5 best budget camera phones to buy right now

When purchasing a new smartphone, there are various technical parameters that need to be checked off the list. Some of the most common ones include display, processor, and battery capacity.

Another notable aspect is the cameras on the device. Smartphones have advanced rapidly when it comes to mobile photography. Almost every device in the market today comes with multi-camera setup. In addition, the software-based features, along with the ability to manually adjust settings, are similar to those of a DSLR.

A number of smartphone brands like Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, and more continue to innovate and enhance the photography experience on their smartphones. So, if you’re a hobbyist photographer or just starting your journey, but at the same time on a tight budget, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty of smartphones in the market that will help you frame beautiful pictures, and that too at a fraction of the price of flagships phones and DSLRs.

Best budget camera phones to buy right now

Here we explore the best budget camera phones that would neither burn a hole in your pocket nor compromise on your photography needs. 

1. Redmi Note 13 Pro

2. Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G

3. Vivo V30 5G

4. Nothing Phone (2a)

5. Samsung Galaxy M15 5G

1. Redmi Note 13 Pro

The Redmi Note 13 Pro is probably the only phone under Rs 25,000 to sport a 200MP ISOCELL HP3 1/1.4-inch main camera sensor with f/1.65 aperture for high-resolution captures. It supports both OIS and EIS for images and videos. There is also an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro unit.

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Apart from this, the smartphone features a 120Hz AMOLED display with an integrated fingerprint scanner, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro costs Rs 24,999.

2. Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G

The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is the only mid-range smartphone to sport a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with OIS and a 3x optical zoom. There is a 50MP large main sensor with support for OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide unit for shooting landscape images. The smartphone offers the ability to shoot at multiple focal lengths and there are cinematic camera filters. There are a host of features like HDR, Moon Mode, Night Mode, and more.

The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is priced at Rs 25,999. The rest of the features of the device include a stunning design with vegan leather finish, a 120Hz curved AMOLED screen, and a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip under the hood.

3. Vivo V30 5G

The Vivo V30 5G has a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens. There is a square-shaped LED strip called Aura Light. It offers smart colour temperature adjustment for clicking pictures depending on the environment. This is useful while shooting portraits.

There is a 50MP front-facing selfie snapper with eye autofocus. The device packs pro-level portrait enhancement and a vlog movie creator. Aside from the optics, the smartphone offers a curved 120Hz AMOLED screen, is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, and supports 80W fast charging.

The Vivo V30 5G retails at Rs 31,999.

4. Nothing Phone (2a)

The Nothing Phone (2a) is known for its unique transparent back panel design with LED Glyph Interface. It has a 50MP OIS and EIS-enabled main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The company’s TrueLens Engine computational photography algorithm has features like UltraXDR, night mode, motion capture, and portrait optimisation. 

ALSO READ: Best camera phones under 15,000 in India

The UltraXDR is co-developed with Google for accurate contrasts and maximum details. The phone also has a 32MP selfie snapper. The Nothing Phone (2a) comes with a Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC and a 5,000mAh battery that can be topped via 45W charging. It runs on the latest Android 14 OS out of the box. The smartphone can be purchased at Rs 23,999.

5. Samsung Galaxy M15 5G

The newly launched Samsung Galaxy M15 5G carries a budget price tag and still packs capable cameras. There is a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth unit. The device is backed by a mammoth 6,000mAh battery with support for 25W charging. It is equipped with a Dimensity 6100+ chipset and comes with a 90Hz AMOLED display.

The Samsung Galaxy M15 5G carries a price tag of Rs 12,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant.

These budget camera phones prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to click great photos. They will ensure that your requirements are met without compromising on quality.