In the crowded market of budget 5G smartphones, finding the best 5G phone under ₹25,000 in 2025 can be overwhelming. The iQOO Z10, Nothing Phone 3a, and Moto Edge 60 Fusion stand out as top contenders, each catering to different user needs—be it gaming, photography, or long-term software support. This comprehensive comparison, enriched with insights from TechBit’s YouTube review (watch here), dives deep into their design, performance, cameras, battery life, software, and more. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, this guide will help you pick the perfect phone. Updated April 2025.

Pricing and What’s in the Box

Price and included accessories play a crucial role in budget smartphone decisions:

• iQOO Z10 (₹22,999): The most affordable, it includes a 33W fast charger, USB-C cable, and a protective case, ensuring you don’t need to spend extra on essentials.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion (₹23,000): Slightly pricier, it offers a 68W fast charger and USB-C cable but skips the case, which may disappoint some users.
• Nothing Phone 3a (₹25,000): The most expensive, it only includes the phone and a USB-C cable, requiring separate purchases for a charger and case, reducing its value proposition.

Why It Matters: iQOO Z10’s complete package saves money, while Nothing Phone 3a’s minimal inclusions feel stingy for its price. Moto strikes a balance but misses the case, a staple in earlier Motorola phones (TechBit, 00:29).

Winner: iQOO Z10 for the best value with all essential accessories included.

Design and Build Quality

Each phone brings a unique design aesthetic and build quality tailored to different tastes:

• iQOO Z10: Features a plastic back with a textured pattern, weighing 200g. Its quad-curved edges enhance grip, making it comfortable for prolonged use. The IP65 rating protects against dust and water splashes, ideal for outdoor use.
• Nothing Phone 3a: Sports a transparent glass back with signature Glyph LED lighting, also 200g. However, its thicker profile (TechBit, 01:22) feels less ergonomic, and the IP64 rating offers minimal water resistance.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: Stands out with a premium vegan leather finish, weighing just 183g—the lightest of the trio. Curved edges ensure comfort, and the IP69 rating provides top-tier water and dust resistance, surviving submersion.

Comfort and Durability: Moto’s lightweight design and vegan leather feel luxurious, while iQOO’s curved edges ensure a snug fit. Nothing’s glass back is stylish but bulky, reducing comfort for long sessions. X users praise Moto’s premium feel (@GadgetGuru) but note Nothing’s unique design appeals to trendsetters (@TechBit).

Winner: Moto Edge 60 Fusion for its lightweight, premium build and unmatched IP69 durability.

Display Quality: Visuals That Pop

All three phones feature 120Hz AMOLED displays, delivering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals, but their specs differ:

• iQOO Z10: Quad-curved Full HD+ AMOLED with HDR10 support, offering punchy colors and deep blacks. Ideal for streaming, it shines with Netflix HD via Widevine L1.
• Nothing Phone 3a: Flat Full HD+ AMOLED, preferred by users who dislike curved screens. It delivers vibrant colors and is great for outdoor visibility.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: 1.5K curved AMOLED, the highest resolution here, providing sharper visuals for gaming and videos. Its clarity edges out competitors (TechBit, 02:47).

Real-World Use: All support 4K HDR streaming and perform well outdoors. Moto’s 1.5K resolution offers crisper details, but some users on X (@TechBit) prefer Nothing’s flat display for accidental touch prevention. iQOO’s HDR10 support enhances video quality, especially for YouTube and OTT platforms.

Winner: Moto Edge 60 Fusion for its superior 1.5K resolution, though Nothing Phone 3a caters to flat-screen fans.

Audio Experience: Sound That Surrounds

Audio quality is critical for media consumption, and these phones vary significantly:

• iQOO Z10: Equipped with a single speaker, it’s adequate but lacks the depth of stereo sound, a missed opportunity at this price (TechBit, 03:13).
• Nothing Phone 3a: Dual speakers deliver good bass and clarity, making it suitable for music and movies without earphones.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support provide immersive sound, ideal for gaming and streaming. It’s the loudest and richest of the trio.

