Best flagship phones under ₦1M in Nigeria (2025)

Owning a flagship smartphone often comes with an exorbitant cost, figures that feel out of reach for many Africans. But what if you could experience 90% of that premium performance without the ₦1,000,000 threshold?

In 2025, even with brands like Apple and Xiaomi pushing close to the ₦600,000 mark and others maintaining a substantial ₦100,000 – ₦200,000 gap from the ₦1 million ceiling, a select few devices still deliver advanced features and power within reach. 

The best flagship phones under ₦1,000,000 in 2025 

After comparing top-performing processors, what their cameras have to offer, and overall ergonomics, we’ve identified the phones that will meet your needs in mid-2025.

1. Pixel 9a (128GB) – ₦880,000 / $558
2. Xiaomi 15 Pro (256GB) – ₦970,000 / $615
3. Iphone 16e (128GB) – ₦950,000 / $603
4. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (256GB) – ₦900,000 / $570
5. Oneplus 13R – ₦850,000 / $539 (256GB) ₦950,000 / $602 (512GB)
6. iPhone 15 – ₦990,000 / $627
7. Nothing Phone 3a Pro – ₦900,000 / $570

Google Pixel 9A 

Display: 6.3-inch OLED | Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Cameras: 48MP (wide), 13MP (ultrawide), 13MP (selfie) | Storage: 8GB, 128-256GB | Weight: 187g | Battery and Charging: 5,100mAh, 23W Wired, 7.5W Wireless| Colours: Peony, Iris, Porcelain, Obsidian

The Google Pixel 9A offers serious value and brings major improvements over last year’s Pixel 8A: refreshed styling, upgraded screen, bigger battery capacity, enhanced processing power, better build quality, and new software capabilities.

× Sponsored

The phone isn’t perfect, though. Google made smart cuts to keep costs reasonable. You won’t find emergency satellite features like the pricier Pixel 9 offers. Battery life stands out as the biggest win here, with Google claiming over 30 hours of regular use and 100+ hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. The 5,100mAh battery is the largest Google has ever put in a Pixel phone. 

Charging gets better, too. Wired charging jumps from 18W to 23W—not lightning fast, but solid. You’ll hit 50% charge in about 30 minutes, with full charges taking around 94 minutes. Just grab a USB Power Delivery PPS charger to reach peak speeds.

Daily tasks feel smooth on this device. Social media scrolling, video watching, photo taking—it all works without hiccups.

Perfect for: Almost everyone. The Pixel 9A delivers the right mix of flagship features at a fair price.

Skip if you need: The fastest processors or premium camera setups.

Xiaomi 15 Pro

Display: 6.73-inch LTPO QHD+ OLED | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Cameras: Triple 50 MP Leica system (wide), 32MP (selfie) | Storage: 12-16GB, 128-1TB | Weight: 213g | Battery and Charging: 6,100mAh, 90W Wired, 50W Wireless | Colours: Liquid Silver, Black, White, Green (global)

The Xiaomi 15 Pro has emerged as 2025’s standout release, drawing praise for its refined aesthetics, powerful hardware, and exceptional camera technology. This flagship catches eyes with its premium frosted ceramic body in snow white, complemented by a bold black camera module that repels smudges. 

Inside, the newest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset works alongside 12GB RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, delivering desktop-class performance for intensive gaming and apps. A sophisticated wing-design cooling solution prevents thermal throttling.

Battery endurance impresses consistently. The advanced Xingchen connectivity features a Surge T1S chip for reliable network performance, including 3.5km two-way calling without cellular coverage. Photography enthusiasts get a Leica-tuned triple 50MP setup—main sensor, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto with 10x optical zoom plus stabilisation—producing excellent stills and 8K footage. 

HyperOS 2.0 software and IP68 protection round out the package.

Perfect for: Power users, photography enthusiasts, and design lovers wanting premium Android performance with excellent battery life.

