Which Budget Smartphones Were Being Purchased the Most in 2025?

TL;DR Budget smartphone purchases in India surged in 2025 due to aggressive online pricing improved trust in e commerce and wider manufacturing within the country. The most purchased models were dominated by Samsung and Motorola with devices such as the Galaxy M36 Moto G96 5G and Galaxy M17 leading online sales charts. User preference leaned strongly toward long term reliability efficient performance and clean software experiences. The trend also revealed a growing interest in refurbished smartphones as buyers became more aware of budget smartphone compromises and hidden tactics. This shift shows that consumers now prioritise value stability and real world usability over pure specifications.

Introduction

The rise of budget smartphones in India has transformed the country’s mobile market, creating a highly competitive space that continues to expand every year. Over the past decade, India has shifted from being an import-reliant smartphone market to one of the world’s fastest-growing local manufacturing and assembly hubs. Government initiatives, improved supply chains and rising demand for affordable mobile technology have encouraged manufacturers to increase their production capacity within India. This expansion includes both full-scale manufacturing and component assembly operations, making budget smartphones more accessible than ever.

A key factor accelerating this shift is the change in consumer behaviour. More Indians are purchasing smartphones online than at any other time in history. Online buying has evolved into a trusted medium due to a combination of competitive discounts, festival offers, exchange programmes, instant financing and reliable delivery networks. These advantages have made e-commerce an essential platform for both brands and buyers in the budget segment. With better transparency, detailed user reviews, clear return policies and widespread availability, online shopping has become the preferred choice for millions.

The budget smartphone category holds immense appeal because it balances affordability with practical performance. Users across the country, from students to working professionals, now expect reliable battery life, decent processing capability and clean software experiences without exceeding their budgets. This shift in expectations has motivated smartphone brands to refine their devices and build dedicated product lines that cater specifically to the Indian audience. As a result, 2025 witnessed a strong rise in budget smartphone launches, each aiming to capture the attention of online buyers who prioritise value, performance and long-term reliability.

To understand which devices dominated the market this year, we analysed multiple online sources, consumer sentiment, sales data trends and overall purchase patterns. The smartphones featured in this study represent only online purchase behaviour, as most consumers now rely heavily on digital marketplaces for cost-effective buying. The following sections break down the top budget phones of 2025, explain why some models performed exceptionally well and explore the broader purchasing trends shaping India’s budget smartphone ecosystem.

The Most Purchased Budget Smartphones of 2025

In this section, we examine the smartphones that gained the most traction in online markets throughout 2025. The list is based on device popularity, purchase history and user experience insights collected from multiple publicly available internet sources. Since a majority of budget smartphone sales in India occur through online platforms, this analysis specifically reflects online purchase trends.

Infinix GT 30

The Infinix GT 30, released in August 2025, emerged as a popular choice among budget gaming enthusiasts. Its design focuses on performance stability with a capable processor and smooth visual output that strengthens gameplay. More than 1,000 units were sold online during the year, indicating healthy demand within the performance oriented budget bracket. The device appeals to buyers seeking a well-balanced gaming phone without premium pricing.

Moto G67 Power

The Moto G67 Power launched towards the end of 2025 and quickly gained momentum due to its impressive battery capacity and reliable real-world performance. Nearly 2,000 units were purchased in a short span, highlighting strong consumer interest. The phone is designed for users who prioritise long screen time, predictable performance and Motorola’s cleaner approach to software experiences.

Realme P4

The Realme P4 arrived in August 2025 with a value-driven package targeted at younger users and students. With close to ~1,000 units sold online, the device showed steady demand. It delivers a stylish design, smooth display quality and reliable performance at an affordable price point. The Realme P4 fits perfectly into the daily usage requirements of users who prioritise ease of use over heavy specifications.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G entered the Indian market late in August 2025 and secured nearly 2,000 units purchased by the end of the year. It reflects Samsung’s focus on creating refined and stable budget 5G devices with strong optimisation. The A17 offers dependable daily performance, clean One UI software and a balanced camera system, making it appealing to users who prefer reliability over aggressive marketing features.