Limitations: None include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a common omission in 2025. Moto’s Dolby Atmos gives it an edge for audiophiles, while iQOO’s single speaker disappoints for media-heavy users.

Winner: Moto Edge 60 Fusion for its Dolby Atmos-enhanced dual speakers.

Software and Longevity

Running Android 15, each phone offers a distinct software experience with varying update commitments:

• iQOO Z10: Funtouch OS 15 is feature-rich but includes bloatware (e.g., Hot Apps, Hot Games) that requires uninstallation. It offers 2 major OS updates and 3 years of security patches, plus silent call recording via its dialer (TechBit, 05:00).
• Nothing Phone 3a: Nothing OS 3 is clean, bloat-free, and visually appealing, with 3 major OS updates and 6 years of security patches—the longest here. It supports silent call recording, including WhatsApp calls, via a widget.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: Hello UI is clean and intuitive, with 3 major OS updates and 4 years of security patches. It uses Google’s dialer, lacking silent call recording, which may disappoint some users.

Features: All include app lock, dual apps, and app hiding. Nothing’s long-term support and clean UI make it future-proof, while iQOO’s bloatware detracts from the experience. Moto’s balance of clean software and recent feature additions (e.g., app lock) is commendable.

Winner: Nothing Phone 3a for its clean software and longest update commitment.

Battery Life: Power That Lasts

Battery capacity and efficiency are critical for all-day use:

• iQOO Z10: A massive 7,300mAh battery delivers over 7 hours of screen-on time (5G, gaming), with 48% remaining after heavy use. Includes a 33W charger (TechBit, 05:53).
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: 5,500mAh battery offers ~6 hours of screen-on time, with 33% left. Includes a 68W charger for faster top-ups.
• Nothing Phone 3a: 5,000mAh battery, ~6 hours of screen-on time, with only 16% left. No charger included, requiring a separate 50W charger purchase.

Real-World Performance: iQOO Z10 lasts up to 2 days, ideal for travelers or heavy users. Moto’s optimized performance stretches its smaller battery, while Nothing lags due to its smaller capacity and less efficient optimization.

Winner: iQOO Z10 for its unbeatable battery life and included charger.

Performance: Speed and Gaming

Performance is driven by different chipsets, with optimization playing a key role:

• iQOO Z10: MediaTek Dimensity 7400 with UFS 2.2 storage scores highest in benchmarks, excelling in gaming (BGMI at 60fps, COD Ultra stable). Its optimization minimizes camera lag (TechBit, 07:08).
• Nothing Phone 3a: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with UFS 2.2 storage performs well for daily tasks but shows camera lag during back-to-back shots.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with UFS 2.2 storage is optimized for normal tasks but lags in intensive photography due to slower storage.

Gaming and Multitasking: iQOO Z10’s Dimensity 7400 and gaming-focused optimization make it the best for PUBG, COD, and heavy apps. Nothing and Moto handle casual tasks well but falter in high-speed photography. All use UFS 2.2 storage, a slight disappointment when UFS 3.1 is common at this price.

Winner: iQOO Z10 for superior gaming and overall performance.

Camera Performance: Capturing the Moment

All phones feature 50MP main cameras, but their secondary lenses and processing set them apart:

• iQOO Z10: 50MP main, no ultrawide. Delivers good main camera details and skin tones, but 2x zoom lacks clarity. 32MP selfie supports 4K video with decent stability.
• Nothing Phone 3a: 50MP main, 50MP telephoto, 8MP ultrawide. Excels in zoom (2x and beyond) and low-light zoom shots, but shadow control is weaker. 32MP selfie, limited to 1080p video.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide. Best main camera for details, skin tones, and low-light performance. Ultrawide outperforms Nothing’s. 32MP selfie with stable 4K video.

Video Quality: All shoot stable 4K videos from main cameras with good light control. Moto and iQOO offer 4K selfie videos; Nothing’s 1080p selfie videos lack detail.
Selfie Performance: All 32MP front cameras deliver sharp, bright selfies with accurate HDR, portrait edge detection, and strong low-light performance.
Photo Samples: TechBit’s Google Drive (link in video) showcases Moto’s superior main and ultrawide shots, Nothing’s zoom prowess, and iQOO’s balanced main camera.

