POCO F7, OnePlus Nord 5, iQOO Neo 10, or Realme 15 Pro — which should you buy?
Choosing the best smartphone under ₹35,000 in India can be confusing. The options are plenty, and each promises flagship features at a mid-range price. We’ve compared four top performers — POCO F7, OnePlus Nord 5, iQOO Neo 10, and Realme 15 Pro — to help you make an informed decision. Here’s what stands out in each.
OnePlus Nord 5 – Flagship Design Meets Smart AI
The OnePlus Nord 5 packs premium features while keeping the price under control. It features a 6.83-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1800 nits peak brightness. The design shift to “Techie Minimalism” gives the phone a clean, matte finish that resists fingerprints.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, it handles gaming and multitasking with ease. On the software side, OxygenOS 15 brings deep AI integration with tools like AI Plus Mind, AI Reframe, and voice-assisted actions.
The 50MP rear Sony LYT-700 camera and 50MP selfie camera offer balanced shots with accurate colors. Backed by a 6,800mAh battery and 80W SUPERVOOC charging, the Nord 5 is built for users who demand smooth performance and smart features. Price: ₹34,999.
iQOO Neo 10 – Power and Performance Packed
iQOO continues to push boundaries with the Neo 10. Featuring a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and up to 16GB RAM, this phone is a powerhouse built for gamers and multitaskers. The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen supports a 144Hz refresh rate and 5500 nits peak brightness, perfect for outdoor use.
AI features like Circle to Search, AI Note Assist, and Live Translation are baked into the Funtouch OS, enhancing everyday usability.
The camera setup includes a 50MP Sony portrait sensor and a 32MP front camera. Portraits and selfies come out clear and detailed. The 7000mAh battery easily lasts up to two days, and the 120W fast charging tops up the device in just 45 minutes. Price: ₹34,494.
Realme 15 Pro – Display and Battery Champion
Realme brings serious upgrades with the 15 Pro. This phone features a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and an industry-leading 6500 nits peak brightness. At just 187g, it is also lightweight and ergonomic.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset paired with 12GB RAM ensures smooth daily performance. Realme UI offers helpful AI features like Edit Genie and Party Mode for social media lovers.
Camera-wise, it sports a dual 50MP rear system and a 50MP front shooter. With 4K recording, HDR10+, and detailed night shots, it caters well to content creators. The massive 7000mAh battery lasts more than a day and supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. Price: ₹31,999.
POCO F7 – The Performance King
The POCO F7 sets a new benchmark in the sub-35K segment. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and features 12GB RAM with 512GB UFS 4.1 storage. The Antutu score of 1.87 million underlines its class-leading performance.
The 6.83-inch AMOLED screen supports 1.5K resolution and 3200 nits peak brightness. Features like Wet Touch 2.0 and Gorilla Glass 7i ensure usability and durability.
You get a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor with OIS for sharp and vivid photography, while the 20MP selfie camera is perfect for social content. The 7550mAh battery easily handles a full day of use, and the 90W charger gets it to 100% in under 60 minutes. Price: ₹31,999.
Our Pick: POCO F7
Among all contenders, the POCO F7 stands out for combining raw power with practical features. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, top-tier display, and 7550mAh battery make it ideal for users who prioritize speed, gaming, and battery life. Priced at ₹31,999, it delivers the most value and tops our list for the best smartphone under ₹35,000.
Final Thoughts
All four phones — POCO F7, OnePlus Nord 5, iQOO Neo 10, and Realme 15 Pro—offer excellent value. If you want camera finesse, the Nord 5 is ideal. For display and AI tricks, try the Realme 15 Pro. iQOO Neo 10 is perfect for performance-heavy tasks. But if you’re looking for the best overall phone under ₹35K, POCO F7 wins for its unbeatable price-to-performance ratio.
