If you’re looking for a new phone, but are on a tight budget here’s a quick roundup of the best phones in India you can buy right now for under Rs 40,000. After testing a wide range of devices, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 picks.
Whether you’re looking for great cameras, powerful performance, or a solid all-rounder that’ll last, this list has something for everyone.
1. Vivo T3 Ultra
Starting at Rs 32,000, the Vivo T3 Ultra offers incredible value, especially if you’ve been eyeing the Vivo V40 Pro but want something similar at a lower price. This phone is a must-have for gamers with its flagship-grade Dimensity 9200+ chipset—an upgraded version of the already powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9200.
In our benchmark tests, the T3 Ultra even outperformed the Vivo V40 Pro and held its own against the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered
Moto Edge 50 Ultra. It runs BGMI smoothly at 60FPS and Call of Duty Mobile at 120FPS, making it an excellent choice for gaming.
Now, since it’s a Vivo phone, you can expect impressive camera performance, and the T3 Ultra doesn’t disappoint.
In terms of battery, its 5500mAh battery delivers almost 9 hours of screen time—perfect for gaming sessions or all-day use. If you want even more performance, the 12GB RAM variant at Rs 36,000 is a great option.
So, if gaming and battery life are priorities and you also want good photos, the Vivo T3 Ultra is a fantastic choice!
2. Realme 13 Pro Plus
When it comes to good photos, the Realme 13 Pro Plus is definitely a phone to consider.
It's actually India’s first smartphone with two Lytia sensors. It features the Lytia 701 for the 50MP main camera and the Lytia 600 for the 50MP 3x telephoto lens, plus an 8MP ultrawide lens to complete the triple camera setup.
Realme has also introduced a new AI algorithm for post-processing, which takes the camera quality up a notch.
You can see the results in the sample photos in the video—shots from this phone have excellent detail and dynamic range. Night photos are impressive too, thanks to its advanced noise control and shadow detail. For portrait shots, the 13 Pro Plus delivers sharp images with a contrasty look and great edge detection.
Now, the downside here is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. By 2024 standards, it’s pretty basic—it handles everyday tasks and light gaming fine, but it’s clear Realme is making you choose between camera quality and performance.
That said, at under Rs 30,000 online, this phone is a solid choice if you prioritize camera performance above everything else!
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Launched in October last year, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the more affordable version of the flagship Galaxy S23 series, but it still brings a lot to the table with premium-level specifications and a design that mirrors its higher-end sibling.
The S23 FE originally launched at Rs 55,000, but now, with the arrival of the latest S24 FE, you can typically find the older model for around Rs 35,000 online. So, the question is—is the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE still worth buying over a year after its release?
Surprisingly, the Exynos 2200 chipset has held up really well into 2024. It’s not the latest chipset, but it handles most tasks—including gaming—smoothly without any hiccups. Plus, those who pick up the Galaxy S23 FE will continue to receive software updates until Android 17 (2027), ensuring it stays relevant for a few more years.
The camera system is another major highlight. The S23 FE features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto sensor. When shooting outdoors, the 50MP primary camera delivers excellent HDR performance, well-balanced contrast, and vibrant colors. The video quality is also top-notch, with stability and well-exposed footage.
The 3x zoom telephoto camera performs admirably, and the 30x hybrid zoom is impressive, thanks to Samsung’s post-processing magic.
In other words, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is an all-rounder with premium features now available at a much lower price. If you’re looking for flagship performance without the flagship price, this one definitely deserves a closer look.
4. OnePlus 12R
Next, we have the OnePlus 12R, another all-rounder that’s quickly become a popular choice—and for good reason.
This phone boasts a stunning 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with Dolby Vision and HDR 10+ credentials, so it's perfect for enjoying content on streaming platforms. It even matches the OnePlus 12 with a crazy high peak brightness of 4500 nits, ensuring the screen is more than bright enough for clear visibility even in bright daylight
Under the hood, it runs on the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, making it a solid pick for gaming and high-performance tasks.
While the camera setup isn’t the most versatile, the 50MP main sensor with OIS delivers sharp and clear shots that are perfect for your Insta feed.
Another major perk is its 5500mAh battery, paired with the super-fast 100W SUPERVOOC charger. It takes just 26 minutes to charge the phone from 1% to 100%, which is just fantastic.
So, if OnePlus 12 is out of your budget, the OnePlus 12R could be a great alternative, starting at Rs 39,999 for the 8GB RAM, 128GB storage variant. Plus, you can often find the phone for an even better price with discounts online, making it an even sweeter deal.
5. Moto Edge 50 Pro
The Moto Edge 50 Pro has quickly become one of my top picks at a starting price of Rs 32,000, especially considering everything it offers. You get a 144Hz display and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, so it handles gaming and multitasking like a champ. And the 125W charge is seriously fast—fully charges in under 20 minutes, which is a lifesaver when you’re always on the go.
The camera system also solid but for me, it’s the software that steals the show. Motorola’s Hello UI based on Android 14 is clean and bloatware-free. Plus, Motorola's gesture shortcuts are always fun to use.
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