Top 10 Smartphones Under Rs 40,000 in India – August 2025 Buying Guide

In August 2025, the sub-₹40,000 segment is hotter than ever. Brands are packing flagship-grade processors, versatile camera systems, high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays, and 80 W+ fast charging into this mid-range bracket. With so many capable contenders, choosing the right phone can be overwhelming. We’ve benchmark-tested each model, gathered user feedback, and tracked real-time prices across major e-retailers to bring you the top 10 smartphones under ₹40,000 in India right now.

Quick Look: Top Picks

1. OnePlus Nord 4

• Price: ₹38,999

• Display: 6.7″ FHD+ 120 Hz Fluid AMOLED

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9300

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP (OIS) main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh, 80 W SuperVOOC

Pros:

• Near-flagship Dimensity 9300 delivers sustained performance.

• Fluid AMOLED with HDR10+.

• Fast charging from 0–100% in ~28 min.

Cons:

• No telephoto lens.

• OxygenOS updates slower than before.

2. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

• Price: ₹37,499

• Display: 6.6″ FHD+ 120 Hz Super AMOLED

• Processor: Exynos 1480

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP (OIS) + 12 MP ultrawide + 5 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh, 45 W fast charge

Pros:

• Bright, color-rich Super AMOLED.

• Reliable software support (One UI).

• IP67 water/dust resistance.

Cons:

• Exynos chip trails Snapdragon peers in sustained loads.

• 45 W charging slower vs competitors.

3. iQOO Neo 9 Pro

• Price: ₹36,999

• Display: 6.78″ FHD+ 144 Hz AMOLED

• Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP main + 12 MP portrait + 2 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh, 100 W FlashCharge

Pros:

• Blistering 100 W charging (0–50% in 10 min).

• High-refresh-rate AMOLED for ultra-smooth gaming.

Cons:

• Mono speaker only.

• Heats up under heavy loads.

4. Realme GT5

• Price: ₹39,499

• Display: 6.74″ FHD+ 144 Hz AMOLED

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP (OIS) + 50 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 5,500 mAh, 120 W UltraDart

Pros:

• Top-tier gaming chipset.

• 120 W charging (0–100% in ~25 min).

• Dual stereo speakers.

Cons:

• UI ads in system apps.

• Slightly bulky.

5. Xiaomi Redmi K70

• Price: ₹38,499

• Display: 6.67″ 2K 120 Hz OLED

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9300

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 64 MP (OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh, 67 W wired

Pros:

• Sharp 2K OLED panel.

• Excellent value for specs.

• Clean MIUI 14.

Cons:

• 67 W charging is slower than peers.

• IR blaster only niche.

6. Vivo V29 Pro

• Price: ₹36,999

• Display: 6.78″ FHD+ 120 Hz AMOLED

• Processor: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP main + 64 MP tele-macro + 8 MP ultrawide

• Battery & Charging: 4,600 mAh, 80 W FlashCharge

Pros:

• 64 MP tele-macro is unique in this segment.

• Sleek glass design.

Cons:

• Weaker SoC vs true flagships.

• Average battery life under heavy use.

7. Tecno Camon 30 Pro

• Price: ₹29,999

• Display: 6.8″ FHD+ 120 Hz AMOLED

• Processor: MediaTek Helio G99

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB

• Cameras: 108 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP depth

• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh, 68 W fast charge

Pros:

• Class-leading 108 MP low-light photos.

• Very aggressive pricing.

Cons:

• Mid-tier SoC limits gaming.

• Software updates slower.

8. Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

• Price: ₹34,999

• Display: 6.55″ FHD+ 144 Hz P-OLED

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8020

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP main + 13 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 4,500 mAh, 68 W TurboPower

Pros:

• Near-stock Android experience.

• Reliable dual speakers.

Cons:

• Battery lags behind 5,000 mAh peers.

• Display brightness middling.

9. Poco F6 Pro

• Price: ₹35,499

• Display: 6.67″ FHD+ 120 Hz AMOLED

• Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB, 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 64 MP (OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro

• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh, 67 W wired

Pros:

• Excellent value-for-money.

• Balanced performance.

Cons:

• MIUI ads.

• No telephoto lens.

Real-World: If you want a solid all-rounder without breaking ₹36k, this ticks the boxes.

10. Oppo Reno12 Pro+

• Price: ₹39,999

• Display: 6.74″ FHD+ 120 Hz AMOLED

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra

• RAM / Storage: 12 GB / 256 GB

• Cameras: 50 MP main + 32 MP portrait + 8 MP ultrawide

• Battery & Charging: 4,800 mAh, 100 W SuperVOOC

Pros:

• Premium build quality & design.

• Fast charging & solid portraits.

Cons:

• Smaller battery capacity.

• ColorOS still has bloat.

Real-World: A great fit if style, portrait photography, and design matter most.

Buying Considerations

1. Performance vs. Price:

   • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9300 for gaming and heavy multitasking.

   • Dimensity 8020 / 7 Gen 3 for everyday use and better battery life.

2. Display Quality:

   • 2K OLED (Redmi K70) for ultimate sharpness.

   • 120–144 Hz AMOLED for smooth UI and gaming.

3. Camera Needs:

   • Low-light shooters: Tecno Camon 30 Pro.

   • Tele-macro portraits: Vivo V29 Pro.

4. Battery & Charging:

   • 100 W+ charging (Realme GT5, iQOO Neo 9 Pro) for minimal downtime.

   • 5,000 mAh+ for ~1.5 days battery life under mixed use.

5. Software & Updates:

   • Clean Android (Motorola Edge 50 Fusion) for timely patches.

   • Brand-specific UIs (OxygenOS, ColorOS, MIUI) vary in polish and ads.

Best Deals & Offers

• Bank Cashback: 5%–10% cashback on HDFC, ICICI, SBI cards.

• Exchange Bonuses: Up to ₹10,000 off on old smartphone trade-ins.

• Festive Discounts: Diwali pre-order vouchers, bundled earphones, or extended warranties.

Who Should Buy Which?

• For Gamers: Realme GT5, iQOO Neo 9 Pro

• For Photographers: Tecno Camon 30 Pro, Vivo V29 Pro

• For Battery Life: OnePlus Nord 4, Redmi K70

• For Clean Software: Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

Conclusion & Final Recommendation

Of all the contenders, the OnePlus Nord 4 strikes the best balance of flagship-grade performance, display, camera quality, and fast charging under ₹40,000. If you value display sharpness, consider the Redmi K70; for ultra-fast charging, the Realme GT5 or iQOO Neo 9 Pro shines. Whichever model you choose, make sure to check current offers on leading e-retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, and official brand stores to maximize your savings.