5 New Smartphones Launching in India This January 2026 (And 1 You Didn't See Coming)

Quick Answer: January 2026 brings 6 smartphones to India between ₹12,999 and ₹60,000. Redmi Note 15 5G (Jan 6) leads budget, Realme 16 Pro+ (Jan 6) dominates cameras with 200MP, and OPPO Reno 15 Pro Mini (Jan 8) surprises everyone with a compact flagship. Best value? Redmi Note 15 at ₹22,999.

The first week of January 2026 is shaping up to be the most chaotic smartphone launch window India has seen in years.

Xiaomi and Realme are going head-to-head on the exact same day. Motorola's throwing a curveball with a stylus-equipped flagship nobody asked for but everyone's now curious about. And OPPO? They're launching a compact phone in 2026—yes, you read that right.

Here's the thing: not all of these phones deserve your attention. Some are spec-sheet fillers. Others are genuine game-changers for their price segments. Let me break down which ones actually matter.

1. Redmi Note 15 5G: The Budget King Returns (₹22,999)

Launch Date: January 6, 2026, 12 PM IST

Where to Buy: Amazon.in, Mi.com

After a year-long hiatus, Xiaomi's Note series is back. And it's brought upgrades that actually matter.

The Redmi Note 15 5G finally gets a curved AMOLED display—6.77 inches, 120Hz, with a peak brightness of 3,200 nits. That's brighter than most phones twice its price. The switch from LCD (on the Note 14) to AMOLED alone makes this worth the upgrade.

But here's what nobody's talking about: the Indian variant gets a 108MP camera with OIS, while China got a measly 50MP sensor. Xiaomi's clearly prioritising India with this one.

The catch? 45W charging feels slow when competitors are pushing 80W. And IP66 (splash-resistant) isn't as robust as the IP68 you'll find on phones just ₹10,000 more.

Worth it if: You want the best display under ₹25,000 and can live without bleeding-edge charging speeds.

2. Realme 16 Pro+: The 200MP Portrait Monster (₹31,999)

Launch Date: January 6, 2026, 12 PM IST

Where to Buy: Flipkart, Realme.com

Realme's going all-in on cameras. The 16 Pro+ doesn't just have a 200MP sensor—it has a 50MP periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom. That's flagship territory at mid-range pricing.

The real story is Realme's new "LumaColor IMAGE" system. They're explicitly moving away from the oversaturated, oversharpened photos that plague most mid-rangers. The goal? Natural skin tones and realistic colours. Whether they pull it off remains to be seen, but at least they're acknowledging the problem.

Plot twist: that 7,000mAh battery. We're now living in a world where mid-range phones have tablet-sized batteries. Combined with 80W charging, you're looking at two-day battery life with under-40-minute full charges.

The catch? Leaked pricing suggests the 12GB/512GB variant hits ₹43,999—that's dangerously close to OnePlus Nord CE 5 territory.

Worth it if: Portrait photography is your thing and you refuse to charge your phone daily.

3. Motorola Signature: The Stylus Nobody Expected (₹50,000-70,000)

Launch Date: January 7, 2026

Where to Buy: Flipkart

Here's where things get weird.

Motorola's launching a flagship with stylus support. Not a budget phone. Not a niche productivity device. A proper Snapdragon 8 Gen 5-powered flagship with a fabric-finished back and premium positioning.

The Signature looks like nothing else on the market. That fabric texture rear panel, the flat display with uniform bezels, the extra customisable button on the left edge—Motorola's clearly trying to stand out in a sea of glass slabs.

But wait. The stylus stores externally, not inside the phone like Samsung's S Pen. That's either a dealbreaker or a non-issue depending on how you plan to use it.

The catch? Final pricing will determine everything. Under ₹50,000 and this is a steal. Above ₹60,000 and you're better off waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S26.

Worth it if: You want stylus functionality without Samsung's premium tax.

4. OPPO Reno 15 Pro: The Safe Premium Choice (₹49,999-56,999)

Launch Date: January 8, 2026

Where to Buy: Flipkart, Amazon.in, OPPO Store

OPPO's Reno series has always been the "sensible" premium option. The Reno 15 Pro continues that tradition—no wild experiments, just solid execution across the board.

The camera system is properly flagship: 200MP Samsung HP5 main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto. AI enhancements include Flash photography and live streaming optimisations for the creator crowd.