Skip if you need: Wide local service networks or prefer established brands with proven long-term support.

iPhone 16e

Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | Processor: Apple A18 | Cameras: 48 MP (wide), 12MP (selfie) 2× sensor‑based optical zoom | Storage: 8GB, 128-512GB | Weight: 167g | Battery and Charging: 4,005mAh, 27W Wired, 7.5W Qi (no MagSafe) | Colours: Black and White only

Apple’s iPhone 16e stands as the brand’s most budget-friendly flagship option this year, carrying the same refined design language as costlier models. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen produces rich colours and sharp contrast, while Ceramic Shield glass protects the front panel. 

Apple’s newest A18 processor drives daily operations smoothly, working alongside iOS 18 and fresh Apple Intelligence tools for better text creation, photo editing, and personalised Genmoji creation.

The camera setup centres on a versatile 48MP dual-function main sensor offering Night and Portrait shooting modes. Apple also didn’t skip safety essentials despite the “e” designation—you get Crash Detection and Emergency SOS through satellite connectivity. 

The customisable Action button joins solid IP68 water and dust protection. Battery performance impresses, given the compact size, delivering up to 26 hours of video streaming.

Read the full review here.

Perfect for:  People wanting smaller screens in premium devices, current iOS capabilities, and reliable daily performance. Great for photography enthusiasts and those prioritising safety features.

Skip if you need: Maximum screen real estate, advanced multi-camera flexibility, or MagSafe compatibility.

Read Also: 5 reasons a professional tech tester prefers the Google Pixel 9a over iPhone 16E

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED | Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400e (Deca‑core) | Cameras: 50 MP (wide), 8MP (telephoto) 12MP (ultra-wide) 10MP (selfie) | Storage: 8GB, 128-512GB | Weight: 213g | Battery and Charging: 4700mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | Colours: Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, Yellow

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE continues the Fan Edition tradition, offering genuine flagship capabilities at a smart price point of ₦900,000. The phone features a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with flat edges, 120Hz variable refresh, and impressive 1,900-nit peak brightness for crisp, fluid visuals.

The Exynos 2400e chip inside (working alongside 8GB RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage) punches above its weight in performance tests, matching and occasionally beating Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices in gaming scenarios and routine use.

Where this phone truly shines is battery endurance. The 4700mAh cell powers through 12+ hours in stress tests and frequently reaches two-day stretches with normal usage patterns. 

Photography too comes from a capable 50MP primary sensor that captures sharp, well-balanced shots, supported by a 12MP ultra-wide lens and 8MP telephoto with 3x zoom (stabilisation included on main and zoom cameras). 

Build quality matches pricier Samsung models with IP68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. The S24 FE also packs Samsung’s complete Galaxy AI toolkit.

Perfect for: Nigerian users wanting near-premium performance, outstanding battery endurance, and extended software support. Excellent choice for mobile gaming enthusiasts and heavy users.

Skip if you need: Ultra-thin screen borders, traditional proximity sensors.

Oneplus 13R

Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Cameras: 50 MP (main), 50MP (telephoto) 8MP (ultra-wide) 16MP (selfie) | Storage: 12-16GB, 256-512GB | Weight: 205g | Battery and Charging: 6000mAh, 80W wired | Colours: Astral Trail (a creamish tone) and Nebula Noir (black).

At ₦850,000, the OnePlus 13R stands as a serious challenger, engineered to provide top-tier capabilities without reaching ultra-flagship territory. The device features durable aluminium construction with Gorilla Glass 7i protection and a brilliant 6.78-inch 120Hz ProXDR OLED screen that peaks at an extraordinary 4500 nits brightness. 

Performance comes from the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 internal storage, delivering seamless operation across any task and games.

The highlight is its enormous 6000mAh battery, providing remarkable longevity, backed by rapid 80W wired charging. Photography duties fall to a versatile triple setup: 50MP primary camera (Sony LYT-700 with stabilisation), 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The main camera produces particularly impressive shots. 

Software runs on AI-powered OxygenOS 15 built on Android 15, while IP65 certification protects against dust and splashes.

