Are you looking for the best smartphones under ₹25,000 in India with plenty of storage and 5G support? We’ve rounded up the top contenders in this price range for you, including iQOO Z10 5G, OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G, Nothing Phone (3a) 5G, Motorola Edge 50 Fusion 5G, realme GT 6T 5G, realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G, and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. Each phone is assessed on performance, display, camera, battery, software, design, and overall value. Below you’ll find a detailed review of each device, along with pros and cons and category-based recommendations. These models are all capable 5G phones in India under 25,000, many with HDR displays, big batteries, and fast charging.
1. iQOO Z10 5G (256GB) – “Speed Meets Power”
The iQOO Z10 5G (8GB+256GB) is a real battery beast for this segment. It packs a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a gigantic 7300mAh battery with 90W fast charging, so you can game or stream all day and still have juice left. The 6.77-inch FullHD+ AMOLED display is 120Hz with an extremely high 5000-nit peak brightness, making visuals crisp even in sunlight. Its dual rear cameras are headed by a 50MP Sony sensor with optical image stabilization, so daytime shots are sharp and colorful and a 32MP front camera.
Software-wise, it runs Android 15 with Funtouch 15 – a rich feature set, though the UI can feel heavy. The phone’s design includes a military‑grade frame and plastic back; it’s relatively light (199g) given the massive battery. Overall, the Z10 offers flagship‑like endurance and performance at a budget price.
The iQOO Z10 5G (12GB+256GB) variant is priced at ₹25,999 on Amazon.
Pros:
- Massive 7300mAh battery delivers incredible endurance (up to 2–3 days).
- High-end display – 6.77″ 120Hz AMOLED at 5000 nits for vivid, smooth visuals.
- Solid performance from Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 CPU for multitasking and gaming.
- Good main camera – 50MP with OIS and good low‑light support.
- Durable build (MIL‑STD) with no-glare frosted back.
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky (with a large battery) – not the lightest at 199g.
- Software bloat – Funtouch UI has some ads and extra apps.
- No microSD slot or headphone jack.
- Secondary (depth) camera is basic 2MP – no ultra-wide lens.
- Thick bezels compared to some peers.
2. OnePlus Nord CE 4 (256GB) – “Smooth Everyday Performer”
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 (8GB+256GB) is a well-rounded phone with a sleek look. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, which delivers smooth day-to-day performance and quick app loading. The 6.7″ Fluid AMOLED display is excellent – FullHD+ at 120Hz with over 1000 nits peak brightness – so movies and games look very sharp. You get a big 5500mAh battery with insanely fast 100W SuperVOOC charging, meaning a full charge in about 25 minutes.
Notably, it even supports microSD expansion (shared SIM slot), which is rare at this price. The dual-camera setup (50MP main + 8MP ultrawide) takes good photos in daylight, and a 16MP front camera sits under the tiny punch‑hole. OnePlus’s OxygenOS (here based on ColorOS 14) is clean and feature-rich. The polished Celadon Marble back colorway looks premium (OnePlus says it’s inspired by the 11’s marble finish) and doesn’t show fingerprints easily.
Pros:
- Bright 6.7″ 120Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ and 1100-nit peak.
- Fast 100W charging on 5500mAh battery – charges from 0–100% in ~30 min.
- Snapdragon 7 Gen3 chip offers snappy performance.
- Dual SIM + microSD slot for expandable storage (up to 1TB).
- Clean OxygenOS UI (Android 14) with stereo speakers and IR blaster.
- Distinctive Marble-textured design (Celadon/Chrome colors).
Cons:
- Plastic frame/back (though well-built) – not glass.
- 50MP camera is good but lacks optical stabilization.
- Slightly stiff competition (e.g. from Redmi/realme) with similar specs.
- No headphone jack.
- Memory fixed at 8GB RAM for 256GB model (no 12GB option in India).
3. Nothing Phone (3a) – “Style with Substance”
The Nothing Phone (3a) (8GB+256GB) brings Nothing’s signature transparent design and Glyph LED strips to the sub-₹25K range. Under the hood it uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip (same as iQOO Z10), which handles everyday apps fine. The 6.77″ AMOLED display is 120Hz and quite bright (up to 1300 nits). A 5000mAh battery powers the phone, and it charges at 50W. The camera system is its strong point: dual 50MP rear cameras (wide + 2x telephoto) plus an 8MP ultrawide, along with a 32MP front shooter. This gives detailed photos and even optical zoom without falling back to digital zoom.