Moto G86 Power

The Moto G86 Power launched in August 2025 and rapidly became one of the highest-rated smartphones in the budget category. It recorded almost 3,000 online sales, demonstrating widespread acceptance among power users. The device’s standout features include a robust battery, efficient processing and Motorola’s proven stability in the budget segment, making it a preferred choice for long-term daily usage.

Moto G96 5G

The Moto G96 5G, released in July 2025, marked one of the strongest performances for Motorola with nearly ~4,000 units sold online. It stands out as the most purchased Motorola smartphone of the year. The device offers a combination of smooth 5G performance, reliable battery optimisation and consistent software tuning. It attracted buyers searching for future-ready connectivity and dependable daily performance under ₹20,000.

Samsung Galaxy M36

The Samsung Galaxy M36, launched in July 2025, became the Highest Purchased Samsung Smartphone under ₹20,000 and achieved more than 5,000 units in sales. Its popularity stems from Samsung’s focus on long battery life, refined display quality and stable One UI optimisation. The M36 offers an excellent all-round experience for budget users, making it the top winner in this 2025 list.

Samsung Galaxy M17

The Samsung Galaxy M17 entered the market in October 2025 yet managed to achieve over 3,000 units units sold in just a few months. This rapid rise highlights its appeal among buyers looking for a reliable and power efficient device with consistent long-term performance. The M17’s clean software behaviour and dependable battery play a crucial role in its accelerated adoption.

After reviewing the phones individually, it becomes clear that Samsung and Motorola dominated the purchasing trends for 2025. Realme and Infinix captured niche interest as well, though Samsung’s strong emphasis on reliability and Motorola’s focus on endurance stood out significantly across online sales data.

Why Samsung Remains the Most Trusted Budget Smartphone Brand

Samsung’s dominance in the budget category is not accidental. Its A, M and F series have been redesigned over the years to serve specific types of budget users while maintaining Samsung’s commitment to stability, longevity and clean software behaviour. Unlike many competitors that prioritise headline specifications, Samsung builds its devices around long-term usability and predictable system performance.

As detailed in earlier analyses of Samsung’s budget smartphone lineup, the company emphasises software longevity, regular security updates, refined display calibration and consistent performance. These strengths create smoother usage experiences that hold up well even after years. In contrast, many aggressively priced budget phones struggle with thermal management, optimisation limitations and irregular update cycles, which affect long-term reliability.

Samsung’s budget devices often deliver more stable performance than their competitors despite appearing less powerful on paper. This is largely because One UI delivers a cleaner and smoother operational environment with fewer background pressures and more predictable battery behaviour. By focusing on essential features rather than inflated numbers, Samsung creates smart devices that feel reliable for longer periods. In 2025, users repeatedly favoured Samsung because of its balance between pricing, updates, battery health and display quality.

Why Motorola Became One of the Most Purchased Budget Smartphone Brands in 2025

Motorola’s surge in the Indian budget smartphone market throughout 2025 is not accidental but a direct result of its long-term commitment to delivering a clean, reliable and user-centric experience. Unlike many competitors that rely heavily on aggressive specifications and heavily modified interfaces, Motorola continues to prioritise a near-stock Android experience that feels smooth, intuitive and free from unnecessary distractions. This clean software environment has become a major reason why the brand is increasingly preferred by users who are tired of excessive bloatware, intrusive ads and inconsistent system behaviour often found in competing budget smartphones. With Moto devices, users receive a predictable, smoother interface that feels lighter and more responsive even after months of use.

Motorola’s design philosophy also contributes significantly to its rising popularity. In 2025 the company has emphasised practical yet stylish designs that feel modern, durable and comfortable to use. Motorola integrates thoughtful material choices and balanced ergonomics that appeal strongly to buyers seeking simplicity without compromising quality. Additionally, the brand has introduced meaningful hardware improvements such as battery-focused variants like the Power series, refined camera tuning and efficient processors that deliver sustained performance suitable for daily usage and moderate gaming. This balance of performance, clean software, longevity and user-friendly design has helped Motorola secure a strong reputation for consistency, making it one of the most purchased smartphone brands under ₹20,000 in India for 2025.

