Best Performance Phones Across Price Ranges (May 2025) According to Our Tests

Finding a smartphone that truly delivers on performance can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially with so many options out there. That’s where XpertPick steps in.

We’ve tested a wide range of devices and handpicked the top performers across five key price brackets, so you don’t have to dig through endless specifications. Let’s check out how we tested and which phones made the cut in these lists.

Testing Criteria

Before we dive into the results, here’s a quick look at how we evaluate smartphone performance. At XpertPick, we rely on trusted industry benchmarks like AnTuTu and Geekbench to measure raw power—covering both overall hardware capability and CPU performance.

But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. That’s why we put every device through real-world usage tests, analysing how they handle daily tasks, multitasking, and gaming. We also consider which type of user each phone best serves.

With that context in place, let’s jump into our curated list of top performers across different price segments, and find out which devices truly earned their place at the top.

Best Performance Phone Under Rs 15,000

Vivo T4x

Vivo’s T4x may have launched back in March, but it’s still setting the bar when it comes to performance under Rs 15,000. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, a chip usually reserved for pricier phones around the Rs 20,000 mark—this device is punching way above its weight class.

In our tests, the T4x delivered an AnTuTu score of 703,818 points—a number that outshines competitors like the iQOO Z10x and Infinix Note 50x 5G+, both of which failed to cross the 700K threshold. For a phone in this segment, crossing that benchmark is no small feat.

We also put the T4x through Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests, and the results held strong. Check out our detailed table below to see how these phones fared against each other in our AnTuTu and Geekbench tests.

Beyond the numbers, our hands-on experience confirmed what the benchmarks suggested—smooth day-to-day performance, effortless multitasking, and reliable handling of casual games and app switching.

So, who should buy this phone? The Vivo T4x is a solid choice for users who value performance on a budget. It’s ideal for multitaskers, students, and casual gamers who want power without overspending. While the LCD display and pre-installed bloatware are drawbacks, the overall experience more than makes up for it.

Best Performance Under Rs 25,000

POCO X7 Pro

POCO has turned heads with the X7 Pro, a device that blends flagship-grade performance with wallet-friendly pricing. Under the hood, it packs the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage—impressive specifications for its price bracket.

In performance testing, the X7 Pro clocked a staggering 1,636,312 points on AnTuTu, rivaling last-gen premium phones without breaking the bank. It also led the charts in Geekbench scores, edging out competitors like the Realme P3 Ultra and Realme P3 Pro.

But numbers aside, daily use tells the real story—and this phone delivers. From video streaming to endless social scrolling and casual gaming, the experience was buttery smooth throughout.

So, who should pick this up? If you’re hunting for top-tier performance, a sharp display, and strong battery life without splurging, the POCO X7 Pro is a no-brainer. Just keep in mind: the camera needs some work in tricky lighting, and the UI can be a little too eager with spammy notifications.

Best Performance Phone Under Rs 30,000

Realme GT 6

Realme has thrown down the gauntlet with the GT 6, now retailing at just Rs 29,999—a far cry from its original Rs 40,999 launch price. At this new price point, it’s commanding attention for what it truly delivers.

Armed with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, up to 16GB RAM, and 512GB of storage, the GT 6 doesn’t cut corners. It racked up a stellar 1,561,973 points in our AnTuTu test—a number that leaves newer challengers like the iQOO Neo 10R and Motorola Edge 60 Pro in the dust. While the Neo 10R edged past in Geekbench’s multi-core score, Realme’s all-round dominance was clear.

But benchmark bragging rights only go so far. In day-to-day use, the GT 6 delivered a seamless experience—whether we were juggling calls, binge-watching on YouTube, or doom-scrolling through socials. We didn’t encounter any lags, stutters or heating issues throughout our usage.

So, who’s it for? Power users on a budget, photography enthusiasts who crave a good telephoto lens, and display snobs who won’t settle for anything less than brilliance. With AI smarts, a 6000-nit curved screen, and that killer price, the GT 6 is a power move.

Best Performance Phone Under Rs 50,000

OnePlus 13R

OnePlus is blurring the lines between flagship and mid-range with the 13R. Powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that drove flagship phones in 2024, this device delivers raw power without the premium price tag.

The numbers don’t lie—its AnTuTu score of 2,124,569 crushes competitors like the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra and Pixel 9a, the latter of which didn’t even breach the 1 million mark. Geekbench results also back this up, with the 13R outperforming its peers in both single-core and multi-core tests.

Beyond the benchmarks, day-to-day performance is just as impressive. Whether it was jumping between apps, streaming content, or running the camera in Delhi’s punishing summer heat, the 13R stayed cool and lag-free.

What’s the catch? Honestly, not much. You get a clean, bloat-free OxygenOS experience, dependable camera performance with a bonus telephoto lens, a bright display with immersive audio, and a design that—while not as striking as the 12R—is still solid and understated. So, if you want flagship power without the flagship cost, the OnePlus 13R is hard to ignore.

Best Performance Phone Under Rs 70,000

Realme GT 7 Pro

It’s been a while since the Realme GT 7 Pro hit the market back in December, but don’t let that fool you—it’s still one of the most powerful phones you can buy in this segment today. Under the hood, it packs Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, paired with up to 16GB RAM and a generous 512GB storage, making it a heavyweight contender even months post-launch.

In terms of raw numbers, the GT 7 Pro smashed our AnTuTu test with a score nearing 2.8 million—leaving other premium phones like the Xiaomi 15 and OnePlus 13 trailing behind. Sure, the Xiaomi 15 edged it out slightly in the Geekbench single-core test, but across the board, the Realme GT 7 Pro stood tall as the top performer.

Benchmarks aside, what really impressed us was how effortlessly it handled real-world tasks. Whether we were diving into the camera app, endlessly scrolling Instagram, or multitasking like pros, the GT 7 Pro didn’t break a sweat.

Is the Realme GT 7 Pro a perfect phone? While it nails the essentials—stunning display, punchy speakers, capable cameras, and solid battery life—the user interface still has a tendency to bombard you with unnecessary notifications, which could be off-putting to some. Still, if you’re chasing peak performance without the flagship price tag, the Realme GT 7 Pro remains a no-brainer in 2025.

And that wraps up our top-performing smartphone picks for May! As newer models hit the market, you can count on us to refresh this list with the latest speed demons and multitasking champs. Stay tuned to XpertPick—we’re here to help you cut through the clutter and find out if a phone truly deserves a spot in your pocket.