The “Potato Quality” era is over. In 2026, the mid-range segment has inherited the sensors that were in flagship phones just two years ago. We are talking about Sony LYTIA sensors, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) as standard, and even Periscope Zoom lenses.
If you have ₹25,000 and your main priority is Instagram-ready photos, cinematic Reels, or sharp portraits, you do not need to spend ₹1 Lakh on an iPhone. We tested the latest launches from Realme, Motorola, Redmi, Samsung, and Nothing to find the ultimate shutterbug choice.
What to Look For in 2026? (Buying Advice)
Before looking at the list, understand what makes a good camera in this budget:
- OIS (Optical Image Stabilization): Non-negotiable. If a phone doesn’t have OIS, photos will be blurry at night and videos will be shaky.
- Sensor Size > Megapixels: A 50MP Sony IMX890 (Large Sensor) is far superior to a cheap 200MP sensor. Big sensors capture more light.
- Ultrawide Quality: Most budget phones have terrible 8MP ultrawide cameras. Look for ones that offer at least 12MP or 50MP for landscapes.
1. Realme 16 Pro 5G
The “Portrait Master”
Realme has done it again. The 16 Pro is currently the only phone under ₹25k that offers a dedicated telephoto lens for portraits. While others crop into the main sensor, Realme uses physical glass to zoom.
Real-World Performance:
The 2x Portrait Mode is the killer feature here. The background blur (bokeh) looks DSLR-like because of the dedicated lens. Skin tones are slightly warm, which Indian users generally prefer. In daylight, the dynamic range is flagship-level. Night photography is good, but the 8MP ultrawide lens is its weak point—it gets soft in low light.
✅ The Good
- Best Portrait Mode in the segment.
- Dedicated 2x Telephoto lens (Rare feature).
- Excellent stabilization in 4K video.
❌ The Bad
- Ultrawide camera is average (8MP).
- Pre-installed bloatware apps.
2. Moto Edge 60 Neo
The “Low Light” King
Motorola has completely revamped its image processing algorithm. The Edge 60 Neo focuses purely on sensor quality and color accuracy. It features the Pantone-validated color science, meaning what you see is what you get.
Real-World Performance:
This is the phone for night owls. The f/1.8 aperture combined with Motorola’s “Night Vision” auto-mode pulls in incredible light without making the image look fake or over-sharpened. It also has the best Ultrawide camera in this list—the 13MP sensor captures sharp landscapes and doubles as a high-quality Macro lens for close-ups.
✅ The Good
- Most natural colors (Pantone Validated).
- Best Ultrawide/Macro combo.
- Very clean, stock Android software.
❌ The Bad
- Shutter speed can be slow in 50MP mode.
- Portrait edge detection is hit-or-miss.
3. Redmi Note 15 Pro
The “Detail” Monster
If you love zooming in on your photos to see every brick on a building, the Redmi Note 15 Pro is your device. It carries forward the massive megapixel legacy with a refined 200MP sensor.
Real-World Performance:
The sheer resolution allows you to crop into images without losing quality. Redmi uses “In-Sensor Zoom” to provide 2x and 4x lossless digital zoom. It is fantastic for architecture and landscapes. However, the file sizes are huge, and the shutter can lag slightly when taking 200MP shots.
✅ The Good
- Incredible detail in daylight.
- Great “In-Sensor” crop zoom (2x/4x).
- Many creative vlog modes (Vlog Mode 2.0).
❌ The Bad
- Night shots can have “noise” (grain).
- Heavy image processing (skin smoothing).
4. Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
The “Social Media” Safe Choice
Samsung understands Instagram better than anyone. The Galaxy A36 isn’t about raw specs; it’s about optimization. It works better with third-party apps (Snapchat/Instagram) than any other phone on this list.
Real-World Performance:
Video is the strength here. The combination of OIS and VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization) makes handheld vlogs look very smooth. The microphone quality is also superior to Realme and Redmi. Photos are “Samsung Style”—bright, saturated, and ready to post without editing.
✅ The Good
- Best Video Stabilization in segment.
- Optimized for Instagram/Snapchat upload.
- Consistent point-and-shoot reliability.
❌ The Bad
- Charging is slow (25W).
- Notched display looks outdated.
5. Nothing Phone (3a)
The “Contrast” Artist
Nothing has a very distinct “look.” They don’t brighten shadows artificially like Samsung or smooth skin like Vivo. They embrace contrast and shadows.
Real-World Performance:
This is the only phone offering a 50MP Ultrawide camera under ₹25k. Your wide-angle shots will match the quality of your main camera. The “True-to-Life” engine means selfies show your actual skin texture (which some love, some hate).
✅ The Good
- Best-in-class 50MP Ultrawide camera.
- Unique, moody image processing.
- Glyph lights can act as a soft ring-light.
❌ The Bad
- Slow processing time for HDR shots.
- No telephoto lens.
Final Comparison: Spec Sheet Shootout
| Phone Model | Primary Sensor | OIS? | Best Feature | Price (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realme 16 Pro | 50MP Sony LYT-700 | ✅ Yes | 2x Portrait Lens | ₹24,999 |
| Moto Edge 60 Neo | 50MP Sony LYT-700C | ✅ Yes | Low Light / Pantone | ₹22,999 |
| Redmi Note 15 Pro | 200MP Samsung HP3 | ✅ Yes | Detail / Cropping | ₹23,999 |
| Galaxy A36 5G | 50MP Samsung | ✅ Yes | Video Stability | ₹24,499 |
| Nothing Phone (3a) | 50MP GN9 | ✅ Yes | 50MP Ultrawide | ₹23,999 |
🏆 Editor’s Final Verdict
Choosing the “best” depends entirely on what you shoot:
- For Portraits (People): Buy the Realme 16 Pro. The dedicated telephoto lens is a game-changer for bokeh.
- For Vlogging/Reels: Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36. The video stability is unmatched.
- For Landscapes/Travel: Buy the Nothing Phone (3a) or Moto Edge 60 Neo for their superior Ultrawide cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why didn’t you include the iQOO Z9s Pro?
The iQOO Z-series is fantastic for gaming, but its camera processing is often inconsistent compared to the Realme Pro or Moto Edge series in this specific price range.
Q2: Does “Megapixels” really matter?
Not as much as marketing makes you think. A 50MP sensor with a large physical size (like on the Moto) will almost always beat a tiny 108MP sensor. Light capture matters more than pixel count.
Q3: Which phone takes the best selfies?
The Realme 16 Pro generally takes the most flattering selfies for Indian skin tones, while the Nothing Phone (3a) takes the sharpest, most natural ones.
