Xiaomi is India's most popular budget smartphone brand and its smartphone lineup has something for everyone. Do take a look at our top picks if you are keen on buying one.
Known for its superior camera quality, excellent battery life, high-resolution displays, and a highly functional user interface with MIUI, Xiaomi phones offer a fantastic value for your money. With offerings in nearly all market segments, picking the right phone for you can be a seemingly impossible task. This will be the ultimate guide for you to understand which Xiaomi phone you should buy when you are on a budget. Our picks are backed by deep research, including head-on comparisons and customer reviews.
Can’t wait to know our picks? Scroll down and take a look.
1. Redmi Note 10T 5G
The Redmi note 10T 5G is the ultimate budget choice, given that it offers incredible specs at a fantastic price. It does not look like a budget phone, as it has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with a variable refresh rate and a stunning design. The phone’s processor is Dimensity 700, which helps it power through most use-cases. It also offers outstanding camera performance and makes for a fantastic budget phone.
Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with 90hz adaptive refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness.
The Redmi Note 11 is powered by the Snapdragon 680, which might be a 4G processor, but is a pretty powerful one. With a stunning design that distinguishes it from other phones in its segment and a beautiful AMOLED display, it delivers on all fronts. It also offers support for Widevine L1, which most budget phones lack. The phone’s cameras produce decent results, which help create a well-rounded smartphone experience.
Display: 6.43 inches AMOLED panel with 90hz adaptive refresh rate and 1000 nits peak brightness.
Fast Charging: Yes, 33W (100% charge in 60 minutes)
Pros
Cons
AMOLED display
No 5G support
Premium glass-body design with matte finish
Ads and bloatware
90hz Refresh-rate
Underwhelming low-light photography results
5000 mAh battery, coupled with 33W fast charging
Support for Widevine L1
3. Redmi 10 Prime
The Redmi 10 Prime sports a 6.5-inch LCD panel with support for a 90hz adaptive refresh rate. The panel performs reasonably well with 400 nits peak brightness. The Helios G88 might not be the most powerful processor, but will not hold you back unless you are a heavy power user. The wide array of rear camera sensors yields fantastic results, while the front-camera performance could use some improvement. The phone also lacks 5G support, which is reasonable at this price point. The massive 6000 mAh battery will help you power through most days without charging your phone.
Display: 6.5 inches LCD panel with 90hz adaptive refresh rate and 400 nits peak brightness.
The Redmi 9 Prime is a well-rounded budget smartphone. Sporting a 6.53-inch IPS panel and a Helio G80 processor powering the entire operation, it performs reasonably well with no trouble handling everyday tasks. The 5020 mAh battery helps you power through your day without having to plug your phone in. The cameras are not exactly the best at this price point but offer great value for money. The phone possesses an AMOLED display at this highly unusual price point.
The Redmi Note 10S is a great budget smartphone. With a stunning 6.43-inch AMOLED panel and 1100 nits peak brightness, it offers a great value proposition despite not improving much over the Note 10. It supports 33W fast charging, which is a great feature to have in phones nowadays. The Helio G95 is one of the most powerful processors in this price bracket and ensures that the phone will not let you down during intensive tasks. However, it does lack support for 5G, if that is a major concern for you. The low-light photography results could use some improvement, but the cameras perform well under well-lit conditions.
Display:6.43 inches AMOLED panel with 1100 nits peak brightness
The Redmi 9 Activ is a great smartphone if you are not looking to spend much money and would like a smartphone that gets the basics right. The Helio G35 is an underpowered processor that might throttle under a sustained load. It packs a 5000 mAh battery, comes with a 10W charger in the box, and supports 20W fast charging. It uses the micro-USB for power delivery, but lacks support for type-C charging.
Display:6.53 inches IPS LCD panel with 400 nits peak brightness.
The Redmi 9i Sport is a decent option if you are not using your phone for extended periods in a day or only need a smartphone for light usage. However, the G25 processor in the phone is not too powerful and will slow your phone down a bit. In addition, it packs a 6000 mAh battery and a dated design that does not look too good. The ads and bloatware make the phone hard to use, given the already-slow processor.
Display:6.53 inches IPS LCD panel with 400 nits peak brightness
The Redmi 9A Sport features a 6.53-inch IPS panel. It sports a 5000 mAh battery, but has no support for fast charging. The performance of this phone is not the best, given that the Helio G25 processor powers it. The UI contains ads and bloatware, which sometimes makes the performance sluggish. If you are looking for something that functions well as a decent smartphone and you are not a power user, you could consider this phone.
The Redmi 10A does not introduce any meaningful improvements over its predecessor. Powered by a Helio G25, it suffers the same issues as any budget Xiaomi phone, but they are generally what are expected at this price point. The 6.53-inch IPS panel is something that it does have in its corner. The camera layout has been changed, but the phone uses the same sensors as its previous iteration. Some phones from competing brands offer a better value for your money than this phone.