Winner: Moto Edge 60 Fusion for its versatile main and ultrawide cameras, though Nothing Phone 3a shines for zoom photography.

Connectivity and Additional Features

• Network: All offer reliable 5G+ and Wi-Fi 6, with consistent outdoor performance (TechBit, 10:37).
• NFC: Only Nothing Phone 3a supports contactless payments, a boon for urban users.
• Audio: Dual mics on all phones ensure clear call quality, even outdoors.
• iQOO Z10: Includes an IR blaster for remote control but lacks a dedicated proximity sensor, using a motion-based alternative that’s less reliable (TechBit, 11:04).
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: Supports dual SIM + microSD (expandable storage), with a dedicated proximity sensor for reliable call handling.
• Nothing Phone 3a: Dual SIM, dedicated proximity sensor, no microSD slot.

Unique Features: iQOO’s IR blaster is handy for controlling appliances. Moto’s expandable storage appeals to users needing extra space. Nothing’s NFC is a niche but valuable addition.

Winner: Moto Edge 60 Fusion for expandable storage and reliable proximity sensor.

Pros and Cons: A Side-by-Side Look

iQOO Z10

Pros: Lowest price (₹22,999), complete box contents, massive 7,300mAh battery, best gaming performance, IR blaster, silent call recording, HDR10 display.
Cons: Bloatware-heavy software, no ultrawide camera, single speaker, no dedicated proximity sensor, only 2 OS updates.

Nothing Phone 3a

Pros: Longest software support (3 OS updates, 6 years security), clean bloat-free UI, 50MP telephoto for zoom, NFC, stylish transparent design, silent call recording.
Cons: Highest price (₹25,000), no charger or case, weaker battery life, bulky design, 1080p selfie video, camera lag.

Moto Edge 60 Fusion

Pros: Best 1.5K display, Dolby Atmos dual speakers, IP69 water resistance, versatile main and ultrawide cameras, expandable storage, lightweight vegan leather design.
Cons: No case included, no silent call recording, minor camera lag, 3 OS updates but shorter security support than Nothing.

Which Phone Should You Buy in 2025?

• iQOO Z10: Ideal for gamers, power users, and budget buyers. Its massive battery, gaming prowess, and complete accessories make it a steal at ₹22,999. Choose this if you prioritize performance and endurance over camera versatility.
• Nothing Phone 3a: Perfect for tech enthusiasts, urban users, and those who value long-term software support. Its clean UI, zoom-focused camera, and NFC make it a stylish, future-proof choice at ₹25,000, despite the higher cost.
• Moto Edge 60 Fusion: The best all-rounder for media lovers, photographers, and those seeking a premium feel. Its 1.5K display, Dolby Atmos audio, and versatile cameras shine at ₹23,000, with IP69 durability as a bonus.

Final Verdict: The Moto Edge 60 Fusion is the most balanced choice, excelling in display, audio, cameras, and build quality, making it the best 5G phone under ₹25,000 for most users. However, iQOO Z10 is unbeatable for battery life and gaming at the lowest price, while Nothing Phone 3a appeals to those prioritizing software longevity and unique design.

Where to Buy: Check Amazon, Flipkart, or brand websites (iQOO, Nothing, Motorola) for deals, especially during 2025 sales like Diwali or Black Friday.
Rating: iQOO Z10 (4.3/5), Nothing Phone 3a (4.2/5), Moto Edge 60 Fusion (4.5/5).

Still unsure? Share your priorities in the comments, and we’ll help you decide! Watch TechBit’s detailed comparison on YouTube (here) for photo samples and hands-on insights. Explore our Best 5G Phones Under ₹30,000 guide for more budget-friendly options.

Disclaimer: This review draws from TechBit’s YouTube comparison, supplemented by expert analysis and user feedback from X (@TechBit, @GadgetGuru). Prices and availability may vary based on region and promotions.

Sources:

• TechBit YouTube Review (link)
• GSMArena: Smartphone Specifications
• X User Feedback: @TechBit, @GadgetGuru
• Amazon and Flipkart Product Listings