Best budget-friendly smartphones in 2024

As the market share of smartphones increases annually, it is relatively easy to find a good phone under Rs. 15,000 in 2024. Mobile brands are coming up with great devices with stunning specifications thus enabling the customer to enjoy better performance, great cameras and long battery backs at various cheap prices.

1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 – A Feature-Packed All-Rounder

• Price: ₹13,999
• Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6080
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 33W Fast Charging
• Cameras: 108 MP (Rear), 16 MP (Front)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 is one of the best smartphones in the entry segment. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display makes it easy to have colourful visuals that are not easy to come across especially for a phone in this specific sub segment. The smartphone is built with MediaTek Dimensity 6080 to enable it to tackle all the basic activities without strain. The 108 MP gives an amazing detail in the rear camera while the 16 MP selfie camera is reasonable. The 5000 mAh battery with ‘33W fast charging’ means usage all day long and fast charging which make this mobile powerful among the camera and gaming lovers.

2. vivo T3x – Ideal for Long Battery Life

• Price: ₹12,228
• Display: 6.72-inch LCD
• Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
• Battery: 6000 mAh, 44W Flash Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 8 MP (Front)

Depending on your usage habits, you may have to charge it more frequently or less but the vivo T3x is equipped with a whopping 6000 mAh battery. It also supports 44W Flash charging which makes charging fast when you need to get some juice on it. ’Media widget’ 6.72 inch LCD is sufficiently large as a consumptive screen but not as bright as an AMOLED. It does not slow down with gaming or multitasking thanks to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip, and while the 50 MP main cameraQuality is not bad in the daylight. From this list, users looking for endurance, fast charging, and a relatively cheap lithium ion pack, make this a great choice.

3. realme P1 – A Great Budget Photography Option

• Price: ₹14,999
• Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7050
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 45W SuperVOOC Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 16 MP (Front)

The 16 MP front camera also produces well illuminated, detailed selfies. The 6.67-inch AMOLED means that it has bright vivid colours, especially for consumption of videos or playing games. Equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor it delivers adequate performance for mainstream use and small gaming. A 5000 mAh battery supported with 45W SuperVOOC fast charging means that charging it will not take a long time to get the phone back up and running.

4. CMF Phone 1 – Premium Features at a Budget Price

• Price: ₹14,899
• Display: 6.67-inch Super AMOLED
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 33W Fast Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 16 MP (Front)

The CMF Phone 1 is designed to offer the client the most valuable features for an affordable price. It also has a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED screen, and such colours are vivid, the blacks are really black. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 guarantees consistent performance for day to day applications. The rear Camera of 50 MP provides bright and crisp images and front Camera of 16 MP for clear selfies. Combined with the 5000 mAh battery and 33W fast charging you will have enough battery for the whole day.

5. Moto G45 5G – Affordable 5G Connectivity

• Price: ₹10,999
• Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD
• Processor: Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 20W Turbo Power Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 16 MP (Front)

Buyers who wish to switch to the 5G network, but do not want to spend a significant amount of money will find great value in the Moto G45 5G. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset – which can work for daily usage and moderate gaming. The 50 MP rear camera gives a good photo result, while the 16 MP front camera is ideal for taking selfies. Battery capacity is at 5000 mAh and comes with 20W Turbo Power charging making for a good battery and fast charging for a given price. If 5G means a lot to you, then it is a good one to look under Rs. 15,000.

6. OPPO K12x – A Reliable Budget Device

• Price: ₹13,039
• Display: 6.67-inch LCD
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
• Battery: 5100 mAh, 45W SuperVOOC Charging
• Cameras: 32 MP (Rear), 8 MP (Front)

The OPPO K12x features a dependable solution, and the phone offers this set of features for a reasonable price. The digital camera of the smartphone is supplemented by the-resolutioned 32 MP rear camera, which provides rich picture detail and colour range; the 8 MP front camera is appropriate for selfie shooting. The device is equipped with the 6.67-inch LCD that is good in terms of the display size less rich in comparison to AMOLED panels. Helped by MediaTek Dimensity 6300, the phone does not have any issues with multitasking. The non-removable 5100 mAh battery comes with support for 45W SuperVOOC fast charging – making it good for users who need an extra battery and a fast charger.

7. Moto G64 – Perfect for Heavy Use

• Price: ₹13,999
• Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7025
• Battery: 6000 mAh, 33W Turbo Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 16 MP (Front)

Moto G64 is manufactured for higher utilisers who require a device that can last for an entire day as it is equipped with a 6000 mAh battery and 33W Turbo charging. Main camera is 50 MP that allows capturing high-quality pictures and the front camera is 16 MP for taking high quality selfies. However, it has a 6.5 inch IPS LCD display that delivers reasonable display quality, and is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7025 for performance. If you are a person who powers his phone all day, you can go for the Moto G64.

8. Xiaomi Redmi 13 5G – Budget 5G Option

• Price: ₹12,800
• Display: 6.79-inch IPS LCD
• Processor: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
• Battery: 5030 mAh, 33W Turbo Charging
• Cameras: 108 MP (Rear), 13 MP (Front)

The main photo and video camera are 108 MP and captures very detailed and clear photographs, while the front one is 13 MP and provides satisfactory quality of selfies. Using the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 platform, it works stably in performing basic operations. There is a large 6.79-inch IPS LCD, The battery is 5030 mAh with 33W Turbo charging for quick charging of batteries. This is really suitable for anyone looking for 5G data connection without navigating to a different phone to compromise the camera capability.

9. iQOO Z9x – Reliable with Fast Charging

• Price: ₹12,499
• Display: 6.72-inch LCD
• Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
• Battery: 6000 mAh, 44W Flash Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 8 MP (Front)

In terms of camera, you get 50 MP, rear camera and 8 MP of front camera which is quite good for photography. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip guarantees fairly fluid work for many functions. The power capacity is 6000 mAh and the Flash charging is 44W. That means that you can always power up quickly if you are a busy user.

10. Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G – Affordable 5G Device

• Price: ₹9,199
• Display: 6.74-inch IPS LCD
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus
• Battery: 5000 mAh, 18W Fast Charging
• Cameras: 50 MP (Rear), 5 MP (Front)

There has to be no complaint about the performance since Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G hosts a 50 MP rear camera and it boasts a 5000 mAh battery. There is 18W fast charging that means recharges are faster. Even though the phone lacks the brightness of AMOLED screens, its 6.74 inches large IPS LCD is good for watching movies.

When choosing the best budget smartphone in 2024 it will all depend on one's preference. When it comes to things such as camera, battery longevity or general performance, devices like Xiaomi Redmi Note 13, vivo T3x, or realme P1 prove to be quite affordable. Starting with 5G support, to a fast charger, to mind-boggling processors these phones strike a balance where you don’t need to skimp.