TOP 5 Best Phones Under ₹25,000 in June 2025: My Favorite 5G Picks!

In June 2025, diving into the sub-₹25,000 smartphone market feels like uncovering hidden treasures. These 5G phones pack vibrant displays, zippy processors, and cameras that punch above their price, rivaling flagships I’ve tested. After weeks of using these devices as my daily drivers—swapping SIMs, snapping photos, and gaming late into the night—I’m thrilled to share my top 5 picks under ₹25,000, plus a bonus gem. From the iQOO Neo 10R to Nothing Phone 3a, here’s what I felt stood out, based on my hands-on experience, for anyone worldwide seeking value-packed phones.

Why Sub-₹25,000 Phones Excited Me in 2025

The global smartphone market hit 1.2 billion units in 2024, with budget phones under ₹25,000 (~$350) grabbing 40% share, per Statista. Brands like iQOO, Motorola, and realme cram 120Hz AMOLED, 5G, and AI cameras into these devices, per TechRadar. X posts (@iQOOIndia) gush over the Neo 10R’s speed, while @nothing raves about the Phone 3a’s style. Testing these phones, I felt the thrill of flagship features at budget prices. Here’s my personal take on the best five, plus one extra.

1. iQOO Neo 10R: My Go-To for Speed

The iQOO Neo 10R (~₹24,999) blew me away with its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and UFS 4.1 storage. From my experience, launching apps or playing PUBG felt lightning-fast, with no lag even after hours of use. The 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED (144Hz, 4500 nits) was a joy—watching Netflix in HDR10+ looked crisp and vibrant, even outdoors. I felt the 6,400mAh battery was a lifesaver, lasting over 10 hours of heavy use, and 80W charging had me back to full in under 30 minutes.

The 50MP main + 8MP ultrawide cameras delivered sharp photos, though low-light shots needed some tweaking. The 32MP selfie lens was a selfie lover’s dream. Running Android 15 with 3 OS updates, I found the UI smooth, with minimal bloatware, per GSMArena.

• Key Specs: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, 6.78” AMOLED (144Hz), 50MP+8MP, 6,400mAh, 80W, Android 15.
• Pros: Insane speed, huge battery, stunning display, great selfies.
• Cons: Plastic back scratches easily, IP64 isn’t fully waterproof.
• My Take: I felt unstoppable gaming on this phone, and the battery kept up with my hectic days.

2. Moto Edge 60 Pro: AI That Wowed Me

The Moto Edge 60 Pro (~₹24,500) hooked me with its AI tools, which I found transformative for editing photos and jotting notes. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 XT with UFS 4.0, it handled BGMI sessions flawlessly in my tests. The 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED (120Hz, 4500 nits) with Gorilla Glass made movies pop, and I loved its clarity.

The 6,000mAh battery gave me 10 hours of screen-on time, and 90W plus wireless charging—rare at this price—felt like a luxury, per TechRadar. The 50MP triple camera with a telephoto lens captured detailed shots, and the 50MP selfie lens was a standout for video calls. With IP68 and clean Android 15 offering 3 OS updates, I felt confident in its durability, though updates could arrive faster.

• Key Specs: Dimensity 8350 XT, 6.67” AMOLED (120Hz), 50MP triple, 6,000mAh, 90W, Android 15.
• Pros: Awesome AI, IP68, wireless charging, superb cameras.
• Cons: No case included, updates lag slightly.
• My Take: I was amazed by how AI simplified my photo edits, and wireless charging was a game-changer.

3. realme P3 Ultra: My Style Favorite

The realme P3 Ultra (~₹23,999) won me over with its vegan leather back and IP68 rating, feeling premium in hand. The MediaTek Dimensity 8350 powered 120 FPS gaming without hiccups in my tests, per GSMArena. I found the 6.7-inch 1.5K AMOLED (120Hz) with Gorilla Glass 7i and HDR10 perfect for binge-watching, with vivid colors.

The 6,000mAh battery lasted 10–11 hours, and 80W charging was quick enough for my busy mornings. The 50MP main + ultrawide cameras shot crisp 4K videos, though I felt low-light photos could improve. Android 15 with 2 OS updates was clean, with minimal bloatware, per X post @realmeIndia. I loved its sleek design but worried about water damage if submerged too long.

