Flagship-class smartphones have become extremely expensive in recent years, with prices of more than Rs. 70,000 being common for the latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models. However, if you don’t have such a generous budget, there are plenty of options in the sub-Rs. 30,000 category that offer almost the same performance, features, and style for less than half the price. Some recently launched models in this category even have features that are not yet available in more expensive flagships. You can get a phone that performs well, has a good camera, long battery life, and modern conveniences for up to Rs. 30,000. We review hundreds of smartphones each year, testing their performance, cameras, displays, batteries, software, and physical construction quality to determine which ones are the best value for money. The following are our top picks for the best smartphones priced below Rs. 30,000.
- Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
This phone has a glass back and a 6.67-inch screen with a hole-punch cutout on its 120Hz AMOLED display. A 200-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera are some of its standout features. The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC and MIUI 13 operating system power the Note 12 Pro+ 5G. It supports 120W fast charging and features a 5000mAh battery with compatibility for up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
2. iQOO Neo 7 5G
This phone has a 6.78-inch, 1080×2400 pixel display, and is powered by an octa-core processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Its battery capacity is 5000mAh, and its triple rear camera setup includes a 64-megapixel primary camera along with two 2-megapixel cameras.
3. Nothing Phone 1
This phone has premium build quality, a vibrant display, good primary camera, and a clean Android experience. While the glyph lights are a unique feature, the secondary cameras need improvement, especially in low light. However, if you want a phone that looks unique while still having all the essential features, the Phone 1 is a good choice. It has a 6.55-inch, 1080×2400 pixel display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus processor with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and a 4500mAh battery.
4. Oppo Reno 8
With a 6.43-inch, 2400×1080 pixel display, this phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1300 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It has a 50-megapixel primary camera along with two 2-megapixel cameras, and a 32-megapixel front camera. Its battery capacity is 4500mAh.
5. iQOO 7
This phone features a 6.62-inch, 1080×2400 pixel display, and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Its triple rear camera setup includes a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel monochrome camera. Its battery capacity is 4400mAh.
