Top 10 Smartphones Under Rs 40,000 in India (2024) | iQOO Neo 9 Pro, OnePlus 12R, Pixel 7a, More

India has one of the most competitive smartphone markets in the world. With OEMs vying for dominance at every price segment. We recently took you through the list of best smartphones under Rs 30,000 and top 10 phones under Rs 10,000.

Now, with the recent launch of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro and OnePlus 12R, we are setting our sights on the sub-40K smartphone market. So without any further delays, here are our picks for the best smartphones under Rs 40,000 in India in 2024.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro | Rs 36,999 | 8GB/256GB

Let's start with the latest, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro! In terms of hardware, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro takes the top spot on our list, offering the best set of specifications for its price.

Among its key highlights are the Neo 9 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, a flagship-grade 50 MP Sony IMX920 VCS primary camera sensor, a 144Hz LTPO OLED display, and a 5,100 mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. Apart from the specifications, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro also comes in a premium vegan leather option.

OnePlus 12R | Rs 39,999 | 8GB/128GB

Another excellent pick in the sub-40K segment is the OnePlus 12R as it combines some of the best hardware in the segment with smooth and bloat-free software experience. The OnePlus 12R is also the best built smartphone in the segment.

The OnePlus 12R features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, a 120Hz LTPO 4.0 OLED screen with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, and a 5,500 mAh battery with 100W fast charging support, all class-leading specifications. It also features a 50 MP triple-camera setup and runs on the latest Android 14 software.

Oppo Ren 11 Pro | Rs 38,999 | 8GB/256GB

The Oppo Reno 11 Pro features one of the most versatile camera setups of any smartphone under Rs 40,000 with only one rival. The Reno 11 Pro features a triple-camera setup that consists of a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS, a 32 MP telephoto shooter, and an 8 MP ultrawide lens.

Apart from the three versatile rear cameras, the Reno 11 Pro also features a 32 MP selfie camera. Other highlights of the Reno 11 Pro include a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC, a 120Hz curved AMOLED display, and a 4,600 mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

Nothing Phone (2) | From Rs 36,999 | 12GB/256GB

Nothing brings its 'A' game to the sub-40K space with the Phone (2). The Nothing Phone 2 is the most edgy and unique looking smartphone on this list and probably in the world, equipped with customizable LED lights and a transparent design.

Apart from the design, the Phone (2) also features a premium build, a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, a 120Hz LTPO OLED display, and a 4,700 mAh battery with both wired and wireless fast charging support. The Nothing Phone 2 also features a 50 MP primary sensor and a 50 MP ultrawide lens, which is one of the best in the segment.

Pixel 7a | From Rs 38,999 | 8GB/128GB

The Google Pixel 7a doesn't offer much versatility in the camera department but like the Pixel 7, it puts a major emphasis on quality, offering the best camera system of any smartphone under Rs 40,000. It also shares a lot of similarities with the Pixel 7 and offers an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

The Pixel 7a features major camera overhauls over its predecessor with a new 64 MP primary sensor with OIS and an updated 13 MP ultrawide lens. The Google Pixel 7a features a Tensor G2 SoC, a 90Hz OLED display, an IP68 rating, a 50 MP dual-camera setup, a 4,385 mAh battery with 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging, and an upgraded 13 MP front camera.

Vivo V29 Pro | From Rs 39,990 | 8GB/256GB

The Vivo V29 Pro is easily one of the best-looking smartphones on our list, in major part, thanks to its ultra-slim design. However, the phone is no slouch with a versatile triple-camera setup, a capable mid-range chipset, a high-res front camera, and a vibrant AMOLED display.

The Vivo V29 Pro opts for a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS, a 12 MP telephoto-portrait shooter, and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. Yes, it is the other versatile camera setup on our list. Other key aspects of the Vivo V29 Pro include a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC, a 120Hz Curved AMOLED display, a 50 MP selfie camera, and a 4,600 mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G | From Rs 35,499 | 8GB/128GB

Samsung's fans will be pleased to know that the South Korean tech giant also has a formidable mid-ranger in the sub-40K space in the form of the Galaxy A54 5G. The handset features a premium build with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back as well as an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

Moreover, the design of the Galaxy A54 5G closely resembles that of the Galaxy S23. Samsung's mid-range Galaxy A series smartphone also features a 120Hz AMOLED display, an Exynos 1380 chipset, a 5,000 mAh battery, a 32 MP front camera, and a 50 MP triple-camera setup. Samsung also offers the best software support in the segment but the Exynos chip lags behind the competition.

Tecno Phantom X2 | From Rs 36,999 | 8GB/256GB

Another standout sub-40K smartphone that often goes under the radar is the Tenco Phantom X2. The Phatom X2 was unveiled sometime in January 2023 but still brings top-of-the-line hardware, including its MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC and curved 120Hz AMOLED display.

On the back, the Tecno Phantom X2 features a 64MP RGBW(G+P) sensor with OIS, a 13 MP ultrawide unit, and a third 2 MP sensor. The phone also packs a large battery with fast charging support. While the Phantom X2 does feature a formidable specs sheet, it still falls short of some of the competition. Now, to a couple of honorable mentions.

Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus | From 31,999 | 8GB/256GB

The first honorable mention on our list is the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus. The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus features a premium specs sheet with a 200 MP triple-camera setup, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and a 5,000 mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. It also features a premium vegan leather back panel, Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Realme 12 Pro Plus | From Rs 29,999 | 8GB/128GB

Our final option on the list is the Realme 12 Pro Plus. While this phone falls in the sub-30K price point, it is the only smartphone we could find under Rs 40,000 with a periscope camera for the best-in-class zoom performance. But beyond just the periscope camera, the Realme 12 Pro Plus offers a ton of versatility across the board, making it a worthy addition to this list.