• Key Specs: Dimensity 8350, 6.7” AMOLED (120Hz), 50MP+ultrawide, 6,000mAh, 80W, Android 15.
• Pros: Stylish design, IP68, long battery, vibrant display.
• Cons: Only 2 OS updates, risky if submerged.
• My Take: I felt confident carrying this sleek phone anywhere, and its battery never let me down.

4. Infinix GT 30 Pro: Gaming Bliss

The Infinix GT 30 Pro (~₹22,999) was a thrill for gaming, thanks to RGB lights and shoulder buttons. The MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate with UFS 4.0 made 120 FPS PUBG buttery-smooth in my sessions, per TechRadar. The 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED (144Hz) with Gorilla Glass 7i looked stunning, though I found it a tad large for one-handed use.

The 5,500mAh battery lasted a full day, but 45W charging felt slow compared to others. Reverse charging was a handy perk I used to juice up earbuds. The 108MP main + 13MP ultrawide cameras were okay for casual shots but struggled at night. Android 15 with 2 OS updates was nearly bloat-free, which I appreciated.

• Key Specs: Dimensity 8350 Ultimate, 6.78” AMOLED (144Hz), 108MP+13MP, 5,500mAh, 45W, Android 15.
• Pros: Gaming triggers, gorgeous display, clean software, reverse charging.
• Cons: Mediocre cameras, slow charging, 2 OS updates.
• My Take: I felt like a pro gamer with those triggers, but wished for faster charging.

5. Poco F6: Still a Winner

The Poco F6 (~₹24,000), though older, impressed me with its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, matching the Neo 10R’s speed, per GSMArena. The 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED (120Hz, 2400 nits) with Gorilla Glass Victus and Dolby Vision made videos pop in my tests. The 5,000mAh battery lasted a day, and 90W charging was blazing fast.

I found the 50MP main + ultrawide and 20MP selfie cameras reliable for daylight shots, though low-light needed work. Android 14 with 3 OS updates had some bloatware, but I easily removed it. IP64 and Dolby Atmos speakers felt premium, and the IR blaster was a quirky bonus, per X post @PocoGlobal.

• Key Specs: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, 6.67” AMOLED (120Hz), 50MP+ultrawide, 5,000mAh, 90W, Android 14.
• Pros: Fast chip, crisp display, quick charging, IR blaster.
• Cons: Android 14, plastic back, some bloatware.
• My Take: I loved the speed and IR blaster, but wished it launched with Android 15.

Bonus: Nothing Phone 3a – My Design Crush

The Nothing Phone 3a (~₹24,999) stole my heart with its Glyph lights, which flashed to notifications in a way I found oddly satisfying. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and 6.77-inch AMOLED (120Hz) handled games like Weathering Waves well, per TechRadar. The 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging was average but got me through a day. 50MP cameras produced solid photos, especially in daylight. Android 15 with clean Nothing OS and 3 OS updates felt refreshing, with no glitches, per X post @nothing. I just wished for a bigger battery.

• Key Specs: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 6.77” AMOLED (120Hz), 50MP, 5,000mAh, 45W, Android 15.
• Pros: Cool design, clean software, great display.
• Cons: Average battery, slow charging.
• My Take: I felt stylish using those Glyph lights, and the UI was a breath of fresh air.

Global Market Context: Budget Phones Shine

Testing these phones, I felt the sub-₹25,000 segment’s strength as 5G penetration hits 50% globally in 2025, per Statista. The iQOO Neo 10R wowed me with raw power, while Moto edge 60 Pro’s AI felt futuristic, per GSMArena. Chip cost hikes may nudge prices up, but deals on Amazon and Flipkart keep these phones within reach, per TechRadar. IP68 and long updates made me trust their durability in any climate.

Pros and Cons Summary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About the Author

Fastoye is a tech journalist with 7 years at TechRadar, GSMArena, and mypitshop.com, testing over 60 smartphones. She shares personal insights to guide global readers.

Sources

• TechRadar: https://www.techradar.com
• GSMArena: https://www.gsmarena.com
• Statista: https://www.statista.com
• X post by @iQOOIndia: https://x.com/iQOOIndia
• X post by @realmeIndia: https://x.com/realmeIndia
• X post by @nothing: https://x.com/nothing
• X post by @PocoGlobal: https://x.com/PocoGlobal