Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G - Best 5G Phone Under 15k in India
Price: Rs. 11,999
Performance: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 4 GB RAM
Display: 6.79 inches, 90 Hz Refresh Rate
Camera: 50 MP + 2 MP Dual Primary Cameras, 8 MP Front Camera
Battery: 5000 mAh with Fast Charging
Storage: 128 GB
Review: Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G - The Best 5G Phone Under 15k
Design and Display
The Redmi 12 5G features a premium design with a glass back that offers both aesthetics and a comfortable grip. This phone is also IP53 certified for water resistance, adding an extra layer of durability. The 6.71-inch display includes a centered punch-hole for the selfie camera, offering not only a trendy design but also good brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate.
Cameras
The phone's rear camera setup comprises a 50MP primary sensor that excels in daylight photography. The 8MP front camera is decent, although it tends to slightly smooth out facial details.
Performance and Software
With the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset under the hood, the Redmi 12 5G offers reliable real-world performance, even handling gaming with ease. It's worth noting that this phone supports 5G connectivity and runs on Android 13-based MIUI 14, which provides customization options and essential features.
In summary, the Redmi 12 5G is a budget-friendly option with robust performance, a premium design, and a capable camera. Nevertheless, it could benefit from faster charging and a cleaner software experience.
Moto G54 - Best 5G Phone Under 15k in India
Price: Rs. 13,999
Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 7020, 8 GB RAM
Display: 6.5 inches, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
Camera: 50 MP + 8 MP Dual Primary Cameras, 16 MP Front Camera
Battery: 6000 mAh with Turbo Charging
Storage: 128 GB
Review: Motorola Moto G54 5G - The Best 5G Phone Under 15k
Design and Display
The Moto G54 5G follows the tradition of the G-series lineup with a plastic unibody design, flat edges, curved corners, and a matte finish. Despite its weight, it feels comfortable to hold and is IP52 certified for splash resistance.
The 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen offers a 120Hz refresh rate, and although the bezels are a bit thicker than some competitors, the display still provides good brightness and viewing angles.
Cameras
This phone sports a dual rear camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The primary camera performs admirably in daylight, providing commendable detail, although colors may appear slightly undersaturated. Low-light performance is decent but introduces some shutter speed delays and noise.
The secondary 8MP ultra-wide sensor has a 118-degree field-of-view and can capture macro shots. In well-lit conditions, it delivers usable shots with acceptable color accuracy and detailing.
For selfies and video calls, the Moto G54 5G features a 16MP snapper, which performs decently in well-lit conditions but may not excel in low-light scenarios.
Performance and Software
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chipset, the Moto G54 5G offers decent real-world performance. It handles multitasking and gaming well, although some stutter may be observed when switching between apps. The phone performs smoothly when playing games like BGMI at maximum graphics settings.
The device runs on Android 13 with a lightweight custom skin called My UX, which closely resembles stock Android and offers minimal bloatware. However, it promises only one year of software updates.
In summary, the Moto G54 5G offers a reliable package with good camera capabilities, solid real-world performance, and an ergonomic design. It excels in audio quality and battery life. However, it might benefit from faster charging, and the software support could be more extended, as some competitors offer longer update periods.
Realme 11x 5G - Top 5G Phone Under 15k
Price: Rs. 13,999
Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus, 6 GB RAM
Display: 6.72 inches, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
Camera: 64 MP + 2 MP Dual Primary Cameras, 8 MP Front Camera
Battery: 5000 mAh with Super VOOC Charging
Storage: 128 GB
Review: Realme 11x 5G - The Top 5G Phone Under 15k in India
Design and Display
The Realme 11x 5G is available in two attractive color options: Purple Dawn and Midnight Black. It features a captivating gradient back that forms an 'S' shape when hit by light. The phone's slim and lightweight design, despite accommodating a sizable 5,000mAh battery, ensures comfortable daily use. It features a USB Type-C port, a speaker grille, and a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom edge. The fingerprint scanner is integrated into the power button, providing convenient unlocking.
The Realme 11x 5G sports a 6.72-inch LCD panel with FHD+ resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate. While bezels are noticeable, the display offers 550 nits of peak brightness, making it suitable for outdoor use. It is Widevine L1 certified for streaming FHD content and provides customizable color profiles. However, the mono speakers lack some audio punch and lose clarity at maximum volume.
Cameras
For photography, the Realme 11x 5G features a dual rear camera setup, with a 64MP primary shooter and a 2MP depth sensor. The phone's 8MP front camera is suitable for selfies and video calls. In favorable lighting conditions, the device exhibits quick focus and shutter speed, resulting in pleasing images. However, colors might appear slightly oversaturated.
