10-15K Looking for a smartphone under ₹15,000

Shini

Shini

Explorer
General:
  • Budget - ₹15,000 max
  • New or Used? New
  • Online or in-store? Online
Brand -
  • Prefer brands with clean UI and minimal bloatware.
  • Want to avoid Redmi products due to personal bad experience with Redmi 9, particularly regarding its overall performance and battery life.
Usage -
  • What is your intended use? Moderate gaming, social media, YouTube, and browsing.
  • What is your expected battery backup? A full day of use with 5+ hours of screen-on time.
  • How long are you intending to use this phone? At least 3 years without major lag.
Connectivity -
  • What is your preferred network? 5G
  • What is the number of connections required? Doesn't matter (Single SIM or Dual SIM is fine).
Platform:
Operating System (OS) -
  • Android
RAM & Storage -
  • Minimum 6GB RAM & 128GB Storage
  • Do you want a memory card slot? Doesn’t matter
Processing power -
  • Processor preference: I do not have much knowledge about this aspect.
Display:
  • Preferred display size, type, resolution, and refresh rate: FHD+, 90Hz+ refresh rate .
  • Mention any specific requirements: No other requirements
Miscellaneous:
  • Any other requirements? No other requirements
  • If you have already considered a phone, then please mention. Considering Motorola G64
  • If any requirement takes a higher priority than others, mention here. Performance > Battery Life > UI experience

Hey everyone! This phone is required by my little brother so the primarily use is everything a typical teen does with their phones.

Thank you for your suggestions!
 
Solution
K
I would definitely rule out the Moto G64.
IPS LCD Screen, older processor.
That's a no go.

Second to go should be the Vivo T4x, again because of the IPS LCD screen + not so good UX.

I place a lot of emphasis on the screen because that is something that we interact with on a daily basis (hence it has the most impact on our phone usage in my opinion).
In 2025, all phones should come with an AMOLED by default.
IPS screens also use more battery than OLEDs.

Finally, it's a tossup between the P3 and the CMF P1.
P3 has better hardware (Processor, Cameras, IP rating, Battery, NFC, Charger), while the CMF P1 has the better software.

If you can manage to buy a P3 from somewhere (since you said it's not available in your area), then that'd be...
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Since performance takes the priority, recently launched Realme P3 and last year Vivo T3 are selling for 15.5k with offers.
If strictly under 15k, CMF 1 was selling under 13k including offers few days ago. Wait for the price to drop, it keeps fluctuating.
 
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nac said:
last year Vivo T3
Click to expand...
Vivo T3 has a slower processor than the CMF P1 as far as I remember.
But yes, Realme P3 with its SD 6 Gen 4 should be better than the CMF P1's Mediatek 7300 if we're strictly talking performance.

Battery life should also be better in P3.

But User Experience of Nothing OS in the CMF P1 would win hands down against Realme.
 
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nac said:
D7200 is better than D7300 performance-wise, but not by huge margin. And T3 comes with 8GB base variant, but one year old so one less OS update left.
Click to expand...
Whoops, my bad.
You're absolutely correct!
I hadn't looked into the architecture of Mediatek's Dimensity chips recently so just went with the assumption that the higher numbered would probably be better.

Atrocious naming convention from Mediatek though.
 
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Listening to your kind suggestions, I went ahead and researched the phones you all recommended—and here’s what I found:
The Realme P3 (8GB model) is currently listed at ₹18K, while the CMF Phone 1 (8GB model) is available for ₹14K. That’s quite a noticeable difference.
The Realme P3 caught my attention with its Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, which seems quite capable. Unfortunately, it’s not available in my area, so I had to rule it out.

I also came across the Vivo T4x, which seems to offer pretty decent specs and its worth at 16k.
But in the end, the OS experience became the deciding factor, and that’s where CMF and Motorola really shine with their clean UI and minimal bloat.

