfully sets itself apart and stands out by appealing to users who want a slim design without compromising on performance or premium features. It offers solid battery life in real life, despite the relatively low battery capacity. Samsung’s optimisations deserve credit here. However, its slow charging and lack of a telephoto lens may deter some buyers.
Motorola RAZR 60 Ultra
Rating: 8.1 / 10
Verdict: With the Razr 60 Ultra, Motorola doesn’t reinvent the wheel for a flip fodable, but refines it enough to drive ahead of the competition. The flip handset offers snappy performance (thanks to Qualcomm’s flagship SoC), a practical and usable cover screen, useful AI features, and a clean, uncluttered operating system. Motorola has also made notable improvements to durability, charging speed, and battery life. However, there are some aspects that need imrovement, including thermal efficiency and the software experience.