Why Refurbished Smartphones Are Becoming a Stronger Alternative in 2025

As the budget smartphone market continues to grow, refurbished devices have become an increasingly attractive alternative for many buyers. A key reason behind this shift is the growing awareness of tactics used by budget smartphone companies, including compromises in materials, deceptive processing labels, restricted software update cycles and irregular optimisation practices. These issues were explored in detail in various reports discussing the hidden secrets of budget smartphone manufacturing.

Refurbished smartphones provide an opportunity to bypass these limitations by offering buyers access to higher quality devices at significantly lower prices. Instead of purchasing a new budget phone that may introduce thermal issues, early ageing or inconsistent performance, many consumers now prefer certified refurbished mid-range and flagship devices that offer better hardware, more refined displays and longer software support cycles.

Another major benefit is affordability. Certified refurbished devices often cost as much as forty percent less than their original retail price while still offering warranty support, verified quality checks and reliable after-sales service. As concerns about bloatware, inconsistent camera processing or rapidly degrading batteries continue to rise, refurbished smartphones present a practical and future-ready alternative. They allow buyers to enjoy premium features without stretching their budget and provide a more sustainable approach to smartphone ownership.

With refurbished markets growing steadily across India and increasing consumer trust in certified sellers, many users now consider refurbished options alongside new devices before finalising their purchase decisions.

Understanding Budget Smartphones in 2025 and How to Choose the Right One

The Indian budget smartphone market is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving segments. Selecting the right device requires a deeper understanding of user priorities and real-world performance rather than relying purely on marketing claims. A detailed guide published earlier on understanding budget smartphone buying patterns revealed several key considerations that help users make more informed decisions.

The first step is identifying needs clearly. Users must determine whether they prioritise battery life, clean software, display quality or performance for multitasking. Many budget phones promise powerful hardware but lack optimisation, leading to throttling or heating during extended usage. Therefore, real-world performance testing, user reviews and long-term feedback play critical roles in the buying process.

Battery life and charging behaviour are among the most crucial elements because they directly impact daily usability. A phone with a larger battery but insufficient software tuning may drain faster under load, whereas well-optimised devices offer more predictable endurance. Display quality is another major factor since many budget devices now include brighter panels and improved colour accuracy, greatly enhancing video consumption and general usage comfort.

Software and security updates must also be evaluated carefully. Many budget smartphones receive limited support, which affects performance longevity. Devices with more consistent update cycles stay faster and more stable over time. Build quality and thermal management are equally important as they determine how well the device handles prolonged usage.

Consumers should also check for realistic 5G performance rather than marketing claims, as not all devices support comprehensive 5G bands. In summary, buying the right budget smartphone requires examining optimisation quality, battery endurance, display standards, software support cycles and long-term reliability rather than judging based solely on specifications.

Conclusion

The year 2025 showcased tremendous growth in India’s budget smartphone segment, driven by increased online buying, improved trust in e-commerce and the rapid expansion of local manufacturing. The phones highlighted in this study reflect the purchasing preferences of thousands of users who sought balanced performance, long battery life, clean software and reliable daily usage under affordable budgets.

Samsung and Motorola dominated online purchase trends due to their strong emphasis on stability and long-term optimisation. Realme and Infinix contributed compelling alternatives, adding diversity to the segment. As more buyers start recognising the hidden compromises in many aggressively priced budget phones, refurbished smartphones have emerged as a stronger and more sustainable alternative, offering premium performance without premium pricing.

Ultimately, the budget smartphone landscape in 2025 reveals a clear shift in consumer priorities. Users are no longer persuaded solely by specifications. They prefer dependable performance, cleaner software, predictable battery life and long-term usability. With more informed buying behaviour and a wider range of choices, the Indian budget smartphone market is set to grow even further in the coming years, delivering better value, more refined devices and a stronger ecosystem for budget buyers nationwide.