Introduction
This month, Lava debuted its innovative smartphone, the Agni 3, which impressively features a small secondary display on the back, making it stand out in the crowded market. Alongside this unique display, it incorporates a customizable button on the frame that enhances functionality. The Agni 3 boasts a 3D curved AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, a 50-megapixel primary rear camera, and a robust 5000mAh battery, all at a price point below Rs 25,000. As Lava aggressively markets the unique features of the Agni 3, several other smartphones in the sub-Rs 25,000 category deserve your attention as well. Here, we explore some top contenders, each reviewed thoroughly by Gadgets360.
Top Smartphone Options Under Rs. 25,000
POCO F6 5G
The POCO F6 5G is equipped with a stunning 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate and boasts an impressive peak brightness of 2400 nits. Its robust configuration includes the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and is powered by Android 14 running on Xiaomi’s HyperOS. The device promises three Android updates along with a year of security patches.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the dual-camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 primary camera alongside an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). A 20-megapixel front camera caters to selfie lovers. The F6 is loaded with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, and it is enhanced with POCO Iceloop cooling technology, ensuring a smooth experience.
Its 5000mAh battery offers 120W fast charging capabilities, with a 90W charger included in the box. Gadgets 360 rated this smartphone an admirable 8, complementing its performance, vibrant display, and solid battery life, while critiquing the absence of a headphone jack and its plastic build.
iQOO Z9s Pro 5G
The iQOO Z9s Pro 5G features a 6.7-inch 3D curved AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a dazzling peak brightness of 4500 nits. Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, it provides an exceptional performance envelope. Its camera system includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 16MP front camera for stunning selfies.
Additionally, it packs a 5500mAh battery with 80W fast charging, guaranteeing longevity and swift power recovery. Gadgets 360 scored it an 8, praising its sleek design and vibrant display but noting the initial presence of bloatware and limited AI features.
Nothing Phone (2a)
In India, the Nothing Phone (2a) achieved remarkable sales, surpassing 60,000 units in just one hour after launch. This phone runs on Nothing OS 2.5 based on Android 14, promising three years of Android updates and four years of security patches.
With a 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display featuring an adaptive refresh rate between 30Hz to 120Hz, it’s remarkably efficient, complemented by a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor and up to 12GB of RAM. It features a dual-camera setup with two 50MP sensors and a 16MP selfie camera. The 5000mAh battery, with 45W fast charging, is claimed to deliver two days of continuous use. Gadgets 360 rated this phone at 8, highlighting its unique design, vibrant display, and impressive battery life, while suggesting that its plastic build and slower storage type could be improved.
OnePlus Nord CE 4
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 boasts a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080×2,412 pixels and supports up to 120Hz refresh rate. This device features the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor and runs on OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. It contains a 5,500mAh battery and supports 100W SuperVOOC fast charging.
The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera with OIS. A 16-megapixel front camera is also featured. Our review resulted in an 8 rating for the Nord CE 4, praising its vibrant display, solid design, immersive features, and fast charging capabilities, while expressing disappointment in the average performance of the ultra-wide camera and the need for enhancements in video recording quality.
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G showcases a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It comes equipped with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which is expandable. This smartphone incorporates a triple-camera system, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The front houses a 13-megapixel selfie camera.
Operating on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, it features a 5000mAh battery. Our review awarded it an 8 rating, noting its modern design, excellent display quality, and reliable battery life, although it criticized the underwhelming performance of the ultra-wide camera and a somewhat high launch price, which has since seen reductions during promotional sales.
Lava Agni 3 Pricing in India
The base variant of the Lava Agni 3, featuring 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, is priced at Rs 20,999 without a charger and Rs 22,999 with it. The 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant is priced at Rs 24,999. Considering market standards, it’s advisable to assess the price with the charger included, as most competitors in the same price segment offer it within the box.