One thing I noticed in reviews of the CMF Phone 1 is that it doesn’t come with a power brick in the box, so that would add some extra cost for me.

Also, I was initially considering the Motorola G64, and right now with offers, I’m getting the 12GB and 256GB variant for under ₹15K.
How does it stack up against the CMF Phone 1 in terms of performance, battery life, and overall experience,is it a phone worth going for?

The link shows the comparion of these 4 phones side by side:
Motorola Moto G64 5G _vs_ Realme P3 5G _vs_ CMF Phone 1 (8GB RAM + 128GB) _vs_ Vivo T4x 5G (8GB RAM + 128GB)


Would love to hear your thoughts!
 
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I would definitely rule out the Moto G64.
IPS LCD Screen, older processor.
That's a no go.

Second to go should be the Vivo T4x, again because of the IPS LCD screen + not so good UX.

I place a lot of emphasis on the screen because that is something that we interact with on a daily basis (hence it has the most impact on our phone usage in my opinion).
In 2025, all phones should come with an AMOLED by default.
IPS screens also use more battery than OLEDs.

Finally, it's a tossup between the P3 and the CMF P1.
P3 has better hardware (Processor, Cameras, IP rating, Battery, NFC, Charger), while the CMF P1 has the better software.

If you can manage to buy a P3 from somewhere (since you said it's not available in your area), then that'd be best, otherwise go for the CMF P1 (or wait for the CMF P2 to launch and see how that fares).

EDIT: Do not worry so much about the RAM. 6GB and above should be pretty good. 12GB is definitely overkill for normal usage.
My phone has 8GB of RAM and I have never felt it lacking (and I use my phone HEAVILY).
 
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Solution
You're right about the LCD vs AMOLED thing—after looking into it more, I can see how AMOLED really makes a difference in daily usage, especially for media consumption and overall viewing experience. I used to overlook it.

As for the Realme P3, it's still listed at ₹18K on Flipkart. I don’t usually prefer Flipkart for bigger purchases due to some past issues. So unless the pricing or availability changes, that option is kind of off the table for me.
Waiting for the CMF Phone 2 would be nice in theory, but practically it’s not feasible for me right now—my brother needs a phone soon, and waiting might push things too far, especially with uncertain launch timelines and pricing.
Also, since a few of you confirmed that 8GB RAM is more than enough for daily usage and moderate gaming these days, I think I can overlook the Motorola G64 12GB variant—especially considering it only has an IPS LCD panel and a relatively older chipset.

So currently, I’m leaning heavily toward the CMF Phone 1. It has a clean UI, AMOLED display, decent specs, and is available under ₹15K, which feels like solid value.

If anyone here has been using the CMF Phone 1, I’d love to hear how it holds up with regular use, moderate gaming (like BGMI, CODM), and battery life. Does it stay smooth over time?
 
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@OP, If you're thinking of getting CMF phone from Amazon, research well before buying from there. I think all the phone discussed here are from Flipkart, if you're seeing any listings in Amazon that could probably be grey. Confirm with phone makers if they would honour warranty if you get it from Amazon. T3, CMF1, P3, G64 all are Flipkart exclusive. If you really want to get it from Amazon, Realme Narzo 70 Turbo and Samsung M35 are the best choices in this budget. Base variants of the both were sold under 15k last week, prices keep fluctuates so wait for them to come under 15k.
 
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+1 to what @nac said.
These are all Flipkart exclusive phones, so I wouldn't suggest getting them from Amazon.

There was a recent debacle where a CMF Charger from Amazon burst open during charging. Turns out, it was a fake product.
Be careful!

I personally haven't had any bad experiences with Flipkart recently.
Especially since they have open box deliveries now.
The delivery person opens the product in front of you, and if it is not as specified, you just don't give the OTP and the order gets rejected.
Saves a lot of hassle.

I've personally refused OTP twice in the past year because of a broken product and a late delivery.
They just took it back and issued my refund within 24 hours.
 
