Best Phones to Buy With ₦150,000 in Nigeria | Top Budget Smartphones

If you're shopping for a new smartphone in Nigeria in 2025 and you’ve set a budget of around ₦150,000, you’re in a sweet spot: not ultra‐cheap, but still budget-friendly enough to get some very good features. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to pick the best phone for that budget and highlight what you should prioritise. Then I’ll point out what to look out for in your purchase, and finally recap with some solid models that are doing well in Nigeria right now.

✅ What makes a “good phone under ₦150,000”?

With inflation, exchange rates, import duties and all that—phones in Nigeria can be tricky to evaluate. Here are key criteria you should check:

1. Performance & hardware

Even on ₦150k budget you should aim for:

At least 4 GB RAM (ideally 6–8 GB) + 64 GB storage.

A recent chipset: not ultra-flagship, but something modern enough for smooth everyday use (apps, web, social media, maybe light games).

Good build quality and display (ideally Full HD+ or better).

For example, budget-phone surveys list phones under ₦150k with Helio G88, Unisoc T606, etc. 

2. Display & refresh rate

If you’ll use the phone for streaming, social media or gaming, a display with a higher refresh rate (90Hz) or good brightness helps. Some affordable phones in Nigeria already offer 90Hz in this price range. 

3. Battery life & charging

5,000 mAh or higher is ideal for “all-day” use. Also check for fast-charging support. Some sub‐₦150k models are already offering decent battery size. 

4. Camera (reasonably good)

At this budget you won’t get ultra-premium camera performance, but you should get a decent main sensor (50MP+, or at least good 13–48MP) for decent daylight shots. Also check front camera if you video call or selfie a lot.

5. Software updates and brand / after-sales support

In Nigeria, brand matters for parts, service, and local firmware/support. If you go with lesser-known brands, check that they have local support. Also try to buy a model whose software and security updates are not completely abandoned.

6. Price to value & local availability

Because of the naira exchange rate, tariffs, etc., you’ll want to check the local price (in Abuja / Lagos) and ensure it’s not imported or grey-market (which may complicate warranty/service).

What to prioritise with ₦150,000 (and what to compromise)

Since your budget is fixed around ₦150k, you’ll need to choose trade-offs. Here’s a guide:

Prioritise: Good display, battery, and enough RAM & storage. These are the things you’ll “feel” every day.

Second priority: Camera quality, brand prestige, ultra-fast charging.

Compromise: Ultra-premium materials (glass back, highest cameras, 5G – unless you find a good deal). For ₦150k you may not get all flag-ship features.

For example: Some phones under ₦150k in Nigeria still skip 5G or have slower charging. That’s fine if you’re using it for everyday tasks. 

Top phone options to consider in Nigeria under ₦150,000

Here are the kinds of models you should look for. Note: actual model names/prices may vary depending on deals, storage variant, and local currency fluctuations. Always check current local price + warranty.

A. Value performers

The Xiaomi Redmi 14C – Reported in Nigeria for around ₦125,712. It offers a 6.88″ display, 50MP main camera + 13MP selfie, up to 8GB RAM/256GB storage in some variants. 

The Infinix Smart 9HD – Around ₦136,211. Large 6.7″ display, Helio / Mediatek processor, 5000 mAh battery, suitable for everyday use. 

The Tecno Pop 9 – Around ₦125,684 to ≈₦146,000. 48MP main camera, 6.67″ IPS display, 5000 mAh battery. Good pick if your priority is decent specs for the budget. 

B. Brand reliability + solid all-rounder

The Samsung Galaxy A05 (4GB+64GB) – Around ₦139,000 in Nigeria. Strong brand backup, good display size (6.7″) and reliable software support. 

The itel P55 5G – At around ₦142,000 in Nigeria. This is interesting because it brings 5G to your budget, which might be “future-proofing”. 

C. Stretch / special case

If you can find a model just under ₦150k with e.g. 120Hz display or better camera – that’s a bonus. Some listings mention 90Hz refresh rate in budget phones. 

Also consider if you need more storage (128GB vs 64GB) because apps + photos/videos fill up quickly.

• Buying tips for Nigeria markets

Always check local authorised dealers: imported phones may have warranty issues or missing parts.

Check the exact variant: Many budget phones have multiple RAM/storage options—go for the highest you can afford (e.g., 6 GB/128 GB rather than 4/64) if the price difference is small.

Ask for box and accessories: charger, cable etc. Sometimes local vendors replace with non-official accessories.

Check for software version and update policy: A phone with older software might not get updates.

Consider after-sales support: Brands with local service centres are safer.

Price check across local shops & online stores (Jumia, Konga etc) but be aware of shipping/import duties.

Negotiate and check payment methods. Watch out for scams especially with “too good to be true” deals.

• With a budget of ₦150,000 in Nigeria:

You can absolutely get a very capable smartphone that handles day-to-day tasks, social media, streaming, and casual gaming.

If you prioritise display quality (refresh rate), battery, decent camera and brand reliability, you’ll be satisfied.

Don’t expect flagship-level features (like ultra-zoom cameras, super high refresh 144Hz, ultra-premium build) but at this budget you can get excellent value.

Hurry though: due to exchange rate, inflation, and import taxes, prices can move quickly. If you find a good one now, it’s smart to buy.