Realme Narzo 70 5G, CMF Phone 1 to Redmi Note 13 5G – Firstpost

Our list of phones under Rs 15,000 this month has great all-round options catering to different needs. You get phones with pretty powerful processors, AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, competent cameras, and one with even optical image stabilization (OIS) on the main camera. And of course, all the phones on this list are 5G compatible. It’s time to look at the best smartphones available under Rs 15,000 in India this month.

Best Phones to Buy Under Rs 15,000 in India

Realme Narzo 70 5G

The Realme Narzo 70 5G remains a great option in this budget thanks to its comprehensive feature set. It flaunts a 50 MP primary camera that does a commendable job and is accompanied by a 2 MP depth sensor. You also get a competent 16 MP selfie camera on the front. This phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which is a great choice for the segment, and you can get its 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage (expandable) variant in this budget.

Another notable feature of the Realme Narzo 70 5G is its 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. The phone’s 5,000 mAh battery lasts more than a day and a half of moderate use, and the included 45W SuperVOOC charger can charge 50% in less than half an hour. The Narzo 70 5G runs Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0.

Realme Narzo 70 5G Price in India:
Rs 14,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

Motorola G64 5G

The Motorola G54 5G is another all-rounder with some impressive features, some of which aren’t very common in this price bracket. This phone has a 50 MP primary camera on the back with OIS, which is a luxury in this segment. Keeping it company is an 8 MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus, which also doubles as a macro camera, covering some extra bases in the photography department. A 16 MP front camera does a good job with selfies and video calls.

You get a 6.5-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate for a flicker-free experience. The Motorola G64 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7025 chip; another good choice in this segment. You get its 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage (expandable) variant in this budget. A large 6,000 mAh battery keeps it powered for two days of moderate use, and it can be recharged quickly using the included 33W fast charger. It runs Android 14, and like most Motorola phones, the G64 has a clean, near-stock user interface.

Motorola G64 5G Price in India:
Rs 14,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

Redmi Note 13 5G

The Redmi Note 13 5G can now be purchased within this budget and offers excellent value for money. This phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimesity 6080 chip and you get 6GB of RAM along with 128GB of internal storage (expandable). With the right credit card, you can get its 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant under 15K. This phone has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. The screen is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The phone has an IP54 rating.

The rear camera department of the Redmi Note 13 5G is led by a 108 MP main camera (another rarity in this budget) and is accompanied by an 8 MP ultra-wide camera and a 2 MP depth sensor . A 16 MP selfie camera is located in a hole at the top of the screen. This phone has a 5,000 mAh battery that lasts over a day and a half of moderate use, and the company offers a 33W fast charger to charge it quickly. The phone was launched with Android 13 and can be upgraded to Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS. Did I mention the phone is only 7.6mm thick?

Redmi Note 13 5G Price in India:
Rs 13,950 for 6GB RAM/128GB storage

CMF (by Nothing) Telephone 1

The CMF (by Nothing) Phone 1 has also crossed the Rs 15,000 mark. It is an interesting option that stands out for its hardware customization features. Users can customize the phone with interchangeable back panels and accessories available in different colors and textures, providing a unique exterior. And it’s not just a matter of aesthetics; this phone is equipped with a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 2000 nits.

Its processing power is the best of this lot with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip powering it, and is accompanied by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The photography department consists of a 50 MP primary camera with PDAF and a 2 MP depth sensor. It has a more than decent 16 MP front camera for selfies and video calls.

A 5,000 mAh battery keeps the phone going for a day and a half of moderate usage. It supports 33W fast charging, however, a charger is not included and must be purchased separately if you don’t already have one. The CMF Phone 1 runs Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.6, and we can expect a few more software updates in the future.

CMF (by Nothing) Phone 1 Price in India:
Rs 14,999 for 6GB RAM/128GB storage

iQOO Z9x 5G

The iQOO Z9x 5G maintains its place on this list and offers a good mix of features for its asking price. It claims to be the thinnest phone on the market (less than 8mm thick) with a 6,000mAh battery that keeps it powered for almost two days of moderate use. Better yet, the company offers a 44W fast charger to charge it up quickly. The phone runs Android 14 with FunTouch OS, and the company has promised two more years of operating system updates and three years of security updates.

The iQOO Z9x 5G sports a large 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. This phone is powered by a powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip and you get 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (expandable). Again, with the right card, you can get its 8GB RAM variant in this budget. The Z9x has a 50 MP primary camera with PDAF and a 2 MP depth sensor on the rear and an 8 MP camera on the front for selfies and video calls.

iQOO Z9x 5G Price in India:
Rs 13,999 for 6GB RAM/128GB storage