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Infinix 50x 5G+ (flipkart) 6GB/128 Rs.11,499/-

15 - 5G band
5G VoNR
5G+
Solid State Battery

Recently launched at Flipkart 8GB + 128 for 12999/-
Best buy Dimensity 7300 Ultimate Processor. FHD/IPS Display
Super Finished OS based on Android 15 (2 more android + 3 yrs. security update promised)

Above features I came to know via YouTube Videos
 
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Yeah, I did notice that most of these phones—including the CMF Phone 1—are Flipkart exclusive. I initially saw a few listings on Amazon and some other platforms, but something felt a bit off about them. I’ll definitely avoid going through those unless it’s from an authorized seller. I wasn’t aware of the grey market angle though, so thanks for pointing that out—will make sure to double-check warranty eligibility with the brand if needed.

After reading through all the suggestions here, I’ve decided to avoid phones with IPS LCD displays—makes a lot of sense since the display is something we interact with constantly, so Infinix is a no go but thanks for your kind suggestion.

One thing though—has anyone here actually used the CMF Phone 1 for a while? I did ask earlier but didn’t get any replies. I know I can watch YouTube reviews, but those don’t always reflect day-to-day real-world usage. Would love to hear from someone who’s been using it—how's the UI responsiveness, battery backup with regular use, and gaming performance?
 
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Emperor said:
what monitor/laptop are you using and for how many hours?
Hope you aware green line issue with various new high quality displays.
Click to expand...
Haha, fair question! I'm currently on a moniter with an IPS panel—nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. I use it for several hours a day, especially for work.

But when it comes to phones, it’s a different ball game. I totally get the concerns around AMOLED (like green line issues), but the experience it offers in terms of contrast, color depth, and overall feel just hits differently. It’s like saying you’ve been using a bicycle for years, but if someone offers you a smooth ride in a comfy car, you're not going to say no just because a few models once had engine issues

And honestly, if I’m getting a better AMOLED display in my price range, then why shouldn’t I go for it? Seems like a no-brainer to me—especially for media, gaming, and just daily use.

That said, I really appreciate the heads-up! Will definitely double-check for any QC issues before I pull the trigger.
That said, I’ve finally decided to go with the CMF Phone 1. Big thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts and suggestions—really helped me make a more confident choice!
The mods may close the thread.
Thank you!
 
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Shini said:
has anyone here actually used the CMF Phone 1 for a while?
Click to expand...
I'm afraid you're going to have to rely on YouTube reviews for this one.

One of my family members has the Nothing Phone 2a, which should be comparable (albeit with a slightly better processor).
I've found the experience to be impressive.
So I expect something similar for the Nothing CMF Phone 1 too.

That said, here are some videos I've found which talk about their long term experience with the Phone 1:

Hope they help.
 
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kage said:
I would definitely rule out the Moto G64.
IPS LCD Screen, older processor.
That's a no go.

Second to go should be the Vivo T4x, again because of the IPS LCD screen + not so good UX.

I place a lot of emphasis on the screen because that is something that we interact with on a daily basis (hence it has the most impact on our phone usage in my opinion).
In 2025, all phones should come with an AMOLED by default.
IPS screens also use more battery than OLEDs.

Finally, it's a tossup between the P3 and the CMF P1.
P3 has better hardware (Processor, Cameras, IP rating, Battery, NFC, Charger), while the CMF P1 has the better software.

If you can manage to buy a P3 from somewhere (since you said it's not available in your area), then that'd be best, otherwise go for the CMF P1 (or wait for the CMF P2 to launch and see how that fares).

EDIT: Do not worry so much about the RAM. 6GB and above should be pretty good. 12GB is definitely overkill for normal usage.
My phone has 8GB of RAM and I have never felt it lacking (and I use my phone HEAVILY).
Click to expand...
realme p3 has unbelievable features at 17k , i would suggest op to go for it . realme products are reliable (from my experience )
 
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