8 Best Mobile Phones Under ₹40,000 (July 2025)
Update:We last updated this article with new mobile phones under ₹40k on 21st July.
These days, most Indian buyers prefer premium smartphones over budget ones. While flagship phones offer top-of-the-line features, they also come with a hefty price tag. That’s where ‘flagship-killers’ or phones under ₹40,000 come in—they pack flagship-level specs at a much more affordable price, with just a few compromises here and there.
OnePlus used to totally own this space. But now, you’ve got Vivo, Xiaomi, and Motorola all over the place. You’re getting powerful processors, high-quality screens, and super-fast charging. And the cameras are pretty versatile too, even if they don’t fully hit that flagship level.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a premium mobile phone, here are some of the best options around ₹40,000.
Table of Contents
1. Vivo V50: Premium Smartphone With Zeiss Optics
Vivo’s V-series has always been known for its great cameras, borrowing Zeiss technology from the flagship ‘X’ series, and the new Vivo V50 fits that template perfectly.
Cameras are the star of the show here. You get a dual 50MP setup—a main lens with OIS and an ultra-wide sensor. There’s also a 50MP shooter on the front for selfies. The Aura Light on the back can adjust its color tone using AI, or you can tweak it manually for soft lighting in night photos.
If you’re into gaming, though, this might not be your best pick. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 powers the device—a chip typically found in phones almost half the price. That said, it still scores a respectable 0.8 million on AnTuTu and can handle most games at decent settings.
On the bright side, the 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED display is a treat. It gets bright enough at 1300 nits, supports a 120Hz refresh rate, and comes with HDR10+ support. Other highlights include a dual IP68 + IP69 rating, a massive 6000 mAh battery, and 90W fast charging. And yes, the charger is included in the box.
AnTuTu Score:0.8 million
Software Updates:Android 15 | 3 OS updates (till Android 18, until 2028) | 4 years of security updates
Price:₹34,999 for 8GB/128GB, ₹36,999 for 12GB/256GB, and ₹40,999 for 12GB/512GB.
2. iQOO 12: The Best Gaming Phone
The iQOO 12 launched as a flagship at ₹52,999, but you may now grab it for under ₹40,000 with bank offers. And before you dismiss it as an older device, check out these specs:Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage—all kept cool by a 6K Vapor Chamber Four-Zone Cooling System.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is just one generation behind the latestSnapdragon 8 Elite. Plus, the Supercomputing Chip Q1 boosts gaming with 144fps frame interpolation. Add in symmetrical dual speakers and 4D game vibration, and you’ve got an immersive gaming experience.
Backing up that performance is a 6.78-inch 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display with a 3000-nit peak brightness. All of this is powered by a 5000 mAh battery that charges fully in under 30 minutes with the included 120W fast charger.
It’s easily the best gaming phone in this price range. And don’t worry, the cameras aren’t an afterthought—you get a 50MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP 3x periscope telephoto lens. While it may not match the Vivo V50 in overall image quality, it’s a more versatile camera setup.
AnTuTu Score:2.1 million
Software Updates:Android 15 (upgraded from Android 14) | 4 OS updates (up to Android 18, until 2028) | 5 years of security updates
Price:₹41,999 for 12/256GB
3. OnePlus 13R: Great Performance and Value
Last year’s OnePlus 12R was one of my go-to phones in the ₹40,000 bracket. The new OnePlus 13R might not feel as premium with its flat design and less curved display, but it still offers solid value for the price.
It comes with a flat side and front profile, an aluminum frame, and a glass back. The phone features a 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED display and stereo speakers. Under the hood, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage—enough to run games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty with ease.
OnePlus has packed a huge 6,000 mAhsilicon carbon batteryin there, which easily lasts over a day, and you may fast-charge it in about an hour with the 80W adapter. Software-wise,OxygenOS 15delivers smooth animations and cool new AI features, although it could use a little more fine-tuning on the 13R.
The cameras aren’t the phone’s strong suit. You get a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. It’s the first time a OnePlus ‘R’ has featured a telephoto lens, and while the photos are pretty good in daylight, they might not wow you in every situation. Plus, you’ll enjoy Wi-Fi 7 and support forJio 5.5Gin India.
You can check out my detailedOnePlus 13R reviewhere.
Software Updates:Android 15 | 4 OS updates (up to Android 19, until 2029) | 6 years of security updates
Price:₹42,999 for 12/256GB
4. Pixel 8a: Compact, Clean Android, Great Cameras
The Pixel 8a launched withAndroid 15and will receive an impressive seven years of Android updates, meaning it will be updated until 2031, the highest in this price range. The Pixel UI, with its clean Android experience and satisfying haptics, is a pleasure to use. Plus, there’s no bloatware or pre-installed third-party apps.