The real kicker is the Glyph interface – LED light strips on the clear back that pulse for notifications, breathing life into the unique transparent frame. Nothing OS (based on Android 15) is close to stock, so the UI is clean. The phone is IP64 rated for splash resistance. In short, the Phone 3a 5G is the most eye-catching pick here, with a good cameras and stereo speakers to match.
Pros:
- Unique transparent design with Glyph lighting – very distinctive.
- Triple 50MP camera setup (wide + telephoto + ultrawide) for flexible shooting (2× optical zoom).
- Large 6.77″ 120Hz AMOLED screen up to 1300-nit peak.
- Clean Nothing OS (Android 15) with regular updates promised.
- Good performance for the class (Snapdragon 7s Gen3) and stereo speakers.
Cons:
- Launch price (~₹30K) is above target; even with deals it stretches budget.
- 50W charging is fast but slower than some rivals (67–120W).
- Lacks flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 7s Gen3 is upper-midrange).
- Build is plastic/glass mix; no headphone jack.
- Some third-party apps may not yet be optimized for Nothing OS.
4. Motorola Edge 50 Fusion – “Elegant and Efficient”
Motorola’s Edge 50 Fusion (12GB+256GB) brings a clean Android experience and high refresh rates to this segment. It runs near-stock Android 14 on a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, which handles daily tasks and casual gaming smoothly. The standout is its 6.67″ 144Hz P-OLED display with FHD+ resolution and Gorilla Glass 5 – the screen is super fluid and quite bright. Battery life is good thanks to the 5000mAh cell, and TurboPower 68W charging juices it up quickly (about 50% in 15 min). The camera system is a simple dual-lens setup: 50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide, plus a 32MP selfie. These take decent photos in daylight, though low-light shots aren’t exceptional.
The build is sleek – curved edges, glass back – and it has dual stereo speakers for media. Motorola also adds an IP54 rating (splash resistant). With no heavy skins on top of Android, the Fusion feels snappy and lightweight. It’s priced quite reasonably (₹20K), making it a compelling all-rounder.
Pros:
- Smooth 144Hz P-OLED display (6.67″) for very fluid visuals.
- Near-stock Android 14 with minimal bloat; timely updates from Motorola.
- Solid battery – 5000mAh with 68W charging (full charge in ~40 min).
- Clean design with Gorilla Glass 5 and stereo speakers.
- Includes dual SIM 5G support and IP54 splash resistance.
Cons:
- Only 12GB RAM in 256GB model; lower RAM (8GB) might feel tight for power users.
- No headphone jack and storage is non-expandable.
- Cameras are just average (no telephoto and no OIS).
- Bulky camera bump; weight ~200g.
- Limited color options in some markets.
5. realme GT 6T – “Blazing Fast Performer”
The realme GT 6T 5G (8GB+256GB) is a performance-oriented phone with some gamer-friendly features. It’s powered by the flagship Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset (the same SoC as on some gaming phones), so it can push heavy games and apps with ease. You get a bright 6.78″ AMOLED display at 120Hz, and realme’s “Iceberg Vapor Cooling” system that keeps the phone from overheating during extended use. The 5500mAh battery is among the largest here, and realme’s insane 120W SuperVOOC charging fills it in ~20 minutes. The camera setup is dual-lens: a 50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide, plus a 32MP front camera, which is decent but not standout.
Software is Android 14 with realme UI 5.0. The phone is surprisingly slim (0.86cm) and light (191g) for its specs. Overall, the GT 6T is great for anyone wanting speed and fast charging, though its price (originally ~₹36K) may push it slightly above ₹25K without discounts.
Pros:
- Powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip for high-end performance.
- Ultra-fast 120W charging on a 5500mAh battery (full charge in ~20 min).
- Bright 6.78″ AMOLED display, 120Hz, excellent for gaming and media.
- Gaming features – advanced cooling, air gestures, and 1.5M+ AnTuTu score branding.
- Sleek design with flat frame, and microSD slot (expandable storage).
Cons:
- Uses 8GB RAM (no 12GB option) for the 256GB model – may limit heavy multitasking.
- Camera is just “good enough” (no telephoto, and 50MP uses pixel-binning).
- Lacks official IP rating (only water-resistant to some degree).
- Price often above ₹25K; need deals or exchange offers to fit budget.
- Many features (gestures, AI modes) may be gimmicky for average users.