Display:6.53 inches IPS LCD panel with 400 nits peak brightness.
The Redmi 9A is similar in features to every single, entry-level Xiaomi phone. It is a reasonably decent smartphone, but features many ads and bloatware, often slowing it down. The performance is reasonably good, considering its price. If you are looking for an entry-level smartphone that performs reasonably well on all fronts, the Redmi 9A might be your best option.
Display:6.53 inches IPS LCD panel with 400 nits peak brightness
Processor:Octa-core Helio G25 Processor
RAM:2GB/3GB/4GB/6GB
ROM:32GB/64GB/128GB
Battery:5000 mAh
Rear Camera:Single 13 MP(f/2.2)
Front Camera:5 MP, (f/2.2)
Fast Charging:No
Pros
Cons
Expandable storage
Single rear camera design
Latest MIUI version
Ads and bloatware
Water-repellent coating
Dated design and specs
Huge 5000 mAh battery
Underwhelming camera performance
Good value for money
Price of xiaomi phones at a glance:
Product
Price
Redmi Note 10T 5G
₹11,999
Redmi Note 11
₹13,000
Redmi 10 Prime
₹11,500
Redmi 9 Prime
₹10,790
Redmi Note 10S
₹12,999
Redmi 9 Activ
₹9,499
Redmi 9i Sport
₹9,499
Redmi 9A Sport
₹6,999
Redmi 10A
₹8,499
Redmi 9A
₹7,999
Best 3 features for you
Product
Feature 1
Feature 2
Feature 3
Redmi Note 10T 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor
48 MP rear camera
22.5W fast charging
Redmi Note 11
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
50 MP rear camera
33W fast charging
Redmi 10 Prime
MediaTek Helio G88 processor
6000 mAh battery
18W fast charging
Redmi 9 Prime
MediaTek Helio G80 4G processor
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
5020 mAh battery
Redmi Note 10S
Mediatek Helio G95 processor
64 MP rear camera
33W fast charging
Redmi 9 Activ
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
5000 mAh battery
20W fast charging
Redmi 9i Sport
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
6000 mAh battery
Mediatek Helio G25 processor
Redmi 9A Sport
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
Mediatek Helio G25 processor
5000 mAh battery
Redmi 10A
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
Mediatek Helio G25 processor
5000 mAh battery
Redmi 9A
6.53 inches IPS LCD panel
Mediatek Helio G25 processor
5000 mAh battery
Best value for money
The MediaTek Helio G25 SoC in theRedmi 10A makes it a fantastic budget option. Compared to other devices in a similar price range, it stands out with one of the most beautiful designs available. If we take into consideration the battery and storage, then this is definitely the best budget phone on our list.
Best overall
Overall, theRedmi Note 10S undoubtedly steals the show with its impeccable performance. Drawing on the design front from its predecessor, the Redmi note 10S boasts a stunning super AMOLED display and a familiar quad-camera setup on the rear that provides decent results in outdoor lighting conditions. The 13MP selfie camera delivers as required, and the 5000 mAh battery, combined with the 33W fast charging, is just the cherry on the cake. If you simply want the best phone on the list, you cannot go wrong with the Redmi Note 10S.
How to find the perfect Xiaomi phone under ₹15,000
Your requirements: The primary factor to consider must be your requirements. It is important to be self-aware and decide what sets of features you would like to prioritise while buying a new phone.
Your usage patterns: You understand your previous usage patterns best, and it is natural for you to decide what you would like to change with your smartphone going forward.
Familiar ecosystems: You must not discount familiarity with certain ecosystems. In the digital age, we build our entire life around a certain piece of technology, and when even one of the pieces of the puzzle goes missing, a lot of things can go wrong.
FAQs
1. Is Xiaomi a trusted phone brand?
Xiaomi is India’s most popular smartphone brand and has built a loyal fanbase. They've earned users' trust by making reliable and highly-functional phones that come at a fair price. In fact, one in every four smartphones in India is a Xiaomi smartphone.
2. Which are the best budget Xiaomi phones?
The budget segment comprises phones in the under ₹15,000 range. If you are on a shoestring budget and want our pick, it has to be the Redmi 10A.
3. Which Xiaomi phone has the best camera?
The flagshipXiaomi 12 Pro has the absolute best camera of any phone in the company’s lineup. However, if you would like to know our pick for the best budget phone camera, it has to be the Redmi Note 11.
4. How is the after-sales support of Xiaomi?
Xiaomi has one of the largest after-sales support networks in the country. They offer the best prices, combined with quick and commendable service at every service outlet. They even have the Service+ app, which can be used to book service appointments.
5. Which is the best Xiaomi phone in 2022?
Xiaomi's flagship smartphone Xiaomi 12 Pro is the best Xiaomi phone in 2022. Boasting a stunning design, coupled with the latest and greatest specs, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, flagship camera setup, and a 2k+ AMOLED display, it makes the 12 Pro an absolute beast of a flagship.
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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so ... we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Read more