The 8a also boasts a very promising rear camera setup. It features a 64MP main sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide lens on the back, along with a 13MP selfie camera. The camera shoots flagship-grade photos with natural colors, excellent skin tones, and outstanding dynamic range—easily the best in its class, thanks to Google’s image processing.
The phone is quite compact, but that also means it comes with a smaller 6.1-inch, 120Hz OLED display and a 4492 mAh battery (although it still lasts a day) with painfully slow 18W charging. TheTensor G3 processordoesn’t help either.
Overall, choose this phone if you need a clean software experience and a great main camera. If you want good cameras along with other features, the Vivo V50 still remains our pick.
AnTuTu Score:0.75 million
Software Updates:Android 15 | 7 OS Updates (up to Android 22, until 2031)
Price:₹37,999 for 8/128GB
5. Xiaomi 14 Civi: Compact Phone with Leica Cameras
Xiaomi 14 Civi is a great smartphone, originally launched at ₹42,999 but now available for under ₹37,000 after recent price cuts. And mind you, it’s a compelling camera phone with Leica-powered cameras.
To start with, the Xiaomi 14 Civi is one of the lightest and slimmest phones on this list at 177 grams and 7.4mm thick. It comes in six unique color options, including dual-tone Panda Editions with black mirror glass on a vegan leather back. Add to that the sleek metal frame and quad-curved display, and the phone really turns heads.
The phone features a 1.5K, 6.55-inch quad-curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 3000 nits of peak brightness, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. Watching Netflix is a pleasure here—the visuals are sharper, brighter, and rich in color. Plus, there’s a loud stereo speaker with Dolby Atmos.
Let’s talk about the cameras: it’s got a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.6 aperture, a 50MP 2x telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera—all powered by Leica. Daytime photos come out with plenty of detail, good dynamic range, and natural bokeh. Plus, the Leica filters really add life to the photos, making them look totally different from any other phone. If you’re a camera enthusiast rather than just a point-and-shoot type, you’ll love this device.
Even the front camera is interesting—there are two 32MP shooters, one primary and one ultra-wide, so you can capture wide selfies, or as they call them, “group-fies.” This is one of the most fun camera phones you can buy right now.
Despite spending a ton on the camera, Xiaomi hasn’t compromised on the processor. You get the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, whichactually performs on similar lines to the 8 Gen 2, paired with 8/12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256/512GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
However, here’s the con: battery life. To maintain the lightweight design, Xiaomi had to cut down on capacity with a 4700 mAh cell. It can be fast-charged in 45 minutes using the included 67W charger, but the phone tends to heat up and throttle heavily under stress. So even though the performance is good, you might not really enjoy it during long gaming sessions.
AnTuTu Score:1.5 million
Software Updates:Android 15 (launched with Android 14) | 3 Android upgrades (till Android 17) | 4 years of security updates (until 2028)
Price:₹37,000 for 8/256GB, ₹42,999 for 12/512GB
6. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Best Phone for the Elderly
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has received its share of criticism for its high launch price, which is why we didn’t usually recommend it. However, with the recent price cuts, if you’re looking to get your parents or elders at home a new phone under 40K, this could be a solid option. Here’s why:
On the display front, it features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED panel that hits a peak brightness of 1900 nits, ensuring clear visibility even under bright sunlight.
The phone is powered by theExynos 2400e processor—a slightly underclocked version of the Exynos 2400 used in the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. It handles daily tasks well, though it does warm up during gaming, so it’s not really aimed at gamers.
It ships with Android 14-based One UI 6.1.1 and all Galaxy AI features, with an Android 15-basedOne UI 7 updatecoming soon. In fact, the phone is set to be updated almost all the way to Android 21—impressive software support overall.
The camera setup includes a 50MP main lens, an 8MP 3x telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide. While it’s a versatile setup, neither the telephoto nor the ultrawide really stand out. Daylight photos come out well, but low-light performance and portraits are strictly average. The 10MP selfie shooter is a letdown, though.
The Galaxy S24 FE packs a modest 4,700 mAh battery with 25W fast charging, which is enough for a day’s use. On top of that, it supports 15W wireless charging for added convenience.
AnTuTu Score:1.6 million
Software Updates:Android 14-based One UI 6 | 7 years of updates (till almost Android 21)
Price:₹42,371 for 8/128GB
Ritik Singh
With over 7 years of experience in tech, Ritik currently heads content at Techwiser.com. His journey started by sharing knowledge and helping others in online communities. That passion soon turned into a career in tech journalism, backed by a formal education in Electronic Media. He’s held editorial roles at GadgetsToUse and PC-Tablet, and has contributed to popular publications like HowToGeek and TheWindowsClub. With over 2,000 how-tos, reviews, and in-depth guides under his belt, Ritik has helped millions of readers get more out of their tech—from smartphones to smart homes.
