Over the past few months, the affordable midrange smartphone segment under Rs 15,000 has seen a lot of action. Xiaomi came up with its Redmi Note 7 Pro that offers a flagship-grade 48-megapixel camera and a powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset. Samsung has been equally competitive with its new M series smartphones offering a segment-first triple camera setup. Many older models in this range have got substantial price cuts, making them even better value than before.

Therefore, if you have been holding on your purchase decision for a while and were waiting for some exciting launches in this segment, this the right time to get yourself a sub-Rs 15,000 smartphone. Some of the options mentioned are have been launched recently while others have experienced drastic price cuts and are often available with lucrative discounts through some sale on e-commerce websites.

Redmi Note 7 Pro (from Rs 13,999)

The Redmi Note 7 Pro is our new favourite in the sub-Rs 15,000 segment. Xiaomi has nailed it with regards to the value that this phone offers for its starting price of Rs 13,999. The Redmi Note 7 Pro gets a quite powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset along with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage in the base variant. Along with that, there’s a 48-megapixel + 5-megapixel dual rear camera setup, with the primary camera using the flagship-grade Sony IMX586 sensor. The Redmi Note 7 Pro is also the only phone in its class to offer a true glass body with Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and rear. It runs on MIUI 10 with Android Pie and will get the MUI 11 update later in the year.

Motorola One Power (Rs 12,999)

The Motorola One Power is one the most robust Android smartphones you can get for less the Rs 15,000. The One Power impressed us highly with its two-day long battery life – thanks to the massive 5000mAH battery. Along with a Snapdragon 636 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and stock Android 9 Pie with the Android One UI, the One Power is an effortless performer on a daily basis. The metal body may not be the most attractive but it can sustain well in the event of a drop. The 16-megapixel + 5-megapixel dual rear cameras are decent while the 12-megapixel front camera is good enough for selfies.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 (from Rs 9,999)

The Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 is one of the few phones that promise a solid stock Android experience in a fairly stylish body. The Max Pro M2 runs on a Snapdragon 660 chipset with at least 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The 6.3-inch IPS LCD display offers for a massive viewing experience while the 5000mAh battery can help it easily last up to two days with moderate usage. Sadly, the cameras don’t perform on par with what the competition is capable of.

Nokia 6.1 Plus (from Rs 14,999)

Nokia stands for a quality smartphone experience and the Nokia 6.1 Plus doesn’t differ from the company’s motto. The phone is compact with a 5.8-inch full HD+ display and is built around a Snapdragon 636 chipset along with at least 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The 6.1 Plus was among the first few smartphones to get the Android Pie update and will continue to get support for another year. The 3000mAh battery manages to deliver an entire day’s stamina. However, the 16-megapixel + 5-megapixel dual rear cameras are average in their performance.

Samsung Galaxy M30 (from Rs 14,990)

Samsung’s finally back with a competitive smartphone in the form of the Galaxy M30. Not only does it draw attention with its huge 5000mAh battery but it’s the first smartphone in this segment with a triple rear camera setup. The 13-megapixel + 5-megapixel + 5-megapixel combo has a segment-first ultra-wide angle camera that offers a new perspective for shutterbugs. Samsung also offers its brilliant Super AMOLED display with a tiny waterdrop notch. The phone is made of plastic but the build quality is top notch. With its Exynos 7904 chipset and 4GB RAM, the phone can handle everyday tasks decently.