Buying a smartphone today is no longer just about calls and messaging. Your phone is your camera, gaming console, movie screen, work device, and even your content creation tool. The good news? You don’t need to spend ₹70,000–₹80,000 anymore to get flagship-level features.
The ₹40,000 price segment has become the real sweet spot where you get powerful processors, DSLR-like cameras, bright AMOLED displays, huge batteries, and super-fast charging — all packed into stylish, premium designs.
If you’re confused about which phone gives the best value, don’t worry. After comparing performance, battery life, camera quality, software experience, and everyday usability, here are the best smartphones under ₹40,000 you can confidently buy this year.
1. OnePlus 13R – The True All-Rounder Flagship Killer
If you want one phone that does everything perfectly — gaming, photography, multitasking, and long battery life — the OnePlus 13R is easily one of the safest choices in this price range.
It comes with a flagship-grade Snapdragon processor that handles heavy games like BGMI, COD, and Genshin Impact smoothly. The 120Hz AMOLED display feels buttery smooth while scrolling Instagram or watching Netflix. Colors look vibrant and bright even outdoors.
The massive 6000mAh battery easily lasts a full day and sometimes even two days for normal users. Plus, 80W fast charging fills the phone in under an hour, which is extremely convenient.
The clean OxygenOS software experience is another big advantage. No unnecessary ads, no heavy bloatware — just smooth performance.
Price: Around ₹39,999
Battery: 6000mAh + 80W charging
Best for: Gaming, performance, all-round use
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE – Premium Display & Camera Experience
Samsung phones are known for their display and camera quality, and the Galaxy S24 FE continues that legacy beautifully.
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is simply stunning. Whether you watch movies, scroll social media, or play games, everything looks sharp, colorful, and super bright. It’s honestly one of the best screens you’ll find under ₹40,000.
Camera performance is equally impressive. The 50MP OIS main camera captures detailed photos with natural colors, especially in daylight and portrait shots. Night photography is also strong thanks to Samsung’s image processing.
You also get premium features like wireless charging and IP68 water resistance, which are rare in this price range.
Price: Around ₹40,000
Battery: 4500mAh + fast charging
Best for: Camera lovers, media streaming, premium feel
3. iQOO Neo 9 Pro – Gaming Performance Beast
If gaming is your top priority, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro is built specifically for you.
It features a powerful Snapdragon 8-series chipset that delivers flagship-level performance. Combined with a 144Hz refresh rate display, gameplay feels ultra-smooth with almost zero lag. Frame rates stay stable even during long gaming sessions.
The phone also includes an advanced cooling system, which prevents heating — something gamers truly appreciate.
Charging speed is another highlight. The 120W fast charger can power up the phone incredibly fast, saving a lot of time.
While the camera is decent, this phone clearly focuses more on performance and speed.
Price: Around ₹36,000–₹38,000
Battery: 5160mAh + 120W charging
Best for: Hardcore gamers, power users
4. Google Pixel 8a – Best Camera & Clean Android
When it comes to smartphone photography, Pixel phones are always special — and the Pixel 8a proves why.
Despite having simple hardware on paper, Google’s AI image processing makes photos look incredibly natural and sharp. Skin tones, HDR, and night shots are better than many expensive phones.
Features like Magic Eraser, Best Take, and AI photo editing tools make photography fun and easy.
The biggest advantage is the pure stock Android experience. No ads, no unnecessary apps — just smooth, clean software. Plus, Google provides long-term updates for many years.
Battery is decent, not the biggest, but enough for daily use.
Price: Around ₹35,000–₹38,000
Battery: 4500mAh
Best for: Photography, clean Android lovers
5. Nothing Phone (2) – Stylish & Unique Choice
If you want something different from typical smartphones, Nothing Phone (2) stands out instantly.
The transparent back design with Glyph LED lights gives it a futuristic look. Notifications, calls, and charging are shown through light patterns, which feels very unique.
Performance is smooth, the AMOLED display is bright, and Nothing OS is clean and close to stock Android. It’s perfect for people who want both style and decent power.
Price: Around ₹37,000
Battery: 4700mAh
Best for: Design lovers, trendy users
6. Realme GT 6 – Performance + Battery Powerhouse
If you want flagship-level performance at a slightly lower price, the Realme GT 6 is one of the smartest picks under ₹40,000.
It packs the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen processor, which delivers extremely fast performance for gaming, editing, and heavy multitasking. Apps open instantly, and games like BGMI, COD, and Asphalt run smoothly at high graphics.
The AMOLED display with a high refresh rate makes scrolling and video watching feel very fluid. Colors are sharp and punchy, which is great for movies and YouTube.
One of the biggest highlights is the large 5500mAh battery, easily lasting more than a day. And thanks to 120W fast charging, the phone charges from 0–100% in under 30 minutes.