6. realme Narzo 80 Pro – “Game-Ready Power”
The realme Narzo 80 Pro (12GB+256GB) is the value champion here. It’s built around a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chip, giving solid midrange performance. The 6.77″ OLED screen is 120Hz and extremely bright (HyperGlow display with up to 4500 nits peak). It has an enormous 6000mAh “Titan” battery with support for 80W charging – realme claims fast charge to 50% in just ~20 minutes. Camera hardware is simple: 50MP main + 2MP depth, and a 16MP selfie, so shots are good in light but limited in versatility. Importantly, it ships with Android 15 (Realme UI 6) out of the box and even includes an IP69 dust/water rating, which is unheard of at this price.
The build is very thin (7.55mm) and light (179g) despite the huge battery. With starting price around ₹20K for 8+128GB (and ~₹24K for 12+256GB), the Narzo 80 Pro is hard to beat on sheer bang-for-buck – fast display, massive battery, and high-end features all around.
Pros:
- Massive 6000mAh battery with 80W charging – it easily lasts 2–3 days.
- Bright 6.77″ 120Hz OLED display (4500-nit peak) for great daytime visibility.
- Competitive performance from Dimensity 7400 chip.
- IP69-rated for dust and water resistance – rugged build.
- Very affordable pricing (₹19K+ for 256GB models) – excellent value.
Cons:
- Curved plastic back feels less premium.
- Only basic camera setup (no ultra-wide, just 50+2MP).
- No OIS on the main camera (night photos average).
- Software (Realme UI) still has ads and bloatware.
- Fast charging is fast, but not as fast as 100–120W options.
7. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite – “Reliable and Sleek”
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite (8GB+256GB) is a tried-and-true budget contender. It runs on a Snapdragon 695 5G processor, which handles daily use well (though it’s a bit dated). The 6.72″ display is a tall 120Hz IPS LCD; it’s not as vibrant as OLEDs here but still smooth for scrolling. A 5000mAh battery keeps it going all day, and OnePlus’s 67W SUPERVOOC charging refills it quickly. The big selling point is the 108MP main camera, which takes very high-res photos in good light. There’s also a 16MP selfie camera. OnePlus packs OxygenOS 13 (Android 13) on this, which is mostly clean.
Design-wise it’s a bit plain (flat frame, plastic back), but the “Pastel Lime” color is fun. At ₹21,999 for the 8+256GB version, it undercuts many competitors. It’s a solid all-rounder for users who want OnePlus reliability, a sharp main camera, and long battery life.
Pros:
- 108MP primary camera (Samsung HM6) for detailed shots.
- Large 6.72″ 120Hz display for its class.
- Big 5000mAh battery with fast 67W charging.
- OxygenOS (Android 13) is clean and well-optimized.
- Generous storage – 8GB RAM + 256GB built in.
Cons:
- LCD panel (no OLED) – colors and contrast aren’t as vivid.
- Snapdragon 695 is midrange (not ideal for heavy gaming).
- Low-light camera performance isn’t as good as some newer rivals.
- Plastic build and thick bezels make it look cheap.
- Lacks features like NFC and stereo speakers.
Conclusion: Which Is Best for You?
All of the above 5G phones under ₹25,000 bring their own strengths. In our view:
- Best Battery Life: iQOO Z10 5G – its 7300mAh cell and solid power management easily outlast a day and then some. The Narzo 80 Pro (6000mAh) is a close runner-up.
- Best Display: OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G – a bright 6.7″ 120Hz AMOLED panel makes games and videos pop.
- Best Camera: Nothing Phone (3a) 5G – dual 50MP rear cameras (including 2× telephoto) give it versatility and detail in photos. It’s also the most unique-looking with its LED glyphs.
- Best Value: realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G – amazing value (starting ~₹19K) for a 120Hz OLED, huge battery, and IP69 rating. Great “bang for buck.”
- Most Stylish: Nothing Phone (3a) 5G – no contest on looks, thanks to its clear back and LED strips.
- Best Fast Charging: realme GT 6T 5G – with 120W charging, it refuels in record time.
- All-Rounder: OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G – well-balanced in every category (display, battery, performance) and backed by OnePlus’s reliable software.
Each of these phones under ₹25K with 256GB storage has its niche – from marathon battery life to premium design to gaming chops. Your best pick depends on what you value most (battery, camera, style, etc.), but you can’t go wrong with any of these top best smartphones in India for the price.