The camera performance of the Realme 11x 5G is decent, with good detail levels in well-lit conditions. However, the phone struggles with portrait mode and edge detection. In low-light scenarios, the images tend to appear grainy, even with night mode. The Realme 11x 5G provides satisfactory selfie quality in well-lit environments.
Performance and Software
The Realme 11x 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, which performs well in benchmarking tests and handles regular tasks without hesitation. Multitasking is manageable, but too many background apps can lead to occasional lags. The device can run graphically demanding games like BGMI and COD: Mobile at moderate graphics settings, offering a decent gaming experience. It supports 5G connectivity and comes in two configurations: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage.
The phone runs Android 13-based Realme UI 4, which is feature-rich but comes with pre-installed third-party apps and occasional ads. On the positive side, you can customize the UI extensively and enjoy features like call recording and screen recording.
Overall, the Realme 11x 5G is a competitive option in its segment, offering the latest chipset, a sizable battery, a satisfactory display, and decent daylight camera capabilities.
POCO M6 Pro 5G - Top 5G Phone Under 15k in India
Price: Rs. 10,999
Performance: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 4 GB RAM
Display: 6.79 inches, 90 Hz Refresh Rate
Camera: 50 MP + 2 MP Dual Primary Cameras, 8 MP Front Camera
Battery: 5000 mAh with Fast Charging
Storage: 64 GB
Review: POCO M6 Pro 5G - The Top 5G Phone Under 15k in India
Design and Display
The POCO M6 Pro distinguishes itself from its similarly-specced cousin, the Redmi 12 5G, with a dual-tone finish and a unique rectangular camera bar that extends across the back. Available in Forest Green and Power Black, the phone's design, particularly the greyish hue on the rectangular bar, adds to its appeal. The device is IP53 splash resistant, lightweight, and has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for quick unlocking.
Featuring a 6.71-inch FHD+ 90Hz refresh rate display with a centred punch-hole camera, the POCO M6 Pro offers an enjoyable viewing experience. The display supports 550 nits of peak brightness and Widevine L1 certification, ensuring compatibility with full HD resolution content from streaming platforms like Netflix.
Cameras
The POCO M6 Pro's camera system includes a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor at the back, along with an 8MP selfie camera. In favorable lighting conditions, the primary camera excels in capturing intricate details and accurate colors. However, portrait mode struggles with edge detection, and the selfie camera falls within the average spectrum in terms of performance.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, the POCO M6 Pro delivers capable performance for daily tasks, such as browsing, social media, streaming, and messaging. It runs games like BGMI smoothly, although heavy loads might challenge the device. Available in two configurations, 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB, the device offers expandable RAM and storage options. It runs Android 13-based MIUI 14, featuring pre-loaded third-party apps and push notifications.
The POCO M6 Pro 5G offers a distinctive dual-tone design, and it closely matches the specifications of the Redmi 12 5G. Featuring the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, a 6.71-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a reliable 5,000mAh battery, it proves itself as a capable device. The primary camera performs well in daylight, but the secondary camera and charging speeds fall short. With an appealing design and dependable performance, the POCO M6 Pro is a worthy option for those seeking a competent mid-range smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G - Best 5G Phone Under 15k
Price: Rs. 14,450
Performance: Samsung Exynos 1330, 4 GB RAM
Display: 6.6 inches, 90 Hz Refresh Rate
Camera: 50 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary Cameras, 13 MP Front Camera
Battery: 5000 mAh with Fast Charging
Storage: 64 GB
Review: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G - The Best 5G Phone Under 15k
Design and Display
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G stands out with its clean, minimalist design. Its flat back, textured finish, and distinct camera rings make it unique among its competitors. The phone's rounded edges provide a comfortable grip, and its sturdy plastic build feels reliable. Available in dark red, light green, and black, the dark red variant conceals fingerprints effectively. It features a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. While it may be a bit heavy, the screen offers vibrant colors, sharp details, and good outdoor visibility.
Cameras
The Galaxy A14 5G features a 50MP primary camera that performs well in daylight conditions, capturing detailed shots with accurate colors. The 2MP depth sensor is proficient at portrait shots, despite occasional edge detection issues. The 2MP macro sensor is less detailed due to its smaller sensor size. In low light, the camera does a decent job, especially with night mode. The 13MP front camera produces satisfactory results in well-lit conditions.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Exynos 1330 SoC, the phone handles everyday tasks and gaming effectively. However, it may experience some stutter with heavy usage. The device offers various RAM and storage configurations, with the option to expand storage using a microSD card. The RAM Plus feature allows for up to 8GB of virtual memory. It runs on Android 13 with Samsung's OneUI 5.0, delivering a clean interface with minimal bloatware.