Best budget smartphones under 15,000 rupees

Top pick: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G — the safest budget 5G buy. It's the newest of the A-series here, has the strongest owner ratings by far, dual SIM, a headphone jack and USB-C, and it's sold unlocked at several stores, so you're not tied to a carrier.

Who the others suit:

• Galaxy A16 5G — if you want the lowest spend on a current Samsung with a big 6.7-inch screen; the Helio G99 handles everyday apps fine.
• Galaxy A15 5G (128GB) — if storage matters more than the newest model; the Super AMOLED screen is the nicest to look at in this group.
• Motorola G 5G (2025) — if you want a 120Hz screen and clean Android; the 720p panel is the trade-off.
• BLU View Pro 5G — if you want the biggest battery and screen for the least money, accepting a weaker camera and brand support.

Skip the A14/A13 and the no-name models: older chips, weaker cameras and thin support.