Perfect for: Users who want strong performance, long battery life, and fast charging. Works for gamers and heavy users.

Skip if you need: You need wireless charging, full waterproofing, a better ultrawide camera, or expandable storage.

iPhone 15

Display: 6.1-inch OLED | Processor: A16 Bionic (4nm) | Cameras: 48 MP (main), 2x optical zoom, 12MP (ultra-wide) 12MP (selfie) | Storage: 12-16GB, 128-512GB | Weight: 171g | Battery and Charging: 3,349 mAh, 20W wired, 7.5W Qi, 15W MagSafe wireless charger (No adapter included in the box) | Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink

The iPhone 15 delivers a significant upgrade to Apple’s non-Pro tier, offering a premium experience without venturing into the highest price brackets. It retains a compact and pocket-friendly design, making it incredibly easy for one-handed use, a welcome change for those coming from larger phones. 

Key upgrades include a brighter 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Dynamic Island, a powerful A16 Bionic chip, a new 48MP Main camera with 2x optical-quality zoom, and the long-awaited USB-C port.

While its battery life is solid for most (often reaching 20% by evening for heavy users, unlike the Pro Max), it’s not the multi-day endurance of its larger sibling. However, it still boasts MagSafe compatibility and all the core features of the iPhone 15 Pro, minus the 5x telephoto lens.

Perfect for: Anyone wanting a premium Apple experience in a compact size without bleeding-edge cameras or a massive battery. Great upgrade for iPhone 12 or older users who value portability and modern iOS.

Skip if you need: Maximum battery life, advanced 5x telephoto zoom, or 120Hz ProMotion display. iPhone 13/14 owners may find upgrades too minor for the price.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro

Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Cameras: 50 MP (main), 8MP (ultra-wide) 50MP (telephoto 3x optical zoom), 50MP (selfie) | Storage: 12GB, 128-256GB | Weight: 210g | Battery and Charging: 5,000 mAh, 50W wired | Colours: Black and Gray.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro costs around ₦900,000 and brings something different to the table. The frosted white ceramic back doesn’t show fingerprints easily. The black camera section creates a nice contrast that stands out from other phones.

The 6.77-inch screen runs at 120Hz and gets bright enough for outdoor use. Gaming feels smooth thanks to fast touch response. The display uses tougher glass that handles drops better than before.

Inside, you get the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It’s not the fastest chip around, but it handles daily tasks without issues. A cooling system keeps things from getting too hot during heavy use.

The cameras work well together. Three 50MP sensors cover main shots, wide angles, and 3x zoom. The zoom lens is unusual at this price and takes sharp close-ups. The front camera shoots 4K video too.

Nothing added their own network tech that promises better signal strength. You can even make calls up to 3.5km away without cell towers. The software stays clean with Android 15 and useful AI features. Water resistance covers basic splashes.

Perfect for: People who want unique looks, long battery life, and solid cameras with zoom without hitting ₦1 million. Great value for features usually found in pricier phones.

Skip if you need: Demanding games and need top performance, or wireless charging is a must-have feature.

Which phone should you buy?

The sub-₦1 million flagship market in 2025 offers genuine choice across different priorities. If you want the absolute best value, the Pixel 9A at ₦880,000 delivers Google’s AI features and excellent cameras at the lowest price point.

For power users, the OnePlus 13R offers flagship performance and incredible battery life starting at ₦850,000. iOS fans get solid options with both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15, depending on whether you prioritise newer features or proven reliability.

The Xiaomi 15 Pro pushes closest to the ₦1 million ceiling but justifies it with premium materials, top-tier performance, and exceptional camera capabilities. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE hits the sweet spot for Android users wanting reliable performance and long software support.

No matter which you choose, these seven phones prove you don’t need to break the bank for flagship-level performance in 2025. Each offers compelling reasons to upgrade 

What’s your pick? Let us know in the comments which phone best fits your needs and budget.