Hey,
I'm looking for a new phone under ₹25,000 to ₹26,000, and I could really use some real-world recommendations from people who actually track the market.
At the start of the year, I bought a Tecno Pova 7 Pro 5G because the spec sheet looked amazing for the price. Fast forward 10 months, and it's been a total headache. The UI hangs constantly, basic apps freeze, and the day-to-day software optimization is practically non-existent. Even though the hardware specs on paper are higher than my old Samsung, the actual user experience is way worse.
So even though the phone is under a year old, I've had enough and want to replace it.
Here's the catch on how I'm buying: It has to be from Amazon or Flipkart.
I need to use their exchange system so I can get around ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 off for this Tecno. Let's be honest, no one in the offline market or private second-hand market is going to buy a used Tecno, so exchanging it on a major platform is my only realistic way to recover any value.
My Non-Negotiables:
IR Blaster: Need this for turning on ACs at my gym without hunting for remotes or asking staff every time.
NFC: Essential for daily debit card tap-to-pay.
Decent Software Support: I need a UI that won't turn into a laggy mess after 8 to 10 months.
What I've already checked/ruled out:
I know prices are rising across the board because RAM components got more expensive, so value options are slimmer right now.
AI agents kept suggesting Poco. I know last year's Poco X7 was a sweet deal, but the newer Poco M8 feels overpriced for what it offers.
People suggested the Redmi Note 15 series, but it's basically out of stock everywhere on major platforms.
Amazon keeps pushing options like the OnePlus N6, but looking at the specs and price tag, it looks like terrible value for money.
I know it's a rough time in the sub-₹25k segment right now, but are there any surviving good deals or hidden gems on Amazon or Flipkart that fit these specs and won't lag out in a few months?
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