Hey everyone, December 29, 2025 – if you are planning to buy a phone in 2026, the price brackets have changed a lot. What we used to call budget phones now start around ₹25,000. And mid-range phones are mostly in the ₹40,000 area.
Let me explain why this shift happened.
A few years ago, ₹15,000–₹20,000 was the real budget segment. You got decent cameras, good battery, and smooth performance for daily use. Brands like Redmi, Realme, and Moto dominated here.
Now, in 2025–2026, phones under ₹20,000 feel basic. Screens are HD+, processors are old, and cameras struggle in low light. Brands have moved most good features up.
At ₹25,000, you now get:
- Full HD+ or 1.5K AMOLED screen with 120Hz
- Newer chips like Dimensity 7300 or Snapdragon 7s series
- 5000–7000mAh battery with fast charging
- 50MP or better main camera
- Clean software with promised updates
Examples: Tecno Pova series, Moto G series, some Redmi Note models. These phones feel complete for most people.
Mid-range used to be ₹25,000–₹35,000. Now that space is crowded, and brands push better specs to ₹40,000.
At ₹40,000, you get:
- Flagship-level chips like Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 or Dimensity 8300
- Proper telephoto or periscope zoom cameras
- 7000–9000mAh batteries
- Premium build (metal frame, IP68)
- Longer software support
Phones like Realme 16 Pro+, OnePlus Nord CE series, iQOO Neo, and Vivo T series sit here. They are very close to flagships in daily use.
Above ₹50,000 is now premium/flagship territory. You pay extra for the best cameras, top chips like Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and brand name.
Why did this happen?
- Chip prices went up.
- Better screens and batteries cost more.
- Brands want higher profit in volume segments.
- 5G rollout made everything more expensive.
For most buyers, ₹25,000–₹40,000 gives the best value today. You get 90% of flagship experience without paying double.
If your budget is ₹20,000 or less, options are limited now. You might need to stretch to ₹25,000 for a phone that lasts 3–4 years.
What do you think? Does ₹25k feel like budget to you? Or are you happy to spend ₹40k for better features? Let me know in the comments.
I will keep tracking launches in these segments. Stay tuned!
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