Price: Around ₹34,999–₹36,999
Battery: 5500mAh + 120W charging
Best for: Gaming + fast charging lovers + performance users
7. Xiaomi 14 Civi – Slim Design & Leica Camera Magic
If you prefer a premium, lightweight, and stylish phone, Xiaomi 14 Civi feels almost like a luxury flagship.
This phone is extremely slim and easy to hold, which makes daily usage very comfortable. The curved AMOLED display looks modern and premium with excellent brightness and colors.
The main attraction is the Leica-tuned camera system. Portrait photos look natural with DSLR-like background blur, and selfies are very sharp. If you love Instagram or photography, this phone won’t disappoint.
Performance is also smooth for daily use and moderate gaming.
Price: Around ₹39,999
Battery: 4700mAh + 67W charging
Best for: Portrait photography + stylish design + lightweight feel
8. Motorola Edge 50 Pro – Clean Android & Super Fast Charging
For users who hate bloatware and want a clean Android experience, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a fantastic option.
Motorola offers a near-stock Android interface, which means no ads, no unnecessary apps, and smooth performance. The UI feels light and fast.
The phone also features a beautiful curved pOLED display with a high refresh rate, making everything look premium and smooth.
The biggest surprise is the 125W fast charging, which is one of the fastest in this segment. You can fully charge the phone in just minutes.
Camera performance is reliable, and the build quality feels premium with a vegan leather finish.
Price: Around ₹31,000–₹34,000
Battery: 4500mAh + 125W fast charging
Best for: Clean software + fast charging + everyday use
9. Vivo V30 Pro – Portrait Photography Specialist
If your priority is selfies, portraits, and social media photography, the Vivo V30 Pro is specially designed for that.
It features a powerful triple 50MP camera setup with Vivo’s famous Aura Light, which improves portraits even in low light. Skin tones look natural, and background blur looks professional.
The AMOLED display is bright and colorful, perfect for watching reels and movies. Performance is smooth for daily tasks and moderate gaming.
Battery life is also strong with 80W fast charging, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power.
Price: Around ₹39,999
Battery: 5000mAh + 80W charging
Best for: Portrait photos + selfies + content creators
10. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G – Reliable & Long-Term Choice
If you want a safe, reliable, and long-lasting phone, the Galaxy A55 5G is a great pick.
Samsung offers a premium glass + metal build, which feels solid and durable. The Super AMOLED display is bright and vibrant, perfect for media consumption.
The 50MP camera captures sharp and balanced photos, and Samsung’s software optimization keeps performance smooth for years.
Another big benefit is long software updates and security support, which makes this phone future-proof.
The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day for normal users.
Price: Around ₹30,000–₹32,000
Battery: 5000mAh
Best for: Reliable daily use + Samsung fans + long-term updates
Quick Buying Guide
If you’re still confused, here’s a simple answer:
- Best overall → OnePlus 13R
- Best camera → Pixel 8a / Galaxy S24 FE
- Best gaming → iQOO Neo 9 Pro
- Best design → Nothing Phone (2)
Final Thoughts
The ₹40,000 segment proves that you don’t need to buy ultra-expensive flagship phones anymore. Today’s mid-premium smartphones offer nearly the same performance, excellent cameras, long battery life, and beautiful displays at half the price.
Think about what matters most to you — gaming, photography, battery, or design — and choose accordingly. No matter which phone you pick from this list, you’re getting excellent value for your money.
| Rank | Phone Model | Approx Price (₹) | Battery + Charging | Display | Camera Strength | Performance Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OnePlus 13R | ₹39,999 | 6000mAh + 80W | 120Hz AMOLED | 50MP OIS main | Flagship | Gaming / All-Round |
| 2 | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | ₹40,000 | 4500mAh + fast charging | Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz | 50MP OIS | Strong | Camera + Premium |
| 3 | iQOO Neo 9 Pro | ₹36,000–38,000 | 5160mAh + 120W | 144Hz | Good | Flagship | Hardcore Gaming |
| 4 | Google Pixel 8a | ₹35,000–38,000 | 4500mAh | 120Hz P-OLED | Best in class | Mid-High | Photography + Clean UI |
| 5 | Nothing Phone (2) | ₹37,000 | 4700mAh | 120Hz OLED | Good | Mid-High | Design + Trendy |
| 6 | Realme GT 6 | ₹32,000–₹36,000 | 5500mAh + 120W | AMOLED | Good | High | Performance + Battery |
| 7 | Xiaomi 14 Civi | ₹38,000–40,000 | 4700mAh + 67W | Curved AMOLED | Strong | Mid-High | Portrait & Style |
| 8 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | ₹31,000–34,000 | 4500mAh + 125W | Curved pOLED | Reliable | Mid | Clean UI + Fast Charge |
| 9 | Vivo V30 Pro | ₹38,000–40,000 | 5000mAh + 80W | AMOLED | Portrait Specialist | Mid | Portrait Photos |
| 10 | Samsung Galaxy A55 5G | ₹30,000–₹32,000 | 5000mAh | Super AMOLED | Balanced | Mid | Daily Use + Updates |