Best phones under Rs 25,000 (May 2024): OnePlus Nord CE4, Samsung Galaxy F54 5G to Nothing Phone (2a)

Each handset in the list of phones under Rs 25,000 this month has powerful processing hardware and primary cameras with optical image stabilisation (OIS). While the majority of them offer 256GB storage, we have included a couple with half of that. However, with the right credit card, you can pocket their higher capacity variants too within 25K effectively. Of course, all of them have ample RAM, high refresh rate AMOLED displays and offer 5G compliance. Time to look at your best smartphone options under 25K in India currently.

Best phones to buy under Rs 25,000 in India

Samsung Galaxy F54 5G

The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G retains its spot in the list, courtesy of an impressive list of features in addition to the Samsung brand name. At the top of the feature list is a sharp 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus display with a 120Hz refresh rate. In addition, you also get a 108MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. The 32MP front camera will have the selfie enthusiasts interested.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is powered by an Exynos 1380 SoC and you get 8GB RAM and 256GB internal (expandable) storage to go with it. A 6000 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for close to two days of moderate use and supports 25W fast charging. However, Samsung doesn’t bundle a charger along and needs to be purchased separately. The phone runs Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1. But worry not, the company promises more software updates and 5 years of security updates for this phone.

Samsung Galaxy F54 5G price in India: Rs 22,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Poco X6 Pro 5G

The Poco X6 Pro 5G offers a great mix of features and power. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra SoC, which has some serious processing muscle. You get its 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage variant in this budget. Even better, the company has used the faster UFS 4.0 storage here. It is fitted with a 5000 mAh battery that can last over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 67W fast charger can recharge it fully in a little over 45 minutes.

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Image Credit: Poco

The Poco X6 Pro 5G has a vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a higher than Full HD resolution, support for 12-bit colour, 120Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits peak brightness and HDR10+ and Dolby Vision compliance. The display is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Photography is handled by a 64MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. You get a 16MP front camera for selfies and video calls. This Poco phone runs the latest Android 14 with Xiaomi’s new HyperOS.

Poco X6 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 23,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Nothing Phone (2a)

The Nothing Phone (2a) is the most affordable phone from the company till date. Though it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the Nothing flagship, there are a lot of similarities. It sports the company’s trademark design with a transparent back and LEDs. The Glyph lights at the back are not just cosmetic but provide a handful of functionality and customisation. The processing power is decent with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip accompanied by 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage.

You can squeeze in its 256GB below 25K with certain credit card discounts. The Nothing Phone (2a) has a 6.7-inch Full HD+ 10-bit AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits, HDR10+ compliance and 120Hz refresh rate. The photography department here consists of a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide shooter. Its 32 MP front camera will appeal to the selfie crowd.

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Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

A 5000 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for a day and a half of moderate use. It supports 45W fast charging, however, no charger has been provided with the phone and needs to be purchased separately. A good 45W USB-PD/PPS charger can juice it up fully in about an hour. The phone runs Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.5.x, and the company promises more software updates going forward.

Nothing Phone (2a) price in India: Rs 23,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

OnePlus Nord CE4

For the first time, a Nord phone with a CE suffix seems interesting enough and not underpowered. The OnePlus Nord CE4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC, which is a good choice for this segment. You can get its 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS 3.1 internal storage variant in this budget. Once again, you can score its 256GB variant under 25K, courtesy of a Rs 2,000 instant discount on several payment methods on the company’s website. The phone runs Android 14 with OxygenOS 14, and one can expect more OS and security updates.

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Image Credit: OnePlus

The Nord CE4 has a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Fluid AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ compliance and support for a billion colour shades. The camera department consists of a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a Sony LYT600 sensor, along with an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 16MP selfie camera. The OnePlus Nord CE4 has a large 5500 mAh battery that lasts close to two days of moderate use, and the bundled 100W SuperVOOC charger can recharge it fully in about half an hour.

OnePlus Nord CE4 price in India: Rs 24,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

iQOO Z7 Pro 5G / Vivo T2 Pro 5G

The iQOO Z7 Pro 5G and Vivo T2 Pro 5G are pretty much the same phones with different colour options for their attractive glass back panels. They are powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chip, and you get 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage along with it. They have 6.78-inch 10-bit, HDR10+ compliant, Full HD+ curved AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The phones run Android 13 with FunTouch UI 13 with more updates expected.

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Image Credit: Vivo/iQoo

The photography department is helmed by a 64MP primary camera with OIS, and accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor and a 16MP selfie camera. An ultra-wide camera is missing here. Their 4600 mAh batteries can last over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 66W fast charger claims to take them from 0 to 50 per cent in just 22 minutes. You can choose between the iQOO Z7 Pro 5G and Vivo T2 Pro 5G depending on the colour or the brand you prefer, and their effective selling price. The iQOO is a bit cheaper at the time of writing.

iQOO Z7 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 23,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Vivo T2 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 24,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Couple of honourable mentions in this list would be the Realme 12 Pro 5G and the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, if you prefer curved displays. Both phones look quite stylish and the Motorola provides you with a near stock Android UI, while the Realme model is a rare one to offer a telephoto lens in this budget.