In 2022, we witnessed the launch of phones with the latest technologies in the Rs 30,000 (or above) range and slow growth in the lower end segments.
A look at smartphones under Rs 15,000 that reigned this year.
By Ankita Garg: 2022 is about to come to an end and it’s now time to look back at some of the best devices launched this year. Just like last year, 2022 also saw numerous launches of 5G phones across all price ranges, but those with budgets below Rs 15,000 didn’t have many options. The great thing is that we made some progress compared to last year, because in 2022 there was rarely a 5G phone in this range. With the latest network also accessible in various parts of India, the smartphone companies are expected to make 5G phones more affordable by 2023.
In 2022, we witnessed the launch of phones with the latest technologies in the Rs 30,000 (or above) range and slow growth in the lower end segments. There was a time when Rs 15,000 – Rs 20,000 was the hottest segment with the best value for money phones. The main focus for most of the brands has shifted to the Rs 30,000 segment as they aim to offer a reasonable package with some premium features that users want without paying much. We have listed some of the best smartphones under Rs 15,000 that reigned in 2022. Keep reading to know more.
Best in 2022: Smartphones under Rs 15,000 that reigned this year
iQOO Z6 Lite 5G
We believe that the iQOO Z6 Lite 5G is one of the best budget phones of 2022 purely because the brand managed to offer a balanced set of features at an affordable price.
The iQOO Z6 Lite 5G uses a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor that gave us lag-free performance in basic use. The device has a 120Hz screen that you normally don’t get with most phones in this price range. The screen is about 6.68 inches in size.
The company has equipped it with a suitably sized 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging. However, it doesn’t come with an in-box charger, something many brands have started doing since Apple dropped the bundle with the iPhone 12 skipped. However, you will only see this trend in the more expensive range and now that iQOO has brought it to the budget segment too, don’t be surprised if other smartphone companies follow suit in 2023. So this is likely to become a pain point for many price conscious customers in the near future .
The added bonus of this 5G phone is that the company offers long-term software support. It provides two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches. The handset launched with Android 12 out of the box, so it is also eligible for Android 14 OS. As far as photography is concerned, the device offers quite saturated images in some scenarios, but people get decent shots for their Instagram account.
Samsung Galaxy M13 4G
While Samsung also launched a 5G phone of the Galaxy M13, the 4G version offers better value for money. It costs Rs 10,749 and packs features like a 6,000mAh battery and a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display at a lower price. There are people who just want an affordable phone
With huge battery and (good) LCD screen. The 4G phone uses an Exynos 850 SoC chip, which is not the fastest in the segment, but is capable of smooth overall performance. The company includes a 15W charger in the box to charge the phone’s massive battery. This makes it take a bit longer to get the battery full, but people will have to compromise as the company has provided a huge battery to provide users with longer battery life. The cameras can provide enough pictures for the price. It can deliver sufficiently detailed photos with vibrant colors in daylight, but don’t get your hopes up too high.
Moto G42
The Moto G42 is an all-rounder for users looking for decent performance with some added benefits. This is a 4G phone that uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 SoC which has powered several budget phones in the lower price segment. What do you get extra with this device? It comes with IP52 splash resistance rating which helps to provide some safety compared to those that don’t have this rating.
It even has a bloatware-free Android software experience, something you don’t get with many smartphones in this budget. Apart from a striking matte back panel, the Moto G42 also features an AMOLED 90Hz display which many phones do not offer in the Rs 15,0000 segment. It has a 5000 mAh battery under the hood and a pair of loud-sounding stereo speakers.
Poco M4 5G
The Poco M4 5G smartphone is an all-rounder and even the cheapest 5G phone in the list. It has ample specs and also a unique design that makes it one of the best phones in 2022. The budget phone can easily handle basic tasks and you won’t experience any lag – thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC powering it. Under the hood is a 5000mAh battery and it has support for 18W fast charging, something not every brand gives in the cheaper phones in the segment. It currently costs Rs 10,999 and the camera performance is quite good compared to the competition. The 6.58 inch Full HD+ display is vibrant and one will enjoy consuming content on this budget phone.
Realme 9i 5G
The Realme 9i is a 5G phone, but it caught our attention for several reasons. It is one of the rarest phones (in the Rs 15,000 segment) with 33W fast charging support and smooth overall performance. The stereo speakers and battery life were pretty good for the price. While it lacked an ultra-wide-angle camera in favor of poor macro and depth sensors, it did provide a decent daylight shooting experience with the 50-megapixel main camera. The company is expected to do better in this department with 2023 phones. It has a typical 5000mAh battery and a 6.6-inch LCD 90Hz FHD+ display.
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