That IP69 rating is worth noting. It means the phone can handle high-pressure water jets—useful for anyone who's accidentally dropped their phone in a monsoon puddle or needs to rinse it under a tap.

The catch? MediaTek Dimensity 8450 isn't as powerful as Snapdragon alternatives at this price. If raw performance matters, look elsewhere.

Worth it if: You want reliable everything without surprises.

5. POCO M8 5G: Budget Warrior (₹12,999)

Launch Date: January 8, 2026

Where to Buy: Flipkart

POCO's playing the volume game. The M8 5G is essentially a Redmi Note 15 with aggressive pricing and minor spec adjustments.

You get the same 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, same Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, same 5,520mAh battery. The camera drops to 50MP AI, but for ₹12,999, that's acceptable.

Dolby Atmos stereo speakers make this a solid media consumption device. And at this price, you're essentially getting 2024's mid-ranger specs at 2026's budget pricing.

The catch? If you can stretch to ₹22,999, the Redmi Note 15's 108MP camera is significantly better.

Worth it if: You want 5G and AMOLED without crossing ₹15,000.

+1 The Phone You Didn't See Coming: OPPO Reno 15 Pro Mini (₹59,999)

Launch Date: January 8, 2026

Where to Buy: Flipkart, Amazon.in, OPPO Store

Here's the wildcard nobody was expecting.

While every manufacturer chases bigger screens and heavier phones, OPPO just announced a compact flagship. The Reno 15 Pro Mini packs flagship specs into a 6.32-inch body that actually fits in your pocket.

Think about it: when was the last time you saw a premium Android phone under 6.5 inches? The iPhone 16 Mini is gone. Samsung abandoned compact phones years ago. Yet here's OPPO, launching a 6.32-inch flagship with:

A 6,200mAh battery in a phone this small is genuinely impressive. Most compact phones sacrifice battery for size—OPPO somehow didn't.

The catch? ₹59,999 is premium territory. You're paying a premium for compactness when larger phones with similar specs cost ₹10,000 less.

Worth it if: You've been waiting years for a compact Android flagship that doesn't compromise.

The Comparison That Actually Matters

Forget spec sheets. Here's how to decide:

What Experts Disagree On

Motorola Signature pricing: Some sources claim under ₹50,000, others suggest up to ₹70,000. The final number will make or break this phone's positioning.

Realme 16 Pro camera quality: Early leaks praise the LumaColor system, but real-world samples haven't surfaced yet. Realme's track record with processing is... inconsistent.

Compact phone demand: OPPO's betting there's a market for premium small phones in India. Industry analysts are split on whether Indian consumers will pay extra for smaller screens.

People Also Ask

Which is the best smartphone launching in January 2026 in India?

For most people, the Realme 16 Pro+ offers the best balance of camera quality, battery life, and price. The 200MP camera with periscope zoom and 7,000mAh battery at ₹31,999 is genuinely hard to beat.

Is Redmi Note 15 worth buying?

Yes, if you're upgrading from a phone 2+ years old. The curved AMOLED display and 108MP camera are significant upgrades. Skip it if you already have a Note 13 or Note 14—the improvements are incremental.

What is special about Motorola Signature?

It's Motorola's first flagship with stylus support, a fabric-textured back, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. Think Samsung Galaxy S Ultra alternative at potentially lower pricing.

Is there a compact flagship Android phone in India?

Yes, finally. The OPPO Reno 15 Pro Mini (6.32-inch) launches January 8, 2026 at approximately ₹59,999—the first compact premium Android in India in years.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Actually Buy?

Let me be direct.

If you're spending under ₹25,000, the Redmi Note 15 5G is the only sensible choice. That AMOLED display and 108MP camera at ₹22,999 sets a new budget benchmark.

If photography matters and you can stretch to ₹35,000, the Realme 16 Pro+ is the one to beat. That 200MP + periscope combo is usually reserved for phones twice this price.

If you're tired of unwieldy 6.7-inch slabs, the OPPO Reno 15 Pro Mini is the wildcard worth watching. Premium compact Androids simply don't exist anymore—until now.

And the Motorola Signature? Wait for final pricing. Under ₹50,000 makes it interesting. Above that, and Samsung's Galaxy S26 becomes the smarter play.

We'll update this article as official pricing drops. January 6-8 will be very, very interesting.